Taste and See

"Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." -Psalm 34:8

When Jesus has something important to teach, He normally repeats Himself. He gives us so many different illustrations of His identity and how we are to put our trust in Him. One major lesson that has been on my mind for many months now is the concept of abiding in Him. Just as Jesus is in the Father and the Father in Him, we are to be one with the trinity. When God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit fuse within us we can become like Him and reflect His glory. When we are "born again," Christ gives us His righteousness through imputation. The way we carry out His will is through the power of His Holy Spirit, who also teaches us the thoughts of God's holy ways. Just as in a marriage the two become one flesh, we as the church are to become one in the spirit. It's pretty gnarly when we try to comprehend all of that. lol

Spiritual growth, (aka Sanctification) has a lot to do with consistency. In the same way, physical and mental growth have a lot to do with consistency. Have you ever played a sport or ran a mile when being completely out of shape? Imagine if Olympic athletes just showed up to their track meet without any consistent training or preparation. Imagine having to perform a musical concert without any practice or rehearsal. Ever been spiritually exhausted? Well, it's usually because we haven't been very consistent with exercising our spiritual relationship with God. In order to achieve and develop a stronger spiritual growth in Christ, we must become committed, determined and devoted. This fiery passion will result in an extreme want and desire for more of Him. If we really claim to love God as the first priority in our life, should we not be investing quality time with our Lord? When we least feel like praying and spending time with God, that's the time we need Him most.

Why does Jesus almost always speak in parables, riddles, and illustrations? It becomes puzzling to try and understand what He often means. Even for His day the people had a difficult time interpreting His words. But it was clear that no one ever spoke like Jesus did. People were not only astonished by His works of healing and countless miracles, but were intrigued and bewildered by how He spoke. One reason Jesus did this was to hide these mysteries from those who did not bother to seek Him. He speaks in such strange words to draw people to Him. In the parable of the sower, He gives a short talk about scattering seeds to a crowd of thousands, and yet He quickly ends with "He who has ears, let him hear." I imagined that many people left disappointed with hearing such a short and confusing parable. Those that we're actually interested in what He said went after Him and tried to receive understanding of what He meant.

Christ didn't need to spit in mud to make the blind man see. But He commanded the man to go wash His eyes in the water. This allows the man to respond in faith. First of all, no one would like having mud in their eyes, so just allowing Jesus to do that would take some faith, and then to blinding walk to the water also demonstrated this man's faith in the words of Jesus. The reason Jesus doesn't always do things straight forward is so that we can have an opportunity to respond in trusting Him.

Why does Jesus often conceal His identity and tell people not to reveal who He is? Wasn't Jesus trying to gain as many followers as He could? Jesus could have easily declared that He was the Messiah, and in fact He often does in various ways. But the reason He doesn't just tell everyone "Hey guys I'm the Messiah, the Savior of this world." Is because He purposely wants us to individually discover who He really is. In a sense, He wants us to develop a faith in His identity and in His promises.

THE BREAD OF LIFE
__________________
"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread."

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."-John 6:27-40

Isn't it interesting how Jesus displays His identity as the bread of life? In the time of Moses the people relied on manna from God, and in the same way we are to rely on Christ as our source of strength and life. Him being the bread of life is more important than ordinary food. He is all that you need to sustain and satisfy you. He says to eat and drink from Him, and demonstrates the communion with Him at the last supper. I also find it interesting that in John 4:34, Jesus says "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." When we come to the source of life daily, His will abides in us. Our food and our source of life is in Christ alone.

BEHOLD THE LAMB

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away
Slain for us, and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross
So we share in this bread of life
And we drink of his sacrifice
And we'll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King

The body of our savior Jesus Christ
Torn for you, eat and remember
The wounds that heal,
The death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one
So we share in this bread of life
And we drink of his sacrifice
And we'll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King

A Burning Heart

God is good. Today i woke up to a very lazy start. Whenever i have a day off to myself i often find it difficult to be productive. I usually feel extremely sluggish. It took me a while but God really lifted me out of that internal struggle. After getting to ride my bike around the neighborhood i felt very refreshed. Good exercise seems to open my mind to the Holy Spirit's counseling.

I guess u could say that i've encountered a spiritual rut for the past few days. For the last two months i've been learning and growing a lot in God's Word, but for the last 3-4 days i felt like my guard and pursuit has been down. My mind has been greatly distracted by worldly things. So it's been a tough struggle to sharpen my focus and get my heart back into desiring God. This of course is only possible by receiving God as your strength to love and desire Him.

When we feel far from God, it's hard to worship Him. When we begin to drift from God, it's normally because we haven't spent any intentional and quality time with Him. It seems as if God is always waiting on us to just come to Him and find rest in His love. I know that i can often be stubborn and just want to do things my way. Sometimes i just want to glorify myself and claim control over my life. This is extremely foolish because I know that my life is actually His. Conforming and synchronizing our desires to His will is probably one of the most prudent things we could do.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." -John 5:24

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." -John 4:13-14

After watching two movies on Martin Luther and getting to study his works at school, I have been greatly reminded of how important repentance is. Luther's conscience over his sin lead him to feel an overwhelming and unhealthy guilt. Indulgences, confessions, penance, and other spiritual disciplines of the Roman Catholic Church gave him no peace. He realized that the only way to be freed from sin was to place his faith and trust in Christ alone. Traditions, rituals, saints, and worshiping relics did nothing to atone for his sins. Justification is by grace through faith in Christ alone.

"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." -Romans 1:17

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness." -Romans 3:21-25

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." - John 10:27-28

Sometimes we try to deal with sin on our own. Sometimes we numb our minds and don't even bother to acknowledge them. Sometimes we hide it deep within us, and make sure no one knows how sinful we are. Sin has always been man's problem, it's what separates us from God. No amount of good works will ever make up for God's just judgment. No religious activities will satisfy the wrath our sin deserves. No amount of self-effort will make us righteous before God's throne.

But the good news is that there is a way to become clean and forgiven of all our sins. God came down in the fullness of a man named Jesus Christ. He is the Light of this world, the Bread of life, and the Shepherd to the lost. He alone is the Gate to salvation. He welcomes all. He offers a free gift of grace and love. Forgiveness and salvation can be found no where else. Christ satisfied the wrath of our sins on the cross. He is the Holy Lamb of God, the only One worthy to atone for our iniquities. He offers us eternal life and redemption. Place your trust in Christ.

Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -John 14:6

After u come to know Christ, it doesn't stop there. He continues to grow and teach you things of the Spirit. He reveals more and more of His heart. We don't need to wait for heaven to have a relationship with Him. He sweeps you off your feet, and sustains you in His warm embrace. He is never stagnant or dull. He continues to renew us and encourages us to take a step closer to Him. He always satisfies, always endures, His love never changes, He remains the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love for us existed before we we're even created, and His love will last for eternity. His love never fails or fades.

Now our part is to just freely receive His love. We got the good end of the deal. Christ became our sin, and we inherit His righteousness. We become a new creature and can live in victory over our sin. Cry out for His Holy Spirit. Break off the chains of sin and declare freedom in His Name. Surrender your heart.

Many of us who know Christ can encounter a dwindling flame. We become like flickering embers in the wind. We find it hard to love because we ourselves are spiritually burnt out. So easily do we forget to rekindle our first love and to abide in Him. Sit at His feet and just listen for a while. When we are desperate for God to breathe His Holy Spirit on us, a consuming fire ignites the deepest part of our soul. When we are filled with His Spirit, we have no option but to tremble with an intense passion and burning zeal. This results in a courageous and contagious life. We are not called to live lukewarm lives. As God's children we are called to share the warmth of His love and to be a light in the darkness.

We are like disconnected laptop computers. Our battery life gets down to 2% and we can barely function and operate. Allowing sin to reign in our lifestyle is like having pop ups and viruses. The only One who can cleanse us and delete these viruses is Christ. But we need to plug in and recharge our soul daily. When we become bombarded with life, its easy to just focus on our stressful problems and set aside Christ. We become so concerned with our temporary needs and selfish desires that we don't make any time or place for Christ. Wait upon Him, listen, meditate, pray, tune out the world for a second and just spend time with the Living God.

"If God so clothe the grass of the field.. shall He not much more clothe you?" -Matt 6:30

My Utmost For His Highest
-Owsald Chambers

"A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or the lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.

"Take no thought for your life." "Be careful about one thing only," says the Lord, "your relationship to Me." Common sense shouts loud and says, "That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, I must consider what I am going to eat and drink." Jesus says you must not. Whenever there is competition, be sure that you put your relationship to God first. "Be anxious for nothing."

Emmanuel > "God With Us"

What has God been teaching you lately?

Sometimes we can have a very difficult time answering this question. It's usually we haven't really spent any time with Him lately, or because we don't even acknowledge God in our lives.

It's absolutely amazing what 10 minutes of reflection and prayer can do for the soul. Now days things are too fast. Sometimes we just need to take time to slow things down a little and just clear our minds. It's hard to hear someone whispering when everything is loud and crazy. Find that secret, quiet place where you can be alone with God. Meeting with God produces a wonderful joy and a calm peace. It's like a breath taking sunset. Stop to receive the warmth of His love.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matt 11:28-30

Sanctification & Desires
Sometimes we go through seasons we're we really don't grow much. Sometimes we get stuck in a pit and just fell stagnant. Sometimes we just hit a wall where we become paralyzed and idle.

In this world there are too many distractions. It's so easy to lose our focus and take our eyes off of Christ. It's so easy to put our trust in things, people and ourselves. Sometimes it helps to stop and look at what we worship. What do we idolize before God? What is competing for our heart?

It's strange how easily we can forget our first love. It's strange how we can trade a blessing from God for something worthless. Our minds have become so vulnerable to the ways of this world.

We seek for something to satisfy. We are constantly craving for pleasure. We thirst for something to fill. We intensely desire something to satisfy our often empty soul.

C.S. Lewis on Christian Hedonism

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

That's it! The enemy of worship is not that our desire for pleasure is too strong but too weak! We have settled for a home, a family, a few friends, a job, a television, a m microwave oven, an occasional night out, a yearly vacation, and perhaps a new personal computer. We have accustomed ourselves to such meager, short-lived pleasures that our capacity for joy has shriveled. And so our worship has shriveled. Many can scarcely imagine what is meant by "a holiday at the sea"-worshiping the living God!

Why settle for a mud pile when God has a beautiful ocean for us. Perhaps it's because we can't see it. Perhaps because it is inconceivable that something better actually exist. The greatest buzz and pleasure one could ever get is only found in the delight of God. Taste and See.

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." -John 4:13-15

Many Christians focus on the Ideals of what a Christian should look like. And instead admitting our reality we often mask our struggles. This is known as the Sanctification Gap. 5 common responses to this include,

1) Pretense- Pretending that we're all good, hiding our sin. We fear the reaction of being honest with another.

2) Despair - We get so frustrated because we never feel like we can do or be enough. We get discouraged when we can't accomplish our goals, or make any progress. The ideal of a Christian asks too much of us, so we lower the bar. We beat ourselves up with an unhealthy guilt.

3) Programmatic and Personal Solutions - We figure, "i'll just do this." We attempt to fix the problem with formulas instead of coming to God.

4) Moral Formation - This is the "Do it yourself" method. We rely on self-help, our own efforts, sheer will power, self disciplines, and try so hard that we often get burnt out from our constant failures. We ice out the dependence of the Holy Spirit.

5) Ministry Activism - We make ministry an idol. We try to stay busy with working to distract ourselves and avoid the gap of our lack of spiritual growth.

I know I often talk about Sanctification, but I think it's because there is a lack of emphasis of it. Sanctification is just a fancy way of saying "growing in the likeness of Christ, dying to our sins, and growing closer to God." In order to change our behaviors, attitudes, and actions we must first desire to do so. We must change our desires to become better. The more we can decrease the more He increases in us.

Ask yourself, "What do I truly desire most?" It's often what you think about most. What we desire most, we often spend the most time doing. When we can desire God, it becomes so much easier to grow and to actually want to know Him more intimately. We must conform our desires to God's desires. Imagine if all your values and desires we're that of God's. What if you hated what God hated, and loved what God loves. What if you syncronized your heartbeat with God's? What would your life look like? I believe this is the start of transforming our lives into the likeness of His righteousness.

Who do we seek to please? Count how many times in a day we seek to impress or attract the appreciation or approval of others. What are you motivated by? What do you want more than anything else? What do you live for? What would you die for? Our deepest desires are reflected in our thoughts and actions.

For us to grow, God gives us trials. He never gives us more than we can handle. For instance, He doesn't give a 1st grader a calculus problem. We start off with addition, subtraction and work our way to the next level until we can handle more. The greatest treasure and joy is worth suffering for.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." -James 1:2-5

If you want to get better, you must increase the level of difficulty. I'm comparing spiritual growth to physical growth. If you want to get stronger, you can't just stick to doing the same 10 pound dumbells. You could start by doing different exercises, more repetitions of it, or increasing the weight. But often times we perfer to stay in our comfort zones than face any training. Olympic athletites are dedicated, passionate, and desperate for achiving their goal, all so that they can attain that first gold medal prize.

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

If we arn't growing spiritually, its probably because we arn't trying to. You are as close to God as you want to be. If you truly desire to be closer to God, i'm sure you'd try to spend more time with Him. We have a active and passive role in allowing God to work in us. We have a responsibility and role in seeking Him.

Reflection on Prayer

I never had to pray for a homework assignment, but I learned a lot through praying for 45 minutes. Even though this praying time was for a spiritual formation project and class requirement I felt that it was desperately needed for my soul. Praying also helped me rediscover how important it is to just sit at His feet. I haven’t prayed that long for a while. I usually find it hard to just sit down and pray for longer than 5 minutes. My mind often wonders and gets distracted by other thoughts. But for this prayer project, I was quite successful in keeping my focus on spending time and praying.

After I dimmed the lights, turned on some calm worship music, and sat down, I decided to start by praying aloud. I think praying aloud helped me to focus on communicating my thoughts to God. I was also trying to be careful not to fall asleep. I also used a journal to write out some things I wanted to pray for, and had no problem filling out a few pages with ideas.

Eventually I got too comfortable on my couch and almost caught myself falling asleep. So I did some jumping jacks and push ups to get my blood flowing again. Then I just sat up straight and ended up with kneeling with my face to the ground.

I mostly prayed for how God could help me grow spiritually. I did pray for individuals who were sick, lonely, and who don’t know Jesus. I think I covered about 20 people within my family and friends. I tried to be more specific in praying for them because otherwise my prayers just seemed to be meaningless words.

I prayed for my roommates who are going through a rough conflict. I know that they are both hurt and need much healing. I also prayed that I would be able to find a good church ministry to be apart of and to also meet some new friends. I prayed for those who are lost, hungry and are in desperate need. I prayed for the lost, and that my compassion would grow for those who don’t know Christ. I also prayed for people in Haiti, even though I don’t know exactly how bad it is over there.

God says to ask things according to His will in His Name and that He would freely give it to us. I basically exercised that by asking God for a lot of things. The things I prayed for myself included maturity, humility, discipline, righteousness, motivation, joyful obedience, focus, submission, stronger trust, forgiveness, peace, patience, spiritual consistency, deeper repentance, clear understanding, discernment, and to grow into the likeness of Jesus.

Other categories that I focused on were how I should deal with bad dreams, because I had a pretty disturbing dream this morning. I cried out for purity and holiness of my thoughts. I prayed for God to protect my mind, eyes and heart. I noticed I feel a lot farther from God when I allow my sin to corrupt my thoughts and actions. I prayed that I would guard what goes into my mind, and that even my thought life would worship Him.

I prayed for a more intimate relationship with God, where I can spend more intentional and quality time with Him. I want to truly learn what it means to abide in His love and to be engulfed by His Holy Spirit. I prayed for God to change my heart. That I might decrease so that He would increase in my life. I prayed for complete surrender and to increase in faith. I desired that I would be able to desire Him more, and that He would help me to love Him. I realized I can’t really do anything on my own strength. I want to practice emptying myself and allowing Him to fill me to a point where His love overflows out of me. I could really improve on loving others. But I was reminded that the more I absorb and soak God’s love, the easier it becomes to love others.

I shortly prayed for how He would reveal His will to me. I have been a little unsure if I was on the right path, and He made it quite clear that this is where I should be. And He also reminded me that I should just trust His guidance as He leads me step by step. I prayed that my desires would conform to His desires. I want my heart to bleed and burn desperately for Christ alone. I want to grow in His likeness and to know His heart. I want my heart to switch into a joyful mood and be more thankful for His grace. Sometimes just desiring to desire God more helps me to be more reflective.
Lately, I have been compromising in how I spend my time. Often I would rather spend time on the computer or sleep than read my devotions. So I prayed that my hunger for God’s Word and that my thirst for intimacy would sky rocket. I prayed that I would be steadfast, immovable, always abounding and rooted on top of Christ the solid Rock. I prayed that I would continue to grow and bear much fruit. I prayed that I would be a light and not hesitate to witness to others. I prayed that I would take just a step closer and closer to Him. I prayed that I would be relentless in my pursuit of His righteousness and not let sin stand in my way. And I was reminded of how sufficient and satisfied I am in Christ alone. Worry and fear have no place in my life. I want to rely solely on God alone.

I have been a little stressed out with things and very distracted from spending quality time with God. I broke out in hives the other day, and had to see a doctor for my reoccurring ulcerate colitis. I have been so burnt out that I had forgotten to pray about my troubles. I wish that I could pray and turn to God immediately no matter how big or small the issue may be. I prayed that I would begin to pray more, because I definitely lack in talking directly to God.

I often think about God. I can read about Him in scripture. I can write pages about Him and His salvation. I can listen to hours of sermons. But I realized that I don’t nearly spend enough time talking directly to God. I realized that He is always waiting for me to come to Him in prayer. And that He always gives me His full attention. I guess I just need to find the right habit of meeting with God one on one. I need to practice waiting and listening to His voice. I just want to be more intentional with being absolutely alone with my Abba Father. Another lesson is that I never have to ask Him for His love, because He is always loving me intensely.

“I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”- John 16:23

“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.”
–Psalm 63:3

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” –Gal 2:20

“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
-1 Cor 2:12-13

Abba

Just the usual revelations of what God has been teaching me lately.

While studying about Martin Luther who lead much of the protestant reformation, I was reminded of what joy our salvation grants us. God's grace never gets old. You never outgrow your need for the gospel. You can never get tired of God's infinite and unconditional love. His Holy Spirit is so powerful at times, it overwhelms me to know that i have such a direct, deep, and intimate relationship with the living God of this universe. And i like how God gives me His entire and full attention at all times. He isn't some busy God that you have to wait in line for. In fact He's usually always waiting for us to connect with Him. But i also like how He can sweep our feet and grab our attention when we're oblivious to Him.

Anyways, going back to Martin Luther. I'm really excited with the material im reading for all my classes. I'm finally getting to learn about the church history, the great leaders of the reformation, sanctification and how to interpret scripture more accurately. Seminary is going great, i'm really enjoying it. The more my theology and understanding of God's Word increases, the more appreciation I have for His work in my life. Just pondering the assurance of our salvation and how we can have forgiveness of all our sins is just incredible. We not only get free forgiveness, but also inherit the righteousness and likeness of Jesus! There is absolutely nothing in us that would deem us worthy of His grace, and yet He adopts us as His children and beautifies us to completion. We become a new creation, by putting off our old self and putting on the new. Our souls are secured for eternity with Him. The relationship starts now, we can be as close or as far as we desire to be. If you truly want to know Jesus, then I'm positive you'll find Him if you seek with all your heart.

I also heard something on the radio that was interesting. I love how God uses history in the old testament to be examples that tie into Jesus. For instance the many similarities of Joseph and Jesus. The rapture of Noah's ark. But out of all the examples we're given, I like how many links there are between Moses and our God's redemption.

For instance, how Moses saved the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and slavery. And how they forgot how God saved them and lead them through the red sea. This is quite like how we we're once slaves to sin and how we often forget of our salvation. While they were in the desert they began grumbling and wanted to go back. Even if God presents us with trials and tribulation, it is only meant to sharpen our faith. Where God guides, He also provides. God still provided manna for His choosen people, just as Christ is our Bread of life. Then as Moses stuck a rock and water came gushing out of it, just as Christ is the Rock and pours out His living water. In short, Jesus is always completely sufficient. He is all I need. He will always provide for us. He upholds and sustains me through all storms. I am completely satisfied in Christ alone.

"God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

As I was thinking about the verses where Christ says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" He constantly mentions to ask in His Name, according to God's will and God will give us everything we need. An illustration that John Piper once used goes something like this.. "Sometimes we find ourself in a situation where we are in a coma. We are bedridden and cant move a muscle. Our legs, arms and entire body can't move, except for our mouth. Sometimes the best thing we can do to glorify and worship God is to just ask Him for His help. We can try to move around, struggle to grab something, or try to feed ourselves, but we end up just becoming fustrated relying on our own strength. Instead we could turn to our Abba Father who is always at our bedside, and just simply ask Him to help us drink a juice box or something. Abba Father will gladly tend to the cares of His children. So as we start off our days, remember to simply ask Him, and He will gladly provide through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Playing with Fire

Seminary
I am really enjoying my graduate education at Talbot School of Theology. The Biola campus is like a Christian utopia. Everyone is a Christian and loves Jesus! Its truly amazing to be surrounded my so many people filled with the Holy Spirit. I am really impressed with their faculty and teachers. Although the work load is heavy, I am grateful that I get to study material I want to learn. I'm taking Spiritual Formation where I get to prayer projects, have small groups, reflect on my walk, and go on a retreat. I'm also taking Reformation and Modern Theology, which is all about church history, and the study of great reformation leaders such as Calvin, Luther and Augustine. Survey of Matthew to Revelations seems like a difficult class, but it's great to take a closer look at the New Testiment books. And lastly my Hermenutics class, which i talk about more later.

Coffee on my Shoes
Early this morning i went to a prayer meeting on campus. They had coffee and bagels. I got to meet some cool people and also got to start off the day by praying in fellowship. I noticed I can read a lot about God, talk a lot about God, think a lot about God, learn a lot about God, write a lot about God, but how much do i actually talk to God personally? So this is something i would like to work on and increase in.

After the meeting i had to rush off to class, but as i was saying my goodbyes I shook someone's hand and spilled my coffee all over my fairly new shoes, and the white part became stained. But instead of reacting to it, i was instantly okay with it. I realized that earthly things will all pass away anyway.

Later that day i went to by books. As I reached for my wallet, i noticed it was gone! So i backtracked my steps, checked my car, back at the apartment, and i finally found it back at the front desk near the prayer meeting was at. I was freaking out the whole time, but God also used that to have me run into a bunch of people. I got to meet and talk with 4 or 5 people just because I was on a different path than what I would have originally been.

The main lesson of spilling coffee and losing my wallet was to notice that things often go wrong. And when things don't go according to your plan, it's usually things that are meant to happen, and God can even use small things to change the path of our direction. When things do go wrong we must remember not to get so upset or panic over the little things. We blow up small problems when other people have it way harder than us.

Wet Laundry
A week ago i remember being really angry because my laundry was pissing me off. I had some conflict with a lady at the laundry room, my clothes ended up being soaked, and I kept paying the drier to dry it but it didn't do it's job well. And i remember being so upset over wet clothes and all the time I put into trying to get it dry.

Another lesson I've been relearning is the value of patience and forgiveness with others. Sometimes I can get so annoyed with people that I let small things bug me. God is teaching me to see people the way He sees them. Every time i think or say something negative about someone, especially if it's a Christian, I know God rebukes me and says that He doesn't like me talking about His bride that way. I guess patience also goes along with humility, and crucifying your own idea of how things should be. God is ultimately in charge, and He allows us to encounter these trials to test our faith.

Hermeneutics
I'm really enjoying my hermeneutics class at talbot. Hermeneutics is just a fancy way of saying "how to interpret scripture". I've been learning a lot about how we can bend scripture in so many ways by taking it out of context and not looking at the author's intent. I'm reading a book called Playing with Fire, and it has some deep nuggets of truth about how we should interpret scripture.

The book also talks about how most people fall into error while trying to interpret scripture, because they don't study the historical, cultural, grammatical, literary and genre of each passage. It's important we know the author's audience, his intent, and background before we begin coming up with conclusions. We are so quick to try and make meaning out of a verse that we don't take the time to investigate it in it's context and genre. A huge mistake i have made when running bible studies is asking "So what does this verse mean to you?" or "what do you think it means?" Cuz then we have all sorts of interpretations to a specific passage. Rather it is better to ask, "So what does this passage mean?" Leading to what it means then and there, before we jump to here and now.

"I think the primary confusion comes when we move from reading or interpreting a text right into applying the text to our particular place in life - an application that may be absolutely appropriate for our own situation. The problem comes when we call that application or insight for our own life an "interpretation," which would make it a universal, rather than a particular, insight that God may well intend for us to receive."

"Spiritual or formational reading is the exact opposite of informational reading. Instead of the text being an object controlled by us, the text becomes the subject; we, in turn, become the "object" addressed by God through the text." Basically we are not to place ourselves over the bible, but under the authority. Instead of interpreting the Bible, we must let the Bible interpret us.

The book goes on to talk about how we should experience a heartburn or burning heart when we read God's Word. The main thing God uses to transform us into the likeness of Christ is through His Word. Looking back about 2 years ago, I can see how much reading God's Word has shaped me and grown me closer to Christ. I guess you could say that i am obsessed with spiritual growth. I never want my walk with God to be dry, stagnant, empty, boring or dull. At times I have gone through those seasons. But until the day I die, I want my life to reflect Christ as much as it possibly can. I want this desire to light the flames of others. I want the likeness of Jesus.

Some other lessons im reminded of are not to compromise my morality for a shortcut, how God's grace never gets old, how Christians can still have many idols, the power of fellowship/prayer, and our complete depravity without the Holy Spirit. But i dont feel like blogging all of that, cuz i got tons of books to read for school now.


- Isaiah 55:6-13

Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."


-Psalm 19:7-14
"The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Living Water

Funnel
Today God has increasingly revealed that I am to act as a funnel. I am only to be a vessel for Him. I pray that I would conform to His will and that my words that I speak would be His. My entire life is to be a reflection of Christ. I am to imitate Christ and walk in His likeness. Yes it may be impossible to follow in His footsteps and I will fail countless times, but we are all called to be holy has He is holy. We must take up our cross and pursue His righteousness at all cost. We are all a work in progress, and it is God who ultimately works us to completion. The closer we grow our relationship with Him and the deeper we abide in Him the greater we will look and act like Him.

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." -Psalm 42:1-2

Isn't it fascinating how the Holy Spirit works through us? How crazy is it to know that we have the best counselor dwelling within us?! We can't worship, surrender, transform our hearts or do anything right without God's help. This is why it is extremely, extremely important that we prioritize receiving from God.

"All our vows and resolutions end in denial because we have no power to carry them out. When we have come to the end of ourselves, not in imagination but really, we are able to receive the Holy Spirit."-Oswald Chambers

I feel like i'm just supposed to spit out whatever the Holy Spirit teaches me. As for this season of life im in, i feel that im supposed to focus on equipping myself with the knowledge of His Word, as well as growing more intimate with God. (As a side lesson, I must also be disciplining myself to watch out for distractions and not always just take the easy short cuts in life.) God always trains and prepares His people before He sends them out. As of now, God is filling me up. And although i may not be in any ministry or missionary work, our entire life is to act as a ministry to others. So i am definitely learning to always look for the opportunities to pour out God's love.

"Don't sacrifice your future on the alter of now."

Footprints
God has also been teaching me to slow down and wait upon His guidance. Sometimes i run a little too far ahead before Him and try to do what I think would be good, but God has been telling me to set my agendas aside and just wait for His lead. Lately, i've been wanting to do certain things, find work, get ahead of school work and carry on with other task, but God seems to be putting certain people on my path. There's a big difference of someone that distracts you from following in God's footprints in the sand, and stopping along His path to meet, share, fellowship and love on someone. Sometimes we can get so caught up with our plan, that we miss divine moments to just sit and talk with someone. We must always be reminded to be patient and aware of how the Spirit of God leads us. Although we think we know best, God always knows what best for us. Don't run ahead of God, wait, and follow.

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." -1 Peter 1:13-16

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:1-2

My challenge and prayer to any readers out there, is to seek the will of God. Look for the evidences of His grace today. Look for how His Holy Spirit leads and guides. Pray for revelation and vision. Meditate on His Word. Receive His love as a funnel and let it overflow out of your life, it will greatly enrich everyone around you. I hope no one takes these blogs the wrong way. Although it can sound like it, I by no means am i trying to act as some profound know-it all guru, lol. My only desire is to make Him known and to share His teaching as He teaches me. ok bye!"He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." -Psalm 23:3



"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." -Romans 8:26-30
Mighty to Save

Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
For my God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine Your light and
Let the whole world see
We’re singing
For the glory of the risen King
Jesus