Devo June 26

John 1:9-13

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

What's being said?
Jesus Christ is the true light.  The world did not recognize and receive him.  For those who received and believed in Jesus Christ, God gave the right to become children of God.

How is this related to me?
Jesus Christ is the true light.  When I was young, I did not recognize and receive him.  When I received and believed in Jesus Christ, God gave me the right to become a son of God.

How to apply this today?
I am thankful for my identity as God's beloved son.  Out of this identity, I am accepted and loved by God regardless of my abilities and performances.  Because of the acceptance and love from God, my attitudes and values become different than how I was when I was lost in this world.

John 5:1-5

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone
who loves the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we love
the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3This is love
for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for
everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome
the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Meditation
1. John insists that God stimulates one love in our heart; a love that expresses
itself both toward God and toward others. We can’t be warm toward God
and cold toward our fellow Christians at the same time.
2. There is another exciting thing about love for God. It makes obeying
EASY. “Want to” is always easier than “have to”. As long as we feel that
we are forced to do certain things that God demands, those things will be
burdensome to us. But if we eagerly want to do those same things, they
seem to us to be a delight.
3. Do a quick check up on my love for God. Do I want to do those things that I
know please God?

Personal Note:
God wants me to grow in the love for him.
God wants me to love the people around me especially those I minister to.  
God wants me to proclaim the good news of Christ to people who do not know him.

Do I want to do the above things to please God.

1 John 4:4-18

4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one
who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the
world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens
to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever
is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth
and the spirit of falsehood. 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love
comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No
one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is
made complete in us. 13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he
has given us of his Spirit.
16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever
lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love is made complete
among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in
this world we are like him. 18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out
fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made
perfect in love.

Meditation
1. Read the passage aloud slowly for a few times. Pause at the word “love” each
time coming upon it. Consider these love gifts from God (love, relationship,
God’s own life, the Spirit).
2. Draw a little picture of me receiving God’s love gifts. How do I feel?
3. Pray: Thank God for pouring such gifts to me. Tell God my desire to be like
an absorber of His love and to be saturated with His love so it overflows in
me and pours out to others.

Personal Note:
Perfect love drives out fear.  When I have fears about the future, my abilities, etc, my love for others is incomplete.  When I am saturated with God's love, all my fears are gone as I am confident of God's providence and protection.  As a result, I can love others sincerely.

2 John 2:15-17

15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of
sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes
not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away,
but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

Meditation
1. The “world” in this passage refers to the value system and perceptions
expressed in the culture of sinful human beings. John pointed out the roots
of every human society are in the selfish cravings of man, in the tendency to
greedily desire the materialistic things he sees, and in man’s drive for selfimportance.
Each of these is antagonistic to God.
2. It is easy to become self-centered and drawn away from God by the glamour
of sensuality, status, and riches that will not last. Those who remain on
pilgrimage with God will live forever. The author reminds us that we must
choose; we can have only one master.

Personal Note:
I find that most people including myself love the things of the world more than God.  Before engaging in this devotion, I went on Facebook to check out some videos and comments of my friends and that took like 10min (yes, I try to discipline myself in this area).  I am reminded that anything in the world will pass away.  Why don't I get excited for spending time with God and resting in His Words?  I can only do the will of God when I read and reflect on what God says through His Words.

Devo John 16:7-15

7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,
the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he
comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness
and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard
to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no
longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now
stands condemned. 12”I have much more to say to you, more than you can now
bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell
you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine
and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why
I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Meditation
1. The Holy Spirit has three ministries to the world. In regard to sin: the essence
of sin is unbelief (v9). Our trust in Jesus contrasts the world’s rejection of
Him, this confirms its guilt. In regard to righteousness: the ultimate standard
of righteousness is God Himself, expressed in Jesus, whose claims have
been vindicated by His return to the Father’s side(v 10). Though men see
Jesus no longer, His character is displayed in believers’ Christlike lives. We
continually exhibit the gap that exists between sinners and the Lord. In
regard to judgment: The Cross and Resurrection – the reality of which are
seen in the believer who lives his life in Jesus’ resurrection power (Rm 8:11),
proves unequivocally that Satan is a defeated foe. Thus the world system he
dominates is an empty sham.
2. There is nothing we can do to convict the world we live in. It is our lives,
infused by the Spirit’s power and displaying heaven’s grace, that boldly
proclaim the judgment of our God.
3. Thank the Holy Spirit for His guidance in helping me to live out the Christlike
life daily.

Personal Note:
It is the Holy Spirit that convicts me of my sins and disobedience to God.  It is also the Holy Spirit that convicts anyone of their sins and disobedience to God.  I pray that as I continue to model after Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will go ahead of me to work in the lives of the people whom I will have contact with.  I pray that my thoughts and actions are completely guided by the Holy Spirit.

Devo John 13:1-5, 13-17

1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for
him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in
the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2The evening meal
was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of
Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his
power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up
from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,
drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned
to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
13”You call me ‘ Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now
that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done
for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a
messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these
things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Meditation
1. Jesus’ Last Supper begins with profound lessons in humility and baptism.
Notice the incredible extent of Jesus’ love, the ignorance of human
responses, and the immensity of Christ’s servanthood.
2. Think over the definition of Service – Loving, thoughtful, active promotion
of the good of others and the causes of God in our world, through which
we experience the many little deaths of going beyond ourselves. (Spiritual
Formation Bible)
3. Reflect: Is humility the trademark for my service? Talk to God and wait for
His response.

Personal Note:
Do I really value others above myself?  Am I really to sacrifice my time, energy, money, reputation, and convenience for the sake of modelling Jesus Christ to the people I serve?  Why am I hesitant at times to care and go out of the way to serve my brothers and sisters?  I thank God for His word to remind me that my leadership is great when I model Jesus Christ's humble leadership.

Devo: John 3:16-21

16”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his
Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe
stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s
one and only Son. 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men
loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who
does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds
will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it
may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

Meditation
1. Nicodemus who was a Pharisee, one night he decided to speak to Jesus and
question him. It was through this line of questioning that Nicodemus truly
began to understand the teachings of Jesus and was helped “out of the dark”
and into a new life of “light.”
2. How do I view the time I have spent wandering in darkness, maybe struggling
against new birth?

Personal Note:
The famous John 3:16 verse is taken from the context of a Pharisee approaching Jesus at night.  Jesus shared the Gospel with him.  My encouragement is that there are people who are seeking and searching for life, but they are afraid to seek publicly because of social pressure.  I would like to share the light to whomever approaches me.

John 1:12-18

12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor
of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the
One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15John testifies
concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes
after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ “ 16From the fullness of
his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given
through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever
seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him
known.

Meditation
1. Read over this passage a few times taking the time to let it sink in. What
strikes me the most in the passage?
2. When it says the “Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (v14) ,
 how does that make me feel? What would my life be like if God moved to
my street or shared the workspace with me? How would the environment
of my neighbourhood be different if God had moved in? How might my life
be different?
3. Meditate on these words “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
(John1:4-5)

Personal Note:
God is dwelling among us.  It is God's presence and love that enables a ministry to grow.  God reminded me the need to pray and to work with Him.

Devo 2 Peter 3

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a
thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a
roar; the elements will melt in the heat.  11 Since everything will be destroyed in
this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly
lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will
bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt
in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Meditation:
1. Many in Peter’s audience were concerned and dismayed that Christ’s second
coming had not yet occurred.  Peter reminded his readers that a very long
time for us is a very short time for God.  Peter comments that God’s patience
is responsible for the long wait for His coming.  God has no desire for anyone
to “perish” (v9).
2. Someone has commented that transformation into the image of Christ “is
the slowest of all human movements.”  Too easily we become impatient with
ourselves, confused, disappointed, and angered over how long it takes to
change.  Will I ever conquer this habit?  Will I ever learn to love?  Will I ever
be willing to leave my comfort zone?  Will I always be so fearful?  Or selfish?
Or self-deceived?  Peter’s words remind us that God is in no rush.  He knows
what we are made of.  The spiritual life is more a marathon than a sprint,
and God is more than willing to run alongside of us or to walk with us if we
grow weary.
3. Reflect.  What is the area of my spiritual growth that is the slowest to change?
Thank God for His patience for me.  Ask God to help me cooperate with Him
to finish the enormous life transformation project going on in my life.

Personal Note:
I would like to be courageous and faithful to your calling.

1 John 5:13-21

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
 16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.

 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

Introduction and Background on 1 John 5

Why did I choose this for devotion this morning?  As we celebrate Christ rose from the dead and alive in our lives, we are looking into the implications for us.  This passage is an awesome reminder of the live that we are promised with in light of Christ's resurrection.

In the beginning of the chapter 5, we are reminded that everyone who believes Jesus Christ is the saviour who died and overcame death for the purpose of forgiving our sins are children of God.  Regarding the testimony from Spirit, blood, and water, the testimony of the manifestation (showing) of the Spirit, atonement for sin from crucifixion of Christ, and baptism of Jesus and his followers in water are testimony from God.

Reflection on 1 John 5:13

Why did John write this letter?
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (v.13)

Does God listen and answer our prayers?
Having Eternal life is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (v.14-15)

How can a sin not lead to death (v.16)? Recall (The wages of sin is death... Romans 6:23)
Our new nature of being children of God is our real identity.  As we expected, Satan will use our old nature to tempt us, causing us to fall and stumble into sin.  This sin does not lead to death, but how do we reconcile with Romans 6:23?  We reconcile the verse in Romans 6:23 by knowing it completely.  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).  When we stumble to sin, confess to God right the way, and the Spirit will lead us to live a life that is more like Christ.

What should we do when we see a brother or sister commit a sin?
a) Condemn him or her and never talk to him or her again in order to preserve purity
b) Gossip and let the rest of the group know to shame him or her for repentance
c) Pray for him or her to repent and trust that God will give him or her life
d) Nothing and keep on being encouraging to him or her

What are the characteristics of people who are born of God?
We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him (v.18)

Who has given us meaning and security?

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  It is the eternal life we have through Christ that gives us true meaning and security (v.20).

Application

1. During your prayer time, ask God for more faith and pray more boldly for things according to his will.

2. When you see a brother or sister sinning, (prideful/rude words, gossips, uncaring towards others, etc), ask God to guide him or her to repent so he or she can experience life

3. Pray and give thanks that we are God's children, and pray for three of your friends' salvation so they can have eternal life in Christ.

1 Peter 5:6-11

6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up
in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the
same kind of sufferings.
 10And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you
have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm
and steadfast. 11To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Meditation:
1. It’s hard not to be anxious when we’re suffering.  Leaving everything to
God when we are desperate and stressed out seems difficult indeed.  But
Peter has a promise that will help.  Suffering lasts only for a little while.  God
will restore you, and make you strong.  And in His time will call you up to
heaven to share in His own eternal glory.  Whatever today’s pain, we have
the promise of strength, and the prospect of glory – forever.
2. Many things in today’s life cause anxiety for us – finances, jobs, school,
illness, conflict.
3. What anxieties do I have?  Write them down.  Read this passage again.  Cast
the cares upon God by telling Him my worries one by one and ask for His
guidance and care.

Prayer & Journaling:
The anxieties I have are: finances, job/ministry, leading as a husband, time-management...
God, I am willing to cast all my anxiety to you because you cares for me.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

 22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything
to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce
quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind
to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must
gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to
a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape
from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Meditation:
1. Slowly read these verses.  Imagine Paul is sitting beside me, speaking these
words to me directly.  How do I feel when I hear them?  What part of the
passage resonates most with me?  Why?  Maybe the “evil desires of youth”
seem a little patronizing.  Maybe I just like to have “foolish and stupid
arguments”, or there is still bitterness in me that I get into “quarrels” a lot.
Perhaps Christian maturity such as “be kind to everyone, able to teach, not
resentful” seems impossible or defeating.  Maybe with some people I’ve lost
hope that they might “come to their senses”.
2. Continue to sit in a comfortable position being as still and silent as possible.
Silent, still.  Listen for the gentle whisper of God’s voice in the midst of
the silence.  Maybe he will show me a spot of childishness or one of
righteousness.  Maybe he will offer me hope.
3. Continue to sit in silence and explore what God might want me to do with
this instruction.  How am I to live it out today? This week? This month?

Personal Note:
I am challenged to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart v.22.  I find that unless I hang out with brothers and sisters with the same passion, my faith and passion fades away very quickly.  I recall in TC, we are all applying this verse, and the passion and energy was there to pursue after God.

Regarding a pure heart, as I reflected upon my own journey and given the fact that there is a "No Macking" rule in TC, I realize that I never really pursue after Christ with a pure heart.  I came to God because I wanted a girlfriend.  I came to God because I wanted to be rich and successful.  I came to God because I am desperate in leading the church.  The only pure motivation for pursuing faith, love, and peace, etc is out of the love for God in response to the love that God has for me.

I know that I will never ever be totally pure when I come to God.  I am willing to lay down my sins by the grace of God and be shaped and used for His purpose.

2 Timothy 1:6-12

6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you
through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,
but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
 8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.
But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved
us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because
of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before
the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing
of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and
immortality to light through the gospel. 11And of this gospel I was appointed a
herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I
am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that
he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Meditation:
1. It’s amazing what some people are willing to suffer for.  Athletes are willing
to suffer through training to receive a gold medal.  Some are willing to
suffer to reach a mountaintop.  Some are willing to suffer to obtain certain
physique.  Others sacrifice home and family to make more money on a job
that takes them constantly on the road. Some sacrifice everything at the
altar of their children. Others suffer through heartbreak after heartbreak as
they seek “the one” perfect husband/wife.
2. Paul asks us to suffer for something far more worthwhile.  The Gospel is
that amazing expression of God’s grace, revealed in Christ’s appearance,
that announces God’s victory over death and invites everyone to come to
Him for “life and immortality”.  Now that is something worth suffering for.
Besides, our times of suffering become spiritually significant when they are
induced by faithful discipleship and when we see them as opportunities to
rely on the power of God.
3. Recall one experience of suffering in the past.  Consider how God through
this suffering brought transformation to my life?  What deeper understanding
and appreciation of God have I gained from it?

Personal Note:
The most recent suffering is the lack of sleep and energy from TC.  I was physically and emotionally drained.  I was taught to rely on God alone and it takes God's strength to serve Him faithfully.

Hebrew 6:13-20

13When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater
for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14saying, “I will surely bless you and
give you many descendants.” 15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised.
 16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what
is said and puts an end to all argument. 17Because God wanted to make the
unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,
he confirmed it with an oath. 18God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope
offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19We have this hope as an anchor
for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
20where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become
a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

MEDITATION
1. Slowly read the passage aloud twice, note the emphasis on “promises” and
“hope”.
2. Reflect on the role of hope in my life.  The opposites of hope are despair,
suspicion, doubt, and cynicism.  What does this passage tell me about hope?
3. Read the passage aloud one more time.  Among the phrases, such as “swear”,
“unchanging”, “take hold of the hope”, “firm” and “secure”, what words or
phrases stand out to me?  Why are they important for me today?
4. Walk through this day with an attitude of greater hope – expectancy,
anticipation and trust.  This is what everyday life in the kingdom of God looks
like.

Personal Note:
We need hope in everything.  Hope is defined as future certainty grounded in present reality.  Everything in this world is uncertain.  We may hope to enter into a good university.  We may hope to enter into a good career.  We may hope to find a soul mate.  We may hope to have good friends.  In reality, all those things are uncertain.

The only source of hope is from God.  Practically speaking, I am planning for the strategic direction of PGC English ministry.  At times, I fear and worry that I will fail as a leader.  My hope is in God's promise, God's character, God's power at work in the lives of the teenagers.  The culture and the circumstances are beyond what my human wisdom can handle, but I trust that through God's grace, I can love them and lead them.

Colossians 4:2-6

 2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us,
too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the
mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as
I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every
opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Meditation
1. Expressing Christ in my life is vital to an effective witness. But it is not enough.
The gospel is a message delivered in words, and authenticated by life. Both
word and life must be shared.
2. How well am I doing in sharing the gospel? Which do I need to improve
(word or life) to become more effective in advancing the gospel?
3. From vv5-6, what principles do I want to build into my life as I relate to nonbelievers?
4. Pray and ask the Spirit to give me one or two faces of people in your life
whom He wants me to pray for and share the gospel with.

Personal Note:
I need to improve in the area of sharing the Gospel, both in Word and life in order to become more effective in advancing the Gospel.  I need to have wisdom interacting with non-believers and have my conversations be seasoned with grace.  Right now, I would like to share the Gospel with two high school friends.

Colossians 3:1-5, 12-17

 1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in
God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory. 5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ......
 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive
as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds
them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude
in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it
all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Meditation:
1. Read the passage and consider these segments included in the process of
putting on the new life.
- A new life is possible (vv3-4)
- Get rid of the old life (v5)
- Put on the new life (v12-14)
- Inner thoughts and behavior needed to put on new life (vv15-17)
2. Which segment of this process speaks to me most right now? Reread the
verses that correspond to that segment. What word or phrase in that segment
speaks to me? Why? How does that idea relate to the other segments? How
does it relate to love “which binds them all together in perfect unit”?
3. Pray back to God the segment that speaks to me, personalizing it. For
example, based on v13, Please help me to bear with XX(someone’s name)
and forgive XX for the grievances I have against XX. Help me to forgive as the
Lord forgave me.

Personal Note:
I have tasted what the new life is like, experienced the blessings of getting rid of the old life, and continue to wrestle with the inner thoughts and behavoirs needed to put on new life.  Everything here sums up in the deep desire to love God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of
love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God.

Meditation
1. No spiritual practice is as fundamental to our being formed into the Christ
life as imitation. The whole of Jesus’ ministry with His disciples turned on
this practice. When we pretend to be what we are not naturally, Jesus
mysteriously “injects” His kind of life into ours. And here is the most
unthinkable of all – we can imitate God!
2. Stay quietly for a few moments dwell on the words “imitator of God”. What
comes to mind, Excitement? Joy? Shame? Disappointment? Frustration?
Fear?
3. Talk to God about it. Any specific things brought to mind that I should pay
attention to? A change of attitude? Any action to take? Ask for God’s help
today for me to be an “imitator of God”.

Personal Note:
Everything I am to do, I am to do with love.  I need God's help to be an imitator of Him.

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.

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.