Luke 5

Jesus then calls His first disciples, after a clear object lesson.  They would become fishers of people, after having seen how obedience to Christ's command allowed them to catch an unusually huge amount of fish even though they had caught nothing earlier in the evening.  And, they "left everything and followed Him".

Also, once again, God's Holiness is clear, as Simon Peter falls "at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”"

Jesus continued His ministry by healing a man with leprosy, not only physically; but also by reaching out and touching him and having him go to the priest to give testimony and offer sacrifice, it would've encompassed emotional and social healing as well.   Then when He healed the paralytic, it was not only physical but also spiritual, through the forgiveness of sins.  In both cases, the faith of the person being healed was also shown.   Also, something that Luke seems to point out is that when Jesus heals the effect is immediate and total.

In the passage, Jesus was demonstrating that He is the Messiah to the religious leaders, testimony to the priests, and miracle of healing the paralytic to authenticate forgiving of sins in the presence of the Pharisees and scribes. It is okay to be skeptical and to authenticate everything against Scripture, but, where the Pharisees and scribes fell short is that they were unwilling to see the evidence and recognize that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God.

Then Jesus called Levi, a tax collector, to be his disciple.   Tax collectors were notorious for being corrupt and greedy and were considered outcasts and sinners; yet Jesus demonstrated that it is those who recognize their need for salvation who will come to him and receive healing.   Levi held a great banquet for Jesus and invited all his friends showing his joy in following Jesus and wanting his friends to meet Him and possibly find that joy as well.  Just as Peter, James, and John did, Levi also "got up, left everything and followed Him."  He later becomes the author of the Gospel of Matthew.

Then Jesus told a parable to teach them that He is bringing them a new covenant that is different from the old customs and restrictions that are being followed by the Pharisees. 

Luke 4

Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was led into the wilderness likely to primarily prepare for ministry through fasting and prayer.   Also during this time, He battles temptation from the devil, Satan, and is victorious.  

It is clear from this passage that Satan knows our weaknesses, knows and twists Scripture, is the prince of this world once evil entered after the Fall, and is always looking for opportunities to attack.  

Yet, this passage shows that the Word of God is a powerful weapon to fight back.   We must remember that the eternal perspective and obedience to God is more important than immediate temporal physical needs; that only God is to be worshipped rather than any of the unworthy "idols" that can be offered in this world, and that God is not to be put to the test.

After victory over temptation, Jesus begins His ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.   Yet, when He goes to his home town, he faces rejection, to the point where they wanted to throw him off a cliff.  And this is after He has clearly affirmed to them that He is the Messiah starting His ministry, fulfilling the Scripture that He read from Isaiah.

He returns to effective ministry in Capernaum, which includes teaching, casting out demons, healing, and proclaiming "the good news of the kingdom of God".    But, in the midst of it all, it was clear that He took the time to go "out to a solitary place" to spend time with the Father and to pray.   What a vital part of ministry, spending time in solitude with the Father.

Loving God

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." (Psalm 73:25)

As I was pondering all that I have to be grateful for, despite challenges and difficulties in this life, I realized that the verse above can be the Scripture which reflects my focus this year.   Sure, I could have chosen any of the numerous verses on the amazing LOVE of God; and even the verses on the greatest commandment, which is to LOVE the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, and mind.  Yet, how wonderful it is to be able to say that I truly LOVE GOD more than anything or anyone here on earth.

It's also interesting that something one person in my class said to me on Sunday had me thinking.    He said that he thought I might be more of a Martha than a Mary.   I know that years ago, I would've agreed without hesitation; but, at this time, I was somewhat troubled.    As I thought about it, I know that I have tried to be balanced between staying busy and taking time to "sit at Jesus's feet".   But, as I thought more about it, I think that my theme this year may be telling me to make more of a conscious effort to spend even more time sitting at Jesus's feet and listening to Him.   Though, reading the Luke 10:38-42 passage again, I see that I am not so much like Martha anymore.   I don't think that I get too "distracted" by all the work and I am not "worried and upset about many things".    And while, I do enjoy quiet time with the Lord, it may be useful to take more time in the midst of busy-ness to choose "what is better, and... will not be taken away".

The other day, I realized that going to Church actually does help me to re-align my life with the "straight and narrow path".   Life pulls us in many different directions, but maintaining my focus on Christ keeps me going the right way.

More Cooking - trial and error

Just thought I'd record some lessons learned through trial and error cooking.....

• Cookies n'Cream brownies - It's not worth all the effort; the really simple method of just adding crumbled oreos and sprinkling on the top doesn't really turn out right.   It seems that the correct method has to go through the effort of mixing cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, milk, etc. for the real cream effect.   Meanwhile, eating all those extra oreos is not so good for me either.    The other thing to keep in mind is that substituting applesauce for oil is not so good for brownies - seems to make it too fluffy; probably better for cakes.   And then the baking time didn't seem to match either, for the 8x8x2 glass  (seemed to be better with the shorter time, for the 9x12x2)
• Tried to make the crab white sauce for a vegetable stir fry; but, when pan frying the canned crabmeat with egg white, sauce, and spice, the flavor was okay; but, the consistency was wrong.  Not sure how this can be fixed; nor whether it is worth re-visiting
• For the Mediterranean stew, mixed garbanzo beans, olives, stewed tomatoes, roasted bell pepper, and cilantro.   Adding Garam Massala actually helped bring out the flavors.
• Beef Stew - russet potatoes are better than the white potatoes (and leaving the skin in does not work well); the slow-cooked beef stew also seemed to be better than the one cooked over the burner 
• Potato "pancakes" - When I first learned to do this, I did it using Italian seasonings; but, I have found that I really like it "Asian" style, simply just shredding the potatoes and seasoning it with chopped green onions and salt.

This week, I visited a middle-eastern grocery store, MarketPlace.   Of the snacks, I picked up some cashews roasted w/salt and pepper.  They had a nice baklava station, though they were selling at $9.99/lb.  Lots of interesting spices, and some packages at $1.25.

Everlasting Kingdom of God

On Sunday, my Pastor started a new series on the "Everlasting Kingdom of God".   In the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His disciples to pray saying "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"  (Matt 6:10).

What is the Kingdom of God?  It is woven throughout Scripture and is:

1. Primarily about God who is King (Genesis 1:1-2; Revelation 22:12-13)
2. The eternal rule of God over all creatures and things (Psalm 103:19)
3. Good News (Mark 1:14-15)
4. Paradoxical  (e.g. here and yet to come, etc)

It is the coming of righteousness, joy, and peace where evil is defeated and all are under the everlasting rule of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!   It has been ushered in by Christ and will be fully established when He comes again.

21-Mar update:  

• The most important thing is our understanding of the King, how we would answer "Who is God?"   There is only one true God, the King and Creator of all things, Who is personal, relational, Holy & Righteous, merciful & gracious, eternal, faithful, unchanging, glorious, and majestic
• To enter the Kingdom of God, we must be born again through the Spirit (which is apart from sinful flesh) looking to the Cross (ref Numbers 21 bronze snake) where Jesus died to save us.   This is the message of the Gospel
• There are different responses to the Kingdom, as illustrated in the parable of the soils:  callous (wayside), impulsive (rocky soil), distracted (thorny soil), and fruitful (good soil)
• The Kingdom is a treasure of great value, and it is disasterous to miss out, especially in light of the coming judgment:  Judgment Seat of Christ for believers (2 Corinth 5:10) and the Great White Throne for non-believers
• The priorities of the mission of the Kingdom are to 1) declare Jesus as King and His plan of salvation, 2) to preach the good news, 3) to warn of coming judgment, 4) to exercise kingdom authority over Satan's counterfeit evil, and 5) to prepare the world for the end times.   These point to Jesus, who is (from the 7 "I AM"s in John) the Bread of Life (6:35), Light of the World (8:12), Gate (10:9), Good Shepherd (10), Resurrection & Life (11:25), Way, Truth & Life (14:6), and True Vine (15)
• There are mysteries and secrets about the Kingdom.   We often spend so much time on the inconsequential and miss the profound.  Just as the Rosetta stone helped unlock the interpretation of hierglyphics, the Scriptures reveal the hidden truths of the Kingdom:  1) Entered through narrow Gate (Jesus Christ), 2) Both present (God living in us) and yet to come (with final fulfilment when Christ returns), 3) Will grow to enormous and vast proportions, 4) Though works unseen but permeantes and transforms all who touch it, 5) Blessings are based on God's grace
• "The Kingdom of God is constantly under siege by the counterfeit kingdom of Satan and the ungodly world system."   It is a spiritual battle waged for the eternal souls of men (Col 1:13); and the "final outcome is total victory and complete conquest of evil and the evil one by Jesus Christ the King of Kings".  Even under oppressive worldly governments, God's Kingdom purposes can still be accomplished
• When Christ returns and rules during His Millenial reign, it will demonstrate what perfect social and order and peace is supposed to look like, without the Fall.  During this time, Satan will be bound and thrown into the Abyss (Rev 20:1-6) so that the moral climate changes.  All will be able to worship and enjoy Christ as King on earth, fulfilling God's promises

21-Jun Update:

• On Palm Sunday, the prophecies in Psalm 118:25-26 and Zechariah 9:9 were fulfilled.  Jesus is King and He came on the day predicted by Daniel.  Yet, even though there will be a perfect King, government, and environment during the Millennial reign of Christ, mankind will still revolt against God's authority (Rev 20:7-10).   After the final revolt, Satan will be bound forever.  Amen!   And, anyone not found in the Book of Life at the Great White Throne Judgment will be condemned.  Thus, we should refuse to be deceived by the world and ensure that our devotion to the Lord is not fickle.
• Revelation 21 & 22 describe the final form of the everlasting Kingdom of God as the "new heaven and the new earth."   They are not just chronologically new, but qualitatively new and different - perfect.  There will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain.
• The New Jerusalem will be the new Capital City of the New Heaven and Earth (Rev 21:2,9,10).  It will be a bride adorned, pure and beautiful, getting its name from His people, the Church.  It will be glorious b/c the glory of God shines
• The Eternal Throne of God will be at the center, around which will be perfect peace (no ripples, like a sea of glass) from which will flow the Living Water w/the Tree of Life (original purpose fulfilled).  There will no longer be sin's curse, all the saints will serve Him, and we have intimacy with God.  There will be no more night b/c of His Glory shining.  Christ will reign forever and ever.  Amen.

Luke 3

It is clear that it is the "the word of God" that called John into ministry; and it was during a time when there were corrupt and cruel political and religious leaders.  John fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah as he preached a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins".   In the context of Luke 3, this meant that it was a water baptism similar to when Gentiles converted to Judaism to display ceremonial cleansing and adoption in to the covenant, and that they needed to turn from their wicked ways and live their lives producing "fruit in keeping with repentance".     This would prepare their hearts and lives to be ready for the salvation through Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.  John didn't "sugar coat" his message, and clearly talked about the coming judgment ("ax", "fire", "winnowing fork"), even calling his audience a "brood of vipers" fleeing from the coming wrath.   

Jesus was sinless and perfect, and did not need to be baptized.   But, He said to permit it at this time.   He was being an example, identifying with sinful man he was going to save, and allowing for the affirmation of His Messiahship through the presence of the Trinity at His Baptism - the Son being baptized, the Holy Spirit descending from heaven, and the voice of the Father saying "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

 In the start of His ministry, Luke, through His geneology, once again reminds us that Jesus is of the line of David, and is the "son of Adam, the son of God."   This points out that Jesus is the Messiah, is fully Man, and is fully God; and leads to what Paul will later talk about that Jesus is the second Adam.  This geneology different from Matthew's, is likely that of Mary's (the physical line) while Matthew lists Joseph's (the legal line, in this patriarchal society).

This passage reminds us that God has His perfect time (calling John at this time, when he has already been in the wilderness for years), that He fulfills His prophecies and promises, that He will judge, but that He also provides the way to salvation.   We are to prepare our lives by making our paths straight (filling valleys, leveling mountains and hills, straightening the crooked, smoothing the rough), producing good fruit through compassion and integrity, and waiting for Him in humility.

Devotions '13

For Devotions this year, I'm using "Heaven Calling", Devotions from Genesis to Revelation; and I'm reading through "The Daily Bible" in chronological order.   It turns out that these are actually complementary, in that both are taking me through the Bible.

So far, what has stood out in the daily readings are that we have a God who Created us in His image and seeks us, even when we try to hide from Him.   And that Abraham, though he is thought of as the righteous forefather of the Israelites, repeatedly failed as well (notably in trying to deceive leaders that Sarah is his sister, in order to "protect" himself).  And that as Abraham and Sarah were waiting for God's promise that their descendants will be a great nation, God continually reminded them and assured them that He would fulfill His promise.

We have a great and loving God who fulfills His promises and blesses us beyond what we deserve (i.e. He gives us grace).

23-Jan:   In the Daily bible reading, I just finished the Book of Genesis last night.   Another thing that I noticed in the Genesis reading, is that God really sees needs of the broken-hearted.   He took care of Hagar and Ishmael when they were "cast out".   He blessed Leah more, since it was Rachel that Jacob loved (and it was Rachel who stole her father's idols). And reading the story of Joseph again just hit home the lessons taught through my Pastor's series on the life of Joseph.

27-Jan:  The following quote from today's devotional really stood out, based on the passage where Joseph recognizes the good in the bad of his being sold as a slave to Egypt:
"When evil surrounds you, look for my good.... In gloomy obscurity, seek my clear light...In only a matter of time you will emerge from sin-steeped circumstance into a beautiful new chapter of your journey.  Wait on me"

31-Jan:  As I've been reading through Exodus, I can see that God truly can use even those who have fallen miserably (e.g. Moses after killing the Egyptian).  Also, the HOLINESS of God is so clear through the passages on the burning bush, at Mt Sinai, etc.  And God's protection of the Israelites was so clear in the Exodus 14:19,20 passage where the "pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel."   Also, His LOVE is shown as He initiates the covenant and says that they will be His "treasured possessions".

25-Mar:  "The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  (1 Sam 16:7)   This is the verse for today's devotional; and it is one that has been referenced several times lately.   It serves as an encouraging reminder that no matter what the world sees and thinks, God looks at what really matters, my heart.

13-Apr:

• In Exodus 33:3, God's love for His people was demonstrated through His great patience and faithfulness:  "Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.  But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way."   The people had sinned by worshipping the golden calf, even as God was giving the Ten Commandments to Moses on the mountain.   He was so angry and disappointed in their sin, that He could no longer "go with" them; although, He remained faithful, by continuing to honor His Promise to give them the "land flowing with milk and honey".  Similarly, in Deut 31, God foresees that His People will become unfaithful after they enter the Promised Land, yet even then, God honors His Promise.  "Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled" (Joshua 21:45)  
• And Moses, as great a leader as he was, also disappointed God when He doubted that God could provide meat for the 600,000 of them in the wilderness.  "The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you."  (Numbers 11:23)
• Deut 10:12-13 truly gives a great "Summary of God's Will":  "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"   - A good verse to memorize and live by.  Then in Micah 6:8 spoken to Israel many years later is a similar, somewhat companion verse:  "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"
• In Samuel's farewell address (1 Sam 12), he was able to say with confidence and in turn be confirmed by the people that he has served well and faithfully.  I hope that in all that I do, till the end of my days, I will be able to do the same - to say that I have served God well and faithfully.  Amen.
• When David became king, he "became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty WAS WITH HIM"  (1 Chron 11:9).   When I read that verse, I was reminded of the many ways I have experienced the blessings of "divine intervention" in my life.  I thank God that He has been with me also.
• "It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way." (1 Chron 15:13) - David recognized the importance to asking for God's guidance, and also of the need to be obedient
• "But the thing David had done displeased the LORD." (2 Sam 11:27b) - What a reminder to be careful.  Even though David was a great king, and God was with him, and he sought the Lord for guidance; he still fell into temptation and committed the great sins of adultery and murder.  May the Holy Spirit help me not to "displease the LORD" in my life.

9-May:  A verse that I remember had stood out the first time I read it, once again stood out during devotions.  David was looking for a site to build an altar to the LORD, and he said to Araunah when he wanted to give it freely, "No, I insist on paying the full price.  I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." (2 Sam 24:24, 1 Chron 21:24).  A reminder that God deserves our best.  Then, from Heaven Calling, there were several parts of the devotional that also stood out:

• As Elijah was hiding after his victory on Mount Horeb, it's a reminder to listen for God's gentle whisper as we face doubt and fear
• Just as God allowed Elisha to learn from Elijah, we are not expected "to figure things out on [our] own" - we can call on the LORD for His strength and guidance
• Just as Nehemiah prayed before speaking to the king about what he needed, we can remember that God's "resources are limitless for [our] task" and He will provide when we ask
• The story of Esther is a reminder to just continue walking with God and be ready for whenever He calls us "to a task larger than yourself".   Also, unlike the Persian King Xerxes, God is a King who offers an open invitation to come before Him anytime, entering His throne room with boldness - what a privilege
• The devotional on Mordecai taking a stand against Haman really spoke to me:   "The course I set before you is indeed lonely at times.  Nevertheless, I have set you apart and equipped you to run it well.  I have also prepared your path with rich blessings and rewards.  So take courage, and know that when you feel like you're standing alone, you aren't.  I am standing with you."

25-Jun:

• The verse from Zechariah 4:6 quoted in Heaven Calling from the CEV caught my attention:  "I am the LORD All Powerful.  So don't depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit."  I had learned the verse previously in other versions as "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit...", but the CEV translation really seems to emphasize the message of the devotional that day, that I can depend on the strength of the Spirit in me during times of weariness.  Praise God.
• The Malachi 3:10 verse "See if I will not open the flood gates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure." speaks of how abundantly God desires to bless us.  Amazing!
• In reading of the Kings of Judah and Israel after David and Solomon, I found myself rooting for all the Kings who started off well to finish well also.  But, unfortunately, many "did evil in the eyes of the LORD".  And even when there were those who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, BUT not as his father David had done"; for there were still areas of compromise (e.g. 2 Kings 14:3-6)
• We remember Jeroboam for setting up the altars, high places, and idols in the Northern Kingdom which led them away from worship at the Temple; but I didn't realize that when he was called by God to be king over Israel in 1 Kings 11:26-40, he was described as "a man of standing".  Sadly, as a result, disaster is prophesied against the house of Jeroboam for falling away and doing evil (1 Kings 14:5-16)
• Rehoboam started his reign disasterously because he "abandoned the law of the LORD.  He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD."
• The passage in 1 Kings 22:7-28 is a strange juxaposition of being sadly humorous.  The King of Israel did not want to summons the prophet Micaiah because he "never prophesies anything good.., but only bad.".   It's a reminded that there are people who will not listen to truth, and will only seek those who will say what they want to hear.
• I love the verse at the end of 2 Chron 20:12 "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."  May that be my prayer whenever I face any situation in which I do not know what to do.  Amen.

26-Jul:

• In the prophecy from Isaiah 16:5, I can see so clearly the love of God and the justice of Christ's reign:  "In love a throne will be established;in faithfulness a man will sit on it— One from the house of David— One who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness."
• In still trying to find a good king of Judah or Israel to root for, I was excited to read about Hezekiah: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done...Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." (2 Kings 18:3,5-7a)   He made many wonderful reforms; however, I was thoroughly disappointed when I read that towards the end of his life from 2 Chronicles 32:25: "But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem."  Although, at least he and the people repented so that "Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah." (vs 26b)  And unfortunately, in the last years of his life, which were extended after his prayer request was granted when he was ill, he had a son Manasseh who went on to become one of the worst kings that Judah ever had.
• The king I am currently rooting for in my reading is Josiah.  "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left...Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses." (2 Kings 22:2,23:25)
• Another thing that I did notice in my reading, is that often when a king is introduced, the verse often lists the name of his mother as well.   And we usually already know the father, who is typically the previous king.  While this would honor the parents as well when the son obeys the Lord and is a good king; but, on the flip side, it also reminds us that the parents had some role as well in the upbringing, even when the son chooses to do evil in the sight of the Lord during his reign.
• In the book of Jonah, we see the Ninevites repent; but sadly, just 125 years later, as the capital of the ruthless Assyrian empire, Nahum prophesies of the wrath of God that will be poured out on Ninevah due to the atrocities they have committed.
• "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.''Alas, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am too young.'  But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:4-7)   When reading these very familiar verses in the context, they stand out even more; for they show that not only did God form Jeremiah while he was still in the womb, God also chose him to be a prophet before he was even born.  Now that is truly a "calling".  And the following verses are interesting, in that even though Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, he himself didn't feel adequate and had to be reminded that God will be with him.   I can really relate to that.

26-Sep:

• Josiah was recorded as a good king throughout his reign, however, I was somewhat baffled to read that at the very end, he went into battle and did not listen to what was said at God's command.  He was wounded and died.
• "The LORD said to me, 'Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah'" (Jeremiah 3:11); because Judah only returned to the Lord in pretense
  
• While other prophets were prophesying lies of lasting peace (Jer 14:13-14); it was Jeremiah who was justified at the end for telling the truth and praises God in Jer 20:11-13
• "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." (Ezek 22:30) - What a reminder of how important it is to "stand in the gap", like through prayer
• Ezek 33:7-9 refers to the role of the "watchman", which we should all try to take up by giving warning to the lost in sin of the coming judgment
• What amazing boldness Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego showed in Daniel 3:16-18; honoring God whether or not they are delivered from the furnace fire
• "I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession" (Ezek 44:28) - God as our inheritance rather than land and possessions; what a wondrous thought which requires more pondering.....

 31-Dec:  

• Right before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” (Luke 11:40b) - This can apply to so many areas of our lives.  It's just a reminder to dream God's dreams and to believe that He would do it, and we will see Him do more than we could ever imagine, thus all glory going to HIM
• At the final greetings in the second letter to the Corinthians, the devotional Bible version has "Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you." (2 Corinth 13:11b)  - "Aim for perfection" reminds me of pursuing holiness, seeking to be like Christ
• We had a discussion in our small group this past year about God "hardening" hearts.   It's always been somewhat of a challenge to explain; but, Romans 19:18 says "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."  We already know this is part of God's sovereignty, and the challenge is similar to that of the balance between predestination and free-will.   But, from the verse in Romans, it is also clear that hardening is just related to God deciding to withhold His mercy.   Mercy is clearly not something the recipient deserves; and the picture is similar to letting go of the boat heading down a waterfall.   So, "hardening" is just allowing man to follow his sinful nature and thus allowing his heart to be hardened
• In the devotional Bible, the passage from Eph 5:15-20 is entitled "LIVE SPIRIT-FILLED LIVES":  "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."   I just find that this is a good guideline to how we should be living our lives
• At the end of 2 Timothy in vs 16-18, Paul talks about how everyone has deserted him, BUT the Lord stood at his side and gave him strength!   The Lord delivered him and enabled the message to be proclaimed, and was given glory.   I sometimes feel like that - very alone; save only the Lord with me.  I do praise Him that He still works through me, even when I feel alone.  May He be glorified through my life.  Amen!

It gives me joy to be able to say that I have been able to keep up with reading the Bible all the way through this year.   I have done it before; but, there were new insights I gained this time around as well, as listed above.  It feels good to know that I finished.   I look forward to doing it again in 2014, but using the Life Principles Bible from Charles Stanley.

New Year '13

We're already a week into the New Year:  2013.    I am in anticipation of what God will do this year, and already I have seen God's Hand at work.

In my area of focus this year, He has already taught me that His example of Love for us is what I can look towards in order to learn how to Love Him more, for He is the source and example of perfect Love.   I also realized that through all my recent experiences of disappointment with others, I have learned that only God does not disappoint, and that just helps me to Love Him more.   Along those lines, my theme song this year will be "O Love that Will Not Let Me Go".

Another thing that I realized this year is that through the difficult and negative experience last year, it has actually given me guidance and assurance this year about not raising the rent on the condo.  And the mortgage situation has just enforced that as well.  While I will no longer have OT to supplement, yet with my current financial situation, it still continues to work out.

Last week, one of our assistant pastors preached a sermon on "Worship Unleashed" to start off the year.  Worship is the expression of awe and love in the presence of God our Father, and submission of our all to the nature of God. Based on the passage in John 4:19-26, we were reminded that:

• God values WORSHIPERS over the different types of worship; we need to be the kind of people who worship Him well, for the passage says that God SEEKS this
• LOCATION is not the issue, it just matters that we are worshiping HIM; and we are not to stop worshiping just because service is over, we are to keep worshiping wherever we go
• We are to worship Him in SPIRIT (not the physical or external) and TRUTH (consistent with the whole of God's Word, according to how He has revealed Himself, who He really is)

It's interesting that in vs 4, it says that Jesus "had" to go through Samaria, indicating that He had this divine appointment to keep with the Samaritan woman.  Their conversation went back and forth between the physical and spiritual; but the main point was to reveal that Jesus is the Messiah.  And along the way, some principles of worship were also introduced.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord"  (Colossians 3:23a)

Life Principles

My small group started a series on Life Principles based on Charles Stanley's "30 Life Principles":
1. Our intimacy with God – His highest priority for our lives – determines the impact of our lives.
2. Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.
3. God’s Word is an immovable anchor in times of storm.
4. The awareness of God’s presence energizes us for our work.
5. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even if it seems unreasonable.
6. You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.
7. The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.
8. Fight all your battles on your knees and you win every time.
9. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees.
10. If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will.
11. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.
12. Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God.
13. Listening to God is essential to walking with God.
14. God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.
15. Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness.
16. Whatever you acquire outside of God’s will eventually turns to ashes.
17. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
18. As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances.
19. Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.
20. Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice.
21. Obedience always brings blessing.
22. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the initial promptings of the Spirit.
23. You can never outgive God.
24. To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us.
25. God blesses us so that we might bless others.
26. Adversity is a bridge to a deeper relationship with God.
27. Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.
28. No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith.
29. We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops.
30. An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively.
 
We began with #1:  "Our intimacy with God - His highest priority for our lives - determines the impact of our lives."   It's interesting that this fit in so well with my focus for this year; for LOVING GOD is very closely related to our intimacy with God.  If we truly Love God will will Trust and Obey Him, and our souls will hunger and thirst for Him.  Intimacy with God is what were were created for - we were created in His Image to be in relationship with Him.  The barriers to intimacy with God are:  Pride, Rebellion, and Hurriedness, which implies that to overcome barriers, we should have Humility, Obedience, and Time.

17-Jan:  #9 "Trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees" -  Faith is at the heart of the Christian life; and David demonstrated trust in the midst of the overwhelming challenge against Goliath.  This can be done through purifying the heart, renewing the mind, ensuring motives are pure, focusing on the Lord, believing that victory comes from the Lord, and walking in the light of the finished product.

21-Feb:  #15 "Brokenness is God's requirement for maximum usefulness" - This is God's method for dealing with our self-life, removing obstacles that keep us from being fully committed to Him.  God targets the areas we need working on, and then controls the "pressure" so that our self-will can be broken to allow the spirit to effectively work.  Eph 2:8-9 actually shows that God already knows how He will use us; and 2 Corinth 12:6-10 remind us that when we are weak, then we are strong.

7-Mar:  #20 "Disappointments are inevitable, discouragement is a choice." - Disappointments are emotional responses to failed expectations, but Discouragement is a feeling of despair we can choose to avoid.  Psalm 42:11 & 43:5 both essentially point us to hope in God whenever we are in despair or disturbed.  In 1 Sam 30:4, David and those with him "wept until there was no strength in them to weep."  While discouragement is universal and recurring, it is temporary. Remembering who is in charge helps us through, so that we don't fall into the consequences - divided attention, blaming others, anger & depression, estrangement, loss of confidence, a negative spirit, unwise decisions, and drifting away from the Lord.  Instead we can look IN (w/in ourselves), UP (to God), BACK (God's past faithfulness, for He does not change), and FORWARD (ahead to what God can do).  And we should avoid being HALT:   Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.   Take rest to reorganize, resolve to trust God, and resist discouragement.  Habakkuk 3:17-19 tells us that no matter what, we can exult in the Lord and rejoice in God.

21-Mar:   #12 "Peace with God is the fruit of oneness with God" - John 14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me".  The first step to having the peace of God (a continuing decision) is to have peace with God (a one-time decision).  "'There is no peace for the wicked,' says the LORD" (Isaiah 48:22).  So, the key to peace is relationship with Christ (it is HIS peace, for He is the source) - it is not based on our circumstances and it is beyond our understanding b/c we may not know how we can have peace when all things are falling apart around us.  So, peace is not absence of all that troubles but b/c of Him, Who anchors our soul.  He didn't promise smooth sailing, just a safe landing.   He is the Prince of Peace.

4-Apr:  #18 "As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances" - Are we victims of circumstances or victors?  Our view of God in our circumstances affect our relationship with Him and our view of our circumstances.  God is in control and will cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him.   Like Joseph, we may not understand it all, but we can know that He is with us through it all.   Whatever God sends or allows, He has plans to do something amazing.  Just remember that He is sitting on the throne; and no matter how many broken pieces there are, He knows how to put it together.

18-Apr:  #24 "To live the Christian life is to allow Jesus to live His life in and through us." - It is clearly said that Christ is our life in Col 3:4.  Before Christ, we were separated.   And though we are born again to a changed life, we still live in a rebellious world and have a sin nature.  So, in order to live the Christian life, we must remember "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" (Gal 2:20).  "In Christ" is the summary of Paul's theology (Phil 1:21).   This is because the Holy Spirit dwells in us.   Jesus instructed the disciples to wait for Pentecost because they weren't fully ready for ministry till the Holy Spirit indwelt them.   Having the Holy Spirit in us is a requirement for intimacy.   We can't live the Christian life on our own, we are equipped with the Holy Spirit.  It is one thing to struggle through life on our own; it is quite another to allow Christ to live in and through us.  In Christ makes me fit for heaven; but, Christ in me makes me fit for this life.

16-May:  #29 "We learn more in our valley experiences than on our mountaintops" -The main text for this message is Psalm 23, a great comfort during our times in the valley.  Valley experiences are inevitable, for we cannot have mountains without valleys.  God has a higher purpose than to just keep us happy, he cares about our Relationship with Him.  And, to lead us from one mountain to another, we need to go thru a valley.   God allows us to go through valley experiences, but, we should avoid floundering in them.   The depth the the valley often determines how much God accomplishes through it; and we should endure through the valleys so that we will not lose our reward.  Remember that the Good Shepherd is with us in our valleys as well as on our mountaintops.  Valleys are our most profitable times of learning and growing, especially in learning about God and the purifying work of pain.   We should avoid responding incorrectly by having a correct belief system, understanding the ways of God, basing our faith on the Word of God rather than emotion, and knowing His Promises.  Right responses are to surrender to God, believe He will use it for good, rest in His Wisdom, Love, and Power, and to thank God.   Valleys make us more useful for God!

6-Jun:  #28 "No Christian has ever been called to “go it alone” in his or her walk of faith." - Hebrews 10:25 is one of the strongest statements in Scripture on assembling together.  The Church was established by Christ in His purpose for our assembling together if for worship/fellowship, instruction in the Word of God, carrying out the Great Commission, protection from being swayed, exercising spiritual gifts, our need for one another, and having a greater impact on the world.

21-Jun:  #30 "An eager anticipation of the Lord’s return keeps us living productively" - Christ can come back at anytime, since there is nothing more that needs to happen before He Returns.  So, since He can come back at any moment, we are to live godly lives.  The "quickly" often used when referring to His return is not necessarily in timeline but in terms of being immediate when He DOES Return, "quickly" for that moment.  Also, as 2 Peter 3:8 says, a thousand years are like a day.   Our responsibility is to 1) watch faithfully, doing what He called us to do until He comes, 2) wait peacefully, not being anxious and standing firm even in the face of mockers (2 Thess 2:15), 3) work diligently, and 4) worship joyfully.  We should make our lives count, by spending and investing our time wisely; so be intentional, for TIME is a precious fixed "commodity", that when spent, can never be gained back.  On the other hand, when we give of our time to someone, it is then a precious gift.   Our discussion time was closed with an encouragement to evaluate our life and consider that if our life were a book, which section of the bookstore would it be in? Adventure? Leisure? Inspirational?

I have really enjoyed this series on the Life Principles, and I have definitely become a "fan" of Charles Stanley.  What a blessing this has been, and I look forward to going through the Life Principles devotional next year.