Proven character

Romans 5:5

“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

How do we develop a Christlike character?

Character is the springboard to a successful life. Developing a godly character in the face of our daily struggles is essential to having a more intimate relationship with Christ. Character is not just having integrity or being honest or even doing the right thing. A person’s character is the sum of his or her disposition, thoughts, intentions, desires, and actions. It is good to remember that character is developed over many experiences, not based on a few isolated actions.

Romans 5:5 says that our character develops from experiences of conflicts and tribulations. God uses trying times for our ultimate good.

Moreover, we are reminded in the Scripture that we can rejoice in trials because trials produce perseverance and perseverance produce Christ-like character and Christ-like character is a proven character, which leads to eternal hope.

Proven character comes from the word “dokime” in Greek. It is used to describe metals that had been tested and determined to be pure. The idea behind is that when metal is put through a fiery test and it comes out on the other side “persevering and enduring,” that metal is now proven to be genuine or authentic.

The same process happens when our faith is tested. If we persevere and hold up under the heavy load of difficult circumstances, we have “proven” that our faith and character are genuine and authentic.

One Minute Reflection

What tribulation God uses that shows your real character?

“The measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.” – Thomas Kempis

Excerpt from Tracy Fox, Having A Heart For God Devotional: 365 Days of the One Minute Bible Study.

Home is where the heart is

And just like that, we are halfway through the year 2020. Our ordered lives were turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We lose track of time; we are stranded in a place that used to be our home fourteen years ago and do work that we do not think we will be doing.

This pandemic makes us realize that we cannot fully control our situation. Only God can.  We could not do anything that requires us to go to other places. As much as we want to go home to Thailand, we could not as the airport are closed at least until the end of the month. 

We miss our children, our home, and friends in Mae Sai. But we know that our waiting will not be for long. We will be home soon. In the meantime, while we are here God has given us the opportunity to minister to our church here in our own small ways. I have been helping as part of the worship team, preaching, and helping the media team doing the church’s worship online. Narlin is leading multiple Bible studies online on Facebook. 

We are thankful to the Lord for His faithfulness in providing for the needs of the children. Narlin and I have expenses on our own, but most of the support that we receive is mostly spent on the needs in the home and of the children. We are grateful for people who recognized that it is difficult for us to be away from our ministry and that we have our own needs too. 

We are aware that there are people who wonder how we take care of the children while we are not physically present. We mentioned this in our previous newsletter in passing but it is good to clear it up again here. Our children are in their late teens. We talked to them online often. They are well-disciplined and know what their responsibilities are. For our friends who stayed with us can attest to it. Jillian grew up with children and knows each one well and she knows how to deal with them. 

Our children's home does not exist in isolation. We are part of a community. Our church looks after the children while we are away. Our Pastors, Ajan Sunit and Ajan Chang, come to our house regularly especially during this pandemic and we call them whenever there are concerns that need to be addressed immediately. Both pray and study the Bible with the children. We are also part of the network of other children ministries in Mae Sai and their leaders are our friends who are happy to help while we are not there. 

Except for the time when I had two surgeries last year, this is the only time we are away longer.  We never consider leaving Mae Sai except for a consultation with my oncologist. After we got our bone scan result, and I believe I will be cancer-free soon, we will find a local oncologist so that we don't have to go to the Philippines for monitoring. 

We thank the Lord that in every situation, He reminds us that "He is the one who meets all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). 

Thanks again for your love, prayers, and continued support. Please pray that the pandemic will be over, pray that we can go back soon, and pray for the children

Meeting Our Needs

Philippians 4:19

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

The Bible reveals God as our provider. Throughout the pages of Scripture, God is portrayed as the one who sees and cares for all of our needs.

Today we are examining the wisdom we can extract from Paul's New Testament letter to the church in Philippi, which was founded around 50 AD. Paul is sharing four important truths about having our needs met by Christ, Himself.

What can we learn from Philippians 4:19?

One

Paul uses the words “my God.” We can take comfort in the fact that God knows us intimately and deeply and is our personal provider.

Two

Paul tells us, “my God shall supply.” If we seek God, we can allow Him to supply whatever we need.

Three

Paul reports that God shall meet “all your needs.” This is where we have to separate out our desires from our needs. God will give us what we need to develop into the persons He originally created us to be.

Four

Finally, Paul asserts that God meets our needs “according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” God's giving is not merely giving from His riches, but according to His riches. In other words, Christ, Himself, is the prize, not what we can gain from Him. It is a critical distinction.

One Minute Reflection

What do you need out of God's riches today?

“After the Lord has tried our faith, he, in the love of His heart, gives us an abundance. For the glory of His name and for trial of our faith, He allows us to be poor and then graciously supplies our needs.”- George Muller

True Humility

James 4:10

“Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.”

James made it clear that God will lift up those who live a humble life that honor Him.

What is true humility?

It means seeing God as the gracious giver of everything and seeing ourselves as sinful and needy in His presence.

Ultimately we need to get the focus off our own abilities and trust totally in God, so that He gets all the glory and our own light is merely a reflection of all He has done.

How do we keep our humility in check?

1. Routinely confess our sin to God
2. Always keep God's Grace in view
3. Remember that all we have comes from God
4. Invite God to search and expose places where pride has taken root
5. Get on our knees as an act of humility before God in prayer

True humility is a place where our pride is abandoned and our hope is lifted.

It is when we admit our need and claim our dependence upon Almighty God.

One Minute Reflection

What area of your life could you demonstrate more humility?

The true way to be humble, is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature. – Philip Brooks

Excerpt from Tracy Fox, Having A Heart For God Devotional: 365 of the One Minute Bible Study

What Are You Thinking?

Proverbs 23:7 

“For as He thinks in His heart, so is He."  

Many philosophers take this idea but God said it first in the book of Proverbs. We are what we think.

What we think, is what we become.

The happiest and most fulfilled people are those who focus on the Word of God and His promises. They are intentional about maintaining joy and gratitude to honor God with their lives. We can have the same experience. If we want to be happy and joyful, we must affirm all the good and it becomes part of our nature to emit joy.

Here Are Some Suggestions For A Happy and Successful Mindset

1. Start your day with Scripture: "This is the day the Lord hath made - let me rejoice and be glad it in" (Psalm 118:24)
2. Do not speak negative words about other people, situations, or feelings
3. Thank God for everything in your life - both the good and the bad.  Then remind yourself that God has a better plan in mind when we place our trust in Him
4. Expect only the best and then go get it
5. Be careful what you think about: As Philippians 4:8 reminds us, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

One Minute Reflection
What do you think about all day long?

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you are always right."  (Henry Ford) 

Excerpt from Fox, Tracy. Having A Heart For God Devotional: 365 Days of the One Minute Bible Study (Kindle Locations 474-503).