John 20-21
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, [3] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
Many times in my life I've felt like Thomas...doubting Thomas. I've questioned my faith and challenged God when bad things happened. Like Thomas I demanded that I be shown prove that the future will not be so gloomy or hold such uncertainty. Then I would feel small and guilty because we are taught this is not the way to communicate with God. I would wish that I return to childhood belief, the true and innocent trust and belief given to God.
29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
This verse seems to affirm that I should believe as a child might. Jesus to me seems to rebuke Thomas for believing because he has been shown proof. Yet, I also feel that to question is to grow. To understand the why is better for my faith and understanding of God than blind obedience. I hope and pray that I can successfully combine these two things and keep at it.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
John 18-19
"If you are looking for me, then let these men go."
"Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
"Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
Jesus was always concerned for others. Till the moment he uttered the words, "it is finished," he was constantly speaking truth to all men, wanting to free them from their lies, thinking of the safety and comfort of others, in the midst of his most crucial time of pain...a pain thankfully, we will never experience or feel ourselves. Jesus' heart was so focused on the heart of the Father and on the Father's heart for his people, that his own pain was not of utmost importance. Jesus knew who he was and knew the will of the Father that the present moment was all a part of what was "good."
In my life, there are times I wonder if the pain I go through is "good." It's a tough theological question especially when we ask, "why does God allow suffering?" When Jesus willingingly accepts his place of humility and suffering, it makes me hesitate to give a resounding NO! to the question. Maybe this is a conclusion that one must reach for one's own life....for I don't think anyone can say for sure that God causes the suffering of the marginalized of our world like those suffering from AIDS in Africa or those who suffer from mental diseases...But what if MY humble and suffering state offers comfort to others? Jesus, when he bore the sins of all humanity on that cross, at that very moment, He was separated from the Father...the ultimate suffering of any being. And yet, it was for us. I'm not exactly sure how to answer this question about suffering...but I know my understanding of suffering and God's will is shortsighted and I need to approach these matters in humility and in grace.
Lord, may I continue to embrace your will completely into my life to completely trust you in the midst of my pain and struggles. Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. As I continue to trust you with my own pain, may I serve and embrace others in their pain.
"Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"
"If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"
"Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
Jesus was always concerned for others. Till the moment he uttered the words, "it is finished," he was constantly speaking truth to all men, wanting to free them from their lies, thinking of the safety and comfort of others, in the midst of his most crucial time of pain...a pain thankfully, we will never experience or feel ourselves. Jesus' heart was so focused on the heart of the Father and on the Father's heart for his people, that his own pain was not of utmost importance. Jesus knew who he was and knew the will of the Father that the present moment was all a part of what was "good."
In my life, there are times I wonder if the pain I go through is "good." It's a tough theological question especially when we ask, "why does God allow suffering?" When Jesus willingingly accepts his place of humility and suffering, it makes me hesitate to give a resounding NO! to the question. Maybe this is a conclusion that one must reach for one's own life....for I don't think anyone can say for sure that God causes the suffering of the marginalized of our world like those suffering from AIDS in Africa or those who suffer from mental diseases...But what if MY humble and suffering state offers comfort to others? Jesus, when he bore the sins of all humanity on that cross, at that very moment, He was separated from the Father...the ultimate suffering of any being. And yet, it was for us. I'm not exactly sure how to answer this question about suffering...but I know my understanding of suffering and God's will is shortsighted and I need to approach these matters in humility and in grace.
Lord, may I continue to embrace your will completely into my life to completely trust you in the midst of my pain and struggles. Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. As I continue to trust you with my own pain, may I serve and embrace others in their pain.
Monday, October 29, 2007
John 16-17
John 16: 7: "But I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
I guess this was a good reminder of something that I take for granted DAILY. I talk to God, without any hesitation, no worry about coming before a HOLY God in my unclean state. But before Jesus' death, no one dared to come before the presence of God before they atoned for their sins! The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, that we access daily when we want to pray for big things (jobs/relationships/parents/family) and little things (tests/money/etc) is ONLY available because Jesus died! I know it's the crux of the gospel, but I wonder how often I forget that fact; DAILY! Let's be reminded today of what Jesus has done. Unless he went away, the Holy Spirit couldn't have come to us to live in us. Can you imagine your life without the Holy Spirit? What would that look like? Would we be able to connect with fellow brothers and sisters in the same way that we can now? Would our times of praise be filled with emotions and love as they are now? I think it's something we all need daily reminders of.
John 17:15-17"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
ah... the age-old saying... to be "in and not of the world". What does that mean to us exactly?
does it mean that we do all the things that the world does, but come home and repent and say that we are above those people who sin? or does it mean that we refrain from all things of this world and remain in our 'salt shaker'? to be honest, i don't know where I am... if I am in the salt shaker or if i am out of it, 'seasoning' the world. i think you need a healthy balance between the two. b/c we are fallen and weak, without the encouragement of fellow brothers/sisters, we can fall into the world and become "OF" the world. so I think it's important to spend some time IN the salt shaker... fellowshipping, but we need to get out to the world and 'season' it. we need to go into work and our classrooms and remember to be salt and light. if everyone else is doing something, and if you go against it or you refrain from it, would they frown upon you? would it require you to reveal your identity as a Christian? at those challenging times, are you like Peter and deny Him 3 times? well, the good thing is... even if you do, God forgave Peter and took him back and used him mightily! our God is such a forgiving God! =) Let's remember to be IN the world and not OF it in everything that we do daily. =)
take care gals~! =)
Eunice
I guess this was a good reminder of something that I take for granted DAILY. I talk to God, without any hesitation, no worry about coming before a HOLY God in my unclean state. But before Jesus' death, no one dared to come before the presence of God before they atoned for their sins! The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, that we access daily when we want to pray for big things (jobs/relationships/parents/family) and little things (tests/money/etc) is ONLY available because Jesus died! I know it's the crux of the gospel, but I wonder how often I forget that fact; DAILY! Let's be reminded today of what Jesus has done. Unless he went away, the Holy Spirit couldn't have come to us to live in us. Can you imagine your life without the Holy Spirit? What would that look like? Would we be able to connect with fellow brothers and sisters in the same way that we can now? Would our times of praise be filled with emotions and love as they are now? I think it's something we all need daily reminders of.
John 17:15-17"My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."
ah... the age-old saying... to be "in and not of the world". What does that mean to us exactly?
does it mean that we do all the things that the world does, but come home and repent and say that we are above those people who sin? or does it mean that we refrain from all things of this world and remain in our 'salt shaker'? to be honest, i don't know where I am... if I am in the salt shaker or if i am out of it, 'seasoning' the world. i think you need a healthy balance between the two. b/c we are fallen and weak, without the encouragement of fellow brothers/sisters, we can fall into the world and become "OF" the world. so I think it's important to spend some time IN the salt shaker... fellowshipping, but we need to get out to the world and 'season' it. we need to go into work and our classrooms and remember to be salt and light. if everyone else is doing something, and if you go against it or you refrain from it, would they frown upon you? would it require you to reveal your identity as a Christian? at those challenging times, are you like Peter and deny Him 3 times? well, the good thing is... even if you do, God forgave Peter and took him back and used him mightily! our God is such a forgiving God! =) Let's remember to be IN the world and not OF it in everything that we do daily. =)
take care gals~! =)
Eunice
Friday, October 26, 2007
John 14-15
You know, one of the things I thought of when Greg Jao asked us to think of a nonbelieving person God would have a message for, I now realize I was thinking of John 14:2:
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
It's such a wonderful thought to me, to think of this house with many rooms, and how all the company of heaven would fill these rooms with the reflected glory of God. I think I sometimes forget about the limitlessness of God's love and resources, and how this world is but a shadow compared to the world to come. And how my job is simply to invite people to get to know God, and to see His glory.
My application would be to pray more for this friend, and ask God for opportunities to speak to her with His message.
The other verse that struck me was John 15:9:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
In the beginning of my Christian walk, I used to think that falling in love with God was a "honeymoon" stage kind of thing. That as I grew in faith, I would somehow become more independent of needing God's love. Somehow, I'd become like Mother Teresa, tirelessly ministering to others, or Martin Luther King Jr, standing up for justice in an unjust world.
However, as I look back on the past few years, I can honestly say that it is when I knew that God really loved me, and those around me, that I was really alive. I don't think it is better to be independent of God's love, and that maybe the power behind the ministry of people like Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr, is the discipline of remaining in His love, the kind of love that bridges all kinds of boundaries, walls, and disputes, and the kind of love that gives life, and builds people up. Though falling in love with God has been one of the most inefficient things I have ever done in life, I cannot regret it, for it is only in experiencing His love, that I can accept myself, and show any kindness to the random people He brings into my life all the time.
As George Mueller, one of the greatest men of prayer I know of said:
I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.
In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
It's such a wonderful thought to me, to think of this house with many rooms, and how all the company of heaven would fill these rooms with the reflected glory of God. I think I sometimes forget about the limitlessness of God's love and resources, and how this world is but a shadow compared to the world to come. And how my job is simply to invite people to get to know God, and to see His glory.
My application would be to pray more for this friend, and ask God for opportunities to speak to her with His message.
The other verse that struck me was John 15:9:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
In the beginning of my Christian walk, I used to think that falling in love with God was a "honeymoon" stage kind of thing. That as I grew in faith, I would somehow become more independent of needing God's love. Somehow, I'd become like Mother Teresa, tirelessly ministering to others, or Martin Luther King Jr, standing up for justice in an unjust world.
However, as I look back on the past few years, I can honestly say that it is when I knew that God really loved me, and those around me, that I was really alive. I don't think it is better to be independent of God's love, and that maybe the power behind the ministry of people like Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr, is the discipline of remaining in His love, the kind of love that bridges all kinds of boundaries, walls, and disputes, and the kind of love that gives life, and builds people up. Though falling in love with God has been one of the most inefficient things I have ever done in life, I cannot regret it, for it is only in experiencing His love, that I can accept myself, and show any kindness to the random people He brings into my life all the time.
As George Mueller, one of the greatest men of prayer I know of said:
I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how much I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished.
this is a day late, but I wrote it last night... here are my reflections from thursday's readings (John 12-13)...
I focused on Jesus washing the disciples feet (John 13: 1-17)
I reflected on Jesus' humility and how he took the lowly position to serve his disciples although he was their teacher. How would I react to such an action? I think I would feel a bit uncomfortable at first but be amazed at His example of humbly serving others. Peter's reaction was funny...that he wanted Jesus to go the extra mile and wash more than his feet...but Jesus made it clear that he would stick to the feet, the most neglected and most used part of the body.
so how can I "wash the feet" of others these days?
well, at home, since I still live with my folks...to carry out chores better, be more responsible! Practical things I can be more mindful of are washing dishes, cleaning around the house, preparing dinner once in a while, and spending quality time with my parents
at work...I seem to see my coworkers more than my family cause it's 40 hours a week, but I don't know much about them...so to open up our lives to each other...maybe have moments to share the gospel, God willing. To be interested in their lives and listen/care for them rather than just focusing on my work of checking boxes and boxes of medication.
Joy
I focused on Jesus washing the disciples feet (John 13: 1-17)
I reflected on Jesus' humility and how he took the lowly position to serve his disciples although he was their teacher. How would I react to such an action? I think I would feel a bit uncomfortable at first but be amazed at His example of humbly serving others. Peter's reaction was funny...that he wanted Jesus to go the extra mile and wash more than his feet...but Jesus made it clear that he would stick to the feet, the most neglected and most used part of the body.
so how can I "wash the feet" of others these days?
well, at home, since I still live with my folks...to carry out chores better, be more responsible! Practical things I can be more mindful of are washing dishes, cleaning around the house, preparing dinner once in a while, and spending quality time with my parents
at work...I seem to see my coworkers more than my family cause it's 40 hours a week, but I don't know much about them...so to open up our lives to each other...maybe have moments to share the gospel, God willing. To be interested in their lives and listen/care for them rather than just focusing on my work of checking boxes and boxes of medication.
Joy
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