What is Mensa? Mensa was founded in England in 1946 by Roland Berrill, a barrister, and Dr. Lance Ware, a scientist and lawyer. They had the idea of forming a society for bright people, the only qualification for membership of which was a high IQ. The original aims were, as they are today, to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or religious distinctions. The society welcomes people from every walk of life whose IQ is in the top 2% of the population, with the objective of enjoying each other's company and participating in a wide range of social and cultural activities.
During my early teen I had desired to be a part of this group of individuals but obviously I wasn't because I didn't quite make the cut! I was quite determined to work at it but you still have to have "the brain matter" to make it.
In fact one of the early "information technology" college was recruiting students to go to UK and had us do an IQ test here in Malaysia. Although I made the top few to qualify via this test, I could not raise the funds to go as my dad had already retired by then.
Today I look back at this situation and my devotion verse and sense how the world looks at each other. Paul says in 1 Cor 10:12-15, "Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence. No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can.
I assume I'm addressing believers now who are mature. Draw your own conclusions:"
I am praying I will grow to be the matured Christian Paul is referring to being God-confidence and not rely on IQ.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Awaiting His City
The Word of God says in 2 Corinthians Chapter 9 verse 8 and 9, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all time, having all they you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."
It is important to know that our God is able to make all grace abound to us....hallelujah! He is able, in our lack or abundance, for His grace is sufficient! Many times I have had been in situations when I should have given and didn't.
I would reason with myself by comparing myself with those who have a lot. Maybe with someone who has revenue from other sources like a full pension or property worth millions.
But this is a wrong attitude and so I have repented because the earlier verse talk about the measure we dish out will be the measure that will be returned to us. It also talk about being cheerful in our giving otherwise it will mean nothing even if we gave a large amount.
Therefore, if I had grudged in giving I would receive nothing in my account in His City. If I had given for others to notice, my reward will be on earth, a pat on the back or worst still the person I give returning the same back to me. This was and sometime is, of course the case for much of my giving!
But to abound in every good work is to give to the poor who cannot repay you and also whom you cannot bring under "submission" to you. If only I gave when I had, so that it would not have been lost in the meltdown, it would have been credited in His City.
A reward maybe awaiting me on that Judgment day in His City!
It is important to know that our God is able to make all grace abound to us....hallelujah! He is able, in our lack or abundance, for His grace is sufficient! Many times I have had been in situations when I should have given and didn't.
I would reason with myself by comparing myself with those who have a lot. Maybe with someone who has revenue from other sources like a full pension or property worth millions.
But this is a wrong attitude and so I have repented because the earlier verse talk about the measure we dish out will be the measure that will be returned to us. It also talk about being cheerful in our giving otherwise it will mean nothing even if we gave a large amount.
Therefore, if I had grudged in giving I would receive nothing in my account in His City. If I had given for others to notice, my reward will be on earth, a pat on the back or worst still the person I give returning the same back to me. This was and sometime is, of course the case for much of my giving!
But to abound in every good work is to give to the poor who cannot repay you and also whom you cannot bring under "submission" to you. If only I gave when I had, so that it would not have been lost in the meltdown, it would have been credited in His City.
A reward maybe awaiting me on that Judgment day in His City!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Peter Principle
The Peter Principle is the principle that "In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence. I had this symptom of “incompetence” my entire career since I stated as a teller/clerk in a local bank and moved up to be a Business Development Director for Asia Pacific in a MNC.
In more than half of the 30 years that I had worked for corporations I had to sign a yearly contract with my employer with clear KPIs. Failure to fulfill my KPI meant possible dismissal. Today’s devotional verse help me see another Peter Principle which is the reason I am “confident” of what I have achieved in my entire life since receiving Jesus at age 16. The miracles He performed were amazing even helping me win a world trip as an award for outstanding consistent achievement.
The Message quote how the other Peter principle works as follows: Act 4:13 They couldn't take their eyes off them--Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus,
The world will be astounded by those who have been with Jesus and know His will for their lives. There will be many hindrances like what the priests of Peter’s day were trying to do - intimidating them to submit to their restrictions. They told them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. The more, we should want to do it as both Peter and John concluded, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen or heard”.
In these trying times the world need to know that we are companions of Jesus which completes the Peter Principle.
Friday, October 24, 2008
What happens to a BIG FISH?
This was a huge fish which I saw at FIRM early this year when our Sub-District Group went for a morning outing there. It must have been 9 feet long and for me it was BIG and sure enough there weren't any small fry.
Again and again these past few weeks we have been seeing the effects of "false measures".
The Bible KJV version says in Deu 25:13-16, "Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God".
An astounding email appeared in my inbox (from a prayer partner) a few weeks ago from a source which I feel comfortable with. Read it for yourself....
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/aug2007/deborah818.htm
"David Wilkerson's Prophecy of Run on ........."
The content in this prophecy is something very probable. The moral of the story for me is, have a shelter over your head and get out of that debt, otherwise you will be affected!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Let my eyes "see" You, Lord Jesus Christ
The recent happenings of the past weeks had me desiring to resume blogging again. It had been some time that I exposed my personal devotional thoughts and so I pray the Holy Spirit will help me recollect my thoughts and pen it down with His empowerment.
This morning meditation was on 1 Cor 2:9-10
But as it is written, Eyes hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
This reflection took me to Job's response to the Lord's second speech in Chapter 42. Job states that God can do all things and His plans will not be thwarted. Job grew in a new understanding of God as reflected in his response when he answered God as to his current spiritual state. "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" was what he said as Job despised himself and repented in dust and ashes. He had always known God through the Word (refereed to as blameless and upright by God) , now he had seen Him in all His splendor and glory! (Chapter 38-41).
In a recent seminar I attended the blessings of Job is paralleled to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Job's prayer for his comforters was accepted by God who desires that none (ignorant) should perish. The passage in James 5:7-11 quotes Job for his perseverance - an example of patience in the face of suffering and what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy and nothing in all the world should trouble us.
This morning meditation was on 1 Cor 2:9-10
But as it is written, Eyes hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
This reflection took me to Job's response to the Lord's second speech in Chapter 42. Job states that God can do all things and His plans will not be thwarted. Job grew in a new understanding of God as reflected in his response when he answered God as to his current spiritual state. "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you" was what he said as Job despised himself and repented in dust and ashes. He had always known God through the Word (refereed to as blameless and upright by God) , now he had seen Him in all His splendor and glory! (Chapter 38-41).
In a recent seminar I attended the blessings of Job is paralleled to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Job's prayer for his comforters was accepted by God who desires that none (ignorant) should perish. The passage in James 5:7-11 quotes Job for his perseverance - an example of patience in the face of suffering and what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy and nothing in all the world should trouble us.
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