peace of a bond servant

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Doulos - (Bond servant) From deo, "to bind," "a slave," originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean "one who gives himself up to the will of another"

Slaves mentioned in the bible were not slaves for eternity, but by every 7th year, they would be set free. However the slave would have a choice to either leave as a free man, or he could choose to stay and continue to be a slave to his master. And if he would choose the latter, he would be a "doulos (bond servant)" of that master, and he would have to serve his master for life.

Being a bond servant is to give oneself to slavery by choice, it was ones own decision. And when that servant chooses his slavery, it is not with pain or sorrow, but with joy and peace. It was a clear testimoney to his master. So it is when we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are set free from the chains of sin, but are we bond servants of Christ, willingly choosing the pathway that he has thread for us. Can we like Moses, the meekest man known, and rightly mentioned last in Revelations as a bond servant, live a life of serventhood to the Lord? The path of slavery may not be attractive in any sense, but when you know that the Master is able to give you peace that "passeth all understanding", would you not choose to be a "doulos" for Christ. For only God and God alone can render to us that peace that is within every believer.

Hallelujah

I just realise that the word "Hallelujah" which simply means 'Praise ye Jehovah or Praise ye the LORD' is such a versatile word. At any moment of any situation, just put the word into that situation and everything seems to be better. If you are singing a song or hymn, try singing the word hallelujah after each verse and it sounds great! Talking to someone about a certain topic? Mention the word hallelujah, and you have a fruitful conversation. Going through a tough time? Shout to the Lord, Hallelujah, and everything seems fine.

Of course I don't mean to dilute the meaning of the word by simply putting it into different situations even when it may be inappropriate. But it seems that the picture painted here is one that portrays a life that is full of thanksgiving and praises. Imagine whenever you feel like singing, you sing with joy to praise the Lord. Whenever you talk to someone, you praise God because things that happen in both your lives reflect something that is praise worthy. Most importantly, whenever we go through hard times, and when doubts and questions seem to come up easily, we still have the courage and faith to say "Hallelujah", for we know that God in His abundant grace and mercy, have nothing but the best installed for us.

God deserves much more that what we can ever offer to him, so praise Him.....Hallelujah!

He built the bridge

photo taken from www.familychristian.com

I suppose all of us believers would have had the experience of being overwhelmed by the story of the cross at any one point of our christian walk.

As I was scrolling through the family christian website, I came across this t-shirt and I cannot help but be reminded once again of the immensity of our redemption. If you can see the picture clearly, it reads: " Son, I need you to build a bridge, here are all the tools you will need, See you soon-Love, Dad". I never fail to to be moved to tears each time I am reminded of what Christ has done on the cross just to save me. Both the thought of Christ suffering on the cross and the joy of knowing that what he has done brings salvation to all of us still humbles me time and time again.

Quoting from the hymn "When i survey the wondrous cross":

See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

embrace the cross

Recently I have been coming across alot of things regarding the cross of Christ. I was listening to Steve Green's song "Embrace the cross" one morning and the words seem to be exceptionally meaningful to me that it got stuck in my head for quite some time. If I remember correctly, it will be the second song about the cross of Christ to reach my "chart list for favourite songs" after "When I survey the wondrous cross".

I hope to share this song to those who have gone through tough times as a christian, and find that the cost of discipleship seem too heavy a burden to carry. Let us find comfort at the feet of the cross, and never give up, because we know everything that we lose in the process cannot be compared to what we will gain for eternity. So let us keep the faith, and ... embrace the cross!

Embrace The Cross

Embrace the cross where Jesus suffered
though it will cost all you claim as yours
your sacrifice will seem small beside the treasure
eternity can measure what Jesus holds in store

Embrace the love the cross requires
cling to the one whose heart knew every pain.
receive from Jesus fountains of compassion,
only he can fashion your heart to move as His

O wondrous cross our desires rest in you
O Lord Jesus make us bolder
to face with courage the shame and disgrace
You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life that comes from dying
come trace the steps the savior walked for you
an empty tomb concludes Golgotha's sorrow
endure then till tomorrow your cross of suffering

Embrace the cross
Embrace the cross
the cross of Jesus