Again, another of my qstn today is answered, or rather re-affirmed as i read this:

ZJAM Bible Study
April 16, 2004

I John 3:22-23

"Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He gave us commandment."

If you want to get your prayers answered you need to live a life that is pleasing to Him by keeping His commandments. Remember it's not how long we pray, it's believing on and praying in the Name of Jesus. Praying in the Name of Jesus is basing your prayers on what He has done not what you have done. And remember if you have not been keeping His
commandments or living a life that is pleasing to Him - don't run from Him; or pretend it didn't happen just confess your sins and receive His forgiveness. Don't allow sin and condemnation keep God from moving in your life. He is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He wants to answer your prayers!

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i was just wondering about my life conducts n how much it really reflect upon myself as a Christian. I realise some time ago that my actions don't really tally with what I say or what I learn in church. I feel that I'm far worse than those people who deny Jesus' existence. Because I believe and yet in my action, I deny the very truth of His existence to the core. Well, maybe I'm exaggerating back there, but you roughly get the idea of how bad I feel about it. And yet I still do it. One day, O God, that you will zap me back to what you want me to be.

There was once my friend was ill. She asked me to pray for her. I remember then that I was so weak in my faith, and I knew I was not righteous before God and I believe in the verse in James saying that the prayer of the righteous man is effective. So I ended up calling another sister-in-christ to pray for her instead. I felt so sad and lowly then. God, I guess that is how I feel right now. So powerless.

posted by lil piggie at 12:12 AM

Day 18 of my PDL book actually corrected my short-sightedness when I made the remark about people being beggars of love and sympathy. (Yes, I am progressing through the book very slowly as I could see Day Sixteen's entry was dated 19 March!) There's nothing wrong wanting to be loved and sympathized. In real fellowship, we should be able to expect sympathy from our fellow mates. Here's the correct way of looking at sympathy:

[Sympathy is not giving advice or offering quick, cosmetic help; sympathy is entering and sharing the pain of others. Sympathy says, 'I understand what you are going through, and what you feel is neither strange nor crazy.']

So, it's okay to ask for sympathy. It's like asking for people to understand what you're going through. The only horrible thing is to fall into self-pity. You keep staying at where you are, keep asking for people to sympathize with you, whereas you never do your part to look at how others are doing. It should always be a 'give and take' situation, just like what a real relationship ought to be, not one-sided.

posted by lil piggie at 6:59 PM