April 29, 2009 - How I Came to Enjoy Raisins

Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

 1 John 2:10

What is light? To throw some answers out there: God, Jesus, christians, Gandhi, etc.  The list can go on and our perception of light can differ by opinion, but lets take a look at light in the context of this verse. 

According to this verse, whoever loves someone is in the light and you cannot stumble when in this light. So from this, we see that light is a guide for us so that we do not stumble. What else? Everyone would kill to be living in a life where they do not have struggles. What is the requirement per se to have this light? The requirement is love. 

I believe that light and love are synonomous. By loving someone, you are like... their light; a light that guides them whenever they are in need. Indeed, light is a perspective changer.  It allows us to see the person the way they are and not hide or change anything about that person. With the light, we see who they truely are. 

And here is the punch in the face: are you willing to love them when seeing their true self in the light? I would be so ashamed or embarassed or whatever if someone knew the quote unquote real me. But by the grace of God, Jesus was able to accept us even though He see all of us through the light! We are such sinful beings, yet, by the grace of His Majesty, we are saved!

"Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him that to make him stumble." 

Whoever knows God, will love like no other! With this love of others as Christ has loved us, I believe that God will see your goodness and place His mighty hand upon your life. 

Amen!

April 28, 2009 - Don't Bother Me With Details!

So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an 

inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war. 

– Joshua 11:23

Yes. I know I go through this and I am pretty sure everyone else does too. As I/we read the Bible, we have come to notice that some parts are more bland per se than others. But every word counts! There is no pic picking when we are searching for assurance of God's hand on our lives! We live for an almighty creator who has graciously left us the Word so that we may become more like Jesus! Let us continue to search for Him through the opportunities given to us by his Son's death on the cross and let that not be in vain because we don't feel like reading/learning/preaching about certain parts of the Truth.

Amen.

April 20, 2009 - Blessed are the Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5: 5 (NIV)

Whenever we think about meekness, you automatically think of weakness. But this is not the case.
Being meek can be translated into being "humbly patient". But how can those who are humbly patient inherit the earth? Those who are aggressive and active clearly has an advantage over those who are meek in terms of conquering the world.

Lets take a look at the life of Jesus. Jesus Christ walked on earth KNOWING that He was going to be sacrificed! To add more to that, He knew that he was going to be sacrificed for those people who he ministers to everyday!

Imagine yourself in the sandals of Christ. You walk amongst the land and preach the Word of God, but always come across those who blaspheme against you. There are even those who plan to kill you! Knowing that you are soon to die for the sake of these people would place me in an awkward situation. I would not want to save them at all.

But Jesus..

Jesus was meek. (I cannot say this as well as this person so here I quote!)

"It’s Christ’s humility, His lowliness, that beckons us into a relationship with Him. And ultimately, it was Christ's willingness to give up earthly glory that opened the door for us to share in His eternal glory."

Christ gave up everything for us. We are so unworthy and so sinful; but Christ allowed Himself to be killed by us and in turn, saved us all. It was his meekness that closed the gap between man and God. And it will be the meek that will inherit the earth.

April 19, 2009 - Considering the Enemies of Christ - Even With Tears

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 3:18 (ESV)

Recently, on a friend's Facebook wall, I read posts of his brother typing in all caps denouncing the existence of God on Easter Sunday just because all his friends were too busy to hang out with him because everyone of them had to go to church. Other statements proclaimed that he was god and we should all let a little devil come inside of us. The reality of this was that I've met this guy before. He was a cool guy, but it was hard to talk to him mainly because he loved himself, girls, and getting drunk way too much. Those posts irked me a little (more than a little), but the truth of the matter is that there are so many people out there who have not known the love that is of Jesus Christ.

I get angry. When people talk down about my God, it makes me angry. I wanted God smite to hit them right there right then. I despise those kind of people. But is this really how I should feel? Am I not suppose to love thy neighbor as my own? They are human beings created by the hands of God just like I am.

Luke 9:54, “And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’” made me realize that I acted like James and John.

When they said this, Jesus rebuked them.

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:17-19).

Like what Philipians 3:17-19 states, I need to realize that there are so many people who have yet to know the love that is Christ and many others denounce it. I've been so blinded by hatred of these non-Christians that I did not realize that there is always hope. But what can we do for these people who have destruction as their ends but pray for them even with tears in our eyes?

Amen.

April 16, 2009 - Prepare to Be Shot

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Romans 10:14-15, NIV

When I thought about this verse, the song "I Will Go" by Starfield popped into my head. The lyrics in that song are so powerful to me. "I will go, I will go, I will go Lord send me.. to the world.." If we think about it in more "literal" terms:

'Lets say you received a letter in the mail. You open the letter and read it. The letter says, "On September 11, 2001, there will be a terrorist attack." With this information now in your possession, what do you do? The date is 9/10/01.'

You look at this illustration and think to yourself, 'Psh, the answer is obvious! You would tell everyone because people's lives are going to be lost! You would be insane to keep this information to yourself!"

There is the 'obvious' answer. In my blessed life with Christ, knowing that I am saved and that the only way to God is to acknowledge the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross, I hold this good news dearly in my own heart and mind and not to my mouth.

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?

Think about it. If it weren't for one of your friends or family members, you would not know God. Whoever that person was, praise the Lord that you have met them! Personally, I remember a friend in high school who really brought me closer to Christ. I would always utter the phrase, "Oh my God" (ie. using the Lord's name in vain). That pissed him off one day and he finally cracked on me. At that time, I had no idea what he was so angry about, but it all makes sense now. Because of him, I decided to visit church more often to see what I was REALLY missing. And because of that wake up call, here I am now! Even though it was not the preaching of the gospel, that simple message of 'stop using my Father's name like that' woke me up.

If you are not ready to preach the gospel, you can glorify God by living it out. When you know that you have matured and grown, pray to God for wisdom and strength to take those 'beautiful feet' there and spread the good news!

Because in reality, time is running out and lives will be indeed lost if they are not saved.

Praise the Lord!

Amen.

April 15, 2009 - More Than Forgiveness

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Reconcile - to restore.

"Forgive and forget", the new American catchphrase. To me, this seems like the easiest route in solving this problem. But can we really forgive and forget at the same time? If you think about it, only God can really forgive and forget. I can only either forgive or forget, either or. It is hard for me to completely forgive and completely forget my enemies, but I know that God's grace is just so amazing that He is able to do so through His Son.

Amen.

April 14, 2009 - Is Suffering Inevitable?

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
1 Peter 3:17, NAS

Everyone suffers. Christians, non-Christians and all people alike. The moment we were born to the moment we die, there will be a small trickle of unpleasantness that will always be with us. When we look at ourselves, depending on who we are, we will see either more good or bad.

For those who see themselves as the "greater sufferers", can't you see yourself instead as the most wise, knowing, strong, full of experience instead? Suffering gives birth to many qualities and honestly enough, makes you into a better person if you accept it.

That's it! Accept your suffering! Do not turn away the pain, blood, sweat and tears that have made you into what you are now. Christ brought us true love and died on the cross for us just so that we may be connected with God. If Jesus ever hated Himself or regretted that He went through that entire journey, the saved would mean nothing to Him. But the truth is, we mean everything to Him.

Praise the Lord.

Amen.

April 13, 2009 - Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Matthew 26: 40-41

Are your quiet times still and peaceful? Or are they distracted and rushed? What can you do to improve your quiet times? Do you have a special place set aside where you spend time with the Lord?

My quiet times have become loud times. The time that I have put aside for the Lord have become mere leftovers of my day that I deem myself too tired to continue on with anything else and therefore do my quiet time. This is not what God deserves. Usually I am too preoccupied with school work or other forms of non-beneficial, self-indulging entertainment that I completely forget about what I was created to do in the first place, to worship Him (Col 1:16).

Life has been so busy that I forgotten about God until the end of the day when its too late..! In this scenario, the devil has won; he has created enough distractions for me to keep me away from God. But this will be a constant battle for me. Just because I do not have a functional computer at my disposal doesn't mean that I cannot do my quiet time blog. Thats just an excuse.

I will constantly try to improve my quiet time, even if it does mean listening to music to drown out other music within the vicinity. I will find the Lord every morning and everyday of my life!

Amen.

April 11, 2009 - Thank God it's Friday!

Currently in the Hilltop computer lab with an Indian guy that.. you know what Indian people are good at ;)

If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-because
anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
Romans 6:5-7,

The Cross. Our Savior. His blood rolled down the wooden cross as the rust covered nails pierced his hands through the strength of the striking hammers. One by one. His hands, his feet. The cross was no longer the bare of a fresh cut of wood, but covered by the thick crimson of our Saviors life.

His death and our life. That is the truth.

When I view the cross, I see it as a torturing mechanism that was used in the old days; like the electric chair that is used in the present days. There is nothing celebratory about that. But for Christians and all believers alike the cross is all important. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we are saved.

When He died, so did our sins. Every sin that came from our living soul was erased on that day. The image of Jesus pushing us aside and telling us its going to be okay, its going to be okay is so powerful to me. That one man is willing to take the wrath of God Himself for the sake of people that hate and blaspheme. As He takes every man on his shoulders and dies.

It is true. We should not be ashamed of our sins any longer because Jesus Christ is was and forever will be our ransom. Sin can no longer hold us down any longer for we have been freed because of Him!

Good Friday! Praise the Lord!

Amen!

April 10, 2009 - Killings Words

But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”—a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will
(Luke 23:18-24)

Think about this situation: put yourself in the shoes of the commoners. What would you have done if you saw your Savior being put on trial and being sentenced to death on the cross when he was clearly innocent?

Putting yourself in lets say, YOUR OWN shoes at that time, would something have happened putting aside the fact that Jesus was destined to die for us? Personally, I would be too afraid. Knowing that Jesus, the guy under God, was being put through this; how much could I do then? This, I believe, comes down to how much faith we do have in God. The faith of what we are capable of doing and what we are not capable of doing. Under God, all things are possible no?

Short blog. Long talk :)

Amen.

April 9, 2009 - Easter: All That Matters vs. All I Live For

"What is truth?" Pilate asked.

John 19:38

The truth is... I've been forgetting about these blogs because I usually do them at night and without my computer, they've been slipping my mind.

He has risen, just as He said.
Matthew 28:6, NIV

With Easter coming up, there is a sudden realization that God is here? What? For some of us, there is life and then theres LIFE! When we look at the two, we see two distinct difference: one that lives for the world and the other that lives for God.

Jesus comes back to life! Its truly a glorious day, BUT I hate how it is almost retreat-esque. We sing of Jesus' ressurection with so much more heart than the previous friday night praises before when this should just be us praising the Lord. of course there are highs and lows in life, but that is besides the point.

the point is "He has risen!" and we know that.. NOT JUST ON EASTER SUNDAY DUDES! we have KNOWN of the ressurection since we were saved and that is not the end of it.

i turn on the tv and see this awesome move.. JOHN Q.. omg best movie ever. i watch this and mentally decide that it is news that must be spread. so i go on aim/msn and start spreading news about this movie like propraganda. (i even updated my fb status on this)

But when it comes to Jesus dying for the world, how does it fair in comparison to all else that matters? Have you ever proclaimed/exclaimed that Jesus lives! and that He does so in your heart! It is not just a religion that you can get into or not; it is a true relationship. So go. Just go and realize that there is everything and then theres One thing that IS everything!

Amen!