Devo John 12:20-26

20Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the
Feast. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request.
“Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22Philip went to tell Andrew;
Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for
the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls
to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces
many seeds. 25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates
his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow
me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who
serves me.

Meditation
1. What does Jesus mean when he talks about a grain of wheat dying and
reproducing itself? Then wait for Jesus to show an area of my life – a
relationship, a decision to be made, and so on – in which I am holding on to
the status quo, and not allowing him to bring growth or change. In what way
might this be destructive or suffocating?
2. Ponder Romans 12:2 “Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the
inside out.”(the Message). What would this area of my life look like if I am to
“fix my attention on God, ” and in so doing, let go?
3. Hold hands in tight fists. Then relax them, open them, and turn palms
upward. Talk with Jesus about what a life of open hands would look like. Ask
him to show me what it means to be where he is(26).
4. Think again about the tightly held part of my life. Talk with Jesus, ask Him to
help me to let go just a little bit today, and tomorrow, …

Personal Note:
I want to let go of how other people look at me.  I want to let go of my fear and dependency on worldly treasure.  I want to let go of the fear of rejection so I can courageously share the Gospel.

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 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 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.