Loved Ones

Chinese New Year came and passed this year as it has always come and passed- but for me it has been a vast difference, as things have been for these past three months or so.

Being in the midst of the throngs has been a constant temptation- the temptation to forget what has been learnt and to just 'revert' back to my old, sinful self...

But Only by the grace (note: the supernatural enabling) of God, i have not. "Give us this day our daily bread".. (:

I guess i have been too accustomed to see my close relatives all going to church with me (except for my grandpa...Pray for him! "he that goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall DOUBTLESS come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" Ps 126 i AM claiming upon that promise!), and today the Lord led me to read a dear friend's blog... and i was struck with the severity of it all.

My heart burns when i think about it. How can we mingle with loved ones whom we care so much for, unconcerned about the reality of death and hell for those who are not saved? This is not even about the lost in general yet- it is about those we care about and love! The church is praying for a (very dear to me- and all of us) sister-in-Christ, but how many have been on their knees burdened and crying out for the souls of their loved ones as well? Ps 126 says Doubtless- DOUBTLESS! Why are we giving up on the possibility of our loves ones being so wonderfully saved? Can we not trust in our GOD to save them and keep His promises in His Word, as we do for our salvation?

How about those whom we know have lost the fire for Christ? Are we not, then, as brethren in Christ, to encourage and exhort.. "Convince, rebuke, Exhort, with all longsuffering and patience" (NOT by any of our effort to persuade, but only by the supernatural enabling of our LORD!) -Yes! Even REBUKE... or are we too afraid to do so for FEAR of offending others? FEAR! "Be anxious for nothing.." "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear..." if not of God, who then can it be from? Is this feeling then an excuse for not following the Word of our God? I am so humbled by this rebuke the Lord has given me.

Truly, my heart aches. People who have 'disappeared'... and you know what the awful, Awful thing is? (i have had people who give me this answer as a 'reason' for not going... although not a justifiable reason -because we are to go FOR OUR GOD- but it does play an unavoidable part) THE REASON WHY PEOPLE STOP WANTING TO COME IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO DISCOURAGED BY OUR BEHAVIOUR AS CHRISTIANS!

True accounts.
"Because i see back-biting, gossiping, disputes.. which i do not even see outside". (and this is about our church!)
"you people do not follow the bible at all.. how can it be real?.."

I truly do not know if they are saved, apostates, or not saved... but that strikes real heartache and fear in my heart.. not fear of man, but FEAR OF MY LORD! Have we turned this holy, sacred place into a "gambling den", where Jesus himself went and turned the tables over? Is church now a place for socializing without concern for our Lord? Is it a place where we come and sit or sleep through a sermon, then go out and chit-chat about latest fashions, soccer matches and the like? O Lord, forgive Your people.

O, Lord.