No More Salty?

Reading what a friend blogged recently made me realized that I am no longer being the 'salt' in his life.

Why? Unknowingly, I have not been updating this blog for exactly 4 months since my last update.

How have I been? No problem.... and that's the problem. When I have 'no problem' I stopped reflecting, stopped sharing my feelings and thoughts, stopped letting God's word speak to me, no more inspiration to write and has stopped making any difference to no one's life. :( I still go to church every Sunday, though.

Yes, that's what happened to people too. When they have 'no problem' they think that they don't need God.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I have been immersing my life, my thoughts and feeling with work since then. I have no time to reflect about life or think about others. Maybe that's one way to forget the past and move on with my life. It's a pity that my friend is stuck in his pasts, and can't seem to move past them. I feel sad for him and pray that he can move on soon.

God is always good, always seeing me through each storm of life. Yes, I must give thanks to Him and I hope my friend will too. I will try to reflect more and be inspired to write something that can encourage others.

Psalms 105 - Summary of God's Miracles to the Israelites

1 Give thanks to the Lord.
Call on him.
Make known among the nations what he has done.

2 Sing to him.
Make music to praise him.
Meditate on all the miracles he has performed.

3 Brag about his holy name.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

4 Search for the Lord and his strength.
Always seek his presence.

5 Remember the miracles he performed,
the amazing things he did, and the judgments he pronounced,

6 you descendants of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
Psalms 105:1-6 (GW)

Reflection of B:

This chapter summarizes all the miracles God did for the Israelites, from Abraham to Moses, to show how God kept His promises to Abraham.

Yes, we need to remember that our God is a God who will not fail us and will keep all His promises to us, unlike our experiences with mankind. When we are down, we need to remember all the things He had done for us and praise Him.


Dear Lord,
Once again You have reminded me that You will always keep Your promises. I trust in You.
In Your wonderful name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 95 and 96 - Sing to God In All Circumstances

1 Come, let's sing joyfully to the Lord.
Let's shout happily to the rock of our salvation.
2 Let's come into his presence with a song of thanksgiving.
Let's shout happily to him with psalms.
Psalms 95:1-2 (GW)

1 Sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord! Praise his name!
Day after day announce that the Lord saves his people.
3 Tell people about his glory.
Tell all the nations about his miracles.
Psalms 96:1-3 (GW)

Reflection of B:

I was supposed to hand in my resignation today, yet I didn't. I didn't feel nice doing it today... I shall wait and see.... I have my letter all prepared.

Hmmn... why? I was so disappointed and angry the last few days with my bosses. Yet today, my heart soften again. Am I such a 'weakling'? I lose my anger easily somehow.

But today's Psalms reminds me to sing to God and to praise Him. Perhaps the Lord wants me to learn to focus on Him instead of on what others did to me. Yes, when I share more about God, I will not look at myself that much. It's a good reminder.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to praise You and give thanks to You for everything instead of looking at what others did to me. Surely You will bring justice for me and not let others bully me for too long. I commit my bosses to Your hand and pray that You will teach them too to be sensitive and not to humiliate others, especially those who are Your children. Speak to their hearts too, for they are Your children.
Give me another new day and let me rejoice once again in You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 67 and 68 - God of Victories

20 Our God is the God of victories.
The Almighty Lord is our escape from death.
Psalms 68:20 (GW)

Reflection of B:

These two Psalms are praises and thanksgiving by King David to God. God had led him to victories and helped him escape death many times.

We don't have to wait for big happenings to thank God. We can thank Him for seeing us through yet another day. He is great!



Dear Lord,
Thank You for being my victor and salvation. Thank You that I am always safe in Your arms. Praise You!
Amen.

Psalms 50 - The Safe Way

1 A psalm by Asaph.
The Lord, the only true God, has spoken.
He has summoned the earth
from where the sun rises to where it sets.
Psalms 50:1 (GW)

23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me.
I will let everyone who continues in my way
see the salvation that comes from God.”
Psalms 50:23 (GW)

Reflection of B:

I just realized that not all Psalms are written by King David. This is a Psalm of Asaph. According to Wikipedia,

Asaph Meaning: convener, or collector

(1.) A Levite; one of the leaders of David's choir (1 Chr. 6:39). Psalms 50 and Psalms 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a "seer" (2 Chr. 29:30). The "sons of Asaph," mentioned in 1 Chr. 25:1, 2 Chr. 20:14, and Ezra 2:41, were his descendants, or more probably a class of poets or singers who recognized him as their master.


One way to honour God is to thank Him. Yet many times we forget to give thanks to God unless it's something major which God has helped or blessed us.

Verse 23 says that to continue in God's way is a way to receive salvation from God. Salvation from what? Salvation from sins, from the evil one, from harms, from ourselves, etc. We need to be saved from all forms of unrighteousness by walking in God's way.


Dear Lord,
May thanksgiving always be in my mouth. For You are the one who keeps me and sees me through my life. Let me not forget You even in the smallest thing that happens in my life. Let me be thankful that You have seen me through another day. Help me to walk in Your way always and receiving Your salvation from all unrighteousness.

I also want to pray for my sisters in Christ, that they may come for the fellowship tomorrow and be blessed by the fellowship in Christ. Open a way for them to come, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Psalms 28 - In All Situations Give Thanks

6 Thank the Lord!
He has heard my prayer for mercy!
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield.
My heart trusted him, so I received help.
Psalms 28:6-7 (GW)

Reflection of B:

King David is our model in praising and thanking God, though initially he may be complaining to God about his fears and distress. David knew his Maker well, that He will always hear his prayers and recuse him from all troubles.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for encouraging me through the example of King David. Help me to always give You thanks in all situations.
I want to praise You! Amen.