Plain Talk About Temptation...[166]

James 1:13-18 (New International Version)

13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

1. Temptation is always present in life - The moment we entered this world, we were drafted into a lifelong battle with temptation.
2. Temptation is never prompted by God - God is not directly or indirectly involved in tempting us to sin.
3. Temptation follows a consistent process -

• ...the bait is dropped...
• ...our inner desire is attracted to the bait...
• ...sin occurs when we yield to temptation...
• ...sin result in death...

4. Temptation flourishes on inconsistent thinking - The battlefront for resisting being drawn away from God is in the mind. Each time we yield to temptation we believe a lie- and what's worse, we start living in one.

Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit. Sow
a habit, reap your character. Sow your character, reap your destiny.

If we sow these thoughts consistently, we should crowd out the weeds of temptation and harvest more fruits of the Spirit.
Yet how many of us pray for deliverance from some temptation, only to turn right around and expose ourselves to it again?

To pray against temptation, and yet to rush into occasions, is to
thrust your fingers into the fire, and then pray they might not be
burnt.

Christians cannot achieve victory over temptation with knowledge alone. We must sow God's Word into our daily living through obedience. Then temptation will begin to lose its foothold in our lives.

No one is immune from temptation. So it would be a wise investment of our time to do a little self-evaluation.

Temptation always triggers a choice and provokes a definite stand or action. Between us and the fulfillment of God's promises always lies a situation containing temptation - and it is how we respond to temptation that determines whether or not we receive the fulfillment of our promise. Temptation is designed to bring out what is really in our hearts. Seen in this perspective, temptation isn't something frightening or to be avoided - it prepares us to receive what we long to have.

A Beautiful Exchange...

I was hunting for new songs to put in this bloggie of mine. The album "A Beautiful Exchange" has just been released... it has only been released in July 2010... enjoy the songs...

1. Our God is Love
2. Open My Eyes
3. Forever Reign
4. The One Who Saves
5. Like Incense/Sometimes by Step
6. The Greatness of Our God
7. The Father's Heart
8. You
9. Love Like Fire
10. Believe
11. Beautiful Exchange
12. Thank You

Just stay in my bloggie for an hour... just an hour to fill your spirit with all these songs... or why not just get the CD or DVD or download it into your iPod or MP3 or MP4 or whatever MP that you have... oh, click play on the iPod and it will start playing... if you come directly from my Facebook, you'll have to click on this --> www.uniqueyenmei.blogspot.com

The Gift of Problems...

Problems can only be avoided

by exercising good judgement.

Good judgement can only be gained

by experiencing life's problems.

If we are not allowed to deal with small problems, we will be destroyed by slightly larger ones. When we come to understand this fact, we live our lives not avoiding problems, but welcoming them as challenges that will strengthen us so that we can be victorious in the future. When we can learn from our own problems, we begin to deal with life. When we can learn from other people's problems, we begin to master life.

I have my fair share of problems. The worst will be being hit directly from every direction. Financial problems... business problems... and my kids' problems that make me go bonkers. I used to be hopping mad or upset in every situation, but I learnt that leaning on God 101% and casting all my cares upon him really lift up every problem. Instead of seeking for solutions, just rest in Him. Everything will be taken care of. Isn't that wonderful?

There are acquaintances who spent their time pouring out their problems to me. It sounded strange as we didn't know each other but I see that it brought them great relief after pouring everything out. Well... they just need a pair of listening ears, not that they expect me to solve their problems for them. It's good to lend a pair of ears to those who needed them...

Obstacles are nothing more than a challenge that we face.
Some look at problems as something that was totally bad, something that had to
be dealt with or, better yet, ignored. But when you look at your problems
through a spirit of love, you realize that there is a grand design to this
world, and the problem is given to you for the lesson it will teach you and the
better person it will make you.

The Gift of Learning...

Education is a lifelong journey

whose destination expands

as you travel.

The desire and hunger for education is the key to real learning. Nowadays, kids go to school just because they need to. There's no hunger for information. They do not desire to further their studies after secondary level. As much as we need formal education in schools, there are other ways to learn, too.

Learning from people through their experiences. That's the best way to learn. Learn from their past mistakes. Learning through observations. Many people do not master their observation skills which is of utmost importance as our eyes are the windows to our soul.

Reading is not a dull activity. It's not nerdy to read. No matter what, we should choose what we feed our mind. Not everything on printed paper is readable. Choose wisely~ Well... lesser people indulge in reading as technology has taken a bolder step ahead of books.

People who have no material things - but a passion to learn and a true love of learning - are really quite wealthy.

The Gift of Friends...

It is a wealthy person, indeed,

who calculates riches

not in gold but in friends.

Friend is a word that is thrown around far too easily by people who don't know the meaning of it. Today, people call everyone they know their friend. I'll consider myself blessed to be able to count my real friends on the fingers both hands.

It takes many years to build a friendship. It's like having a building with strong foundation. And it is worth every minute you spend on making the friendship stronger.

Again, age doesn't matter. It's just a number. A true friend will not be bothered whether you're younger or older, poor or rich, ugly or beautiful, smart or dense. Put aside the different race and religion, we get along really really well...

We can love others in a way we have never known. When we just worry about ourselves, we are always disappointed. But when we think about others and their well-being first, everything works out best for us and for them.

My Tofu Sole...

Don't puke lar... don't puke... I don't think I can go hiking with you in Mount Kinabalu. That's what I get EVERY Sunday after badminton. How am I gonna hike with such delicate skin on my sole? Come Monday, I can't even walk properly but I can still run on the cross-runner...

If you insist on me hiking with you, YOU have to find time where we hike up Penang Hill... I haven't even conquer Penang Hill unless going up with the funicular tram is counted as conquering the hill... hahaha....

Next plan... hike up Penang Hill a few times... Bukit Jambul Hill I can do that in 20 minutes so no need that one... then Gunung Jerai... and also hike all the way to Pantai Kerachut to see turtles.. you start planning when you're free okay if not I'll send you off to Kota Kinabalu all alone...

When Troubles Won't Go Away...[165]

Remember when you were little, how your arms and legs were always freckled with bruises? Being a child meant having a body that was a constantly changing configuration of cuts, scrapes and contusions. But even as adults, we still make mistakes and 'scrape out knees.' We get the wind knocked out of us by unfaithful marriage partners, crippling accidents or a sudden death of someone close. We may have traded climbing trees for climbing corporate ladders, but it still hurts when we fall. We don't cut our fingers much anymore, but we do hurt from cutting remarks that leave us bleeding on the inside. Nowadays it's our hearts, not our arms and legs, that are mottled with the blue-and-black marks of troubles. The day's cuts, burns and spills leave behind painful emotional welts.

Adversity - it besets us all. A battered and melancholy Job sighed...

Even David, who enjoyed an enviable closeness with God confessed...
And Paul explained...
There are numerous ideas being tossed around regarding trials. Some people believe they're a form of punishment from God. Others dangle the promise before us that if we can just reach a certain level of maturity, trials will disappear and we'll live happily ever after; life will be one big spiritual Disneyland. And still others are out there trying to convince us that there's really no such thing as adversity. Trials such as death, pain and sickness are a figment of our imagination.

James, however, has something quite different to say about trials.

1. ...They are inevitable - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." [ James 1:2]
2. ... They have purpose... but before we can grasp what that purpose is, we've got to give up viewing troubles as simply bothersome offenses and start seeing them as tests - tests specifically designed by God to stretch our faith, not simply our pocketbooks, friendships or health. "...because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." [James 1:3-4]

Trials can strip away everything but our attitude towards them. Three key elements that form the attitude God desires us to choose when we face trial:

1. To consider - The Christian mindset, going into a trial, is to be positive but not advocating us to deny the pain and sorrow we feel in the midst of a trial. Count it all joy..
2. To know - Tests are designed by God for good, not evil. The heat of the furnace is not designed to make us crack, but to solidify His character in us.
3. To let - Give in to testing, allow it to do its job in our lives and participate in the lessons the trial brings to teach us

All of us know what it's like to flunk in a trial. We remember the wrong responses - resistant attitude, temper tantrums demanding instant relief - that have advanced nothing but our immaturity and misery.

The reason why our troubles often get the best of us is due to the:

1. Lack of wisdom - the ability to view a test from God's perspective. Without this kind of wisdom, the ability to endure becomes elusive and the goal of maturity may never be reached.
2. Lack of faith - a sustaining faith that involves complete abandonment to God and His purposes in our trials.

For someone to whom wisdom just doesn't get through - that person's called "double-minded".

A double-minded person is someone who wants his or her own will and God's at the same time. Someone who, down inside, still has reservations about being completely yielded to God.

Promises to those who handle problems correctly:

1. Happiness... blessed... genuinely happy
2. The crown of life... the crown of a rich and full life to be enjoyed here and now.

The only bruise that never heals is the loss of hope - the loss of confidence that adversities are purposeful, not random, meaningless cruelties.

Take a step back and PRAISE GOD...

Trust God's promise...

Wait expectantly for God's intervention into our troubled situations...

~ He who has a WHY to live can bear with almost any HOW ~

James 1:2-12 (New International Version)

Trials and Temptations

²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

⁹The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Shelley Beach...

That's the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. It's in Phillip Island and the beach just captured my eyes that bro was made to stop the car. Well... he has never seen it before as well... to take me around means you'll be seeing things you've never seen before...

The sand is so soft... I've never walked on such soft sand before and then with all those... indescribable... I really wanna pack my bag and this time round, I'm gonna stay in Phillip Island for maybe a few days or a week... I haven't finish touring the whole island...

The Gift of Money...

Money is nothing more than a tool.

It can be a force for good, a force for evil or simply be idle.

Money... we need it to survive. Without money, we'll go hungry. I'll be a liar if I tell you that I don't like money, I don't want money and I don't need money, but I'm not going to be the slave of money.

There are many things money can do to us - to get our basic necessities, a little bit of entertainment such as shopping, movies, travels and so on.

How much is enough? The answer is it will never be enough until we know how to appreciate the value of money and what money means to people in different situation and condition. There are many things money cannot buy. Someone told me that money can bring you happiness but having experience that, I'm telling you in all honesty, money will never bring you happiness. The happiness money brings you is a short-lived one. To help others when we have more than enough, that is pure joy as we're able to help them go through their difficult moments.

When you find that you're content with how much you have in your pocket, you'll always be happy about it and you'll never be short of money.

Loving money leads to a hollow, empty existence. But when we learn how to lvoe people and use money, everything is in its proper perspective.

A Case for Practical Christianity...[164]

For these few weeks or maybe months, we will look into the book of James. I do not write this myself but I'll present it in a more interesting manner just so that most of you won't fall asleep while reading it... :o)

The book of James is not great doctrinal treatise but it explains how we should live in a manner pleasing to God. The purpose of the book of James wasn't written for the purpose of establishing the doctrines of the faith, it isn't even a defense of the truth. It is simply a practical book that assumes you already know the basics of the faith; its intention is to drive home the importance of living out the truth, about maintaining a faithful practice of the Christian faith, a personal letter by James of exhortation and encouragement.

If you say you believe, why do you act like you don't?

Who is James?

James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ...

[James 1:1]

James' salt mine of Christian character traits:

• PURITY - Its whiteness is associated with purity. Likewise, the Christian life is to be an example of purity.
• PRESERVATION - It was used as a preservation to keep food from going bad. In the same way, the Christian's influence should protect against moral corruption.
• FLAVOUR - The most obvious quality of salt was that it lent flavour to bland foods - the way Christian are to add spice to a spiritually bland world.

When STRETCHED faith doesn't break; it produces genuine STABILITY.

When PRESSED faith doesn't fail; it produces genuine LOVE.

When EXPRESSED faith doesn't explode; it produces genuine CONTROL and STABILITY.

When DISTRESSED faith doesn't panic; it produces genuine PATIENCE.

~ Real faith produces genuine work ~

The Gift of Work...

~ He who loves his work never labours ~

When you were in kindergarten, you couldn't wait to enter elementary school. When you reached elementary school, you couldn't wait to be in high school, then continue with your tertiary education and finally, get to your dream job. It turned out to be a nightmare as it was different from what you had imagined since young.

It's a choice to take joy in one's work. Start each day with a goal in mind which is to make your working hours a joyful one. There are many who envy your ability to get into the position of where you are today, but instead of appreciating it, you've been complaining about it and always thinking that the grass is greener on the other side.

Enjoy what you're doing now and you'll find that there's no better joy than having your work secure in your hands.

Stand Firm...[163]

In spite of being blind, deaf, crippled, old, arthritic, poor, young, persecuted, or uneducated, people have overcome, excelled, accomplished and triumphed. And you can too.

In our life time situations and circumstances can arise that are difficult and tough to face, but with God's help and strength we can be overcomers. It is at times like this when we need to stand firm in our faith, act like men, be strong and grow in strength.

God never wants to punish us, but polish us. Life's difficulties make us bitter or better and that choice lies in our hands. Remember this...

~ How can you be down, when God is holding you up!~

Be Strong...[162]

When the going gets tough, put on your armour and be strong in the Lord's mighty power. Don't quit when the battle rages but...

... be strong and show youself a man..

[1 Kings 2:2]

Ask, Seek and Knock...[161]

For information, advice and directions - ASK
For opportunities, improvements, questions - ASK
How to advance, succeed and plan - ASK

Yes, 'ask' is certainly a key word that we need to activate every day. It is interesting to note that Jesus gave us three dynamic key words for successful living.

'ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK'

Each of these words demand action and when activated get definite results.

~ Go for every positive idea that comes into your mind ~

Wait...[160]

It is surprising how we use abstract words, that although familiar, we have difficulty grasping the meaning. We have two conditional requirements if we want to receive real strength.

1. WAIT - the word 'wait' is defined as to - abide, stay, remain, tarry, expect, look for, watch. in a restful, relaxing attitude we come before the Lord with real expectations and desires on our heart.
2. BE OF GOOD COURAGE - the word 'courage' is defined as "the quality of mind which enables a person to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, determination and boldness"

So, to receive God's strength into our lives we must take time to wait with a restful, relaxing attitude and really expect to receive from God personally. When we know what God wants us to do,and what His word tells us to do, we must be determined and bold enough to pursue that line of action.

See the way God does things, and fall into line. [Ecclesiastes 7:13]

If you put these two conditions into action you will receive a real strength and vitality from God.

This sort of 'waiting' takes time, quietness, patience and expectancy and brings such wonderful results...

~ Those who wait on God, never come away empty handed ~

RM50 Gone With the Wind....

I took my precious out to get her stuff for folio. Stationeries... needed to use them all... coloured paper, scotch tapes, mechanical pencil leads, 5 pieces of printed paper as cover, G-2 Pilot pens for writing.... there... there... why can't they use the RM1 ballpoint pen? Why must they use gel pen to write their notes which use up the ink after just a few weeks? G-2 is not cheap... not cheap at all... that's all... and it's costing slightly more than RM50.... and I haven't even buy books... RM50 just gone with the wind...

I can feed 8 mouths including mine at the hawker centre with only RM50 and I'll still have a few cents and maybe a few Ringgit as balance. I haven't calculate the amount spent on other projects... *calculator exploded*

... And The Arches Came Crashing Down...

In the bid to beautify and upgrade the look of the Botanical Garden, RM7 mil has been allocated for the project. Out of that RM150k was spent for each arch. Simple Maths calculated that two of those arches cost RM300k of the taxpayers' blood and sweat. If they're such an eye sore, why put them up in the first place? Why? Now spend RM70k to remove them because they're dangerously tilting.

That kinda money can be used to feed so many unfortunate children around the country. I cannot understand why that arch should be erected out of nowhere in the first place? It's so tall and huge, it will be great to hang cable cars on them... and I can only survive walking around Botanical Garden for less than 10 minutes and I don't see anything nice. From the front gate, there were puddles of stinky stagnant water and the parking area... *sigh*

The Most Interesting Game For Wii...

Total invasion of my room. All these years whoever enters my room will get a piece of my mind. No one dares to step beyond the door. Then, this year, I don't know what happen, my private sanctuary becomes a gaming room for my kids. They can roam the whole house, stay in the air-conditioned computer room I specially set up for them but I think my room is more appealing.

My king-size bed can fit at least 5 of them including me and I seriously think my room is the most comfortable. Not enough controller now... have to buy more.

I have more than 50 games... and I think it's increasing... and the best is still this...
That will make them scream when the ball rolls off the path... I used to scream my head off when I got near to GOAL and then dropped to dunno where... I have a few more levels to go before finishing the whole game...

Kids... cannot play everyday... my room totally gone case... should see how they jump on my bed dancing away.... *faint*

Kemerosotan Bahasa Malaysia...

Waima aku masih menggunakan bahasa kebangsaan setiap hari, namun sudah hampir satu dasawarsa aku tidak membaca bahan bacaan yang dicetak dalam Bahasa Malaysia. Maklumlah aku lebih berminat dengan buku-buku cerita Bahasa Inggeris yang mudah diperoleh di mana-mana kedai buku. Buku-buku dalam bahasa antarabangsa ini pelbagai jalan ceritanya dan sangat menarik pula.

Hasil karya Sharifah Abu Salem menjadi pilihan aku. Menarik sungguh ceritanya sehingga aku tidak dapat melepaskan bukunya. Semasa aku berada di bangku sekolah, aku lebih banyak membaca buku cerita Bahasa Malaysia berbanding yang dalam Bahasa Inggeris. Buku cerita Tiga Sekawan, Siri Hadi, Lima Sekawan, dan banyak lagi... tak ingat semuanya...

Hari itu, aku bersahaja membeli majalah Dewan Siswa. Hampir pitam aku membacanya... baharu sampai muka surat enam sahaja otak aku berpeluh membasahi tengkorak. Surat Editor pun menggunakan perkataan yang cukup canggih atau pun perbendaharaan aku semakin berkarat. Entahlah mana satu ya...

Kamus Dewan terpaksa dibelek untuk mendapatkan sinonim kepada perkataan-perkataan asing yang terselit di dalam petikan seperti penggunaan bahasa Arab... macam manalah aku nak tahu perkataan Arab sedangkan bahasa ibunda aku sendiri pun aku tidak dapat mengenalinya... Kesian kat aku... macam tahu dua bahasa sahaja. Nasib baiklah aku dari sekolah Inggeris dulu kalau tidak entah pula apa yang terjadi kepada aku.... semuanya separuh tong taik... apa-apa bahasa pun tidak dapat dikuasai.

Kini aku faham mengapa para pelajar tidak berminat hendak membaca majalah Dewan Siswa. Bosan sungguh... penat otak aku membacanya... merentas desa 10km pun aku tidak sepenat ini. Mengerjakan otak agar lebih aktif sememangnya lebih meletihkan daripada membuat senaman fizikal.

Determination...[159]

There are times in our life when we feel like giving up. We have tried so hard, but have ended in failure. Difficult circumstances have happened to you and you feel so discouraged. You feel like just giving up!

But wait a minute! Change channels and listen to what God says to you. "Fear not, relax, stand still, be firm, confident and undismayed." Why does He say that to you? Because, today, He wants you to see how He can rescue you and deliver you from the very real difficult and discouraging situation. Let God deal with your difficulty.

Whatever happens, determine to hang in there, and never give up, for God is on your side.

~ Don't get discouraged, hang in there, for it is often the last key in the bunch that opens the door ~

Hugging A Kangaroo...

It has been my dream to see the kangaroos from near instead of in printed form or from the idiot box. It was made possible when my brother walked an extra mile to take me to Phillip Island which was a two-hour drive from the city. Maru Koala was along the way if I'm not mistaken. Look at that joey in the pouch. It's so cute and I can actually touch it with my hands.
Fancy having a kangaroo holding your hand? That brown guy was a huge one. Larger than any other kangaroos. It was hopping so high over to me that my brother ran away. I really really like that kangaroo. It was such a friendly young chap... and a handsome one, too. Brother was so worried that the kangaroo might hurt me but I just love it. I even got the chance to hug a kangaroo...


I'm so going back to Melbourne... just love the place... love everything there...

Be A Blessing...[158]

... and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

[Zechariah 8:13]

It is a great encouragement to know you can be a blessing to other people. However, when you develop plans, dream dreams and set goals, it is easy to have them blown apart, altered or completely unchanged. But this is the time, not to give up on yoru God-given plans, but to let your commitment become stronger and stronger. Even when tragedies come, we need to press on with the right attitude.

~ The trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work ~

Persistence...[157]

A persevering spirit and a determined attitude are a great asset to have. Paul challenges us not to lose heart and give up, but to keep on keeping on. He highlights the well known 'sowing and reaping principle', knowing that if we keep working on what we have sown we must reap a harvest.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of PERSISTENCE. Talent will not, for nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not, for unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not, for the world is full of educated derelicts."

PERSISTENCE and DETERMINATION are all powerful. It is very easy to give up and be discouraged.

You feel trodden on, discouraged, drained and at the end of your tether. Well, friend, tie a knot and hang in there and you will come through.

Remember, by a mile it's a trial~! By the yard it's hard, but by the inch it's a cinch~!

When difficulties come - meet them, greet them and BEAT THEM~!

Hibernation Mode...

I'm in hibernation mode again. Suffering from writer's block. In the mean time, just enjoy the songs. Will be back soon... patience is a virtue...

New Song List... Enjoy...

1) Glorious

2) Glory to the King

3) And That My Soul Knows Very Well

4) I Draw Near to You

5) Irresistible Love

6) I Will Bless You Lord

7) Perfect Love... my favourite~!

8) I Live to Know You

9) Sing of Your Great Love

10) Worthy Is the Lamb

If you wanna listen to all songs, you'll probably have to spend at least an hour in my blog... thanks for stopping by... *muacks*

Faith and Doubt...

Doubt sees the obstacles,

Faith sees the way;

Doubt sees the blackest night;

Faith sees the day;

Doubt dreads to take a step,

Faith soars on high;

Doubt questions,"Who believes?"

Faith answers,"I."

Faith asks:

Who has promised?

Faith looks back:

to mercies given

to promises fulfilled

to victories won.

Faith looks forward:

to new songs of deliverance

to new wells of understanding

to new reasons for rejoicing

Faith fills:

the past with gratitude

the present with peace

and the future with hope

Faith finishes:

the course with belief

that what was said in the beginning

has been made perfect in the end.