The first blog : The first blog

DB - Thursday 19th March 09 - A Heart Of Concern

2009-04-28T12:51:43Z

Let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

A community that has bonding and harmony would survive any outside threats. I remembered how in the 60s my Chinese neighbours would surround a Malay family and even stay in the house to ensure that the occupants were safe during a time of racial discord in Singapore.

Having the interest of others would ensure our own interest to be protected. It is like a train, each carriage is linked and when the locomotive moves forward, the rest would follow. Should�any of the coaches decided to pull out of the line, it would cause problem for itself and others.

When we are all in the same boat, no matter who is rich and famous, if the ship sank,�all will be affected.�Equally important is the Captain of the Ship. We are�in the Lord's�command and standing united would ensure victories.�We can lose a battle but never a war which is lead by our Master and Lord.

In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.

Looking to the needs of others honours Christ.

DB - Wednesday 18th March 09 - What's In A Name?

2009-04-28T12:50:02Z

Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. - Ephesians 4:1

A product can sell just by having it's famous and well respected company's name or country of origin. Before, any product from China�was received with some concerns but not any more. Once I bought a product�in France and�presumed�it to be a French made one. Upon unwrapping when reaching home, low and behold, it was made in China. It was a good product. However with greed and dishonest intentions, some companies have brought shame to their companies and countries.

Reputation goes before us. People could avoid or welcome us. It is important that we need to be consistently reminded that any word or action can be a stumbling block for others. We must be mindful that our desire to have a closer walk with Jesus each day is not practiced only during our quiet time, in church or in the company of fellow Christians. 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 seconds in each day is important for our Lord. He�wants to be our Lord and Master every second of each day.�One second of�lapsed concentration can destroy 86,399 seconds of faithfulness.

A Christian reflects Jesus Christ.

DB - Tuesday 17th March 09 - Take One Step

2009-04-28T12:12:55Z

Love the Lord your God, obey Him and be faithful to Him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that He promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. - Deuteronomy 30:20

Hard work�with discipline is what most of�us have been taught�as the ingredients�for success. If we add to it, God's love, obedience and faithfulness, we�are assured not only success�but everlasting peace�and joy.�

To reach the destination, we need to take the first step forward. The beginning could be most difficult. Once we are on the way, the journey can be much easier. We need to take one step at a time and in no time we could accomplish half the journey and the end could be soon in sight. Rushing and actions done in haste will eventually go to waste.

The journey with Christ is the same. All we need is to take is one�step at a time. Read and memorize one verse a day, seven in a week, thirty in a month and soon we will have 365 verses by�the time we celebrate His birthday. Remember; do not let God down with one step forward and two steps back!

One small step of obedience is a giant step to blessing.

DB - Monday 16th March 09 - Thomas Time

2009-04-28T12:09:54Z

Thomas answered and said to Him, �My Lord and my God!" - John 20:28�

I empathized with Thomas. He earned the name of "doubting Thomas". He said that he would not believe that Jesus appeared to the other disciples until he had seen Jesus in person and touched His side. When Jesus appeared before Thomas, He told him to stop doubting and believe.�Yes, at times we are not prepared to accept unless we see it�with our eyes. Yet, we can be fooled and be deceived by magicians and con men.�We could have been injured and had been weighed down by the�wound in our lives.�It is good to take some time in prayers and ask God to reveal the depth and scope of our wound. Revisiting the scene of our injury can be frightening but with Jesus by our side, He will help us to open our hearts to the truth once and for all.��

It is important to know that no matter what we have gone through; our God welcomes us home�with opened arms�with no questions asked. He will do His part as our Lord and our God.�

A child of God is always welcomed home.

DB - Wednesday 15th April 09 - Check Your Attitude

2009-04-15T02:13:40Z

He must increase but I must decrease. - John 3:30

John the Baptist knew that he was only�a messenger for the God's purpose. It is not easy for anyone to take the back seat�in any race and to allow another�to chest the finishing tape. At times, it is rational thinking that we need�to move aside for another. To build a good organisation, it is important for the current leaders�do ensure�continual renewal.

As we move on in time, inadvertently, with the�fast changing world, we�have to admit that the future belongs�to our young. In the meantime, we should be mentors and help our young to�understand the past and to prepare them better for�tomorrow. Attitude towards this end must come from within, without any pretense, self interest and pride.

When we forget about ourselves, we do things others will remember

DB - Tuesday 14th April 09 - God Remembers

2009-04-14T01:16:46Z

God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. - Genesis 8:1

At times when the going get tough, we tend to resent and even�question God for His intention of putting us through such a situation. The frustration at�times can cause us to�divert our attention and turn away from God. We may be attracted to short term gain that cannot be sustained.

In no circumstances, God�do not care for us. In fact, He is always near and it is by our own default that we should experience�any distance. By constant prayer and keeping regular quiet time with God's Words, we will know that God cares. If�He can provide for the sparrows, how much more He would for those who love Him and do His will. Do not be despair. Trust and obey for there is no other way, to be happy with Jesus is to trust and obey.

To know that God sees us brings both conviction and comfort

DB - Monday 13th April 09 - It's Bubbling In My Soul

2009-04-14T01:15:00Z

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink ....... Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. - John 7:37 - 38

We all know that when hunger and thirst strike, we do need food and liquid. Our bodies are made to depend on air, food and water. Any deficiency of each of these would render the body to react poorly. On the other hand, too much impure food or liquid would equally damage the body.

Spiritually too, the dearth of holiness would grieve our heart and soul. We need to safeguard ourselves from allowing unwelcome spirit to fill the gaps that we unwittingly left them�available to wrong desires. Remember that our Lord would send His�Holy Spirit to�replace His presence.�Our heart can�never be half filled or half empty. Jesus will provide His�overflowing love that is sufficient to let us have life abundantly.�

Christ departed so that the Holy Spirit could be imparted.

DB - Easter Sunday 12th April 09 - Much More!

2009-04-12T00:55:52Z

Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. - Romans 5:20

The sunrise services that many churches organised today must be�memorial encounter for the attendees. The hymns and messages helped us to actualise and participate in the atmosphere of the missing body of Christ and the actualization of knowledge that our Lord has risen from the tomb.

There are many things that are forbidden and yet we have a yearning for them. We say that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Today, with Jesus' resurrection, He gave unto us the victory over sins. We can have His wisdom and grace to be discerning over what we need from what we want.

With Christ, we are blessed and have the intimacy of an inward transformation of both our mind and soul. Jesus is alive. He is risen. He now lives�within�our hearts.

When Jesus is our Lord and Master, we can be more forbearing, patient,�self-control and long-suffering.

Our sin is great�- God's grace is greater.

DB - Saturday 11th April 09 - The Day With No Name

2009-04-11T00:03:52Z

If we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. - Romans 8:25

All of us has hope, dream and longing. We all wish for a better day. We anticipate and aspire to achieve the best. However, when we are able to expect the unexpected, we shall be better prepared�to handle moments of despair, disbelief and pessimism.

Jesus promised by His death to give us a better life and have it more abundantly. We can fulfill this only when we have straightened our outlook, longing and dream. Jesus is capable of strengthening our faith and confidence on things we do not see. He said to those who were with Him that it is more blessed to those who do not see Him in person and yet believe.

Just like today, a day Jesus was lead into the tomb has no name. Would imagine that His disciples today were hopeless, despair, fear�and maybe disbelieve with what had happened. This nameless day has turned out to be a victory for the world and God.

God took the worst deed of history and turned it into the greatest victory

DB - Friday 10th April 09 - Who Crucified Jesus?

2009-04-10T01:00:17Z

When they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him. - Luke 23:33

What does "Good Friday" mean to us? A day of sadness? A day of mourning? A day to remind us that there are cruel people? A day when we want to shed a tear or two?

None of the above! We are to rejoice that our God, our Heavenly Father LOVES US so much that He allowed His begotten Son to be crucified on the cross. It is the day we want to love our Lord�for His sacrifice. He has called us His "Friends". The greatest love a person can have for his�friends is to give up his life for them. Jesus did just that. For His act, we can now be free from�our sins and guilt.�All we have to do is to�confess our sins and invite�Him to be our Master and Lord of our lives. Into victory we shall be when�pick up His Cross and follow His commandments. All worldly things will grow strangely deem in the light of His grace.

We did not choose Jesus to die on the cross. He chose us and appointed us to go and bear much fruits, the kind of fruits that endures forever. God will give us whatever we ask of Him in Jesus Name.

The cross of Christ reveals the love of God at its best and the sin of the world at its worst.

http://ericlowdb.xanga.com

DB - Thursday 9th April 09 - The Honor Of Your Friendship

2009-04-08T23:09:20Z

I�do not call you servants any longer, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. Instead, I�call you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. - John 15:15�

Jesus, our�Lord and Savoir,�offer to us the meaning of calling each other 'friend'. His interpretation helps us to appreciate and adopt the right attitude towards one another. We have to accept that each comes from different culture and background. We are not to impose any perception on others. Forbearing and uplifting each other would pave the way for better understanding and relationship.�

Jesus in verses 12-13 said: "My commandment is this: love one another, just as�I love you. The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them."�

Today, the eve of Good Friday, the message to love one another is most appropriate. There are plenty of hypocrisy, pretence, hate, jealousy and deceit. Should any of these hanging around our neck, let us unlock and crucify them on the cross tonight so that our Lord can�remove them�from us. He came to die to set us free. His commandment is to love one another.�

Love is more than a sentiment, it's putting another's needs ahead of your own.

DB - Wednesday 8th April 09 - The Other Goat

2009-04-08T00:18:39Z

And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. - 1 John 2:2�

We can empathise with people whom have been made�scapegoats of certain situations. They take the place of blame and sometimes have to suffer in silence. In�most instances, these people are connected to the guilt by being part of the company. We have to be discerning to whom we associate with. It is never easy but if we allow our Lord to lead us, we will be assured of walking along the right paths and in the company of His people.�

At Easter, we are reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself the blame not only of our sins but also the sins of everyone.�

We must be humbled to�acknowledge that Jesus died so that we can be reconciled with God. He took our sins and set us free.� He offered to those who follow Him, eternal life and salvation. There is nothing more important than to acknowledge God's unconditional love for us.��

When Jesus is our Lord and Master, we can enjoy His peace and wisdom. A closer walk each day with Him would render unto us the joy and guilt free passion�of life. This would eventually lead us wanting to touch others with the same sentiments that our Lord has touches us.�

Jesus takes our sin and gives us His salvation.

DB - Tuesday 7th April 09 - Who's On My Guest List?

2009-04-07T01:18:10Z

When you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed. - Luke 14: 13-14�

It is natural that everyone wants to support the winning side. True sportsman does not believe he can win all the time. Nonetheless,�support that comes after a failure is more precious. In real�life, it is�not easy to accept failure.�Able to manage and to pick up the pieces to move ahead needs lots of courage and determination.�Believe me, for one, I know what it is like after losing two general elections!�

We must try our best to reach out not only to people whom we know that support us. To win the hearts for God begins with us. God has called us to be hosts to the unbelievers among us. As we reach out to serve the poor and the needy, we are holding feasts for our Lord.��

Be a Volunteer today and see how our Lord can bless us in the work we do. On�each third Friday of�the month, a few of us gathered at Sunlove Home for the mentally disadvantaged, to administer to these 200 residents with songs, dance, food, sharing of the Word and Praying. It has been six years since, the result is�the residents are happy and the team members too have been richly blessed.�

Opening our hearts and homes blesses both us and others.�

DB - Monday 6th April 09 - Nothing Left But God

2009-04-06T01:17:43Z

Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. - 2 Corinthians 20:15

In time of loneliness and troubled mind, we tend to seek for an easy escape route. Failing to find one, we may turn to bad habit to occupy our attention and hope to replace our fear and pain. Soon the reality of life will return to haunt us. It is better to face the music with rational thinking and seeking assistance from the right places.

It is comforting to know that God is always in control. No matter what challenge we are facing, our Commander, our Lord Jesus is at the helm. Let us take a step back and allow our Lord to face the music. He will allow our foe to believe that we have been defeated. We are to stay humble, patient and wait upon the Lord. He will open other opportunity for us to move forward with greater rewards. All battles are His. Not ours. Praise His Name.

When all you have is God, you have all you need.

DB - Sunday 5th April 09 - The Measure of Mercy

2009-04-05T01:59:06Z

�

You were not redeemed with corruptible things, .......... but with the precious blood of Christ. - 1 Peter 1: 18-19��

��In 5 days time, we would be confronted with the day our Lord was crucified. In 7 days, we would celebrate His resurrection. It would be good for us to do something as of today to remind us daily of God's love and mercy for us. I would like to recommend that we fast. It can be�giving up a meal a day or sacrifice our favourite food such as meat, carbohydrates or seafood at every meal. This exercise could remind at least 3 times a day through Easter and to thank God for His sacrifice of His only begotten Son for our lives.�

The precious blood of Jesus is the only way that God can reconcile man back to Him. We have sins and it is Jesus' blood that�washes us clean. As we approach Easter 2009, let us make this Easter a special one. Seek the Lord and listen to His calling. Humbly�reflecting�on His Mercy for us in the past,�weighing and realizing the blessings we have.�

God broke into human history to offer us the eternal gift of salvation.