Imagination and excitement

Imagine...

I finally managed to upload the song 'I can only imagine' by Mercy Me into this blog. I have also changed the rolling lyrics, by courtesy of lyricsdownload.com. I'm still thinking of new ideas for this blog, but as for now, the music is what I will do from time to time.

I have been reflecting, whether when I received Christ, will I automatically sense if people really have received Christ or not. I remembered reading somewhere (when I was still a spiritual infant, now I'm a spiritual toddler), that because if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). So, it is quite obvious that if anyone is really saved, his life will be completely changed. And I read that time that if someone does not show any changes in his life after receiving Christ, most likely he has not been saved at all. As such, there exists a mechanism by which we can know if someone really has received Christ with both his heart and mouth, or he hasn't really been saved yet. As written in Romans:

9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
- Romans 10:9

And as it's written in John:

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
- John 1:12

I remember someone telling me that since I received Christ, I have looked more radiant. I dun know about myself, but I have sort of taken a close look at other brothers and sisters and I found that it's sort of true in a way. It's quite obvious that their lifes are continually being changed by God thru His Holy Spirit. And normally, I get quite excited when I know that someone has been saved. It's as if the Holy Spirit within me is acting upon me, prompting me, allowing me to show the whole heaven's joy outwardly.

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
- Luke 15:10

Maybe that's the reason why Christ followers all over the world will be encouraged by each soul saved, cos we know that our Father in heaven cherishes every soul.

Coming back to the topic, of course, I know that it means that when people only confess with their mouth, and not with their heart, it is rather obvious that you dun feel the excitement you ought to feel. Of course, when we are saying this kind of things, we dun base it totally on feeling. Faith is never totally based on feeling. I dun want to worship a God whom is only worthy of worship when the feeling comes. Experiencing God is not a feeling. Being changed by Jesus is not based on feeling. And I know that God has a way to purify everyone's motives and hearts and a way to show Himself to everyone who wants to seek Him, even if their initial intent is impure.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
- Ephesians 3:20

The above verse is what that motivates me currently. Nothing more encouraging than the Word of God when you are down.

Anyway, speaking about getting excited, I recently got to read an article at Pastor Jeff's blog and for the benefit of those who dun know who he is and are too lazy to go to his blog, I shall repost this article here. (anyway, it's written by Rick Warren)

How God builds you while you are building your ministry
by Rick Warren

Did you know that God uses a very predictable process to build your character? I call this process the "Six Phases of Faith." If you don’t understand this process, you’ll get discouraged when problems arise. You’ll wonder, "Why is this happening to me?" But if you understand and cooperate with what God is doing in your ministry, your faith - like a muscle that is stretched - will develop great strength.

Phase 1: A dream
God gives you a dream – an idea, goal, or ambition. Every great accomplishment first begins as a God-given dream in someone’s mind. "God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” (Eph. 3:20 LB)

Phase 2: A decision
A dream is worthless until you decide to do something about it. For every 10 dreamers, there’s only one decision-maker. This is the moment of truth where you decide to invest your time, money, energy, and reputation and to let go of security. If you want to walk on water - you must get out of the boat! "You must believe and not doubt … a double-minded man is unstable in all he does.” (James 1:6, 8 GN)

Phase 3: A delay
There is always a time lapse before your dream becomes reality. God uses this waiting period to teach us to trust him. Remember, a delay is not a denial. Maturity is understanding the difference between "no” and "not yet.” God says, “These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!” (Hab. 2:3 LB)

Phase 4: A difficulty
Now the problems start popping up. The two most common types: critics and circumstances. Don’t worry. It’s all a part of God’s plan. “At the present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident – it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 Ph)

Phase 5: A dead end!
Your situation will deteriorate from difficult to impossible. You are backed into a corner, you reach the end of your rope; it looks hopeless. Congratulations! You are on the edge of a miracle. Trust God. “At that time we were completely overwhelmed … in fact we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet we now believe we had this sense of impending disaster so that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves but in God who can raise the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:8-9 Ph)

Phase 6: A deliverance
God provides a supernatural answer. Miraculously, things fall into place! God loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections so you can see his greatness. “I expect the Lord to deliver me once again so I will see his goodness to me ….” (Ps. 27:13)

For your info, in case you dun know, Rick Warren wrote a very powerful book 'Purpose-driven life', which played a part in helping me to know God. Till this day, I'll still recommend this book to everyone, even if you are a non-believer, cos it's just simply too powerful. Guess this article sort of represents my shift in mentality over the past few months.

Anyway, welcome to a same old brand new blog. Old in the sense that what you see is what you used to get. New in the sense that what you hear is what you now get.