I received a call today from our sister Sophia Lee who was taken to the ER for a severe headache. Fortunately, her CAT scan did not find anything wrong but they recommended she see a neurologist. We need to pray for Sophia and her well being.
In the book of James 5:14-15 it records:
14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
We see in this passage that we are encouraged to pray for the sick. In fact the leaders of the church are called together to pray for the sick and anoint the sick with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer we offer for the sick must be in faith as any other prayer offered but it is up to the Lord how He will restore the sick. Somehow even sickness causes us to draw closer to God and bring family and friends closer.
I pray that God will be with Sophia tonight so that she would rest and that God's healing touch and peace be upon her.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Day 24
When we think of today's families what comes to mind is "broken." The gay agenda is to redefine marry altogether and include same sex marriages as equal to man/woman marriages. Even without the push for the redefining of marriage, families are already in crisis. Divorce, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and misguided parenting are only some of the problems all too many families face. The result of these problems create a generation of wounded children who in turn act out what was done to them and the vicious cycle of the family in crisis is repeated more than not.
Joseph in the Bible came from a complex family - a dysfunctional family at best. He had eleven brothers and one sister. All of them except for one brother came from different mothers. To make problems worse, Joseph was daddy's favorite. He wore a multi-colored coat that made him stand out and he would tell of his dreams of one day ruling over all of his brothers and even his parents. His brothers had murderous thoughts and planned to kill him but sold him instead to a caravan going down to Egypt. After many years of trial and testing, Joseph arises as prime minister of Egypt and second in command of the empire. What his brothers intended for bad was used by the Lord for the salvation of not only Joseph's family but all the neighboring people during the seven year famine.
We don't know why God allows such pain to be inflicted on us through members of our family but what we do know is that God has a plan of working through the pain and sorrow to comfort and soothe a hurting world. The path of God's healing is through serving in personal ministry affecting the lives of others. God uses everything we've been through to further glorify His name and prove only He is the true and loving God.
Joseph in the Bible came from a complex family - a dysfunctional family at best. He had eleven brothers and one sister. All of them except for one brother came from different mothers. To make problems worse, Joseph was daddy's favorite. He wore a multi-colored coat that made him stand out and he would tell of his dreams of one day ruling over all of his brothers and even his parents. His brothers had murderous thoughts and planned to kill him but sold him instead to a caravan going down to Egypt. After many years of trial and testing, Joseph arises as prime minister of Egypt and second in command of the empire. What his brothers intended for bad was used by the Lord for the salvation of not only Joseph's family but all the neighboring people during the seven year famine.
We don't know why God allows such pain to be inflicted on us through members of our family but what we do know is that God has a plan of working through the pain and sorrow to comfort and soothe a hurting world. The path of God's healing is through serving in personal ministry affecting the lives of others. God uses everything we've been through to further glorify His name and prove only He is the true and loving God.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Day 23
After reading half way through Genesis, I am reminded again of God's grace in calling Abram into the redemptive history of humankind. Before Abram was the father of many nations (the meaning of Abraham), before receiving the promise of having a son through his barren wife Sarai, before he became rich and powerful, before he had his own army and before he attempted to offer up Isaac as a human sacrifice to God, Abram receives the promise from God. What did he do to warrant such a blessing?
Gen 12:1-3 records, "Now the Lord had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Is this not God's grace at work in the life of Abram? It is the same grace that found you and me lost and wandering through life not knowing why we exist. This grace of the gospel is a grace that will not leave us the same as it found us. Our identity and disposition will change through the grace offered to us in Jesus Christ. It is a grace that blesses and touches the lives of others. God blessed Abram so that he may be a blessing. In the same way every believer has been saved and given life so that we become the channel of blessing to a dying world. Abraham lived a life that demonstrated God is faithful in fulfilling everything he said he would do. Every Christian is living under the same Abrahamic blessing.
Gen 12:1-3 records, "Now the Lord had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
Is this not God's grace at work in the life of Abram? It is the same grace that found you and me lost and wandering through life not knowing why we exist. This grace of the gospel is a grace that will not leave us the same as it found us. Our identity and disposition will change through the grace offered to us in Jesus Christ. It is a grace that blesses and touches the lives of others. God blessed Abram so that he may be a blessing. In the same way every believer has been saved and given life so that we become the channel of blessing to a dying world. Abraham lived a life that demonstrated God is faithful in fulfilling everything he said he would do. Every Christian is living under the same Abrahamic blessing.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Day 21
Reflecting on today's message delivered by Pastor Sean on the "Heart of God," I was refreshed through God's word that the track record for His revelation of love to his chosen people and the rest of humanity continues today. God's love demonstrated in the ultimate sacrifice of his only Son Jesus Christ is an undeniable fact. It is a difficult issue to resolve why some accept this love and others do not - this should not be our primary pursuit. Our purpose in the plan of God is to reflect as much of his glory in and through our lives to a dying and dark world who seeks Truth. The means God uses to show His love is through his church. What the church should never lack is the love of God surging among its people and permeating every thought and action. What love is this? It is the love of Christ we experience through the Cross of Calvary. There is no greater demonstration of heavenly/Godly love than God-man dying a sacrificial death on behalf of sinners. Our interactions with the world should be saturated in and motivated by love. Who are you loving with the love of Christ today?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Day 19
John C Maxwell says, "Leadership is influence, no more no less." If this is a principle of leadership, then every single Christian is a leader because we influence the world around us for the sake of Christ. Jesus’ use of the term "servant" was synonymous with greatness and Christian leadership. We may think that we are effective leaders, but in fact we are not. Greatness comes by serving and leadership comes by being slave of all. If you aspire to be a person of influence or in other words to be a Christian leader, then you should be asking the question, "How effectively and lovingly am I serving others around me?"
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Day 18
In our Bible study tonight Part II of John Murray's Redemption Accomplished and Applied was presented. The order of salvation was presented as follows:
Calling
Regeneration
Faith/Repentance
Justification
Adoption
Sanctification
Perseverance
Glorification
When was the last time you thought about the depth and mystery of God's grace in His work of salvation in you? Every believer must wrestle with scriptural texts relating to our salvation and the salvation of others. Here are some points on calling, regeneration and faith/repentance:
Calling
- It is God the Father who calls his people and ushers us into fellowship with Christ.
- The call of God is efficacious unto salvation.
- God is the author and it is act of God alone.
- God planned it and he does the calling.
- The call ensures perseverance b/c its grounded in security of God’s purpose and grace.
- Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen.”
- Romans 8:30 "and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."
Regeneration
- renewing of heart/mind – a radical transformation
- God the father calls we must answer the call
- No one who is dead in sin can answer the call
- Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
- We do not choose to be born but was begotten.
- Holy Spirit bears or begets when and where he pleases.
- We are passive in regeneration
- Regeneration is the beginning of all saving grace in us and all saving grace in exercise on our part
- Only the regenerate can claim JC as Lord – this is one way the Holy Spirit glorifies JC.
Faith/Repentance
- faith in the Christ is the 1st evidence of regeneration
- faith is not the act of God – it is the sinner who believes in Christ
- God’s grace enables us to believe but faith is an activity on the part of the person and of him alone
- God alone regenerates – we alone believe
- We believe in Christ alone for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God"
- faith is a whole-souled movement of self commitment to Christ for salvation from sin and its consequences
- universally all are called to repent
- Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’"
- Ezekiel 18:23,32 "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”
- we don’t entrust ourselves to Christ b/c we believe we have been saved but as lost sinners we have faith in Christ so that we may be saved
- faith and repentance are interdependent
- if faith is directed to salvation from sin, there must be a hatred of sin and desire to be saved from it
- hatred of sin involved repentance (turning from sin to God)
- repentance consists essentially in change of heart, mind and will of God, ourselves, sin and righteousness
- repentance is the response of turning from sin to God
- through faith we receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation
Calling
Regeneration
Faith/Repentance
Justification
Adoption
Sanctification
Perseverance
Glorification
When was the last time you thought about the depth and mystery of God's grace in His work of salvation in you? Every believer must wrestle with scriptural texts relating to our salvation and the salvation of others. Here are some points on calling, regeneration and faith/repentance:
Calling
- It is God the Father who calls his people and ushers us into fellowship with Christ.
- The call of God is efficacious unto salvation.
- God is the author and it is act of God alone.
- God planned it and he does the calling.
- The call ensures perseverance b/c its grounded in security of God’s purpose and grace.
- Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen.”
- Romans 8:30 "and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."
Regeneration
- renewing of heart/mind – a radical transformation
- God the father calls we must answer the call
- No one who is dead in sin can answer the call
- Ezekiel 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
- We do not choose to be born but was begotten.
- Holy Spirit bears or begets when and where he pleases.
- We are passive in regeneration
- Regeneration is the beginning of all saving grace in us and all saving grace in exercise on our part
- Only the regenerate can claim JC as Lord – this is one way the Holy Spirit glorifies JC.
Faith/Repentance
- faith in the Christ is the 1st evidence of regeneration
- faith is not the act of God – it is the sinner who believes in Christ
- God’s grace enables us to believe but faith is an activity on the part of the person and of him alone
- God alone regenerates – we alone believe
- We believe in Christ alone for salvation
- Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God"
- faith is a whole-souled movement of self commitment to Christ for salvation from sin and its consequences
- universally all are called to repent
- Ezekiel 33:11 "Say to them, ‘As I live!’ declares the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’"
- Ezekiel 18:23,32 "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”
- we don’t entrust ourselves to Christ b/c we believe we have been saved but as lost sinners we have faith in Christ so that we may be saved
- faith and repentance are interdependent
- if faith is directed to salvation from sin, there must be a hatred of sin and desire to be saved from it
- hatred of sin involved repentance (turning from sin to God)
- repentance consists essentially in change of heart, mind and will of God, ourselves, sin and righteousness
- repentance is the response of turning from sin to God
- through faith we receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation
Day 17
Barnabas is a Greek name interpreted by Luke in the book of Acts which means "son of consolation" or "son of encouragement." We know that he was born in Cyprus who was a Levite. He comes on the seen in the Book of Acts as someone who sold a tract of land and brought the money to the apostles - one of the early believers. He was respected and admired by the early believers in the church. His encouraging spirit comes out when he introduces Paul, who was recently converted, to the leaders in Jerusalem. Barnabas recognizes the genuineness of Paul's conversion. Some tradition believes Barnabas was part of the 70 disciples sent by Jesus to ministry.
Barnabas has character qualities Christians need to cultivate. In Acts 11:24, Barnabas is described as a "good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." What a combination to have. He also gave people the benefit of the doubt. He stood by Paul before the leaders of the church in Jerusalem putting his reputation on the line. He gave John Mark another chance even after he disserting them. The nickname "son of encouragement" befits this man of integrity. We need more people in the Church who serves the living God with true sacrifice and devotion. We need more people in the Church who stands and vouches for his fellow believers especially those in need of a second chance. These are the people God will use to increase the Kingdom of God for his glory.
Barnabas has character qualities Christians need to cultivate. In Acts 11:24, Barnabas is described as a "good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith." What a combination to have. He also gave people the benefit of the doubt. He stood by Paul before the leaders of the church in Jerusalem putting his reputation on the line. He gave John Mark another chance even after he disserting them. The nickname "son of encouragement" befits this man of integrity. We need more people in the Church who serves the living God with true sacrifice and devotion. We need more people in the Church who stands and vouches for his fellow believers especially those in need of a second chance. These are the people God will use to increase the Kingdom of God for his glory.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Day 16
I was forwarded this from Charles which I found very interesting:
God desires that we know Him. God is constantly speaking to those in which the Holy Spirit dwells but how do we know if we're hearing God's voice, the devil's voice or our own voice? This table lists the characteristics of those three so we know who's speaking.
The Holy Spirit (Governor) is our guide. He will help us to discern the voice of the Lord. Pray and ask for His help, His gifts, and His leading.Ask yourself some questions:
_Do you hear the Lord speak to you?
_Will you obey what the Lord says to you?
_Have you bound the voice of the enemy and repented of self interests?
_Have you prayed sincerely with a pure heart?
_Have you tested the spirit according to 1 John 4:1-3?
_Have you judged the word according to its content?
_Do you have confirmation
God desires that we know Him. God is constantly speaking to those in which the Holy Spirit dwells but how do we know if we're hearing God's voice, the devil's voice or our own voice? This table lists the characteristics of those three so we know who's speaking.
The Holy Spirit (Governor) is our guide. He will help us to discern the voice of the Lord. Pray and ask for His help, His gifts, and His leading.Ask yourself some questions:
_Do you hear the Lord speak to you?
_Will you obey what the Lord says to you?
_Have you bound the voice of the enemy and repented of self interests?
_Have you prayed sincerely with a pure heart?
_Have you tested the spirit according to 1 John 4:1-3?
_Have you judged the word according to its content?
_Do you have confirmation
Monday, January 15, 2007
Day 15
Hillside Ministry just got back from our annual retreat 1/12-1/14 at Rancho Ybarra. Although space in our meeting room and beds were limited, we had a great time of fellowship at the retreat. There were about 50 of you who joined us this time. The theme was 'Spiritual Warfare' which is not a typical topic of conversation among Christians. I think the exposure to this topic matures us and adds another dimension to our Christian lives. For a lot of us we experienced and witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit encouraging and edifying the body of Christ through listening in our prayer for others and through God's word. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:18-21
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
I believe we experienced the above referenced verse as we sang and spoke to one another, subjecting ourselves to each other. When we pray and stand in the gap for others we are engaging in spiritual warfare. When we intercede on behalf of others we cover them with God's protection. This is a distinctive of Christians. We have got to get each others' backs through prayer. I hope the lessons learned and experienced will assist us in pursuing God with a white hot passion for Jesus which leads us to care for others.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
I believe we experienced the above referenced verse as we sang and spoke to one another, subjecting ourselves to each other. When we pray and stand in the gap for others we are engaging in spiritual warfare. When we intercede on behalf of others we cover them with God's protection. This is a distinctive of Christians. We have got to get each others' backs through prayer. I hope the lessons learned and experienced will assist us in pursuing God with a white hot passion for Jesus which leads us to care for others.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Day 11
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Martin Luther said he lives for "today" and "that day." There will be a day when everyone will stand before the judgment seat of God and answer for every thought, every word spoken, and every action taken in this life. For Christians, it will not be a judgment for our sin because Jesus absorbed the wrath of God in our place on the Cross. It is the degree of rewards we are concerned with. How have we lived our lives under God's grace? What marks have we left in the lives of people for the Kingdom? God's work of sanctification through the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is the process that connects us to eternity. What connections are you making intentionally in your walk with God towards eternity. We have one life to live, no practice, so let's make it count for the Lord.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Martin Luther said he lives for "today" and "that day." There will be a day when everyone will stand before the judgment seat of God and answer for every thought, every word spoken, and every action taken in this life. For Christians, it will not be a judgment for our sin because Jesus absorbed the wrath of God in our place on the Cross. It is the degree of rewards we are concerned with. How have we lived our lives under God's grace? What marks have we left in the lives of people for the Kingdom? God's work of sanctification through the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is the process that connects us to eternity. What connections are you making intentionally in your walk with God towards eternity. We have one life to live, no practice, so let's make it count for the Lord.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Day 10
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
First, they are powerful. They have a worldwide rule. It is reminiscent of the devil's claim to be able to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Our enemy exercises considerable power.
Secondly, they are wicked. Our spiritual enemies use their power destructively and not for good. They are working in darkness operating in the heavenly places - that is the invisible realm.
Thirdly, they are cunning. Our enemy transforms himself into an angel of light. He lies and schemes seldom attacking openly. He is subtle. His most effective weapon is when people deny his existence as if the devil is just a metaphor for evil in the Bible.
Only the power of God can defend and deliver us from such a powerful, wicked and cunning enemy. We have nothing to fear but trust in the Lord and the promises of his Word.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Day 9
Ephesians 6:12
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We have a formidable enemy. This struggle we are in is not against people we know or even strangers. We struggle against Satan and demons. According to R Kent Hughes, this struggle we are in is spiritual, it's personal and lastly futile if fought in and by our own flesh. The implications of Paul's description of these evil enemies as "rulers, powers, world forces, and spiritual forces" are that they are well organized and they have a chain of command. Our enemy is working day and night in our culture and through world systems to thwart the work and plan of God in the lives of believers. Our awareness of this spiritual world must be seriously considered if we desire to follow Jesus.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
We have a formidable enemy. This struggle we are in is not against people we know or even strangers. We struggle against Satan and demons. According to R Kent Hughes, this struggle we are in is spiritual, it's personal and lastly futile if fought in and by our own flesh. The implications of Paul's description of these evil enemies as "rulers, powers, world forces, and spiritual forces" are that they are well organized and they have a chain of command. Our enemy is working day and night in our culture and through world systems to thwart the work and plan of God in the lives of believers. Our awareness of this spiritual world must be seriously considered if we desire to follow Jesus.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Day 8
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
This entry may have been more appropriate on Day 7. Its about rest that the Israelites in the wilderness did not experience even after entering the promised land. Spiritual resting which Jesus calls upon his people to enter involves trusting and depending on the provisions of God. Resting in Jesus does not mean inactivity where we are not responsible for anything. It requires active trusting. Anyone anxious today? Anyone stressed out about life's circumstances? Anyone tired or burdened by anything? This verse is for you. You have the qualifications for coming to Jesus. Resting in Jesus takes away the exhaustion of life and replenishes our soul. Enter into the rest Jesus provides.
28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
This entry may have been more appropriate on Day 7. Its about rest that the Israelites in the wilderness did not experience even after entering the promised land. Spiritual resting which Jesus calls upon his people to enter involves trusting and depending on the provisions of God. Resting in Jesus does not mean inactivity where we are not responsible for anything. It requires active trusting. Anyone anxious today? Anyone stressed out about life's circumstances? Anyone tired or burdened by anything? This verse is for you. You have the qualifications for coming to Jesus. Resting in Jesus takes away the exhaustion of life and replenishes our soul. Enter into the rest Jesus provides.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Day 7
According to Luke 18:1-8, we are to always pray and not lose heart ("faint"). What was highlighted in today's message is that Jesus in telling this parable is not comparing but contrasting: 1. praying with losing heart, 2. the widow with God's chosen, and 3. the judge with our heavenly Father. Believers should always be praying. Praying needs to be as natural as breathing. This is in contrast to fainting or losing heart. We are not widows because we believe in the Son of God who saved us by giving his life up for us. We have repented of our sins and God has brought us into a right standing with Him through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. We are not without an advocate who continues to plead our case to a Righteous God. We have a heavenly Father who always gives good gifts to his children. The persistence of the widow is to be commended to obtain what is due to her but it is not the way we should be approaching our God. The means of getting God's attention is not annoyance or pestering or bribing. Persistence with self-control and patience is needed as we live a life of prayer. We are his children and as such we have direct access to the throne of grace where there is mercy as well. If we are living faithfully dependent on God we have nothing to fear. A persistent life of faith is what Jesus looks upon with favor. We should not give up when our faith is challenged - the answer is to pray more.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Day 5
Matthew 7:9-11
Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
In our asking, seeking and knocking, Jesus makes it clear that God's intentions are always to give good gifts to those who ask. The obvious answer to his questions in this passage is an emphatic no! No man in their right mind would give his son a stone in place of bread or a snake in place of a fish. Our heavenly Father who is far wiser and infinitely greater than an earthly father would most certainly provide what is good to his children. Fathers always want to give their best to their children. God our heavenly Father desires to give the best to us who ask with right motives and a pure heart. Ask, seek, and knock - God is waiting for his children to come to him.
I want to encourage all of you who are fasting and praying - God is listening and He will answer and give good gifts to us. Amen.
Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
In our asking, seeking and knocking, Jesus makes it clear that God's intentions are always to give good gifts to those who ask. The obvious answer to his questions in this passage is an emphatic no! No man in their right mind would give his son a stone in place of bread or a snake in place of a fish. Our heavenly Father who is far wiser and infinitely greater than an earthly father would most certainly provide what is good to his children. Fathers always want to give their best to their children. God our heavenly Father desires to give the best to us who ask with right motives and a pure heart. Ask, seek, and knock - God is waiting for his children to come to him.
I want to encourage all of you who are fasting and praying - God is listening and He will answer and give good gifts to us. Amen.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Day 4
How do we participate in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer? Robin Boisvert in the sixth chapter of How Can I Change? offers us six tools of the trade:
1. Self-Denial and a Life of Discipleship
- Jesus called us to deny ourself and carry our cross to follow him.
- We deny ourself when we serve others.
2. Trials Along the Way
- God has a purpose for everything that happens in our lives even the hard and painful times.
- These trials of life are for good not for harm.
- "God is prepared to sacrifice your short-term happiness in order to achieve his eternal and gracious purpose in you.
3. The Place of the Law
- The purpose of the Law is to restrain evildoing
- To show us our sin
- To bring us to Christ
- To serve as a guideline for godly living
4. The Church
- "Sanctification can only be worked out in the context of Christian community"
5. Sacraments
- Baptism & Communion are external reminders of what God accomplished spiritually/internally
6. Worship and Praise
- "God speaks to our hearts as we worship. He tells us of his majesty, his sovereignty over our lives, his providential care for us, and many other wonderful things. He may also reveal specific areas where we need to change or venture into new realms."
Let's utilize these tools to actively participate in the Holy Spirit's work of making us holy.
Day 3
Through the natural world God has revealed himself as Creator and the transcendent being. Although this knowledge shown to humankind will be held into account by God it is not sufficient to gain the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The book of Romans 10:14 tells us, "How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" The revelation of God in the saving work of Jesus Christ must be proclaimed in word and deed. This is the mandate of the great commission. The carries the message of hope and good news that must be shared with love and grace and wisdom. All Christians are on display to a world that has rejected the Savior because they love sin too much. We are the means by which God redirects lost souls to himself. May we live and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Day 2
If chapters 1-2 of Gen are correct then God is the Creator of all things that are good in His sight. How wonderfully and beautifully we are created! Humans have the most amazing attribute of all living creatures - we have been created in the image of God. Sin entered humanity and severed our relationship to God in Gen 3 and humanity experienced not only a spiritual death but physical too. When we are appropriately restored back into relationship with God through the saving work of Jesus Christ, that image of God is restored at least in part. God has created us with such great potential to bring glory and honor to our Creator. This is the purpose for why we exist.
The Westminster Catechism's 1st question:
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
There is no greater purpose than the answer to this universal question under heaven. We have been created to magnify the living God and delight in His presence forever. We are far from living out the Biblical and godly purpose for why we exist.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
Lord, may we experience Your creative touch in our hearts to live for your glory!
The Westminster Catechism's 1st question:
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
There is no greater purpose than the answer to this universal question under heaven. We have been created to magnify the living God and delight in His presence forever. We are far from living out the Biblical and godly purpose for why we exist.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Romans 11:36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
Lord, may we experience Your creative touch in our hearts to live for your glory!
Monday, January 1, 2007
Day 1
Hillside Family,
Happy New Year to you all in the Lord’s name! How encouraging to know that so many of you dedicated yourselves to starting the year 2007 with prayer and fasting! 38 out of 40 days were committed by all of you to pray and fast. I wish to offer to anyone the privilege of fasting and praying Jan 4 and Jan 9. Post an anonymous comment if anyone is interested.
“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory” (Psalm 63:1–2, NRSV).
David’s total being is in want of God and only Him. We need to ask ourselves: What is our greatest desire or want? What or who would satisfy our longings forever? These questions must be answered with growing conviction that it is God. In the next forty days we are praying that God would search our hearts and motives for living. In our fasting we will see the condition of the heart. It will humble us because we will find that we do not love God as we ought. Let us be renewed and refueled by His Spirit with what the Bible calls our “first love” for God.
Happy New Year to you all in the Lord’s name! How encouraging to know that so many of you dedicated yourselves to starting the year 2007 with prayer and fasting! 38 out of 40 days were committed by all of you to pray and fast. I wish to offer to anyone the privilege of fasting and praying Jan 4 and Jan 9. Post an anonymous comment if anyone is interested.
“O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory” (Psalm 63:1–2, NRSV).
David’s total being is in want of God and only Him. We need to ask ourselves: What is our greatest desire or want? What or who would satisfy our longings forever? These questions must be answered with growing conviction that it is God. In the next forty days we are praying that God would search our hearts and motives for living. In our fasting we will see the condition of the heart. It will humble us because we will find that we do not love God as we ought. Let us be renewed and refueled by His Spirit with what the Bible calls our “first love” for God.
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