Erling Thu

Category: Integrity

  • I consider your prophecies to be my greatest treasure 

    Psalm 119.11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

    This is also a word that has followed me from my youth. I have experienced what the psalmist is talking about. Therefore, I have written this truth in one of the first pages of my Bible: This book will keep you away from sin, or sin will keep you away from this book. There is a deep truth to this.

    When we store God's Word deeply in our hearts, we will be led and motivated by the Word to do what is right and good and to avoid that which is sin. With the Word of God in our hearts, we will be aware of what God wants to do for us and through us. When the word of God dwells in our hearts, we will know God's will and be able to choose the right path when we have to make choices.

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  • Looking with new eyes

    To be somebody
    is not only to explore
    virgin territory or unknown places
    but to look with new eyes
    – look from new perspectives
    – look with new perception
    – look with new expectancy
    – look for new insight
    to the old and known world
    to discover the virginity
    and the hope for a new beginning
    in the midst of corruption and decay
    and than seize the moment
    to make history
    in our own little world
    knowing that the great achievements
    is the sum of all the small deeds of faith

    By faith we can see
    the impossible become possible
    and the invisible become visible
    and the world changed to a better place

  • Suffering loss

    To be somebody

    Is to suffer loss with dignity and trust

    • the loss of a son who dies
    • the loss of friends who turn out to be no friends
    • the loss of sleep or rest
    • the loss of health
    • the loss of memory
    • the loss of peace of mind
    • the loss of a poem as the pc crash

    Losses come in many forms

    some are deeply personal and painful

    some can be hurting but helpful

    some are very dramatic and domestic

    some are instant and intense

    To be somebody

    Is to embrace loss willingly by faith

    Because you are looking forward

    For something greater and better

    When you have seen the Invisible

    The losses in the corruptible world do not matter any more

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • Daring to be yourself

    To be somebody
    Is to dare to be yourself
    And still not rely on your own strength or human resources
    But submit to the leading of the Spirit
    And draw on his mighty strength
    Allowing him to unfold his power in your life
    Enabling you to break out of all human limitations
    And enjoy the abundance of blessings
    And the liberty of God's children

    To be somebody
    Is to accept yourself the way you are
    And trust God for a supernatural life in the Spirit
    When you have learned to say no to yourself
    – say no to your own strengths and weaknesses
    But to embrace everything that God does for you
    Then you can live life to the full.

    To be somebody
    Is to accept no limitations as failures
    But as divine steppingstones
    Into the life of the Spirit
    – the life of trust
    – the life of faith
    – the life of hope
    – the life of love

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • Being a moral person

    To be somebody
    Is to be marked by love
    Knowing how to distinguish
    Right and wrong – goodness or badness
    Love is never glad about injustice
    But rejoices every time the truth wins out
    Love never gives up
    Love never loses faith
    Love is always hopeful
    Love endures through every circumstance

    To be somebody
    Is to know that it is possible
    To refuse to do evil things
    Knowing it is possible to be a moral person
    Irrespectively of what others do
    Irrespectively if others follow your example
    Irrespectively of the outcome of your life
    Even if you don’t become a hero
    Even if you don’t save anybody by your sacrifice
    Even if you don’t change anything by your stand
    Even if you have to die for your belief

    To be somebody
    Is to be a moral example
    Even more – it is to be a moral person
    To refuse to do evil
    Solely because it is bad
    Then you make a difference
    – to yourself
    – and to us

    Text: Erling Thu (c)

  • A life of influence and honour

    In Psalm 112 the psalmist is describing the triumph of godliness. Godly people are God lovers. They delight in the Lord and cherish his Word. They will always shout in celebration of praise to the Lord. Therefore Godly people will be blessed beyond expectation.

    Their descendants will be prosperous and influential. Every generation of God lovers will experience his favour. Their integrity endures forever. Life is good for the one who is generous and charitable, conducting affairs with honesty and truth. They will never be shaken by any circunstances and their example will never be forgotten. 

    Those who love the Lord will not live fear of what may come, for their hearts are firm, ever secure in their faith in God. Steady and strong, they will not be afraid, but calmly face every challenge until they overcome them all.

    Godly people are never stingy, but always generous to those in need. Therefore they live a life of influence and honour that will never be forgotten. Godly people are full of good deeds that continue to speak and bear fruit, long after they have left this world.

     

  • Covenant duties

    The issue of covenant was forced on me a short time ago. There are so many misunderstandings about being a covenant person. Even many Christians have very little understanding of what covenant is all about. They question the idea of covenant duties or covenant obligations. Therefore I have chosen to share something I wrote some years back on being a covenant keeper, on being a person who understands the implication of covenant living. Covenant is love put into practice!

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  • The honest person

    To be somebody
    is to be honest
    to know that the truth
    holds liberating power
    the honest person
    can walk with his head lifted high
    look his neighbour into his eyes
    in confident joy
    the honest person
    owns a treasure of integrity
    more worth than all the wealth in the world

  • Character formation

    To be somebody is to be marked
    By the very character of God by having
    – love written all over you
    – joy crafted in your face
    – faithfulness inscribed on your heart
    – peace carved deeply into your spirit
    – patience chiselled into your very soul
    – kindness imprinted on your entire being
    – goodness penetrating your nature
    – gentleness sculpturing your actions
    – self-control engraved on your will

    To be somebody is to be in the hands of God
    Gratefully allowing the great artist of life do want he wants:
    – remove sexual immorality and
    – delete every impure thought
    – wash away eagerness for lustful pleasure
    – deliver from idolatry and participation in demonic activities
    – take away hostility, quarrelling and outbursts of anger
    – uproot jealousy and selfish ambitions
    – plot out the feeling that everyone is wrong except your own little group
    – set you free from envy and drunkenness
    – rescue you from wild parties and other kinds of nasty behaviour
    To install divine values into your inner being
    For the real beauty of holiness to be seen
    As you are radiate with the glorious grace of God