6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Worries are worries until they past away. God offers to give us comfort and the light yoke. He wants us to have faith in what He can do for us. Our egos tell us that we need to fight through everything ourselves to prove to society the rightful owner. But I for one can say that I would be nothing without God today. My fears and failures I have placed at His feet. Through that He gives me strength to better myself for His kingdom. And overall, because of a Father's love, my anxiety is lifted from my head. There is no existing ignorance on my head, but a realization that God is my ultimate provider for my life. All I need to do is have faith.
Amen.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Be Filled With the Spirit
"... be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:18-20
I've always compared my experiences with different brothers and sisters, like my church back at home compared to Cornerstone. Why are some people just so much more spiritual? This took me back to Pastor Rich's message. In that message, the two main characters of the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee, were the two members. Both were seen as different. The pharisee was obviously seen as more spiritual compared to the tax collector that swindles for a living. But the message here was made clear to me that night: regardless of where we are in our spiritual walk, we are one and the same because we are all reaching for the Highest Goal.
Although we may come from different backgrounds and have different experiences with God, God brings us together. Small group leader, praise leader, fellowship member? We are all the same.
These two verses call us to welcome the Holy Spirit as well as each other into our hearts. Speak to one another with praises. Praise the Lord and give thanks as one. The only thing that matters is that God receives the highest praise! As long as we lift each other up to the Lord, there is nothing else that matters because we are all running after Jesus Christ Himself.
Amen!
Ephesians 5:18-20
I've always compared my experiences with different brothers and sisters, like my church back at home compared to Cornerstone. Why are some people just so much more spiritual? This took me back to Pastor Rich's message. In that message, the two main characters of the parable of the tax collector and the pharisee, were the two members. Both were seen as different. The pharisee was obviously seen as more spiritual compared to the tax collector that swindles for a living. But the message here was made clear to me that night: regardless of where we are in our spiritual walk, we are one and the same because we are all reaching for the Highest Goal.
Although we may come from different backgrounds and have different experiences with God, God brings us together. Small group leader, praise leader, fellowship member? We are all the same.
These two verses call us to welcome the Holy Spirit as well as each other into our hearts. Speak to one another with praises. Praise the Lord and give thanks as one. The only thing that matters is that God receives the highest praise! As long as we lift each other up to the Lord, there is nothing else that matters because we are all running after Jesus Christ Himself.
Amen!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Finals Week
It's finals week and studying is really taking a toll on everyone. At this time, we try to cram every little bit of information that we have learned from the beginning of the semester into a few nights of studying hoping that everything works out in the end. This is me at least. Finals week is actually not too bad for me compared to everyone else. On the other hand, my last two weeks were insane. It was then that I was really tested and put to my limit. My 24 hours was put to the test.
During that time, my priorities found their place. Regardless of being the right place or not, these priorities naturally shifted to their place in my life. The disappointing thing to me was that God did not remain on top. When things got tough, it was school work. My projects, team meetings, papers, exams, and homework became my top priority. Though those hardships, I wanted myself to turn to God regardless of my circumstance, but in my selfishness, I kept my eyes on the grades, my earthly desire.
This really struck me for the past week as my prayer, devotionals, and meetings with God has dwindled exponentially. I need to come back to God and place Him above all. Above all is where I want Him to be in my life; my desire for Him to be above everything is above all other desires as well. I will search for a verse pertaining to this later on.
Amen and Good night!
During that time, my priorities found their place. Regardless of being the right place or not, these priorities naturally shifted to their place in my life. The disappointing thing to me was that God did not remain on top. When things got tough, it was school work. My projects, team meetings, papers, exams, and homework became my top priority. Though those hardships, I wanted myself to turn to God regardless of my circumstance, but in my selfishness, I kept my eyes on the grades, my earthly desire.
This really struck me for the past week as my prayer, devotionals, and meetings with God has dwindled exponentially. I need to come back to God and place Him above all. Above all is where I want Him to be in my life; my desire for Him to be above everything is above all other desires as well. I will search for a verse pertaining to this later on.
Amen and Good night!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Luke 1:46-80
I'm reading over these two songs from Mary and Zechariah and I can tell they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The first line of both songs glorifies God and lifts Him up. "My soul glorifies the Lord"..."Praise be to the Lord." Prayers have become very cliche sounding because of similar overused phrases are used and it really annoyed me. But my ignorance towards the Lord needs to stop here. God is to be glorified in any way. It is not exactly what comes out of our mouths, but the overflow of our heart. Anyways, my vocabulary sucks and I stick at articulating my feelings. But thank goodness God is God!
Amen.
I'm not showing up to prayer meeting tomorrow HEHE.
Amen.
I'm not showing up to prayer meeting tomorrow HEHE.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Luke 1:26-45
In these passages, the birth of Jesus was foretold. The Holy Spirit though God's almighty power preforms a miracle and gives Mary a child. The main message in these verses was the humbleness of Elizabeth, Zechariah's wife. She questioned why she was visited by such a holy, privileged Mary. Verse 45, "Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Her faith in what Jesus will do for her was unwavering. It even made baby Jesus leap in her womb!
Amen.
Amen.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Luke 1:1-25
Luke takes it upon himself to let the truthful accounts of Jesus to be passed on. He is passing his knowledge and his investigations down to Theophilus (name or honorary title addressed to the friends of God meaning ME and YOU). This is his mission.
There was a priest name Zechariah. He and his wife were followers of God. The two had no children. One day when Zechariah was chosen to burn incense for the alter in a temple, he was met by Gabriel, an angel from God. From verse 13, we know that Zechariah has been long praying for a son and on that day, received one by the grace of God. This child will be filled with the Holy Spirit at birth and will lead many people of Israel back to the Lord. God's promise is apparent in this passage as Zechariah is given a miracle.
Verse 22 is another act of God. Zechariah is unable to speak of the angel that he has just seen. Just as Jesus did not want the ones he has healed to boast of His miracles. I think because Christianity is strongly pillared on the basis of faith, God did not want His people to believe in Him because of the things that He can do, but for the things that He will do if we believed.
Amen.
There was a priest name Zechariah. He and his wife were followers of God. The two had no children. One day when Zechariah was chosen to burn incense for the alter in a temple, he was met by Gabriel, an angel from God. From verse 13, we know that Zechariah has been long praying for a son and on that day, received one by the grace of God. This child will be filled with the Holy Spirit at birth and will lead many people of Israel back to the Lord. God's promise is apparent in this passage as Zechariah is given a miracle.
Verse 22 is another act of God. Zechariah is unable to speak of the angel that he has just seen. Just as Jesus did not want the ones he has healed to boast of His miracles. I think because Christianity is strongly pillared on the basis of faith, God did not want His people to believe in Him because of the things that He can do, but for the things that He will do if we believed.
Amen.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hey Thanks Jesus
This past year as a leader has put me in some tough spots. As a result, I have gotten closer to a few members more so than others. This I regret greatly, but I know that God is giving more time next semester to get to know my small group more. This is a continuous, never ending relationship between God, my small group, and I. And I for one, believe that love is patient.
In the beginning, I expected my small group to be the best. Perfect attendance, no quiet moments, and a lot of openness was just a few on my list. I expected growth and fruit bearing till they dropped like coconuts from the tree. My head was high and chin was up.
As the semester went on, something happened. Attendance dropped, people left early, excuses thrown everywhere. Where was the perfect little Small Group that I expected? All this "work" I put in and nothing.
Luke 17:11-19
This passage was given to me during the break at the Ambassadors' Thanksgiving dinner. The passage describes Jesus' encounter with 10 men who had leprosy on his way to Jerusalem. These 10 men were desperate for healing and because of their faith, was healed from their disease. The 10 men then ran off.
Just then, one of men came back praising God and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. Verse 17 and 18, "Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?""
I will relate this to our fellow brothers and sisters. So often, have I felt frustration towards my more apathetic brothers and sisters. Where was the passion I asked myself? Why don't you want to go to Large Group today? Does anyone care about all the work that was put into making everything work on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays? I've seen the frustration in my fellow leaders faces and I ask the same question that Jesus asked.
With those that I meet up with and try to encourage, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to nourish their growing hearts. But I believe that God has a plan for all of us. Even if only one person says, 'thank you Jesus' now, I know that You will never cease to work in us. Slowly, but surely. One man today, a few more tomorrow.
Amen.
PS. Never writing this late ever again. Thoughts jumbled. Incoherent. Blah.
In the beginning, I expected my small group to be the best. Perfect attendance, no quiet moments, and a lot of openness was just a few on my list. I expected growth and fruit bearing till they dropped like coconuts from the tree. My head was high and chin was up.
As the semester went on, something happened. Attendance dropped, people left early, excuses thrown everywhere. Where was the perfect little Small Group that I expected? All this "work" I put in and nothing.
Luke 17:11-19
This passage was given to me during the break at the Ambassadors' Thanksgiving dinner. The passage describes Jesus' encounter with 10 men who had leprosy on his way to Jerusalem. These 10 men were desperate for healing and because of their faith, was healed from their disease. The 10 men then ran off.
Just then, one of men came back praising God and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him. Verse 17 and 18, "Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?""
I will relate this to our fellow brothers and sisters. So often, have I felt frustration towards my more apathetic brothers and sisters. Where was the passion I asked myself? Why don't you want to go to Large Group today? Does anyone care about all the work that was put into making everything work on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays? I've seen the frustration in my fellow leaders faces and I ask the same question that Jesus asked.
With those that I meet up with and try to encourage, I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to nourish their growing hearts. But I believe that God has a plan for all of us. Even if only one person says, 'thank you Jesus' now, I know that You will never cease to work in us. Slowly, but surely. One man today, a few more tomorrow.
Amen.
PS. Never writing this late ever again. Thoughts jumbled. Incoherent. Blah.
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