As my baby niece Keziah is still running a fever, she was not around to wake me up this morning. Hence, I slept till around 8 a.m.. I woke with a stuffy nose once again... morning sinus n dry throat. My voice has been rather hoarse these few days due to the hot weather.
After preparing myself for the day, I started reading my BIBLE. During my Q.T., I read the following scriptures and was reminded of a number of learning points. 
2 Corinthians 6
v.1 => Do not receive the grace of God in vain.
v.2=> God hears me in an acceptable time
=> He helps me in the day of salvation
v.4 - 10
=> As a minister of God, I can commend myself in ...
1) patience
2) tribulations
3) needs
4) distresses
5) stripes
6) imprisonments
7) tumults
8) labours
9) sleeplessness
10) fastings
by...
11) purity
12) knowledge
13) longsuffering
14) kindness
15) the HOLY SPIRIT
16) sincere love
17) word of truth
18) power of GOD
19) armour of righteousness on the right and left hands
20) honour & dishonour
21) evil report & good report
as...
22) deceivers & yet true .... (Well, I don't understand this part... shall meditate & seek the wisdom of GOD)
23) unknown, and yet well known
24) dying & behold we live
25) chastened & yet not killed
26) sorrowful, yet always REJOICING
27) poor, yet making many rich
28) having nothing and yet possessing all things
Wow... what a long list of things I can commend myself in, by and as a minister of GOD. The same applies to all fellow Christians who are reading these. May you be encouraged too.
v.11 -18 => Be HOLY
How?
1) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.
--> This refers more to the BOY-GIRL relationships that eventually leads to marriage.
Why?
For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?
And what communion has light with darkness?
Simply to me, it means there is no common ground of faith and communication.
2) Be separate --> Come out from among them... that is, the worldy people
Remembering that God calls me to be his daughter and He receives me into his heavenly kingdom.
2 Corinthians 7
v.1 => Cleanse myself of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
v.2=> Open my heart to fellow believers, that is, Christians... brothers and sisters in Christ
...for we die together and live together.
v.4 => I am filled with comfort.
=> I am exceedingly joyful in my tribulation.
v. 9 -11 => Rejoice at godly sorrow that produces repentance to salvation, in contrast to worldly sorrow that produces death.
=> Sorrow in a godly manner leads to...
1) diligence
2) clearing of myself
3) indignation
4) fear
5) vehement desire
6) zeal
7) vindication!
v.12 => CARE for one another
v.15 => Remember obedience, fear and trembling toward GOD
v.16 => Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything.
Truly, I can REJOICE in the LORD always and be CONFIDENT in Him in all things. I rejoice at those whom GOD has sent to me to comfort me... fellow sisters in Christ in my workplace. Just as apostle Paul delighted in Titus, so do I delight in having Jocelyn. Co-workers in the LORD. YEAH!
Some quotes from this book 'Something so SMILE about' ...
p.5
All of us are shaped by what others expect of and from us. We live either up to it or down to what others believe about us and what we can do. Actually, what other people think of us is frequently more crucial and influential than what we think of ourselves.
p.9 Appearance Counts
Humble people don't think less of themselves; they just think of themselves less.
Appearance includes...
1) style
2) neatness
3) shoe shine
4) crease in your shirt
5) choice of colours
6) how you fix your hair and make-up
7) all elements of personal grooming
Most importantly...SPG
*8) * SMILE on your face
*9) Positive Attitude
*10) Good sense of humour
An optimist thinks the glass if half-full; a pessimist thinks the glass is half-empty.
A realist knows that if he sticks around, either way he's eventually going to have to wash the glass. (Los Angeles Times Syndicate in Executive Speechwriter Newsletter)
p.11 Why Worry?
Worry = interest paid on trouble before it comes due.
= rocking chair
= requires a lot of energy and gets you nowhere.
Leo Buscaglia said, "Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy."
According to Dr Charles Mayo, "Worry affects the circulation and the whole nervous system. I've never known a man who died from overwork, but I've known many who have died from doubt." Doubt always creates worry. Lack of information raises doubt.
Life is much like Christmas. You are more apt to get what you expect than what you want.
Solution to reduce worry => * Don't worry about what you can't change.
Take constructive action and use my energy positively.
The message is clear: If you don't like your situation in life, don't fret or worry - DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Worry less, and ACT MORE.
p.21 The Power of Attitude
John Maxwell said,
"Never underestimate the power of your attitude.
It is the advance man of our true selves.
Its roots are inward, but its fruit is outward.
It is our best friend or our worst enemy.
It is the thing which draws people to us or repels them.
It is never content until it is expressed.
It is the librarian of our past.
It is the speaker of our present.
It is the prophet of our future."
ATTITUDE is the key to...
1) education 2) getting along with others 3) moving ahead in life
Student with a right attitude => more than willing to study to accomplish the objective of passing.
Worker with the right attitude => learn to do the job better and proceed cheerfully in doing that job.
Husband or wife with the right attitude => handle difficult situations in a much more effective way and enhance the relationship substantially.
Physician with the right attitude => a leg up in administering care to patients.
The ones with the best attitude will usually be chosen.
Message: DEVELOP A WINNING ATTITUDE.
p.25 DOING BEATS TALKING EVERY TIME
If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one. - Cavett Robert
The message is clear: Take a few calculated risks in your life and give it your best shot.
Anyone can be tenacious if he will just hang in there long enough.
Indeed, these words are so true. I just have to hang in there long enough... longsuffering. As I reflect upon my life after reading the BIBLE and various books, it dawns on me that I had been rather a pessimist in life. After being sick for such a long period of time, I took time to rest and relook at things. Just like taking photographs, change of my perspectives and focus. I realised that it is time I pick up learned optimism... BE MORE OPTIMISTIC and learn to JUST DO IT. Doing beats talking. Risks need to be taken and I have to give my best shot whatever it may be. Keep pursuing dreams... never lose HOPE and DREAMS. Remembering that in whatever I do, do it to please GOD ... TO GOD BE THE GLORY. May God direct me in his path... the blueprint of life he has for me.
Proverbs 3: 5, 6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. 
Truly, this verse has been a favourite verse that I have memorised since my days in Geylang Methodist Primary School (GMPS).
It was a verse shared with us by my Primary 4A form teacher, Mr Gan who was also a Christian. The meaning of the words were deeply etched in my memory forever...LET GOD DIRECT MY PATHS.
As my baby niece Keziah is still running a fever, she was not around to wake me up this morning. Hence, I slept till around 8 a.m.. I woke with a stuffy nose once again... morning sinus n dry throat. My voice has been rather hoarse these few days due to the hot weather. 
Most importantly...SPG
Proverbs 3: 5, 6
Truly, this verse has been a favourite verse that I have memorised since my days in Geylang Methodist Primary School (GMPS). 
