March 7, 2009 - Stop to Here His Voice

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 

Isaiah 30:21 

I tried to convince someone by saying that "God is here in this physics room". I failed.

His response was because God is everywhere. No matter where we are, God will be there. Class, at home, showering, doing the deuce, God is there. This verse made me think about what God really wanted me to do on this campus. While I have been given opportunities, it is hard for me to see what God has really planned for me. I know and believe that I will follow Him with my entire life, but it is hard to balance that with everything else that is needed to survive in this real world. It is hard to draw that line between faith and depending on my own abilities. I still worry about the future and what it has in store, but maybe that just roots down to my faithlessness. But it just boils down to God's promise which I know will come soon. Allow me to know you and follow you in the right speed, not going too fast or too slow. Legalism or not, help me to depend on you. 

Amen.

March 6, 2009 - Let Joy Invigorate You!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4, NIV

I have to realize that I cannot find any joy from this earth. Even though God created this world and man in his image, sin has corrupted everything even myself. It is hard for me to be happy about who I am because of my habitual sin. But of course when we look at everything wrong we will not see joy, so we have to look towards Heaven, the only source of joy which is in the Lord and the Lord only. So help me oh Lord to see you in this desolate time. Help me to combat temptation and the demons that plague me as well. For you are Lord and everything I am is yours. 

Amen. 

March 5, 2009 - The Subtle Pride of Achievement

What do you have that you did not receive? 

1 Corinthains 4:7

Everything that I have or had is yours. You give and take away. 

Pride, no matter how boastful, is still a sin. In this world, every little achievement brings us a feeling of greatness. In other words, this world is built up through the faculty of achievement. Without achievement, there would not be anything at all. No technological advances, no schooling, no scientific achievements, etc. But what I fail to realize is that, every single thing that I have gained, is because of God. 

I get a good grade (praise the Lord). Who gave me that B+? God did. He gave me the strength to study in this dire cramming period and helped me pull through. 

I get into Krannert (praise the Lord). How did I get in? By the grace of God. 

The point of this passge to me is that it is so easy to leave God out in all of our achievements. Look back at a time when you are at a social gathering and you talk about school and classes. The topic of exams is brought up and lo and behold, you aced that sucker and want to talk about it. You proceed to mention about this achievement and how you overcame it to the other person. Did you bring up God in this conversation? Subtly we don't mention God at all and recieve all the brownie points for ourselves when all the credit goes out to God.

So I really want to challenge myself to remember God even for the smallest things in life. It is because of God that I have, and it is because of Him that I am.  

Amen. 

March 4, 2009 - An Excuse to Be Joyful

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Psalm 16:11

A snowstorm in Virginia where 8 inches of pure white snow has fallen. The devotion writer describes this desolate event as she rummages through her store brought goods that will lead them through this frosty lock in. It was warm inside, but was cold on the outside. The writer and her husband were content staying inside. Until they saw the joyous looks on their nieces faces' as they ran outside from the house across the street. The cold was not cold to them nor was the snow.  The parents joined the kids and really, became kids themselves. They rejoiced together in the excitement of this winter wonderland and played together til the end of the day.

Whatever happens, hot or cold, I will find joy in your presence oh Lord. 

Amen.

March 3, 2009 - Men & Christian Friendship: It Won't Just Happen on its Own

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. 

Proverbs 17:17, NLT

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17, NIV

I remember last week when a friend of mine went to hang out with his friends instead of his girlfriend. She got mad at him and it really made me wonder: "How would you balance time between your girlfriend (if you had one) and your man friends?" I don't know the answer, but let me just put out what I believe should be the case in these separate, but oh so similar relationships. 

Guys need friends who are guys and girls also need friends who are girls. In a way, same sex relationships tend to be more open and people are usually more honest with one another. The devotion writer used a quote from the 1983 Edition of David W. Smith's The Friendless American Male, "Close relationships don't just happen. They result from the application of principles recorded throughout the Word of God." 

The main point that I want to emphasize is that relationships take effort and they ultimately need God in the center of it all. When meeting together, we should always bring up God. From that, our unity will be honest and of love. Since I cannot word it better than this guy, here: 

"God is indeed at the center of each of our lives; we've formed an agreement to meet together and communicate together around something we all enjoy, and are faithful to that agreement, to God, and to each other. We all fill roles, and are active socially and economically with each other, lending a hand in often amazing ways when needs arise; we speak freely and candidly, and we respect the various issues everyone brings to the table." 

Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Let our togetherness just truly be glorifying to Him. Praise the Lord. 

Amen. 

March 2, 2009 - A Clear Conscience

Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.

Romans 6: 12-13

When we don't offer our entire body to God, we feel guity and that guilt plagues us until we forget or we simply pray for forgiveness and leave it at that. But when we look at ourselves and our sins and evil deeds, do we fall into despair knowing that we are sinful or do we appreciate God for his grace and mercy? 

Christ, with full knowledge of our sins died for you and me where we wouldn't give even a piece of us for a virtuous man. 

I can easily say that I could sacrifice myself for my Cornerstone and Ambassador buddies, but is that really true? During the semester, it was even hard for me to give up a little of my time to ask my small group members to eat. I was so selfish and unsacrificial with my time that I could not believe it myself. I was not a leader; I was not Christ-like at all. 

But as I continue on this journey, let God work in me. I know that I cannot do this on my own and need to depend on Him. Knowing that He has my back is a very relieving feeling. Praise the Lord. 

Amen. 

March 1, 2009 - Match Outside to Inside

Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

Mark 7:5-8

In the past, the Pharisees kept their laws to the highest regard. They would purify their physical body before eating or touching any bread as a ceremony. In this verse, Jesus' disciples were criticized for being hypocrites. 

Hypocrites. This word makes me cringe under my skin. The fact that anyone you know can be playing you for a fool is beyond my belief and heart. The sad thing is, I am that hypocrite. I have heard a lot of complains and have seen many people leave the church because of Christians who claim to be Christians, but are something else when they are away from church. We complain about hypocrites, but aren't we all hypocrites in comparison to Christ? Of course one can argue that some people can be more hypocritical than other, but no one is perfect. Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". It is by the grace of God that we are here at church. It is not because of our righteousness that we are here sitting in bible study answering questions and sharing, but because He allowed us to; because of Christ's blood.

Even if their chardes still bother you, remain holy in your decision making. Do not judge these people. You don't know whats going on in their lives. Only God does. Let Him work, pray, and have faith for that hypocrite so that God's mysterious, mighty hand may be upon him/her. 

As a prayer request for me and for your other churches as well, that we may worship God, not with our lips, but with our hearts. Praise Him always. 

Amen.

February 28 2009 - Knowing that God Loves You

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.  

Zephaniah 3:17

Short and sweet. Jesus loves us. Do we recognize this fact more or do we pray for everything else that comes with this relationship? I know personally that I have been praying for too many things recently and worrying about the future than I have proclaimed that God's love is always there for me and that I receive it. I am too preoccupied with what is going around me that I become so faithless and pray for God to "enhance" myself instead of praying that He would use me for His glory in whatever ways. The barebones are that we must not worry so much. God, the Mighty One will save according to Zephaniah 3:17. When we sing praises and worship songs to Him, In similar ways, He is showering love and blessing to us in return. 

Amen. 

February 27, 2009 - Your Sphere of Influence

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16, NIV

If you were taken away from your group of friends, church group, or classroom of any sort, would people recognize that you're gone? Sometimes I think about my sphere of influence towards others and wonder if its any good; if it was any way good enough for God. I know that I have been slacking towards my leadership responsibilities and that I would rather assign the responsiblities to another. But what I don't realize is that I am the light of the world. Doesn't matter how strong or weak the flame is, if you are willing to do good, what else is there to fear? I was afraid. I was always afraid that my light was not strong enough and that someone else should just take my place as a leader. But this verse pushes me because, regardless of what I know or what I can do, I know Jesus. 

Amen. 

February 26, 2009 - Looking for Wisdom in All the Wrong Places

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

James 1:5

Ah perfect timing Mr. Devotional Writer Dude. I'm always discouraged because of the amount of wisdom I lacked. I would pray for wisdom but it was selfish. My intent was to become a good small group leader; one who was able to be able to give out all kinds of answers and be the ones the members would look up to. Of course God gives generously without any blame, but according to James 3 : 13-15, there are two types of wisdom: earthly wisdom that entails selfish ambition and envy and heavenly wisdom from above. I realize that what I am asking is not glorifying to God, but to glorify myself. I need to realize that this lack of wisdom in the first place is because I was selfish. I worried more about what people would view me as instead of what God viewed me as. But I need God's help so bad. I will continue to pray for wisdom, but I will remember now that everything that I ask for as well, must glorify Him. 

Amen. 

February 25, 2009 - Dancing Backwards

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 

Psalm 31:3

Psalms are literally prayers; an outburst to God proclaiming the distain in our lives and that we need Him to purify us. Psalm 31:3 is a clear and honest prayer I wish I prayed everyday. The second part of this verse hit me the most. This psalmist has a special request for God. He wants God to be the leader; someone to lead and guide him throughout all aspects of life. Usually when we seek help, its for the benefit of ourselves. But this psalmist wants more than just good for himself. He wants to glorify God with his own body. 

The thing is, I understand this psalmist completely. He wants to do good, but he cannot and therefore requires the guidence of God. Rob brought up 1 Peter 3:13 today, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" This verse spoke to me as well. I am always worried about what I don't know or how I am incapable when all it boils down to is the heart of worship. 

If you don't believe in yourself, believe in God who believes in you. 

If I don't believe in myself, believe in God who believes in me.

Amen. 

February 24, 2009 - Spring Training for Christians

We don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong.

2 Corinthians 5:16

 The Message

-or-

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, 

we do so no longer.

2 Corinthians 5:16 

NIV

The writer for this devotion was paralleling Christian life with baseball or whatever. One main thing that stuck out was this: 

Sacrifices - When the coach calls for you to bunt another person into a more prominent position, will you obediently lay one down? When you can bring in a run by hitting a fly ball for an out will you gladly do so? 

Christ was a sacrificer. As a matter of fact, He alone was the ultimate sacrifice. He was killed because people did not believe Him to be the actual Son of Man. They viewed him as a lunatic and a mad man instead of our one and only Savior. They viewed Jesus as another worldly man and persecuted Him because He was blaspeming against God. Imagine of someone today claimed to be Jesus or the Messiah. Imagine the craziness it would stir up. 

The main point of this verse is that we changed or need to change. Christ is not just a man, He is THE man. The Message's translations is kinda off but it brings out the message perfectly. We viewed our God Man as no one special and got it all wrong. We need to view everyone as a spiritual person. We need to see people for more than they are on the outside and see what they are made up of on the inside. Praise the Lord for opening up my eyes for others. 

Amen. 

February 23, 2009 - Ashes to Ashes

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. 

(Genesis 3:19)

Because of the original sin from Adam and Eve, we have recieved death. Ashes resulted from the burning of a body after it has died, but that is not all that it stands for. Ashes also became the symbolic spiritual death. In the Old Testament, we see mamy accounts where Isrealites would wear ashes to repent for their sins. 

Wearing ashes and recognizing that we are sinners is a big symbolic act towards God. Daniel openly proclaimed, while wearing ashes, that he did did not deserve salvation because of his righteousness but because of God's grace and overflowing mercies. This attitude leads to Lent and Ash Wednesday where we try hard for 40 days and 40 nights to get closer to God. 

I believe that I need to die again to Christ. I take for granted His mercies. Sometimes I feel sad because it is a one sided relationship and God is the one trying so hard. In my case, Ash Wednesday needs to be Ash Everyday. But I can't help but come back to the Lord everytime I screw up. I am so thankful for his mercies for they are new everyday.

Praise the Lord. 

February 22, 2009 - Change is Stressful

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Whenever I think about changes, nothing comforting comes from it. Why can't things just stay the same and we can remain happy with the things the way that they are now? But sometimes we want change because things aren't working out. That is when we realize that we are just plain confused, weak and weary. I, myself, know that there are things that require change in my life, most, if not all, of these things are things are not pleasing to God. But luckily for us, God gives us a choice: "do you want my help or not?" I feel so conflicted because deep down in my heart I know that I should be doing something productive, but instead I squander my time. In a way, I choose not to take God's yoke and learn from him and just run around by myself yoke-less doing whatever I want. Knowing this problem and not solving it, my soul is pained and conflicted. 

God save this foolish man that is Aaron Lam. I need your yoke and your guidence. Change me into a man who is worthy to lead your sheep. Change me into a man that will take your yoke and know that God, you have my back. 

Amen. 

February 21, 2009 - Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from 

the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

I just wanted to bring up one of my favorite verses. This verse really encourages me that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate me from the love which is God through Christ. Everytime I commit a habitual sin, the burdens of knowing that it is not pleasing to God disturbs me so much that I feel as if I cannot accept God's love because I am such an imperfect being. But I know that this is just another one of the devil's ways of separating us from God. 

Because...

               nothing...

                                not death nor life... 

                                                            angels nor demons...

    present nor future...

                                          any powers....

                                                                 anything in all of creation...

can

separate

us

from

the

LOVE

of 

God

that

is

in

Jesus Christ

our 

Lord.

Amen.

February 19, 2009 - Are You Afraid of the Light?

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

John 8:12

The Light. How is it possible to see this Light when we cannot run from sin? How is it possible to see the Lord when we are so imperfect?  We, I sin without knowing. Sin is so embedding in my life that it has become habitual. But praise the Son who is the Shepard. He never lets me go. The Light never lets me go. No matter how troubled I feel or what I've done, I am always reminded of Him. No sense of failure, loneliness, despire, anger can allow me to forget the Father who has cared for me so. 

Thank you God for allowing me to walk in the light with your Son for I was once dead in my transgressions but saved by the grace of God. This is my prayer to you on my blog. Forever the Son. 

Amen.  

February 17, 2009 - The Fool for God

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe."

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 

The philosophies of this world and the so called social truths that are followed; are they all that is to be? How much joy will knowing the entire Periodic Table of Elements or knowing how to draw a Glucose molecule entail? For it is by God's Word that all knees will bow and tongues will confess. Only the knowledge of God will give us satisfaction and keep us longing for more. Knowing that we have been love even before we were out of the womb, knowing that our sins have been excused, knowing that Jesus Christ died for us, knowing that there is nothing in this world that can love as God has loved us, KNOWING that we have the ultimate LOVE is foolishness that I believe in. 

February 16, 2009 - Genesis 1

Reading chapter 1 made me realize how much of an artist God is. Looking at this world, there are millions among millions of different creatures living in this world most in which scientists have yet to discover. How complex and amazing this feat of creating such unqiue creatures, every single one of us, to the mere cell and quark disregarding the millions of differernt spontaneous functions occuring all at once inside of our bodies is simply mind boggling. Our God is a genius. 

And when I read verse 27, I feel so honored to be one of God's most important creations; one that is the ruler of all plant and animals on earth. We have been given so much by God and its just hard not to praise Him with all we do. 

Amen.

February 15, 2009 - Romans 16

This passage was not merely about Paul sending his greetings to the men and women of Christ whom has assisted him throughout his journey. He gives his heart to them because of their help and encouragement. When I read this passage, it reminded me of what my friend Joe Kim mentioned last Friday before Large Group began. He said that Cornerstone as a whole will not work out if its people did not encourage one another or be with one another. We have to be more open with one another and share with each other not only the good/bad of our days, but our spiritual lives as well. And with that encouragement and communication lead one another to growth under the Holy Spirit so that the congregation can grow as a whole and not just one person or a group of persons separately.

Because we are different parts of the body (lungs, heart, stomach, cells, etc.) that make up the entire body that is Cornerstone headed by Christ our Savior.

Amen.

February 13, 2009 - Romans 15 : 23-33

Paul is constantly traveling and feeding others the fruit of the Spirit. From Macedonia and Achaia, to Rome and Jerusalem, he never stops. This gives us the image of a man who is completely devoted to God. This also gives us the image that God's work is never done. Even though you are surrounded by Christians day after day, there are billions of people in the world who has yet been saved lest heard of the Gospel. Will these people become saved if no missionaries reach them? 

But that is not the point of this passage. Paul acts because he knows that God calls him to spread the word to other nations. And as Christians, we must take Paul as an example and be like him. Spreading the truth of the Gospels is doing God's work and it brings him glory. I need to be like Paul, but I lack wisdom as a missionary as well as a leader. I will continue to pursue God and pray for wisdom so that I can do His work. 

Amen.

February 12, 2009 - Romans 15 : 14-22

"I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done..." 

In this passage, Paul devotes his life into the teaching of Christ and what he has done in his life. He takes his testimony and whatever Christ has accomlished in his life into this ministry. Paul's ambition and heart was placed at the feet of Jesus. He encourages the Romans that they are complete in knowledge and competent in teaching the Word of God. He was basically trying to encourage them to serve the Lord just as he has felt the grace of God upon him. 

Amen. 

February 11, 2009 - Romans 15 : 1-13

"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth..." 

This specific verse broke my heart. Our Prince steps down from his throne in Heaven and came down to earth to become a "servant". Besides servant slave also comes to mind. Jesus gave away his life just so He could serve man. By being so selfless, He did only what was glorifying to God despite the persecution from man, the same people He came to save. He could have so easily left us to die or to wither without God on earth until we burned in Hell, but Jesus decided to die for us on the Cross. 

This act of selflessness is one thing I really admire about Jesus. He gave it all. I mean literally gave it all for God's glory. The guy was sinless! As Christians, we aim to be like Jesus, but how is that possible? Jesus was a perfect man! It is not possible at all to be like Jesus! But for me, even though it is impossible to be as perfect as Jesus was, we can try our best for God and God will know how hard we fought for Him. For me, I am working on trying to be less selfish with my own time and learning to give it all to God so that he may be glorified in everything I do. 

Amen.  

February 10, 2009 - Romans 14

It should not matter if you eat meat or vegetables. It should not matter if you see one day as better than the next or if you consider everyday the same. The main message Paul is trying to explain with these images is that we should not judge others Christians as well as other non-Christians according to how their faith leads them. Because God is the king of all kings and can ultimately change their ways in the end if He wants to or not. 

"To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand."

It all comes down to God's will and what he wants to do with us. 

Especially for me, since I am put in a leadership position, it is so easy to be disillusioned with the fact that I am more spiritual than.. lets say.. my small group members. I need to realize that this is a pursuit of holiness for all of us because no one can be perfect like Christ. Drop that pride and pick up the Cross. 

Amen.  

February 9, 2009 - Romans 13

"Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." 

The passage rang loud and true in my heart for it is definitely true that our Lord Jesus is much nearer than before; that the time He is going to claim His sons and daughers have become much nearer and only draws closer. Personally I fail to realize this fact. I live everyday as it comes and not realizing that the Son can return at any moment. Because we speak of the second coming in church so often, it tends to slip our minds, my very own mind especially. Because we do not see His coming to be anytime soon, we do not fear the judgement that we will recieve when we see God. Our lives go on filled with sin disregarding the fact that at ANY MOMENT Jesus could reappear. 

What if Jesus reappear at the exact moment you are arguing with someone? Punching someone? Cursing under your breath? What kind of excuse would we give Jesus? The same one that we've been giving Him all our lives? 

"The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

So love as Jesus has first loved us. Let that be the end of all our ends. (Let love be the reason we do everything)

Praise the Lord. 

Amen.  

February 8, 2009 - Romans 12

We need to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to the Lord for it is an act of spiritual worship to Him. This passage also states that conformity to the world and its desires is evil whilst renewing the mind in the presense of God is the way to go. 

None of these things are easy to do since we are living within the world physically. There is a constant battle between our minds on what is right and pleasing to God and what is not. Even though there is this constant struggle, Paul reminds us to be humble in our thought that even though we are Christians, set with the mindset of superiority because we are following Christ Jesus, we need to humble ourselves and "not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you." 

And it all comes down to pleasing God with whatever we have. Paul gives the analogy of a human body composed of many differernt, very unique working organs. We all have differernt gifts given to us by the grace of God. Whether it be serving, leading, encouraging, giving, whatever! We come together and form one body in Christ and each member belongs to all the others. Let us be a part of this unified body with Christ and glorify God with everything that we do. 

Amen.

February 7, 2009 - Romans 11

Paul speaks to the Isrealies and Gentiles as one of the same people that God offers his love to. 

"Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off". 

God love everyone the same and offers everyone his love. It is up to us to accept it or not. It is up to our decisions and choices in our daily lives that reflect our perception of God's love. So I ask myself, "What if I sin and forget about God?" The passage gives a vivid description of an olive tree. The olive tree represents God and his followers. The branches are the Jews and those who do not believe. According to this passage, we are the branches. DEAD and cannot survive without nourishment from the roots and the trunk. BUT because we are branches, we can be cut off easily. BUT luckily for us, we can ALSO easily be GRAFTED 

GRAFTED - a bud, shoot, or scion of a plant inserted in a groove, slit, or the like in a stem or stock of another plant in which it continues to grow.

WHAT??? INSERTED INTO THE GROOVE AND STILL GROW?? NO WAY!! YES! We are the dead branches that have been cut off and by the grace of GOD stuck back into the olive tree and is reunited with God! In the same way, even though we are cut off from God because of our sins, God makes it so easy for us to come back in fellowship with Him because He is so merciful... so, so merciful... 

Praise the Lord!

Amen. 

February 5, 2008 - Romans 10

I've been asked before, "Aaron, are you sure you sure that you are going to Heaven?" At that time I didn't know. I knew I was a sinner and deserved death, but I had already accepted Christ. So I said, "No". 

Its often confused whether or not we are Heaven or Hellbound. Christians who sin fall waist deep in their own sin and lose all hope. At this point, guilt and shame has an overbearing power amongst them that the most important person is forgotten: Jesus Christ. 

Jesus has already died for us and our sins. In this passage, Paul says that "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. That is the one and only condition. It is through Jesus and Jesus alone that we are justified and it is through Him alone that we live to see the light of day. On this very day, I admit that I am a sinner, but I also know that Christ is by my side. All I had to do was to believe with all my heart and all my soul and I gained salvation "for Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord [Jesus] will be saved" and that is the only condition. Praise the Lord for being so merciful!

Amen. 

February 4, 2009 - Romans 9 : 16-18

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."

This passage sums it up. Ultimately, God can do whatever he wants. Not at all does it depend on what we do or how we feel. Our desires or effort does not determine our relationship with God. Only God can decide what happens. In this case, he decides to love us; to give us the grace that we do not deserve. The Love that saved mankind which in turn could so easily have destroyed mankind showed us mercy. God raises all of us up so that we may glorify him. It may seem selfish, but we were made to glorify him, nothing else. His love changes us so much that we can help but to. And these verses have really hit me. My purpose in life is to live out his will and glorify him in everything i do. because he has given me mercy. 

Amen.

February 3, 2000 - Romans 8 : 28-37

God love those who calls on Him and love Him. Jesus was not sacrificed because God did not love, but because he loved man too much that he was able to give us his one and only son. And because of this, God is graciously giving us all other things as well because he was able to give his son who was so much greater. 

Christian = Pesecution 

No, because we are more than mere conquerors. Conquerors, in this context, is a man fighting for God's will only to die in vain. But we are more than that. God will never leave us nor foresake us. 

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

Praise the Lord. 

Amen. 

February 2, 2008 - Romans 8 : 18-27

This passage describes a confused Christian. The weakness of this Christian is the impatience that he has with God. We "groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies". It is easy for Chrisitans to grow impatient, especially those who have known Christ for a longer period of time. We take for granted God's grace and become selfish in this heavily one-sided relationship with God. God seems to favor a relationship with us a lot more than we even attempt to show him love. 

So you know Christ and you know that salvation is on its way. Verse 24: "For in this hope we were saved. But hoped that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?" This is a trap that most Christians fall into. It is not by hope that we are saved, it is by faith. Hope is the accompaniment of salvation. We have faith and know that Christ is coming back, not because we hope for it. Hope implies an insecurity where as faith defines a definite belief that Christ is going to return. 

Because we are stupid humans (I am a uber stupid human) and sway towards the uncertainty, we have doubts at times. And it can't be helped because Christians are always challeneged while living in this world. Luckily ".. the Spirit helps us in our weakness...

... We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will". The Holy Spirit will continue to guide us on our journey to Christ. This verse was so refreshing to me. Even though we cannot understand the Spirit at times, it will always be there because our goals are the same. 

Amen. 

February 1, 2008 - Romans 8 : 1-17

Christ was the requirement for man to be saved. It was necessary because man was too embodied with sin to see the light of God. And through Christ, "he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us... 

who do not live according to the sinful nature buy according to the Spirit."

Cleansed of sin, Christians have the spirit flowing within them and their minds are changed. We have our minds and our hearts set on Heavenly things rather than those things here on earth. Our minds come in sync with God's and we see what he sees. As we get to know God more and more, as the Spirit flows more and works more within us, we tend to have that mindset of what is more benefical for God. And I am trying to change my mindset to that. 

But sin is so powerful and it still controls me. 

No. God is infinitely more powerful than sin has on us. "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you...  But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." We have become His son and He is our Father "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Because of God's love, we have inherited the earth and all those treasures that are being prepared for us in Heaven. 

Amen.

January 27, 2008 - Romans 7 : 7-25

This passage gives sin a personality. Sin is a never ending, persistant, entity that is always there. In our minds, around us when we least expect it. We can categorize this generally by calling 'sin' the devil. We know that God's law is the truth and that it should never be broken. We know what the right thing to do is, but sometimes it just goes the wrong way. Why does it go the wrong way? Because the devil is always playing tricks. 

To first fix a problem, you must admit that you have a problem. God can see anything and do anything. He sees what you suffer with and how the devil tempts you. He will always take into account how you are fighting against the sin or if you are just giving up. He will judge everyone separately (Romans 2 : 6-7). 

I really need to evaluate myself and see what I need to change. In firms, managers usually evaluate their company's status with the help of an accountant. The accountant implements something called 'activity based costing' to evaluate every single activity of the firm to see if it is productive or not and see if it should be continued or not. In the same way, I need to look at myself and say "I really need to read scripture more, converse with my small group members outside of church, have more faith in you Lord, pray more, and so and so". 

Praise the Lord though for allowing us grace even when we screw up. 

Amen.

January 26, 2009 - Romans 7 : 1-6

An Illustration From Marriage...

As you know, within the church, Jesus is known as the bridegroom and we, his followers, are known as his bride. The example this passage gives is that once we have accepted Christ, we are basically bound by that love that is comparable to a love between a man and a woman by marriage by nature. This illustration depicts a woman (well and man also because this can go either way) who is bound to her husband (or wife). If his/her spouse is dead, only then would she be released by the law that is of marriage. But if the spouse is alive and you are cheating on him/her, you are an adulterer.

The point of this passage is obvious. We have been bound to Christ by this marriage like love. Yet we cheat on him all the time. He is not dead so why do we continue to break this law? Why do we continue to sin? Imagine if your boyfriend or girlfriend cheats on you; imagine how you would feel. In the same way, God feels betrayed, but in no way does he leave us. That is the greatness of our merciful God. He offers us the grace that we do not deserve.

"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead in order that we might bear fruit to God"

Amen.

January 25, 2009 - Romans 6 : 15-23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" 

The word slave or slavery tends to carry a negative image with itself. When we think about slaves, besides the past historical occurance between the caucasian and african race, we think of a guy being whipped by his girlfriend or an employee being a slave of his boss at the workplace. 

But being a slave to God, what does it bring? Does it bring pain and suffering? Of course not! This passage explains how different being a slave to God really is! Being a slave to God means that we have already accepted his son, Jesus Christ. Through his son, we got to know the father. "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slave to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Servants are usually treated like nothing, the lowest rank of a human back in the old days. 

But God offers so much more. Once we offer ourselves to God and not sin, we have eternal life. We were once weak and owned by sin and tempted to sin time and time again, but because we believe in Jesus and his hope to overcome our natural selves and free us from sin, we are saved. From that we cannot help but be slaves to our Lord! 

Amen. 

January 22, 2009 - Romans 6 : 1-14

The main idea of this passage is the separation between being alive or dead figuratively. Verse 1 starts off the passage with a similar argument that we see in chapter 3 verse 7. "... Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

When we first prayed that prayer of forgiveness, we died. What this means is that we died in the blood of Christ and was buried with Him. But because God raised His son to live a new life, so may we be born again. Whenever people speak of being born again, Counterstrike pops into my head where you respawn every round after you die. In a way this is similar, but the difference is that, once you are reborn with Christ, sin no longer has a hold on you. In other words, you do not want to kill any terrorists or counter-terrorists anymore and you instantly drop every weapon.

"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus... do not let sin reign in you mortal body so that you obey its evil desires... do not offer parts of your body to sin... but rather offer yourselves to God."

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

The sad thing is. Our bodies are weak and we fall into sin every so often, some more than others. But the thing is, let God's grace surround you. The goodness that he has brought into your life will surely not tempt you to sin!

Amen.

January 21, 2009 - Romans 5 : 12-21

"... For if by one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to so many"

In these few verses, Paul is talking about Adam who was the man that brought sin into this world. Because of Adam, all man (and women) are brought into condemnation. Because of the first man, all his predecessors will be born with sin. Even if you tried really, really hard not to sin as a baby, it was inevitable. Because of Adam, we were dead.

But fear not my brothers and sisters. Where one man brought us into condemnation with God, another will bring so much more.

"...But where sin abounded, grace abounded so much more."

The love of one man, the Son of Man, brings us back to God and because of Him, we do not need to worry about Adam (his mistakes nor our own). Because of the sacrifice of this one Man, we have been given salvation, a place to dwell among God. Adam sinned and brought all of mankind to hell, but the love of Christ just brought us right back to him.

What a wonderful God.

Amen.

January 20, 2009 - Romans 5 : 1-11

God offers every man peace and joy through Jesus Christ "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand". Not only do we gain salvation through Christ, we are blessed with peace and joy which our time on this earth. But behold, not only should we rejoice in the grace that we have, but also in the suffering that comes with it. 

Suffering >> Perseverance >> Character >> Hope 

Hope does not dissappoint us, says verse 4, because the root of hope itself is Christ alone. By believing in Jesus, we have our salvation and our treasures in Heaven prepared for us. Because of God's love for us, allowing His Son to save us, we are able to see the light of day. 

Verses 6-8 speaks truth. "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man... But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

We were neither righteous nor good, but as sinners, the crappiest of men, the ones that need saving the most, Christ died for us. 

What a wonderful God.. 

Amen. 

January 19, 2009 - Romans 4

Work and.. wages = obligation 

Don't work and... wages = righteousness

This inference relates to the commonly asked question "Do we need to do good things to go to Heaven?" According to verse 5, having faith in God outweighs doing good works solely for the purpose of getting into Heaven. One does not only need to do great things in order to get into Heaven. As a matter of fact, doing good works alone will not get you any closer to God if you do not have faith in Jesus in the first place. But the basic idea in verses 1-8 is that it is better to have faith and not have good works than to have good works without faith. 

And Abraham is the father of all believers. Because he was so faithful to God. God credited his faith not after he was circumsized, but before. And because God has made Abraham a righteous man, all those who are not yet saved can be or allowed to be saved too. 

Amen. 

January 18, 2009 - Romans 3 : 21-31

God is the only righteous being in existance "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Every living thing in existance, no matter who, has sinned in the past. No one, except for Jesus Christ Himself, was blameless. Because of that we deserve death; every single person. Living without Jesus meant that we were all hellbound. But because of God's great mercy, He stent His one and only Son to earth to save mankind. "God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood". 

And if you have faith in Jesus Christ, you will be seen as righteous with God. 

"since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law." 

Whoever you are, Jesus is the only way! 

Amen!

January 15, 2009 - Psalm 25

Show me your ways Father! Your good and holy path! 

Guide me and teach me...! For I know so little of you...

For you are my God and Savior, my one and only God ad one and only Savior.

With you, I can fear nothing. 

"Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old" 

Forget the sins of my past Father, and lead me to You. 

I long to be in your presense. To bathe in your light. 

The everlasting Light. 

Selah.

January 14, 2008 - Romans 3 : 1-20

"If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 

"Let us do evil that good may result?" 

No. The arguement here basically challenges God's merciful decisions on us. Because we know FOR SURE that God will forgive us and give us leeway, we should act in sin so that He maybe revealed to us is a mere disregard to God's laws. God teaches us to be humble, to be loving, and to most of all... NOT SIN. But because sinning is inevitable, through His mercy, we are offered GRACE. Without that mercy we would be dead in our transgressions. And because of that fact, with nothing to offer Him that could be equal or greater in value, we give Him our all. 

And yeah, no one is righteous. Not your pastor, parents, super Christian friends, church leaders, no one. But as Christians, we have realized our sin and accepted that Jesus Christ has saved our lives through His blood. And with that, let every mouth be silenced and the whole world be accountable to God. 

Amen. 

I missed you guys sortof haha. bye

December 26, 2008 - - - Romans 2 : 17-29

The Jews and the Law 

This passage really speaks to me personally because I am a coleader for Cornerstone. Verses 17 to 24 really questions me, the reader and states questions that accuse me of blaspheming God. Do I steal, when I believe that stealing is against the Law? Do I say don't lust after women like that, but do so myself? Do I praise God, and praise the world outside of church? 

Verse 23: "You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?" 

Guy talk. Guy talk tends to lead down a path which is beyond what I call the Biblical Limit. And being perverted guys, we tend to cross that line a lot. Whether its about girls (usually its about girls) or just plain sick jokes, it is quite difficult to be the one that stands up to everyone and halts the entire conversation. Most of the time, its easier to just get dragged into the whole mess itself. 

But I know the Law. "Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised." Regardless of you knowing God or not, breaking the Law means you are sinning against Him and His ways. Even though you follow the Law and disobey it, you are deemed a lawbreaker. A sinner. 

The last section talks about being spiritual mentally as well as physically. Praying, reading scripture, and obeying the Law is good only if you are righteous with the spirit when alone and with others around. 

Amen. 

December 25, 2008 - - - Luke 2 : 8-20

The Shepherds and the Angels

 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

14"Glory to God in the highest, 
      and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

And on this day, the Light of the world has been born. Merry Christmas everybody =) 

Amen!

December 24, 2008 - - - Romans 2 : 1-16

That is right. From Paul himself, verse 11: "For God does not show favoritism" and verse 6: "God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life." 

It is by nature, that we sin. As sinful creatures we cannot help but to disobey God. But where do we really draw the line between falling into complete sin voluntary or falling into sin because it is too overwhelming? 

In this passage, Paul states that God hates stubborness, especially when you decide that the sin that is commited is not wrong. God wants us to be holy people that reside by his Law. Even if we do fall, He wants to know that we are trying to fight against it. In a way, fighting against our own temptations is the same thing as us fighting against the Demon himself. 

But with that, God passes judgement to everyone in the same way. He knows if you are truly fighting against the devil or not. 

Jesus, it is almost your birthday :)

Amen. 

December 23, 2008 - - - Romans 1 : 18-32

This "God's Wrath" this passage is speaking about is serious business and it is strongly directed towards those who consider themselves already believers. In verse 18, "wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" would be those believers who knew of Christ, but did not act as they knew Christ. And this really hits me because, as a believer, I have done my fair share of abandoning Christ at perfect times.

21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

If I knew of God, but longed after something else more, I would consider that a sin. What greater gift is there besides Jesus? The differences between God and the next greatest thing in the world are ridiculous and perhaps does not exist because God is so infinitely greater. But those who put God as #2, are usually ignorant or pushing God away for a specific reason or other.

Further more from verses 24 and on, it speaks of God allowing man to fall to their sins because of their disobedience towards Him. God's wrath will be upon those who do not obey and listen. Even towards those He has already saved. But this is fair. Put yourself in God's position and surely you would come to believe that God has all the right in the world to punish those who slander Him with sin after committing themselves to Him prior to. But thank God God that you are so merciful :)

Amen.

December 22, 2008 - - - Romans 1 : 8-17

This passage reflects on apostle Paul's feelings toward the Romans. In this letter, he mentions a lot about spreading the Word to Rome. He exclaims his love for God and his longing to go to Rome and 'impart to [them] some spiritual gift to make you strong'. The main theme of this passage really speaks to me because it resembles a heart that truly wants to just go out there and let the world know about God. In verse 14, Paul is not going to be a missionary/leader just for the believers but the non-believers as well. "I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish" ; everyone, regardless of who you are or what your background is, should have a glimpse of God's amazing grace.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Do not be ashamed for you know God and you know salvation, but be afraid for those around who do not know of Christ. I gotta be more faithful like Paul (not Paul Choi because he is weird) and continue to live a righteous life under God. Oh Praise Him.

Just kidding Paul.

Amen.

December 21, 2008 - - - 1 Chronicles 16 : 7-36

Finals week has never been this tough for me.

But that is no excuse. God's Word should be like water or oxygen. Not something to be portrayed as a chore or pushed aside when there are more important things to do.

For the past week, I've been living without O2 or H2O.

In this passage, David reminded me of that praise that I should be giving God. "Give thanks to Him, sing to Him, and for me especially, "look to the Lord and his strength". David praises God with all his words and it is not just because he used such intricate wording or phrasing, it is because you can really tell that those words were coming from David's heart. And when it comes to thanking the Lord for all He has done for me, I let it get too out of hand and glide along that path. Thank you Lord for doing this and this for me, but rarely thanking Him for using being Himself and being there.

This finals week could of been the most stressful time of my life or its ranked really high up there. I was hard for me to see through the 'pain' and 'suffering' because it was such a crucial time for me. I was blinded by my own goal and ambitions that I really have forsaked You that week. Save me Father. Forgive me.

Amen.

December 13, 2008 - - - 1 Peter 5 : 1-11

To Elders and Young Men

1To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

This passage itself is very motivational. Even though these verses are commands, they tell us to basically go out and do God's work. God, a being who is all mighty and powerful, does not need mere humans to go out and become this "organization" that reaches out to others and bring them into the light. But He chooses to use us as "shepherds of [His] flock" and wants us to be examples to the flock. He does not need us, but we are truly blessed because He wants us. We are allowed that chance ever since Jesus died for our sins on that cross.

According to verses 6-11, he devil and his temptations are all around us. But we need to humble ourselves in His might and trust in Him for God and God alone is the only one who can save us.

I also like verse 9 a lot. It really reminds me that this is not a battle to be fought alone. Whether it be that you are confused with a decision that God is making or completely disagree with it, your brothers and sisters in Christ will be there to tell you, "The devil is the one putting these distrusts of God into your head" and how they will support me as well. Everyone is facing trials and temptations. It is up to us to be there for each other.

Amen.

December 12, 2008 - - - Psalm 25

Psalm 25

Of David.

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;

2 in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3 No one whose hope is in you
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

13 He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.

14 The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.

15 My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.

18 Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.

19 See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!

20 Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope is in you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!

This prayer emits such emotion from David to God. All trust is placed into God as David prays and prays. He asks for guidence in the truth and longs for wisdom in the truth. He knows that he was already with God and that God was with him. Since all hope was placed upon the alter, David knows for a fact that he alone will not be punished and if and only if he sins.

David, ever so contantly, lifts up the Lord in his prayer. "Your great mercy and love", "all the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful", and on and on he goes never ceasing to give God the credit. When I compare this to my outbursts to the Lord, its usually me complaining about life, asking for forgivness, or plain asking Him for assistance in areas of my life which I have slacked off and breezed over. But Mr. King David practically sings praise songs as he prays.

Praise the Lord. Prayse the Lord.

Amen.