NRG Youth Ministry Devotions Blog

Paper Heart

2011-10-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

All of us started with a heart of stone. But the love of God came to us through Christ softening our hearts filling it with joy and peace in Him. As our hearts changed, life changes too. We become more focused on living for him and being an obedient child. Overtime, the once passionate heart becomes cold once again forgetting the love God has for us. Instead of sharing this heart with others, some have their hearts turning cold.

It's time to rekindle that fire once again. It's the grievous sins that makes your heart cold. Seek the Lord, and find peace in him. Repent your ways and be cleansed. For you cannot save yourself, only through Christ you are saved.

Time for a heart check... are you on fire or are you stone cold?

Things to Think About:
1. How do you think God would react to a cold heart?
2. Describe a heart of flesh. How do you relate?
3. Is it hard or easy to follow the Lord? Why?
4. What does a new creation mean once we accept Christ as Lord and Savior?

What is Life?

2011-10-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:17
17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

About four months ago, I posted a clip from Korea's God Talent of Choi Sung-Bong an orphan with great talent. If you missed it, you'll find the video below.

Here's an update on the star...

After a great performance, and wonderful comments from the judges; Choi Sung-Bong responds, "I found reason to live, and I'm grateful for that." Earlier in the clip, he shares he consoles himself through music. This young man has come through many hardships and quite honestly may even face more hardships. We we here stories like his, our hearts go out to them and we want to best for them.

But while I was viewing the second video, it seems as if music changed his life. If music has the power to change this person's life, how does the music you listen to change yours? We can agree to say that music is a very powerful, so how does the music in your .mp3 player affect you? Some might say music doesn't influence them, but I bet Choi Sung-Bong would disagree with you. Others might say music is just entertainment, but many are consoled through music. If music is so powerful in our lives, should we be mindful in what we listen to?

Secondly, if Choi Sung-Bong found life in music how does that differ from materialism, a job/career, or fame? Back when I was in high school, there was a song called "Who Let the Dogs Out!" that was played on every radio station during the summer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He82NBjJqf8). Whatever happened to them? It seems some music last for period of time, while others quickly fade. What's the point? Though
Choi Sung-Bong found so much peace in music, it can swiftly change in time.

There's one person who hasn't changed since the beginning of time. Though humanity has been disobedient to him, He still loved us so much to send his son to give us a new meaning of life. This man is Jesus Christ. I pray Choi Sung-Bong will follow the judges comments in moving forward, and taking full advantage of the opportunity given to him. But at the same time, I also pray his reason in living shifts from music to living for the Lord. Ind the end, the world changes and fades. But our Lord never changes, he never leaves, and he never forgets... for he always will love and live with us!

Questions to Think About:
1. Why is music so powerful? How can we use music to help us in our spiritual lives?
2. What makes praise music so important?
3. What do you do to prepare for praise?

Suffering are Blessings

2011-10-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Though we may not show it as much, we all are suffering. I'm suffering right now because I want some peanut M&M's but I shouldn't. God... WHY ME?!?! Seriously I want one! But kidding aside, don't we all want to take the victim role and ask God, "Why me?!?" If people were to take a good look write now in your life, not only would they find joy but also great suffering and discomfort! At times we wonder, where is God?

Paul reminds us that God is our source of all comfort. He has compassion on us, meaning He shares in our suffering. Does that even make sense? How does God share with us in his suffering? Simply put, we look at the cross. The type of death Christ took for us... that's suffering. And even what you're going through today is suffering, but the comfort we have is knowing our God shares in our suffering. And as he shares in our sufferings, he comforts us. This comfort assures us patience, endurance, and hope! Hope in knowing it will end soon.

As God is in control of all things, even the bad things are blessings from God. That's when we trust in Him! Often times we think we know it all, and think we can do all things ourselves but in the end, we fail and feel alone. Turn to the Lord and be comforted through is words.

Questions to Think About:
1. How does God give us comfort?
2. As you're struggling, how can you comfort others?
3. Why should a person persevere through suffering?
4. How does God relate your suffering?

God Has a Plan for You

2011-10-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

What an inspirational story. A person who was pronounced dead at birth, a person who lived with a disability, a person who had all odds against him was used by God to spread the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. How can God use you?

Some theologians say the Apostle Paul may have been crippled or lame. Why? Well because in 2 Corinthians he shared about the thorn in his flesh and how it hindered him. But yet he didn't use it as an excuse but rather used it as his strength. "... I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." How does that work?

Ultimately we don't rely upon our own strength but the Lord's. He is the one that works through us. Often times we mistakenly think we are always in control and know what's best. But we don't. Our sinfulness makes us weak. We have faults, we make mistakes, we are not perfect like Christ. He is perfect in all ways. Therefore we turn to him!

Christ is more than enough for you. How are you allowing him to work in your life... in your plan?

Questions to Think About:
1. What plan does God have for you?
2. How has your planning in life matches God's?
3. What are you weaknesses that God can make as strength?
4. How should we delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, and persecutions?

Twitter: @Jesus

2011-10-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Questions to Think About:
1. Why would people not follow Christ?
2. What other idols have we followed and why?
3. What does it mean to follow Christ?

Greatest Gift... Disneyland vs. Salvation

2011-10-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Did you see the reaction on this girls face? She was so lost, confused, can this be real? Am I really going to Disneyland? She's probably thinking to herself, "No way!" She asks her dad for affirmation, "Are we going dad?" As soon as the dad responds yes, TEARS! Tears of joy and happiness. Tears of the utter shock of the gift. Tears flowing down her face but yet has the urge to do the "happy dance." This cute little girl received the best gift in the world. As you read Romans 6:23, were you filled with tears? Why or why not?

For majority of us, reading the passage probably didn't bring you to tears. But the first day you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior sure had some tears. Why? Because we received the greatest gift in the world, greater than Disneyland. We received the gift of salvation through the blood Christ shed upon the cross. We deserved to die, but yet we are alive in Christ!

At that time, the gift seems surreal. Can this be true? Once the truth sinks in, we're in utter sadness mixed with happiness of the new life we have. But do you feel that same emotions now? Has it lost it's thunder, it's significance? I hope not. Though many of us may be jaded due to our sins, it's time to deeply reflect on the gift we now have, or can have, in Jesus Christ. God looked at you and wanted to save you from you sins. He sent Christ, his one and only son, to this earth to live a perfect life we couldn't live and to take the punishment on our behalf. Death couldn't even keep Christ down. He resurrected on the third day, ate with his disciples, and revealed he is the Messiah.

Brothers and sisters, do you deserve such a gift? No, but God loves you and gave up his son for you! How are you going to respond to this gift?

Questions to Think About:
1. Describe your experience in accepting Christ, or recommitting your life to him.
2. Over time, how has that experience & emotions diminished?
3. Why don't we view the gift of salvation as something great at times?
4. How can you better appreciate his gift to you?

Death and Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, October 5, the creator and innovator of Apple passed away from pancreatic cancer. He has changed the way we use the computer, the way we listen to music, the way we read magazines, the way we check our emails, the way we talk on our phone, and the list can go on and on. Mr. Jobs has changed the way we live in the 21st century.

In 2004, Mr. Jobs revealed his fight for his life with pancreatic cancer. With the amount of money he has, you would think he would be able to defeat cancer. But cancer does not discriminate, it took his life too who will be forever remembered in changing the way we live with technology. Mr. Jobs understood his fate. In 2005, he shared how he viewed his upcoming death in a commencement speech at Stanford University:

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true."

Death is a destination we all share, but there's is an escape. Yes physically we all will die but spiritually we live forever. Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23 that all sins leads to death. And that through the bloodshed cross Christ died so that we are no longer slaves to sin (Romans 6:4-6).

The new way is not us, for we all are in sin. The new way is in Christ Jesus, the new way is being created new again, becoming a new creation through the acceptance of Christ as our Lord and Savior (2 Cor. 5:17). Christ makes us new! Reborn! Renewed! As the children song goes, "Christ is me is to live, to die is to gain!"

Questions to Think About:
1. How is Christ life, and sin death?
2. What's your view of death? How does it relate to the Word?
3. How has Christ made you new? What things have changed? What things need to be changed?

Out of Darkness

2011-10-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

John 12:44-46
44 Then Jesus cried out, “When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

When darkness is all around us, there seems to be no hope. We all have gone through it before, or will eventually go through it. During these dark times, we are blinded to see Christ. Whether it be because of a deep sin, or because we're so focused on ourselves, we feel lonely and depressed. We fail to recognize that our God is actually with us and wanting to help us in the time of need. But yet we don't take his hand, and we don't allow him to carry us out.

Ultimately the cross reminds us that no matter what darkness we face, Christ is always waiting and wanting to pull us out. It's a matter of us taking his hand. There is always hope in Jesus Christ. No matter how dark, how grim, how horrible the situation may seem; God can always pull us through the hardships of life. We need to see it and take it.

The world is filled with hardships and suffering. Even when we come out of the current darkness, awaits another hardship in our lives. The end will come not here on earth, but when Christ comes back a second time there will be no more pain and suffering. All the hardships will be gone. We will be one with our Lord forever and will enjoy being with him forever. Until that day comes, press on and finish the race!

Questions to Think About:
1. Why are dark periods hard?
2. If God is with us, why are we blinded to see him?
3. How has God taken you out of your darkness?
4. What hopes do we have in our God during the dark times in life?

Elderly vs. Computer

2011-10-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Oh yes how we love the elderly. The elderly and technology do not mix well together. God bless their hearts for trying! During the 3-minute video this elderly couple expressed all aspects of what it means to love each other. What a great example of a loving relationship. This passage is normally quoted during weddings to promote the importance of love in marriage. But we are able to experience a greater love than any human love. That's the love of our God.

This cute elderly couple was just a small reflection of the greater love our God has for us. He continues to be patient to us, though we continue to deny him and disobey him. He revealed how much he cares for us through the death of his son. It wasn't about him but was about us. Through the blood of Christ, our sins are washed away and there's not record of wrong. Our heavenly Father rejoices when we seek him, the truth, and always gives us hope in times of trouble. Is there a greater love than this?

Today may you be reminded of this love. As we reflect on his love to us, how have you expressed your love to him?

Questions to Think About:
1. What characteristic of love do you struggle with and why?
2. How can you show your love to God in your life?
3. What does it require to truly love someone?
4. Is there such thing as receiving too much love? Why or why not?

Being Thankful

2011-09-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Colossians 3:15-17
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

When life gets difficult, when we're too caught up in the busyness of our lives, when we are totally into ourselves... we tend to neglect to see God and what he has already provided for us. Instead we look at what he hasn't given us, and complain. We complain because we feel we know what's best, but in reality our a sovereign God is in all places and at all times.

Each and everyday is a blessing from God. Most of us have livs away from the Lord and don't realize he's taking care of you and providing for you all the time. But yet we still complain of what we don't have.

Brothers and sisters, take some time to think.... How has God taken caer of you?

Questions to Think About:
1. What are you thankful for and why?
2. Why does God provide so much for us?
3. Why do we only see what God doesn't provide?
4. How can you show your thanksgiving to God?

Blackout

2011-09-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Isn't this how we live in our faith? We live accordingly to some of Scripture and delete others we don't like? This morning (Sept. 28) I had the privilege to experience See You At the Pole (SYATP) at Eaglecrest HS, Smoky Hill HS, and Rangeview HS. It was an experience. Students from different backgrounds, ages, and ethnicities coming together to pray for the school, teachers, and peers.

At Rangeview HS, literally over 100 students gather together at the flag pole to pray. Students slowly walked up shy and timid but joined in prayer. As time passed on the group grew bigger and bigger. Students were curious wondering what was going on. They would see their friends, tap them on the shoulder and ask what's going on? "We're praying!" "Praying for what?"

In the background you hear students asking the same questions. One states, "Praying?!?! I don't need f**king prayer. I'm a satanist!" and walks off into the main entrance of the school. A small student walks up to their friends and starts to pray with his friend. Another friend walks up, "What the f**k are you doing?". The once praying student laughs and states, "F**k this sh*t!". I wonder if he really wanted to pray and was caught off guard by a friend giving him a hard time.

A tall athletic guy is praying with the group, his girlfriend stops by. She asks what he's doing, he responds he's praying. His girlfriends asks why. No response from the boyfriend. The girl tries to drag him away, the boy stops her and states, "Naw... I'm gonna stay here. Join me or wait for me inside." The girls gives him a glare, kisses his cheek, and walk inside confused.

Each and everyday we're faced with choices. We either choose to live for the Lord or live in the world. Many of us would rather take the best of both worlds. When we do, we are taking the Sharpie marker and blacking out the very words of God we don't want to live. We're so indecisive sometimes. We try to live a double-life but God is asking the whole not a part.

Did you go this morning to SYATP? Why or why not? Was waking up an hour early too hard? Were you afraid of what your friends might say? Did you feel awkward?

Brothers and sisters, live the truth... the whole truth... and nothing but the truth!

Questions to Think About:
1. Why do you want to live a double-life? Why is it so hard to give God our whole?
2. How do you "blackout" parts of the Bible in your actions and life?
3. What persecution have you faced?
4. What parts of Scripture do you have a hard time obeying?

2011-09-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Romans 6:1-9
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Questions to Think About:
1. How has Jesus changed your life from the past?
2. What does "I am Second" mean?
3. How did this testimony impact you?
4. Why don't we share this message of the gospel to others?

Christian Hipster How To

2011-09-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Romans 15:5-6
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Watching this video reminded me of some of the youth students at our church. But I'm still wondering if someone got "ink" done without my or their parents knowing. Hmm....

It seems there always some type of change in the Christian "hipster". Back in the day, it was consider "cool" to where the WWJD bracelets to remind us to live as Christ as we listen to DC Talk. People sported "Jesus is my Homeboy" shirts and hats to reveal that Christ is our friend. Then there was those "silly" bands that Christians tried to Christianize with "faith" bands. Now it seems the new hipster has skinny jeans, a Bible app, scarf, and nerd glasses. When will this madness end? Actually I'm looking forward to the "Party Like Its the End of Days" pop song with everyone "shuffling" to the groove as they partake in the Lord's Supper. Yeah?!

No matter what the next fad is going to be, thank God He doesn't judge us by our trendiness. There isn't a set "look" of a follower of Christ. I can't wait to see what heaven is like. To see all believers of Christ, from all nations, with different styles, from the young and the old, all with different backgrounds worshipping God. Shouldn't this be the view of our church today?

But even within the church, there are divisions, factions, and differences. Though Christ tells us to come to him just as we are, we tell others they're not good enough to come into "cool" group. Sounds like a after school special right? Well, actually it's the status of our churches throughout the US. How great would it be to see the visible church actually reflect what heaven would be like? "... with one heart and mouth [we all] may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ", no matter what you look like.

Questions to Think About
1. How should Christians respond to trends and fads?
2. What does heaven look like to you?
3. How can the church better resemble heaven?
4. If Christ accepts others as they are, why are we so judgmental of people?

7 Miles!

2011-09-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

What's the point of this? Critics discount the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the theories is that Jesus never fully died. Instead, he was buried in the tomb while still alive and somehow escaped from the tomb. Some say the disciples came and stole the body. But either way, Jesus was severely beaten and for him to heal in 3 days to walk with the disciples to Emmaus (7 miles!) is unthinkable. People still don't believe and they can make up all theories they want. But do you believe he died and resurrected from the dead?

What's interesting about this story is the disciples didn't recognize Christ in his resurrected bodies. Christ was right in front of them but yet they were blind to see him. Is this the same in your life? Are you blinded by your sins, distracted by school, do you not see Christ is with you today and right now? Many of us live day to day without realizing our God is with us day to day, hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, nanosecond by nanosecond. I hope you get my point. But yet we live as if He is not with us. Why?

God is with you today, thus we call him Emmanuel (God with us). This bring us joy that our God is with us, but at the same time makes us reflect our lives. To all things, give glory to God.

Questions to Think About:
1. Why were the disciples binded to see Christ?
2. Why do we fail to recognize God is with us?
3. How do you feel that God is with you all the time?
4. How can you see Christ more clearly?

Imagine Me

2011-09-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

If you've been keeping up with "America's Got Talent" you should know of this group from Denver, CO. If not, let me introduce you to Silhouette. Last night (Sept. 14) this group of children and teens finished second on the reality tv show "America's Got Talent." We're heading back to the beginnings of this group of their audition to the show. The song is entitled "Imagine Me" by Kirk Franklin, a Christian Gospel artist. As you watch this video, read the lyrics below and be inspired by their performance.

Partial lyrics of "Imagine Me" by Kirk Franklin

Imagine me loving what I see
When the mirror looks at me
'Cause I, I imagine me

I admit it was hard to see You being in love
With someone like me
Finally I can imagine me

Imagine me
Being free, trusting You totally
Finally I can imagine me

I admit it was hard to see You being in love
With someone like me
Finally I can imagine me

This song is dedicated to people like me
Those that struggle with insecurities
Acceptance and even self-esteem

You never felt good enough, You never felt pretty enough
But imagine God whispering in Your ear
Letting You know that everything that has happened is now

For many of us, the reality is our self-esteem is really low. We're not happy with what we see in the mirror, we see so many blemishes and things we hate. Imagine a day when we look in the mirror and we're completely happy with who we are. But when we compare ourselves with Christ, we're still filled with blemishes but yet God STILL loved us. As the song states, "I admit it was hard to see You being in love with someone like me."

Brothers and sisters, the LORD loves you... so much more than you can imagine. May the love of Christ live in your. Imagine being embraced by your heavenly Father, soaking in the chest of his, holding him tight in your arms, and feeling the warmth of his life. God brings you peace! Not only imagine it but it's real. Embrace him and enjoy his presence forever.

Questions to Think About:
1. How can we turn imagination into reality?
2. Why are we so low in our self-esteem?
3. How does Christ give us value or a higher self-esteem?
4. What is peace to you?

Community FAIL!

2011-09-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

1 John 1:1-4
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

Does community exist? How many people are you friends with on Facebook? Now how many of them do you really talk to and have a deep friendship with? How many people is on your AIM, Yahoo Messenger, Google Chat, MSN Messenger? How woud you feel if you only had one?

Is wasn't good for Adam to be alone, thus he created Eve. It's not good for any man or woman to be alone, thus he created the church. But some say Sunday is the most segregated day in America. People go to the different worship services, according to their ethnic background, or theological view, or not go at all. But even if we look into the church isn't it more segregated.

Ask yourself, who did you hang out with this past Sunday? Who did you hang out with or talk to last week? And the week before? Is it all the same? The church should be the last place where people feel alone. Christ died on the cross for us, so that we can able to have fellowship with Him. Therefore shouldn't the church be a place of the same fellowship of believers? What are you doing, to make your church more community based?

Questions to Think About:
1. Why do people not enjoy being alone?
2. How do you add to the lack of community at your church?
3. How can you build a stronger community at your church?
4. What would an ideal church community look like?
5. For what purpose did God create community?

Our God is Able

2011-09-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Mark 9:14-26
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

God is Able by Hillsong

Verse 1

God is able

He will never fail

He is almighty God

Greater than all we seek

Greater than all we ask

He has done great things

Chorus

Lifted up

He defeated the grave

Raised to life

Our God is able

In His name

We overcome

For the Lord

Our God is able

Verse 2

God is with us

God is on our side

He will make a way

Far above all we know

Far above all we hope

He has done great things

Bridge

God is with us

He will go before

He will never leave us

God is for us

He has open arms

He will never fail us

This Bible passage is lovely. As the Father brings his son to the disciples, the disciples couldn't cast out the demon from the boy. The were perplexed and confused. When Jesus saw what was going on, what was his response? "O unbelieving generation..." Fast forward 2000+ years, and don't you think Christ would say the same? "O unbelieving generation..."

Even the Father didn't believe. As he was talking with Christ he asks him IF Jesus can do something, then do it now. Christ responds, "If?!?!". Don't we say the same thing as this Father. In our prayers we cry out to God "if" he could do something, then to do it. IF?!?!

Brothers and sisters, do you believe in a God of "if" or in a God of "do"? Many times the "if" statement is due to our lack of faith in God. In the passage we read the Father immediate repentance, v. 24 "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!". This father limited what Christ can do, but cries in prayer to help him overcome his unbelief. This should be the same prayer for us today, to help us overcome our own unbelief.

Do you believe God is able to do great things in your life? Do you believe God is able to save you from the darkness you're in? Do you believe God is able to do greater things, even if there seems to be no hope? Do you believe God is able to change your life?

When we look at the cross, we see and realize God is able to do greater things than we can ever imagine. God is so great not even death was able to take hold of him. The same power that resurrected Christ from the dead is here with you today. God is able to bring healing, God is able to bring joy, God is able to bring peace, God is able to bring comfort, God is able to __________________. Do you believe? If not, ask him to help you overcome your unbelief.

Questions to Think About:

1. God is able to do what in your life?

2. How can you or have have you experienced God's Almighty power?

3. What causes us to doubt God?

4. What do you want God able you to do?

Everything is GOOD!

2011-09-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

James 1:16-18
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

When we compare our life with Tae-Ho, it seems all of our difficulties and challenges are small compared to his. Tae-Ho was born with deformities, abandoned at birth, and faced with a short life span. Everything seemed to be against him but yet he accepted his past and made best of what he has. Doctors didn't expect him to live past ten and now has already passed his 11th birthday. There is a life saying that goes, "If life gives you lemons; make lemonade!". This is exactly what Tae-Ho did.

As followers of Christ, when are life is filled with lemons we make lemonade because the lemons are a gift. "Every good and perfect gift is form above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Brothers and sisters, life get very difficult at times but we need to realize that all the pain and sufferings are a perfect gift from God. We're so focused on what's going on now, and we're so impatient people, we cannot look ahead towards the future. Instead we complain on what's going on in the present.

Ultimately God has a perfect plan for all of us. Even through the difficult times, it was according to his perfect plan. His perfect plan also included sacrificing His one and only Son for us.

Brothers and sisters, rejoice in your sufferings and rejoice in your happiness for our God is good at all times and will take of us until the end!

Questions to Think About:
1. Why do we complain of what we don't have instead of appreciating what we do have?
2. How can we make the best of a bad situation?
3. What promises of God do you hold on to for encouragement?
4. How can you view your struggles and hardship differently?

Look!!! Tae-Ho has a girl in love with him!

Praise Him or Praise Me!

2011-09-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Psalm 71:22-24
22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed. 24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long, for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.

Does this describe your worship to God? Ideally it would be great if every worship service was like a Justin Bieber concert with special guest singer Selena Gomez. If this were so, wouldn't it really be a better worship with God? Would it be a time to exalt our Lord's name or would it be to exalt Bieber and Gomez?

Singing songs of praise is a special time with our God. For a moment in time we are able to sing to our God acknowledging who he is, and what he has done for us. In addition it's a time to be taught by the biblical lyrics of what His word states. Lastly, it's a time to rejoice and let the whole world know who Jesus Christ is. But the time of praise and worship and become a time to exalt ourselves and just go through the motions of praise.

What song(s) best describe you? Is it the singing only on Sunday song, the I surrender some song, or the just go through the emotions song? Do you sing just because you like the song? How does this compare to what Scripture shares? We're supposed to be singing and praising out God of how great our God is... it's a time to lift His name and give glory to Him!

Brothers and sisters, though we may not have J. Bieber or S. Gomez singing with us, we do have a great God who loves us so much to sing to!

Questions to Think About?
1. What are the difficulties of not giving our all in praise?
2. How can you be better fit to praise God?
3. What would the ideal praise session look like?
4. Why does God want us to praise Him?

Trust Factor

2011-09-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 3:5-65
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Ahh... the classic trust fall. How many times have we done this before, whether it was at camp, retreat, church, school, etc. The concept is so simple but yet it's so difficult for us to fall back. Why? Trust. But once we trust the person behind to catch us, it's easier to do. This video takes it to another level. It's easy to trust someone when we know they're behind us, but to fall back when no one is behind us? That's hard to do.

There are so many people and things we place our trust in. We place our trust in our family and friends knowing that they love us and wants the best for us, but in the end they too will fail someday, or even may not be with us when we need them the most. It's easy to place our trust in the future, in our careers, and colleges but nothing is guaranteed, even if you go to the most prestigious college in the States.

The only person we are able to trust in is the Lord himself. The passage states, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart...". Meaning trust in him in every circumstance, in every situation, in every moment in our lives. Trust in him, even though you feel God is not there with you. If we based our trust in God with our feelings, our trust factor would be all over the place. But often times when we don't see God, we start trusting in ourselves. "... and lean not on your own understandings." Even though God has a perfect plan laid out for us, we still think we know better than him.

"In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Brothers and sisters, trusting in God is more than saying, "I trust you!". It requires you to take action in trust. At times God will ask us to do something outrageous but we need to trust in Him. How far are you willing to go and trust in the one who created you and gave you life?

Questions to Think About:
1. How far is too far in trusting God? What stops you in trusting Him?
2. Why do people trust in themselves more than trusting God?
3. What do you think it means when the passage states, "acknowledge him"?
4. In what areas in your life do you need to trust God?

What is the Church?

2011-08-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

For many of us, we define the church as a building, or a place of worship. But is that the true church? Our church is filled with a praise band, Bible studies, a coffee cafe, and many different ministries... does that make it a church?

When we look into scripture, we have a glance of what the first church looked like.

1. Church is a place of teaching and fellowship (v. 42)
Whether it be on Sundays or Fridays, or any other days, the church is here to teach us God's Word. But for many we don't have the desire to learn because we stayed up late the night before, or we're distracted by what's going on in our life, or we enjoy hanging out with our friends more so than with God.

Not only is it a place of teaching, but also a place of fellowship. The church is a place where we hang out, not only with our friends, but with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a place where we feel welcomed, loved, and we feel at home.

2. Church is a place of prayer (v. 42)
Why pray at church when we can pray at home? True, we can pray anywhere we want. But the church offers a place not only to pray but also to be prayed for. Though we can pray at any time, at any place, the church give us a place with no distractions but to cry out to him.

3. Church is a place filled with God's miraculous work done to them (v. 43)
We all have a story to share, we all have experienced Christ's great work in our lives. What a better way to encourage each other than to share the work God is doing in our lives.

4. Church is a place of community (v. 44-47)
There is no better place than the church to be encouraged, prayed for, and help each other in our lives. It's a place where we can share our struggles and not feel alone in the race.

With was we see the church was in Acts 2, it might not be description of many churches today. But you can make that change. The church is not a building but it's you... you make the church! Brothers and sisters, it's time for us to stop blaming the church and start being the church God wants us to be. When all comes aboard, the beauty of the church won't be measured by the size of it's building or budget, but rather the size of the love it has for people. So why not be the church, and starting bringing people to the church?

Questions to Think About:
1. How has the church failed? Why does it fail so much?
2. How can you be a part of the solution?
3. What would the perfect church look like?
4. What stops you from inviting friends to church, when it has so much to offer?

A Father's Love

2011-08-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

John 15:9-17
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

At times we forget how much our parents loves us. Though we would love to have a perfect relationship with our fathers, the realities is some do and others don't. But we have a greater Father in heaven that is perfect in all ways. This heavenly Father loves us dearly, so much so he sacrificed his one and only Son for us.

Christ tell his disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you." Ultimately our Father's love was seen through Christ. John continues in v. 13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command." Imagine this, Jesus calling us friend. But it doesn't stop there. Not only does He call us friend, but he's willing to die for us... true sacrificial love!

Love is not an emotion, but love is a commitment. God loved you so much, that he couldn't stand you taking the punishment of your sins. Thus, He sent Christ to take the sins for you so that you can be righteous. There's no greater love than this, to lay his own Son for us.

But being earthly, sinful people we fail to recognize this love. God gave us the greatest gift of life through the death & resurrection of Christ. For us to receive life, Chist died. That's his love for you.

Questions to Think About:
1. How is sacrificial love the greatest way to show love?
2. How has the love we received from people fail compared to God's love for us?
3. Why would God love us so much to send Christ to die for us?

DEVOTION IS BACK AND RUNNING! .... ok maybe just walking.

2011-08-30T07:41:00.000-07:00

After a long break we're back up!

The Word of God is useful is so many different ways (2 Timothy 3:16). But for many it's hard to read his word. Thus this website exists to help all those spend more time in his Word!

-PD

Shallow Small Group

2011-06-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Shallow small group? Is this what it looks like on Sundays during Bible Study? How about when you hang out with your friends? When we look at the beginnings of the church in Acts 2, we read how everyone came together to eat together, to live together, to teach each other, and to pray together. Overtime this built a strong community of believers to truly help each other out and to keep each other accountable.

In today's age, the closeness of believers have been jaded with the expansion of the Internet. Now our close group has been spread out to thousands of miles, it's no longer a close knit of friends but instead the amounts of friends, instead of deep intimate talk with each other it's shallow posting on walls, instead of praying for each other we rant, gossip, vent through a keyboard. The sense of community is lost.

Brothers and sisters, it's time to go back to the original ways of living together. The use of Facebook, Tumblr, SMS, AIM, MSN Messenger, (the list can go on) has made our relationships more shallow than ever. The reason why we have small group is not just for teaching. But in essence it's to build a strong community among believers. The purpose of small group is to be connected with a spiritual leader, a mentor to guide you, to protect you, and to teach you the ways of the Lord. But more than likely many of us just show up to small group, don't say a single word, and bolt at the door as soon as it ends. If this is you, you're missing out what God has in store for you.

It was not good for man to be alone, thus God created Eve. No matter what you say, you are not meant to be alone. Who really wants to be a loner? Forget about your pride, forget about what others have done, but join in the family of God!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we tend to want to be on our own when things get tough?
2. How can a strong community of believers help?
3. What are ways to improve the small group you're in?
4. What holds us back from having a strong praise team community?

Korea's Got Talent

2011-06-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

One can only imagine what this person went through even at a young age. But yet through the difficulties in his life, he has overcome all obstacles and came to this point in his life. Just thinking about the struggles he went through, living life without a family, and trying to get by day to day makes our heart break. Yet at the same time, we're filled with joy and happiness to see him persevere, to sing into another world, in hopes of making it.

We all have gone through, or will go through struggles in life. But the question becomes, are we willing to persevere? Are we willing to defeat the evil thoughts of depression, loneliness, and self pity? For many of us, we indulge into our self pity and live day to day in depression and sorrow. When things get difficult, we want to curl up into a ball and avoid the situation.

Brothers and sisters, in every darkness that is always a light. In every difficult and hard situations in life, there is always hope in Jesus Christ. May the light of Christ shine the darkness away in our lives. May the God of light shine upon our face reminding us the unconditional, sacrificial love he has poured upon us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May the cross reveal to us we are loved, cared for, and protected. May we no longer beat ourselves in every sin we commit but instead embrace our Lord who has sent Christ to take the beating for us.

More so, not only do we have hope in our God; we have promised victory. In the end, GOD WINS! Thus let us be consumed by his unfailing love, dive into this arms of love, and be embraced with love, peace, and comfort no matter what comes our way!

Discussion Questions:
1. What has been the darkest time you went through? How did you get out of it?
2. What does victory in God mean to you?
3. How can you help others find hope and victory?
4. Why do we have to face dark time in our lives?

Rejoice as Safegaurd

2011-06-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Image and portions of devotion from Resurgence.com

Philippians 3:1-2
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.

Is rejoicing an activity or an emotion? In context, Paul is telling the church of Philippi to rejoice when they are going through things where they shouldn't rejoice. If we are truly rejoicing and thankful for God's provision, we canot complain or be resentful. What comes out of our mouths is an indicator of what's going on in our hearts (Mt. 15:18; Lk 6:43-45).

Basically it's all in our hands. You have the decision to make yourself. You either let the bad and difficult times get to you and force you into a dark whole, or you choose to rejoice the Lord even amidst hardship and difficulties. When we choose to rejoice God, two things should occur. One, we should be more thankful rather than always complaining. By choosing to rejoice in God, we acknowledge that our sovereign God is in control and he has the perfect plan for us in our life. Thus, we share our gratitude towards him and not allow complaints reign in our hearts. Second, when we choose to rejoice, we are protecting (safe-guarding) ourselves from having our joy be robbed. By choosing to rejoice, we are guarding from fear, doubt, double-mindedness, and discouragement.

Brothers and sisters, choose to rejoice in our sufferings for we will see the glass is half full and our joy will be more complete. When we look at the Lord, he sent Christ and He chose to die for us on the cross. Christ chose to live in absolute holiness and impute it onto us. In return, He took our sins and placed it upon himself. Christ chose to die for us on the cross. Why don't we choose to rejoice in him for God always wins!

Discussion Questions:
1. How does a Christian find ways to rejoice amidst hardship and difficulties?
2. What is the definition of rejoice?
3. What "bad" things are you thankful for and why?
4. How can you rejoice God more in your life?

Stories of Change

2011-05-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Galatians 6:15-16
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Signs of a believer during biblical days was an outside physical sign of circumcision. Those who were circumcised were God's chosen people. But as Christ came into this world, lived a righteous life, died upon a cross, and resurrected on the third day; there no longer needed to be a physical sign. But instead the "sign" of a believer was a transformed life. What's the sign of a believer today? A TRANSFORMED LIFE!

The day when I finally understood what it meant for Christ to die on the cross for me, it forever changed my life. I went from a life of glorifying myself to a life of letting go of myself. Instead of taking control of my life, I let God take control of my life. Instead of living for myself, I started to live for the sake of glorifying God.

Our lives are forever changed when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. When we take the time to look back, we should be able to count our blessings of how faithful our God has been to us. Too often we're too busy to reflect back and count our blessings.

Brothers and sisters, for those who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior your life has been completely transformed. What has changed since that day of accepting Christ? I pray you'll be blessed as you reflect, think, and reap the blessings!

Discussion Questions:
1. How has accepting Christ into your life changed you? (please share to encourage others!)
2. What areas in your life do you need Christ to change you?
3. Why should we continue to share with others what Christ is doing in our lives?
4. Who is responsible in changing your life... God or you?

Spiritual Report Card... Automatic "A"

2011-05-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

Romans 3:22-24
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Original post from Resurgence.com

Steve Brown tells a story about a time his daughter Robin found herself in a very difficult English Literature course that she desperately wanted to get out of.

She sat there on her first day and thought, “If I don’t transfer out of this class, I’m going to fail. The other people in this class are much smarter than me. I can’t do this.” She came home, and with tears in her eyes, begged her dad to help her get out of the class so she could take a regular English course. Steve said, “Of course.”

No threat of failure

So the next day he took her down to the school and went to the head of the English department. Steve remembers the event in these words:

She (the head of the English department) looked up and saw me standing there by my daughter and could tell that Robin was about to cry. There were some students standing around and, because the teacher didn’t want Robin to be embarrassed, she dismissed the students saying, “I want to talk to these people alone.” As soon as the students left and the door was closed, Robin began to cry. I said, “I’m here to get my daughter out of that English class. It’s too difficult for her. The problem with my daughter is that she’s too conscientious. So can you put her into a regular English class?”

The teacher said, “Mr. Brown, I understand.” Then she looked at Robin and said, “Can I talk to Robin for a minute?” I said, “Sure.” She said, “Robin, I know how you feel. What if I promised you an A no matter what you did in the class? If I gave you an A before you even started, would you be willing to take the class?” My daughter is not dumb! She started sniffling and said, “Well, I think I could do that.” The teacher said, “I’m going to give you an A in the class. You already have an A, so you can go to class.”

Later the teacher explained to Steve what she had done. She explained how she took away the threat of a bad grade so that Robin could learn English. Robin ended up making straight A’s on her own in that class.

The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. We’re in—forever!

Jesus guarantees us an A

That’s how God deals with us. Because we are, right now, under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ, Christians already have an A. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. We’re in—forever! Nothing we do will make our grade better, and nothing we do will make our grade worse. We’ve been set free.

Knowing that God’s love and approval of you will never be determined by your performance for Jesus, only by Jesus’ performance for you, will make you perform more and better, not less and worse. In other words, grace mobilizes performance; performance does not mobilize grace.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why are people so afraid of failure and disapproval?
2. How does grace eliminate the fear of failure and disapproval?
3. If God declares us righteous, why do we still sin?
4. How can you continue the path of righteousness?

Aigo.... Not Again!

2011-05-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Matthew 24:36-44
36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

When I was in middle school, there was a youth pastor at my church who stated Jesus Christ would come back before year 2000. That prediction became false. Herold Camping predicted Christ would come back in 1994 but that was false. Just like how it was false that Christ was supposed to come back on May 21, 2011. The very website Herold Camping had his biblical references of Judgment Day has changed. Today, if you to go www.familyradio.com you'll find no explanation of why the May 21st Judgment Day never happend. But from a radio interview he stated May 21 was the "Spiritual" Judgment Day and that people will be destroyed on October 21st instead. Where's the scripture reference to this Mr. Camping?

The fact of the matter is... NO ONE KNOWS! Not even Christ himself knows when he's coming back! But there's another fact from this passage, even though we don't know when Christ is coming for the second time, be ready! The ultimate question becomes, "Are you ready?" Are you ready to be taken right now? Right now at this moment?!

Discussion Questions:
1. How does one know if they're ready or not of being saved for Rapture?
2. Why are people so eager to predict the second coming of Christ?
3. What can you continue to do is preparation of the second coming of Christ?

Judgment Day is Coming! Are You Ready?

2011-05-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for Judgement Day? Supposedly it's coming this Saturday, May 21st. Don't believe me?!?! Check this link out. This group has been going out telling people of this day of judgment. Is Christ really coming back this Saturday? To be honest... I hope so. Not to say these people are right, but it's the day where we will be with our God. But do we know for sure Jesus is coming this Saturday? No.

The disciples of Christ wanted to know when Christ was going to come back and he states...

Acts 1:6-7
6 So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The desire for people to predict the day Jesus Christ is coming back is seen throughout history. Actually the head person of Family Radio predicted Christ was supposed to come back back on September 6, 1994 but to my knowledge Christ never came. Why was he wrong? According to him, he miscalculated. But he's for sure now that May 21, 2011 is the correct date. But what's going to happen if he's wrong again? Is your calculations wrong again?

There's one thing this group has something right. Jesus Christ is coming back soon! But when he does there won't be billboards announcing his return or trumpets sounding an alarm. As Jesus came the first time to this earth to die ont eh cross, the next time he's coming to redeem those who are his. Are you his? Have you placed your faith in Jesus? I really hope so!

Jesus Christ had died for you and he loves you. He wants to redeem you from the punishment of your sins. It's time to place your faith in him and be saved!

May 21st is coming... but Christ comes when he wants. I'm ready to go now... are you?

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you think people are so eager for the second coming of Christ?
2. How would you react if Christ were to come right now? Why would you react in such a manner?
3. If you knew the exact date of Christ's second return, would you act/live your life differently? Why or why not?
4. What are you doing Saturday, May 21st?

Unreal Imagination

2011-05-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Exodus 35:31-33
31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts— 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship.

I wonder how long it took for them to make that? It's amazing what people are able to come up with. What's more amazing is how God created us to be creative ourselves.

With this in mind, many churches are stale and boring due to holding onto tradition. No one really likes change. At the same time, too much change can go too far. But God has created us to be imaginative and creative, and thus we're able to use it for his glory.

Just think... how can God use you? How can God us your gifts and talents? How can you use your creativity to expand God's kingdom? Hmmm... something to think and ponder about. Let's hear what you got!

Note of Self: Sing

2011-05-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from Resurgence.com & Note to Self by Joe Thorn

Psalm 30:4
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.

Dear Self,

You should really sing more. You should sing more than at gathered worship with the church. You should sing in the car, while at school, hanging out with your friends, and at home. When you sing, you should do so with more than lungs and lips. You should sing with your heart, mind, and soul.

And stop rolling your eyes! I'm not suggesting that you become the perpetually happy whister who walks through the school hallway whistling and talking like Ned Flanders. But song does need to be a much bigger part of your life.

What are you listening to right now? You like it don't you? What are they saying? Do you agree to what they say? When's the last time you walked through the halls singing to the Lord with your heart? I know, you'll look goofy. But honestly, why do you sing so passionately of Bruno Mars but not your Lord? Are you ashamed?

Self, the Lord came down to earth through Jesus Christ to save you. Isn't that something worth singing about? You no longer need to pay for you sins but Christ paid them for you. Why aren't you singing about this instead of extra terrestrials?

I know, you don't want to be left out. I know it doesn't have the best beat. But it does have the best message for you!

Sincerely,
Self

Discussion Questions:
1. What's your favorite song to sing to the Lord and why?
2. Do you believe secular music has a positive or negative influence? Why?
3. What makes us sing? How does this relate to singing to our God?

Missional Life

2011-05-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Often times we think of missions as going to Cambodia or signing up for the Inner City Mission Trip. Some of us may feel we're inadequate to be missionaries because we don't know our Bible, or we're too afraid to stand up for our faith. We think of missionaries as someone who's been called by God to go to a foreign land to share the gospel. Have you ever viewed yourself as a missionary? If you've accepted Christ, YOU ARE!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

It's not a special person that becomes a missionary... it's YOU! By accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior, your relationship with God is reconciled. You've allowed Christ to die for your sins and you invited him to take full control of your life. As Christ lives in you, our duty is to share Christ with others!

We may not know what to say, or we may get stuck with a question we can't answer but that's not an excuse not to share the Gospel. We may struggle with our walk or even doubt God, but that's still not a good excuse. We may state we're not ready... but when will you be ready? Don't we always wrestle with God?

There is absolutely no excuse in not following his Word, living as ambassadors of Christ. As Christ lives in you, you are the representative of Christ in this world. How are you representing Christ?

Discussion Questions:
1. Evaluate how you have representing Christ in your life?
2. What are some responsibilities as an ambassador of Christ?
3. How can you be a better ambassador of Christ?
4. Why would Christ use us as ambassadors?

What Defines You?

2011-05-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

What defines you? Are you a student? Are you a boy or a girl? Are you a son or a daughter? Does your friends define you? How about your school? Ethnicity? Check this video out...

Romans 6:11-14
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

The question becomes who/what do you love the most? If it's anything outside of Christ, that's an idol in your life. This is sin.

For many of us we try so hard to fit it and to be accepted by a group of friends. No one wants to be alone or the 왕따. Thus we compromise are beliefs and morals to be accepted by people. But when we look our relationship with our Lord. He has every reason to abandon us, to avoid us, to deny us due to our sins. But yet by his grace he forgives us so that we can be with him. Therefore scripture states to come to the Lord they way that you are... a sinner!

Brothers and sisters, if Christ is your Lord and Savior does your words and actions show it? If Christ is your first love, how do you treat him back?

Let the world think we're weird, narrow-minded, ignorant, and stupid in believing in Christ. For when we live more Christ-like rather than world-like, they'll be begging for us to share this Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. What worldly things define you?
2. How does Christ define you differently from the world?
3. Why do we desire worldly acceptance so much?
4. What can Christ fulfill that the world cannot?

Falling Asleep

2011-05-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is what I see on a typical Sunday...

LOL. Sometimes it's worse than this. Some have their heads spinning around and around. Let's admit there are day where we're physically tired and we can't get enough strength to keep ourselves awake. Or maybe PD is just a boring pastor that needs pyro-techs on the back stage that shoots flames every time he talks about hell. Whatever the reason may be, we just get tired.

1 Timothy 4:13
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

No matter how tired we get, there is no excuse from meeting with our God. No matter how busy we are, there's always time for our Lord. The question becomes, "Why don't we spend more time with God?" Answer: NO DEVOTION

The word "devote" literally means "to give one's all." When was the last time you gave it all? Maybe it was asking your date out for prom? Or maybe it was for the AP test or SAT? Or maybe it was for a school project or a test? But when was the last time you gave it all in reading his word, in worship, in prayer? If you're like most, you don't do that until the summer retreat. But why waste time waiting till then when you can devote yourself now!

Devotion requires commitment. Commitment requires discipline. Disciplines is required to those who call themselves disciples. We live in a world where commitment is not valued or even expected. Even when it comes to our cell phone service contracts, we have a 2 year commitment, and we're anxious in getting out of that contract to get a new phone. Some of us don't care and just pay the fees and get a new phone.

It seems the more I read the Bible, the more the Bible teaches me to go against the grain of the world. Yes it's hard and difficult. But the greatest reward has yet to come, the day when we're finally one with our God. Let's devote ourselves to the Lord today!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is there a lack of devotion?
2. How has the world influenced you in being less devoted?
3. What can you do differently to be more devoted? (We all want to read the Bible more, but what practical steps, what changes are we going to impart to make sure we are more devoted?)
4. What are the struggles in devoting oneself to the Lord?

Chris Paul (CP3) and Forgiveness

2011-05-05T08:41:00.000-07:00

Who knew Chris Paul would be a star basketball player in the NBA. Before all the fame and glitz of a NBA star, his humble beginning starting in high school. As a young teenager, who loved the game of basketball, his life changed.

Amazing story! For a high school student to go through so much grief but yet find the will and determination to score 61 in memory of his "granddad". Simply amazing. Chris Paul should not be only known for his great basketball skills, but also his humble & forgiving heart.

Years later, Chris Paul was interviewed by Rick Reilly (an ESPN sport columnist) and stated, "These guys were 14 and 15 years old [at the time], with a lot of life ahead of them. I wish I could talk to them and tell them, "I forgive you. Honestly." I hate to know that they're going to be in jail for such a long time. I hate it." The very students who beat up his "grandad" to death, the ones who killed his "grandad" for some money in his pocket were sentenced to jail. Some faced 15 years sentences and other face life in jail. These strangers Chris Paul never knew, the ones who killed his grandfather; he FORGIVES THEM!

Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you."

This is a remarkable story. Chris Paul was wronged, he was hurt, his loved one was taken away but yet he had the heart to love, to show grace, and to forgive! To add more to this story, the murderers never showed remorse or sought forgiveness. Chris Paul still forgives them! This is the ultimate story of humility, love, and grace.

There are people in our lives today who have hurt us, wronged us, and mistreated us. We see them walk down the halls of our schools and we glare at them, avoid them, and have hatred towards them. But realize, we wronged our God but yet he was kind and compassionate to us by forgiving us. Yes you were hurt and yes you may be bitter, but take a deep breath, look at the cross, and forgive for our God forgave you. The more followers of Christ shine like stars in this dark world, the more people will be drawn towards the true God, the more people who find ultimate joy and peace in their lives.

Discussion Question:
1. What was inspiring from Chris Paul's story?
2. Why is it so hard to forgive others?
3. Even though we didn't deserve God's forgiveness, why did he do so?
4. What does it take to forgive others out of grace?

Definition of Love

2011-05-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Definition of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

The definition of love varies in so many different ways. But what is the true definition of love? Is there a true definition?

For many of us, the concept of love is limited to romantic love songs, our love for food, and the love for our family. But the problem is, we all use the same word... "love". This is the reason why the English language is so difficult to learn. We use one generic word that has several different meanings. Here are some issues we have with our English word of "love".

First, "love" has lost it's meaning over the years. Why? Overuse. The "L" word was normally saved to be said to the one who we truly love and will marry for. But now we use this word as part of our everyday language. More so, people who start dating use the word to descrive their affections for each other. But is that love? We use the word love to describe our relationship with our friends, to describe the feelings we have of our family, to describe our infatuation for a certain food, to be used to get what we want, or to be used to make someone else feel good but with all these separate definitions, "love" has lost it's meaning.

Second, many of us don't understand the significance of saying the word "love". The word has so much meaning but now it's lost. Since the meaning is lost, the action of love has become jaded. We now think of love as a current emotion but not something everlasting. We think of love as an action of a hug or a kiss, and no longer an action of commitment and sacrifice. We live in a culture where commitment and sacrifice is hard to find. Thus the reason of a high divorce rate, thus the reason why we can't wait for the newest technology, thus the reason why our culture has become more self-centered. We are no longer a generation that is willing to be committed and sacrificial.

But when we look to our God, we invision the true meaning of love... the cross. If you want to talk about commitment, Christ was committed to live an obedient life and die on the cross of our sins. If you want to talk about sacrifice, Christ willingly sacrificed his own life for sinners like us. This is love... not hands/arms shaping it into a heart.

May the love of God been seen overflowing through the cross. God first love us, and thus Christ spread his arms on the cross to express his love. How can you share our love for him today?

Discussion Questions:
1. How do you show your love to God?
2. Why has the meaning of love diminished? Why is love to difficult to define?
3. What is the hardest thing in showing love?
4. How has receiving God's love changed you?

What's the Christian Response to Osama bin Laden's death?

2011-05-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

By now you know that the US has killed Osama bin Laden in his home in Pakistan. His identity was identified by his wives and his DNA matched those of his children. He has received the Muslim burial, and is buried out in sea for no nation wanted to take his remains. As new broke out of his death. People in the state celebrated.

We all know what a wretched guy he once was. We all know the horrific things he did such as applauding the 9/11 attacks in NYC. But as a Christian, is it moral to celebrate his death? Is it right to celebrate "justice being served"?

I'm wrestling with this right now. What is our response? How does God feel about this whole ordeal? I don't have all the answer right now, and maybe I never will. But I really wonder, what should our response be? Yes, the main leader of the terrorist group is dead, but does that end the war on terrorism? I don't think it does. The reality is, a new leader is going to rise. Are we going to pursue that person too? To what lengths?

I believe God is a just and fair God. Osama bin Laden will get what he deserves from the Lord. Ultimately we all need to realize this... "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God." Romans 3:23. All of us are sinners. Also, all of us will receive judgment. "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement." Hebrews 9:27

Brothers and sisters, takes some time to pray and look back in your life. As many people celebrate in having "justice" through bin Laden's death... unfortunately we all face judgment. But for those who have a personal relationship with Christ, our judgment is simple. NOT GUILTY! Where do you stand today?

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you believe is the Christian response of bin Laden's death?
2. How do you view God's judgment? Are you scared? Why or why not?
3. How can you apply today's discussion in your personal life?

Fear and Faith

2011-04-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Imagine being followed where ever you go. Imagine fearing for your life every time you went to church. Imagine having cops follow you like you're doing something wrong. In the eyes of the Chinese government, you are! In China, every religion organization needs to be registered with the government. Instead of a pastor or elders running the church, the government runs it meaning the governments owns the church building, the government receives the offering, the government is in control of what is being taught, and the government is the only one who is able to publish the Bible. What's wrong with this picture? The government can influence or skew biblical teaching. Therefore the existence of underground churches.

This video give us the gloomy reality of what it's like to be a Christian in China. Constantly being followed around by police officials, random people taking pictures, and not knowing what's going to happen next. Living in the US, we don't face such harsh persecution from our government but we do face persecution in other ways.

Whatever persecution we face, Christ response to us is, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Key words: REJOICE and BE GLAD!

Though we have our fears, let's turn our fears into confidence in the Lord. It's a given as Christians we are going to get harassed, bullied, and made fun of. It's a given that our pride is going to be hurt, and people are going to mistreat us. Why? Well, look what happend to Christ. They killed him! Are we willing to face death for the sake of Christ? I pray we will!

Discussion Questions:
1. How would you react if the US followed the steps of China of persecuting churches and Christians?
2. Why are Christians called to be persecuted?
3. How is our persecution similar to the persecution Christ faced?
4. What fears do you need to let go of to become unashamed of the Gospel?

Unashamed of the Gospel

2011-04-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Romans 1:16-17
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

There are many things living as a Christian that are hard to live by. One is following the Great Commission of Matthew 28 in sharing the Gospel to others. But imagine in trying to share the Gospel in a nation where they persecute churches or religious groups who worship without the government approval. If you didn't know, in China the government overseas the Christian church. In addition they oversee the Internet, media, movies, etc. Why? Because they don't want their people to fully know the truth.

We live in a country where we have the freedom to share our faith, but what holds us back is our fears of rejection by our peers. Brothers and sisters, it's time to be unashamed of the Gospel and start believing in the power of the Gospel to save people from their sins. Many times it is US that limit God's power, it's because we don't have enough faith. But we read from Matthew 13, if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we are able to move mountains! If this small amount of faith is able to move mountains, then what great transformation could occur in people's lives?

We have received a great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. It's time to share this gift to others and invite them to a saving relationship with Christ. Remember it's not you changing them, it's God. You're responsibility is to plant the seed, and God will do the rest.

Discussion Questions:
1. How have you shared your faith and "failed"? What lessons did you learn?
2. What confidence do we have in the Gospel when we share it to others?
3. What makes the Gospel the "Good News"? What's so good about it?
4. How can you continue share to Gospel to others?

For the hip-hop peeps out there... enjoy and BE UNASHAMED!

Childlike Faith

2011-04-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Mark 10:13-14
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Isn't this video true? Do we daily walk around with masks on? Being fake? It's almost as if our lives is a big television show, and everyone knows it except for us.

We know that we're supposed to be nice to one another, but yet we have so much animosity towards that person. What if we're able to read what people were thinking in their head. It's like a real life cartoon where bubbles come from their heads and you can read what they are thinking above their heads. If so, what do you think you'll read? Better yet if people were able to read what you were thinking, would you think of that thought in the first place? More than likely, if others were able to read our thoughts we would no longer think of those thoughts. But shouldn't we do that naturally?

Brothers and sisters, it's time to stop acting and start reacting with our God. Stop pretending to be Christian, stop acting or talking like one, but start reacting from meeting with God. To do so, come to the Lord just as you are. Come with a child-like faith. May our Lord transform us from within into a new being!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we wear masks in our lives?
2. What mask are you the most ashamed of?
3. How has God transformed you from within?
4. What does it mean to have a child-like faith?

Passion Week: Good Friday

2011-04-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

Luke 23:26-49

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then
“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”
and to the hills, “Cover us!”’

31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,

45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Passion Week: Thursday

2011-04-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today the disciples prepared the last supper. As they have this meal together in celebration of Passover, Jesus discusses with the disciples of the coming betrayal. Christ breaks bread and gives them a cup, which represents the body and blood of Christ, and tells them to drink in remembrance of Him. The disciples and Jesus eat and pray together. That evening he goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.

For today's passage, I wanted to focus on what happened during the last supper.

John 13:1-17
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Can you imagine being one of the disciples and letting Jesus wash your feet? It doesn't seem right, does it? How can the King come and serve us?

Brothers and sisters, this is exactly what he has done for us on the cross. He came to serve, not to be served. He came to be obedient to God and die for you. Many times we think of God has being a distant God, but he's not distant at all. Instead he's been washing our feet but yet we don't notice it.

As Christ came to serve you, how have you responded to him?

Discussion Questions:
1. How has Christ served you personally in your life?
2. How do we normally react to God's service to us? Why?
3. What ways can you serve the Lord?
4. What ways can you serve other with this passage in mind?

Passion Week: Wednesday

2011-04-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Bible is silent of what happened today during Passion Week. More than likely the Jewish leaders were plotting their plan to arrest Jesus. But the Bible is silent on this day.

That doesn't mean there's no post. As we're midstream of Passion Week, reflect on this passage and song "Savior King" by Hillsong and pray. Enjoy!

Isaiah 53:1-7
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

Passion Week: Tuesday

2011-04-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Many events occurred on Tuesday. Basically Jesus took the time to teach at the temple courts. Here's one of the teachings.

Mark 12:1-12
1 He then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey.

2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard.

3 But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed.

4 Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. 5 He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.
6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

7 “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

9 “What then will the owner of the vineyard do?

He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
11 the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

What does this parable mean? The son is not an analogy of Jesus Christ. The farmers of the vineyards represents the Jewish leaders at the time. The slaves and son sent to the farmers were rejected and killed. This represents how the Jewish leaders rejected John the Baptist, rejected Jesus (God's final messenger), and the rejection of God himself. These rejections ultimately will bring God's judgment upon Israel.

As the parable describes the owner coming and killing off the tenants, judgment was coming upon the Jewish leaders and they were scared. So what was the best plan for them? Find out a way to arrest Jesus and crucify him.

Brothers and sisters, how many times have we rejected our God in our life? More than likely there have been countless times where are faith is tested and instead of standing firm in our faith in God we fall into temptation and allow our sins rule us instead of Christ. In the end, all humanity face God's judgment. Where do you stand?

This is the reason why Christ entered enter Jerusalem from Bethany. This is the reason why Christ was obedient to God until his death on the cross. It's because God loves us so much, he wanted our judgment to be free of sin. Therefore Christ was sent.

When we reflect back on our lives, we don't deserve any of it. But yet God was gracious to us, and is still is today. Not only has Christ taken our sins and we're indebted to him, but he also gave us righteousness so that we are able to live with our heavenly Father. Let's continue to reflect upon this cross during this Passion Week.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does God's judgment differ from human's judgment?
2. What are examples of God's grace in your life?
3. In what ways did this passage convict or challenge you?

Passion Week: Monday

2011-04-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Mark 11:12-25
12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever
eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written:

“‘My house will be called
a house of prayer for all nations'?

But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

19 When evening came, they went out of the city.

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

On his way to Jerusalem, Christ became hungry and approached a fig tree, but it didn't bear any fruit. So what did he do? He CURSED IT! What does this mean? This is a prophetic sign of the judgment of Israel. The tree with no fruit represents Israel's lack of spiritual fruit. Though Israel was a nation of God's chosen people, they were disobeying God.

We see their disobedience of what was going on in the temple. The temple was supposed to be a place of prayer, but instead the people turned the temple into a marketplace. In his righteous anger, Jesus cleared out the temple. People say this and were scared. It is here where we read the people started to come out with a plot against him.

As he returns to the fig tree, it has withered. This reveals God's great power through Christ. This is the power that we have through prayer.

For many of us, we struggle day in and day out with our sins. We feel God is distant, he's not near us or close to us, and we're trap in our sins (laziness, lack of passion, lack of zeal). And we come up with excuses and dig ourselves in a bigger hole. But the reality is God is greater than our sin. We have the power to get out of it but yet we don't tap into this power. As we go through Passion Week, today let's focus on the power of God that we have through Christ.

We may feel weak and may feel there's no hope, but the truth is we have POWER OVER SIN! By the power of God, we can overcome any temptation that we face. By the power of God, we have the power to overcome any laziness and passiveness in our lives! Don't just sit there and wait for God to do something... he already has done something. Tap into the power of prayer!

Discussion Questions:
1. How do we have access to the power of God?
2. How can you use this power?
3. Why do we put a limit of God's power?
4. What in your life can God give you power to defeat in?

Week of April 11-17; 3 of 3

2011-04-14T10:45:00.000-07:00

Psalm 37:23-24
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

This is not anything new or exciting. This concept is not a new trend or idea. For many of us, we have heard this statement over and over again. "ONE... SMALL... STEP." But how many of us actually take the first step?

Some of us have actually taken the first step, but never make it to the second step. Why? In my opinion... it's because we're impatient. What we don't realize is that to take the next step, one must master the first step before moving onto the second step. But we're so impatient in mastering the first step, thus we move onto the second step not even fully ready to take on it's challenge. It's like learning a foreign language. What's crucial in learning a foreign language? It's important to master the first level before moving onto the second level. When I took Spanish, I barely passed and moved onto the second level without really learning anything. By the time I reached Spanish 3, I was so lost! All of this could have been avoided if I master Spanish 1 from the beginning and took it seriously. Now all I know how to say is, "Yo tengo un gato en mi pantalones!"

Brothers and sisters, many of us set goals in the beginning of the year. Have you kept up with them? I hope so. If not, start TODAY!

We're all on the same boat. I've been telling myself not to eat chocolate, but here I am munching on some chocolate truffles. Argh.

Let's start over, let's take small steps, and let's master the first step before moving onto the second step... TODAY!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it so hard to achieve goals in our lives?
2. How does taking one small step at a time help?
3. What can others do to assist you in your goal?
4. What areas would you like to work on in your life?

Week of April 11-17; 2 of 3

2011-04-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

The @Jesus on Twitter is a fool. On Feb. 14th @Jesus tweeted, "Beware! Kissing can cause pregnancy!" Funny but yet not Christ. Praise God that I follow the real Jesus Christ, the one who gave me life, the one who lives in my heart today.

Brothers and sister, are you following Christ today? Better yet, are you letting Christ follow you today?

With the popularity of Facebook, we're able to follow our close friends back in CA or a close friends from school, at the same time follow Del Taco and get a free taco. On Twitter we're able to follow friends and peep into their real lives while also reading encouraging words of God. Who do we really follow?

Are you lost? Follow Christ!

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the difficulties in following Christ?
2. How would you feel if Christ were to follow you? (ahem... fyi... Christ IS following you!)
3. What benefits do we have in following Christ?
4. How can you lead others to follow Christ?

Week of April 11-17; 1 of 3

2011-04-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

"Change your words. Change your world." Interesting statement but yet so profound. The joy of life is all a matter of perspective, on how you view life. It's like wearing glasses. For some our view of life is very cloudy and blurry, but once we put on a pair of glasses we're able to see things clearer. Or even wearing sunglasses, we see the world in a different view.

This man is blind and his perspective of life was focused upon his blindness. Therefore his sign stated that he's blind and was depending upon people's sympathy for him. But when the woman changed the sign, it said the same thing but in a different perspective. Instead of relying upon people's sympathy, he feels the beauty of the day and how great the day is but he's unable to see it himself. The sign said the same fact, he's blind. But the second sign had a better outlook in life.

Brothers and sisters, we all go through difficult times in life but how do you view these hardships? Is it a curse from God or is it a blessing?

What we say to others can change the way people think of hardships. When things go wrong, many people say, "Oh... I'm sorry" when they didn't do anything wrong. Some may say, "I'm here for you" or "Thing will get better" but do these words really bring comfort to people's lives?

As human beings we fail, but our God doesn't. To message to help someone to persevere, or to look at the brighter side goes so much deeper than, "I'll pray for you." The greatest hope that we have is Jesus Christ. What better way to bring hope than sharing the hope we have in Christ. Same message of hope, but yet changes our whole perspective in life.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus changes our lives now and forever more. Let's change our words, and change people's perspective in life by understanding and and believing in Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. What is the greatest words of encouragement you've received? Why was it so great?
2. How have you been shallow with your words? In other words, say something you don't mean?
3. From the video, what were the differences from the 2 signs?
4. How can you relate this to your personal walk with God?

Week of April 4-10; 3 of 3

2011-04-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Mark 10:31
31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

What's wrong with this picture I took from the Denver Post website?

I know it's not the best quality of picture, but look closely at the new articles. Does anything catch your eye?

The second article states another massive earthquake has just hit northern Japan, the same place where a massive tsunami wiped out cities, killed thousands of people, and destroyed nuclear plants. The nation is still trying to recover but yet it's hit with another earthquake and tsunami alerts. This article in itself is eye-popping. Another earthquake, and another possible tsunami.

But what really got my attention is the third article. The title of the article states, "No Tsunami Expected for US from Japan Earthquake". Why you may ask? When did we become more concerned about ourselves over others? When did we care more about our well being, when tens of thousands died in Japan from last month's tsunami and more are left with nothing?

Brothers and sisters, time goes fast. Doesn't the tsunami tragedy seem like it happend a long time ago? When the tsunami first hit, many celebs and people found ways to donate money and help the Japanese people. Students came up with fundraisers with their schools to send to Japan. Are there such programs now? I hope so... but probably not.

These news articles titles reveals the true heart of our nation. We care more about ourselves than others. This is actually universally true. Don't we care more about what's going on in our lives than those living in poverty in Africa? How about those living poor in your school? Many of us don't really give a care to what others are going through, especially when we have a lot of deal with on our own.

But let me remind you of a statement Christ stated, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." What does this mean? Those who think about themselves first... are considered last. Those who think of others first... place themselves last... are first. Brothers and sisters, who do you care for, yourself or others? Let's strive to make it others first.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we care more about ourselves than others?
2. How would you feel if you needed help but others cared more about themselves?
3. How can you place others first?
4. How has God place you first in his life? What does that mean to you?

Week of April 4-10; 2 of 3

2011-04-06T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

Some of us fail to realize that our hardship and trials in life is not to make our lives miserable, but to make us stronger in the end. The concept of breaking down to be stronger doesn't seem to make sense. When you break a wood pencil, and glue it back together is it actually stronger? Or if you were to break a cookie jar, and glue all the pieces back together does it make it stronger? I don't think so. Then how in the world does this make sense?

The only way this makes sense is to change our perspectives. It's not about repairing something that is broken such as repairing the pencil or cookie jar. But instead it's about rebuilding. Once you breakdown, God is not trying to repair you. Instead he's rebuilding your personal relationship with him. It's starting over and building a stronger foundation so that when trials come again, you'll be able to defeat them and stand on top of them.

Brothers and sisters, hold on to him BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO MAKE YOU STRONGER!

Discussion Questions:
1. How has God made you stronger in your life?
2. What makes our relationship with God stronger?
3. How can God make you stronger today?
4. What would you share to someone who feels defeated in life?

Week of April 4-10; 1 of 3

2011-04-05T13:53:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 2:4-9
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Isn't the Gospel message hard to believe? It's hard to believe that our loving God would love us so much to send his one and only son to die for us. It's hard to believe our God is willing to save us even though we always fail him, we always neglect him, and we always disappoint him. Why would such a Father do this for us? Receiving God's grace is what makes the Gospel so hard to believe. Us receiving salvation when we don't deserve it ourselves.

This video gives a perfect representation of Peter and the grace he received. He didn't know or acknowledge it. But when it finally clicked in his head, he experienced something great. A deeper, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Brothers and sisters, do you understand the grace he gave to you?

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it so hard to accepts God's give of Jesus Christ for some?
2. As you have received grace, how have you shown grace to others?
3. How can you better understand the Gospel?
4. How do you relate to Peter?

Week of March 28 - April 3; 2 of 3

2011-03-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

God Our Sins Paying Everyone Life (G.O.S.P.E.L)

1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

Discussion Questions:
1. What does the Gospel message mean to you?
2. What parts of this video convicted (blessed) you? What did you learn
3. Why is the Gospel so powerful?
4. How have you shared the Gospel to others?

Week of March 28 - April 3; 1 of 3

2011-03-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

YOU ARE SOMEBODY! You are someone who's important. You are someone who God is willing to die for. Many times we forget this truth. The reason we forget is we try to so hard to fit into this world, not realizing that we have been already accepted by someone who's greater.

We all struggle with this issue. We want people to recognize us, we want people to include us, we want people to acknowledge that we are important or better yet that we do exist. We find our self-value in what others think of us. When others don't share our value to us, we feel defeated and sad. it seems as if no one really cares and wouldn't even realize if we're gone.

These are times of loneliness and darkness. Our greatest source to overcome this is to encourage ourselves that in the eyes of the Lord we are somebody! Somebody that he is willing to die for. Don't find your self-worth is what other people say and think about you. But rather find your confidence in our God, you has adopted us as his children as his own. We are now able to have a personal relationship with God that no one cane every break. You are somebody God knows, acknowledges, and loves!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we value so much what other people say or think about us?
2. How do we find self-value through our God?
3. How can you encourage others in building their self-esteem?
4. How is your view of yourself the same/different from God's view?

Week of March 21-27; 3 of 3

2011-03-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good

You are beautiful. You were created by the hands of God. But yet, when we look at ourselves in the mirror we don't see the beauty God has given us. Instead we focus on our imperfections and failures. Instead of believing we're beautiful we follow the standards of the world. You are beautiful.

Many people state that beauty is in the eye's of the beholder, which is true. What one person views something as beautiful, another views it differently. Some may look at a painting and drools over the creativity and use of color, while others just sees a canvas with paint splatters. In the end, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But this deals with finite beings. If an infinite being, a person who is perfect in all ways, states something is beautiful than it is.

Brothers and sisters, this is the truth. God created you and he considered you good. Very good. So no matter what others have said, it's meaningless compared to our God telling us we're good.

Discussion Questions:
1. How do you think God made you beautiful? What do you really like about yourself?
2. What areas do you feel not beautiful? How can you overcome your insecurity?
3. Why do we have a tainted view of ourselves?
4. Where else do we view God's hands in creating something beautiful? How does this encourage us?

Week of March 21-27; 2 of 3

2011-03-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

Psalm 145:3
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

There are several different names of our God that we read in Scripture. Here is a beautiful song that defines the different names of God. Take out a piece of paper and pen. Write down the names(s) that you can relate to.

I believe this video says it all. Today's devotion will be more of a reflection for you to spend time with God.

Discussion Questions:
1. Which name(s) of God did you relate to? Why?
2. What names of Christ do we have? Which one do you relate the most? Why?
3. Why do you believe we have so many names for God and Christ?
4. Make up a personal name of God or Christ and tell why you came up with this name.

Week of March 21-27; 1 of 3

2011-03-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

1 John 4:19-21
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

I waiting for this video to be made. I knew eventually someone would add Christian lyrics to this song. What's interesting about this song is that it's the complete opposite of the original. To summarize this song in one sentence, it would be, "You may hate on my God, but I bless you."

Often times when someone talks bad against our God, we get angry and respond without love. This leads into heated debates and doesn't end very well. Others of us may go on the other side of the spectrum. When someone talks bad about God we just don't say anything but have evil thoughts in our head. Both are wrong.

Brothers and sisters, we are called to love our enemies and treat them as our own brother. We read from 1 John 4 that the way we show our love to others reflects how we love our God. How have you treated your friends and parents lately? Better yet, how have you treated your enemies lately?

It's hard to continually show love. It's hard to put away our pride and really love our enemies. Quite honestly, the reason why it's hard is because we're putting on a show. Understanding the true love of God will change us to love others. Everyday I struggle with this therefore I'm continually reminded how sinful I am, and how much more I need to understand God's love for me. This will be a lifetime battle, but in the end... my love for Him will expand even greater than before. I pray this can be the same with you.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it so hard to love those who sins against us?
2. How can you change the ways you treat your enemies?
3. How has/does God's love for you change the way you treat others?
4. What is love?

Week of March 13-21; 3 of 3

2011-03-17T10:36:00.001-07:00

I received an email directed to see this video. Check it out with attentive ears...

God answered your prayers to wake up atheists? Would you be saying the same thing if a tornado struck your house and wiped out your family? Is this true? The person is making a lot of assumptions. Here are some questions we need to ask to figure out if she's right or wrong.

Does God control the weather?
Yes he does. Does that mean that God makes hurricanes, tsunamis and other natural disaster? When we read Genesis 1, God is the one who created the heavens and the earth, meaning he allowed the natural law of nature to happen. In the OT we read the use of natural disasters such as Noah's ark and the great flood. But what was the main reason of the flood? It was because the people were disobeying God a living a sinful life. Therefore God punished their sins and started over with Noah. We can conclude that God does have control of natural disasters but realize these natural disasters occur because of the sins of humanity, including this lady's. From Romans 8:19-21 we read, "9 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." Because of humanity's sin, even nature herself cannot fully give glory to God. Even nature was affected by man's sin and want to glorify God but can't. Therefore natural disasters like the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan exists.

So this woman is right in a sense that God in control of the weather. But, the purpose of it is not only for the atheist but it's for all of humanity because of sin and her sins also. From Scripture, we cannot understand the reason or purpose behind the natural disasters but we know God is always with us. Even after the flood, God made a promise never to do that again. Instead he sent Christ for us.

2. Does Satan control the weather?
It seems the easy answer is no, which is true. But does God allow Satan to temporary control the weather? Yes. God allowed Satan to attack Job. And Satan killed off Job's family through strong winds (maybe a hurricane, maybe a tornado, or maybe the big bad wolf) in destroying the house and falling on top of them. So it's possible for the tsunami not to be God's work but allowing it to happen in control of Satan.

3. Purpose? Why?
The woman stated that the purpose is to open only the eyes of atheists which is wrong. It's to open the eyes of humanity. EVERYONE! Not only the people affected by natural disasters but also churches and people all over the world. It's a very sad and grim situation in Japan. But when we look in history there has been many grim situations from 9/11, shooting at Virginia Tech, hurricane Katrina, earthquake in Haiti, and the list can go on. Though we may not know the actual purpose, we know one thing for sure... GOD IS GOOD. Paul states in Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God will make this bad situation for his good in the end. The good is not the situation, the good is in Christ. With thousands of people devastated from the disaster, their good is no longer their material wealth but can be found in Christ.

4. What's the Christian response to natural disasters?
It seems her response is to pray for more disasters and more destruction. I wonder if she would say the same thing if the natural disaster happened at her house? Our response is to minister to people. Not only to the people of Japan, but also people who are reevaluating their life, asking questions why, and so on. After Katrina hit, Christians and churches flooded (no pun intended) New Orleans to assist, help, pray, rebuild, and so on. I've heard even today there are still Christians who are doing work and serving the community. This has caused many to come to the Lord through the faithfulness and sharing of the Gospel.

Jesus sates, "... It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." Our role is to reveal Christ through these difficult times. Christ is the only hope they have. Japan has a population of over 127 million. Less than 1% are Christians. This can be a way for Christian missionaries, Japanese Christian, and other missionaries to come in and serve the lost and the sick in hopes they'll meet with the Lord and find new hope in him.

Brothers and sisters, as the nation of Japan deals with floods, nuclear melt down, lost loved one, lost of their belongings, there is one thing they can have that's never lost. A personal relationship with Christ. May our prayers be filled of not just protection and care, but may our prayers be the people of Japan will realize the great love and hope they have in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. How have your helped the people in Japan? What more can you do?
2. What is your motivation to help? Or why do you have the lack of motivation? If so, how can you change the lack of motivation?
3. How would you explain to others about natural disasters now?

Week of March 14-20; 2 of 3

2011-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins

Amazing! Simply amazing. This is the power of the gospel! Place yourself into the shoe's of the mother. Let's make this situation related to you. Let's say this man slaughtered your mom with a machete, took your mom hung her to death, and strangled your siblings to death. You were the only one alive in your family. Years later we meet the very person who killed your family. He has accepted Christ and came to your house to seek forgiveness from you. James 5:26 states, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." He feels great sorrow, and couldn't imagine living without seeking forgiveness from you. As you stand right in front of him, eye to eye, would you be able to forgive him?

It would be hard wouldn't it? But when we look at the cross we need to realize we are ones who crucified Christ. It was our sins that Christ bore as he took the punishment for our sins. It wasn't the Roman soldier nailing Christ on the cross, it was you. We may feel guilt and feel sorrow for doing such thing but the story doesn't end there. Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day. Not even death was able to defeat him. He is alive so that we may have life in Christ.

Brothers and sisters, because Christ is alive today we are able to have a personal relationship with him. We are able to join him in prayer, spend them confessing, complaining, and venting to him, spend time finding peace and rest in his arms, and find restoration of our lives. Thought we miss up several times, He is willing to give us second chances. Not just once or twice or even thrice. Each and every time we come to the Lord in repentance he forgives and will continue to forgive until we reach our glorified bodies with him.

The work of Christ is sufficient to forgive any sins you have committed!

Discussion Questions:
1. How would you feel if you were the man and was forgiven?
2. How does God's forgiveness motivate you to flee from sin?
3. What does the cross mean to you?
4. How do you share grace to others? In other words, how have you forgiven others?

Week of March 14-20; 1 of 3

2011-03-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

John 12:46
46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

On March 11, a massive earthquake struck Japan. Following the tremmers, large tsunamis came and wiped out everything in front of them. Have you soon the pictures? Videos?

Imagine this? As you see the videos of floating cars, waves crashing into house, and debris following the current of the water there are also bodies of children, moms, dads, grandmothers, and grandfathers in that flood. One new report stated there was nearly 1,000 bodies laying on the shore after the tsunami receded. Really?!? A 1,000 bodies?!? The web is flooded with pictures of destruction, before and after pictures of villages off the coast, people crying while sitting near the debris, and grandmothers and grandfathers walking with their cane through the thick debris. Though the earthquake and aftershock has stopped, and the tsunamis are gone now they face a new epidemic... a nuclear meltdown. Radiation levels are severely increasing near nuclear plants. Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause birth defects, cancer, and deathly diseases. These are dark times for the people of Japan. But there's truth to be hold in Scripture, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."

Brothers and sisters, we all have been through or are going through darkness. But no matter how dark and lonely we feel, our God is ALWAYS with us. This is the power of the Gospel. This is who Jesus Christ is. He is able to shine light into the darkness. Darkness doesn't know what to do when light enters. Darkness is held hostage when the shining light of hope peaks through.

There are about 127 million people living in Japan. Only an estimated 1% of them are Christians. Where can there be hope when homes are destroyed, villages are gone, and family members have disappeared? The only hope they can have is Christ! Brothers and sisters, let's be in prayer for Japan. Pray for the light of Jesus Christ to shine through these dark times. Pray for Japanese Christians to rise up and shine the light, pray for Christians missionaries to sacrifice and serve the people and share the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray for Christ to reign the land of Japan and be a shining light of what God can do!

Discussion Questions:
1. Take some time to write our your prayers for Japan.
2. How can the NRG Praise Team pray for you?

Week of March 7-13; 3 of 3

2011-03-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Back in January, I showed a video of a homeless man who became instantly famous with his golden radio voice. Now few months later an update of what has happened...

1 Thessalonians 5:23
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Back in January Ted Williams was a homeless man, living in the streets, trying to make ends meet by pan handling for money on the side of the street. Next thing you know, he becomes a web sensation with people all over the US asking him to work for them for a voice over. Going to Hollywood, New York, and other big cities to do special guest appearance. In a snap of a finger he went form living on the streets to meeting Hollywood guests at the red carpet. Life seemed all good for Mr. Ted Williams... but the fame, the glamour, the lights finally caught up to him. He started reverting back to his past habits of drinking.

After discussing his ups and downs since January, there's one thing he acknowledges he needs to do... "to be reconnected with Jesus Christ." Brothers and sisters, this is what we call the sanctification process. Back in January, when I initially posted about Ted Williams I described him as the modern day prodigal son. The son who had everything, then lost everything do the drugs and alcohol, and came back for a second chance. Now this modern day prodigal son journey is not over, he still struggles with his sin day to day.

Brothers and sisters, what's the point of trying to do good when we know that we will constantly fail? What's the point of repenting of our sins when we're going to fall right back into that same sin once again? It seems like it's hopeless. Well quite honestly, if you're trying to fix yourself to be a better Christian... you're right it's hopeless!

Our hope does not come from what we can do. Our hope comes in knowing and believing that our Lord Jesus Christ wipes our slate clean so that we can meet with our God one on one and be changed by him. Brothers and sisters, once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are justified. We are declared righteous in front of our God. But that's not it. Once we are justified, we are then sanctified. We go one this spiritual journey of becoming more like Christ day by day. We don't do the work, God does. Therefore the passage states, "God... will sanctify you through and through." It's not by our own will but by God's. But to be changed by God, we must start by meeting with him first.

Brothers and sisters, the more and more we meet with our God... the more and more he changes us to be more like Christ. So stop trying to the hard work in becoming a Christian. If you've accepted Christ, YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN so start living it!

Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to live as a Christian? How does that differ from living as of the world?
2. What has God slowly changing you over the year(s)?
3. Why should we keep trying when we know we fail?
4. How can God change you more? What steps do you need to do to be changed?

Week of March 7-13; 2 of 3

2011-03-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We all carry around some sort of baggage. Baggage from our past experiences, baggage from our past relationships with friends and family, just a bunch of baggage. Some of the baggage we carry, we don't even know where it came from. When i was younger, one thing that I hated about my father was he kept on nagging me about nonsense stuff. He just would nag and nag and nag until the point I lose my tempter and lash back at him. As I've been getting older, the same annoying nagging my father did... I'm doing it right now towards my wife. It's weird, the things that I hated my father doing to me I'm doing not towards my wife. Why? BAGGAGE!

Brothers and sisters, when we look back at the past there are things, events, arguments, relationship, etc. that has shaped us the way we are, whether it be good or bad. Quite honestly, when I look back at my past I'm ashamed and embarrassed. When I think about my past, I want to hide it and not reveal it to everyone. But there's one truth we need to understand. Our past failures does not determine our future. Just because I was one way in the past, does not mean I'm that person now.

Therefore Paul states, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Brothers and sisters, stop looking at the past be stumbled by them. Stop looking at the present situation and live in regret. But rather look ahead towards Christ and make every effort to meet him. The same effort we put into our looks, the same effort we put into our studies, the same effort we put into showing off... we need to put in meeting with our Lord Jesus Christ! it is only Christ who takes the past and wipes them clean. It is only Christ who takes our past failures and exchanges it for his righteousness!

Discussion Questions:
1. What baggage do you carry in your life? Why do you carry them?
2. What are ways to let go of your baggage?
3. What do you think happens to our baggage when it give it to the Lord?
4. How can we live a baggage-free life?

Week of March 7-13; 1 of 3

2011-03-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 7:23
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

You were bought at a price, and that price was the perfect life of Jesus Christ. Some people may misinterpret this message. Because we are sinners, we are in bondage to sin and to Satan. Now for us to be released from this bondage there was a price that was paid, and that price was the life of Jesus Christ. But the question is, who receives the payment (the life of Christ)? Is it Satan? Some may say this video showed that Satan is in total control of us and the the payment of Christ was sent to him. Well, as it was said earlier, because of our sin we ARE in bondage to SIN and SATAN! But the human analogy of ransom fails. In this analogy there was no ransom to be paid to Satan or to sin for they do not have the power to demand such payment. Instead of a ransom analogy, we view Christ at the penalty for our own sins. Therefor Christ took that penalty for us.

What's so great about this is we're set free! Free from the bondage of sin! Free from the bondage of Satan! Free to enjoy God's presence and to be with him forever! Some may think being a Christian is actually like the bird cage, where we're trapped to certain rules and laws from the Bible but it's the total opposite. The reason why we follow the rules, laws, etc. is to experience true freedom we have in God.

Brothers and sisters, this is the freedom we have in Christ. Christ is the reason why no matter what is happening on earth we can turn to him as our refuge. Christ is the only reason for hope, for his the only one who took our own sins, paid the penalty, and resurrected on the third day to give us life. Life is not being in the cage... that's death. Life is living with Christ!

Discussion Questions:
1. How is freedom in the world and freedom in Christ different?
2. At what cost are you willing to live for the Lord? In other words, how much are you willing to sacrifice to live for the Lord? And why?
3. What convictions did you get from this devotion? What did you learn or was reminded from this devotion?
4. How are you going to live your life differently after today's devotion?

Week of February 28 - March 6; 3 of 3

2011-03-03T09:41:00.000-08:00

Romans 7:15-20
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

This video is so cute! I don't think her feet are made to do ballet. She tries so hard to make her feet into a "V" shape but just can't do it. And even if she does, she falls over. The best part of this video is when she reaches down and forces her feet to make the "V" shape as hard as she can but in the end, it fails.

Here's the point, we know what we ought to do but yet we don't do it, or better yet it seems we can't do it. Just like this little girl trying to make the "V" shape with her feet but can't. This video reminded me of a Paul and his expression of struggling in sin. He knows that the sins are no good, but yet we still do it. The the sins that we still do we hate and cannot not do it. Brothers and sisters, don't we know what we're supposed to do? We know that we are to spend time in his word, spend time in prayer, doing all things for the sake of glorifying God, to expand in kingdom and the list can go on. We know all these things but yet we don't do them even though we're supposed to do them! ARGH!!! HOW FRUSTRATING!!!

Brothers and sisters, we know what sin can do to our lives without Christ. We know the dangers of sin. We know how much further it places us away from our perfect Triune God. But then why do we still continue to live our lives in sin?

There are two things we can learn from this little girl and her bad ballet experience. First, we force ourselves to do things that we are supposed to do and persevere. The little girl forced her feet to make a "V". Even though she would fail, she would do it again and again and again. Brothers and sisters, we are called to do the same with our constant fight with sin. We need to continue to fight and fight and fight until we finally defeat the sin in our lives by God's grace! Never give up! Never throw in the towel! Fight the good fight of faith until the end.

Second thing we learn is to have good attitude about it. This young girl never complained, never whined, but just kept on doing it. Brothers and sisters, so many of us just give up on God and we start complaining to Him. We complain how God doesn't work fast enough, or doesn't do what we want to do, or how God seems so distant. But in reality, it's us being chained up to sin that causes us not to the things we ought to do. Instead of complaining, we should find peace in God and persevere until the end.

Brothers and sisters, let's be encouraged that though we are in constant battle, God will win in the end. In the mean time, let's continue to pursue the Lord with everything that we have, and persevere in living a faithful life to the Lord.

Discussion Questions:
1. Read the passage again. What insights, or what did you learn from this passage?
2. We all struggle with sin. How do you fight the sins you continually commit?
3. If we repent of our sins, why do we continue to go back to that sin?
4. What motivates you to persevere to the end?

Week of February 28 - March 6; 2 of 3

2011-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Psalm 20:4-5
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.

The joys of life. The time when you're hanging out with your friends and talking with nonstop laughing. The time when you're laughing so hard that you start to cry and your stomach hurts. There are so many things that can cause people to experience such great joy. Such as... tearing paper!

There are so many things in life that gives us great joy. But that the same time, there are plenty of things i this world that gives us such sorrow. Writing this devotion reminds me of a song... "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where?!? Down in my heart. Where?!?! DOWN IN MY HEART!". What give you the most joy in your life? Is the time you're able to spend with your family laughing and reminiscing from the past? Or the time you're hanging out with your friends late at night and someone farts really loud?

As we remember those days being filled with such joy in our hearts, some of us have a heart filled with burden and darkness. Brothers and sisters, it is during these time when we need to turn to the Lord to receive true joy. True joy is realizing God's great love for us by his grace. True joy is experiencing what Christ had done fr us upon the cross. True joy is being in true communion with God the Father in every stop and way. Don't stop from experiencing this true joy!

Discussion Questions
1. What causes a person to be joyful?
2. How has Christ made you joyful this past week?
3. How does believing in God make us joyful?
4. What are ways we can spread this joy to others?

Week of February 28 - March 6; 1 of 3

2011-03-01T14:06:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4:11-13
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

All of us have obstacles in life. It is unfair to say that your obstacles is not as hard as others. But at the same time we are able to find motivation and inspiration from others who have overcome hardships. This is the perfect video to inspire us to overcome!

We see in the passage that Paul is content in whatever circumstance he is in. How? IT'S THE LORD WHO GIVES HIM STRENGTH! It's not anything that he did, or do. It is what the Lord had provided from him during the different stages in his life. Brothers and sisters, this is true to us today. God can and will provide for us in our time of need, distress, and hardships. It's only when we relay upon him we become stronger in our faith, stronger in our health, and stronger in our emotions. Going through hardships in life drains us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. But God fills us up and strengthens us to overcome!

If God is on our side, than who can be against us? In the end, God prevails... HE WINS! Brothers and sisters, this is an encouragement for all of us to fight on and to overcome any obstacles we may face. Though things maybe hard now, it'll get better, and we'll be in a better place... with our Lord!

Discussion Questions:
1. How has God helped you overcome the hardships in life?
2. How can we be reminded of God's faithfulness to us?
3. What lies do we start believing in that makes us seem like there's no hope?
4. What does it mean to you that "God wins"?

Week of February 21-27; 3 of 3

2011-02-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Psalm 139:11-12
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

The shortest game of Hide and Go Seek...

LOL. Funny video that only lasted 17 seconds. Look at the room. It's empty! I love how when the little boy started counting, the girl looked and around and plopped down to the floor. i wonder what she was pretending to be? A rock? Maybe a boulder? Oh I know... she was pretending to be a Optimus Prime and transformed into a semi-truck! Either way a cute video.

But it reminded me of Adam and Eve. Once they ate from the forbidden true, they saw their nakedness, and covered themselves up. When God cried out to them, they hid in hopes of God not seeing them. How foolish they must have looked when they hid from God. Can you imagine God seeing Adam and Eve, looking at them trying to hide, and how foolish they looked. I'm sure they looked like the little girl trying to hide.

Isn't this something we do too? We fall into sin, we're ashamed of it, and when we get called out we want to hide from the situation. Brothers and sisters, the desire to hide is in all of us. The question become who's willing to light Christ shine the darkness into your hearts. The more we try to hide from our God, the more foolish we look. It's time to admit our mistakes and let Christ through our souls so that we no longer need to hide from our God but rather have intimate relationship with him.

Hiding our sins leads to more darkness and often times more sin. Letting Christ shine his light in us is having our sins forgiven and allowing Christ to live and dwell in our hearts. There no longer to hide and be ashamed of your sins but rather come to the Lord as you are, and let the Redeemer save you!

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do we try to hide our sins from others and God?
2. What does hiding our sins lead to?
3. How do we let Christ shine in our hearts?

Week of February 21-27; 2 of 3

2011-02-23T10:01:00.000-08:00

2 Peter 2:2-3

2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

There once was a famous song that goes,

I don't wanna grow up,
I'm a Toys Я Us kid.
There's a million toys at Toys Я Us
That I can play with.

From bikes to trains to video games
It's the biggest toy store there is! Gee whiz!
I don't wanna growup, cuz, baby, if I did,
I couldn't be a Toys Я Us kid!

Do you guys know this song? Maybe not because it was made back in the 80's when all of you guys weren't even born! Maybe I should have come up with another illustration... anyways. The point of the commercial's song was that we all still want to be kids, we don't want to grow up. Which in many ways this statement is true. I don't want to grow up. I would much rather enjoy watching tv and playing video games than doing grown up stuff like make house payments and cook food. Brothers and sisters enjoy as much as you can as your parents feed you, take care of you, buy you things, and support you. Eventually you're going to grow up and all the free things you received from you parents will end. Well... hopefully it'll end. I don't want you guys to be in your mid 30's, single, with no job, and living in the basement of your parents' house. But could this be a description of you spiritually?

Many of us have grown up in the church, or have been going to church for our whole lives. How much have we grown in our faith over the years? Or have we plateaued and haven't grown much? Brothers and sisters, seriously take the time to reflect on your spiritual growth over the years. Is there growth? For some people, they can go years to church but never really grow in their faith. Just like this guy in this video. Who stays in Sunday School for 15 years?!? LOL! But some people do. They never challenge themselves in their personal walk with God. They hold onto the past knowledge they learned and never strive for more.

Brothers and sisters, when we go back to the passage we are to crave spiritual milk and grow in our salvation. In other words, we are to have a strong desire to grow in our walk, a desire/wanting of growth. Do you really want to grow in your faith? It's only when we want to grow and actually do it in our actions when we will grow. Brothers and sisters, let's be a generation to has a strong desire to grow deep in the Lord!

Discussion Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal walk with God. How much growth has there been in your personal walk with God?
2. Spiritually, how would you like to grow deeper in Him?
3. What prevents people from growing deeper in Him?
4. How can others help you grow deeper?

Week of February 21-27; 1 of 3

2011-02-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

Mark 1:35
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

The list can go on with distractions. Not only your phone but also your computer, facebook, tumblr, twitter, dream high, music, dance, school, friends, and on and on and on and on. I believe John Piper is right in stating that it is harder to stay focused because of the massive amount of technological distractions we have now.

So brothers and sisters, the ultimate question becomes... how much does technology distract you from spending quality time with God? We see in today's passage, that amidst his busyness of teaching and preaching, Christ still found time to pray. What did he do? He left early in the morning, went somewhere where he was all alone, and spent time praying. People try to use this verse to emphasize morning prayer, which can be valid, but I think the main point is Jesus carved out time to personally meet with God without any distractions. In context, Jesus became a hot commodity. He was preaching in different places and large crowds would follow him. Jesus could have easily just soaked in the lime light in front of the people but instead he wakes up extra early, when everyone else is sleeping, to escape and pray to the Lord.

Brothers and sisters, we too need to escape from the technology distractions and meet with the Lord in prayer. Carve out time, whether it be waking up earlier, or staying up later, or finding a time in between where you can give to the Lord to spend time with him. CARVE out time meaning sacrifice and make it permanent in your life. Create that time and protect it from all distractions! Quality time with the Lord leads to quality life on earth.

Discussion Questions:
1. How has technology distracted you from meeting with God?
2. What are ways you can avoid these distractions?
3. Describe what quality time looks like in your personal walk with God.
4. How have you personally benefitted in spending quality time with God?

Week of February 14-20; 3 of 3

2011-02-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 45:18
18 For this is what the LORD says—
he who created the heavens,
he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,
he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,
but formed it to be inhabited—
he says:
“I am the LORD,
and there is no other.

AMAZING isn't it? Math seems so complicated but yet when we apply it to the world or even the universe it works out so perfectly mathematically. Can this be a hoax? Over the years I've heard so many theories, number talks, and different ways to explain how perfect the earth is created and how all these numbers point to Christ. I have always been a skeptical about these type of things. But one thing that I'm not skeptical is math.

All throughout history, people have been so interested in math and they try to explain the whole world through math. Scientist back in the day spent years trying to mathematically come up with the equation to calculate the orbits of planets. How in the world did Johannes Kepler figure it out. How in the world did someone figure out that force is mass times acceleration. Who know the velocity of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 (how do you make a small 2???).

All of this makes us wonder if evolution is true. Or could there have been a creator who created all of this? Of course we believe God created everything that we see, but do you really see it? Do you really believe he created everything?

This past Sunday, I had the privilege to visit Emmitt Luke Hyun the son of Mike and Julia Hyun from the EM. He was born a month early, so he's really tiny and only ways about 5 lbs. As my wife held him in her arms (I can't hold babies, I'll crush them), he had the smallest fingers and teenie tiny toes. He was the true definition of precious. All I was able to imagine is how this little child was created and it reminded me of how great our God is.

Brothers and sisters, HE IS THE LORD AND THERE IS NO OTHER! Look all around you, he's everywhere! Though he is everywhere, our problem is we don't see him. The reason why we don't see him is because we're blinded by our sins. There is no other than our God. Come and see how great he is!

Discussion Questions:
1. How do you know that our God is great? What is your evidence?
2. How can you share the greatness of our God to others?
3. What us makes us blind from seeing God?

Week of February 14-20; 2 of 3

2011-02-16T08:20:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 46:8-9
8 “Remember this, fix it in mind,
take it to heart, you rebels.
9 Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.

There are times in life when we feel broken. Where everything seems to be falling apart, where the world is the slowly caving in on us. We feel as if we're carrying our burden on top of our shoulders and it's slowly crushing us to death. What interesting when we're broken, instead of trying to get it fixed we continue to live our life as if nothing is wrong.

Owning a car is great. You get to go anywhere you want, at any time, and have the freedom to do whatever you want. But with owning a car there are some draw backs. You have to pay LOTS of money for gas and the care of the car with oil changes and maintenance work. If you don't, your car tells you that something is wrong with the "check engine" light. But so many people ignore this light. They believe it's a light for dealerships and car repair shops to make money. Over time, as you continue to ignore the light... the car is going to break down. So instead of a car that takes you from point A to point B, it just stays in place in point A.

Brothers and sisters, this is the same in our personal walk with God. When we have a broken relationship, if we're living deep in sin, if we're in darkness... our personal walk will not go anywhere but point A. When something is broken, we fix it. If we're spiritually broken, we need to spiritually fix it. And the only person who is able to fix us is God.

The prophet Isaiah writes to the Israelites to fix themselves by avoiding the false gods of Babylon but instead to turn to the true and living God. There's no other mechanic like God. No one else can fix us like him. We can try but the in the end all will fail. Brothers and sisters, turn to the Lord and fix yourself to the Lord. Let us not live in brokenness but in complete restoration that only comes through the blood of Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does a person become spiritually broken?
2. Where do people go, instead of God, to get fixed? Why?
3. How has God "fixed" you?
4. Why is God the great mechanic? Why is God better than anything or anyone else we turn to?

Week of February 14-20; 1 of 3

2011-02-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:1–2)

Up to this point in Jonah’s life, the silence from heaven regarding the pagan world might have suggested God was indifferent to it. But now, that silence was unexpectedly broken. Jonah, the parochial prophet, suddenly heard God telling him to leave his sheltered and comfortable life to cross the borders and preach God’s judgment to a people steeped in wickedness.

Wake up!

"The word of the Lord came to Jonah" (Jonah 1:1). But how did he react to the command to go to Nineveh? Here he was, serving a local God, probably preoccupied with temple rituals—sacrifices and offerings, special days, and priestly garments. Maybe he thought that God wasn’t concerned about anything else. So long as the temple laws were followed to the letter, God would be happy.

I can imagine God calling,

"Jonah!"

"Yes, Lord?"

"I want you to go to Nineveh."

"Why, Lord?"

"Because its wickedness has come up before me."

"Of course they’re wicked—they’re heathen!"

What a staggering thought for Jonah—that God should care about heathen Nineveh, let alone want to say anything to them.

A light to the nations

In times of spiritual awareness, the Israelites knew they were called to be a light to the nations. Abraham had been told, "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:3). And David, inspired by the Spirit, wrote, "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession" (Psalms 2:8). He knew God’s purpose extended far beyond Israel to the nations of the world.

When Israel was spiritually low, the people forgot the breadth of God’s government and became introspective. So long as they kept their own house in order, all would be well. God would bless them. The heathen were "out there somewhere," excluded from the promises and of no importance whatsoever.

God has plans for the heathens

One Old Testament king glorified God, saying, “His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him, ‘What have you done?’” (Dan. 4:34–35). Clearly, this man knew that God ruled the nations. But who made this tremendous statement about God? Nebuchadnezzar—a pagan king.

What a staggering thought for Jonah—that God should care about heathen Nineveh, let alone want to say anything to them.

God also "anointed" Cyrus, and said of him, "He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please … [He will] subdue nations before him … I will give [him] the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places …" (Isa. 44:28; 45:1,3). Hearing these words, the average Jew likely protested, "Cyrus is a heathen king; he doesn’t know God. He can’t be included in God’s plans." But God had other ideas.

Jesus is a light to all

He had these "other ideas" for the Messiah too! His prophetic word to his Son was, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob … I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6). God knew that the Jewish nation was backslidden and desperately needed restoration, but ‘Operation Israel’ was too small a project for Jesus! God wanted his Son to reach not a little corner of the world, but all of it.

The principle message of the book of Jonah is, "God’s interest and mercy extend far beyond the Jews to the whole human race. The readiness of the people of Nineveh to repent was also a salutary lesson to the Jews who were renowned for their stubbornness and lack of faith." –The New Bible Dictionary

Discussion Questions

1. How does today's world need restoration?
2. What is your role in restoring this world towards Christ?
3. What are the dangers in trying to bring restoration to this world?
4. How has your life been restored?

Week of February 7-13; 3 of 3

2011-02-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

Psalm 139:1-6
1 You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

God KNOWS you! He doesn't just know who you are. He KNOWS every single detail about you! Not only that, He wants a personal RELATIONSHIP with you! How amazing is that? No matter where we go, or what we do, he's there with us. No matter how hard we try to run away from him, he still extends his hand for us to come back to him. He is the person we call Lord, God, and our heavenly Father. And he pledges to never leave us nor forsake us in our lifetime.

For some of us this may be something scary. It seems God is some sort of stalker who creeps on us everyday. But think about this. Since God sees us everyday, every morning and every night, he observes every action and hears every word, and knows every thought in our head... he KNOWS us. God could have destroyed or punished us every time we commit a sin against God, but no... he allowed us to fall into sin and fall down. So that he may stretch out his hand and wait for us to hold onto his hand. Brothers and sisters, he's there to lift you up and carry your burdens in life.

LIfe is hard with many struggles, stresses, and worries but God never fails us. He is your rock, your fortress, your strong tower. He makes you stronger when you're week and uplifts our spirits when sad. When we feel lonely, he's there for us. When we're clouded by darkness, He is our light.

Brothers and sisters, HE KNOWS YOU... so why don't you get to know him?

Discussion Questions:
1. How does God knowing everything about us gives us encouragement?
2. Why doesn't God punish us when we mess up?
3. How can you better know God?
4. What challenges do you face in getting to know God better? How can you defeat these challenges?

Week of February 7-13; 2 of 3

2011-02-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

CHRISTIANITY & KOREA in 1900's

by Collin Hansen

Just as the famed Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 faded, a global awakening brewed. Militant nationalism spread, but revival forged ties across hardening political borders. News of revival in Wales encouraged laity and missionaries alike to pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon their own lands. In 1905, revival spread across Scandinavia, visiting Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Travelers to China bore the exciting news and saw God work among them as never before. Indian believers welcomed an awakening they had prayed for and labored to see for decades.

A wildfire of revival

Local revivals sprouted up in several American cities, including: Atlanta, Binghamton, Pueblo, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Terra Haute. Large crowds flocked to Azusa Street in Los Angeles in 1907 and experienced unusual manifestations of the Holy Spirit. While political turmoil and mass-scale death loomed just over the horizon with World War I, the first decade of the twentieth century held great promise for advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ world-wide through revival.

Mountains of prayer

Following decades of missionary efforts by both Roman Catholics and Protestants, Christianity began to take hold among a Korean minority near the end of the 1800s. Missionaries persisted in prayer and Bible teaching in the hope that God would visit the Koreans with a powerful revival. But such spectacular results were not immediately forthcoming.

Be an example others will follow

Like so many other missionaries, Dr. R. A. Hardie was discouraged. The Canadian medical missionary met with six other peers in Wosnan for prayer and Bible study in 1903. It was a tradition for Korean churches to set aside one solid week every year for nothing but small group devotionals, and Hardie needed encouragement. He was responsible for talking about prayer, a difficult task for a missionary battling doubt. He read from Luke 11:13, when Jesus explains that his heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who asks for him. Profoundly affected by this promise, Hardie confessed his pride and explained how he was depending on his own efforts, not on the Holy Spirit. His honesty impressed and inspired the other missionaries.

Leaders who harbored silent jealousy confessed and reconciled.

Hardie shared the experience with his Korean congregation, and the example of confession spread to others. The Koreans testified to a fresh sense of the Holy Spirit and openly confessed their sins. Several made restitution with one another for past wrongs, and some even reached outside the community of faith to make up for what they had done. After hearing of this revival, missionaries in Pyongyang, Korea’s capital, invited Hardie to visit them in 1904 and share his experience. In Pyongyang and other Korean cities, the pattern of confession and restitution was repeated.

"Harmony of sound and spirit"

At Seoul in September 1906, missionary Howard Agnew Johnston shared about the revivals simultaneously gripping Wales and regions of India. The Koreans were further encouraged to expect God would work in powerful ways to revive their whole land. Indeed, the revival intensified during the opening week of 1907. Meeting in Pyongyang on January 6, 1907, about 1,500 missionaries and indigenous leaders persevered through momentary discouragement to offer expectant prayers.

At one point, Korean leader Graham Lee asked for prayer, and several people led out simultaneously. He responded, “If you want to pray like that, all pray,” so all 1,500 prayed out loud at the same time. Many wept over their sins as they realized their need for God’s grace and forgiveness. Leaders who harbored silent jealousy confessed and reconciled.

Lasting impact

“The effect was indescribable — not confusion, but a vast harmony of sound and spirit, a mingling together of souls moved by an irresistible impulse of prayer,” Presbyterian missionary William Blair remembered. The outpouring continued unabated until 2:00 in the morning.

When the meetings concluded and the men returned home, they took the revival with them. Other communities experienced the same movement of confession and repentance. This was not merely an emotional outpouring. God was steeling Koreans to withstand severe persecution under Japanese rule from 1910 to the end of World War II in 1945.

Revival still bearing fruit

Several distinct practices that began in this revival continue among Korean Christians today. Many still rise daily for 5:00 A.M. prayer meetings. They pray out loud simultaneously and evangelize courageously. Today, Korea sends more cross-cultural missionaries than any other nation except the United States.

James 5:13-16
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Discussion Questions:

1. How were you inspired by today's devotion?
2. As God made a huge impact in Korea, what kind of impact can you make?
3. Why is prayer essential in our personal walk with God?
4. What are you prayer requests for the week?

Week of February 7-13; 1 of 3

2011-02-08T09:38:00.000-08:00

CONGRATS GREEN BAY PACKERS! The Super Bowl game actually turned out to be a little interesting. But do you know what I'm more interested about? THE COMMERCIALS! But the more that I watch TV, the more we see the reality of our culture and the state of this world. FOX approved commercials of sexual lust (GoDaddy.co racy commercial & Kardashian Sketchers), violent movie trailers, and promotion of drinking (beer commercials) but yet there's no room for faith? Check out this commercial that got denied to air during the Super Bowl...

What's wrong with this commercial? According to Fixed Point Executive Director Larry Taunton, Fox told him his commercial was rejected because it contained "religious doctrine," though the ad avoided featuring the actual words of the verse. Brothers and sisters, this is the state of this world. We say okay to lust, vanity, violence, and drinking but say no to faith, more specifically they are saying no to God.

This is sad, 111 million people missed out on the Gospel. Though Fox may be able to control what commercials they air on their station, they can't control what players say on TV. After winning the Super Bowl, a reporter asks Greg Jennings how he feels. Check this out...

Moments after winning the Super Bowl, Greg Jenning's main response is to give glory to God. The Apostle Paul literally gave his whole life to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. He's whole goal was to save the Gentiles through Christ. But he realized that it wasn't about him doing the work, but about Christ. That's why he states in Romans 15:15-17, "Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ."

Paul's accomplishments was not about him but about sharing Christ! Brothers and sisters, how vocal and active are you in giving glory to God and sharing about Christ? I hope we be people not of FOX avoiding the topics of faith, but rather be like Greg Jennings, acknowledging our God by sharing our faith and our blessings.

Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to "give glory to God"?
2. How have you given glory to God in the past week?
3. What new blessings has God given you this past week or two?
4. How has these blessings strengthened your faith in him?

Here's my favorite commercial from the Super Bowl... it was like they made a commercial from my childhood!

Week of January 31 - February 6th, 3 of 3

2011-02-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Romans 8:1-17
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

After watching the video, read the passage one more time (or several times). Brothers and sisters, you are alive if the Spirit of God is within you! What's so encouraging about this passage is that once we've accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are no longer condemned! What does that mean? We are no longer subject to death, we no longer are seized by the devil, WE ARE SET FREE! We are set free from SIN, set free from DAMNATION, set free from SATAN himself!

When Christ is our Lord and Savior, we have a new relationship with our God. He is our heavenly Father, we are his children. We have the right to call him "Abba, Father" and turn to him in hardships and struggles. When life is gloomy and filled with darkness, he is our light, our stronghold, and our fortress!

Brothers and sisters, BE ALIVE AND LIVE WITH HIM!

Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to live by the Spirit?
2. What encouragements did you find in today's passage? Why did that encourage you?
3. How can you be overfilled by the Spirit?

Week of January 31 - February 6; 2 of 3

2011-02-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

So often we want to speak out, tell others how we really feel, and just lash out, complain, shout, bicker, and the list can go on. But is that the best way to resolve an issue? Probably not.

Our best weapon is not just hurting someone physically but hurting someone emotionally with our words. At the same time, with the openness of social networks of Facebook and Tumblr we have free access of saying anything we want, at any time, with any statement. With so much access, we should say things that are encouraging of one another for the sake of the kingdom cause.

For today's devotion, respond by encouraging one another and the praise team.

Week of January 31 - February 6; 1 of 3

2011-02-01T09:58:00.000-08:00

1 John 5:12
12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Jesus Christ is not about a religion but about a relationship. How is your relationship with the One Almighty right now? Maybe it's good because you had a snow day. Maybe it's rocky because of circumstances in your life. Or maybe it's lonely for you've neglected him in your life for some time. How is your relationship with him?

To be a good friend, to be a good sibling, to be a good son/daughter it's a give and take relationship. Both sides has to put in the time and effort to make the relationship flourish. This is the same with our relationship with our heavenly Father. It's no different. We need to put in the time and effort into it also, but the question becomes do we? For some of us here, we have a relationship that's very shallow. The only time we meet with him is on Sundays. Other than that, he totally neglected in our lives. Others of us have a relationship that's surface level at best. We read his words when we remember, but majority of times we forget until we have to. Others have a relationship that's consistent but yet dry. Our goal? To be in a passionate, loving relationship with our heavenly Father. How does that happen? Understanding his gospel and grace more and more each day.

Brothers and sisters, for the relationship to strive one must put in the time and effort. God is already waiting to meet with you. It's up to us to come and meet with him.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is it so hard to maintain a good relationship with God?
2. How can your relationship with him grow deeper?
3. Describe your relationship with God right now.
4. Prayer Requests.

Week of January 24-30; 3 of 3

2011-01-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Brothers and sisters, the reason why we give is because we were bought at a high price. God gave his one and only son to us, to live a holy and obedient life we couldn't live, to die and take the punishment of our sins. It took a significant sacrifice for us to be free from the bondage of sin. The question we need to ask ourselves is... how much do we give to our God?

Giving doesn't necessarily needs to be money. It could be anything else to benefit others for the sake of the cross. The reality is many people are lost and broken. Many people say they believe in a God but don't have a saving relationship with Christ. Brothers and sisters, it is our role to show, teach, and speak the Gospel to everyone who doesn't know him.

GIve life to others, as we have received life from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions:
1. How can you give more to the church? How can you give more to others?
2. What does it mean to give with a joyful heart?
3. Why is giving difficult at times? How can you overcome the difficulties
4. What has the best things someone else have given you? What made it so special?

Week of January 24-30; 2 of 3

2011-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 2:1-5
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Interestingly I received a text asking about this. This video really opens up our view of his grace. Brothers and sisters, no matter who you are and what you've done we are ALL SINNERS! The video showed that no one is perfect. We all have sins that we have committed. We TRY to live a good live, but is it good enough? No. No matter how much good you do in your life, it's never good enough according to the standards God has set for us. I wonder what articles the guy was reading?

The last guy files will filled with sin. But because he had Christ, it was Christ who stood in the place for the guy. And he was good enough. The people's reactions is exactly what I envision is going to happen. One lady screams, "... that is totally not fair!" and the rest of the crowd follows her cry. Is it really unfair? Would it be fair if Christ died for everyone?

Brothers and sisters, this may seem unfair on the surface but it's not... it's about grace. What we need to understand first is that ALL of us deserve to receive rightful punishment for our sins. ALL OF US ARE BAD! No one deserves to be saved from the punishment for our sins. We all deserve to receive the consequence for our sins. But by God's grace he saved us. He sent Christ to die on the cross for us so that we may be cleansed of our sins and be with our God for eternity. But how is it fair for Christ to die for those predestined? What about the others?

Let me give you an illustration. Let's say from all the praise team members, I pick 3 to give $100. These 3 didn't do anything to deserve it, didn't brown nose, didn't beg... I just gave it to them. As you being the one who didn't get the money, you're mad. But is it unfair? No. Why? Because no one deserved it in the first place. You weren't getting the money in the first place. We can make this situation unfair. If I said everyone will be getting $100 in the frist place but only give it to 3 students, this would be unfair. Why? Because you were expecting the $100 in the first place. You were to get it. It was basically yours, but in the end you didn't get it. You didn't get what was supposed to be yours.

Brothers and sisters in the same way, if God sent Christ to die for all and only picked the predestined... that would be unfair! But no... we all deserve death for our sins. We all deserve the punishment of our sins. But God saved us by grace, sending Christ to die on the cross for us!

Discussion Questions:
1. How does the understanding of grace magnify the greatness of God?
2. Why do Korean name their child Grace? LOL.. j/k. Why is the concept of grace difficult to understand?
3. How can you share grace with others?
4. We are saved by what?

Week of January 23-29; 1 of 3

2011-01-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

Psalm 33:1-3
1 Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
3 Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Check out this satire on worship...

Did you find this video funny? I sure didn't. But I posted it anyway. Why? Because it touches on a good topic that as a praise team we're struggling with. The video is meant to poke fun of how we as Christians worship. They give the excuse of OT people have nothing to do, thus they're able to worship the Lord all the time. The next scene shows a plate of how busy our life is, and we try to squeeze in a little worship in the day. Have we come to this point in our lives where we have to squeeze in worship?

Brothers and sisters, this past Sunday was quite honestly a sad day. As team we have failed to maintain our personal walk therefore we're unable to lead others. It has become dry, boring, and mundane. Maybe these same signs are part of your personal walk? Though this past Sunday was sad... at the same time it's quite good. It's time for us to kick ourselves in the butt and recharge. It's time to eat some "Holy Bunches of Worship" ourselves and revive our spiritual walks with God.

Lets focus hard this week to really spend time with the Lord in prayer, and in his word. Let's recharge our spirits by reminding ourselves the very life that we have through Christ. Let's reflect the very meaning of the cross and ask God to reveal to us a new life within us. As we meet with our Lord, let us REACT by singing praise, playing the harp (or guitar), and sing to him a new song from our hearts! It's not a time for us to be sad, but a time for us to be rejuvenated and recharged. Let's pray God will change us this week!

Discussion Questions:
1. Outside of praise... how else can you worship the Lord?
2. What does worship mean?
3. What are you going to do differently to recharge in the next 2 weeks?
4. What did you learn from your experience of not leading praise this past week?

Week of January 16-22; 3 of 3

2011-01-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Psalm 18:31-36
31 For who is God besides the LORD?
And who is the Rock except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
he enables me to stand on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.
36 You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.

Brothers and sisters, this is the truth that we have through Jesus Christ... GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU! Why? Because he is our rock and our strong tower in all times of life! This cute video reminds us all that God will take of us. That is the assurance that we have having a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through this child is only 2 yrs old, his parents has instilled this truth in his life... no matter where we are... GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

This hymn is great reminder of what type of relationship we have with our God...

Verse 1
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:
God will take care of you,
Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.

Verse 2
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.

The first verse tells us that no matter what happens, God will take care of us under his wings of love. The second verse reminds us through difficult days with pain and struggles... HE STILL TAKES CARE OF YOU! That is why we call him our ROCK. He has the strength to make us perfect, he has the patience of waiting for us to turn to him, and he has the love to redeem (save) us from our sins. There is no ROCK like our God!

Discussion Questions:
1. When do you feel God is distant from you? How can you remind yourself that God will take care of you/
2. What does it mean to say that God will take care of you?
3. To be taken care of by God, what must we do?
4. How has God taken care of you this past week?

Week of January 17-23; 2 of 3

2011-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:00

There are times when we feel insignificant in the world. But this video reminds us we're not insignificant but was wonderfully made by our God. Brothers and sisters, the reason why we give praise and worship to our God is because of the work he did for us from the beginning of mankind, to the birth of Christ, to his death and resurrection. All of this was done for you!

Many times we get clouded by our busyness of life, the stresses of school, and the broken relationship with friends and family. Too often we neglect God's wonderful grace he has given us through Christ.

Take time to view the video again. Reflect on the blessings God has given you. And respond in prayer.

Discussion Questions:
1. From doing this exercise, what is one blessing God revealed to you that you have forgotten?
2. What can help you remember the blessings God has given you?
3. What is so amazing about God?

Week of January 17-23; 1 of 3

2011-01-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

I swear I posted a devotion yesterday!!! Did I dream about it? ARGH!!!

Sorry guys! Here's today's devotion..

Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

For today's devotion... spend some time reflecting on the Lord's prayer. And respond from reading this prayer in prayer. Instead of answering questions, respond by writing our your prayer. May everyone be blessed reading each other's prayers.

Week of January 10-16; 3 of 3

2011-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Luke 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

The view of God looking down at us...

Ok, so maybe it's really not but if you really think about it; it does a little bit. In the beginning, everything is all orderly and neat. But then man, or I should say baby, came along and cause destruction. Not just any destruction, but mad chaos. Isn't this what we do during our life on earth?

What chaos and destruction have you been causing lately? Okay, maybe in our eyes we don't feel as if we're causing any destruction but in the eyes of God it may be different. When I look back in my life, there are a lot of things that I regret doing. The reason why I regret them is because it caused so much pain and hardship among families and loved ones. I can't imagine what pain I caused my parents when I rebelled. The only way for me to know is the experience it myself when I have kids. I look back and realize how dumb I really was back in HS, college, and even last year.

But do you know what's so great about our God? In this video, for 4 hours the baby wonders all over the place spreading out the toys, playing with strings, pulling on boxes, and pounding on bookshelves. That's like us wondering around, living in the life of sin, and making very poor decisions. In the end of the video you see a picture of the mess the baby caused. When we look back in our lives... don't we see a mess too?

In the end, who do you think cleaned the baby's mess? Do you think the mom/dad commanded the baby to clean up their own mess? Of course not. More than likely the parents came in, saw the mess, looked at their child, smiled being filled with love, and slowly started cleaning the mess. Isn't this a good description of our God. He knows and sees the mess we have made, he looked down upon us and smiled because he loves us so much, and sent Christ to die on the cross so that we can clean our sins.

"What shall separate us from the love of Christ?"... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! No mess is ever too messy for him to clean, no sin in ever too deep for him to clean, nothing... absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of Christ! Amen? Amen.

Discussion Questions:
1. If nothing separates us from the love of God, then why do we feel lonely at times?
2. What is the best way to get out of self-pity when life is hard and dry?
3. Describe the love you have received from the Lord. What makes it so special?

Week of January 10-16; 2 of 3

2011-01-12T09:46:00.000-08:00

Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Vacation Bible School Valedictorian???

I wonder if he learned that from VBS? Everything he said was convicting, and better yet it came straight from Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, Christ is there! That's how amazing the Bible is but yet how so many Christians don't take the time to read the very word of God. How's your Bible reading lately? It's hard amidst studying for finals, busy with practices, and updating your tumblr or facebook account. But is that a valid excuse?

The passage states to not let the Bible "depart from your mouth", what does that mean? Jewish students were required to memorize the first five books of the OT called the Torah (aka "Pentateuch"). Now how you would go about memorizing the Bible? Would you make it into a rap? A song? A song created by your with Scripture lyrics? Or some of you will go the old fashion way of just repeating it over and over and over and over and over and over until you get it. I'm sure many of you tried to master the art of using flashcards. As the Jewish students would try to memorize the first 5 books of the OT, they would read it out loud and repeat it over and over again. Therefore the saying, "do not let this book of law depart from your mouth." Don't ever stop saying it, repeating it, and memorizing it.

Then it states to "meditate on it day and night." Have you guys ever read a book or was studying by reading through the textbook and you realize 30 minutes later you have no idea what you just read? So then you have to take more time in going back and re-reading what you just read. It's funny how many of you would volunteer to read a part of Scripture out loud but then when I ask what it means, you go back and reread it. Didn't you understand the first time? For many of us, we often don't know the meaning the first time we read a passage. But when you take the time to read slow, and to meditate on it, there are new things you didn't realize the passage was saying. Often times when I prepare a sermon, i feel like I read the passage over a 100 times to get it's meaning. The more I read, the more I take the time to meditate and pray, the more insight i get from the passage.

Result --> You will be prosperous and successful. Brothers and sisters, I challenge you all to be better person if his Word!

Discussion Questions:
1. How would you explain why Bible reading is important?
2. What are your struggles in reading the Bible?
3. What is your favorite Bible passage and why?

Week of January 10-16; 1 of 3

2011-01-11T09:54:00.000-08:00

Luke 15:11-24
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Here's a series of videos for you to look at... this was a big hit last week.

This was a great and inspirational story! There's one thing I caught that he said. He stated that he's not "born again." I wonder what that means? Has he not accepted Christ. Yes, one can acknowledge God but still not make a profession of faith. I hope this is not so with Ted. Observing this story of redemption reminds me that God is always in control and brings his best for his people!

Discussion Questions:
1. How is this story of Ted Williams similar to the Bible passage?
2. How has God redeemed your life?
3. What makes redemption so wonderful?

NEW SONG FORUM

2011-01-06T13:40:00.000-08:00

Hello Praise Team,

With the new year, of course we're going to do the best to make some changes to make the praise team better. One way is to go through new songs again.

If you have a new song suggestion, please post it here!!! The more the merrier!

PD

Week of January 3-9; 3 of 3

2011-01-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it

This country gives us the freedom of speech. Therefore we have the right to express our faith, the right to practice our faith, and the right to show our faith. But at the same time while we may have the freedom there are also limitations. There are limitation especially when it deals with the government. But limited our speech, isn't that a direct contradiction to our right?

Brothers and sisters, more and more the culture is transforming into a culture acceptance of no absolute truth. How does this relate to faith? Pretty much it means that all road, or all religions lead to heaven. There is no one right religion but any religion and any belief is able to reach to heaven. Therefore we have bumper stickers like this one:

The passage we just read comes from John 1. It's a very familiar passage stating the existence of Christ before the creation of the world. But this one verse states, "The light shines into the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." There are two assumptions from this one verse. First, there's only one true light and that's Jesus Christ! The passage doesn't state "lights", in a plural sense, but only one light meaning Christ is the only way. Second, the world is considered dark meaning the world is evil on it's own. The world is unable to see the truth. But Christ shines through the darkness!

Brothers and sisters, this world is our temporary home. Our true home is with our Father in heaven giving praise to his name. Until that day comes, our responsibility on earth is to shine his light in this dark world. Yes, the world will do it's best to beat you down, but with God on our side, not darkness can ever defeat us!

Discussion Questions:
1. What evidence do we have that the world is dark?
2. How have you shined your light in this dark world?
3. In what ways can you make your light brighter?

Week of January 3-9; 2 of 3

2011-01-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

2 Timothy 2:19a
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,”...

One could say, "I know Justin Bieber". I can say the same thing. Another person can say, "I know Katie Perry". I know who she is too. We can say we "know" certain people or celebrities, but do we really know them? Eh... not really. We "know" who they are but there really isn't any type of relationship with them. Therefore we may know who they are, but they don't know who we are.

All of you can say, "Well, I KNOW Pastor Dan." But do you really know me? Do you know which sock I put on first? Do you know what my favorite food is? Better yet, do you know what my favorite color is? If you really knew me, you would know. Vice-a-versa, do I really know you? YES I DO! I know you put your right sock on first, I know your favorite food is Chipotle, and your favorite color is White (which technically doesn't count because the "color" white is considered an absence of color :). Ok, maybe not. Brothers and sisters, for both of us, we only know a part of each other. At the same time we know enough to make our judgments and conclusions of each other.

Do you know what's amazing? GOD KNOWS YOU! GOD SPECIFICALLY KNOWS YOU! Brothers and sisters, this video reveals the vast largeness of our universe or whatever is greater than the universe. On Christmas day, my wife and I spent time with my parents and extended family in Bailey, CO. We had dinner together in a mountain house along the side of a mountain. During the night, when I looked up I saw countless stars. It was just amazing to see how many stars were in the sky. And now seeing this video, it's even more amazing to know how BIG our world is. But yet, no matter how BIG the universe is, it's not big enough for God to forget about us. To my knowledge there are about 3 billion people on this earth but yet God KNOWS YOUR BY NAME! How awesome is that?

Think about if Justin Bieber or Katie Perry knew you by name. How would you feel? Shouldn't that feeling be greater knowing our God knows us by name? For some of us, maybe not. Maybe we're not excited but instead feel ashamed. Maybe we feel ashamed because of our past, history, and sins. But here's the great thing about our God, no matter what sins we've committed there is no sin he cannot forgive. So instead of feeling ashamed, we can feel loved by our God.

Brothers and sisters, God loves you perfectly the way you are. You don't need to change for him. It's the opposite. He changes us as we get to know him more. Know that God loves you and HE KNOWS YOU! You are someone so significant in his life that he willing sent Christ to die for your sins so that you can be forgiven. What greater feeling is there than knowing our God KNOWS us and loves us for who we are?

Discussion Questions:
1. Why is to important to understand God knows us? What is the significance in being known by God?
2. What is your initial response in understanding you're specifically known by God?
3. How does being known by God makes us any different?

Week of January 3-9; 1 of 3

2011-01-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm sure many of you have made a list of New Year's resolutions. Typically one major New Year's resolution that's on many people's list is to lose weight or to be more healthy. Around this time, gyms are packed with people who are trying to apply their New Year's resolution by shedding the pounds off from the treadmill or stair-climber. You see girls and guys pumping weights to gain the new figure before summer hits. But give it a couple of months. By March and especially April, the gyms are less busy with less people working out? Why? Because they give up!

Brothers and sisters, making a list of what to change is not bad in itself. It's good to make a list and to figure out what we want to improve upon for 2011. But here's the catch. Like we learned a couple of weeks ago, may your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no". In other words, just as this video states, don't just make a list but LIVE OUT the list! Too often we make false commitments and not follow through with them.

Brothers and sisters, let's not have this huge list and not fulfill them or give up on them by March. Instead let's really focus on one or two items on the list and live it out! But here's something that is more important. Let's LIVE OUT THE WORD OF GOD! There's one assumption with this statement, we must be reading his word!

With the beginning of 2011, we have a new start (actually we can have a new start any time we want). Let's make improvements in our spiritual lives, physical lives, and our obedience to Christ. 2010 has been filled with many blessings and failures. Let's reap the blessings of 2010 and make 2011 a greater year by engulfing our whole life to the Lord.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the blessings of 2010 in your life? What are the blessing of 2010 in the praise team?
2. From your list of resolutions, what is one resolution you would really like to work on 2011? How can we keep you accountable?
3. For 2011, what can we improve upon as a praise team? What would you like to see differently?
4. What is the difference of making a list and living the list? What are the benefits?

Week of December 27 - January 2; 2 of 3

2010-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:00

Psalm 9:1-2
1 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Cute video of a baby dancing to a song. The video is a bit long, so see the beginning and then skip to 2:13 when the song stops and how the baby reacts.

Isn't this a perfect depiction of how we live in today's society? Maybe we should create a new gadget for babies... pretty much make an iPod for babies with baby headphones and baby friendly screens to choose their favorite songs. It would be a hit!

As I was watching this video, I was asking myself, "What about the music makes this baby so happy?" It's even funnier to see the baby start crying right after the music ends. Why is the baby crying when the music ends?

In my humble opinion, what the baby enjoys the most about the song is the beat. The rhythmic bass blaring through the speakers into his ears brings pleasure which causes him to dance and shake his whole body. For the moment of the song, he is a new world filled with joy and happiness... moving and grooving to the song. It's a temporary euphoria. Isn't this the same with us? Music has the power to change moods in a snap of a finger. From sad to happy... or even from happy to sad. Maybe this is one of the reasons with our obsession with iPods and mp3 players. Many people use music to share greif, to get away from a situation, and be lost in the music. Back when slavery were prevalent in the US, what did the slaves do while working in the fields? They were singing. Why? Because it provided an escape!

Brothers and sisters, many of us enjoy popular music from Bruno Mars, Rhianna, and the newest K-pop stars. And there is nothing wrong in listening to popular music. But there is a fine line. Brothers and sisters, if you use these music to get away or to provide temporary happiness more than turning to the Lord... there's something wrong. I'm not saying we HAVE TO LISTEN TO K-LOVE 24/7. But I am provoking a sin many of us struggle with. Just like this baby, we turn to music to provide a temporary escape from the real world. Whatever the music is, it's our happiness at that moment. The music may sound good, but what is it saying? What is the meaning of the song? More importantly, has music taken over your time to turn to the Lord for escape and refuge? No music can ever take away a situation, can take away a sin, can take away problems in our lives. It's always temporary. But the hope that we have is knowing that Jesus Christ will come back for us. Thus the reasons why praise songs exist. It's not only to provide music for worship but also it's there to remind us what Christ has done for us, and what future we have in him. This is not something that is temporary, but rather it is something eternal.

Therefore, when the music ends there's no need for tears, unlike this baby. Because we're reminded of who God is, what he has done for us, and what he will continue to do for us... we are able to sing praises to our Lord with all of our hearts. We are able to sing with a joyful heart, filled with praise, and sing on top of our lungs not to hit the high C note but to tell the world that Jesus lives!

Brothers and sisters, let's take the challenge to turn the music off. And be still to know he is our God!

Discussion Questions:
1. What power or influence does music have on you? What is the deception of popular music?
2. How is praise songs different from popular mainstream songs or even Christian contemporary songs?
3. How can you use music to find hope in Christ?
4. What can you change on your iPod, iTunes, mp3 player to not fall into the deception of popular music?

Week of December 27 - January 2; 1 of 3

2010-12-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 2:11-12
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Read and listen to the lyrics of this song carefully. The song is entitled "Make War" by Tedashii...

Make War - Tedashii from ReachLife Ministries on Vimeo.

Brothers and sisters, are you making war against the sins in your life? Or are you letting the persuasions of the world get the best of you? When we look at this passage there are a few things that we need to recognize.

One, the passage addresses the people as foreigners and exiles. Brothers and sisters, are you a foreigner of the world or are you a part of the world? This is a stark reminder that this world is not our home. It's only our temporary home. Our true home is to be with our God, and that will happen what Christ comes back to us a second time. Though we live on this earth, we are to abstain from the sinful desires of this world. Instead of being influenced by the world, we should be the one influencing the world!

Second, we are called to wage war against our sinful nature. War is such a violent term in our culture, but that is exactly what we need to do. War is a death fight until the end for the sake of a specific group of people. Shouldn't we be at war with our sinful nature? Shouldn't we be the one waging war against what the world is tell us how to live, how to dress, and how to act?

Third, do people see your good deeds to glorify God? Remember your good deeds is not for yourself, or to win over someone's favor but rather to give glory to our God!

Make war, fight, and with God on our side... WIN!

Discussion Questions:
1. What's hard about making war against our sinful nature?
2. Where do we find assurance in winning the war?
3. How can we see better the sins in our lives?
4. What is the result of declaring war against our sins?

Week of December 20-26; 3 of 3

2010-12-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Discussion Questions:
1. What does the birth of Christ mean?
2. How has the birth of Christ affected you?
3. How can you share his birth with others?

Week of December 20-26; 2 of 3

2010-12-22T10:00:00.000-08:00

Matthew 1:23
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”

The Nativity has many errors. Here's a quick video that reveals some of the misnomers...

Why is the Christmas story so skewed? Simply put, people don't read nor know the Bible much. It's sad to think many people have the wrong Christmas story. But there's one thing that's true about the story. The truth is the Son of God came down as man, a person named Immanuel... a person called Jesus Christ!

Immanuel means "God with us." Brothers and sisters, this is the reason for the Christmas season. It's the day that God came as human form to be with us. For many of us, we struggle wondering if God is real. It's not like we have met the physical being of Christ. But at the same time, we know that Christ is real and he is real today.

Though the birth of Christ happend over 2000 years ago, we have the assurance God is with us today! Actually, God is with you RIGHT NOW! This is through the Holy Spirit. Many times brothers and sisters, we neglect the working of the Holy Spirit because we do not acknowledge the presence of the Spirit to be with us.

As all of you are on break, does that mean you're on break with God? We often make excuses saying we're so busy with school, so busy with this or that, if I had more time I would do my QT, but is that really true? You're on winter break, has things changed? I hope so, but I'm sure many of us are taking this break not only from school but maybe also with our Lord. We complain not having enough time, but when we do have more time we don't use it to meet with the Lord but rather keep ourselves more busy with other things.

Brothers and sisters, LET GOD BE WITH YOU TODAY! Let him be the Immanuel in your life. Come to the Lord, be quiet and still, and know that he is with you right now.

Discussion Questions:
1. What myths, if any, did the video reveal about of the birth of Christ? What other myths do you know about the birth of Christ?
2. How has God been with you during the winter break?
3. If we lack of time as an excuse not meeting with God, why do we not meet with him when we do have more time?
4. What is the key to be with God on a constant basis?

Week of December 20-26; 1 of 3

2010-12-21T12:24:00.000-08:00

Psalm 24:10
Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty— he is the King of glory.

Let's start a new iPraise team...

I call dibs on the voice synthesizer! This was a very creative way to take our modern technology and have everyone enjoy the Christmas season. Over the years, the advancement of technology is amazing. I remember when I was in grade school we learned how to us a computer from an apple computer. The screen was green and was connected to the keyboard. I remember playing "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" It was such a great game... at that time! Now with the advancement of technology, we can Skype with each other, tweet about the nasty pho you just ate, and post 1000s of pictures of friends, food, and random things!

With better technology, it's supposed make our lives easier. But does it really? The Internet is supposed to give us free access to information about anything, but does it benefit us?

When we look at the advancement of technology, though it has advanced for the benefit of us just like sin, it's been used for more evil than good. A pastor in Texas asked his whole church to ban Facebook for it's a dangerous place to rekindle past relationships and can lead to adultery. But what's the sin? It's not Facebook, it's adultery! Some Christians may ban rap and rock music but what's the sin? The sin is not the music but believing in the message they sing.

Brothers and sisters, is the Internet/computer a sin? Of course not! But it's what you do on the Internet, or how much time you spend on the computer. The video showed how we are able to use technology for HIS GLORY! Just as the verse states, "Who is the King of glory? THE LORD ALMIGHTY!" Brothers and sisters, do you know what this means? It means we should use what we have to further his kingdom!

Brothers and sisters, how are you using the Internet, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, etc to FURTHER GOD'S KINGDOM and GIVING HIM THE GLORY?!?! Or are you falling to the evilness and laziness technology brings?!?! My biggest struggle when I come to work is just surfing the Internet. You can waste so much time just looking at random and stupid things. But at the same time there are things on the Internet that are beneficial to my personal spiritual growth, to learn about the history of the church, to enhance my theology, etc. But yet we get so lost in nonsense websites that just wastes time.

Let's use our time wisely brothers and sisters. Let's use technology to further his kingdom! Let's use everything that we have to give glory to God! Why? Because he's the king who created us, gave us life through Christ, and we are able to join him everyday through prayer!

Discussion Questions:
1. What does giving "glory to God" mean?
2. What areas do you struggle with that causes you to sin? How can that be used to glorify God?
3. Why is giving glory to God so hard at times? What needs to change in you so that you are able to give glory to God everyday?

Week of December 13-19; 3 of 3

2010-12-17T08:53:00.001-08:00

1 Timothy 6:12

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Here's a video that reminded me of this verse...

At times life becomes difficult. We get knocked down, but we get up again. And then we get knocked down again, but we get back up again. And THEN AGAIN WE GET KNOCKED DOWN! Are we able to get back up again? As I was viewing this video, I couldn't but wonder if the church can be like this family of ducks. As the hard winds blew, the smal ducks were knocked down and separated from one another. But what happened afterwards? They got back together as a family! Look back at the video. At 31 secs. There was one bird that we separated from the flock far away, but came running back to it's family. Shouldn't this resemble the church?

We are all sinners and make poor decisions in life. But many times instead of finding refuge with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we find judgement from people. When life become difficult many people drift further away from the church, instead of running to the church for love, support, and encouragement. Are we too afraid to open up and share our struggles with our brothers and sisters in Christ?

Brothers and sisters, you can't fight the good fight on your own. But as a body of believers, as a body of Christ we are able to conquer all things! Brothers and sisters, no matter how many times we get knocked down, let's look up to our Lord and realize that there will be a better day. Let's look up and see with God on our side, who can be against us?!?! For our God will prevail!

Discussion Questions:

1. How is the body of believers better than fighting by yourself?

2. Why is the church so judemental?

3. How can we change the church from being judemental to supporting & encouraging?

4. What is the praise team's duty to encourage others to fight the good fight of faith?

Week of December 13-19; 2 of 3

2010-12-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Ahh yes... the Christmas season. Here how the story would have played in today's social media...

What a good light hearted presentation of the birth of Christ through today's context. But in all seriousness, let's try to place ourselves in Mary's situation. First, she's a teenager probably around your age. Second, she's planning on getting married to Joseph but now is going to be pregnant? What will Joseph think? How will he respond? More than likely, he wouldn't believe Mary's story, he will think Mary got pregnant with another guy. Third, a spiritual angel speaks to Mary and tells her what's going to happen. Why would someone submit to such things?

If we were to really place this story into the 21st century, not many people will actually believe in the story. Better yet not many will be like mary and submit to the angel. Most will probably question or reject what the angel said. Wouldn't you?
but how did Mary respond? "I am the Lord's servant. May your words to me be fulfilled." Mary submitted herself and believed what the angel had said.

Can we do the same? Brothers ands sisters, let have the faith like Mary to submit to the Lord. Let's stop questioning and arguing with our God. But rather listen and submit like Mary.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why do you question, doubt, and argue against God?
2. To what things should we submit to God?
3. What areas of life do you have a hard time submitted to God in?
4. How would you define the biblical definition of submission?

Week of December 13-19; 1 of 3

2010-12-15T09:37:00.000-08:00

J. I. Packer (Knowing God, 228; broken up for readability):

Do I, as a Christian, understand myself? Do I know my own real identity? My own real destiny?

I am a child of God. God is my Father; heaven is my home; every day is one day nearer. My Savior is my brother. Every Christian is my brother too.

Say it over and over to yourself first thing in the morning, last thing at night, as you wait for the bus, any time your mind is free, and ask that you may be enabled to live as one who knows it is all utterly and completely true.

For that is the Christian’s secret of—a happy life?—yes, certainly, but we have something both higher and profounder to say. This is the Christian’s secret of a Christian life, and of a God-honoring life, and these are the aspects of the situation that really matter.

May this secret become fully yours, and fully mine.

Discussion Questions:

1. What Bible passage can you quote that testifies the statement?

2. How does this statement make you feel?

3. How can you encourage other with this statement?

Week of December 6-12; 3 of 3

2010-12-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

Psalm 100:1-3
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

What is the right way to worship? What makes a worship service good and what makes it bad? Is it about personal taste? Since the beginning of church history, the style of worship has always changed. Today some churches hold onto the traditions of the of the past while others have embraced someone new. Is one better than the other?

Honestly, this is hard to decide. When it come to praise team, what songs are appropriate to sing and what songs are not appropriate to sing? How do we pick praise songs? Is it based upon what we like? Is it based upon how it sounds? Is it based upon the sermon?

Watching this video made me think, what's consider right worship and what worship is considered wrong? The psalmist describes worship as a joyous occasion. Does that mean we only sing the "Happy Song"? Gosh... why do I ask so many questions?

Ultimately what makes worship right is who we're worshipping. If our sole purpose is to worship the Lord, to tell the congregation of who God is, what he has done, and to lead his people to him that's worship. If worship is based on increasing the name of the church, the name of the artist, to glorify the artist skills, etc., than I do believe this worship is wrong.

Brothers and sisters, take a good look at your own life. Evaluate your attitude on Fridays, on Sundays. Is it for you or is it for the Lord?

Discussion Questions:
1. What have we done during practice or Sunday that we should not be doing during worship?
2. How can we focus on who the worship is for outside of prayer?
3. What is the best way to worship the Lord?
4. What is the definition of worship?