10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Goodness. I caught a glimpse of Job's devotion when I read Job 23. In Job's case, he really did undergo the worst case scenario. In the midst of failure in academia, careers, family and friends, and everything that we hold close to us, can we stand like Job did? At the moment, I know that I will never denounce God in my life, but I know that I will not be able to take it like Job is. "...when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." An unwavering answer to suffering is what Job responds with.
Amen!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Give Thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:18
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
No matter what season in our lives, no matter what we are going through, no matter the degree of happiness or sadness in our lives, let my heart be one that gives thanks to God for all of it. Hardships and blessings and how we view God in them brings out the amount of faith we have in Christ.
If you see God's blessings in times of difficulty, you are not deceiving yourself, but realizing God's plans for you. If you see God's blessing in good times, which you often will, thats great! Never stop praising the Lord who is with us always.
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Amen.
18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
No matter what season in our lives, no matter what we are going through, no matter the degree of happiness or sadness in our lives, let my heart be one that gives thanks to God for all of it. Hardships and blessings and how we view God in them brings out the amount of faith we have in Christ.
If you see God's blessings in times of difficulty, you are not deceiving yourself, but realizing God's plans for you. If you see God's blessing in good times, which you often will, thats great! Never stop praising the Lord who is with us always.
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Amen.
Do You Understand?
John 13
My CCUC Small Group went over this passage this week and it has been on my mind for the past few days. Verse 12 specifically:
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
12耶稣洗完了他们的脚 ，就穿上衣服， 又坐下，对他们说 ：我向你们所做的 ，你们明白麽 ？
Chapter 13 takes place before the death of Christ. In this passage, Christ realizes to His disciples that His time was almost up. He washes their feet. Note that in this passage, He knew that Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him (ver 11). By washing Judas' feet, Jesus is making a statement. I am washing the feet of my enemy; I am serving my enemy.
Jesus's attitude is most admirable in this situation and we often ask ourselves what Jesus would really do because it is ultimately the right answer. Being forgiving towards our enemies would be the right thing to do .But being human, we cannot find ourselves in the Christ-like end of the spectrum. It is easier said than done.
Then look at it this way and ask yourselves just as Jesus asks His disciples (YOU), "Do you understand what I have done for you?" Do you truly understand the reason of Jesus' servitude here on Earth? In other words, do you understand why WE should be servants for other people here on Earth?
I've been thinking of the answer to this question and what kind of answer I can give with how much God has been working in my life. Jesus came down from Heaven and made Himself nothing to serve ME because He wanted me to understand God's love. He made Himself the lowliest servant so that God the Father can be glorified.
My servitude in church can only be because of one thing: to glorify God. Christ was my example (ver 14) and showed me this love. I understand and accept this and in turn, reflect this back to "others" so that they may understand that Christ is my ultimate source of joy. "Others" is a broad category because it includes EVERYONE, just like how Jesus served.
I am continually searching for myself in Him and boy, I would love it if you would join me!
Amen!
My CCUC Small Group went over this passage this week and it has been on my mind for the past few days. Verse 12 specifically:
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
12耶稣洗完了他们的脚 ，就穿上衣服， 又坐下，对他们说 ：我向你们所做的 ，你们明白麽 ？
Chapter 13 takes place before the death of Christ. In this passage, Christ realizes to His disciples that His time was almost up. He washes their feet. Note that in this passage, He knew that Judas Iscariot was going to betray Him (ver 11). By washing Judas' feet, Jesus is making a statement. I am washing the feet of my enemy; I am serving my enemy.
Jesus's attitude is most admirable in this situation and we often ask ourselves what Jesus would really do because it is ultimately the right answer. Being forgiving towards our enemies would be the right thing to do .But being human, we cannot find ourselves in the Christ-like end of the spectrum. It is easier said than done.
Then look at it this way and ask yourselves just as Jesus asks His disciples (YOU), "Do you understand what I have done for you?" Do you truly understand the reason of Jesus' servitude here on Earth? In other words, do you understand why WE should be servants for other people here on Earth?
I've been thinking of the answer to this question and what kind of answer I can give with how much God has been working in my life. Jesus came down from Heaven and made Himself nothing to serve ME because He wanted me to understand God's love. He made Himself the lowliest servant so that God the Father can be glorified.
My servitude in church can only be because of one thing: to glorify God. Christ was my example (ver 14) and showed me this love. I understand and accept this and in turn, reflect this back to "others" so that they may understand that Christ is my ultimate source of joy. "Others" is a broad category because it includes EVERYONE, just like how Jesus served.
I am continually searching for myself in Him and boy, I would love it if you would join me!
Amen!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Instructions to Timothy and Us
1 Timothy 4
This passage was Paul's set of instructions to Timothy. From loving the Lord with all your heart to abstaining from gossip, this passage has a whole lot to explain. Because this passage is from Paul to Timothy for him to become a better teacher of the Word, a lot of it has to do with making your reading of scripture known to others. In other words, I take it as knowing the Word, living out the Word, and preaching the Word through your actions (and of course through talking).
Verse 15 and 16 stuck out to me the most. "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Because people will abandon the faith and God to follow other things, the instructions for verse 15 and 16 are a conscious prayer for these people as well as myself. Honestly, I have to tell you and all who read that I've wandered away for the past months. It's been tough. But daily, I continue to persevere so that I will save myself and my hearers through the love that is Jesus Christ.
I've been accountability-ing with a friend of mine for the past week and I've honestly forgotten about the blogs for the Spreak. God teaches us to persevere in His doctrine and even with this blog that is in the back of my mind, I trust that God will use this time that I take my time to type this blog, to really bless me (and those who read it). What a bad run on sentence :p
Amen!
This passage was Paul's set of instructions to Timothy. From loving the Lord with all your heart to abstaining from gossip, this passage has a whole lot to explain. Because this passage is from Paul to Timothy for him to become a better teacher of the Word, a lot of it has to do with making your reading of scripture known to others. In other words, I take it as knowing the Word, living out the Word, and preaching the Word through your actions (and of course through talking).
Verse 15 and 16 stuck out to me the most. "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."
Because people will abandon the faith and God to follow other things, the instructions for verse 15 and 16 are a conscious prayer for these people as well as myself. Honestly, I have to tell you and all who read that I've wandered away for the past months. It's been tough. But daily, I continue to persevere so that I will save myself and my hearers through the love that is Jesus Christ.
I've been accountability-ing with a friend of mine for the past week and I've honestly forgotten about the blogs for the Spreak. God teaches us to persevere in His doctrine and even with this blog that is in the back of my mind, I trust that God will use this time that I take my time to type this blog, to really bless me (and those who read it). What a bad run on sentence :p
Amen!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Being Ashamed of Christ
26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:26-27
We are all familiar with the passage before this as Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Verse 23 to 25 is important and should never be overlooked, but as I continued reading, I couldn't recall verses 26 to 27.
Here Jesus flat out says that He will be ashamed of me when we are in heaven if I am ashamed of Him here on earth. If we take a look closer, the facts will appear. Christ was going to face death. He knows it; His disciples know it. But compared to every living being on this earth, no one is more willing to accept rejection and death unlike Jesus Christ.
In order for us to understand Christ, we must deny ourselves (ver23). We must not be ashamed of the Cross, but pick it up our own cross (.. and take up HIS cross) and follow Christ without any shame.
Amen.
We are all familiar with the passage before this as Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say I am?" Verse 23 to 25 is important and should never be overlooked, but as I continued reading, I couldn't recall verses 26 to 27.
Here Jesus flat out says that He will be ashamed of me when we are in heaven if I am ashamed of Him here on earth. If we take a look closer, the facts will appear. Christ was going to face death. He knows it; His disciples know it. But compared to every living being on this earth, no one is more willing to accept rejection and death unlike Jesus Christ.
In order for us to understand Christ, we must deny ourselves (ver23). We must not be ashamed of the Cross, but pick it up our own cross (.. and take up HIS cross) and follow Christ without any shame.
Amen.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Law is Good
8We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
When I read this, I thought back to the fact that Christ came down from heaven not to heal the healthy, but the sick. Even though this is in the context of preaching the truth verses false doctrine, Paul explains that the law is for us from God. Sinners need God's commands. Why? Because we are simply aimless without it. We will lead ourselves/each other to our demise without having any rules or limitations in our lives. God provides theses laws and commands us to follow them because He cares and loves us.
For whatever reason, verse 11 is confusing me. And for everything else that opposes God will and ultimately for those sinners who has been given to us by God to lead?
Amen.
When I read this, I thought back to the fact that Christ came down from heaven not to heal the healthy, but the sick. Even though this is in the context of preaching the truth verses false doctrine, Paul explains that the law is for us from God. Sinners need God's commands. Why? Because we are simply aimless without it. We will lead ourselves/each other to our demise without having any rules or limitations in our lives. God provides theses laws and commands us to follow them because He cares and loves us.
For whatever reason, verse 11 is confusing me. And for everything else that opposes God will and ultimately for those sinners who has been given to us by God to lead?
Amen.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Vine and the Branches
4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
It is through Jesus Christ and His unending love and care that allows us to become who we are today. Christ is the great pursuer of our souls. Whenever we feel like God has forsaken us and left us wandering in the desert, who is truly the one who has wandered? Jesus promises change in these passages; the type of reformation that is not possible through any other means but Christ alone.
2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
It is God who cleanses our souls of all sin. He destroys those things in our lives that are not beneficial to us.
Amen.
5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
It is through Jesus Christ and His unending love and care that allows us to become who we are today. Christ is the great pursuer of our souls. Whenever we feel like God has forsaken us and left us wandering in the desert, who is truly the one who has wandered? Jesus promises change in these passages; the type of reformation that is not possible through any other means but Christ alone.
2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful.
It is God who cleanses our souls of all sin. He destroys those things in our lives that are not beneficial to us.
Amen.
Monday, March 1, 2010
john 14:9-14
i accepted Christ when i was a kid during vacation bible club, but seriously started chasing after Him when i was in high school. life was different and my perspectives changed. as i went on to college, thats when i realized that my life was nothing without Christ and i realized His majesty.
"don't you know me... even after I have been among you such a long time?"
i find myself eating baby food still after all this time, but its a constant battle and i will be forever hungry. these words i can assure you and myself is truth because there is nothing without the Father.
amen.
i accepted Christ when i was a kid during vacation bible club, but seriously started chasing after Him when i was in high school. life was different and my perspectives changed. as i went on to college, thats when i realized that my life was nothing without Christ and i realized His majesty.
"don't you know me... even after I have been among you such a long time?"
i find myself eating baby food still after all this time, but its a constant battle and i will be forever hungry. these words i can assure you and myself is truth because there is nothing without the Father.
amen.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Memorizing Scripture
My excuse was because I had bad memory. With so much school stuff to memorize already, I really put no effort into memorizing scripture. I thought that all I needed to know was memorize the 'gist' of it and relate to it whenever I could. This approach was too impersonal to God.
He speaks to us with the Word. The Bible stands out and reaches man with its promises from God, yet it is so difficult to crack it open just once a day and meditate and reflect on what God has to say.
Memorizing scripture allows us to draw ourselves closer to God. To try and understand the truth that He has to present to us by meditating on it even after our Bible's are closed. To defend God whenever He 'needs' us to.
My favorite verse is Romans 8:38-39 :D
Amen.
He speaks to us with the Word. The Bible stands out and reaches man with its promises from God, yet it is so difficult to crack it open just once a day and meditate and reflect on what God has to say.
Memorizing scripture allows us to draw ourselves closer to God. To try and understand the truth that He has to present to us by meditating on it even after our Bible's are closed. To defend God whenever He 'needs' us to.
My favorite verse is Romans 8:38-39 :D
Amen.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
"Read the Bible"
Okay.
..and stumbled upon Romans 10.
Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved. The word is so close to me; Christ is ever so close to me. Our Lord is the great pursuer of our souls and will never stop. My heart is not with me, but with my Lord. For He is the Lord who deserves all my praise. I will learn to call upon the Lord everyday. Confession will come from the tongue and the mouth, but a firm knowing and establishment of Christ's life, death and crucifiction in my heart. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raise him from the dead, you will be saved.
Amen.
..and stumbled upon Romans 10.
Call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved. The word is so close to me; Christ is ever so close to me. Our Lord is the great pursuer of our souls and will never stop. My heart is not with me, but with my Lord. For He is the Lord who deserves all my praise. I will learn to call upon the Lord everyday. Confession will come from the tongue and the mouth, but a firm knowing and establishment of Christ's life, death and crucifiction in my heart. "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raise him from the dead, you will be saved.
Amen.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Quiet Waters
Psalm 23
The LORD is MY shepherd! Jesus Christ has saved me and allowed me to be in fellowship with Him for all eternity! In all the events that I go through in my life, I will always turn to my shepherd and know that He is the best thing for my life.
The passage always gave me a sense of peace. As David speaks to us in this psalm, his confidence in the Lord is to be noted. David knows that God will lead him to peace. He knows that God will restore his soul wherever it may be. He knows that God will be his guide wherever he goes; even in the deepest darkest events in life, there is nothing that can waver his trust in God.
With those promises knowingly fulfilled, David knows that in the end, there will be nothing else but victory. A table will be provided in the presence of our enemies and of course, how can our hearts not overflow with the love that has been provided for us.
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Amen.
The LORD is MY shepherd! Jesus Christ has saved me and allowed me to be in fellowship with Him for all eternity! In all the events that I go through in my life, I will always turn to my shepherd and know that He is the best thing for my life.
The passage always gave me a sense of peace. As David speaks to us in this psalm, his confidence in the Lord is to be noted. David knows that God will lead him to peace. He knows that God will restore his soul wherever it may be. He knows that God will be his guide wherever he goes; even in the deepest darkest events in life, there is nothing that can waver his trust in God.
With those promises knowingly fulfilled, David knows that in the end, there will be nothing else but victory. A table will be provided in the presence of our enemies and of course, how can our hearts not overflow with the love that has been provided for us.
"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Amen.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Strong in the Lord
Joshua 1:9
Basketball today with Chris, Richard, and Dan today was fun. The bonding time was good and I finally got a chance to relax a little. If someone were to keep track of stats that game, I would have had a ton of turnovers. But I don't know whats up with basketball, but my teammates kept encouraging me. Richard told me to keep my head up!
God commands and I will obey. One major thing that holds me back is failure. Failure not in the sense that I have failed for myself, but more so for others. I grew up wanting to hit it big in the world so that I could give my parents the retirement that they deserve for giving me so much. With that same mindset, I want to please those around me, which includes my small group and my friends, and yes, even my girlfriend ;)
I need to realize that there is no failure in the eyes of the Lord for He makes the foolish wise and the poor rich. Why do I believe this? Because I have experienced too rich of a life to walk away from Christ now. Because of God's love for me, I will continue to trust in Him.
Despite being discouraged so easily, God has really taught me to be strong and courageous. I use to give up without a moment's notice towards things that I knew I had no chance getting better at, like basketball or school. But God promises me that He will be with me wherever I go.
And let this retreat be a blessing in disguise!
Amen!
Basketball today with Chris, Richard, and Dan today was fun. The bonding time was good and I finally got a chance to relax a little. If someone were to keep track of stats that game, I would have had a ton of turnovers. But I don't know whats up with basketball, but my teammates kept encouraging me. Richard told me to keep my head up!
God commands and I will obey. One major thing that holds me back is failure. Failure not in the sense that I have failed for myself, but more so for others. I grew up wanting to hit it big in the world so that I could give my parents the retirement that they deserve for giving me so much. With that same mindset, I want to please those around me, which includes my small group and my friends, and yes, even my girlfriend ;)
I need to realize that there is no failure in the eyes of the Lord for He makes the foolish wise and the poor rich. Why do I believe this? Because I have experienced too rich of a life to walk away from Christ now. Because of God's love for me, I will continue to trust in Him.
Despite being discouraged so easily, God has really taught me to be strong and courageous. I use to give up without a moment's notice towards things that I knew I had no chance getting better at, like basketball or school. But God promises me that He will be with me wherever I go.
And let this retreat be a blessing in disguise!
Amen!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lend a Helping Hand
Matthew 25:40
This verse is from the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew. The context of this parable is that service, care, and love through your fellow sheep and goats (your fellow human being) is directly related to showing God how much you love Him.
Looking at the recent tragedies of Haiti, people are pouring cash out of their pockets. There is such a large sum of money from donations that there is confusion on what to spend it on. People of every color from every nation is joining in to help; American Airlines is giving doctors and nurses plane rides for free to Haiti. This is good right?
Yes of course it is! Helping your fellow man or woman when in need is what God wants. He wants his creation to care for each other. But thinking on what Joe said, there is so much more pain and suffering around the world. The biggest one on my mind is world hunger. "If I had the power to change one thing about the world today..." (Question from Friday Night Large Group's Question Game), I would do something about world hunger. Sad to say, but Haiti's tragedy will eventually be forgotten into the recesses of our minds.
Don't get me wrong. I know you want to help and I know I want to do more, but usually we just end up sliding down on our soft futons and couches and end up watching a movie. This is definitely a struggle and temptation to fight.
Jesus knows of how we treat people, whether it be donating money for a cause or helping a friend study for an exam. No matter how little the task ("whatever you did for one of the least of these brother of mine"), it will be recognized. This verse states that the care be brought upon a "brother". This does not necessarily mean a believer, but all of God's created man.
I don't know why, but I am convicted this semester to serve my fellow small group and Cornerstone to the best of my abilities and best of my heart.
Can't wait for the retreat!
Amen!
This verse is from the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew. The context of this parable is that service, care, and love through your fellow sheep and goats (your fellow human being) is directly related to showing God how much you love Him.
Looking at the recent tragedies of Haiti, people are pouring cash out of their pockets. There is such a large sum of money from donations that there is confusion on what to spend it on. People of every color from every nation is joining in to help; American Airlines is giving doctors and nurses plane rides for free to Haiti. This is good right?
Yes of course it is! Helping your fellow man or woman when in need is what God wants. He wants his creation to care for each other. But thinking on what Joe said, there is so much more pain and suffering around the world. The biggest one on my mind is world hunger. "If I had the power to change one thing about the world today..." (Question from Friday Night Large Group's Question Game), I would do something about world hunger. Sad to say, but Haiti's tragedy will eventually be forgotten into the recesses of our minds.
Don't get me wrong. I know you want to help and I know I want to do more, but usually we just end up sliding down on our soft futons and couches and end up watching a movie. This is definitely a struggle and temptation to fight.
Jesus knows of how we treat people, whether it be donating money for a cause or helping a friend study for an exam. No matter how little the task ("whatever you did for one of the least of these brother of mine"), it will be recognized. This verse states that the care be brought upon a "brother". This does not necessarily mean a believer, but all of God's created man.
I don't know why, but I am convicted this semester to serve my fellow small group and Cornerstone to the best of my abilities and best of my heart.
Can't wait for the retreat!
Amen!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Calling All Those Who are Dumb?
1 Corinthians 1:27
Now this issue has been brought to my pallet before. A non-believer friend of mine liked to argue. For the sake of the pursuit of knowledge, Christianity is too narrow and closed-minded. Only the ignorant remain as Christians. The religion itself calls you to be caught under the phenomenon called group think and really, people won't and can't think for themselves.
Yes. I had no idea what to say to this person at that time because I was just struggling with my anger towards how he could be right and how I can't even defend what I believe in.
Verse 27 calls upon those who are not superior to shame those who are. The Twelve disciples that followed Jesus were a bunch of 'random' people He chose to follow Him. And look how they overturned the world and brought it to its knees.
God blesses everyone. He calls upon the foolish and weak things because He wants to make a point to the world. That God can do anything! With this normal everyday people, God transformed their lives and made them leaders of the world! This in itself can be viewed as a miracle.
I can definitely vouch for this. Looking at past-Aaron and present-Aaron. These two guys are pretty different in a good way. It is because of God's grace and blessings that present-Aaron has become who he is now. Now I just can't wait for what God has in store for future-Aaron.
Praise the Lord.
Amen!
Now this issue has been brought to my pallet before. A non-believer friend of mine liked to argue. For the sake of the pursuit of knowledge, Christianity is too narrow and closed-minded. Only the ignorant remain as Christians. The religion itself calls you to be caught under the phenomenon called group think and really, people won't and can't think for themselves.
Yes. I had no idea what to say to this person at that time because I was just struggling with my anger towards how he could be right and how I can't even defend what I believe in.
Verse 27 calls upon those who are not superior to shame those who are. The Twelve disciples that followed Jesus were a bunch of 'random' people He chose to follow Him. And look how they overturned the world and brought it to its knees.
God blesses everyone. He calls upon the foolish and weak things because He wants to make a point to the world. That God can do anything! With this normal everyday people, God transformed their lives and made them leaders of the world! This in itself can be viewed as a miracle.
I can definitely vouch for this. Looking at past-Aaron and present-Aaron. These two guys are pretty different in a good way. It is because of God's grace and blessings that present-Aaron has become who he is now. Now I just can't wait for what God has in store for future-Aaron.
Praise the Lord.
Amen!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What God Gave Me
1 Corinthians 12:4-6
God offers people all sorts of things. Being a good public speaker, athleticism, musical talent, and so on. The list is a long one, but in the end, it comes from One.
What I have come to realize is that God has blessed me with so much. So much that I have yet to find out what it all is in my life. You can say that I have a certain skill, but what role does it play in the work of God? Each and every one of my traits and skills, I plan to lift my Lord higher and higher with each one.
I know that I am mediocre in everything that I do, but excellence is not what God requires. As human beings, it is natural for each and everyone of us to strive for something beyond the ordinary. But when we look at Jesus, who was beyond ordinary, and made himself ordinary and even lower than that to serve others and God, He did great things.
Whatever I gifts and blessings that I have, I will lift it back to God.
Its early in the semester, but I have high hopes for small group and the accountability group that I am going to be involved in! I'm going to put these blessings that you've poured out on me and put them to good use..!
Amen!
God offers people all sorts of things. Being a good public speaker, athleticism, musical talent, and so on. The list is a long one, but in the end, it comes from One.
What I have come to realize is that God has blessed me with so much. So much that I have yet to find out what it all is in my life. You can say that I have a certain skill, but what role does it play in the work of God? Each and every one of my traits and skills, I plan to lift my Lord higher and higher with each one.
I know that I am mediocre in everything that I do, but excellence is not what God requires. As human beings, it is natural for each and everyone of us to strive for something beyond the ordinary. But when we look at Jesus, who was beyond ordinary, and made himself ordinary and even lower than that to serve others and God, He did great things.
Whatever I gifts and blessings that I have, I will lift it back to God.
Its early in the semester, but I have high hopes for small group and the accountability group that I am going to be involved in! I'm going to put these blessings that you've poured out on me and put them to good use..!
Amen!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The Law of Human Nature
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
One
What is the Law of Human Nature? According to Lewis, this was the Law of "Right and Wrong". The interesting thing was that this law was suppose to be obvious. It was not required to be taught because everyone should know what what right and what was wrong.
Looking at different cultural contexts, we see that there are different values and such to be taught. Does this mean that there is a different definition between right and wrong comparatively to our society? Try imagining a country where selfishness was looked up upon.
Funny thing is, when we are face to face with a decision, we tend to choose the one that most glorifies ourselves. And if we are told otherwise, we would just complain about it not being fair. If I were to choose to only clean my room and my roommates had to clean their rooms AND the bathroom, they would probably request a change. This change in plans would put me in change of cleaning the kitchen, which I would complain and say that its not fair; I get the most work. If the Law of Nature did not exist, what is the difference between a fair section of the house to clean compared to an unfair part?
But, Lewis' main point is this: "We have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people." (I want my roommates to look and see how much I have to clean, but I refuse to look at how much they have to clean.) There is only one Right and Wrong. The reason we are making excuses is that we are ashamed that we are not following the Law of Human Nature. We disregard fairness and point the arrow to me, myself, and I.
"We believe in the Law of Nature... we believe in decency so much - we feel the Rule of Law pressing on us so - that we cannot bear to face the fact that we are breaking it..."
Look at the nations putting in their hand in assisting Haiti's tragedy. It is obvious that a single and absolute Right and Wrong exist.
A look into the tragedy:
Lets be prayerful.
Amen.
One
What is the Law of Human Nature? According to Lewis, this was the Law of "Right and Wrong". The interesting thing was that this law was suppose to be obvious. It was not required to be taught because everyone should know what what right and what was wrong.
Looking at different cultural contexts, we see that there are different values and such to be taught. Does this mean that there is a different definition between right and wrong comparatively to our society? Try imagining a country where selfishness was looked up upon.
Funny thing is, when we are face to face with a decision, we tend to choose the one that most glorifies ourselves. And if we are told otherwise, we would just complain about it not being fair. If I were to choose to only clean my room and my roommates had to clean their rooms AND the bathroom, they would probably request a change. This change in plans would put me in change of cleaning the kitchen, which I would complain and say that its not fair; I get the most work. If the Law of Nature did not exist, what is the difference between a fair section of the house to clean compared to an unfair part?
But, Lewis' main point is this: "We have failed to practise ourselves the kind of behaviour we expect from other people." (I want my roommates to look and see how much I have to clean, but I refuse to look at how much they have to clean.) There is only one Right and Wrong. The reason we are making excuses is that we are ashamed that we are not following the Law of Human Nature. We disregard fairness and point the arrow to me, myself, and I.
"We believe in the Law of Nature... we believe in decency so much - we feel the Rule of Law pressing on us so - that we cannot bear to face the fact that we are breaking it..."
Look at the nations putting in their hand in assisting Haiti's tragedy. It is obvious that a single and absolute Right and Wrong exist.
A look into the tragedy:
Lets be prayerful.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Forward
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Forward
Christianity is not merely a philosophy of morality or even a theology to be considered, argued, or put in a fancy binded book. It is a realization of the world and its perversion that has plagued the generations to come. It is not a matter of what denomination you are, although there is nothing wrong with siding with your religious beliefs. It is, again, a realization.
Pastor Rich from Hebron spoke to Cornerstone Christian Fellowship during our Revival about urgency. He broke the room into two halves: Church problems and World problems. The question that night was: which one of these is weighed heavier?
In the same way, the church needs to overcome its differences and come to realize the one true God and His Son. I'm sure God does not want His people to bicker amongst one another and let His creations on the other side of the world suffer. Let this realization run our lives as we look out for those "immortals" who we face day to day.
Forward
Christianity is not merely a philosophy of morality or even a theology to be considered, argued, or put in a fancy binded book. It is a realization of the world and its perversion that has plagued the generations to come. It is not a matter of what denomination you are, although there is nothing wrong with siding with your religious beliefs. It is, again, a realization.
Pastor Rich from Hebron spoke to Cornerstone Christian Fellowship during our Revival about urgency. He broke the room into two halves: Church problems and World problems. The question that night was: which one of these is weighed heavier?
In the same way, the church needs to overcome its differences and come to realize the one true God and His Son. I'm sure God does not want His people to bicker amongst one another and let His creations on the other side of the world suffer. Let this realization run our lives as we look out for those "immortals" who we face day to day.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wilderness
Luke 4:1-13
It was only Winter Break, but temptation of all forms were present. I was allowed to do anything I wanted. It was break and I felt like I was free from all responsibility. It was an interesting feeling. I had 3 weeks to play and do whatever I wanted. I tried reading the Bible at the beginning of the week, but as the break progressed, I was spiritually empty and too drowned in my selfishness in doing what I wanted to do.
Jesus listed 3 commands in recollection during his trials: you cannot live on earthly things alone, worship God only, and do not test God.
Jesus did not fall to any luxury that was offered to him; anything that would make us turn our heads at a moments glance. Why is it so hard to maintain this relationship between God and us? Why is accountability even necessary when it comes to God, but not when we dream about money, cars, Sequence, friends, girl/boy-friend and other worldly things. I don't need someone to remind me to practice guitar because I enjoy doing it on my own!
I really wish I was more like Jesus. This man I look up to and long to be more Him. Even though I am continuously learning to grasp the world as he saw it, I am still amazed at his being. To never be tempted, to never fall under the devil's plans knowing your stance in God's kingdom.
I'm just a broken person looking for the Son and ultimately the Father.. Because there is a sacrifice for the sinner.
Amen.
It was only Winter Break, but temptation of all forms were present. I was allowed to do anything I wanted. It was break and I felt like I was free from all responsibility. It was an interesting feeling. I had 3 weeks to play and do whatever I wanted. I tried reading the Bible at the beginning of the week, but as the break progressed, I was spiritually empty and too drowned in my selfishness in doing what I wanted to do.
Jesus listed 3 commands in recollection during his trials: you cannot live on earthly things alone, worship God only, and do not test God.
Jesus did not fall to any luxury that was offered to him; anything that would make us turn our heads at a moments glance. Why is it so hard to maintain this relationship between God and us? Why is accountability even necessary when it comes to God, but not when we dream about money, cars, Sequence, friends, girl/boy-friend and other worldly things. I don't need someone to remind me to practice guitar because I enjoy doing it on my own!
I really wish I was more like Jesus. This man I look up to and long to be more Him. Even though I am continuously learning to grasp the world as he saw it, I am still amazed at his being. To never be tempted, to never fall under the devil's plans knowing your stance in God's kingdom.
I'm just a broken person looking for the Son and ultimately the Father.. Because there is a sacrifice for the sinner.
Amen.
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