YOU RAISE ME UP

I am so blessed to have so many friends from around the world. I had a great dinner with Graeme and Jane at a Japanese restaurant in Singapore. I really like eating sushi because it is very healthy. Here are more photos at the Skypark in the Singapore. There is a big swimming pool on top of the Skypark! Imagine swimming with such a beautiful view from the skyscraper.

YOU RAISE ME UP

We all need someone to raise us up in times of sadness, disappointment and discouragement. It could be a family member, a friend, a relative and God. God promised in His word that He will raise us up from the depths and give us a second chance.

I am reminded of the adulterous woman sentenced to death by the Pharisees in the Bible. Read John 8:3-11.

3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

The Pharisees wanted to stone the adulterous woman because she broke the law. They wanted to see how Jesus would react to the situation by asking for his verdict. Instead of passing judgement upon the woman, Jesus asked for any person that committed no sin to throw the first stone. Everyone slowly back off and moved away because they knew they had all have committed sin in their lives. Jesus told the woman that He did not come to condemn sinners but to forgive sinners. Jesus commanded this woman to go and leave her life of sin.

There are times in our lives when we feel like a failure before others and God. We should not despair because we have a God that did not come to condemn us but to raise us up from the old life of sin into a new life with Him. God always gives us unlimited chances to begin a new life with His love and power.

We can have a new beginning and fresh start with God anytime. We don't have to remain in the pit forever because God is ready to raise us up.

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;

Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,

Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;

Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;

But when you come and I am filled with wonder,

Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;

You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;

I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;

You raise me up: To more than I can be.