Coreenna

Yesterday sermon was a continuation of the previous sunday’s sermon on resting in God. Once again, Pastor Prince delivered a lively sermon filled with heart and humour.

The central theme was taken from John 14:27 which is one of my favourite verses to recall and quote whenever I feel overwhelmed. Try it for yourself too. Keep repeating and meditating on the verse until it sinks into your heart and soul and replaces any thoughts of worries, fears, negativity which you might be feeling. I would say, it’s certainly a handy verse to keep in mind! =)

In life, it’s certainly not easy to stay positive and upbeat all the time. It’s not even easy to remain in a restful state for long. I guess that’s why Jesus said we have to ‘labour to enter into rest’. Haha! I dunno why that particular statement tickles me so? God is indeed very succinct and precise whenever He gives an instruction! He definitely knows that even entering into rest can be a struggle for many of us…at least in the beginning until we get a hang of it. The Bible was written thousands of years ago but God knows certain human characteristics are timeless. That’s why Pastor Prince said something like God’s words will never go out of fashion, so don’t scoff at the Bible as ‘old-fashion’.

I don’t have a surefire method to enter into God’s rest but I do find that reciting and meditating on certain verses such as the ones in John 14:27, Proverbs 3:5, II Timothy 1:7, Joshua 1:9, and Philippians 4:13 work wonders for me.

Btw, I love love love the way Jesus is depicted by Pastor Prince, which I believe with ALL my heart is the true and accurate picture of our Jesus in the Bible. Religious paintings often portray Jesus as a skinny, effeminate softie and certainly far from heroic looking. But the Jesus in the Bible went about tirelessly healing, preaching and blessing multitudes. I laughed when Pastor Prince once said that since Jesus had worked as a carpenter before going into his 3 year ministry, he must have very strong and muscular arms as well! Haha! That makes more sense right? And while He is kind and loving, he has no qualms telling people who are hypocritical and self-righteous off. Right to their faces, he rebuked them and called them a brood of vipers! He must have comforted many a hearts and souls that had suffered under the iron fists of these religious leaders back then.

Have a blessed, restful week ahead! Shalom. =)