Monday, September 11, 2006

Wilderness

Sister was discharged, not because she is well, she feared staying in the hospital [at a young age, I can understand]. Thus, medical procedures are being arranged in this month for out-patient medical procedures. I just pray with perfect love, it casts out fear. She was diagnosed with possible periodic paralysis with history of laparoscopic adhesiolysis & appendicectomy...

My Godpa who is a doctor, never was sick till such extreme was admitted to the hospital with the ambulance last Wednesday morning collapsing at home, before he could visit his patients, how ironic isn't it? He is very dear to me, in fact I am closer to him than my Dad. Physicians did all kinds of test, believe he might have suffered Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) that might lead to a stroke if not treated with care. Discharged on Saturday morning, with prayers, medication & a good rest, he will be well but he has yet willingly to pray the Salvation prayer...I'm trying. For the weeks, I keep telling myself daily I can do all things through Christ! Indeed, it is finished...

Grief can lead you into the desert. So can divorce or debt or depression. Been through transitions lately? A transfer? Job promotion? Job demotion? A new house? If so, be wary. The wilderness might be near. How do you know when you're in one? You are lonely. Whether in fact or in feeling no one can help, understand or rescue you. And your struggle seems endless. In the Bible the number 40 is associated with lengthy battles. Noah faced the rain for 40 days. Moses faced the desert for 40 days. Jesus faced temptation for 40 nights. Please note, He didn't face temptation for 1 day out of 40. "Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by the devil" The battle wasn't limited to 3 questions. Jesus spends a month & ten days slugging it out with satan. The wilderness is a long, lonely winter...

A tough marriage can make a good man look twice at the wrong woman. Extended sickness can makes even the stoutest soul consider suicide. Stress makes the smokiest nightclub smell sweet. The wilderness weakens resolve. For that reason, the wilderness is in the maternity ward for addictions. Binge eating, budget-busting gamble, excessive drinking, pornography - all short-term solutions to deep-seated problems. Typically they have no appeal, but in the wilderness you give thought to the unthinkable....

Second Adam has come to succeed where the first Adam failed. Jesus however, faces a test more severe. Adam was tested in a garden; Christ is in a stark wasteland. Adam faced satan on a full stomach; Christ is in the midst of a fast. Adam had a companion: Eve. Christ has no one. Adam was challenged to remain sinless in a sinless World. Christ, on the other hand, is challenged to remain sinless in a sin-ridden World. Trust His word. Don't trust your emotions. In the wilderness heed only the voice of God...

Again, Jesus is our model. Remember how satan teased Him? "If you are the Son of God..."[Luke 4:3,9 NCV] Why would satan say this? Because he knew what Christ had heard at the baptism. "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased [Matt. 3:17] "Are you really God's son? Satan is asking. Then comes the dare - "Prove it!" Prove it by doing something: "Tell the stone to become bread" [Luke 4:3] "If you worship before me, it shall all be Yours" [v.7] "Throw yourself down from here" [v.9]

What a subtle seduction! Satan doesn't denounce God; he simply raises doubts about God. [Ever caught in one?] Is His work enough? Earthly works - like bread changing or temple jumping - are given equal billing with heavenly works. He attempts to shift, ever so gradually, our source of confidence away from God's promise & toward our performance. Jesus doesn't bite the bait. No heavenly sign is requested. He doesn't solicit a lightning bolt; He simply quotes the Bible. 3 Temptations. 3 Declarations. "It is written..." [v.4 NCV]. "It is written..." [v. 8 NCV]. It is said... [v.12]

Jesus' survival choice is Scripture. If the Bible was enough for His wilderness, shouldn't it be enough for ours? Don't miss the point here. Everything you & I need for dessert survival is in the Book. We simply need to heed it. "God is...higher than the heaven." [Job 22:12 TLB]. "The LORD is high above all nations" [Ps 113:4]. Can He not see what eludes us? Doesn't He wants to get us out & bring us home? Then we should do what Jesus did. Rely on the Scripture. Doubt your doubts before you doubt your beliefs. God is constantly & aggressively communicating with the World through His word. God is speaking still!

Hang in there. Your time in the desert will pass. Jesus' did. "The devil left Him; & behold, angels came & began to minister to Him" [Matt. 4:11] Till the angels come to you:

Trust His word - We need a voice to lead us out.
Trust His work - We need a friend like Jesus to take our place.


Thank God we have One who will. My wilderness in these 16 days, I survive with "I can do all things through Christ". So can you...

Inspired by:

Max Lucado

24 comments:

jel said...

brother Godwyn,
you are going to make a fine preacher, someday!
still praying for you and your family!

God bless ya!

huggs

Kitty Cheng said...

Dear Godwyn, the Wilderness seems hard to bear on the surface, but it's where we can draw close to God, and trust in Him. You and your sister are in my prayers.

audrey` said...

"Don't trust your emotions"
Hmmm... Food for thought.

Which is more trustworthy in decision making - our head or our heart?
Hmmm... Another food for thought.

HaHa!
We're learning from our dear Kitty on how to be deep thinkers =P

How are you affected by the current road closures in the city?

Godwyn Lim said...

Hi Sis & Bro,

In Christ. I been unwell after stressful weeks of visiting hospital.

Sorry for the slow response. I been unwell, pray for me, I need to recover by tomorrow as Friday I will be flying off for a trip, returning Monday Morning.

Just too many things happen in these 2 days. Have a bless week!

*Kitty, Audrey, Janice & many more...* Thanks for standing by me to encourage my walk with the Lord. *Hug*

audrey` said...

Sick again...
Please take care.
Try to sleep earlier, k?
God bless you, brother.

jel said...

Brother Godwyn,
sorry you are sick again,
praying that you will get better , so you can go on you trip, have a safe trip!

blessing

huggs!

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Janice,

Thank you for your compliments. I am far being a preacher but I do have the desire to spread the good gospel of Jesus Christ:-)

Sorry for the late reply, I was away in Thailand, just came back to Singapore yesterday:-)

God Bless!

Godwyn Lim said...

Dear Kitty,

Thank you for your prayers! Sorry for the late reply, I was away on a trip!

Yes, when we draw near to Jesus, Jesus will draw nearer to us Amen?!

Have a great week ahead!

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Audrey,

It's the Holy Spirit we trust? The city closure did not really affect me:-) Did it affect you?

Kitty always think really in depth, full of wisdom from Christ Amen?!

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Audrey,

I recovered by God's grace, all the medicine did not help me, I suddenly remembered to take Holy Communion!

I was healed almost instantly after I partake the elements. Our God we serve is a true God who loves us heaps!

I fall sick often due to not enough rest, work is heavy most of the time.

Sorry for the late response, I was away in Thailand.

Thank you for checking me out! God Bless, have a Bless week ahead!

Godwyn Lim said...

Janice Sister *Hug* your prayer work! I was well after I partake of Holy Communion hours before my trip!

I had a safe trip, there was bombing in Thailand but I was far away from the bombing area! Praise Christ with the promises in Psalm 91!

Thank you for your care, that leads me to love & joy:-)

Amazing God we have ya:-)!

jel said...

Glad you had a safe trip, and that you are well! :)

and God is very Awesome!


and thanks for stopping by!

how is your family doing?

God bless
huggs

audrey` said...

Hellooooo Brother

Very good!
You're well again.
You had a safe trip.
Our Lord is taking very good care of you.

The weather has been very fantastic and cool lately.
I like it very much =)

Take care.
Your younger sis too =)
God bless.

Rulan said...

Hi there. Sorry I've not been around lately. I pray you are having a great week and that you are well.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

Anonymous said...

Preach it brother! When you are on fire, the holy fire in you will dissolved all sicknesses.

Thank God you are back safely from Thailand. Remember to pray on Psalm 91 wherever you go.

Have a blessed and safe trip :)

audrey` said...

Isn't it wonderful that you're back safe and sound before the unrest starts?
God is so awesome =)

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Janice,

It's my pleasure to visit your blog, always full of great pictures of the wonderful creations of our Daddy in Heaven!

My family is fine but my sister is still unwell, can't really walk, we will know more conclusive results next month with the doctor:-)

Have a great weekend!

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Audrey,

Our God is indeed an awesome God! I miss the bombing in Thailand & the political unrest!

Imagine I was shopping when the bomb went off but I was not in the same town! How Bless I am! I could be blown into pieces!

I left a day before the political unrest, by His pure Grace, I could be stuck in Thailand or even be hurt if the coup was offensive! Awesome Christ Jesus! Praise you O'Lord our good God!

When God is for us, Who can be AGAINST? US? Amen?!

Have a great weekend!

Godwyn Lim said...

Sister Warrior,

I always hold Psalm 91 in my heart whenever I travel just like you do:-)

A Thousand may fall at your side. And 10 Thousand at your right hand, But it shall NOT approach you. Psalm 91:7 [NASB]

Thank you for your concern! Yes, I left Thailand unharm with His amazing Grace, if the enemies come in 1 ways, they will flee in 7 ways because Christ love us, no weapons can form against us!

Have a good weekend:-)

Godwyn Lim said...

Dear Sister Rulan,

I miss you heaps !!! *Hugs* thank you for dropping by!

Heaps of things are happening, pray for my family ya, especially my younger sister who is in the process of healing from a complex illness:-)

God Bless, have a good weekend!

audrey` said...

Hi Brother
How are you and your beloved sister?
Take care =)

jel said...

just checking in to see how things are going in your life!



God bless

huggs!

Godwyn Lim said...

Hi sister Audrey & Janice,

Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for your concern, I been down with Stomach Flu & fever for nearly more than a week, that is why I have not been actively blogging...

I don't know what is wrong but been to the doctor twice already for the week. Praying to the Lord for healing. This is the worst state I been so sick for the year...

The weather had been bad in Singapore with the Haze as well.

My sister went for more medical tests & the doctor will review her on Tuesday for the results.

Meantime, pray for us:-) I really want to get well soon as I been off work on medical leave for nearly one whole week.

God Bless, have a great weekend!

audrey` said...

Hi bro
Plain milo and bread are good for stomach flu.
Take care =)