December 11, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 4 : 12-19

Suffering for Being a Christian

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

I just always have this image of me floating into Heaven in a beam of light and then doing the Nelson laugh from the simpsons at those who did not believe, but then that would be wrong.

Praise the Lord for He has suffered and gave it all for us. To us the salvation we do not deserve has been offered to us through the cruxificion of His one and only Son who stepped down from His 'what the heck awesome' throne to save a jerk like me. He calls us friends and assures us, "do not be afraid if you are suffering because of me for you have been already saved."

The passage is similar to 1 Peter 3 : 8-22. There are two different kinds of sufferings: suffering through punishment because of an evil deed compared to suffering because you believe in Christ. I'm sure that we've all had our share of questions thrown at us for believing in God. If you read my blog from 2 days ago, I shared a similar incident. But do not fret my brothers and sisters for we have already won. Do not be ashamed for the Lord has already giving us salvation. So let us continue doing good and what God wants. I for one will remain faithful to God even in these tough times.

Amen.

December 10, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 4 : 1-11

Living for God

1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Amen fo sho. I've had conversations with non-Christian friends that would inevitably lead to party, drinking, and girls. They assume I do all this stuff here at Purdue, since it is considered the epitome of 'cool' in college. But when they find out the only thing I do here is Starcraft and go to church, they think of me as strange.. aha.. very strange. But this is clear because God states it clearly that he despises such earthly sins. it is through His Son that I have been saved already and through that alone, I am compelled, through fear and reverence, to obey and remain in His light.

But it ain't that easy. We are like a marine and medic group being flanked by speedlings in this world. We are constantly surrounded by people who believe differently than we do. And here is the real challenge: we must remain clear-minded and have self-control and remember that we have each other to depend on if we really do fall out of place. Verse 8 says it all yo.

Amen.

December 9, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 3 : 8-22

Suffering for Doing Good

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10For,

"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
11He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Reading this reminded me of a friend who claimed himself to be an 'atheist' back in high school. Because he was surrounded by my other friends who were Christian from the same church, God was brought into the picture quite a few times. "I have to go to church"... "Remember that time at that retreat...". And every time, he merely laughs and exclaims, "God?? There is no God." The thing was, he was the one of the most, if not the most, stubborn person I know. Talking to him sometimes would be me so riled up I ended up spending a few hours looking up apologetics so I can kick his butt. But alas, he got the last laugh.

But I am surprised that we are still friends along with all the other guys. Because God commands it and I will obey. As Christians, we must live in harmony with everyone regardless of what evils they speak of. I could have easily broken his face, but God commands us to not repay evil with evil but do good because Jesus showed us good.

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?"

Verse 15 - If I am considered close-minded and foolish for believing in such a God, how ignorant and closed-minded you must be to reject the God who has offered you the greatest gift of mankind. I know I still have a lot to learn in order to put down any slander against the Lord and I won't give up. I pray that You be with me and that wisdom would flow within me.

Amen.

December 8, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 3: 1-7

Wives and Husbands

1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 5For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, 6like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

The image that came to my mine was Jesus being the bridegroom and yes, me being the 'wife'. Even though this passage contains a more literal message about how wives and husbands should act in accordance to each other and God, I think that all glory should be for Him. The relationship between the man and the woman should be glorifying to Him. I know that sometimes relationships can be caught up in loving each other that God is forgotten. But did Jesus forget us as the Bridegroom? Heck naw.

I need to be more considerate to not just 'my wife', but other people as well. Sometimes I feel like I am condescending when I joke around too much. But trust me, I am going to try and be nicer to everyone. Thank you 1 Peter 3.

Amen.

December 7, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 2 : 13-23

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This passage reminded me of how we should pray for our president and the people that run our country more. Barack Obama needs prayers and I really need to work on that.

Aside from that, verses 18-21 speaks about submission as slaves. Jesus was the ultimate servant; someone who served other selflessly and endured the ultimate punishment for doing nothing wrong. We must be servants as well and endure the persecution that comes to us not because we have done wrong (sin), but because we have done and believed what is right. Because Christ has suffered for us, that we should be there for others.

Verses 22-25 speaks of how true Jesus was to us. Gosh.. I love you Jesus.

"not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh." I think this can be applied to more than just our rulers and masters. This verse reminds of me James 1 being "slow to anger and quick to listen". Even to those people that annoy or anger me, I need to consider their being as well because, you know, Jesus considered me.

Amen.

December 6, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 2: 9-11

9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

I decided to finish up chapter 2 with this blog. I don't know why, but this picture popped into my head when I was reading this:















As Christians, we should feel pretty honored to be labeled 'a chosen people' specially hand picked by God. We were once people who did not know God and once a people that did not know of His mercy. But because of someone else, we have come to know Him. What I got from this passage was that the baton has been passed. We have a new responsibility to lead other to Christ just as someone to me and you.

As Christians, we need to fight against these temptations that plague us everyday trying to make us sin against God. But we must be steadfast and strong and remember that our non-Christian are watching.

We are that white cat.

Let us glorify God with our good deeds.

Amen.

December 5, 2008 - - - John 21: 15-25

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

I am like Peter in this passage. Every time I sin against God, I can’t help but to imagine the look on God’s face. Time and time again the same look pops up into my head. When Jesus asked Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” In this passage, Jesus repeated asked Peter 3 times if he really love Him. If I were in Peter’s shoes/sandals at that time, I would be literally angry at Jesus because He needed to ask 3 times if not even more. Even though it does not seem like it, I am very prideful and stubborn. Jesus should know that I love Him right?

What Paul said in small group yesterday really made sense. If Jesus really had to ask Peter 3 times, being all knowing, there must be something wrong with Peter. This really had me reevaluating myself and what I am really doing right now.

Verse 22 and 23 as well. I need to worry about my own relationship with God first before attempting to take care of His sheep.

Amen.

OFFeR FoRGiVNeSS - - - John 21 : 1-14

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish

1Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"
"No," they answered.

6He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. 13Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

I used this week's bible study for my quiet time today. This passage, like Joe said, a scene right out of a movie. This scene depicted in this passage is so beautiful it just makes me so warm on the inside <3.

After Jesus has risen from the dead and disappeared from the earth, his disciples go back to their daily lives as fishermen. They are unlucky and come back with no fish. But the next day, a man was with them when they were fishing. The man told them to cast down their nets on the other side and with that, they caught a bountiful amount of fish. Then they ate breakfast with the man.

What does this have to do with forgiveness? Forgiving someone is probably one of the hardest things to accomplish in a lifetime. Depending on how badly the person wronged you probably determines the amount of time you would give them until you at most considered reconciling with them. I believe that this is one of the single most terrible downfalls of man. If you think about Jesus not forgiving mankind for mercilessly murdering Him on the cross, things wouldn't be too cool right now.

But in this passage, Jesus steps down from His throne again to see the men that has denied Him. This is like the prodigal son but even better!

I see two pictures in this passage. When the disciples were without Jesus, they were unable to do anything. But when Jesus was with them, they were able to catch fish like before. Basically, we need to be in Jesus and what he stands for. Even if we wrong Him, do not believe that He will not love us again. I for one has done stuff that I'm not proud of, but I pray and ask for forgiveness. Praise the Lord for being so merciful!

Forgive like Jesus forgave us and let this church grow and the fish be plentiful.

Amen.

OuR LiViNG StoNE - - - 1 Peter 2 : 1-8

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says:

"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
will never be put to shame."
7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone," 8and,
"A stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall."

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Our Living Stone, our Living Rock, our Solid Ground, our Cornerstone. Our Jesus.

This passage really got me thinking about each other. Jesus is indeed our Cornerstone (no pun intended). He is the center of all operations and His 13 leaders: Joe, Christie, Mark, Sharon, Justin, Gloria, Jane, Rob, Angeline, Paul, David, Robin, and I, are sitting at His long table with Him sitting gloriously in plain view of everyone. At the head of the table, Jesus explains to us God's will and what He has in store for Cornerstone, our fellowship here at Purdue...

Peter explains that, as followers of Christ, we are also considered living stones. Although we are not comparable to a cornerstone such as Jesus, we do know the Truth and have the heart of a follower of Christ. We as these living stones, must build the foundation that is Cornerstone. And that is when we can really bring everyone together to build this 'spiritual house' even bigger.

The world sucks and temptation is everywhere. It is so easy to be lazy and forget all responsibilities, but if we remain true to each other and to Him, we might just be able to build this church up. "[We] also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ..."

If we, as living rocks, continue to build Cornerstone up with Jesus as our main Cornerstone...

...we can do it.

It started with 1 then 13 then ... = Cornerstone.

Keep up the good works guys.

Amen.

Be HoLY - - - 1 Peter 1 : 13-25

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24For,

"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25but the word of the Lord stands forever."And this is the word that was preached to you.

Sorry Father, but the Purdue Duke game was on. I know, no buts.

This passage reminds Jesus' followers to be holy. This section basically defines what holy is. To be holy is: to be self controlled, fully obedient like children, and fully dependent on Jesus. Holy is also is the definition of Jesus Himself whom we attempt to be more and more like Him everyday, which is pretty much impossible. But why try when we know that we will never be like Jesus? Because verse 7 states that "[God] judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." God sees each man's work as its own and does not favor one man or woman over another. He sees that you study hard every Saturday night when he sees me play Starcraft. He sees that you pray a few times a day, he sees me pray only before meals and before I sleep. God knows and sees all. The things that we do will reflect on judgment day so we... I better watch myself.

The thing that sticks out the most in this passage is the repetition of our One and only, Jesus. Through His 'precious blood', this 'lamb withouth blemish or defect' has saved us (for our sake in verse 20). Salvation that we do not deserve, was gifted to us.

Amen.

LiViNG HoPE - - - 1 Peter 1 : 1-12

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Feeling down? Grab 1 Peter 1:1-12.

This passage speaks hope into even the bleakest of bleak: me. I am skating on thin ice as it comes down to these last 3 weeks of the semester. I have 5 culmulative finals that affect my grade either way. Scary huh?

But this passage, mere words spoken about our Lord Jesus Christ helped brighten up my night. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" indeed.

Verse 3 starts off by promising us a new hope through Jesus Christ. Verse 4 promises an inheritance in Heaven that can never disappear. Verse 5 promises us God's protection until the end of our days.

Sometimes life feels so hopeless. I am not the smartest of people and tend to have a hard time expressing myself. School is getting repetitive and it is really difficult at times to see through the benefits of all of this so called suffering. The list of complains go on, but as i ponder more and more about this, I can't help but to remember the Living Hope that I have trusted my life to.

Because Jesus has died on the cross for us, we are already promised salvation if we believe. Yet by acting this way, am I at fault for not believing that Jesus has died for me?

Verse 7 - "These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." We have to remain faithful and remember all we have is His and all He has has been given to us; for we are truly recieving salvation, the gift of God.

Amen