Wednesday, December 30, 2009
A Year's Journey
Thank you for joining us on this yearlong ride through selected portions of the Bible. It has been both eye-opening and exciting. The journey does not stop here, however. We will be embarking on a new adventure. Stay tuned for more details to come.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Day 19, Genesis 21:1-21
This one reminded me that I need to wait on God's timing. Abraham (actually Sarah first, but Abraham is responsible) was impatient and made his own plans for his future. Then he expected God to bless his actions after the fact, after having acted without God's leading or approval. In the end, though, God still blessed Abraham and Sarah through His own plan. Abraham became a great leader for Israel because God gave him grace. God used a miracle to bless an entire nation. And what was the consequence of Abraham's actions? To this day, there is contention between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac.
How much better would it be for me to wait on God's promise, rather than acting on my own plans and expecting God to give His stamp of approval. Patience is such a difficult thing for me. But God is faithful. And I will wait. Praise be to my God.
As for the day's question: In God's eyes you are a child he has wanted and specially planned for. How does this make you feel toward God?
Feelings are fleeting and mercurial. "Knowing" is so much better. I am at peace, knowing that I am a child of God.
How much better would it be for me to wait on God's promise, rather than acting on my own plans and expecting God to give His stamp of approval. Patience is such a difficult thing for me. But God is faithful. And I will wait. Praise be to my God.
As for the day's question: In God's eyes you are a child he has wanted and specially planned for. How does this make you feel toward God?
Feelings are fleeting and mercurial. "Knowing" is so much better. I am at peace, knowing that I am a child of God.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 326, Ephesians 2:14-3:21
Two months is too too long between posts... anyone still out there?
This devo is from 10/4, a few days ago. The question is about what divides Christians among themselves. Surprisingly, I find that there are more things that divide Christians than there are that divide non-believers. For some strange reason, we Christians seem to think that we, individually, have the final word on different aspects of Christian living.
It's like what Pastor Sonny was saying in his sermon last Sunday on "Building Up or Tearing Down." We need to look at ourselves and consider, are we fighting over preferences or ungodly behaviors? When we disagree to the point of clashing over preferences, we become legalistic and our attitudes become ungodly.
The Bible is pretty clear about what behaviors are not acceptable. But, when we politicize ungodly behavior and make them legally acceptable, we begin to lose our focus on God and His Word. From that point, it becomes easier and easier to justify ourselves to be more socially acceptable, politically acceptable. God no longer takes first place, but a slippery lower place.
Do you agree or disagree? BTW, it's okay to disagree, if that is your preference.
=)
This devo is from 10/4, a few days ago. The question is about what divides Christians among themselves. Surprisingly, I find that there are more things that divide Christians than there are that divide non-believers. For some strange reason, we Christians seem to think that we, individually, have the final word on different aspects of Christian living.
It's like what Pastor Sonny was saying in his sermon last Sunday on "Building Up or Tearing Down." We need to look at ourselves and consider, are we fighting over preferences or ungodly behaviors? When we disagree to the point of clashing over preferences, we become legalistic and our attitudes become ungodly.
The Bible is pretty clear about what behaviors are not acceptable. But, when we politicize ungodly behavior and make them legally acceptable, we begin to lose our focus on God and His Word. From that point, it becomes easier and easier to justify ourselves to be more socially acceptable, politically acceptable. God no longer takes first place, but a slippery lower place.
Do you agree or disagree? BTW, it's okay to disagree, if that is your preference.
=)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 265, Jesus's confrontations, Mark 12:13-34
wow, it's been a long time..i'll (try to) keep it short though :].
The way Jesus responds to his adversaries try to entrap him are aMAzing.. not only in his simple yet profound answers, but also in the wAY he responds. It seems that He doesn't flip off of the handle and spins off super-intellectual debate rhetoric, but keeps calm and throws in the most important parts, which always seem to glorify God in one way or another.
In both middle school and high school, I came across friends who would constantly question my faith, trying to entrap me with questions about details and symantics and stuff like that. So, as a young intellectual ready to debate, I tried my best to equip myself and really know what I believe. And so, I went back to school, did my best to answer all the questions they threw at me (and then some xD). Debate-wise, it seemed I could hold my own. Sometime in later parts of high school, someone reminded me that intellectualizing the gospel will not save people...it's a heart issue. From that point, I tried to remember that God's love and his forgiveness should be what I'm pointing at..and my friends seemed interested and curious. I think it's amazing how God works, because perhaps He used my passion to argue to gain the respect of my friends, which might've later allowed me to plant a seed of God's love.
So much for keeping it short.. sorry xD. ah wells, good job for reading it through. :].
The way Jesus responds to his adversaries try to entrap him are aMAzing.. not only in his simple yet profound answers, but also in the wAY he responds. It seems that He doesn't flip off of the handle and spins off super-intellectual debate rhetoric, but keeps calm and throws in the most important parts, which always seem to glorify God in one way or another.
In both middle school and high school, I came across friends who would constantly question my faith, trying to entrap me with questions about details and symantics and stuff like that. So, as a young intellectual ready to debate, I tried my best to equip myself and really know what I believe. And so, I went back to school, did my best to answer all the questions they threw at me (and then some xD). Debate-wise, it seemed I could hold my own. Sometime in later parts of high school, someone reminded me that intellectualizing the gospel will not save people...it's a heart issue. From that point, I tried to remember that God's love and his forgiveness should be what I'm pointing at..and my friends seemed interested and curious. I think it's amazing how God works, because perhaps He used my passion to argue to gain the respect of my friends, which might've later allowed me to plant a seed of God's love.
So much for keeping it short.. sorry xD. ah wells, good job for reading it through. :].
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Day 240
What did it take to make you hear and believe Jesus as your Savior?
I havent blogged here for a while. And when I read this question. Made me think of my testimony. Not sure how many of you have heard my testimony. But I guess I can share it and you will understand what it took to make me believe that Jesus is my Savior.
I heard about God at a young age. I wasn't born into the church, my mom was never a Christian and my dad was but he never attended church. My dad was very anti social, had few friends and he hated all the churches he visited. Enough about my family. In 2nd grade I went to Chinese American International School and I had this really good friend, his name is James Huang. I dont talk to him anymore due to he moved away to college but we were great friends when we were young. I remembered one day I asked him what he did over the weekend and his reply was "I went to church". I never been to church so I was interested. And so I asked him about church. I was so interested I went home and told my mom about church. But my mom said it was stupid. My dad always wanted me to be in some kind of program so I would stay out of trouble. So he got my mom to take me to church, and we went to Cornerstone Evangelical Baptist Church. And I LOVED it. It was fun and I met nice people! That first day I went to church the sunday school teacher asked me if I wanted to be a Christian. Not knowing what I was doing I said yes. (And also I really wanted to get out of the classroom to go play outside! lol)
Now I had the title of a "Christian" but I was never acting like a Christian. I took church as a routine, every sunday I would the same old thing so I didnt really care. All I wanted to do was play with my friends. It didnt really hit me until 6th grade. On December 31, 2001 which was New Years Eve. It was a regular day I woke up, did laundry and me and m mom were going to go out so I went down to see my dad and to give him his laundry and talk to him. When I went down and opened the door, I saw him on the floor. I was so scared I dropped the basket and screamed. My mom came running down she ran up to him and told me to call 911. My mom was screaming and yelling and crying, I didnt know what was going on. I ran outside cause I was so scared for my dad. Police came and the paramedics declared him dead that day. My father passed away at such a young age for me. And me being an only child, family was all I had. I was so sad for the longest time. And I was furious, at God. I thought that God controlled everything and I was mad that he took my dad away. I didnt want to go to church anymore. I hated fellowship, I just didnt want anything to do with church. My mom forced me to go to church, I went but I didnt pay attention. I pretended to have fun but deep down I hated church. I was forced to go to a camp at Cornerstone. I still the remember the drive and I was sitting there telling myself how bad of a time Im going to have. I admit it, it was fun! But I was still furious with God. My dad was ALL I had. I remember there was a sermon talking about letting go and holding grudges, and I knew God was speaking to me. So after the program and whatnot, I approached my leader and we had a nice long talk and I rededicated my life to Christ.
For me it took my fathers passing for me to TRULY accept Jesus as my personal Savior. Its been 7 years now. I of course miss my father dearly. But their were some good things that came out from it. Im a stronger Christian, and I have a great, strong relationship with my mom!
Well yea thats my testimony =) If you guys ever want to know more. Just ask!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, 6/14/09, Day 214, Luke 2:41-52; Matthew 3:1-12
Has it been hard for you to accept that Jesus is more concerned about your repentant heart than about your knowledge or your good deeds?
Not really because it makes sense. It is easy to for example open the door for the person coming out or volunteering at a charity. However, it is harder to admit that you are sometimes wrong or that you are inferior to another being or even the fact that your action was wrong to do. All I am saying is that some good deeds are not hard to do at all. Some people do it to show off. Others do it half-heartedly. Many do it because they are forced to. For example my middle school requires 8th graders to do at least i think 10hrs of community service before they can graduate on stage. When did helping others become a chore?
With that being said, I would rather have someone admit their wrongs and sins because it is inevitable that we are imperfect and we do have flaws rather than someone doing charity work for whatever reason it is. Living the American lifestyle has indeed turned people into proud people. Well for the majority of Americans, they have a lot of luxuries. It does not even have to be a big luxury, even a simple ipod is considered to be a luxury in for example the poorer areas of Asia. Sometimes people like to think that they earned these luxuries by their own will power and through their own effort, so it makes sense for them to be proud of what they have accomplished.
I don't think God cares whether or not we have a vast amount of knowledge. I also don't think that people should be preoccupied with getting as much knowledge as they possibly can get to solve their problems. We at times believe that as humans we have a unlimited capacity of knowledge.....but we need to keep in mind that we will never reach God's level. He is the ultimate holder of knowledge. Therefore we shouldn't be so assiduous in finding the answer or information when we know in fact that God already has it. He is always with us, so in a way the knowledge is right in front of our faces. It just takes patience for us to acknowledge it. That is another thing....people are too impatient these days; that is why we do too many things by our own effort. My overall point is that God does not care too much about the knowledge we have for it is Him that has all the knowledge we need.
Knowledge and good deeds can be easily gained by human effort. Acknowledging one's wrongs is sometimes harder to do because a lot of people like to have their own beliefs. For me, knowing that there is a God and knowing who God is made me realize how small I am and how imperfect I am ......We should all acknowledge that and realize that it is not something to be proud of. Repenting shows God that we can conceive our own faults and be not okay with that. We become bigger people that aim for improvement because of repentance.
Not really because it makes sense. It is easy to for example open the door for the person coming out or volunteering at a charity. However, it is harder to admit that you are sometimes wrong or that you are inferior to another being or even the fact that your action was wrong to do. All I am saying is that some good deeds are not hard to do at all. Some people do it to show off. Others do it half-heartedly. Many do it because they are forced to. For example my middle school requires 8th graders to do at least i think 10hrs of community service before they can graduate on stage. When did helping others become a chore?
With that being said, I would rather have someone admit their wrongs and sins because it is inevitable that we are imperfect and we do have flaws rather than someone doing charity work for whatever reason it is. Living the American lifestyle has indeed turned people into proud people. Well for the majority of Americans, they have a lot of luxuries. It does not even have to be a big luxury, even a simple ipod is considered to be a luxury in for example the poorer areas of Asia. Sometimes people like to think that they earned these luxuries by their own will power and through their own effort, so it makes sense for them to be proud of what they have accomplished.
I don't think God cares whether or not we have a vast amount of knowledge. I also don't think that people should be preoccupied with getting as much knowledge as they possibly can get to solve their problems. We at times believe that as humans we have a unlimited capacity of knowledge.....but we need to keep in mind that we will never reach God's level. He is the ultimate holder of knowledge. Therefore we shouldn't be so assiduous in finding the answer or information when we know in fact that God already has it. He is always with us, so in a way the knowledge is right in front of our faces. It just takes patience for us to acknowledge it. That is another thing....people are too impatient these days; that is why we do too many things by our own effort. My overall point is that God does not care too much about the knowledge we have for it is Him that has all the knowledge we need.
Knowledge and good deeds can be easily gained by human effort. Acknowledging one's wrongs is sometimes harder to do because a lot of people like to have their own beliefs. For me, knowing that there is a God and knowing who God is made me realize how small I am and how imperfect I am ......We should all acknowledge that and realize that it is not something to be proud of. Repenting shows God that we can conceive our own faults and be not okay with that. We become bigger people that aim for improvement because of repentance.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Saturday, 5/9/09, Day 178, Daniel 1:1-21 When have you taken a difficult or unpopular stand as a matter of integrity?
WOW I haven't done a post in such a loooooong time.....i hope people still read this blog =P
This passage was discussed in the last mtb IBS. Honestly, I never gave much thought to this question or this passage in general. When I looked at the question, I tried to think of an example. It felt like I had stand up for something unpopular, but I couldn't think of any particular example. It made me question on whether or not I really do stand up for what I believe in . Or maybe it's because that i don't do enough to exemplify my different opinions that i wasn't able to have a really distinct experience come to mind. This question to me was straight forward answered with either"yes or no and if yes, when or where"? I guess this mtb ibs made me realize that there is more...that there is always more. life is not just black and white...it is too complex for that
There was a question on whether or not I compromise my faith. One of my scenarios that I presented to my group was "sneaking into the movies.". Okay.....sneaking in to movies looks like a "small" thing to do; this action doesn't really earn a person the title of being a "bad person". The reason people practice this action is because it so easy to do and countless of people do it. Some of the people in my group would skip out on the movie sneaking, which is really admirable to hear. Others said that it depended on the movie. This really got me thinking.
hmmm....depending on the movie........ ok we can all agree that murder and sneaking into movies are both against the law. I realized something. When this movie sneaking concept was being discussed, we argued a lot on the justifications we came up with. Because this concept seems small and that it won't affect much of anything, discussing about the reasons we should do it was so easy to do. On the other hand, killing a person has even lesser justifications. Why is that? ok maybe it is the fact that the severity of the consequences is unequal. Murder outweighs sneaking into the movies by a milestone. Although it doesn't seem like the sneaking in thing doesn't affect much, it does affect indeed. It may affect the workers in the movie theaters that could get fired if caught allowing movie watchers to sneak in. Also if we do choose to do this action, others will follow. Generations will follow and it will become a trend that will not stop unless someone says otherwise.It just takes that one person to start a chain. What kind of example are we showing to the children in the future? What message are we trying to say with our actions? It is okay to break the law only if is easy to get away with and others are following along? I think not...
Jaywalking was also a scenario that came up. Just like sneaking into movies, Jaywalking is also very easy to do. It doesn't even feel like you are breaking the law. There is no big guilty feeling that clouds over you. Although I too jaywalk at times, I do know that it is against the law. There are a lot of reasons I can come up with just to explain this action.....to explain why it is not a big deal at all. But then again, I need to think of why this law came to be in the first place. It was made to protect me. It goes the same for God. He made rules for us too. He made these guidelines for our benefits, not His. He is not the one that could possibly get hit by a car, it is us. ALthough we may have a different perspective in the beginning, I think in the long run God's care and love will show through these rules thus giving us a new perspective....His perspective.
Anyways, I think we justify out of our own comfort. How much more comfortable we will be if we did not argue with our friends about the movie sneaking or being able to watch two movies at the price of one. It is like we like to take the short cut, the easy route. Life is hard and we all know that. We take these easy routes to make life easier, but is that what God wants from us? To manipulate the way He made this world for our own beneficial needs? Compromising only fool ourselves, it can never fool God. We come up with justifications to ease our own minds, but it doesn't ease God's mind.
One last comment XD......I am really happy with some of the high schoolers in the fellowship. Their maturity and faith is such a sight to see. During that IBS, i heard stories about taking unpopular stands. These are teenagers that i am talking about. Teenagers are easy victims to peer pressure, it is just not easy to say no at times. God is definitely working with people's hearts. He is definitely doing something :D
This passage was discussed in the last mtb IBS. Honestly, I never gave much thought to this question or this passage in general. When I looked at the question, I tried to think of an example. It felt like I had stand up for something unpopular, but I couldn't think of any particular example. It made me question on whether or not I really do stand up for what I believe in . Or maybe it's because that i don't do enough to exemplify my different opinions that i wasn't able to have a really distinct experience come to mind. This question to me was straight forward answered with either"yes or no and if yes, when or where"? I guess this mtb ibs made me realize that there is more...that there is always more. life is not just black and white...it is too complex for that
There was a question on whether or not I compromise my faith. One of my scenarios that I presented to my group was "sneaking into the movies.". Okay.....sneaking in to movies looks like a "small" thing to do; this action doesn't really earn a person the title of being a "bad person". The reason people practice this action is because it so easy to do and countless of people do it. Some of the people in my group would skip out on the movie sneaking, which is really admirable to hear. Others said that it depended on the movie. This really got me thinking.
hmmm....depending on the movie........ ok we can all agree that murder and sneaking into movies are both against the law. I realized something. When this movie sneaking concept was being discussed, we argued a lot on the justifications we came up with. Because this concept seems small and that it won't affect much of anything, discussing about the reasons we should do it was so easy to do. On the other hand, killing a person has even lesser justifications. Why is that? ok maybe it is the fact that the severity of the consequences is unequal. Murder outweighs sneaking into the movies by a milestone. Although it doesn't seem like the sneaking in thing doesn't affect much, it does affect indeed. It may affect the workers in the movie theaters that could get fired if caught allowing movie watchers to sneak in. Also if we do choose to do this action, others will follow. Generations will follow and it will become a trend that will not stop unless someone says otherwise.It just takes that one person to start a chain. What kind of example are we showing to the children in the future? What message are we trying to say with our actions? It is okay to break the law only if is easy to get away with and others are following along? I think not...
Jaywalking was also a scenario that came up. Just like sneaking into movies, Jaywalking is also very easy to do. It doesn't even feel like you are breaking the law. There is no big guilty feeling that clouds over you. Although I too jaywalk at times, I do know that it is against the law. There are a lot of reasons I can come up with just to explain this action.....to explain why it is not a big deal at all. But then again, I need to think of why this law came to be in the first place. It was made to protect me. It goes the same for God. He made rules for us too. He made these guidelines for our benefits, not His. He is not the one that could possibly get hit by a car, it is us. ALthough we may have a different perspective in the beginning, I think in the long run God's care and love will show through these rules thus giving us a new perspective....His perspective.
Anyways, I think we justify out of our own comfort. How much more comfortable we will be if we did not argue with our friends about the movie sneaking or being able to watch two movies at the price of one. It is like we like to take the short cut, the easy route. Life is hard and we all know that. We take these easy routes to make life easier, but is that what God wants from us? To manipulate the way He made this world for our own beneficial needs? Compromising only fool ourselves, it can never fool God. We come up with justifications to ease our own minds, but it doesn't ease God's mind.
One last comment XD......I am really happy with some of the high schoolers in the fellowship. Their maturity and faith is such a sight to see. During that IBS, i heard stories about taking unpopular stands. These are teenagers that i am talking about. Teenagers are easy victims to peer pressure, it is just not easy to say no at times. God is definitely working with people's hearts. He is definitely doing something :D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
