What hinders me from serving the Lord freely?

Borrowed Equipment

Read 1 Samuel 17:32-40, 50

Let us throw off everything that hinders . . . and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

-Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

I'VE always loved the Bible's story of David, the shepherd boy who defeats Goliath with a sling and a stone. Recently I realized that David had to take something off in order to succeed in this mission. King Saul tried to protect David by giving him Saul's armor. David quickly discovered that Saul's heavy equipment hindered him. He removed the king's armor and approached Goliath unhindered, armed only with his usual shepherd's supplies and his strong trust in God.


Meditating on this story, I wonder how often I try to serve God wearing someone else's "equipment." Of course we all can learn from the good example of others. But when asked to teach Sunday school, do I think I must imitate the previous teacher? Do I study a method of evangelism and then mimic its exact words when I share my faith? Do I weigh myself down by copying someone else's style? Am I afraid to serve God just as I am?


I have decided that it's time to drop the weight of trying to be like others and instead to be myself. The Lord has given each of us unique gifts. We don't need borrowed equipment. We can all learn from David, taking off whatever hinders us and trusting God for help in using our God-given abilities.

Marion Speicher Brown (Florida, USA)


Thank you, mighty Lord, for equipping each of us uniquely. Give us courage to be ourselves as we serve you. Amen.


What hinders me from serving God freely?


To relax and be myself in the way I serve God
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I think this is a wonderful sharing passage which help me a lot. All this while I don't know how to fight my "giants". The only thing is to take one step as I can. I thank God for guiding me through all these days in Miri here. Many peoples or leaders' expectations on me, and I try to push all these things unto the Lord. And I know that He is my help.
This passage reminds me that I don't need to wear someone else "equipment", I have my own and this is from the Lord and if I wear it and use it, I can defeat my giant easily. For those who read this, pls do pray for me.... PRay that I will continue to put my trust in God and will not shrink back to serve Him.

Lord, teach me how to pray

Saturday morning we always have a group of sisters will come to church to have a prayer meet. Today, this was my first time attended this prayer meeting. We all took turn to pray. I am the last one to pray.
Honestly say, I felt a bit uncomfortable to pray in English. When those sisters all prayed very fluently in English. I felt a bit scare and in fact I didn't know what should I pray for. Before it came to my turn, I prayed silently in my heart. I said: "Lord, teach me how to pray and what to pray."
Amazingly, when I started to pray, the words and prayer items just kept coming in to my mind and I could pray out loud and fluently. Indeed, it was really a miracle and thank God for the anointing.
The Lord always be my help.... When I first got to know that I will be coming to GMC. I was quite worry about my English. I don't how much I can guote. I don't know what should I do for the church.... However, it is just like what I preached in the past whole year about the book of Joshua. I believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I will be my help and guide me through all the things....
Now, it's time to pray for getting a better church caretaker. "Lord, please help the church to get a better caretaker. We need this person to clean up the church and keep this church tidy. So that when people come to your House, they will feel comfortable. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!!"

Calling for help

Today I read Matthew 14:18-33. It is about Jesus walked on the sea. This time, God led me to ponder on Peter calling out for help. Sometimes, although we have "thousand tans" of faith.... However, we may also "sink" like Peter when we face "strong wind blow". However, God is merciful and gracious, He slow to anger and abounding in Steadfast love. He is our help and shelter.... As long as we call out for help.... HE will reach out His hand and catch us from sinking.

As I came over to Miri, I find that I need God more than I continue to stay in Sibu. Due to I am the "in charge", there are many things which I need to make decision for the church. I need to handle a lot of matters and people.

"God, save me!" - I really need His help.... Anyway, as long as we call upon Him, He will never feel hesitate in helping me....

God answered prayer

This is my second week in Miri. Still adjusting to the new environment. New people, new roadmap, new talking style and new lifestyle. However, I still thank God for answering my prayers.

When I first knew about my posting, I started worrying about my transportation. Do I need to drive a van since then? Am I able to drive van around the places? How am I going to settle down the things in Miri? How am I get to know the places? There are many worries filled my brain. I don't know how to solve these problems.

I thank God that He is my help and my shelter. If there is anything, I can just call upon Him. He will help. And He did answer my prayers.

Church has decided to buy a new car for pastor use. IT IS A NEW CAR - MYVI. I have never expected it. My counsin came to my place and took me driving around the places and I picked it up very fast. Now, I knew how to go to many places. I bought all the things which I want and I need. I have settled down well.

When I was not able to do something, God grants strength and wisdom to help me. Indeed, without God all things are impossible to me.

I met friends and a lot of foochow people here. I thank God for it. Unless it is not as bad as I thought before. ha!

复杂的心情

离离开诗巫的日子越来越近了，虽然知道明年每个月都会回来开会，诗巫也如此之近。可是，我的心情就是如此的复杂。复杂，因为回到诗巫的日子不是只有六天，六个月而已，而是已经六年的时间了。在这六年的时间里，发生了好多好多的事情。当中有好多的悲、欢、离、合，有好多的喜、怒、哀、乐。如果可以，真的好希望能把它们一一写下来，因为当中充满上帝数不清的恩典。这本书真的可以厚到比圣经还要厚。哈！

New Posting

Next year I am going to Miri. Due to lacking of English pastor, SCAC has to send me there to minister an English Church. Back again to English church after two years. If you ask me how do I feel, I can answer you honestly I feel this is a right timing for myself, my family and also to the church.

I came back to Sibu six years ago. I feel very comfortable to stay at home. It is because I can enjoy my mum's nice foods, familiar environment, friends and relatives. I don't need to worry much about my meal, laundries, paying bills etc. My mum and many people will take care of all these for me.

I am leaving for Miri on 27th of Dec. This is my new journey. I hope you will pray for me and my ministry there. May His will be done.....

神是我生命的光

今天，我读到一段很特别的经文，以赛亚书60：18-20：“你地上不再聽見強暴的事，境內不再聽見荒涼毀滅的事。你必稱你的牆為拯救，稱你的門為讚美。19日頭不再作你白晝的光，月亮也不再發光照耀你。耶和華卻要作你永遠的光你神要為你的榮耀。20你的日頭不再下落；你的月亮也不退縮；因為耶和華必作你永遠的光。你悲哀的日子也完畢了。”

这段经文中讲到光。对人类来说，光来自太阳能和月亮星星。可是，这里却告诉我们这些光体有一天都要过去，到那时候，就有一种的光出现，那就是上帝的光。这种光是充满上帝荣耀的光芒，是一种安慰，拯救和医治的光芒。

就在读着这段经文的时候，收音机也同时播着天韵“亲近神”这首诗歌，我觉得很有意思，心也被感动。特别其中一段告诉我们：“上帝阻挡骄傲人，赐恩给谦卑人，上帝靠近伤心人，拯救灵性痛悔的人。”而且，它不断重复，让我想起了上帝过去在许多时候的同在和带领。它给我一种肯定，只要我们愿意不断亲近神，紧紧跟随他，神就会持续带领我们，光照我们前方的路。感谢神！谢谢袮爱我！求您，饶恕我的过犯。我爱袮！

亲近神歌词：

你們要親近神，神就必親近你們
有罪的人，潔淨你們的手

你們要親近神，神就必親近你們
心懷二意的人，清潔你們的心

祂阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人
祂靠近傷心的人，拯救靈性痛悔的人

你們要順服聖潔裡，抵擋魔鬼
他就必離開你們逃跑
只要順服神，魔鬼都要後退