4321
Internship's over (Ed: Apparently I need to serve till end June! Ahh. Monetary woes allayed I guess :)) - rounded off by a lift upgrade that took the same amount of time to complete (I still have trouble using it simply because my mind goes blank at the sight of 4 times the usual number of buttons on a metal plate); a resounding 3 days of screaming children; 2 driving test failures (and feeling like one too) - and a place in Singapore Bible College. I feel daunted, very daunted, not just because I am going to be severely in debt by the end of this month, but also because I have no idea how I am going to fare in school. Oh, for an extra dose of grace (and intelligence), I prithee Thee!
I must have said this before - I've seen God breaking me in so many areas that I never knew existed - the cost of being His servant - and have never felt so much of a lack of self-efficacy and uselessness in my entire life. And then I've gone into hiding from Him, got dragged out of hiding, hid again, exposed yet again... But there is always that one undeniable consistency: God's faithful grace and mercy. I must admit my lacking in terms of effort and doing all as unto the Lord - there is much that I could have done with more intention and more care rather than routinely skim through it, yet the Lord has shown that His work will still go on, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. (Although my weaknesses will be judged according to the measure that He has given me... Woe am I :()
That said, I can only still give thanks for every single person and event that God has put into my life. I give thanks for the privilege to be called His child; for Him willing that I should be a vessel of clay for His purposes, that He in His unfathomable wisdom should so desire to break, mould, and throw me into the fiery furnace for my good and for His glory.
I give thanks in all circumstances, simply because it is His will for me.
[Final Instructions and Benediction]
[12] We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
[23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
[25] Brothers, pray for us.
[26] Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
[27] I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
[28] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 ESV)
I must have said this before - I've seen God breaking me in so many areas that I never knew existed - the cost of being His servant - and have never felt so much of a lack of self-efficacy and uselessness in my entire life. And then I've gone into hiding from Him, got dragged out of hiding, hid again, exposed yet again... But there is always that one undeniable consistency: God's faithful grace and mercy. I must admit my lacking in terms of effort and doing all as unto the Lord - there is much that I could have done with more intention and more care rather than routinely skim through it, yet the Lord has shown that His work will still go on, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. (Although my weaknesses will be judged according to the measure that He has given me... Woe am I :()
That said, I can only still give thanks for every single person and event that God has put into my life. I give thanks for the privilege to be called His child; for Him willing that I should be a vessel of clay for His purposes, that He in His unfathomable wisdom should so desire to break, mould, and throw me into the fiery furnace for my good and for His glory.
I give thanks in all circumstances, simply because it is His will for me.
[Final Instructions and Benediction]
[12] We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.
[23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
[25] Brothers, pray for us.
[26] Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
[27] I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
[28] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 ESV)