I have been doing the readings but haven't made the time to think about what I am reading.
As I read the chapters this week, there were a lot of verses that were reminders of how I am now and where I would like to be...
I identify with Paul with his struggle in Romans 7:14-20...something like...I do what I don't want to do, but what I do want to do, I don't do...make sense? well, actions are directed by sinful nature or the Holy Spirit...so these verses remind us to keep it in check.
also another one is Romans 8:25.."but if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." simply said, but another reminder to be truly thankful for what we do have, which is a lot of blessings, and for things yet to come...wait on the Lord with an expectant, hopeful attitude. yes, need to memorize this one and say it to myself whenever I wonder about the future!
Joy
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Acts 23-24
Throughout these two chapters, Paul testifies to the Sanhedrin ( the Jewish council/ruling body), making his case about his hope in Jesus. He is also moved around from place to place for protection from those who want to kill him and to stand trial and testify to the various governors that he did nothing wrong, just proclaiming the truth about Jesus.
I imagine Paul had to always be in the lookout, fearing for his life, tired of moving around and getting everyone upset...but in Acts 23:11, as Paul was probably alone and exhausted in his prison cell, the Lord reassured His presence and provision, reminding Paul that he was on the right track of obeying/following Him with furthering the gospel. However, there was much more to be done and it will only get tougher, so God strengthened and encouraged Paul by directly saying, "Take courage! As you have tesitfied about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
I am reminded about my pharmacy school days, I was about half way done with the program, but I just wanted to give up and call it quits...was physically getting sick and tired of studying non stop...but I knew God got me there in the first place so throughout it all, I prayed He would carry and strengthen me to complete the program. God was faithful! and continues to remain faithful in my life, challenging and surprising me, reminding me to be patient and trust Him more. So as God reminded Paul and also reminds us, may we take courage to press on each day to live a life that is pleasing in His sight, one of obedience and with joy to His daily call.
Joy
I imagine Paul had to always be in the lookout, fearing for his life, tired of moving around and getting everyone upset...but in Acts 23:11, as Paul was probably alone and exhausted in his prison cell, the Lord reassured His presence and provision, reminding Paul that he was on the right track of obeying/following Him with furthering the gospel. However, there was much more to be done and it will only get tougher, so God strengthened and encouraged Paul by directly saying, "Take courage! As you have tesitfied about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."
I am reminded about my pharmacy school days, I was about half way done with the program, but I just wanted to give up and call it quits...was physically getting sick and tired of studying non stop...but I knew God got me there in the first place so throughout it all, I prayed He would carry and strengthen me to complete the program. God was faithful! and continues to remain faithful in my life, challenging and surprising me, reminding me to be patient and trust Him more. So as God reminded Paul and also reminds us, may we take courage to press on each day to live a life that is pleasing in His sight, one of obedience and with joy to His daily call.
Joy
Friday, November 30, 2007
Acts 13-14
These 2 chapters are a fast moving account of Paul's first missionary journey. To get the big picture there are maps in my study bible, and it was cool to follow the map along with scripture.
I wonder how long the entire journy took them. I imagine the goal of the mission was to spread the gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas visited 7-8 different cities and each place had their unique stories and reactions to the teachings and to the them as well. Some were really receptive (Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch), while others divided (Iconium) or were quite harsh! (Lystra) It was interesting that they went back to the cities they just preached at to encourage/strengthen them to keep up their faith, instead of just heading back to Antioch where they set out from. The disicples in each city must have been so encouraged that they would take time to come back and support them further. When they finally come back to their home base in Antioch, they give a report of their completed journey of how God carried them through and used them to carry out the command in Acts 13:47, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
I think God also is speaking to us to be light in our mission field... to those around us in our every day lives (family, friends, co workers, strangers)...to share Jesus and His love in and through our actions and words. May we be reminded and encouraged to press on in living out our walk with Christ and to have that passion to be joyful and delight in Jesus.
Joy
I wonder how long the entire journy took them. I imagine the goal of the mission was to spread the gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul and Barnabas visited 7-8 different cities and each place had their unique stories and reactions to the teachings and to the them as well. Some were really receptive (Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch), while others divided (Iconium) or were quite harsh! (Lystra) It was interesting that they went back to the cities they just preached at to encourage/strengthen them to keep up their faith, instead of just heading back to Antioch where they set out from. The disicples in each city must have been so encouraged that they would take time to come back and support them further. When they finally come back to their home base in Antioch, they give a report of their completed journey of how God carried them through and used them to carry out the command in Acts 13:47, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
I think God also is speaking to us to be light in our mission field... to those around us in our every day lives (family, friends, co workers, strangers)...to share Jesus and His love in and through our actions and words. May we be reminded and encouraged to press on in living out our walk with Christ and to have that passion to be joyful and delight in Jesus.
Joy
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Acts 9-10
The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."
I remember reading a collection of stories found in a book called Second Chances where there are stories after stories about how successful people who made mistakes as teenagers (with the law) are given a second chance, even repeated chances to turn their lives around. They're given room to grow up, sometimes on their own.
Some examples are Olympic Gold Medallist Bob Beamon, poet Luis Rodriquez, and Columbia University Law Review editor Lawrence Wu. They all used to be gang members who had several incidents with the law before they got on the straight and narrow. Though some of their turnarounds came as a result of self-intropsection, they were allowed numerous opportunities to fail and ultimately succeed, without permanently staining their records.
In this passage, I don't think God is merely talking about being equals within the body of Christ, with Jew and Gentile. I believe it's also a command to not judge one another or cast each other aside when one messes up or does wrong. If God has made that person clean, through His grace and mercy that forgives all sin, we too must see the person as clean. And not only to forgive but to stand together with that brother or sister and struggle alongside of them until they "succeed". Even when they still struggle with their flesh and with their strongholds, as believers we must be a people of "second chances." Because all our own stories are about being given second chances. And that's what unites us all in this body of Christ.
Lord may I be a person of second chances, to always hold no wrong towards others and to also hold no wrong toward myself. Lord help me to grow in the knowledge of your mercy and grace. If anyone commits wrong to me today, may I forgive quickly and love compassionately. If I commit wrong today, may I quickly ask for forgiveness and have faith that you have made me clean.
I remember reading a collection of stories found in a book called Second Chances where there are stories after stories about how successful people who made mistakes as teenagers (with the law) are given a second chance, even repeated chances to turn their lives around. They're given room to grow up, sometimes on their own.
Some examples are Olympic Gold Medallist Bob Beamon, poet Luis Rodriquez, and Columbia University Law Review editor Lawrence Wu. They all used to be gang members who had several incidents with the law before they got on the straight and narrow. Though some of their turnarounds came as a result of self-intropsection, they were allowed numerous opportunities to fail and ultimately succeed, without permanently staining their records.
In this passage, I don't think God is merely talking about being equals within the body of Christ, with Jew and Gentile. I believe it's also a command to not judge one another or cast each other aside when one messes up or does wrong. If God has made that person clean, through His grace and mercy that forgives all sin, we too must see the person as clean. And not only to forgive but to stand together with that brother or sister and struggle alongside of them until they "succeed". Even when they still struggle with their flesh and with their strongholds, as believers we must be a people of "second chances." Because all our own stories are about being given second chances. And that's what unites us all in this body of Christ.
Lord may I be a person of second chances, to always hold no wrong towards others and to also hold no wrong toward myself. Lord help me to grow in the knowledge of your mercy and grace. If anyone commits wrong to me today, may I forgive quickly and love compassionately. If I commit wrong today, may I quickly ask for forgiveness and have faith that you have made me clean.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Luke 21-22
Luke 22:39-46, focusing on verse 42:
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
In the beginning of that section, Jesus went to his usual place of solitude to the Mt. of Olives...the gospel of Mark says the location is the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). Reminds me of that familiar image of Jesus praying alone, looking up towards heaven. Knowing that Jesus always took time out of his busy ministry to have one on one with God challenges us to have that special time and place to be real with God and earnestly pray.
What did Jesus pray about? Jesus just had the last supper with his disciples and knew his time was coming very soon so he must have had a lot on his mind. He prayed verse 42. In other gospels, Jesus addressed God as Abba Father, which indicates a very close intimate relationship. Jesus emphasizes God's will be done...acknowledging God's purposes are higher than his and will prevail. Jesus requests probably with much emotion/sorrow that the cup of suffering he will have to endure of taking on the sins of this world/our sins be taken away from him. But Jesus ends with God's knows best and God's will be done...that whatever comes to pass would be OK with his soul. what a simple yet intense prayer.
To realize what Jesus went through right before going to the cross is eye opening...that he came to the Father in anguish and was real with God. May we come to God more often just as we are and have a one on one with God.
Joy
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
In the beginning of that section, Jesus went to his usual place of solitude to the Mt. of Olives...the gospel of Mark says the location is the garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32). Reminds me of that familiar image of Jesus praying alone, looking up towards heaven. Knowing that Jesus always took time out of his busy ministry to have one on one with God challenges us to have that special time and place to be real with God and earnestly pray.
What did Jesus pray about? Jesus just had the last supper with his disciples and knew his time was coming very soon so he must have had a lot on his mind. He prayed verse 42. In other gospels, Jesus addressed God as Abba Father, which indicates a very close intimate relationship. Jesus emphasizes God's will be done...acknowledging God's purposes are higher than his and will prevail. Jesus requests probably with much emotion/sorrow that the cup of suffering he will have to endure of taking on the sins of this world/our sins be taken away from him. But Jesus ends with God's knows best and God's will be done...that whatever comes to pass would be OK with his soul. what a simple yet intense prayer.
To realize what Jesus went through right before going to the cross is eye opening...that he came to the Father in anguish and was real with God. May we come to God more often just as we are and have a one on one with God.
Joy
Luke 19-20
From time to time I question the afterlife and things like reincarnation and Luke 20: 34-38 brought back those questions. It's interesting how Jesus states that in death our souls are like the angels...immortal. We would also not claim any direct ties...family or friends but would just be.
I like how it states in 38
38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.
It gives such a positive light for the afterlife. Peace and love for all.
I like how it states in 38
38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.
It gives such a positive light for the afterlife. Peace and love for all.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Luke 17-18
"Increase our faith!"
Isn't that what we say when we feel like there's nothing we can do and we think, "If only God, you would make it happen." But I wonder if sometimes we use that as an excuse to not do what God may already be showing us to do. We think we can't do it because in reality, it means it will be difficult for us and it might cost us something...and it might cost alot. But I think the faith God talks about here is a faith that is not just trusting God to make things happen but also acknowledging that God may want me to play a part in making those things happen. And my part may look undistinguished nor may anyone witness my part at all. It may require alot of sweat and tears...and it may require giving something I feel like I worked so hard for to something or someone that I think will be ungrateful. When we ask God to increase our faith, I think God challenges us to live out the faith that we already have.
Lord may I die more to my pride today as I do the things you are asking me to do, no matter how mundane, difficult, or humiliating.
"But Samuel replied:'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
Isn't that what we say when we feel like there's nothing we can do and we think, "If only God, you would make it happen." But I wonder if sometimes we use that as an excuse to not do what God may already be showing us to do. We think we can't do it because in reality, it means it will be difficult for us and it might cost us something...and it might cost alot. But I think the faith God talks about here is a faith that is not just trusting God to make things happen but also acknowledging that God may want me to play a part in making those things happen. And my part may look undistinguished nor may anyone witness my part at all. It may require alot of sweat and tears...and it may require giving something I feel like I worked so hard for to something or someone that I think will be ungrateful. When we ask God to increase our faith, I think God challenges us to live out the faith that we already have.
Lord may I die more to my pride today as I do the things you are asking me to do, no matter how mundane, difficult, or humiliating.
"But Samuel replied:'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'"
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