Michelle and I just returned tonight after eating out at P.F. Chang (Chinese Bistro) then hurried from Fairfax to Sterling for the open-captioned movie, War Of The Worlds starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. Man! It was an awesome movie!!! You know I love the old Orsen Wells movie, "War Of The Worlds". I don't know how many times I have seen it but it seems like a gazillion times that I clearly remember each scenes. Watching the newer version of "Worlds" gave me a firm prediction what will happen next. It is closely similar to the older version of "Worlds"..
As the movie began, they were showing things that cannot be seen with a naked eye. You'll have to use a microscope to be able to detect things like "parasites, DNA's, molecules, and whatever those scientist call those micros!". At first, I thought we were in the wrong movie section. "War of the Worlds" are in section 19 and it is open captioned. The scene went from micro to macro and it was "a drop of water" on a leaf. Then the title came, "WAR OF THE WORLDS". I was like, "Ok..." Let the movie begin!
Again, an awesome movie. The special effects. The suspense. The graphics. The scenery. Everything in the movie was heart-pounding!!! Mankind on earth were immaculately powerless against the Martians! No weapon can destroy them. No missiles. Not even a laser. Blackhawks flew against it but couldn't prevail against it. Howitzers rolled with some of the most powerful ammo known to man couldn't conquer them. The army, navy, air force, marines were annihilated! The aliens continue to snatch people and destroyed them. Mankind were on the brink of total annihilation; in other words, mankind would be wiped out from the world! But the aliens were dying inside their protective shield. After taking in air, people (blood), and whatever is nature, the aliens were dying. They became powerless! People were wondering why and how the aliens died. It wasn't the weapons of the world! They were all, like me, very puzzled. Until the end, the narrator talked about something that blew me away!
The scene came in showing NY in ashes but on a tree, a green bud was budding. Life begins again. As the cam drew near the fresh green bud, the narrator explained that the aliens died because of what God had created. Nature destroyed them: air, blood, water. Whatever God had created destroyed whatever was evil! It only took whatever is micro to annihilate evil! In other words, the aliens were infected with the good God provided! Evil was wiped out!
This movie reminds me of our Lord Jesus! It only takes a pure blood to wipe away the evil in us. Sin, has or still is, alienated in our lives and we're without peace! But God sent Jesus into the world to condemn sin in us and to give us the peace we're looking for and have. He became sin for us so that we be made right with God:
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 (nas)
I believe Orsen Wells created this movie out of his understanding of God's powerful potential! Only God possesses the weapon against evil (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Bow down before the One that is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega!
Monday, August 15, 2005
13 years and still on our journey!
Happy anniversary, wifey!! It's really amazing that we've been married 13 years, TODAY! We don't have time to be "fed up" with each other. Our love hasn't corroded, instead continues to shine so brightly that you'll need your Oakleys! Our marriage isn't build on the foundation of sand but on the foundation of our mighty Lord Jesus Christ and His Father in Heaven! The kind of marriage that is powered by the Spirit which is eternal!
There are people who get married will agree and say, "Let's hope we're right for each other". "We'll see how it is as time goes. If it doesn't work, we'll agree to call it quits!" Do you hear/see such comments from your friends or your love ones in the family? This kind of marriage is built on sand. It is not firm. It doesn't prevail against hardships. Whatever or whenever the strong winds of negatives come their way, they're easily blown away. Instead, we ought to say, "We were made for each other. God brought us together for a purpose. Our marriage has been witnessed by our Great Father in Heaven." The right foundation every marriage should be is on the rock whom is Christ Jesus!
Anniversaries are a wonderful reminder of the beginning of our journey. A Christian journey. A marital journey. A Gold's (gym) journey (a healthy lifestyle). It would be an excellent idea to keep several "anniversary dates" noted, especially the beginning of your spiritual journey with God! You will be able to reflect back the years you've endured through and through!
Any kind of journey lives and dies. Marriage dies (it's what Satan wants, not God). A friendship journey dies. A healthy journey dies. A journey with God dies. But I want to point out that a journey with God is the most critical part we must examine. It's a matter of life and death, eternity with God or eternity with Satan, heaven or hell.
"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:13-14 (niv)
Paul wrote to the church (Christians) in Rome warning them with extreme caution that if they "live" according to the nature of sin (living in sin), they will be cut off from the lifeline of God! The love between such person and God has been severed! The love has died. The person has returned to "square one" by becoming, again, a sinful person. God has not regarded such person as one of the sons of God. So we ought to live with the help of the Spirit (Word) and put to death the sin that so severed the love between himself/herself and God!
If we continue to sin (intentionally), beware when Christ comes, He will say this,
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:4 (niv)
I pray that the journey you began with your wife, your husband and with God continues on forever! Indeed, death is the only thing that ends the marital journey and that's the way it should be! It is God's way! Many end their marital journey for selfish reasons. And many end their journey with God for foolish reasons. The journey you have with God ought to continue for eternity! Regardless of all the obstacles we face and stumble, overcome them and move on! And you will be blessed!
Happy anniversary, wifey! Our journey continues and Lord willing, we'll pass the mile (year) marker 15, 20, 25, 50! I love you with the love of Christ!
There are people who get married will agree and say, "Let's hope we're right for each other". "We'll see how it is as time goes. If it doesn't work, we'll agree to call it quits!" Do you hear/see such comments from your friends or your love ones in the family? This kind of marriage is built on sand. It is not firm. It doesn't prevail against hardships. Whatever or whenever the strong winds of negatives come their way, they're easily blown away. Instead, we ought to say, "We were made for each other. God brought us together for a purpose. Our marriage has been witnessed by our Great Father in Heaven." The right foundation every marriage should be is on the rock whom is Christ Jesus!
Anniversaries are a wonderful reminder of the beginning of our journey. A Christian journey. A marital journey. A Gold's (gym) journey (a healthy lifestyle). It would be an excellent idea to keep several "anniversary dates" noted, especially the beginning of your spiritual journey with God! You will be able to reflect back the years you've endured through and through!
Any kind of journey lives and dies. Marriage dies (it's what Satan wants, not God). A friendship journey dies. A healthy journey dies. A journey with God dies. But I want to point out that a journey with God is the most critical part we must examine. It's a matter of life and death, eternity with God or eternity with Satan, heaven or hell.
"For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." Romans 8:13-14 (niv)
Paul wrote to the church (Christians) in Rome warning them with extreme caution that if they "live" according to the nature of sin (living in sin), they will be cut off from the lifeline of God! The love between such person and God has been severed! The love has died. The person has returned to "square one" by becoming, again, a sinful person. God has not regarded such person as one of the sons of God. So we ought to live with the help of the Spirit (Word) and put to death the sin that so severed the love between himself/herself and God!
If we continue to sin (intentionally), beware when Christ comes, He will say this,
"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:4 (niv)
I pray that the journey you began with your wife, your husband and with God continues on forever! Indeed, death is the only thing that ends the marital journey and that's the way it should be! It is God's way! Many end their marital journey for selfish reasons. And many end their journey with God for foolish reasons. The journey you have with God ought to continue for eternity! Regardless of all the obstacles we face and stumble, overcome them and move on! And you will be blessed!
Happy anniversary, wifey! Our journey continues and Lord willing, we'll pass the mile (year) marker 15, 20, 25, 50! I love you with the love of Christ!
Thursday, August 11, 2005
VaPoRiZeD!
Good evening, bloggers!
I am really excited about this Sunday's lesson, VaPoRiZeD! It is based on James 4:14 but I encourage you to read the whole chapter of James 4.. However, James 3 is even more powerful that everyone in the world ought to read, re-read and apply to their own lives!!
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 (nas)
A question we should ask ourselves is this, "What Is Your Life Anyway?"
I am really excited about this Sunday's lesson, VaPoRiZeD! It is based on James 4:14 but I encourage you to read the whole chapter of James 4.. However, James 3 is even more powerful that everyone in the world ought to read, re-read and apply to their own lives!!
"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14 (nas)
A question we should ask ourselves is this, "What Is Your Life Anyway?"
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Faithfulness (Men's Edition)
Have you seen this song, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." What a wonderful song. The words come from the book of Lamentations 3:22-23. Jeremiah had an achy-breaky-prophetic-heart. He was singing the blues. But I am gong to tell you something. Jeremiah, in the midst of mourning over Israel, says these words. “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” Jeremiah said that. If you study the life of David, he had some hair-raising adventures early in his life. As he got older, he began to write the book of Psalms.
One of the major themes of the book of Psalms is the faithfulness of God. The people who would really sing this with passion were the elderly in the church. They would sing from the depths of their souls, “Great is thy faithfulness, thy hand hath provided.” I wondered why they would sing so loud and with such conviction. These elderly saints had experienced thousands and thousands of answers to prayer. They had experienced the Holy Spirit comforting them and loving them in times of divorce, in times of struggle, in times of trial. So they had a lot of God’s trustworthiness under their belts, so to speak. They could sing it with real unction because they knew God was someone they could trust.
Frankly, that is one of the reasons that I am so optimistic and fired up about the church at Fairfax! Do you realize that most of us here only have a year, two or three of God’s trustworthiness under our belts? We have traced God’s faithfulness for only a couple of months, but give us ten years and we will be able to sing that with such power that we could blow the roof off the top of the building and its walls with our hands! That fires me up! I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in my life and your lives. The Holy Spirit is faithful. We will experience a new supernatural power to be faithful.
It is tempting to stop right here and to just shut it down. But I can’t do that because I would leave us hanging. We have got to understand the take home, the application, and the relevancy. Now let’s see how faithfulness plays out.
Faithfulness is becoming a man of your word! You say something, you keep it! You give a promise, you keep that promise. That is what the Holy Spirit will do. He will keep telling you and me to become a man of our word of our word, especially in the area of relationships. The Holy Spirit will help me to become a man and help you to become a man of your word in your relational world.
I want to say a word to the husbands here. If you are a husband, please slip your hand up right quick. Years ago or maybe just months ago, you stood in a shiny polyester suit before God, a preacher and a group of family and friends and you made a vow. You gave your word, men, to honor, to love, to cherish, to submit, to hold your spouse in high esteem. Yes, you might have been mouthing the words just to get to the honeymoon in Jamaica, but you said the words. Guess what. Guess what. God holds you to your word. You can’t mess around with vows and covenants especially in the marital domain with a holy God. And if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God, we will find a supernatural infusion of faithfulness to love. We will experience a new desire to cherish, a new desire to court and to romance and to love and to pray with our wives.
Are you a man of your word in marriage? Ain't faithfulness a great feeling?!!
One of the major themes of the book of Psalms is the faithfulness of God. The people who would really sing this with passion were the elderly in the church. They would sing from the depths of their souls, “Great is thy faithfulness, thy hand hath provided.” I wondered why they would sing so loud and with such conviction. These elderly saints had experienced thousands and thousands of answers to prayer. They had experienced the Holy Spirit comforting them and loving them in times of divorce, in times of struggle, in times of trial. So they had a lot of God’s trustworthiness under their belts, so to speak. They could sing it with real unction because they knew God was someone they could trust.
Frankly, that is one of the reasons that I am so optimistic and fired up about the church at Fairfax! Do you realize that most of us here only have a year, two or three of God’s trustworthiness under our belts? We have traced God’s faithfulness for only a couple of months, but give us ten years and we will be able to sing that with such power that we could blow the roof off the top of the building and its walls with our hands! That fires me up! I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in my life and your lives. The Holy Spirit is faithful. We will experience a new supernatural power to be faithful.
It is tempting to stop right here and to just shut it down. But I can’t do that because I would leave us hanging. We have got to understand the take home, the application, and the relevancy. Now let’s see how faithfulness plays out.
Faithfulness is becoming a man of your word! You say something, you keep it! You give a promise, you keep that promise. That is what the Holy Spirit will do. He will keep telling you and me to become a man of our word of our word, especially in the area of relationships. The Holy Spirit will help me to become a man and help you to become a man of your word in your relational world.
I want to say a word to the husbands here. If you are a husband, please slip your hand up right quick. Years ago or maybe just months ago, you stood in a shiny polyester suit before God, a preacher and a group of family and friends and you made a vow. You gave your word, men, to honor, to love, to cherish, to submit, to hold your spouse in high esteem. Yes, you might have been mouthing the words just to get to the honeymoon in Jamaica, but you said the words. Guess what. Guess what. God holds you to your word. You can’t mess around with vows and covenants especially in the marital domain with a holy God. And if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God, we will find a supernatural infusion of faithfulness to love. We will experience a new desire to cherish, a new desire to court and to romance and to love and to pray with our wives.
Are you a man of your word in marriage? Ain't faithfulness a great feeling?!!
6 Days
Michelle and I have been doing a (full-blown) cleaning, painting, trimming, discarding, arranging, dusting, and finishing-touches on our home before we put it on the market (MLS) tomorrow!! It took us approximately 2 weeks to really get things done in such a small house! And our energy level dropped to an all-time low and we surely received a good beating: body aches, headaches, back spasms, cramped arms and scrapes and bruises. As a result of all this abuse, the house is just as good as new, spanking clean and ready to sell!
During the whole 2 weeks (could be a whole lot more), naturally, I think of God! I think of the "6 Days" God created the world, everything in the world and us! From light to darkness, from expanse to land to seas, from plants to trees to various kinds of fruit, from night and day, from living creatures to man in the image of God, He did it in "6 Days!" It took us over 2 weeks to bring our "tiny home" to a "near perfection" (it will never be perfect)! But it took God 6 days to bring the vastness of the earth and sky to an absolute perfection! What kind of an intelligence would build such a rock in the universe, including the complexity of all creatures and living things!
It awed the prophet Isaiah the creation God created! He wanted to remind us all that God has done!
"That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:20 (nas)
"Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,.." Isaiah 42:5 (nas)
"It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." Isaiah 45:12 (nas)
David, a man after God's own heart, wrote a song about God's marvelous creation in Psalm 148:
"Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Psalms 148:1-13 (niv)
Concerning believing in God, if you believe that He created the earth and all that's in it, then you will not have any problem believing the rest of the historical accounts throughout the Bible. Otherwise, if you do not believe in the creation account, don't bother believing in anything the Bible says. In other words, if you do not believe God can create everything in 6 days, then it will be impossible for you to understand how God can raise His Son, Jesus from the dead after three days!
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (niv)
During the whole 2 weeks (could be a whole lot more), naturally, I think of God! I think of the "6 Days" God created the world, everything in the world and us! From light to darkness, from expanse to land to seas, from plants to trees to various kinds of fruit, from night and day, from living creatures to man in the image of God, He did it in "6 Days!" It took us over 2 weeks to bring our "tiny home" to a "near perfection" (it will never be perfect)! But it took God 6 days to bring the vastness of the earth and sky to an absolute perfection! What kind of an intelligence would build such a rock in the universe, including the complexity of all creatures and living things!
It awed the prophet Isaiah the creation God created! He wanted to remind us all that God has done!
"That they may see and recognize, And consider and gain insight as well, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it." Isaiah 41:20 (nas)
"Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it,.." Isaiah 42:5 (nas)
"It is I who made the earth, and created man upon it. I stretched out the heavens with My hands And I ordained all their host." Isaiah 45:12 (nas)
David, a man after God's own heart, wrote a song about God's marvelous creation in Psalm 148:
"Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Psalms 148:1-13 (niv)
Concerning believing in God, if you believe that He created the earth and all that's in it, then you will not have any problem believing the rest of the historical accounts throughout the Bible. Otherwise, if you do not believe in the creation account, don't bother believing in anything the Bible says. In other words, if you do not believe God can create everything in 6 days, then it will be impossible for you to understand how God can raise His Son, Jesus from the dead after three days!
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37 (niv)
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Who Are You?
Who are you? What is your name? I am sorry, but I really don't know you.
If you have a friend of 20, 30 or 40 years that suddenly says, "Who are you?", how would you feel? It would come to a shock to you at first. Then the second response would probably be this, "You gotta be kiddin' me! It's me, man! You've known me for 30 years, dude!" Yet, he still says, "I am really sorry, I don't know who you are." Then walks away. Your jaw will drop to the floor. A buddy of 30 years vanished without a trace! You're eternally banned from a friendship with him. After all the laughter, tears, hundreds of thousands of conversations, mutual support, sporting events, restaurants and hundreds of great times, the friendship dwindles to a complete end! You may be thinking, "What did I do to deserve this?" "What did other people say to him about me?" "Why, after 30 years, did this have to happen?"
Could this happen to you in your relationship with Jesus? Sure!
"Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:23 (niv)
This is what we ought to fear the most. Jesus can end any relationship with God's children. If you read the whole chapter of Matthew 7, you will understand. Jesus expects God's children to bear fruit, stay away from false teachers, walk the narrow way (suffer for Him), and listen to Him. It really doesn't matter if you had some great times with Him to the point that you fell away from an intimate relationship with Jesus. You may still be thinking, "He's my Friend but I don't have time for church." "He's my Friend but I have other friends I fear to lose so I do what they want me to do." "He's my Friend but I still love to be like the world." "He's my Friend and I am saved then I go and play with sin a bit but He will understand because He is my Friend." I can give you hundreds of quotes thinking Jesus as your Friend, yet you "intentionally" sin against Him.
Then He may someday come to you and say, "Who are you? I am sorry, I don't know you." and walk away.
Does Jesus know who you are? He will if you listen to Him.
If you have a friend of 20, 30 or 40 years that suddenly says, "Who are you?", how would you feel? It would come to a shock to you at first. Then the second response would probably be this, "You gotta be kiddin' me! It's me, man! You've known me for 30 years, dude!" Yet, he still says, "I am really sorry, I don't know who you are." Then walks away. Your jaw will drop to the floor. A buddy of 30 years vanished without a trace! You're eternally banned from a friendship with him. After all the laughter, tears, hundreds of thousands of conversations, mutual support, sporting events, restaurants and hundreds of great times, the friendship dwindles to a complete end! You may be thinking, "What did I do to deserve this?" "What did other people say to him about me?" "Why, after 30 years, did this have to happen?"
Could this happen to you in your relationship with Jesus? Sure!
"Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:23 (niv)
This is what we ought to fear the most. Jesus can end any relationship with God's children. If you read the whole chapter of Matthew 7, you will understand. Jesus expects God's children to bear fruit, stay away from false teachers, walk the narrow way (suffer for Him), and listen to Him. It really doesn't matter if you had some great times with Him to the point that you fell away from an intimate relationship with Jesus. You may still be thinking, "He's my Friend but I don't have time for church." "He's my Friend but I have other friends I fear to lose so I do what they want me to do." "He's my Friend but I still love to be like the world." "He's my Friend and I am saved then I go and play with sin a bit but He will understand because He is my Friend." I can give you hundreds of quotes thinking Jesus as your Friend, yet you "intentionally" sin against Him.
Then He may someday come to you and say, "Who are you? I am sorry, I don't know you." and walk away.
Does Jesus know who you are? He will if you listen to Him.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Got Worship?
Like the commercial, "Got Milk?". Now I say, "Got Worship?".
"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." Nehemiah 9:5
"Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus..." That's a song our children love to sing!
But what happens to that youthful exuberance and joy at worshiping the Lord? God doesn't want us to lose it. Read through the Bible and highlight all the actions used to reverence and praise our awesome and eternal God. In a world which regularly uses God's name in vain, isn't it time we stood up and praised him -- not only in church (our private worship) and in our daily devotionals (our personal worship), but also in our lives every day (our public worship)?! In regard to worshipping the Holy God we ought to love, consider this powerful verse:
"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money." Isaiah 43:24
Worshippers at the temple were required to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few minor offerings to her (Israel's) Lord: this was an evidence of coldness of heart towards God and his house. Remember, God does not judge on what is outside (you may show you love God but really you don't) but what goes on inside the heart. He is more interested in the heart. Remember how Samuel chose a young David to be a king. Remember Jesus rebuking the Pharisees calling them white-washed tombs (they are dead inside but shining with pride on the outside)!
Brothers and sisters, does this never occur with you? Might not the complaint of the text be occasionally, if not frequently, brought against you?
"Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise." Nehemiah 9:5
"Stand up and shout it if you love my Jesus..." That's a song our children love to sing!
But what happens to that youthful exuberance and joy at worshiping the Lord? God doesn't want us to lose it. Read through the Bible and highlight all the actions used to reverence and praise our awesome and eternal God. In a world which regularly uses God's name in vain, isn't it time we stood up and praised him -- not only in church (our private worship) and in our daily devotionals (our personal worship), but also in our lives every day (our public worship)?! In regard to worshipping the Holy God we ought to love, consider this powerful verse:
"Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money." Isaiah 43:24
Worshippers at the temple were required to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few minor offerings to her (Israel's) Lord: this was an evidence of coldness of heart towards God and his house. Remember, God does not judge on what is outside (you may show you love God but really you don't) but what goes on inside the heart. He is more interested in the heart. Remember how Samuel chose a young David to be a king. Remember Jesus rebuking the Pharisees calling them white-washed tombs (they are dead inside but shining with pride on the outside)!
Brothers and sisters, does this never occur with you? Might not the complaint of the text be occasionally, if not frequently, brought against you?
Sunday, July 31, 2005
A Consuming Fire!
Deaf worship under the beautiful sky! (August 24th)
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters." Ps. 24:1-2 (niv)
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe for our "God is a consuming fire."
See to it, then, that you do not refuse his gracious call and offered salvation.
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks from heaven in His Word, with infinite tenderness and love; for how can those escape, who turn from God in unbelief or apostacy (led astray), because "There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18 (niv), while He so graciously seeks them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting favor! God's dealing with people under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us, that he will deal with those who despises the gospe of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a way of judgment.
"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13 (niv)
We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godly fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God the right way! God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers, which is eternal life with the Father, is secured to them (the faithfuls); and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer.
Let us seek for grace, only the grace God gives, only the grace we receive through Christ, His Son, that we may serve God with reverence and godly fear. Think of the church, in the book of Acts, throughout Galilee and Samaria, "..was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord." Acts 9:31 (niv) Why? Because our God is a "consuming fire!"
"Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Revelation 14:7 (niv)
Friday, July 29, 2005
Magnetic Starbucks
I am about to be honest about something that will make me vunerable to ridicule. I'm okay with that so here goes: I only like Texas sweet iced tea at home but when I go to Starbucks, I only get the cold sweet drinks. There, I said it. It's a Venti Iced Chai, 7 pumps with less ice and more whole milk. That's exactly how I say this to every barista I meet. Load it up.
I read somewhere about a book called, 'Pour Your Heart Into It' by Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks. Critics says it is a great book and I love learning about how Starbucks got started and how it became what it is. Just like Pizza Hut, they were founded about 2 1/2 hours from where I grew up (Manhattan, Kansas). Anyways, the truth of the matter is this: I LOVE Starbucks and so does my wife. I know people who loves Starbucks and I even ask if we could bring them a kawfee (my slang for coffee).
Speaking of kawfee, how can I love a place that is founded on dark roasted coffee beans, when I don't even like the 'coffee' part that much. The reason for that is this: I love the EXPERIENCE of Starbucks. I love the look, the feel. I love the smell, the colors, the nice baristas (the people). I love seeing people sitting around drinking coffee, having good conversations. I love seeing people I know. Starbucks isn't in the coffee business for people. It is in the people business while serving coffee. And, frankly, it's hard to stay away from the place.
So, I ask you. Yeah, you... reading this blog. Critical questions: What kind of experience are we giving those who don't know Christ? Are we (believers) getting it? Are people magnetized by what we are offering, or what He is offering? What are we doing wrong?
I read somewhere about a book called, 'Pour Your Heart Into It' by Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks. Critics says it is a great book and I love learning about how Starbucks got started and how it became what it is. Just like Pizza Hut, they were founded about 2 1/2 hours from where I grew up (Manhattan, Kansas). Anyways, the truth of the matter is this: I LOVE Starbucks and so does my wife. I know people who loves Starbucks and I even ask if we could bring them a kawfee (my slang for coffee).
Speaking of kawfee, how can I love a place that is founded on dark roasted coffee beans, when I don't even like the 'coffee' part that much. The reason for that is this: I love the EXPERIENCE of Starbucks. I love the look, the feel. I love the smell, the colors, the nice baristas (the people). I love seeing people sitting around drinking coffee, having good conversations. I love seeing people I know. Starbucks isn't in the coffee business for people. It is in the people business while serving coffee. And, frankly, it's hard to stay away from the place.
So, I ask you. Yeah, you... reading this blog. Critical questions: What kind of experience are we giving those who don't know Christ? Are we (believers) getting it? Are people magnetized by what we are offering, or what He is offering? What are we doing wrong?
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Hunger!
Bloggers, I added a comment in Dennis Cesone's blog and thought you all ought to read his blog! I was really excited to read his blog on, "My Food":
http://denniscesone.blogspot.com/2005/07/my-food.html
We've got to hunger for fellowship regardless if there's difficult people we're struggling to get along with.
We've got to hunger for His righteousness if we're daily reading His Word and meditating on them.
We've got to hunger to worship God which is not confined only on Sundays but everyday, 24/7 and for eternity! Sadly, many Christians go when they feel like it, just simply disappeared from the place of worship and fellowship during the whole summer, too, and are controlled by others (kids, friends, time) rather than God (conviction, inspiration, motivation).
We've got to hunger for discipleship because God wants those who love Him to shine His light before others.
We've got to hunger for mission because hundreds of thousands of deaf people are without Christ. Doesn't that make you SQUIRM knowing that you know Christ and they don't! Too few harvesters are out in the field. In other words, too few of them are hungry in this area!
We've got to hunger for ministry because God has blessed each of us with a gift He wants us to use for His service and glory. When we're not performing His precious gift, we're not hungry to serve.
In the passage, John 4, the Disciples, unintentionally, tries to distract Jesus from the opportunity to harvest Samaria (Samaritan woman and her community) by urging Jesus to eat food. Jesus wasn't interested in this type of food. He was hungry for food in another plane! Spiritual food. Food that brings people to His Father.
In the same way, Satan offers us "worldly food": time, events, extracurricular activites outside of the church that falls on Sundays and Wednesdays, social events that appears to be more fun than church, open captioned movies on Sundays (alot of people missed the blessedness of worshipping God because of this!) and hundreds more!! Like Jesus, we ought to say, "No to these because God comes first and the field is extremely ripe for harvest!" It's the harvest we ought to be hungry for! A Spiritual Harvest! So how hungry are you!?
If you're missing worship, missing the most important spiritual activities that provides you the eternal nourishment you need, you're NOT hungry.. You're simply hungry for the "worldly food", the food that spoils!
http://denniscesone.blogspot.com/2005/07/my-food.html
We've got to hunger for fellowship regardless if there's difficult people we're struggling to get along with.
We've got to hunger for His righteousness if we're daily reading His Word and meditating on them.
We've got to hunger to worship God which is not confined only on Sundays but everyday, 24/7 and for eternity! Sadly, many Christians go when they feel like it, just simply disappeared from the place of worship and fellowship during the whole summer, too, and are controlled by others (kids, friends, time) rather than God (conviction, inspiration, motivation).
We've got to hunger for discipleship because God wants those who love Him to shine His light before others.
We've got to hunger for mission because hundreds of thousands of deaf people are without Christ. Doesn't that make you SQUIRM knowing that you know Christ and they don't! Too few harvesters are out in the field. In other words, too few of them are hungry in this area!
We've got to hunger for ministry because God has blessed each of us with a gift He wants us to use for His service and glory. When we're not performing His precious gift, we're not hungry to serve.
In the passage, John 4, the Disciples, unintentionally, tries to distract Jesus from the opportunity to harvest Samaria (Samaritan woman and her community) by urging Jesus to eat food. Jesus wasn't interested in this type of food. He was hungry for food in another plane! Spiritual food. Food that brings people to His Father.
In the same way, Satan offers us "worldly food": time, events, extracurricular activites outside of the church that falls on Sundays and Wednesdays, social events that appears to be more fun than church, open captioned movies on Sundays (alot of people missed the blessedness of worshipping God because of this!) and hundreds more!! Like Jesus, we ought to say, "No to these because God comes first and the field is extremely ripe for harvest!" It's the harvest we ought to be hungry for! A Spiritual Harvest! So how hungry are you!?
If you're missing worship, missing the most important spiritual activities that provides you the eternal nourishment you need, you're NOT hungry.. You're simply hungry for the "worldly food", the food that spoils!
Beyond Comparison
(Warning: long post)
Jotham’s son Ahaz reigned over the southern kingdom after him, but he followed in the evil ways of the Canaanite nations. Ahaz closed the doors of the temple and placed altars to false gods on every street corner in Jerusalem and in every city in Judah. He even sacrificed his own sons to the false gods. On his death, he was not buried with the other kings, because of his wickedness, and his son Hezekiah took his place. (2 Kings 16; 18:1 - 19:37)
Hezekiah’s first command was to reopen the temple doors and to cleanse the temple. When the temple was cleansed, sacrifices were offered, the people sang, and the priests played David’s instruments. On that day, Hezekiah and the people knelt and praised God and dedicated themselves and the temple to his service once again. Hezekiah then sent messengers throughout Israel, inviting the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. God’s people responded to Hezekiah’s lead so that the Passover celebration was greater than anything in all Israel since Solomon was king. In fact, the people extended the celebration for seven extra days. These were exciting times of worship and praise.
Fourteen years later, Sennacherib of Assyria surrounded Jerusalem and proclaimed loudly that no God could protect Jerusalem from the hands of the mighty king of Assyria. In common terms, he dared God to do something. Hezekiah prayed to God for help, and Isaiah provided God’s answer. That night God defended his honor and his people, and 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died. Disgraced and defeated, Sennacherib returned to his home and shortly afterward was killed by his own sons.
Then what does that mean to us? How do we apply this in our lives?
Awesomely, God will be honored — through us, or in spite of us. God, the Holy One, says, “Can you compare me to anyone? He is BEYOND COMPARISON!” Read Isaiah 40:
"Is anyone equal to me?” Look up to the skies. ‘Who created all these stars? He leads out the army of heaven one by one and calls all the stars by name. Because he is strong and powerful, not one of them is missing.
People of Jacob, why do you complain? People of Israel, why do you say, “The Lord does not see what happens to me; he does not care if I sin treated fairly”? Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world....
No one can understand how great his wisdom is. He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired." Isaiah 40:26-31
We shall overcome not "..by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 4:6 (niv)
Jotham’s son Ahaz reigned over the southern kingdom after him, but he followed in the evil ways of the Canaanite nations. Ahaz closed the doors of the temple and placed altars to false gods on every street corner in Jerusalem and in every city in Judah. He even sacrificed his own sons to the false gods. On his death, he was not buried with the other kings, because of his wickedness, and his son Hezekiah took his place. (2 Kings 16; 18:1 - 19:37)
Hezekiah’s first command was to reopen the temple doors and to cleanse the temple. When the temple was cleansed, sacrifices were offered, the people sang, and the priests played David’s instruments. On that day, Hezekiah and the people knelt and praised God and dedicated themselves and the temple to his service once again. Hezekiah then sent messengers throughout Israel, inviting the people to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. God’s people responded to Hezekiah’s lead so that the Passover celebration was greater than anything in all Israel since Solomon was king. In fact, the people extended the celebration for seven extra days. These were exciting times of worship and praise.
Fourteen years later, Sennacherib of Assyria surrounded Jerusalem and proclaimed loudly that no God could protect Jerusalem from the hands of the mighty king of Assyria. In common terms, he dared God to do something. Hezekiah prayed to God for help, and Isaiah provided God’s answer. That night God defended his honor and his people, and 185,000 Assyrian soldiers died. Disgraced and defeated, Sennacherib returned to his home and shortly afterward was killed by his own sons.
Then what does that mean to us? How do we apply this in our lives?
God will always defend his honor.
When His children worship him and obey him and remember His relationship, He is honored.
When Christians renew their commitment to God, He is honored.
When His people kneel before His throne in daily prayer, He is honored.
When evil actions are thwarted and human pride is broken, He is honored.
When we stand before God and the world in weakness (meekness), He is honored.
Even in the discipline of His disobedient children, He is honored.
"Is anyone equal to me?” Look up to the skies. ‘Who created all these stars? He leads out the army of heaven one by one and calls all the stars by name. Because he is strong and powerful, not one of them is missing.
People of Jacob, why do you complain? People of Israel, why do you say, “The Lord does not see what happens to me; he does not care if I sin treated fairly”? Surely you know. Surely you have heard. The Lord is the God who lives forever, who created all the world....
No one can understand how great his wisdom is. He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired." Isaiah 40:26-31
We shall overcome not "..by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." Zechariah 4:6 (niv)
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Daddy's Empty Chair
Normally, I don't forward stories to anyone but this story, "Daddy's Empty Chair", is something I couldn't hold back from each of you! Very touching!
*****
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.
When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said. 'No, who are you?" said the father.The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man."Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.
Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.""So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon "Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. "Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
*****
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
*****
A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father.
When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said. 'No, who are you?" said the father.The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up," "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man."Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door.
"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.
Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now.""So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."
The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon "Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. "Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
*****
I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.
I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked God for a friend, He gave me YOU...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Holy Temple
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (niv)
We are God's temple! We are a Holy vessel! A dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. God lives in us. What we do in our bodies is part of our worship to him. We shouldn't sleep around, we shouldn't smoke, we shouldn't take drugs, we shouldn't get drunk. Rarely, do we focus on all the "positive" things it takes to care for and maintain these temples of ours? We are called to not only abstain from impurity, but we are called to glorify God in our bodies and honor the sacrifice by which our holiness was bought.
This Sunday, we're going to put more focus on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 3:16-17: The Spirit's Temple.
Let's pray: Father, I confess to you that I sometimes lose sight of how precious my body is to you. With aging and the other challenges that daily remind me that my body is a vessel of decay, I find it hard to believe that I can glorify you with it. Please, through your Spirit, quicken in me a deeper reverence and appreciation of your presence in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
We are God's temple! We are a Holy vessel! A dwelling where God lives by His Spirit. God lives in us. What we do in our bodies is part of our worship to him. We shouldn't sleep around, we shouldn't smoke, we shouldn't take drugs, we shouldn't get drunk. Rarely, do we focus on all the "positive" things it takes to care for and maintain these temples of ours? We are called to not only abstain from impurity, but we are called to glorify God in our bodies and honor the sacrifice by which our holiness was bought.
This Sunday, we're going to put more focus on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and 3:16-17: The Spirit's Temple.
Let's pray: Father, I confess to you that I sometimes lose sight of how precious my body is to you. With aging and the other challenges that daily remind me that my body is a vessel of decay, I find it hard to believe that I can glorify you with it. Please, through your Spirit, quicken in me a deeper reverence and appreciation of your presence in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
I'm Back!
As the opposite of Arnold S., The Terminator, "I'm back!"
It's been a great week after our 9 days of vacation! :) We're getting back on track now and ready for the Fall season! We're going to start working on "Deaf Rick (Warren)", a new 40 Days of Purpose video in ASL because some people have had a hard time following Rick Warren's 40 Days video. Lord willing, we'll get it done before Oct. 16th. The deaf need something in our language.
VBS is this week so our kids will have a very busy week! We were supposed to join with the hearing in worship but ended up having no interpreters available (all of our interpreters are out of town and we lost alot of interpreters to relocation). So I had to scramble getting the deaf worship ready today. We had our worship outside under an awesomely beautiful weather. It was actually a very natural A.C. breezing through. Everyone loved it and they want to do it again. :)
Today, I preaching about Jesus and the Samaritan women (John 4). You can preach a whole lot from this one history and apply it to our lives in many ways! Our focus was on "Thirsting For Living Water" which is thirsting for Jesus Himself! :) I asked the congregation some questions: Do you have family struggles? Tensions in relationships? Restlessness? Emptiness? Perhaps, you always ponder this in thought, "Life isn't fair!" You go door to door seeking answers, seeking peace. One door may be seeking for psychiatric help (sometimes that's good but they don't always give us an eternal answer to life's problem). One door may be drugs, alcohol. One door may be a door of "self-help". One door may be a friend's door (remember they can give good advice but they don't always give you full satisfaction).
Perhaps, we're looking in the wrong places seeking peace in life. Our frustrations, going door to door, led to our total surrender and loss knowing that we have been defeated by "life's pressures". We stick with whichever door gives us a "temporary relief" and do it all over again.
The Samaritan woman kept going to the well every day! The woman had an empty life. People in her community wasn't paying attention to her. Her expectations in life had faded. No longer is she expecting anything different in life. It's all a "merry-go-round" from her home to the well then back home. She's had five husbands and lived with another man. Having tried everything, she was miserable, unhappy - thirsty. That's when she met Jesus. Jesus provided the water she needs. A different kind of water. Not tap water. Not bottled water. Not Pur (filteration) water. It's the Jesus water. It's the Living water. It's the Eternal water. Stop running away from Jesus and seeking the water that doesn't quench our thirst for abundant life.
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38 (niv)
In shared with the Frederick congregation that Jesus wants the well of our lives (those who are committed, faithful and believes in Him) to be overflowed with His goodness and love. When we bring God, His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit into our lives, the Living Water overflows from within us unto others. When I meet Christians or "so-called Christians", I can tell if the water is overflowing from within them. How? By their conduct, their fruitfulness, their conversation, their understanding of the Scriptures, their compassion for the lost souls in the world, their eagerness to learn and grow, their maturity and more!! When I do not see any of the above, the well of their life is dry. I can tell they need help. When they resist the need for Jesus in their lives, I do not see how I can be filled by their empty way of life. There's nothing to drink from their well.
It is my prayer that we will constantly keep ourselves at the well of Christ then the well of our lives will be overflowed with blessings after blessings within us and around us.
Here's a pic of my three precious girls at the beach in Duck, NC. They really had a blast! The waves was very nice to them, though I wanted a monster waves for my pleasure. ;)
It's been a great week after our 9 days of vacation! :) We're getting back on track now and ready for the Fall season! We're going to start working on "Deaf Rick (Warren)", a new 40 Days of Purpose video in ASL because some people have had a hard time following Rick Warren's 40 Days video. Lord willing, we'll get it done before Oct. 16th. The deaf need something in our language.
VBS is this week so our kids will have a very busy week! We were supposed to join with the hearing in worship but ended up having no interpreters available (all of our interpreters are out of town and we lost alot of interpreters to relocation). So I had to scramble getting the deaf worship ready today. We had our worship outside under an awesomely beautiful weather. It was actually a very natural A.C. breezing through. Everyone loved it and they want to do it again. :)
Today, I preaching about Jesus and the Samaritan women (John 4). You can preach a whole lot from this one history and apply it to our lives in many ways! Our focus was on "Thirsting For Living Water" which is thirsting for Jesus Himself! :) I asked the congregation some questions: Do you have family struggles? Tensions in relationships? Restlessness? Emptiness? Perhaps, you always ponder this in thought, "Life isn't fair!" You go door to door seeking answers, seeking peace. One door may be seeking for psychiatric help (sometimes that's good but they don't always give us an eternal answer to life's problem). One door may be drugs, alcohol. One door may be a door of "self-help". One door may be a friend's door (remember they can give good advice but they don't always give you full satisfaction).
Perhaps, we're looking in the wrong places seeking peace in life. Our frustrations, going door to door, led to our total surrender and loss knowing that we have been defeated by "life's pressures". We stick with whichever door gives us a "temporary relief" and do it all over again.
The Samaritan woman kept going to the well every day! The woman had an empty life. People in her community wasn't paying attention to her. Her expectations in life had faded. No longer is she expecting anything different in life. It's all a "merry-go-round" from her home to the well then back home. She's had five husbands and lived with another man. Having tried everything, she was miserable, unhappy - thirsty. That's when she met Jesus. Jesus provided the water she needs. A different kind of water. Not tap water. Not bottled water. Not Pur (filteration) water. It's the Jesus water. It's the Living water. It's the Eternal water. Stop running away from Jesus and seeking the water that doesn't quench our thirst for abundant life.
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38 (niv)
In shared with the Frederick congregation that Jesus wants the well of our lives (those who are committed, faithful and believes in Him) to be overflowed with His goodness and love. When we bring God, His Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit into our lives, the Living Water overflows from within us unto others. When I meet Christians or "so-called Christians", I can tell if the water is overflowing from within them. How? By their conduct, their fruitfulness, their conversation, their understanding of the Scriptures, their compassion for the lost souls in the world, their eagerness to learn and grow, their maturity and more!! When I do not see any of the above, the well of their life is dry. I can tell they need help. When they resist the need for Jesus in their lives, I do not see how I can be filled by their empty way of life. There's nothing to drink from their well.
It is my prayer that we will constantly keep ourselves at the well of Christ then the well of our lives will be overflowed with blessings after blessings within us and around us.
Here's a pic of my three precious girls at the beach in Duck, NC. They really had a blast! The waves was very nice to them, though I wanted a monster waves for my pleasure. ;)
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Weedy Weeds
"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Matthew 13:27-29 (niv)
Last Sunday, we returned from our family vacation finding that our lawn has been infested with weeds! All the weeds sprouted up during the 9 days we were gone! I learned from a brother in Christ that it has been very stormy and rainy all week while we were at the beach. It's one of the after-effects of 'Cane Dennis causing wreak havoc throughout parts of the midwest and the eastern seaboard.
I have been tending to our lawn almost everyday. Watering, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing. Even, I asked a neighbor to do me a favor by watering our plants and grass if needed. But God provided the rain! After weeks of work on the yard (probably since April), the weeds still come up, not taking weeks, but only a mere 9 days! This makes Jesus' parable so clear that even though you've done all the great work with the effort to care for your yard, weeds still pop up! Now, I am back to work doing "re-fertilization" to get rid of the weeds in my yard.
But the parable says the opposite. Jesus said to leave the weeds? Let's go to the Scripture and begin to understand His parable and how this applies to us today.
The "field" is the world; the world of mankind, a large field, capable of bringing forth good fruit; the more is it to be understood that it brings forth so much bad fruit: the world here is the visible church, scattered all the world over, not confined to one nation.
The "good seed" are the children of the kingdom, true saints, faithful, hard worker, goes the "second-mile", shows Jesus 24/7. This is the seed from which "fruit" (Galatians 5:22-23) is expected, the fruitfulness of honor and service God has rendered us.
The "weeds" are the children of the wicked one, even in the church. Here is the character of sinners, hypocrites, and all profane and wicked people. They are the children of the devil, as a wicked one. They bear his image, do his lusts, and from him they have their education; he rules over them, he works in them.
They are weeds in the field of this world (and in the church); they do no good, they do hurt; unprofitable in themselves, and hurtful to the good seed, both by temptation and persecution.
They are weeds in the garden, have the same rain, and sunshine, and soil, with the good plants, but are good for nothing: the weeds are among the wheat. Understand this, God has so ordered it, that good and bad should be mixed together in this world, that the good may be exercised, the bad left inexcusable, and a difference made between earth and heaven.
We give every weed a chance. We feed them the Word of God in hope that they will become a beautiful golden wheat by nurturing them with our love, encouraging them in fellowship, worshipping God with them, and sharing our burdens. But the time will come when the weeds are still weedy weeds, they will face judgment:
"Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" Matthew 13:30 (niv)
The weeds will be judged, tied up in bundles along with other stubborn weeds and thrown into the fire of hell. That's the truth. That's the judgment of God. How many times has God given the weeds of the world and church a chance to repent and become a beautiful wheat? They are the first to go.
The wheat! Man! I am really excited for those who are wheat. You ought to be thankful to God for all the trials and temptations we have endured. They made you stronger. The service you've done for God has made you stronger. I can picture a small group of wheat softly singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, our God!" before our God like the Kansas wheat softly waving in the wind. Beautiful! Like the farmer knows how to raise a good crop of wheat, God raises a good crop of faithful Christians!
Last Sunday, we returned from our family vacation finding that our lawn has been infested with weeds! All the weeds sprouted up during the 9 days we were gone! I learned from a brother in Christ that it has been very stormy and rainy all week while we were at the beach. It's one of the after-effects of 'Cane Dennis causing wreak havoc throughout parts of the midwest and the eastern seaboard.
I have been tending to our lawn almost everyday. Watering, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing. Even, I asked a neighbor to do me a favor by watering our plants and grass if needed. But God provided the rain! After weeks of work on the yard (probably since April), the weeds still come up, not taking weeks, but only a mere 9 days! This makes Jesus' parable so clear that even though you've done all the great work with the effort to care for your yard, weeds still pop up! Now, I am back to work doing "re-fertilization" to get rid of the weeds in my yard.
But the parable says the opposite. Jesus said to leave the weeds? Let's go to the Scripture and begin to understand His parable and how this applies to us today.
The "field" is the world; the world of mankind, a large field, capable of bringing forth good fruit; the more is it to be understood that it brings forth so much bad fruit: the world here is the visible church, scattered all the world over, not confined to one nation.
The "good seed" are the children of the kingdom, true saints, faithful, hard worker, goes the "second-mile", shows Jesus 24/7. This is the seed from which "fruit" (Galatians 5:22-23) is expected, the fruitfulness of honor and service God has rendered us.
The "weeds" are the children of the wicked one, even in the church. Here is the character of sinners, hypocrites, and all profane and wicked people. They are the children of the devil, as a wicked one. They bear his image, do his lusts, and from him they have their education; he rules over them, he works in them.
They are weeds in the field of this world (and in the church); they do no good, they do hurt; unprofitable in themselves, and hurtful to the good seed, both by temptation and persecution.
They are weeds in the garden, have the same rain, and sunshine, and soil, with the good plants, but are good for nothing: the weeds are among the wheat. Understand this, God has so ordered it, that good and bad should be mixed together in this world, that the good may be exercised, the bad left inexcusable, and a difference made between earth and heaven.
We give every weed a chance. We feed them the Word of God in hope that they will become a beautiful golden wheat by nurturing them with our love, encouraging them in fellowship, worshipping God with them, and sharing our burdens. But the time will come when the weeds are still weedy weeds, they will face judgment:
"Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" Matthew 13:30 (niv)
The weeds will be judged, tied up in bundles along with other stubborn weeds and thrown into the fire of hell. That's the truth. That's the judgment of God. How many times has God given the weeds of the world and church a chance to repent and become a beautiful wheat? They are the first to go.
The wheat! Man! I am really excited for those who are wheat. You ought to be thankful to God for all the trials and temptations we have endured. They made you stronger. The service you've done for God has made you stronger. I can picture a small group of wheat softly singing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, our God!" before our God like the Kansas wheat softly waving in the wind. Beautiful! Like the farmer knows how to raise a good crop of wheat, God raises a good crop of faithful Christians!
Monday, July 18, 2005
Bad Church Day
I had this funny thought in my sleep (yes, in my sleep) about the first time I visited Sports Clip, a new barber shop in the Broadland area, for a haircut. The welcome was a nice one. There were tv's everywhere in the barber store. When called to take a seat and meeting "Edward Sissorshand", something natural sets in the very core of my heart: fear of a bad hair day! I am very picky on who cuts my hair. A selfish side of me have a wish how my hair is to be cut. After "Edward", well, he is actually a she so may call her, "Edwina" does her job on my hair, I was rather impressed in how she did it. I walked out with a neatly trimmed hair on my head with a big smile.
A couple weeks later, my hair grew up like weeds in the yard! So it is time, again, to return to Sports Clip for another haircut. This time, "Edwina" wasn't there and there was another lady barber standing at the cashiers box. I am going to call her, "Cruella De Vil" because she's one cranky lady. She prompted me to sit down on the barber chair and asked how I would like my hair done. I explained exactly as I always have to every barber I meet (Paul, a deaf member and also a deaf barber, you're probably next!). Then "Cruella" probably did her worse. My hair was out of style. I could see that she missed some strands of hair. Yes, I actually use a microscope to see if any strands are left uncut. I, politely, told her that she needs to trim it a bit more, neatly (pretty please). But it wasn't the best cut, it was actually the worst cut in my life. I walked out with a Bad Hair Day! And since then, I didn't return to get a haircut there at Sports Clip.
Then a dream came in as I was asleep giving me a parallel between the barber shop and the church. Even though, "Edwina" did a fantastic job, "Cruella De Vil" erased the great things about Sports Clip! I should have seen "Edwina's" job more than "Cruella's", but instead, I see "Cruella's" more because I care about my hair more than the store. An interesting parallel between that and the church is suppose there is an "Edwina" in the church that gives positive attitude, fruitfulness and inspiration to a visitor but "Cruella" comes up to that specific visitor and causes discomforts probably because "Cruella" isn't as sensitive as "Edwina". "Cruella" may not have the fruit the Spirit is trying to help her grow, may not have the excitement for God like "Edwina". I wouldn't blame the visitor for not returning to church because "Edwina's" example may have been erased by "Cruella's" example. People always remember the bad things more than the good and that's sad.
The "visitor" may feel inferior, intimidated, neglected, insulted by the bluntness of "Cruella" and felt the church isn't given him/her the necessary things in life. He/she may be more "selfish" not to attend church in fear of the pressures of "negative" things a "Cruella" does on him/her. It's extremely crucial that we keep the spirit of "Edwina" in our lives and reflect the Lord more! How many "Edward's" and "Edwina's" do you have in the church? Are there any "Cruella's" that's causing harm to the church and her growth?
Let's pray that the visitors do not walk out with a "Bad Church Day"!
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother." Matthew 18:15 (nas)
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,.." 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (nas)
A couple weeks later, my hair grew up like weeds in the yard! So it is time, again, to return to Sports Clip for another haircut. This time, "Edwina" wasn't there and there was another lady barber standing at the cashiers box. I am going to call her, "Cruella De Vil" because she's one cranky lady. She prompted me to sit down on the barber chair and asked how I would like my hair done. I explained exactly as I always have to every barber I meet (Paul, a deaf member and also a deaf barber, you're probably next!). Then "Cruella" probably did her worse. My hair was out of style. I could see that she missed some strands of hair. Yes, I actually use a microscope to see if any strands are left uncut. I, politely, told her that she needs to trim it a bit more, neatly (pretty please). But it wasn't the best cut, it was actually the worst cut in my life. I walked out with a Bad Hair Day! And since then, I didn't return to get a haircut there at Sports Clip.
Then a dream came in as I was asleep giving me a parallel between the barber shop and the church. Even though, "Edwina" did a fantastic job, "Cruella De Vil" erased the great things about Sports Clip! I should have seen "Edwina's" job more than "Cruella's", but instead, I see "Cruella's" more because I care about my hair more than the store. An interesting parallel between that and the church is suppose there is an "Edwina" in the church that gives positive attitude, fruitfulness and inspiration to a visitor but "Cruella" comes up to that specific visitor and causes discomforts probably because "Cruella" isn't as sensitive as "Edwina". "Cruella" may not have the fruit the Spirit is trying to help her grow, may not have the excitement for God like "Edwina". I wouldn't blame the visitor for not returning to church because "Edwina's" example may have been erased by "Cruella's" example. People always remember the bad things more than the good and that's sad.
The "visitor" may feel inferior, intimidated, neglected, insulted by the bluntness of "Cruella" and felt the church isn't given him/her the necessary things in life. He/she may be more "selfish" not to attend church in fear of the pressures of "negative" things a "Cruella" does on him/her. It's extremely crucial that we keep the spirit of "Edwina" in our lives and reflect the Lord more! How many "Edward's" and "Edwina's" do you have in the church? Are there any "Cruella's" that's causing harm to the church and her growth?
Let's pray that the visitors do not walk out with a "Bad Church Day"!
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother." Matthew 18:15 (nas)
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,.." 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (nas)
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Recalled
Even a car is recalled by its maker,
so are we recalled by our Maker because of our sin problem.
He desires every living soul be "re-processed", "re-conditioned", "re-stored" through Jesus (Soul Shop). Only the blood of Jesus can restore our broken relationship with God. However, many of us feel broken down, weak and unable to perform at the fullness of God and His will. Remember, you don't have to "earn" His pardon and Hands that is able to restore your broken spirit:
"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 (niv)
Even David, a man after God's own heart, asked God for a divine restoration. He has his ups-n-downs through life: lust, murder, adultery, and denial. David is no better than us, nor is he less. Though, chosen by God, he is still a weak person like us. Yet, he knows when he ask God for restoration:
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Ps. 51:12 (niv)
David knows God doesn't have pleasure in our sins against Him and others. But He is able to put behind the displeasures of our actions and grant us restoration through our repentance:
"Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us." Psalm 85:4 (niv)
God is able to restore Himself to us when we show a repentant heart. He knows every child on earth must be "recalled" back to Him through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. Why? Because all of sinned (broken down, disconnected from the source of life) and fallen short of the glory of God! Have you been "recalled"?
Friday, July 08, 2005
Which Kind Of Fruit Are You?
"In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs on it, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" And immediately the fig tree withered up. The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" Then Jesus told them, "I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, `May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,' and it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."" Matthew 21:18-22 (NLT)
Like Jerusalem, we are given so many opportunities:
But opportunities are not forever. God calls us to reflect his character and grace. But the problem lies within us. It lies within the very core of our hearts. Many christians fail to reflect His character and grace. They're too busy. They're tied up with many things. Maybe, they don't want to.
When we don't reflect his character and grace, and this refusal and neglect become habitual, God will give us opportunities to repent and change our actions. Isn't that great! He's a compassionate God! He's a kind God! He's a great God! He wants to have a "relationship" with each of us. He wants to restore a broken one. He wants to forgive.
But there comes a time when we must change or judgment comes. If we are truly connected to Jesus, if we are truly his disciples, we will bear fruit that reflects his character. The Spirit will help make sure of this. Our love for the Savior will call us to this. Our friends in Christ will encourage this. But ultimately, we must decide that Jesus is Lord and is worthy of our life's commitment to him!
So what kind of fruit are you reflecting? What kind of people are you in the church? I am talking about Christians but this does apply to those who haven't committed their lives to the Lord:
1. PLASTIC PEOPLE (fake, plastic fruit that sits on the table for decoration): it is hard, it only shines on the outside, it is hollow inside, there's no life in plastics. This type of people shows their stubbornness, hard-hearted, and refusal to take in the Lord's message and repent from their sins. No matter how hard you try and admonish, encourage, instruct, rebuke, correct and train a fellow Christian, they remain a hard vessel before God, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,.." 2 Timothy 3:16 (niv)
Then there are peel people in the church:
2. PEEL PEOPLE (picture a banana peel sitting on your dish without a banana): it's only the surface of the real thing! They are two-faced type of people who loves the world and loves God, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24 (nas) They are not deep Christians. They don't go into the depth of God's Word and allow God to work in the depth of our lives and hearts.
Time after time and with prayers, you work with a fellow Christian by encouraging him/her to live the life of Christ and His faithfulness to us so that we can pour our God's faithfulness among others through our example. But the example may not be the example God wants us to portray. When we live a Christian life on the surface of His Word, i.e.: we understand bits and pieces of God's commands, we're portraying only a peel. Would people in the world eat a peel of fruit? I don't think so. They haven't tasted the goodness of the Lord, "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:3 (niv)
Now, the REAL THING,
3. THE PRODUCE: (picture yourselves in your local supermarket seeing and smelling a fresh smorgasbard of fruits): Christians drool over Christians whose heart loves the Lord and loves to obey His commands, who portrays the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), who serves and do the divine will of God. They are the real thing. They are what God sees having an attitude of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). They are delicous, juicy, fruity, and healthy. There's life in the produce, the life of Christ whereas there's death and destruction in the plastic and peel.
So what kind of fruit are you? Plastic? Peel? Or the real thing, Produce. If you see yourselves as a plastic or a peel, God gives us all an opportunity to come to Him and confess our sins, repent from our evil ways (hardness of heart and surface of our service). If you haven't given your lives to the Lord in baptism, I strongly encourage you to study the Bible with your local minister with the churches of Christ (deaf or hearing).
Go back to the verse at the beginning of this blog (Matthew 21:18-22), we will all stand before Jesus, someday (judgment), and if He doesn't find any fruitfulness, the real thing, the produce in us, He will rebuke us and make us wither away. Not that Jesus wants to do this but He is just and fair, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." Romans 14:10 (niv) Think about this! Just as God loves those in the world, so do I! It's, with great privilege, to share you the good news that God is able to forgive those who changes their hearts and their ways! Be fruitful!! Let's multiply!
(My family and I will be on vacation this week so will not be able to blog until after the 17th. Enjoy the week, bloggers, and thanks!)
Like Jerusalem, we are given so many opportunities:
- To be fruitful.
- To show our faith.
- Be faithful to the Lord.
- And to live a life that blesses others to the Fathers glory.
But opportunities are not forever. God calls us to reflect his character and grace. But the problem lies within us. It lies within the very core of our hearts. Many christians fail to reflect His character and grace. They're too busy. They're tied up with many things. Maybe, they don't want to.
When we don't reflect his character and grace, and this refusal and neglect become habitual, God will give us opportunities to repent and change our actions. Isn't that great! He's a compassionate God! He's a kind God! He's a great God! He wants to have a "relationship" with each of us. He wants to restore a broken one. He wants to forgive.
But there comes a time when we must change or judgment comes. If we are truly connected to Jesus, if we are truly his disciples, we will bear fruit that reflects his character. The Spirit will help make sure of this. Our love for the Savior will call us to this. Our friends in Christ will encourage this. But ultimately, we must decide that Jesus is Lord and is worthy of our life's commitment to him!
So what kind of fruit are you reflecting? What kind of people are you in the church? I am talking about Christians but this does apply to those who haven't committed their lives to the Lord:
1. PLASTIC PEOPLE (fake, plastic fruit that sits on the table for decoration): it is hard, it only shines on the outside, it is hollow inside, there's no life in plastics. This type of people shows their stubbornness, hard-hearted, and refusal to take in the Lord's message and repent from their sins. No matter how hard you try and admonish, encourage, instruct, rebuke, correct and train a fellow Christian, they remain a hard vessel before God, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,.." 2 Timothy 3:16 (niv)
Then there are peel people in the church:
2. PEEL PEOPLE (picture a banana peel sitting on your dish without a banana): it's only the surface of the real thing! They are two-faced type of people who loves the world and loves God, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Matthew 6:24 (nas) They are not deep Christians. They don't go into the depth of God's Word and allow God to work in the depth of our lives and hearts.
Time after time and with prayers, you work with a fellow Christian by encouraging him/her to live the life of Christ and His faithfulness to us so that we can pour our God's faithfulness among others through our example. But the example may not be the example God wants us to portray. When we live a Christian life on the surface of His Word, i.e.: we understand bits and pieces of God's commands, we're portraying only a peel. Would people in the world eat a peel of fruit? I don't think so. They haven't tasted the goodness of the Lord, "now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:3 (niv)
Now, the REAL THING,
3. THE PRODUCE: (picture yourselves in your local supermarket seeing and smelling a fresh smorgasbard of fruits): Christians drool over Christians whose heart loves the Lord and loves to obey His commands, who portrays the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), who serves and do the divine will of God. They are the real thing. They are what God sees having an attitude of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). They are delicous, juicy, fruity, and healthy. There's life in the produce, the life of Christ whereas there's death and destruction in the plastic and peel.
So what kind of fruit are you? Plastic? Peel? Or the real thing, Produce. If you see yourselves as a plastic or a peel, God gives us all an opportunity to come to Him and confess our sins, repent from our evil ways (hardness of heart and surface of our service). If you haven't given your lives to the Lord in baptism, I strongly encourage you to study the Bible with your local minister with the churches of Christ (deaf or hearing).
Go back to the verse at the beginning of this blog (Matthew 21:18-22), we will all stand before Jesus, someday (judgment), and if He doesn't find any fruitfulness, the real thing, the produce in us, He will rebuke us and make us wither away. Not that Jesus wants to do this but He is just and fair, "For we will all stand before God's judgment seat." Romans 14:10 (niv) Think about this! Just as God loves those in the world, so do I! It's, with great privilege, to share you the good news that God is able to forgive those who changes their hearts and their ways! Be fruitful!! Let's multiply!
(My family and I will be on vacation this week so will not be able to blog until after the 17th. Enjoy the week, bloggers, and thanks!)
Friday, July 01, 2005
How To Power Up Your Marriage?
Good morning, bloggers!
I was reading Bruce Black's blog last night about "marriage". He met a couple who knew a young couple whose marriage has gone sour! Just like Bruce said, "..the story I heard is all too familiar." Read on:
http://bruce-black.blogspot.com/2005/06/june-ward-and-boys.html
I would like to add one important advice to both of his list for those "planning to get married" and those "already married":
Never underestimate the power of prayer. If you ask God, He will provide for you in the way He will. Some of the common cause of problems in marriage today:
1. Lack of communication.
2. Independent behavior.
3. Selfish demands.
4. Angry outbursts.
5. Involved in a wrong group of people (negative influence).
6. Dishonesty.
7. Annoying habits.
8. Disrespectful judgments.
I strongly believe every married couple or couples planning to get married ought to get themselves involved with a church where the Word of God is taught!. For a healthy marital investment, attend marriage enrichment seminars. It doesn't matter if your marriage is doing very well. I have heard people telling me, "Ha. I don't need this seminar. We're doing fine. What makes you think we need it?" My wife and I attended the "Dynamics of Marriage" and that doesn't mean our marriage is on the rocks. Just don't wait until your marriage is near or on the "rocks". It will be like you have fallen from the peak of the mountain to the bottom. It will be extremely hard to climb back to the peak. However, God is able to lighten your burdens in your marriage and lead you to the peak in no time. It all depends on your heart as well as your spouse. Please pray for all the "married" in the world today! It would be nice to have this, "..all too familiar" a quote that "marriage on the rocks" have become rare because they brought God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the middle of every "two shall become one flesh"!
"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." 1 Corinthians 7:5 (niv)
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 (niv)
Suggestions:
Links:
http://www.familydynamics.net/
http://www.fxcc.org/dynamicmarriage/
http://www.smalleymarriage.com
http://www.themarriagedance.com/
http://www.dnaofrelationships.com/
Books:
DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley (A Wow!)
Five Steps to Romantic Love by Willard F. Harley Jr.
Love Busters by Willard F. Harley Jr.
Blessed Be His Name!
Mark Lowenstein <><
I was reading Bruce Black's blog last night about "marriage". He met a couple who knew a young couple whose marriage has gone sour! Just like Bruce said, "..the story I heard is all too familiar." Read on:
http://bruce-black.blogspot.com/2005/06/june-ward-and-boys.html
I would like to add one important advice to both of his list for those "planning to get married" and those "already married":
P R A Y E R ! !
Never underestimate the power of prayer. If you ask God, He will provide for you in the way He will. Some of the common cause of problems in marriage today:
1. Lack of communication.
2. Independent behavior.
3. Selfish demands.
4. Angry outbursts.
5. Involved in a wrong group of people (negative influence).
6. Dishonesty.
7. Annoying habits.
8. Disrespectful judgments.
I strongly believe every married couple or couples planning to get married ought to get themselves involved with a church where the Word of God is taught!. For a healthy marital investment, attend marriage enrichment seminars. It doesn't matter if your marriage is doing very well. I have heard people telling me, "Ha. I don't need this seminar. We're doing fine. What makes you think we need it?" My wife and I attended the "Dynamics of Marriage" and that doesn't mean our marriage is on the rocks. Just don't wait until your marriage is near or on the "rocks". It will be like you have fallen from the peak of the mountain to the bottom. It will be extremely hard to climb back to the peak. However, God is able to lighten your burdens in your marriage and lead you to the peak in no time. It all depends on your heart as well as your spouse. Please pray for all the "married" in the world today! It would be nice to have this, "..all too familiar" a quote that "marriage on the rocks" have become rare because they brought God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the middle of every "two shall become one flesh"!
"Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." 1 Corinthians 7:5 (niv)
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7-8 (niv)
Suggestions:
Links:
http://www.familydynamics.net/
http://www.fxcc.org/dynamicmarriage/
http://www.smalleymarriage.com
http://www.themarriagedance.com/
http://www.dnaofrelationships.com/
Books:
DNA of Relationships by Gary Smalley (A Wow!)
Five Steps to Romantic Love by Willard F. Harley Jr.
Love Busters by Willard F. Harley Jr.
Blessed Be His Name!
Mark Lowenstein <><
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Having Trouble With Directions?
Use the "Godquest" (Mapquest) which is actually the Bible and He will lead each of you in the right way!
"Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower-- Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Mountain glories of Lebanon--a gift. Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon--gifts. GOD's resplendent glory, fully on display. GOD awesome, GOD majestic.
Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls, "Courage! Take heart! GOD is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He's on his way! He'll save you!"
Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped, Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song. Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain. Even lowly jackals will have water to drink, and barren grasslands flourish richly.
There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It's for GOD's people exclusively-- impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road, no dangerous wild animals-- Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening. Only the redeemed will walk on it. The people GOD has ransomed will come back on this road.
They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion, unfading halos of joy encircling their heads, Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night." Isaiah 35:1-10 (msg)
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." John 14:6 (nas)
It's easy! Believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, confess that Jesus is Lord, be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:36-38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:1-4, Galatians 3:26-27) and live your life like Jesus (Christlikeness)!
The Dead Self
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20 (nas)
In other words, those who believe in Jesus, repented of their sins, confessed that He is the Lord and that we're separated from God because of sin, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and now living for Jesus, they are "dead to themselves". We shouldn't live for self anymore. It's not what "we" want but what "God" desires. It is a "sin" to do what SIN wants you to do. It is the opposite of the Great Commandment:
"And He said to him, " `YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "The second is like it, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' " Matthew 22:37-39 (nas)
Jesus gave this Great Commandment. Hey! Come on, man! Here Da man, Jesus! It's a commandment; a command for us believers to follow. Now, the first is, Love the Lord by worshipping Him! "`YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Matthew 4:10 (nas)
And the second, probably the most difficult for everyone to follow, as commanded by the Lord Jesus, Love Your Neighbor AS YOURSELF! Beautiful, huh? It doesn't matter if someone you know is annoying, intimidating, rash, rude, self-seeking, backstabber, and the list goes on again! But we end up questioning God, ""And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29 (nas) In Luke 10, a lawyer, apparently a Jew, asked Jesus this question after hearing Jesus give them the two greatest commandments. Jesus told a story about a man being beaten by robbers and left on the road to die. He used three different men with different backgrounds: a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. Both the priest and Levite (Jews) did not help but passed this dying man except for the Samaritan. Remember, the Jews hated the Samaritans but Jesus is using this to pinpoint who they (Jews) are to love, even their neighbors (the Samaritans in the north)!
Remember you are "dead to self". You're not, "you" anymore but Christ is in you (Galatians 2:20)! If Christ is in you, you're seeing people through the "lens of Christ". Would Christ belittle others? Would He gossip against others? Would He try to ruin the reputation of others? "Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude." Ephesians 4:31 (cev) Because "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:8 (niv) You cannot please God this way. You're not only hurting yourselves but you're hurting the church (believers) by talking, thinking, or acting this way! So what do we do? Well, if you've been a Christian for a long time, you need to realize you're going through this "elementary teachings all over again.." and that you're still stuck on milk. Open your hearts, people! Taste that the Lord is good, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,.." 1 Peter 2:2 (niv) Grow further from this evil behavior! See, even though, you're dead to self, let the Spirit of God grow up in you! So stop sinning profusely, whether always been bitter, or self-seeking, or backstabbing, or gossipping, or being negative, we need understand one thing:
In other words, those who believe in Jesus, repented of their sins, confessed that He is the Lord and that we're separated from God because of sin, baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and now living for Jesus, they are "dead to themselves". We shouldn't live for self anymore. It's not what "we" want but what "God" desires. It is a "sin" to do what SIN wants you to do. It is the opposite of the Great Commandment:
"And He said to him, " `YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "The second is like it, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' " Matthew 22:37-39 (nas)
Jesus gave this Great Commandment. Hey! Come on, man! Here Da man, Jesus! It's a commandment; a command for us believers to follow. Now, the first is, Love the Lord by worshipping Him! "`YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Matthew 4:10 (nas)
And the second, probably the most difficult for everyone to follow, as commanded by the Lord Jesus, Love Your Neighbor AS YOURSELF! Beautiful, huh? It doesn't matter if someone you know is annoying, intimidating, rash, rude, self-seeking, backstabber, and the list goes on again! But we end up questioning God, ""And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29 (nas) In Luke 10, a lawyer, apparently a Jew, asked Jesus this question after hearing Jesus give them the two greatest commandments. Jesus told a story about a man being beaten by robbers and left on the road to die. He used three different men with different backgrounds: a priest, a Levite and a Samaritan. Both the priest and Levite (Jews) did not help but passed this dying man except for the Samaritan. Remember, the Jews hated the Samaritans but Jesus is using this to pinpoint who they (Jews) are to love, even their neighbors (the Samaritans in the north)!
Remember you are "dead to self". You're not, "you" anymore but Christ is in you (Galatians 2:20)! If Christ is in you, you're seeing people through the "lens of Christ". Would Christ belittle others? Would He gossip against others? Would He try to ruin the reputation of others? "Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude." Ephesians 4:31 (cev) Because "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:8 (niv) You cannot please God this way. You're not only hurting yourselves but you're hurting the church (believers) by talking, thinking, or acting this way! So what do we do? Well, if you've been a Christian for a long time, you need to realize you're going through this "elementary teachings all over again.." and that you're still stuck on milk. Open your hearts, people! Taste that the Lord is good, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,.." 1 Peter 2:2 (niv) Grow further from this evil behavior! See, even though, you're dead to self, let the Spirit of God grow up in you! So stop sinning profusely, whether always been bitter, or self-seeking, or backstabbing, or gossipping, or being negative, we need understand one thing:
"For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.." Romans 6:6 (niv)
"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;.." Ephesians 4:22 (niv)
Don't be what you had been before you gave your life to the Lord in baptism and buried your old live in His death! If you're the same "ole person" before Christ came into your life, it is like you "unearthed your old life, attitude, personality traits" from the grave and buried Christ away! You have exchanged eternity for separation (death), again! That's uncalled for! It is like going back to the grave of those you know and taking whomever out of the coffin which is full of death and dead bones. No! We are a new creation! We are a new person of God whom have been clothed in Jesus "..and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:24 (niv) "..and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." Colossians 3:10 (niv) You're created to be like God with three things:
1. True Righteousness (toward people)
2. True Holiness (toward God)
3. Renewal of Knowledge - with emphasis - IN THE IMAGE OF ITS CREATOR!
Those who have put off the old man have put it off with its deeds; and those who have put on the new man must put on all its deeds (James 2) --not only to have good principles but act them in a good conversation (talking about great things of God, positive things, encouraging things). The new man is said to be "renewed in knowledge", ..because an ignorant soul cannot be a good soul.. Without knowledge the heart cannot be good because the person is "alive to self" (self-seeking, sinning), Proverbs 19:2.
Jesus told His disciples that if He doesn't die on the cross, He will remain as only one seed. But if He dies, He spread the good news throughout the world, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24 (niv) In other words, if you remain as you are "alive to self", the world will not see God in you. But if you are "dead to self" giving up all of your old practices and self, then the world will see the light in you, prayerfully, will become curious in how you came to be "dead to self" then eventually will "die to themselves" as well!
But that's up to all of you, believers. Is "The Dead Self" in you? Is Christ, who is alive, in you, today!?
Monday, June 27, 2005
Dull Seeing
"FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,.." Matthew 13:15 (nas)
Yesterday's worship was fantastic! Mario Ascencio, from Manassas, Va., came forward repenting of his sins. He was baptized about 10 years ago but fell away from the Lord after 4 years of devotion. I can see in his heart that he's hungry to serve God. Welcome, brother Ascencio, to the family of God!
In addition to this, I asked Bert Reins, father of Al Reins, from Riverside, Ca., to lead us a closing prayer. He's a preacher with a non-denominational church in Ca. I have been thinking alot of what Bert said in regards to all the deaf preachers all over the world and the members of the church. Bert is a very warm and exciting man of God. He's full of Spirit and love. He's always saying, "Amen!" when he sees the Word of God preached! But I can see that he aches deep in his heart. He aches for those who have been called to serve. But they run into roadblocks along faith's highway. Michelle and I talked about his testimony and strongly feel that every member ought to take careful note of what he is saying. After Bert shared with us his testimony, a couple of members continue to "complain" about a number of things surrounding the Fairfax church. It hit the very core of my heart thinking how they could have missed such a great testimony, put it to heart, and pray that Jesus will help them, that they will begin to think of others then pray that God will work in every person's life. Don't they realize they're doing the work of Satan by complaining about other things?
I am trying to find words to explain this but I feel the same what Jesus had felt when he tried to do the same with His disciples. He explained things in parables, in ways that men and women should understand. But they couldn't grasp the true meaning Jesus had taught because they were "dull of hearing". It is like a "veil" covering their eyes (2 Corinthians 3:14) preventing them from seeing the absolute truth, the truth that leads them to reap the abundant blessings in life! They heard Jesus' teachings but it didn't pierce their hearts. They understood the meaning in some ways but it didn't change them. Jesus warned them about many things but they stumbled into the things Jesus warned them about! Often, Jesus said,
He is just as frustrated as many of us are. Jesus still sees His followers "still so dull" in many things Jesus taught. Perhaps, they are simply just stubborn. They are looking for something else rather than fixing their eyes on the eternal! They see things through the "worldly lens" rather than the "lens of God". They are merely seeing physical things rather than spiritual. They want physical power instead of living in the blessedness of spiritual power! They fought about who is to be "second and third in command" rather than being humble and last instead of proud and first. They scattered away after the arrest of Jesus Christ, our Lord. They watched Jesus suffer and be ridiculed from the distance. Peter heard the rooster crows! Even, after three years of being with Jesus (everyday), they were still "so dull"!
During the winter quarter, I taught the book of Hebrews and the situation is similar to many churches in the U.S., today! Unsure of whom the writer of the book of Hebrews was (possibily Paul), he works with the Jewish (Christian) readers persuading them to keep hold of our Lord Jesus Christ (truth) and not fall away from the truth into the Law (following the Old Testament). "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Hebrews 5:12 (nas) I believe we have many deaf Christians who are "still so dull" because they, again, have to understand the very basic (elementary) principles God had given to us through Jesus! A couple of things I noticed in the church today (I, even, get emails with concerns about the Lord's members in His church worldwide!):
Yesterday's worship was fantastic! Mario Ascencio, from Manassas, Va., came forward repenting of his sins. He was baptized about 10 years ago but fell away from the Lord after 4 years of devotion. I can see in his heart that he's hungry to serve God. Welcome, brother Ascencio, to the family of God!
In addition to this, I asked Bert Reins, father of Al Reins, from Riverside, Ca., to lead us a closing prayer. He's a preacher with a non-denominational church in Ca. I have been thinking alot of what Bert said in regards to all the deaf preachers all over the world and the members of the church. Bert is a very warm and exciting man of God. He's full of Spirit and love. He's always saying, "Amen!" when he sees the Word of God preached! But I can see that he aches deep in his heart. He aches for those who have been called to serve. But they run into roadblocks along faith's highway. Michelle and I talked about his testimony and strongly feel that every member ought to take careful note of what he is saying. After Bert shared with us his testimony, a couple of members continue to "complain" about a number of things surrounding the Fairfax church. It hit the very core of my heart thinking how they could have missed such a great testimony, put it to heart, and pray that Jesus will help them, that they will begin to think of others then pray that God will work in every person's life. Don't they realize they're doing the work of Satan by complaining about other things?
I am trying to find words to explain this but I feel the same what Jesus had felt when he tried to do the same with His disciples. He explained things in parables, in ways that men and women should understand. But they couldn't grasp the true meaning Jesus had taught because they were "dull of hearing". It is like a "veil" covering their eyes (2 Corinthians 3:14) preventing them from seeing the absolute truth, the truth that leads them to reap the abundant blessings in life! They heard Jesus' teachings but it didn't pierce their hearts. They understood the meaning in some ways but it didn't change them. Jesus warned them about many things but they stumbled into the things Jesus warned them about! Often, Jesus said,
"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. Matthew 15:16 (niv)
He is just as frustrated as many of us are. Jesus still sees His followers "still so dull" in many things Jesus taught. Perhaps, they are simply just stubborn. They are looking for something else rather than fixing their eyes on the eternal! They see things through the "worldly lens" rather than the "lens of God". They are merely seeing physical things rather than spiritual. They want physical power instead of living in the blessedness of spiritual power! They fought about who is to be "second and third in command" rather than being humble and last instead of proud and first. They scattered away after the arrest of Jesus Christ, our Lord. They watched Jesus suffer and be ridiculed from the distance. Peter heard the rooster crows! Even, after three years of being with Jesus (everyday), they were still "so dull"!
During the winter quarter, I taught the book of Hebrews and the situation is similar to many churches in the U.S., today! Unsure of whom the writer of the book of Hebrews was (possibily Paul), he works with the Jewish (Christian) readers persuading them to keep hold of our Lord Jesus Christ (truth) and not fall away from the truth into the Law (following the Old Testament). "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Hebrews 5:12 (nas) I believe we have many deaf Christians who are "still so dull" because they, again, have to understand the very basic (elementary) principles God had given to us through Jesus! A couple of things I noticed in the church today (I, even, get emails with concerns about the Lord's members in His church worldwide!):
- They have become lazy and have no desire to serve God.
- They constantly miss worship services for the sake of: time, children, mixed priorities and other plans that appears more important than God.
- They do not attend bible classes which is where we get the "elementary principles" preparing us to eat "solid food"!
- They quarrel among each other about what was being taught. (Instead, we ought to go up to the teacher, in private, and ask for explanation of what was being taught preventing confusion among the church.)
- Two members discuss among each other criticism against a person, the church, or things they do not like happening or not getting anything from the church. (Instead, they ought to be discussing ways to change the negatives to positives. We must avoid giving Satan a foothold! (Ephesians 4:27))
- There are favoritism within the body of Christ (James 2:1, 9)
- They church failed to "Show Jesus" to the Lord's visitors. We merely have neglected them and failed to welcome them.
There's more, really.. But don't let this discourage you! We are to take heart because there will always be trouble in the world. We have Christ who is able to help us overcome these things, together. Think about these things. Whose side are you on: Satan's or God's. Well, I do hope you're on God's side. When you are on God's side, you're working to make things better for God's glory instead of dwelling on the negatives. We're to be positive and outgoing people. I don't care what the problems are or how many problems we have, I believe that's great we have a problem. But with a positive attitude and being filled with the power of God through His Spirit, we're able to overcome these things. Otherwise, you may have been overcome by Satan and are being pulled down by the weight of negativity! When you're being pulled down, you're "dull". I am not saying that you're lost. No! You're just a weaker vessel of God. You need help. You need to be fed with God's Word. You need to be strengthened in the Spirit (Colossians 2:7)! You need to be rooted in Christ (The Vine)! You need to repent of these sins. You need to change (metamorphosis!). You need to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus!
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 (niv)
So, stop being dull! Snap yourselves out of it! Eliminate things that pulls not only you but the church, even all the preachers and leaders who works hard:
"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you." 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (niv)
Think of what Bert Reins shared with us. Pray about this and ask God what He can do with your life and those among you. That's all you have to do: just ask Him to eliminate the dullness of your seeing and become a Christian with sharp seeing (knowledge and Spirit and love and compassion and PASSION!)
Sunday, June 26, 2005
And The Truth Shall Set You Free
There are few things more coveted than freedom. People die for it. People pray for it. People strive for it. True freedom comes from knowing "truth." Knowing truth ultimately comes by living in obedience to Jesus. In John 8:31, before understanding how the truth sets you free, we ought to "..hold to my (Jesus') teaching.." then "you are really his disciples." If you do not know His teachings, if you don't read the Bible, if you don't learn and imitate Jesus, then you're not holding to His teachings. Therefore you're not His disciple (follower) nor did the truth set you free?
Truth is not just something you simply think about or believe. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that - and shudder." James 2:19 (niv)
Truth is something you do, you live (James 2).
This morning, I asked the church to memorize this 1-2-3-4 (John) verses for this week. I pray that this does hit the core of your heart. We cannot simply say, "I believe God" and do the things God does not want us to do. I have seen many "so-called Christians" who claims to "know and love Jesus" but doesn't follow the Scriptures or live an obedient life. That certain person is a liar! Read 1 John 2:3-4:
"We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." 1 John 2:3-4 (niv)
"If someone claims, "I know him well!" but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar. His life doesn't match his words." 1 John 2:4 (msg)
Indeed, if the person doesn't keep His commandments, then that certain person is a liar, even if he or she calls him/herself a Christian. Why? Because the person's life doesn't match Jesus!
Jesus' teaching often ends with the exclamation: Blessed are you who do these things! Only by doing will we ever know the truth that liberates us.
Live4Jesus
JUST WALK IT.
JUST TALK IT.
JUST PREACH IT.
JUST TEACH IT.
JUST TELL IT.
JUST LIVE IT.
JUST GIVE IT.
JUST WEAR IT.
JUST SHOW IT.
JUST SHOUT IT.
JUST SING IT.
JUST PROCLAIM IT.
JUST PROVE IT.
JUST DO IT.
LIVE4JESUS
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Living A Crucified Life?
First of all, do you want to know what is scary? There's someone out there in the world that looks like me but with a different name. And I wonder if I will ever meet this guy? Also, I just found out there's a "wireless industry consultant and radio jockey" Mark Lowenstein from New York. I saw his picture on the web so check it out: http://www.wirelessweek.com/index.asp?layout=big_talk_discussion&talkid=371 Handsome, am I? ;)
I am studying Galatians, chapter 2, for tomorrow's PowerSource (bible study) and by the time I got to my favorite verse of Galatians (2:20), I stumbled with a thought, "Living A Crucified Life". Let me ask you a question, "Are you living a crucified life?" If you were to ask me the same question, then my answer would be a simple, "No." You may wonder why? That's fine.
Are you living the crucified life?"
There was a man who asked a minister the question and the discussion goes on. The man replied to the minister whether if he is living a crucified life or not, "I am trying to." The minister said to him, "You are either living it, or you are not living it. The fact of the matter is you cannot live it." "Oh," the man said, "why can't I?" So the minister pointed out to him that there is something interesting to note about crucifixion.
You can commit suicide in many different ways. You can hang yourself, shoot yourself, take poison, jump off a high building, or jump in front of a truck. There are many ways to end your life, but you cannot crucify yourself.
When you nail one hand to the cross, who is going to nail your other hand to the cross? You cannot do it yourself. You must understand what Paul is talking about when he says,
"I am crucified with Christ."
Paul was crucified with Christ when Christ died. Christ died a substitutionary death. He died for Paul. He died for you. He died for me.
In Romans 6, we are told that we have been buried with Christ by baptism, by identification. We have been raised with Him in newness of life, and now we are joined to the living Christ. Paul says that we do not know Him any more after the flesh. He is not the Man of Galilee walking around the Sea of Galilee. I walked about in that area some time ago and did not see Him; He is not there today. He is at God's right hand. He is the glorified Christ.
Paul is saying, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live." You see, the Law (Ten Commandments) executed us because we didn't follow them. The Law could not give us life.
Who gave us life? "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live."
How do you live? "Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Friends, that is the important thing. He died for me down here that I might live in Him up in Heaven and that He might live in me down here. "And the life," Paul says, "which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God."
What kind of life is this? It is a life of faith (Romans 10:17) -- saved by faith, live by faith, walk by faith. This is what it means to "Living A Crucified Life", living by faith!
I am studying Galatians, chapter 2, for tomorrow's PowerSource (bible study) and by the time I got to my favorite verse of Galatians (2:20), I stumbled with a thought, "Living A Crucified Life". Let me ask you a question, "Are you living a crucified life?" If you were to ask me the same question, then my answer would be a simple, "No." You may wonder why? That's fine.
Are you living the crucified life?"
There was a man who asked a minister the question and the discussion goes on. The man replied to the minister whether if he is living a crucified life or not, "I am trying to." The minister said to him, "You are either living it, or you are not living it. The fact of the matter is you cannot live it." "Oh," the man said, "why can't I?" So the minister pointed out to him that there is something interesting to note about crucifixion.
You can commit suicide in many different ways. You can hang yourself, shoot yourself, take poison, jump off a high building, or jump in front of a truck. There are many ways to end your life, but you cannot crucify yourself.
When you nail one hand to the cross, who is going to nail your other hand to the cross? You cannot do it yourself. You must understand what Paul is talking about when he says,
"I am crucified with Christ."
Paul was crucified with Christ when Christ died. Christ died a substitutionary death. He died for Paul. He died for you. He died for me.
In Romans 6, we are told that we have been buried with Christ by baptism, by identification. We have been raised with Him in newness of life, and now we are joined to the living Christ. Paul says that we do not know Him any more after the flesh. He is not the Man of Galilee walking around the Sea of Galilee. I walked about in that area some time ago and did not see Him; He is not there today. He is at God's right hand. He is the glorified Christ.
Paul is saying, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live." You see, the Law (Ten Commandments) executed us because we didn't follow them. The Law could not give us life.
Who gave us life? "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live."
How do you live? "Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Friends, that is the important thing. He died for me down here that I might live in Him up in Heaven and that He might live in me down here. "And the life," Paul says, "which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God."
What kind of life is this? It is a life of faith (Romans 10:17) -- saved by faith, live by faith, walk by faith. This is what it means to "Living A Crucified Life", living by faith!
Friday, June 24, 2005
A Welcoming Service
Last night, I took Mario Ascencio out for dinner and to discuss about his desire to "re-commit" his life to the Lord after a long standstill of his faith. We decided to go to Don Pablos, a Tex-Mex restaurant in Fairfax. It has been a long time since my family and I have gone there when we used to live in Fairfax. The service Don Pablos give to their customers have changed, big time!
As I approached the entrance of the restaurant, the lady was standing there greeting me. She said, "Welcome to Don Pablos! And I see you have your bible with you." I was like, "Wow! What kind of remark is that?" I don't get that all too often, especially at a restaurant! Then as Mario and I stepped into the restaurant, there were two hostesses standing by. They were smiling at us and "excitingly" welcomed us. Bam! Two welcomes in a row! As one of the hostesses lead us to our table, our waiter (and a training waiter) came to us immediately and welcomed us to the restaurant with smiles! A "Three-punch welcome" from Don Pablos. I was very impressed with the service they gave us. It was not like before! They seems to ante up their momentum of service toward their customers. I told Mario that I must share this with my Bloggers!! What a welcoming service!!
Churches all over the world ought to have that, "A Welcoming Service". From the moment your visitors approach the door (or even out in the parking lot), to the foyer then in the worship and classroom, they should receive the "three-punch welcome service" from the church. The Lord's church are to "invest hard work" into welcoming our visitors. Or they may never return to church again because we do not give them the impression they're looking for. We need to know why we're doing what we do or else we'll be defeated by disappointment. Often, I get a couple of comments from our visitors that Fairfax isn't a friendly and spiritual church. They may be right, in some ways, because we are very young in our faith and we're growing out of it. It's not always "us" but it's also "them" that needs work. I, often, use the "speck and plank line" Jesus used in Matthew 7. Most of the time, the problem lies within you, not the outside! Just a couple of "checkpoints" every church need to do:
1. Is everything done in a "fitting and orderly way"? (1 Corinthians 14:40)
I believe this verse implies that planning, evaluating, and improving our services is a proper thing to do. A minister cannot do this all on his own. He needs his members to do some work. Both the worship of God and the evangelizing of people deserve our best effort.
2. Do we know why we bother going through the pains of bridging the cultural gap between the church and unchurched?
We do it all for "Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Satan may throw darts of "self-pity" at you and me: why should "you" have to do all the set up and clean up? Most of the ministers do almost nothing while I have to do all of these things. Why can't I talk to my "best friend" and let the visitors worry about themselves? If they like it, "Good!" If not, well, sorry we can't be "your friend".
Well, I hope you are able to recognize that you're enjoying your "self-pity" party. But the Holy Spirit will, indeed, tap on your shoulder and say, "Who are you doing this for anyway??" What has Jesus done for you that you haven't done for them (visitors)? It is nothing compared to what Jesus had done for you and me! We need to break down the "self-pity" attitude and repent. We are to have the "other-centered" heart for those without Christ!
And the final question:
3. Are you serving the Lord Jesus Christ? (Colossians 3:23-24)
I am not saying that we "please people". No. We please God by putting our utmost attention on our visitors. We welcome them with open arms. When our visitors comes to worship with us, we ought to pray for them throughout the services and most importantly, we make ourselves known to them and get to know them. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people.
With the example Don Pablos gave me, it surely made me want to come back and eat there again. I really appreciated their services and I saw great improvement in the "welcoming service". What about the Lord's church? Are we greeting our visitors with excitement, love or are we mingling around with the 'ole faithfuls' and having a good ole chat about whatever needs to be talked about and, at the same time, neglecting the "seeker sensitive people"? Save that conversation for a lunch appointment. Have a conversation with the "uncommitted"!
Let's be sensitive in the area of welcoming people to the Lord's church! If you're not, then seriously, you're making it difficult for His church to grow because of your influence and attitude! If you're grateful that you're with the Lord, then you'll want those who are "seeking" to have that same gratefulness! Amen? I hope so!!!
As I approached the entrance of the restaurant, the lady was standing there greeting me. She said, "Welcome to Don Pablos! And I see you have your bible with you." I was like, "Wow! What kind of remark is that?" I don't get that all too often, especially at a restaurant! Then as Mario and I stepped into the restaurant, there were two hostesses standing by. They were smiling at us and "excitingly" welcomed us. Bam! Two welcomes in a row! As one of the hostesses lead us to our table, our waiter (and a training waiter) came to us immediately and welcomed us to the restaurant with smiles! A "Three-punch welcome" from Don Pablos. I was very impressed with the service they gave us. It was not like before! They seems to ante up their momentum of service toward their customers. I told Mario that I must share this with my Bloggers!! What a welcoming service!!
Churches all over the world ought to have that, "A Welcoming Service". From the moment your visitors approach the door (or even out in the parking lot), to the foyer then in the worship and classroom, they should receive the "three-punch welcome service" from the church. The Lord's church are to "invest hard work" into welcoming our visitors. Or they may never return to church again because we do not give them the impression they're looking for. We need to know why we're doing what we do or else we'll be defeated by disappointment. Often, I get a couple of comments from our visitors that Fairfax isn't a friendly and spiritual church. They may be right, in some ways, because we are very young in our faith and we're growing out of it. It's not always "us" but it's also "them" that needs work. I, often, use the "speck and plank line" Jesus used in Matthew 7. Most of the time, the problem lies within you, not the outside! Just a couple of "checkpoints" every church need to do:
1. Is everything done in a "fitting and orderly way"? (1 Corinthians 14:40)
I believe this verse implies that planning, evaluating, and improving our services is a proper thing to do. A minister cannot do this all on his own. He needs his members to do some work. Both the worship of God and the evangelizing of people deserve our best effort.
2. Do we know why we bother going through the pains of bridging the cultural gap between the church and unchurched?
We do it all for "Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Satan may throw darts of "self-pity" at you and me: why should "you" have to do all the set up and clean up? Most of the ministers do almost nothing while I have to do all of these things. Why can't I talk to my "best friend" and let the visitors worry about themselves? If they like it, "Good!" If not, well, sorry we can't be "your friend".
Well, I hope you are able to recognize that you're enjoying your "self-pity" party. But the Holy Spirit will, indeed, tap on your shoulder and say, "Who are you doing this for anyway??" What has Jesus done for you that you haven't done for them (visitors)? It is nothing compared to what Jesus had done for you and me! We need to break down the "self-pity" attitude and repent. We are to have the "other-centered" heart for those without Christ!
And the final question:
3. Are you serving the Lord Jesus Christ? (Colossians 3:23-24)
I am not saying that we "please people". No. We please God by putting our utmost attention on our visitors. We welcome them with open arms. When our visitors comes to worship with us, we ought to pray for them throughout the services and most importantly, we make ourselves known to them and get to know them. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people.
With the example Don Pablos gave me, it surely made me want to come back and eat there again. I really appreciated their services and I saw great improvement in the "welcoming service". What about the Lord's church? Are we greeting our visitors with excitement, love or are we mingling around with the 'ole faithfuls' and having a good ole chat about whatever needs to be talked about and, at the same time, neglecting the "seeker sensitive people"? Save that conversation for a lunch appointment. Have a conversation with the "uncommitted"!
Let's be sensitive in the area of welcoming people to the Lord's church! If you're not, then seriously, you're making it difficult for His church to grow because of your influence and attitude! If you're grateful that you're with the Lord, then you'll want those who are "seeking" to have that same gratefulness! Amen? I hope so!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Talking To God
Here's a prayer that reflects 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (nas)
Like Paul,
We may ask for Him to ease our pains, turmoil, struggles but He said that His grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Picture a cancer patient who gives a positive attitude, all smiles, and joyful and patient in their affliction. We know this person relies heavily on God because he/she knows life will end but eternal life remains on those who believe in Jesus.
Dear Father,
Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in weakness.
When I am weak, Christ's power can assist, shine through, lift me up.
Please let this happen!
For Christ's sake help me to be content with whatever you let come my way - weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities - for when I am weak, then I am strong!
Let me be strong with your strength even when beset by my own weaknesses.
In the name of him who is my strength, Jesus Christ. Amen!
"..who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:4 (nas)
"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." (nas)
Like Paul,
We may ask for Him to ease our pains, turmoil, struggles but He said that His grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. Picture a cancer patient who gives a positive attitude, all smiles, and joyful and patient in their affliction. We know this person relies heavily on God because he/she knows life will end but eternal life remains on those who believe in Jesus.
Dear Father,
Your grace is sufficient for me. Your power is made perfect in weakness.
When I am weak, Christ's power can assist, shine through, lift me up.
Please let this happen!
For Christ's sake help me to be content with whatever you let come my way - weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities - for when I am weak, then I am strong!
Let me be strong with your strength even when beset by my own weaknesses.
In the name of him who is my strength, Jesus Christ. Amen!
"..who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:4 (nas)
Blogging Resources & My Thoughts
Hello bloggers!
I have added more resources, links and blogs for you to check out!
BLOGS: Mike Cope, Bruce Black and Brandon Scott Thomas (BST)
WEB LINKS: Christianity Today, Heartlight, Study Light, Literature Ministries, Interactive Bible.
___________________________
Today has been a crazy day. But it was a great day. I talked with a wonderful couple this morning and met with Murray Sanderson for lunch discussing the future of the deaf ministry: relationship, fellowship, maturity and spirituality. I shared with Murray some of our weaknesses and strengths. We had a great discussion about both worlds (deaf and hearing). I shared with him my thoughts and feelings regarding the deaf work here in D.C.. It seems like the Spirit in me wants us to move on to another field ripe for harvest where souls are hungry for God, to grow and to serve. But, then, I told Murray that everyday is a new day here at Fairfax. When we fail to serve God, we start over again.
When the Spirit's fire has died, we, as family, work to revive Him in us again. When we have become too busy to do the Lord's will, we sit down and re-prioritize our daily life. When we have a conflict with a fellow member, we go to them and work on forgiveness. When the fellowship isn't going the way you and I think, we work together to bring the fellowship back, God's way. I know some of you have talked among one another about how weak the fellowship is at Fairfax. Reading the book, "DNA of Relationships", Gary Smalley said it perfectly that "..the problem lies not on the people or situation "outside", it lies within the person!" We cannot just simply sit back and complain about it. We are to move forward and work to build stronger relationships and fellowship. I just get tired of hearing people telling me a thing or two that is not to their liking and do nothing about it.
You may know that the book of Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Here's what Paul wrote to the church in Philippi:
"But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;.." Philippians 1:23-27 (nas)
The Apostle wanted to die and be with Christ which is so much better. And I agree! But he knows it was necessary to remain alive for the sake of all the churches of Christ. He wanted the church to have confidence in Paul when he comes again to visit and to be an encouragement to the church. Until then, he encouraged them to conduct themselves in a manner "worthy of the gospel of Christ." And that they are standing firm in "one spirit and mind"!
In some ways, Paul's feeling is mutual. In some ways, I want to depart and seek other opportunities where a church are hungry to serve God among the deaf community, being the best example of Christ, and that the unity in the Lord's church is strong with one spirit and one mind working together for the faith of the gospel. I am aware that every church has her own weaknesses. Right now and Lord willing, I know that we must remain with the church at Fairfax for your sake. We have a desire to continue on with you all to continue working on your progresses and joy in the faith. Paul encouraged brother Timothy to instruct the church he is at to be diligent in faith and lead a holy life so that everyone will see Jesus in us. We need to be eager to grow in the faith (Romans 10:17). We need to lead a holy life so that people around us (family and friends) will see Jesus.
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." 1 Timothy 4:15 (niv)
I am sorry if this doesn't seem to be a good blog for some of you. Consider this a "wake-up call". I want to say that it's a real blessing to be at Fairfax. I know it will be a blessing to be just about any churches of Christ in the world. I know the Lord will tell us "when" it is "time". There are other churches hungry to start a fresh deaf work. I am just as hungry as they are, too! I love working with faithful people who are hungry to worship, learn, to serve, to grow and to reach out. I love helping people grow to become faithful Christians. We need to consider our "weaknesses" as our strength. Alot of us don't realize that. Instead of splashing around, pouting in a puddle of "weakness", we move forward with a proud feeling that we're strong through our weaknesses.
Let's consider each day, a new day. Let's work together to bring God the glory! Let's build better relationships, even working with difficult ones. Let's not be "self-centered" but "other-centered". Keep on reading the Bible (daily), Blogs and growing in Him.
I have added more resources, links and blogs for you to check out!
BLOGS: Mike Cope, Bruce Black and Brandon Scott Thomas (BST)
WEB LINKS: Christianity Today, Heartlight, Study Light, Literature Ministries, Interactive Bible.
___________________________
Today has been a crazy day. But it was a great day. I talked with a wonderful couple this morning and met with Murray Sanderson for lunch discussing the future of the deaf ministry: relationship, fellowship, maturity and spirituality. I shared with Murray some of our weaknesses and strengths. We had a great discussion about both worlds (deaf and hearing). I shared with him my thoughts and feelings regarding the deaf work here in D.C.. It seems like the Spirit in me wants us to move on to another field ripe for harvest where souls are hungry for God, to grow and to serve. But, then, I told Murray that everyday is a new day here at Fairfax. When we fail to serve God, we start over again.
When the Spirit's fire has died, we, as family, work to revive Him in us again. When we have become too busy to do the Lord's will, we sit down and re-prioritize our daily life. When we have a conflict with a fellow member, we go to them and work on forgiveness. When the fellowship isn't going the way you and I think, we work together to bring the fellowship back, God's way. I know some of you have talked among one another about how weak the fellowship is at Fairfax. Reading the book, "DNA of Relationships", Gary Smalley said it perfectly that "..the problem lies not on the people or situation "outside", it lies within the person!" We cannot just simply sit back and complain about it. We are to move forward and work to build stronger relationships and fellowship. I just get tired of hearing people telling me a thing or two that is not to their liking and do nothing about it.
You may know that the book of Philippians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Here's what Paul wrote to the church in Philippi:
"But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;.." Philippians 1:23-27 (nas)
The Apostle wanted to die and be with Christ which is so much better. And I agree! But he knows it was necessary to remain alive for the sake of all the churches of Christ. He wanted the church to have confidence in Paul when he comes again to visit and to be an encouragement to the church. Until then, he encouraged them to conduct themselves in a manner "worthy of the gospel of Christ." And that they are standing firm in "one spirit and mind"!
In some ways, Paul's feeling is mutual. In some ways, I want to depart and seek other opportunities where a church are hungry to serve God among the deaf community, being the best example of Christ, and that the unity in the Lord's church is strong with one spirit and one mind working together for the faith of the gospel. I am aware that every church has her own weaknesses. Right now and Lord willing, I know that we must remain with the church at Fairfax for your sake. We have a desire to continue on with you all to continue working on your progresses and joy in the faith. Paul encouraged brother Timothy to instruct the church he is at to be diligent in faith and lead a holy life so that everyone will see Jesus in us. We need to be eager to grow in the faith (Romans 10:17). We need to lead a holy life so that people around us (family and friends) will see Jesus.
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." 1 Timothy 4:15 (niv)
I am sorry if this doesn't seem to be a good blog for some of you. Consider this a "wake-up call". I want to say that it's a real blessing to be at Fairfax. I know it will be a blessing to be just about any churches of Christ in the world. I know the Lord will tell us "when" it is "time". There are other churches hungry to start a fresh deaf work. I am just as hungry as they are, too! I love working with faithful people who are hungry to worship, learn, to serve, to grow and to reach out. I love helping people grow to become faithful Christians. We need to consider our "weaknesses" as our strength. Alot of us don't realize that. Instead of splashing around, pouting in a puddle of "weakness", we move forward with a proud feeling that we're strong through our weaknesses.
Let's consider each day, a new day. Let's work together to bring God the glory! Let's build better relationships, even working with difficult ones. Let's not be "self-centered" but "other-centered". Keep on reading the Bible (daily), Blogs and growing in Him.
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