Devo Acts 4:8-20

Chapter 4
8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the
people! 9If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a
cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10then know this, you and all the people
of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but
whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11He is
“ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12Salvation
is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved.”
13When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these
men had been with Jesus. 14But since they could see the man who had been
healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15So they
ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.
16”What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in
Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.
17But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must
warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach
at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves
whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20For we cannot
help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Meditation:
1. Do I have a message that I “cannot help but speaking” (v20)? Is my message
the same as Peter’s –that there is “no other name by which we must be saved”?
(v12)
2. Pray that God will grant me the same zeal and passion to share with others
what God has done in my life.

Personal Reflection

Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 

For we cannot help but speaking about what we have seen and heard.

God commissioned me to share to the world the good news of Jesus Christ.  What would I be doing when I am not witnessing what God has done in my life?  God gave me life.  God gave me purpose.  He freed me from my sins.  I am no longer directionless and living for destructive purposes.  I am not in further bondage to indulge in sinful nature, rather I am touched to serve one another in love.

I am grateful for the healing and purpose gives to my life.  Witnessing to the world what God has done to me is my desire.  Jesus, you are everything to me!!!

    

Devo Acts 3:1-16

Chapter 3
1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at
three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the
temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going
into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked
them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look
at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from
them. 6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand,
he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He
jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple
courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him
walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to
sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder
and amazement at what had happened to him. 11While the beggar held on to
Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the
place called Solomon’s Colonnade. 12When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Men
of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own
power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him
over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided
to let him go. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a
murderer be released to you. 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him
from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man
whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that
comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

Meditation:
1. The crippled man was begging for some change, but Peter gave him something
much better – the full recovery of his legs. Similarly, I may wish that God
would solve some of my problems, but His plan is much bigger as he desires
to give me new life and help resolve the real problem. When I ask Him for
help, He may say, “I’ve prepared something better for you.”
2. Have I ever prayed to God for certain things but the result was totally
different? What was my response? Surprised or disappointed?
3. Tell God my feelings, and continue to listen to God’s words for me today.

Personal Note:

"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  Peter said this with conviction and power from the Holy Spirit.  I see this passage from two views.

I see myself as the crippled man begging for change.  I can be and was crippled by sins (greed, lust, envy...) and worries of this life (money, security, status, friends, comfort...)  I was begging God to give me money, security, status, friends, comfort, etc...  Before I know God, I was insecure most of the time.  When I do not have the things I want, I felt angry and bitter and lowly and hopeless.  When I had the things I want, I still feel insecure because I fear that I will lose them.  When I see people having things I want, I greed, lust, and envy over them.  I was pretty much crippled by my own sins and I was begging God to give me the things I want.  God loves me and healed me and forgave me of my sins.  He enabled me to walk alongside with Him and to walk with people to experience the loving grace of God.

I see myself like Peter.  Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus, walk.   When I had money to buy silver or gold, I invested in Tyndale instead.  Now gold and silver are too expensive for me to buy.  What I have is God's peace and joy through His Spirit.  In the name of Jesus, I lead  young people to walk with God's guidance.  

Do I have faith that God has the power to free our teens from the bondage of the sins of this generation?

It is not how well I speak or how godly I am, but rather it is God's love and power that transform people's lives.

Devo Acts 2:37-41

Chapter 2
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and
the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all
whom the Lord our God will call.”
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were
baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Meditation:
1. Those that heard Peter’s Spirit-filled message were moved. They asked,
“What shall we do?” This is the basic question every new believer will ask.
It’s not enough to feel sorry for the sins we have committed, we need to ask
for God’s forgiveness. When we repent, God will not only wipe away our
sins, He will renew us spiritually so that we may live out the forgiven new life.
2. Recall a time when God reminded me of my wrongs. What was my response?
Am I living a new life now? The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins,
God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
unrighteousness.

Personal Note:
After the speech by Peter, they people asked "What shall we do?".  When God reveal to me my sins, my response was sorry.  Genuine transformation occurs when I took actions to repent from the wrong doings.  I am willing to repent for the wrongs that I have committed in speech, action, thoughts.

Lately, I struggle with thoughts of belittling people (pride).  Even though I do not necessary say things to put down people, but I have thoughts of thinking lowly of some people.  I desire to repent and see people with how God sees them.  God loves them and every person is valuable in his eyes.

What actions can I take?
-Confess my sins
-Devote time and memorize Scripture verses "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:15, which is part of the sermon I will preach on this Sunday.
-Pray for the person (people), the Holy Spirit will lead me to think rightly regarding them

Devo Acts 1:6-14

Acts Chapter 1:6-14

6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to
restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the
times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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.” 9After he said this, he
was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They
were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men
dressed in white stood beside them. 11”Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you
stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you
into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a
Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the
room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew;
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and
Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly
in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his
brothers.

Meditation:
1. Witnessing to others about Jesus is not to show what we can do for God but
to tell what God has done for us. Jesus instructed His disciples to witness to
the world, but they must first wait for the Holy Spirit.
2. Similarly, when God entrusts me with a task, I need to first depend on the
power of the Holy Spirit. Do I like to get ahead of God and try to depend on
my own abilities and enthusiasm, not knowing that WAITING is also part
of God’s plan?
3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to show me specific areas where I am “impatient to
wait” and have gone ahead of God with my own ideas of what is good.

Personal Note:
Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is no power.  I am doing God's work and I am to expect God's help and guidance throughout.  I am to be a witness of what has done for me.  What has God done to me?  In the past, he led me away from my selfish/sinful lifestyle of just living for my own self comfort and security to a new way of living.  He led me to live for Him, live for the blessing of people around me.
Lately, he brought more student leaders and friends to Crossroad.  He is giving me peace and direction in the midst of preparing for my next season of life.

God entrusted me with the task of leading young people to become mature disciples in Christ.
Do I just go ahead with my previous experiences and whatever I feel like?
Do I WAIT and PRAY, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide me to lead in a manner that pleases God!!!

Here is my to do list and please pray that I wait and pray as I plan and work on the following tasks:
-Baptism/Foundations course
-Grade 12/College retreat
-Outreach to students in BOSS
-Sharing faith/follow up with friends in Crossroad
-Worship service planning
-Crossroad activities planning
-Preparation of doctrinal interview

Devo Matthew 28:16-20

Chapter 28
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had
told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age.”

Meditation:
1. The eleven did go to Galilee, and Jesus appeared as promised. He authorized
His disciples to make disciples of all nations, and promised to be with them
(Immanuel) as the divine power, presence, and Wisdom of God until the
close of the age.
2. Why did Jesus tell the disciples that He would be with them to the end of the
age? In what way is Jesus Christ with me today?
3. Consider choosing one of the ways and attempting to be especially sensitive
to Jesus’ presence (Immanuel) with me this week.

Personal Note:
This is the great commission from God.  God called me to make disciples.  For those who received Jesus Christ, believed in his name, he gave the3 right to become children of God (John 1:12).  I receive you gift of salvation.  I believe in your name, you are the son of God who died for me and you are alive and present in my heart as the Holy Spirit.  I do not deserve your love and the identity to be your child.  I receive the right because you love me.

I know you are present with me right now.  I know you are present whether I am in class, in my office, playing sports, hanging out with friends, eating, drinking, sleeping, day dreaming, etc.  You are with me always till the very end of age.

Devo Matthew 27:45-54

Chapter 27

45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.
46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi lama
sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar,
put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Now leave him
alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50And when Jesus had cried out
again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51At that moment the curtain of the
temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.
52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were
raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went
into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54When the centurion and those
with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened,
they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Meditation:
1. The central event of the Christian faith is the immense humiliation of our
God. And His anguish is deeper than we can imagine. His own people
demanded his death, his friends deserted him. And now even his loving
Father has turned away.
2. Spend time wrestling with why the Almighty would choose such a path.
Reread Jesus’ own words a few times to get closer to his experience.
3. What wells up inside me as I spend time with Jesus’ death? Death? Wonder?
Grief? Distractedness? Tell Jesus about what surfaces. Then gently pull my
thoughts back to His sacrifice and death, reading the passage again if needed.
Allow myself to sink into the event deeply, again being aware of my reaction
and talking to Jesus about it.
4. Find a new place to be silent. For example, walk in a quiet place or sit in an
empty church sanctuary. Bring a wristwatch and set the alarm so I can forget
the time until it reminds me. Meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice for me, and then
wait for what He would have me receive from Him.

Personal Note:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."  I believe the worst punishment is separation and loss of someone/thing one dearly love.  I recalled my emotions when I was at loss.  When I lost my job, I felt useless and angered.  When I lost a friend, I felt miserable and empty.  When I lost a family relative, I felt shocked and broken.  All losses are painful.  Jesus, you suffered the loss of the forsakeness of God, the pain of eternal separation from God.

Listening to "At the Cross"

God, why do you choose this path?  Love...
Why did Jesus die for me? Love...

Devo Matthew 26:36-46

Chapter 26
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to
them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons
of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then
he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay
here and keep watch with me.” 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the
ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.
Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40Then he returned to his disciples and found
them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked
Peter. 41”Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is
willing, but the body is weak.” 42He went away a second time and prayed, “My
Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your
will be done.” 43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their
eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third
time, saying the same thing. 45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them,
“Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man
is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”


Here recorded three times of Jesus’ prayer. It clearly portrayed Jesus wrestling
with God’s will and then finally accepting it. It started with Jesus asking if it
is possible for the cup (referring to the expression of God’s judgment in and
by the cross) to be removed from him. The next two times He says, “If this
cannot … your will be done”(v42). In all cases, Jesus addresses God in the
most intimate terms as “my Father”(vv39,42). The disciples, including even
Peter, were unable to watch and pray with him.

Personal Note:

Jesus wrestled with God three times in prayer.  In my spiritual journey, God is asking me to do things that may not be something I want to do.  For example, God may ask me plan lessons, leadership training with fine details and thoughtfulness.  Usually, I am very spontaneous as planning and administration is a weak area.  I ask that if it is possible to remove this from me.  From the survey of the leaders in our group, administration and organization is an area we all need growth on.  Finally, if it is your desire for me to grow in this area, let your will be done.  I pray that we would not be like the disciples who were unable to watch and pray with Jesus.

Devo Matthew 25:14-30

Chapter 25
14”The kingdom will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and
entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another
two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went
on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put
his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents
gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a
hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19”After a long time the master
of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had
received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me
with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21”His master replied, ‘Well done,
good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put
you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22”The
man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two
talents; see, I have gained two more.’ 23”His master replied, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge
of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 24”Then the man who
had received the one talent came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man,
harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered
seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here
is what belongs to you.’ 26”His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you
knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered
seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers,
so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28” ‘Take the
talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who
has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have,
even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant
outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Meditation:
1. God gives gifts to all his disciples: wealth, skills, time or opportunities. God
wants us to use them completely. This is how we can serve him.
2. The master praised two of the slaves for they had done their best. But not
the other slave. This slave was doing the safest thing, and the least work, to
protect himself from hard work and punishment he thought he might receive
if he lost it.
3. God also expects me to use my gifts wisely and completely for Him. How am
I doing? Think of one way I can use my gift today and this week. Ask God to
help me do it well for His sake.

Personal Reflection

God gives gifts and talents to me.  Thank you God for your reminder of using my resources and skills completely.  My money, time, energy, opportunities, and skills all belongs to you.

Wealth
When God called me to invest in seminary education, I was greatly blessed.  The money I gave through tithing, missionaries, and to the needy were a joy in giving and God blessed me with a sense of belonging as partners to the great work he is doing.

Skills
When I was in high school and university, I thought that high grades were the only skills I need to develop.  When I was doing my internship, I realize how failed I was.  The world requires greater skills than academic skills.  The employer looks for more.  I was unsuccessful in finding a job related to my field.  I felt like a failure.  I worked in an unrelated field for a few years and then I was called by God into ministry.  I was doubting God whether I have the skills for a pastor.  I prayed and God revealed to me through mentors and fellow brothers and sisters (fellowship is very important) that skills need prayer and time to develop.  I am to step out of my comfort zone and trust that he will provide the skills, the resources, the time, and the opportunity to do His work.  When I began, I cannot read, write, speak English well.  By God grace, I may not be like the person with 5 talents, but I feel confident that God is equipping me in skills like planning, teaching, caring, leading, speaking, listening, which is essential to for a spiritual leader.

I thank God for the time and opportunity to do your work.

The temptation to play it safe and not use our skills because of the fear of failure is there.  Sin has two dimensions.  There is the sin of commission, which is done through committing something wrong ie) stealing candy from a store.  There is the sin of omission, which is done through not doing things we should do.  ie) not giving God and people in need of their needs.   God created me for His purpose.  When I am lazy and do not work because of the lack of faith in God, I become the wicked servant in the parable.

How am I doing today?
I am trying my best to do what you ask me to do.  However, I do feel that there are rooms for improvement and there are still lots of areas, time, energy, skills that I haven't fully surrender to God.  I need God's help and prayers from brothers and sisters to become faithful in the work you call me to do.

Devo Matthew 24:3-13

Chapter 24

3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately.
“Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your
coming and of the end of the age?”
4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in
my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of
wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must
happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All
these are the beginning of birth pains.
9”Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be
hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the
faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear
and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of
most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And
this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to
all nations, and then the end will come.

Meditation:
1. Think about the fact that Jesus Christ will return to this earth. Does this
promise make me happy? Or is it like a danger to me? Make a list of what I
might lose on that great day. Then make a list of what I will gain. Why is it
hard for some Christians to believe that Jesus will return?
2. Imagine that Jesus will return in a month’s time. What would be different in
my church? What would I do?
3. Let this question linger in my heart for a while. Wait for God to show me
how I may get ready for Jesus’ coming.

Personal Note:
Jesus Christ's coming is imminent (He will and must come back, but the time is unknown to all).  Our death is imminent too.  Everyone on earth will have to give an account to God for the lives we lived.  There are dangers, nations against nations, war, famines, false prophets.  Jesus Christ's return is to restore creation to God's good design.  I feel afraid because there would be tough trials and persecutions before Jesus Christ's 2nd coming.  I know that we will gain eternal life for those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.  If I have not accepted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and savior, I would lose out on being with God forever.  Following God has a cost though, I would lose out on worldly things.

If Jesus is to return very soon, how would my church be different?  Personally, I am going to do the things I am already doing.  I expect Jesus Christ coming any minute and I am to prepare myself by sharing the love of Christ to people around us.

How may I get ready for Jesus Christ's second coming?
As a believer of Christ, the 2nd coming of Jesus is the greatest event I look forward to.  I would have to confess that this is something that seems remote and abstract.  I would imagine this is like preparing for my wedding day later this year (this is just as a personal comparison and Jesus coming again is beyond comparison).

For our wedding, we pray, plan, count the cost, read and learn about married life, gather people to help, pray, seek counsel, dream about what that day is like...

For preparation of seeing Jesus Christ, we pray and cultivate relationship as guided by the Spirit, plan for growth in discipleship, count the cost of discipleship, read and learn God's Word, fellowship and seek brothers and sisters for support and encouragement, pray more, seek mentors and guides, and meditate on what's like to be with Jesus Christ forever

Devo Matthew 23:1-12

Chapter 23
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2”The teachers of the law and
the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they
tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves
are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5”Everything they do is done for
men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments
long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in
the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men
call them ‘Rabbi.’ 8”But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one
Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you
have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you
have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] 11The greatest among you will be your servant.
12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will
be exalted.

Reflection:

1. Jesus’ disciples are commanded not to accept the title rabbi, father, or
teacher, for there is only one final and authoritative teacher – not Moses or
Solomon, but the Christ (v10). Thus, Jesus’ followers must always remain
learners. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and vice versa (v12).
Jesus repeated condemns play-acting, which is what the word we translate
“hypocrite” actually means. The dichotomy between appearance and reality,
between word and deed, draws Jesus’ criticism (vv13-33).

2. The scribes and Pharisees were the professors of their time. They studied
Scripture in minute detail and memorized huge chunks of it. Yet all of their
study and memorization didn’t keep them from doing things contrary to what
they were studying. How can I keep from being hypocrite: teaching one
thing and doing another?

Personal Note:

It is easy put on a mask of fake niceness, kindness, and use knowledge and credentials as a shield from the command to love from Jesus Christ.  Why do I want to be a pastor, a teacher, a leader?  Is it to show off? to make myself popular? to exalt (lift up) myself.  Rather, I am always a student of the Word of God, student of leadership so I would be able to guide my friends to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Being a pastor, there is a fine line between a good shepherd and a Pharisee.  How can I keep myself from teaching one thing and doing another?  To begin, I should practice what I teach first.  I teach on spending time with God in devotion, I try to show that I spend time with God too.  I try to teach honor your parents and leaders, and I respect my parents and my leaders.  I try to teach on having control over media consumption, I am not to be consumed by media...

All this is impossible by my own effort of self discipline.  I can do all that because God's love and strength allow me to do so.  I get strengthen and encouraged when I pray to God.  I get encouraged by the growth of fellow brothers and sisters.

Ransomed Heart Ministries -- Daily Reading

Ransomed Heart Ministries -- Daily Reading

Devo Matthew 22:34-37

Chapter 22

34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.

35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36”Teacher,

which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the

Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love

your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two

commandments.”

1. The entire law hinges on its central commands to love God and neighbor.

All the law and the prophets spoke was intended to nurture love for God

and love for one’s neighbor. God is to be loved wholeheartedly, which is the

greatest commandment. But this is impossible without the aid of God; hence

the words of Augustine of Hippo, “Give what you command, Lord, and then

command whatever you will”.

2. In what way do I want to grow in love right now: Toward God? Toward

those in my family? Toward the needy? Toward myself? How would I do it?

Use the above prayer of Augustine of Hippo as a prayer and ask God to help

me to grow in love in the specific way shown by the Holy Spirit.

Personal Note:

This is the central message of the Bible.  The greatest command is to love God with all of everything and to love others as much as you love yourselves.  This is totally impossible without God's help.  I am called to love God and obey his directions in caring for the lives of young people.  How do I grow in love???

Towards God: Read God's Words, reflect on them, Pray and reponse

Towards my family: Ask them how they are doing

Towards the needy: Pray to God to provide and ask God how I can help

Towards myself: I am literally the hands and feet of Jesus Christ

God is not something abstract, but He is relational.

To put it in a context I can relate.  Our love for God is reflected in how we love our fellow brothers and sisters.  I think of someone I love very dearly.  I would like to spend time with her, know what she is feeling, listen to what she is saying, do what she cares about.

I desire to have a deep and intimate relationship with God.  I would like to spend time alone with Him.  I want to know what He is feeling.  I want to listen to what He is saying.  I want to do what He cares about.  The answer to them are all in God's Word.  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. (Eph 1:3-5) 

Devo Matthew 21:12-17

12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling
there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those
selling doves. 13”It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house
of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’” 14The blind and the lame
came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and
the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting
in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. 16”Do
you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus,
“have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you have
ordained praise’?” 17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where
he spent the night.

Meditation:
1. These merchants and money exchangers were extorting the pilgrims and
making a big profit on the trade. They have turned the temple into a high
profit lucrative business enterprise. No wonder Jesus was furious and drove
them out.
2. If Jesus were to visit my church today, where might He begin “turning over
tables”? What about my life if Jesus comes to visit my heart? (I Cor 6:19)

Personal Notes:
There are quite a few things to turn over in our church and our lives.  He would like to see us take worship and His Words seriously.  He would like to see us center our lives on Him instead of media and entertainment.

With my life, from 1 Cor 6:19, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
He seeks me to be faithful to the mission of sharing God's love to the community of young people.
He seeks me to be pure and holy in my thoughts, words, and actions.
He seeks me to be a good steward of the time, money, and energy he entrusted me with.

I am willing to obey by being faithful in praying, planning, and leading PGC English ministry.
I am willing to obey by fleeing and resisting lustful, greedy, envious, prideful thoughts, words, and actions.
I am willing to obey by using the time, energy, and resources you entrusted in ways that are pleasing to you.

Devotion Matthew 20:1-16

Chapter 20

1”For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the
morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius
for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3”About the third hour he went
out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them,
‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5So
they went. “He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and
did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others
standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long
doing nothing?’ 7” ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered. “He said to
them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’ 8”When evening came, the owner
of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages,
beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’ 9”The workers who
were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when
those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of
them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble
against the landowner. 12’These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’
they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the
work and the heat of the day.’ 13”But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not
being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and
go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don’t I
have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because
I am generous?’ 16”So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Reflection:
1. This story troubles many. It seems obvious that the owner of the vineyard
wasn’t being “fair”. Jesus is saying that some people want to put relationship
with God on a work-for-hire basis. And these folks often assume they’ll be
rewarded for being so busy.
2. Relationship with God is based on His generosity (v15), His grace, and not
our works. We don’t advance spiritually by being busy.
3. Am I becoming so caught up in doing things for God that I forget to simply
love Him? Do I forget to stop, listen to people, and try to respond to their
needs? Am I actually drying up spiritually but still spending my energies in
an unproductive way? What is God telling me?

Personal Note:
3. I am feeling that there are so many things to be caught up with: leading people through various meeting,  planning, preparing for lessons, admin work, calling/contacting people, training, teaching, being there when someone is in need, etc.  After being more involved and learning about the lives of other more "seasoned" leaders, I realized how much work and sacrifice they put in for the purpose of growing brothers and sisters in faith.

It seems that the people who began to work early and in the middle of the day got an unfair deal, while the people who worked an hour got a sweet deal.   As everyone receives the same pay.  I would see myself as people who got hired in the middle of the day.  I felt that I have stand around doing nothing productive for a significant portion of my life, I came to Christ when I was 23.  I have mixed feelings sometimes.  At some moments, I feel like I am like those Pharisees judging young/lukewarm believers complaining why God is so gracious to them.  At other moments, I feel like I got a sweet deal of grace from God.

I wonder why the last will be first, and the first will be last?  God is calling me not to think of myself as someone who has made it and advance in faith.  I am not to work and work and work to please God.  I am reminded that I am to simply love God.  From the love and intimacy with God, leading/serving other people would be a blessing to others and myself.

PS: Between standing in the market place with nothing to do and working in the vineyard with God as the owner, I gave thanks to God for the opportunity to work with meaning and significance.

A real Christian cannot be Lukewarm

Devotion Matthew 19:23-26

Chapter 19
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is
rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom
of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and
asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man
this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Meditation:
1. When Jesus remarked that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom,
the disciples were shocked. In general, people view the wealthy as blessed by
God, for they had the opportunity to do good with their wealth and so gain
merit with God.
2. Jesus had a different perspective. The more we have, the more our possessions
may possess us! It is hard for a person with many resources tied up in this
world to focus his or her attention on the next.
3. Thank God that he can do what we cannot. We can be saved for eternity. And
we can be saved from slavery to our wealth so that we can instead become
slaves of God.
4. Do I love God above all else? Is there anything hindering me to become a
true disciple of Jesus Christ?

Personal Note:
This is the passage that God spoke to me when I was moved by God into ministry.  I was doing well making OK amount of money in day trading back in 2006.  I felt that having wealth means that I am favored by God. I was moved by the Urbana 2006 conference.  The message, worship, and God opened my eyes to see that He is the God of the poor, the God of the whole world.  In fact, having excess wealth can hinder spiritual life if the heart loves wealth and comfort more than our living God.  It is very tempting worship and idolize money, financial security, status.  I loved the status of being a master trader.  I loved the profit coming from stock trading activities.  I was proud of the money I have made.  I became arrogant and thought that I could rest my security in my ability to day trade.  I was a believer at that time, but I lived a double life.  Mon - Fri, I lived a prideful, foul, and greedy life.  Sat - Sun, I tried to pretend to look like a spiritual person in fellowship and worship.

God loved me and He did not want me to stay that way.  He revealed to me the joy of mission of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, the joy of centering my life around worshipping Him, the joy of having purpose and meaning in life.  With trading, when the opportunities were there, I can make thousands a day and I also lost thousands another day.  I do not find any meaning and purpose doing that.  I did give a bit of money away for charities.

God revealed to me that if I would like to have a life.  I am to deny myself, take up the cross, and follow Him.  This passage got to my core.  I got on my knees in my hotel room.  I prayed and ask God to guide me as the decision to commit my whole life to Him is very scary.  I prayed for a long time.  My roomates saw me when they opened the door and saw that I was very focused (I was so focused that I didn't know they came in), they decided to have fellowship elsewhere and got me dinner.  They prayed for me too, and I am thankful for their support.

I have made the decision to commit my whole life to God during the 2006 Urbana conference.  Some people questioned whether I was experiencing spiritual high.  I continued to pray and commit to God.  I was led to equip myself in Bible School and I took up roles to serve the teens and had opportunities to experience God as He led me out of my comfort zone.

Today, I am not a master trader, but a youth pastor.  I find that I made a very wide swing in my life direction. I am thankful for God's protection and guidance throughout every step of the way.  I am convicted that the invitation of "Sell Everything and Come follow me" saved my life.

PS: with proper exegesis, do not confuse this passage with the command to sell everything in order to be a disciple.  I didn't sell all I have.  To some people, that may be God's command.  To some, selling half willingly out of his heart delights God (Zecchiaus Luke 19).

What areas am I holding back?
The challenge of life is continuous.  I am struggling with letting go of finance, status, choice of vocation/business.  I have made the decision, but God wants me to serve and love him out of my whole heart, and not just because of duty.  Please pray for my heart to love Him with everything I am.

Devotion Matthew 18:21-35

Chapter 18
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive
my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus answered, “I
tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23”Therefore, the kingdom of
heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he
began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to
him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and
his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 26”The servant fell on his
knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 28”But
when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him
a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you
owe me!’ he demanded. 29”His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him,
‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30”But he refused. Instead, he went
off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the
other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and
told their master everything that had happened. 32”Then the master called the
servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because
you begged me to. 33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as
I had on you?’ 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured,
until he should pay back all he owed. 35”This is how my heavenly Father will treat
each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Meditation:
1. Jesus gave us the most compelling reason of all to forgive one another in the
parable. A servant owed a king a huge debt and couldn’t pay back. The king
forgave the debt and let him go. Then the servant met another servant who
owned him a small sum, but he threw that man into prison until the debt was
paid. This angered the king as it was hardly appropriate for one who had been
forgiven so much to make such an issue of a debt which was so little.
2. What a reminder when we find our hearts hardening toward a brother or
sister after a few repeated hurts. God, the great King, has forgiven us an
absolutely unpayable debt, our sins.
3. Who is the one I find it hard to forgive? Meditate on the forgiveness I have
received from the Lord. Imagine myself as the first servant. Ask for grace to
forgive the other person.

Personal Note:
Before I know Christ, I lived for myself.  I do not love and care for others.  All I care about is my own comfort and desires.  Living in this manner hurts people around me and it hurts God's heart.  God loves me very much and do not want me to live this way.  He reached out to save me.  I was begging for mercy and realize how sinful I was, how much I owe God and to those I have hurt in the past.  I am who I am today because of God's love.

The one I find it hard to forgive is ______.  Thank you God for the grace so I can forgive from the heart.

How to lead someone to Christ

1. Recognize their need.

The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).  All of us are sinners, and we must admit our need for a Savior

2. Repent of their sins

Because God is completely holy, our sins create a wall that separates us from Him.  Tell them that by confessing their sins they will find forgiveness.  "Repent" means to make a 180 degree turnaround.  The Bible promises "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)

3. Believe in Jesus

God worked a miracle when He sent His only Son to die for us.  We don't have to pay for our sins - Jesus paid it all! We can't work for our salvation.  It is a gift from God, and all He requires is hat we believe.  Encourage them to put their complete faith and trust in Him.  The Bible says: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

4. Receive His Salvation

God has given us this free gift, but we must accept and receive it.  Have them thank Him for sending Jesus to die on the cross and for His amazing love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Then have them ask God to live in their heart.  His promise is sure: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

5. Confess their faith.

The Bible assures us: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom 10:9).  If someone has repented and put faith in Christ, tell them they have been born again and are now part of God's family.  Encourage them to tell someone else what Jesus has done in their life.

Devotion Matthew 17:1-13

Chapter 17
1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured
before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the
light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up
three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5While he was
still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6When
the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus
came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8When they looked
up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus
instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man
has been raised from the dead.” 10The disciples asked him, “Why then do the
teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11Jesus replied, “To be sure,
Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come,
and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.
In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13Then the
disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Meditation:
1. Peter, James and John witnessed a special event on the mountaintop. They
fell down before the transfigured Jesus and when they looked up “they saw
no one except Jesus”. What a mountaintop experience that was! In the rays
that blazed from His familiar form, in the bright cloud that enveloped them,
and in the voice announcing Jesus as God’s Son, Christ’s essential glory was
glimpsed. They were deeply, completely, totally immersed in worship.
2. How did I ever come to realize that Jesus was the one above all others that I
should listen to? How has God said to me, “This is my child, whom I love,
with whom I am well pleased”? What was my response?

Personal Note:
1. When did I experience God in such a manner?  Usually at a conference, retreat, etc.  They went to a mountaintop in order to have this experience.  In my busy lives, there is a time to retreat with Jesus Christ away from the crowd to experience his glory and splendor.

2. I came to realize Jesus was the one above all others by how the disciples reacted, usually out of fear and brokenness, and I experienced and felt that Jesus is the one above all others.  Peter out of good intention tried to build shelters for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.  Jesus Christ is God.  Jesus Christ has the power and authority above everything in the world.  It seems that I became prideful at times when I tried to do lots of things for God out of my own strength.  Eventually, God revealed to me through His Words, miracles, and failures that He is God.  I am to listen to Jesus and His Words are my only source of comfort.

Devotion Matthew 16:21-28

Chapter 16
21From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to
Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and
teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to
life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said.
“This shall never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind
me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of
God, but the things of men.” 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would
come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For
whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will
find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits
his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man
is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward
each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are
standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his
kingdom.”

Meditation:
1. Peter didn’t like the idea of Christ facing death by crucifixion. So he urged
Jesus to avoid it! Jesus angrily pushed him away for he lacked the perspective
of God. Every disciple must learn to look at his or her life from God’s
perspective and “take up his cross and follow”. Not that we will literally be
crucified, our cross doesn’t represent suffering or death. Instead, the cross
represents the plan and purpose of God for each of us that we need to find
and do, just like Jesus did.
2. It often seems to us that if we do the will of God, we will “lose our life”.
However, the truth is that we will only “gain” our life and become what we
most desire to be when we do the will of God each day.
3. What perspective do I gain on my current priorities from Jesus’ “gain and
lose” teaching (vv25-26)?

Personal Notes:
1. What's the plan and purpose for me in this season of my life?  Faithfully training and equipping brothers and sisters in Crossroad to become mature disciples of Jesus Christ.  Plan and prepare for wedding.  What does God want me to be and do at this season of my life?

2. I often want to save my life through my own efforts and agendas.  In the past, I thought that getting good grades, making myself to become popular, trying to be cool, working out to look fit, making lots of money by being a master trader will save my life and I would be happy.  I did not care much about the will of God, but rather care about my own selfish well being.  I pretty much had no life throughout those years in my life when I turn away from God.  I reflected back at the time I was willing to lose and give up my life to God.  I was willing to give up more time, energy, $$$, heart, and my own desires to God.  I finally find a life and I now have purpose and meaning in life.

3. How does this apply TODAY?
Am I willing to sacrifice more of my heart, energy, time, and $$$ for Jesus Christ? (It belongs totally to Him anyways in the first place)
Am I willing to lose my life by faith knowing Jesus Christ will deliver me by His miraculous ways?

Reflection on Mark 8:22-26

Bethsaida was a small village on the northeast shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Some friends of a blind man brought him to Jesus and requested that He touch him.  Instead of granting immediate healing, Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village.  We see this pattern of God taking people out of the comfort zone in the Old Testament.  Spiritual leaders were tested with simple acts of obedience.  The people of Israel were commanded to march around Jericho before the walls fell.  Naaman was required to bathe in the Jordan River before he would be healed of leprosy.  The acts themselves never cause the miracles or earn the grace of God.  They were acts that demonstrated their trust in God.

In this case, Jesus asked the blind man to go outside the village.  Perhaps Jesus was seeking to build a relationship with the man.  Perhaps He was seeking a quiet place to perform a miracle.  The bottom line is that Jesus was asking a blind man to leave familiar surroundings, go to an undisclosed location, and place himself totally in Jesus’ care.  The willingness to leave our comfort where we would be relying on our own strength is sign of trust in God.

How about us today?  Where are our comfort zones?  Video games, Social Media, Friends, Anime, TV, Music, etc.  Jesus may call you out of your comfort zone for a brief season so that you would develop trust and faith in Him.  As long as we stay in our comfort, we would not be able to experience God’s miracle.

The young in Christ must continue to seek vision from God

Jesus spit on the man’s eyes and put His hands on him.  We can but wonder what the man thought as Jesus acted.  We wonder what the man was thinking when he heard the sound of Jesus spitting in his hands and then rub in his eyes.  “Do you see anything” Jesus asked.  The man could see something, but the images were not yet clear.  He said “They look like trees walking around.”  Jesus once again put His hands on the man’s eyes.  Then he saw clearly.  This man’s sight came in stages.  This reminds us not to be impatient when Jesus does not bring about the changes we desire for our lives as quickly and as dramatically as we desire.  Note that the blind man continued to seek sight from Jesus until the process was complete.

Although all of us who accept Jesus as Saviour have overcome sin and death, we must continue the treatment.  We must continue to seek a deeper relationship with Him through learning about His Words, Listening to His voice, and obeying His commands.  We seek Him when we pray to Him.  Devotion to God is a powerful way to hear what God has to say to you.  When we pray, we often just speak and speak.  God desires us to interact with him.  An interaction requires two way communication.  We need to discipline ourselves in listening to God.

I want you to do this exercise right now.  I want you to close your eyes.  Imagine you are going to die in three hours, think of the first person you want to spend your remaining time with.   Keep imagining your interaction with this person, how much time would you be spent talking and how much time would you be spent listening?  I would say a balance is good.  If we are to continue to seek after God, we are to be willing to listen.

The mature in Christ must obey God’s voice over his/her own agenda.

Jesus instructed the man not to go through Bethsaida.  The passage ends here.   We do not know whether the blind man obeyed or not.  Why did Jesus made this command?  Note that a healing from Jesus came with a command that required a follow up action.  The leper was asked to show himself to the priest.  The man possessed by demons was told to go home.  Many explanations are possible, but the overriding issue is clear.  The issue is the lordship of Jesus Christ.  If Jesus has the authority to heal, He also has the authority to command.  When the Lord is at work in our lies, it is not up to us to call the shots.  We must obey His voice over our personal agendas.