Because I can't find my own words to express what I feel

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

- Psalms 139 :16b

All the Way my Saviour Leads me

vs.1
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

vs.2
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

vs.3
All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages—
Jesus led me all the way.

On Self-Esteem

Much has been made about inculcating a sense of self-esteem or self-confidence in modern society that it is no surprise that such thinking has infiltrated into much of the church today. " We mustn't hurt their self-esteem" and " We must help them gain confidence in themselves" are common refrains in many churches and one wonders how biblical that truly is.

I am increasingly convinced such thinking only serves to do incredible damage to the spiritual walks of many believers, for it is only the man who has lost all confidence in himself who is able to come humbly before the Throne of Mercy to beg for grace. It is only when a man can say with all conviction that "I know that in my flesh no good thing dwells" (cf. Rom. 7:18) is he then able to say "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9).

Is it not little wonder then that "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise [and] what is weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Cor. 1:27) so that the one who boasts, boast[s] in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:31 )He who has had all his self-confidence and esteem crushed is far more ably suited for use in the Lord's hands rather than the one who remains reliant on his own strength because he realizes all the more his utter weakness apart from God.

Oh let us not seek to raise the self-esteem and confidence of those under our charge, but rather to utterly obliterate it so that they may turn to Christ with all their hearts and cling desperately unto Him who is our Source and Life.

"For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:3)

For The Want of Peace

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

- Mark 4:39

One wonders at the words of our Lord here whether they were merely meant for the wind and waves crashing about them, or were they meant as well for those terrified disciples in the boat.

For many of us today, peace is seen as that time when we get onto that jet plane and take off to some far away place for a vacation. Or when we take our annual leave to spend some time in our own leisurely pursuits. But is that true peace? Is true peace found in suppressing or escaping from our worries and anxieties through holidays abroad or spending wantonly on our desires? Yet that is what modern society has indoctrinated us thoroughly with. We put aside the worries of tomorrow by drowning it in the activities of the present.

And so do we not find that even though we may fly to the furthest reaches of the Earth, our worries still tag along for the ride? No matter how much we spend on things to distract us from the problems of this life, sooner or later the reality of them return and with even greater force?

Where then can we find the "truest" peace? It is found here, in the nature of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He who commands nature commands us to be at peace. And on what basis does He do so? It is based on this, His manifold promises to us as shown in His own Word, and upon His own station as Lord and Sovereign over all.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.

- Romans 8:28

In my own life it is such a constant struggle for peace. Fear and anxiety for the future seeks constantly to cloud the view of God's faithfulness and goodness. Has not the Lord seen me through all these years? Has He not provided even in the darkest days? Yet such unbelief! Such murmuring and complaining against God. Does He not provide everything in due season?

The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

- Psalm 145: 15-17

If He were not Sovereign over all I would have every reason to despair. But He is the Lord on High, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and His eternal decrees have been made for my good. Oh to cast oneself with abandon into the Hand of God and to trust the Rock which never fails. "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." (Psa 62:5 NIV)

True peace is not found in suppressing anxieties or problems through mere activity, but it is found in looking unto Him who holds your future in His hands and who is able to provide for us more than we can ever ask or imagine.

God has called you to peace.

- 1 Corinthians 7:15

A Beautiful Reminder

Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.

- Matthew Henry

From Joshua Harris's book, Boy meets Girl

Quick Thought on Youth Min

"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."

- Psalms 146: 3-4

As I was meditating in the office today (sort of), I thought back to this Psalm which I read today. How much of what we do in Youth Ministry, or any ministry for that matter, is all about looking for the latest fad or "messianic" youth leader to come and raise us up from our doldrums. Where or whom do we ultimately place our trust in with regards to the salvation of the souls of the youths in our youth mins.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever

- Psalms 146: 5-6

While we come up with activities and programmes to attract and engage youths, let us beware of putting our faith in fads and trends that come today and are gone tomorrow. And while we thank God for leaders who have been blessed with charisma, let us be watchful lest they draw youths unto themselves rather than point them towards Christ.

The Lord is faithful and He has promised to build His Church. "Remember Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:8)

My Divine Assurance from YMLC

"The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made....The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing."

- Psa. 145:8-9, 14-16

Wanting to truly trust in the Providence of God