Ephesians 4:7-13

 7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is
why it says:
 “When he ascended on high,
 he led captives in his train
 and gave gifts to men.” 9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also
descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one
who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Meditation
1. This list of gifts is by no means exhaustive. Similar lists appear in Paul’s other
letters. Here, he says that the purpose of these gifts is “to train (prepare…
for work) Christ’s followers, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (v12).
The Spirit gives gifts to us so that, by all of us exercising these gifts, we will
build each other up to be more and more like Christ.
2. What gifts has God given me? How am I using them? Are they for mending,
setting right, or putting together in the body of Christ?
3. Thank God for the gifts he’s given me and other members of the church. Pray
that I will do my part to help build up the church.

Personal Note:
God has given me gifts of servanthood, pastoring, and encouragement.  I am using them by serving and encouraging the young friends whom God entrusted to me to become closer to Jesus Christ.  I pray that I will be faithful in doing my part for the church.

Ephesians 3:14-21

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in
heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted
and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp
how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this
love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the
fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and
ever! Amen.

Meditation
1. The “love” Paul spoke of here isn’t the love of God, or love for God. His
theme was family love –love for one another in Christ. Paul earnestly desired
that God’s people be “rooted and established in love” in order that we have
power “together with all the saints” to grasp and know the love of Christ
(vv18-19). How can we grasp or understand love? In the context of the
family that loves and cherishes, that nurtures and supports, that cares and
shares, we are to learn by experience the width and length and height and
depth of the love of Christ.
2. “Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
 Yours are the only hands with which He can do His work,
 Yours are the only feet with which He can go about the world,
Yours are the only eyes through which His compassion can shine forth upon
a troubled world,
 Christ has no body now on earth but yours” – Teresa of Avila
3. The mark of a truly spiritual church is still, “See how they love one another.”
With this passage in mind, pray for my church that we, as a church family,
may bear the mark of “loving one another” and may experience deeply the
love of Christ.

Personal Note:
The ultimate goal and purpose of life is to live for the glory of God.  God is glorified when we respond to the love that He has for us.  Our response to God's love is visible through the love and care for one another in Christ.  What really attract people to faith is not fun programs or entertainment.  The love people experienced in the body of Christ is what attract people to faith.  We are reminded that we are the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-10

 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used
to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom
of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us
also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature
and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects
of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace
you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with
him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7in order that in the coming ages he
might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to
us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one
can boast. 10For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Meditation
1. Works are to faith as exhaling is to inhaling. They complete the gift of
salvation. Good works are not what we do to win salvation; they are what
we do to demonstrate and enjoy it. Followers of Jesus have for the longest
time been perplexed by the relationship between faith and works. However,
Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”(John
13:17)
2. Does my behaviour demonstrate to others my faith in Jesus Christ? What are
the things that I know but have not done? Ask the Holy Spirit to show me
how to actually do these good works.

Personal Note:
I am in the midst of planning for strategies and actions for this year.  I can create a wonderful plan, but without action and actually doing it, it is a complete waste of time.  I am called to courageously lead and invite brothers and sisters to do the will of God.  I am called to care and love the people I lead.  I am called to pray and invite my unbelieving friends to fellowship so they can know Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-23

 15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your
love for all the saints, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering
you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may
know him better. 18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of
his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for
us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which
he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his
right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and
dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also
in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed
him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness
of him who fills everything in every way.

Meditation
1. Paul is saying that we already have everything we need for living the Christian
life. We don’t have to wait for something additional to happen before we
can live joyfully and confidently.
2. Read the passage silently. Make Paul’s prayer in this passage my own. For
example, I ask you – the God of my Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory
– to make me intelligent and discerning in knowing you personally. And so
on. Try to imagine Paul’s emotion when he wrote this passage. Then pray to
the same awesome, glorious, mighty, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
God according to this passage.
3. What new insight or awareness about God and myself do I get from such
prayer?

Personal Note:
I see the growth in the love for Christ for our awesome brothers and sisters in Christ.  I give thanks to God for your transformation.  I pray that your heart and mind be renewed each day to live in wisdom according to God's Word and His Spirit.  I pray that you can experience the riches and the abundance of His love.  God's awesome love in Jesus Christ is above all things and I pray that our lives can be a blessing to the world through being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

The new insight I received is that leading people to love God deeper, care/minister to one another, and sharing the good news to friends and family is impossible by my own strength.  It is only possible through prayer and relying on the spiritual gifts that God blesses.  I was discouraged when I am given the task to plan and implement.  With this prayer, God renewed my mind and I see that as long as I pray and abide in Him, there is fruit and peace.  I will see until the end of the year to see if the plan and the goals are met, but I trust that God is faithful.

Mark 16:1-8

 1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and
Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2Very early on
the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb
3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of
the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very
large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man
dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6”Don’t
be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.
He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his
disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,
just as he told you.’ “ 8Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled
from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Meditation
1. Jesus’ resurrection is totally different from what these ladies experienced
and expected. Therefore when the angel told them that Jesus was indeed
risen from the dead, the ladies were “[t]rembling and bewildered, the
women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone,
because they were afraid.”(v8)
2. Often we are just like the women at the tomb. When we experienced God’s
wonderful, unexpected work in our lives, we would be totally astounded.
This means the end of our familiar life and the beginning of our unknown.
No longer am I doing something for God; he is doing something for me. No
longer am I drawn by my needs to God; he is drawn by his compassion to
me, whether I’m ready for him or not, whether I feel anything for him or not.
That means you and I are not in charge; he is.
3. There can’t be a resurrection without a death. What area of my life is God
perhaps trying to put to death that I am trying to keep alive? What would
happen if I relinquished control of it and simply let ie die? What new life
might come out of it? What new faith? What new hope, new love, new joy?

Personal Note:
The areas I would like to put to death are the struggles with money, sex, and power.  I am going to give a workshop in TC with those three areas.  I am trying to keep alive with the attitudes and thoughts of more money means more power and success.  As much as I want to put to the temptations of lust to death, I am trying to keep it alive through current media and past images.  I am trying to put to death the desire for approval from people and to be recognized as powerful.

What if God wants me to put to death the desire to rely on money, relinquish control of wanting more power and using lust as escape and thinking that I am in control.  The new life that might come out of it is true freedom.  I would be free from the bondage of sin and I can freely be used to serve God for His glory.  I would have a stronger faith in God.  I would have hope.  I would love with truth and Spirit, and I can rejoice.

Mark 15:33-47

 33At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34And at 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?”
35When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling
Elijah.” 36One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and
offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to
take him down,” he said. 37With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38The curtain
of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion,
who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said,
“Surely this man was the Son of God!” 40Some women were watching from a
distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the
younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41In Galilee these women had followed
him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him
to Jerusalem were also there. 42It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before
the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent
member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went
boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44Pilate was surprised to hear that he
was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already
died. 45When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to
Joseph. 46So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in
the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against
the entrance of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw
where he was laid.

Meditation
The death of Jesus has been recorded in all four gospels. Different people
reacted differently. If I were there in person, what would be my reaction and
my emotion?

Personal Note:
I would be afraid when I witness the horror who what's happening to Jesus Christ and the earth being shaken.

Mark 14:3-9

 3While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known
as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive
perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his
head. 4Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this
waste of perfume? 5It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the
money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 6”Leave her alone,” said
Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7The
poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.
But you will not always have me. 8She did what she could. She poured perfume
on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9I tell you the truth, wherever
the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told,
in memory of her.”

Meditation
1. When I want to give a special gift to someone I love, which kind of thing do
I look for?
2. What can I do for God that would be as lavish? Are there things that keep
me from doing it?
3. Continue to reflect on the last question. Allow the Holy Spirit to show me my
problems to be generous to God. Wait for God’s direction for me to take the
step in overcoming it.

Personal Note:
I look for things that the person would enjoy and use.  I can offer my best ability in serving God and loving and blessing brothers and sisters.  Lack of faith and trust in God kept me from doing it.  The only problem behind not being lavish and generous to God is a lack of love and trust in God.  You are the one who provides everything I own, and I trust that you will provide me with direction, with abilities to lead people to become passionate followers for you, and all the other things that are necessary.

Mark 13:32-37

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor
the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when
that time will come.34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts
his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door
to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the
owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or
when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find
you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Meditation
1. What is the most exciting thing to me about the second coming? The most
depressing? What questions would I like to ask Jesus about it?
2. Read slowly this paragraph. Make this a prayer of anticipation and hope for
Christ’s coming again.
3. The truth of the second coming of Christ transformed my whole idea of life;
it broke the power of the world and its ambition over me, and filled my
life with the most radiant optimism even under the most discouraging of
circumstances. – R. A. Torrey

Personal Note:
The exciting thing about the second coming is that there is hope beyond this life.  The most depressing point is that for those who did not receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and saviour, there is no eternal life.  I would like to ask Jesus, why do you love me despite how weak and selfish I am.

I was watching the movie "2012" a while ago.  Of course it is fictional and the world would not end on Dec 21 of this year as we know that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor Jesus Christ the Son, but only the Father.  Even great disasters and suffering comes, I along with my brothers and sisters in Christ are at peace because we are keeping watch, which means living in a way that pleases God and loving and obeying God's Words because of our identity in Christ.  I pray that my church and along with all churches are passionate for the great commission of making disciples so more people will know God and bring glory to God's name.

Mark 12:41-44

 41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched
the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw
in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper
coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,
“I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the
others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in
everything—all she had to live on.”

Meditation
1. Jesus warned against those teachers of the Law who paraded themselves
openly, whose prayers were a pious show, and whose greed was so great
they would “devour widow’s houses”. Such men, Jesus said, “will be punished
most severely.” For contrast, Jesus praised a woman who freely placed her
last coins in the treasury.
2. What a study in values. The greedy rich man, who always wanted more, and
the poor widow willing to give all. The “great man” viewed with respect by
society, and the insignificant woman, held in high regard only by God.
3. While I may be neither rich nor poor, my choices are likely to be governed
by the values expressed by one of these two. Which of the two will I choose
to be most like?

Personal Note:
At times, I am more like the rich man and at other times I am more like the poor widow.  I pray that I would follow the example of the poor widow in giving to God.

Mark 11:1-11

 1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the
Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the
village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which
no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are
you doing this?’ tell him, ‘ The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’
“ 4They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they
untied it, 5some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that
colt?” 6They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.
7When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on
it. 8Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches
they had cut in the fields. 9Those who went ahead and those who followed
shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
 10”Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the
highest!” 11Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around
at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the
Twelve.

Meditation
1. The crowd shouted and waved and praised Jesus as their Messiah – the
savior (v9-10). But soon after, they became the crowd that wanted to nail
Jesus on the cross. It is easier to follow and praise God when everything
seems to be going well, when God is meeting our expectations, and when
faith is supported by those all around us. The strength of our faith is tested
when all of these supports and assumptions begin to fall away.
2. Has my faith in God been tested through changes of time, location,
community?
3. Anyone at church or cell is going through this testing process and has not
come out yet? Write down his/her name on this page. Commit to pray for
him/her regularly for the whole month. If possible, give him/her a call, write
an email or send a card to encourage him/her and to accompany him/her to
come through this process.

Personal Note:
It's easy to say I love you Jesus during TC, Crossroad, retreats, camps, worship, etc.  In your school, on your Facebook, in your sports team, in your music band, you are a follower of Christ when you can praise and witness for Him.  My faith has been tested when I first come to Crossroad two and a half years ago.  I changed from an environment where there are lots of kids, a few counsellors serving together, and a place where I know almost everyone in the church.  By God's grace, I have experienced God's blessing through the new friendship being made and the growth of the brothers and sisters.

When I reflect upon this, this would be pretty much everyone in Crossroad.  Also, this would include many in the adult small group I am in.  

Mark 10:35-45

 35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said,
“we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36”What do you want me to do
for you?” he asked. 37They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other
at your left in your glory.” 38”You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said.
“Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized
with?” 39”We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup
I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40but to sit at my
right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they
have been prepared.” 41When the ten heard about this, they became indignant
with James and John. 42Jesus called them together and said, “You know that
those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their
high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants
to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Meditation
1. Jesus didn’t laugh or getting angry at James or John, but He did reject their
requests. We may want to ask for anything from God, but God wants to give
us the best and not just anything we asked for. So, it’s for our good that He
may reject our requests.
2. Take a time to reflect. Is there any prayer request of mine that God still hasn’t
answered, or has refused? Right now, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God,
for He has or will have given me the best.
3. In the kingdom of Christ, “serving” is the way to success. This is the model
Christ left us. Prayer is one of the services for believers.  Lord, help me to pray
faithfully daily for pastors, the church, our community, needs of brothers and sister.

Personal Notes:
The more I read about the disciples, the more I feel that they are relatively immature.  They were the ones who live and journey with Jesus Christ.  It was after Jesus Christ's resurrection and when the disciples received the Holy Spirit that they served God with passion and boldness.  I agree that serving is the way to success as followers of Jesus Christ.  If I truly love others, I would want to give and bless things far beyond my own finite abilities.  I am called to pray for the needs of the brothers and sisters in Crossroad as well as in PGC.

Mark 9:30-35

 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone
to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to
them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will
kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what
he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum.
When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the
road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who
was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who
wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Meditation
1. In view of what lay ahead in Jerusalem, Jesus again prepared them by telling
them that He would suffer execution and experience resurrection. Rather
than discussing Jesus’ coming death and resurrection, the disciples had been
arguing about their own futures in the kingdom.
2. All of us struggle with the question of status and identity within a group.
Where do I fit? How important am I to this group?
How does Jesus’ style of success differ from the ideas of success that press
on me today?
3. What would it mean for me to reflect vv35-37 in my family? My work? What
is the incentive to do so?
Ask the Holy Spirit to help me to humbly serve others rather than to be
served.

Personal Note:
Most people including myself's ideas of success means respect and honour from people, wealthy and living a good life.  Jesus' style of success is obeying God and doing the will of God.  Success means God's purpose being carried out by disciples willing to become humble servants.

If I want to be great in God's eyes, I must be willing to follow Jesus Christ as being the humble servant to all.  My leadership as a pastor is reflected by my attitude of serving those whom I minister to instead of seeking to be recognized.

Mark 8:27-38

 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On
the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say
John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29”But
what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are
the Christ.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began
to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected
by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed
and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took
him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his
disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have
in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 34Then he called the crowd
to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will
save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of
me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will
be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Meditation
1. When Peter made this confession of faith “You are the Christ”, he has
only taken the first step. The next step is a lifelong journey to live out this
confession fully and authentically.
2. That’s the same with us. After our confession of faith, Jesus calls us to live a
life to “deny himself and take up his cross and follow” Jesus.
3. In my journey of faith, which step have I taken? Am I still lingering at the first
step? Or am I walking toward the goal of being sanctified and made holy?
What is it that has kept me from moving ahead? What am I afraid of?
4. Pray for courage and faith to walk on this journey. Ask for God’s guidance
that I may willingly follow.

Personal Note:
The Christian faith is a journey.  I like the way John Bunyan described it in the book the Pilgrim Progress.  It is an adventure full of trials, difficulties, excitement, heart break, danger.  It is worth it as we have God's protection and guidance.  When I think about all the wonderful things that happens to humanity, it always come at a cost of suffering, perseverance, and a committed group of people willing to sacrifice for a cause.

What is it mean to me at this stage of my life?  I see that being the pastor and walking through the up and downs of the life of the teenagers a great challenge.  They are going through various difficulties, which I personally did not bear when I was young, and I have compassion on them to guide them and be a source of peace for them through the love of Jesus Christ.  If I really love them, I would need to journey and walk through those "valley of the shadow of death" with them and I need prayer for courage and faith to walk on this journey.  It is by God's grace that I may willingly follow.

Mark 7:17-23

 17After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him
about this parable. 18”Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing
that enters a man from the outside can make him ‘unclean’? 19For it doesn’t
go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body.” (In saying this,
Jesus declared all foods “clean.”)
 20He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ 21For
from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft,
murder, adultery, 22greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance
and folly. 23All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ “

Meditation
1. We are sanctified and become holy not because of our outward behavior,
but because Christ has renewed our minds, reformed us in his image. Any
evil behavior begins with an idea. If we allow our thought life immersed in
desires, jealousy, hatred and bitterness, eventually we will sin.
2. Continue the practice of solitude and silence from yesterday. Take time to
rest and to be silent. Ask the Holy Spirit to examine my inner thoughts. Is
there a need for cleansing? Pray to God and ask Him to cleanse my inner
wickedness.

Personal Notes:
We are cleansed because inwardly our mind has been renewed to be in Jesus Christ's likeness.  By the way, the theme for TC this year is "Cleansed".  As a leader in TC, there are many areas in my life that needs cleansing.  Currently, I need to be cleansed from doubt and a lack of faith.  I need to be cleansed from pride of relying on my own strength and envy of people who are capable.  Despite all the blessings from God, why am I still struggling with so much inner wickedness?  It seems that the temptation for wickedness is endless.  I thought that as I grow in Christ and being sanctified (become more like Christ), I would decrease in my inner wickedness.  Having this exercise of solitude and silence allows me to realize and have courage to face my inner wickedness.  I pray to God for healing and cleansing.  I learn that as I grow in my love for God, I realize how wicked I am and I am grateful for the amazing grace.

Mark 6:30-34

 30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done
and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they
did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves
to a quiet place and get some rest.” 32So they went away by themselves in a boat
to a solitary place. 33But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran
on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34When Jesus landed
and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like
sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Meditation
1. When the disciple came back after they finished their assignment, Jesus
took them away “to a quiet place and get some rest”. This is for them to find
spiritual resources to continue effective ministry. The Spiritual Formation
Bible has the definition for “Solitude”: the creation of an open, empty space
in our lives by purposefully abstaining from interaction with other human
beings, so that, freed from competing loyalties, we can be found by God.
2. Have I arranged “solitude” into my regular routine schedule? How can I “be
found by God” in my busy life?
3. Open my agenda to next week or next month. Try to carve out a time (half
an hour, or half a day or a whole day). Go to a park, a deserted place, or
an indoor place without being disturbed. Stay quiet and alone, and then
converse with God.

Personal Note:
When I read through the Gospel, one of the repeated activity that Jesus Christ engaged in was withdrawing to the wilderness and pray.  We as followers of Jesus Christ are to do the same thing.  This is especially important to me personally as a pastor.  It is necessary to pull back from all the demands from ministry and sit back and receive spiritual resources and rest.  After spending time alone in God's presence, my passion is renewed and strengthen to obey and do God's will.

Mark 5:25-34

25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.
26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all
she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about
Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she
thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29Immediately her bleeding
stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At
once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the
crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding
against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’
” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman,
knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with
fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed
you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Meditation
1. Jesus, on his way to the home of a dying girl, was touched by a woman with
chronic bleeding. She spent all she had to search for a cure but to no avail.
Then she heard about Jesus, she became convinced that if she could only
touch his clothing, she would be healed. And she was healed indeed.
2. Mark is demonstrating to us here that Jesus Christ, ruler of God’s kingdom,
has power over nature, over demonic power, and over every illness. Knowing
Jesus has such power gives us confidence to live by his word, even if he
should not choose to heal every believer’s disease now.
3. Tell Jesus all of my urgent needs and ask for His healing and help.

Personal Note:
From point 2, we need to accept the reality that we have saints who pray with faith, and yet their love ones dies at the end.  I was recently at a funeral of an elderly lady on the weekend.  The woman endured years of physical suffering before her death.  From her testimony and the testimony of her friends, her faith enable her to rejoice and live life to the fullest despite her last few years' worsening physical condition.  She was at peace and was experiencing God's freedom and she was a tremendous blessing to brothers and sisters around her.

I do not suffer much physically now a days.  I thank God for giving me health so that I can enjoy various physical activities like basketball and running, etc.  I do need help in overcoming discouragement and have faith in God's power in growing the English congregation.  We have seen the group grew from a few guys to a bigger group by his grace.  Now, it is our desire to grow the group in width (more people in each of the small groups) and in depth (quality of discipleship).  As the pastor, I am called to lead them with faith and courage.  I urgently need Jesus Christ to strengthen my doubt and trust in his grace and power.

Mark 4:21-25

 21He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?
Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? 22For whatever is hidden is meant to be
disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24”Consider carefully what you hear,”
he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even
more. 25Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he
has will be taken from him.”

Meditation
1. In Matthew 6:3-4, Jesus taught us: “But when you give to the needy, do not
let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving
may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will
reward you.”
2. However, in this paragraph, it is talking about all of our secrets – good
and bad – being revealed. What is the connection between keeping good
deeds and qualities secret and having all of our secrets revealed? Does this
motivate us to be quiet about the good works that we do?
3. Continue the meditation from yesterday to be willing to be a quiet disciple
of Jesus. Lord, help me so that I will “not let (my) left hand know what (my)
right hand is doing” (Matt 6:3).

Personal Note:
I believe this passage talks about both good and bad deeds/secrets.  The lamp represent the good news, and we are to shine to the world with our acts of love.  We do not need to publicize and make people aware of our good deeds.  All we need to do them out of the love for God and God knows the real motivation in our hearts. God provides abundantly to those who give and serve generously, and yet takes away from those who withhold from blessing others.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he
has will be taken from him.

Mark 3:13-19

 13Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they
came to him. 14He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they
might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have
authority to drive out demons. 16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to
whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to
them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew,
Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,
Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Meditation
1. We know a few of the more famous (and infamous) disciples, but there are
many in this list we know nothing about at all. Though they were also with
Jesus for more than three years just as Peter, John and James were. They
also received teachings and care from Jesus, were commanded to preach,
heal, and cast out demons. However, they remains to be the unnoticed in
the Bible and in the church history.
2. In our own discipleship, we may be asked to do some work or to take a stand
that gets noticed by others. But often discipleship consists of faithfulness in
the small, even mundane acts of Christian service perhaps unnoticed by all
except God.
3. Am I aware of any unnoticed servers at church, home, the office or any other
places? Look for an opportunity to show appreciation, a smile, or a thank
you to these people.
4. Am I willing to be an unnoticed disciple of Christ? Is there any behind-thescene
work that needs to be done? Am I willing to do it? Ask the Lord to
give me the willingness to do the not-easily-noticed services faithfully even
without people’s recognition or appreciation.

Personal Note:
When we serve God, there is always a temptation to be noticed and recognized.  Within Crossroad, there are the following positions for service: Praise Leaders, Small Group Leaders, Creative Designers, and Special Events Planner.  All of the positions involves behind the scenes meeting, discipleship, praying, caring and calling up people, which are not often noticed by the rest of the group.

In my work as a pastor, the time of visiting people's home, give rides for students from their school, visits to high school fellowship, preparing for lessons and plans for fellowship, administration work, preparation with student leaders.  Pretty much most of my work is behind the scenes.  I am to be reminded that I am serving God alone at the end of the day.  I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring glory to God's name.

Mark 2:1-12

 1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that
he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even
outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing
to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus
because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after
digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus
saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6Now some
teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7”Why does this
fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in
their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which
is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take
your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, 11”I tell you, get up, take
your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of
them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never
seen anything like this!”

Meditation
1. God has called us not only to individual spiritual formation, but to be formed
into communities of faith too. We pray for one another and work for the
healing and wholeness of others, just as this paralytic’s four friends help him
receive the healing he needs.
2. Prayer: Dear Lord, how I desire the mutual love, care and sacrificial support
between this paralytic and his friends. I hope that there will be similar
relationships between me and my cell members so that we may all receive
healings in our body, emotion, spiritual life, daily life……

Personal Note:
It is our desire in Crossroad that brothers and sisters may all receive healing in our body, emotion, and spiritual life.  Friends who care and pray for one another are necessary for our mutual growth.

Mark 1:14-20

 14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good
news of God. 15”The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near.
Repent and believe the good news!” 16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were
fishermen. 17”Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
18At once, they left their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little
farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing
their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in
the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Meditation
1. Jesus’ disciples didn’t become faith giants once they met Jesus. Their faith
and commitment grew step by step, just like all believers. They didn’t
understand Jesus’ calling then but they all responded by following Him
immediately. Jesus is still calling disciples who have the same urgency for
spreading the gospel and following Jesus. Do I hear his calling?
2. Simon, Andrew, James and John left everything that they owned to follow
Jesus. What is it that is holding me from following the Lord?
3. Stay silent before the Lord. Think of the obstacles that are holding me back.
Write them down one by one. Tell them to the Lord. Wait and listen to
what the Lord is speaking. Then, continue this conversation with the Lord
throughout the day…

Personal Notes:
I am called to lead people to Christ.  Having people make the decision is not enough.  Rather, we are to lead people to follow Jesus Christ. We are to lead people to grow in the love of God, love and support one another, and having a passion to share the good news to friends and family.

What is holding me back from doing everything?  Fear, insecurity, doubt???  Let''s pray that nothing gets in the way.

Romans 16:1-6

 1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2I
ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her
any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people,
including me. 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.
4They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles
are grateful to them. 5Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my
dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.

Meditation
1. The list of names in this chapter displays something of the network of warm
and loving relationships which bound the early church together.  Paul was not
just a theologian, he was a friend.  He did not just count up converts; he cared
for people as individuals.
2. Let this remind us that in the eyes of God and in the church of Jesus, each
person is important enough to be known by name.
3. How many people do I know by name at my church?  Bring out the church
directory and read it through.  Upon the ones I don’t recognize, make a check
mark beside it.  Begin to notice and get to know these brothers and sisters in
the church.

Personal Note:
This is a reminder for me as I am planning for 2012.  I look at all the names that come across Crossroad in the past 2 years.  We have over 70 names that came across Crossroad.  The mission of Crossroad is to lead people to become followers of Jesus Christ.  Do we care for people as individuals.

As I look at the directory of the whole church, there are many names that I do not recognize.  I have set a goal this year to meet 10 new people in the church.

Romans 15:1-5

 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. 2Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those
who insult you have fallen on me.” 4For everything that was written in the past
was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the
Scriptures we might have hope.
 5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth
you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Meditation
1. Paul specifies that we are to help others in areas where we are strong and able in the faith.
2. Recall the people who have stepped in and built me up, even if I don’t
remember the specific details.  Thank God for these people.
3. What are some areas in which I have received training, direction, or guidance?
What are some of my natural gifts and strengths?  Who do I know that are in
need that I can lend a helping hand?

Personal Note:
I thank God for the leaders in PGC (Ken, Cecil, Rev. Siu, and many others) for their training, direction, and guidance.  I believe my natural gift is small group discipleship and personal care.  I believe that there is a need for guidance and direction for young people spiritually.  I am strong only when I submit myself to the power of the Lord.

Romans 14:6-13

6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats
to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord
and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies
to himself alone. 8If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.
So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
 9For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the
Lord of both the dead and the living. 10You, then, why do you judge your brother?
Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s
judgment seat. 11It is written:
“ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
 every tongue will confess to God.’ “ 12So then, each of us will give an account of
himself to God.
 13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your
mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Meditation
1. In the church community, everyone lives entirely on the forgiveness and grace
of God.  Therefore, to constantly making comments on what we disapprove of
or dislike in one another is outrageous. Criticisms and gossips are detrimental
to the church community.  Every judgmental word out of our mouths violates
an eternal soul for whom Christ died.
2. Have I seen a fellowship being destroyed by judgmental criticisms and
gossip?  Try this month to speak words of encouragement and hope that
build community at every possible opportunity.

Personal Note:
It is easy to pass judgement and look down on others.  It seems that the society in general looks down and pass judgement on young people.  I am reminded here that even though some of them may be irresponsible at times, they will stand before God's judgement seat and will give an account of themselves to God.  This goes the same for me and I wouldn't like to be judged either.

Starting in the new year, let's speak words of encouragement and hope to one another in Crossroad.