Tonight, I spoke with my mom about what God has been pouring into me the past week or so. She spoke wisdom to me that I needed at the moment, since I was blind to it.
I related to her how I've been on the go since the last Friday. How, for 9 days, I was constantly doing. And also, how for two weeks in Indiana, I didn't feel like I was preparing spiritually for my trip to India. While in Indiana, I felt lazy and not as connected to God, since I wasn't spending much time in the Word.
And yet, after I said these, my mom paused, and poured out her heart. "Jon, when Christ has you going somewhere to do something for him, He is going to prepare you. Even when you do not feel like you are preparing, He is preparing you. I think that we forget in our Western, product-driven culture that rest is good. I think that Jesus was preparing you in one way in Indiana in the presence of a family who loves Him and you, and who want to dote on you and relax. In Aspen, He prepared you differently, by making you aware of the spirits you'll possibly encounter in India. In Joshua Tree, He really got down to business with your own spirit and spoke to you about what He wants to do to prepare you!"
What a mom.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Out of the Darkness Shines a Great Light
I have been "in the dark" (communications-wise lol) for about nine days. First, I was in Aspen. Then, I arrived back home Friday morning and proceeded almost immediately to Lakewood, close to Long Beach, participating in a dinner to raise money and awareness for our group's mission to India. I was there all day long. That night, after the dinner, I traveled to Joshua Tree National Park to camp, fast, and praise God with nine men from Metro Calvary Chapel (that's my home church).
Since I have been out of the range of communication with anyone outside of a 300-ft. radius this whole time, I have fasted twice. That's a 200% increase in fasting over my total life.
And in those two days of fasting (and their aftermaths), God has spoken very clearly and has begun to clear some thought and behavior patterns out of tHis temple and replaced them with some major ideas. The best way I can summarize these is under the heading My. Yes, that's a capital M.
See, when I refer to God, I use capitals for His name, His pronoun, and His possessives. It is a way to refer to God that I believe shows I consider Him to be more than a lower case. It is by no means my invention, and nor do I mean it to be pretentious. I merely want to give Him His due glory.
Anyway, when He spoke to me last week, He started asking me several questions. "When are you going to accept My grace and stop trying to produce your own? When are you going to start living by My power, and not yours? When are you going to proclaim My name to your friends and family who don't know Me like you do? When are you going to start relying on My wisdom and insight for that which you pray? When are your values going to be My values - justice and freedom for the oppressed and those in bondage, love for your neighbor, to profess to them the
most loving Gift I've given them in My Son's death and resurrection?"
10 months ago I rededicated my life to Christ. I read Scriptures constantly. And I kept it up for a good 8 months. And yet, I didn't see the type of transformation I expected. I know that years of habit are difficult to break, but I thought that God would be able to turn me around in no time, if I only checked off a long list of items I thought would please Him enough to change me.
And yet, rather than transformation, I experienced stagnation. And the more and more stagnant I felt, the more and more I was tempted to give up relationship with my Savior. I would, at points, and things would go back to the way they were, and I would run to Him with my tail between my legs, asking, "When will I care for what you care about? When will I stop this endless cycle?"
And then, I fasted for a day. I gave up physical food on a day when I was in a high-altitude city, hiking and playing soccer. We went to my favorite restaurant in Aspen before my housemate's concert. My stomach yearned for the delicious tacos and nachos I saw at La Cantina. But, God was with me and kept telling me, "Rely on me." Throughout the day, I constantly had to tell Jesus, "I need Your bread of life right now. I need you to sustain me." And He did. The Holy Spirit constantly reminded me that He was with me and that this fast was for a purpose.
When we got home Friday morning, I was ready to go and spend time with our India group to prepare, host, and serve a dinner to sponsors. As I have told several people, I have never been a part of a group that works so well together. Each member was not a cog in the machine, but instead was performing each job so well that they were able to complete them ahead of schedule and help others do what they need to do. When people saw a task that needed to be completed, one, two, or three of us would step up and do it. It gives a whole new meaning to the words "unity in the Body." And to top it all off, my Bible study leader from Metro picked me up to drive us out to meet our pastor and several men from the church at Joshua Tree.
We woke up the next morning and Mike began to draw parallels between physical battle and spiritual battle. I was amazed as Mike and my pastor started talking about the enemy's knowledge of our critical vulnerabilities and how we need to ask God to shore them up. In warfare, a primary principle is to leverage all of your strength against the opponent's weakness. Spiritually, the enemy will take advantage of those critical vulnerabilities, pitting all of his strength against that particular weakness. It makes me wonder how many critical vulnerabilities I actually have. It also drives me to pray that God strengthens those areas, and also that I call on Jesus' strength, because it is at once my ultimate and only strength and the enemy's ultimate weakness. "Where, O Death, is your sting?"
And today, I get to share the gospel with a housemate. I was so much the more bolder for being in the desert and speaking about the realities of Christ and the realities of those who oppose Him. It gave me a heart to really open up to her in a much bolder way than I have before.
Then, Whitney sends me a link to a sermon from Francis Chan about the fact that because God's Spirit lives inside us, we should be the most powerful, boldest people there are. After all, it is the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from death back to life that lives inside us. What a powerful thought!
What an awesome week of reflection, prayer, and listening! May God use this last week before we leave as an awesome extension of that time for me to WALK OUT the ways He's showing me. Pray for our team heavily this week, that God would use us and give us more and more of His power and boldness to proclaim His Light in the midst of great darkness!
P.S. We also received our itinerary today. It is going to be fantastic. Let you know a little more about it soon!
Since I have been out of the range of communication with anyone outside of a 300-ft. radius this whole time, I have fasted twice. That's a 200% increase in fasting over my total life.
And in those two days of fasting (and their aftermaths), God has spoken very clearly and has begun to clear some thought and behavior patterns out of tHis temple and replaced them with some major ideas. The best way I can summarize these is under the heading My. Yes, that's a capital M.
See, when I refer to God, I use capitals for His name, His pronoun, and His possessives. It is a way to refer to God that I believe shows I consider Him to be more than a lower case. It is by no means my invention, and nor do I mean it to be pretentious. I merely want to give Him His due glory.
Anyway, when He spoke to me last week, He started asking me several questions. "When are you going to accept My grace and stop trying to produce your own? When are you going to start living by My power, and not yours? When are you going to proclaim My name to your friends and family who don't know Me like you do? When are you going to start relying on My wisdom and insight for that which you pray? When are your values going to be My values - justice and freedom for the oppressed and those in bondage, love for your neighbor, to profess to them the
most loving Gift I've given them in My Son's death and resurrection?"
10 months ago I rededicated my life to Christ. I read Scriptures constantly. And I kept it up for a good 8 months. And yet, I didn't see the type of transformation I expected. I know that years of habit are difficult to break, but I thought that God would be able to turn me around in no time, if I only checked off a long list of items I thought would please Him enough to change me.
And yet, rather than transformation, I experienced stagnation. And the more and more stagnant I felt, the more and more I was tempted to give up relationship with my Savior. I would, at points, and things would go back to the way they were, and I would run to Him with my tail between my legs, asking, "When will I care for what you care about? When will I stop this endless cycle?"
And then, I fasted for a day. I gave up physical food on a day when I was in a high-altitude city, hiking and playing soccer. We went to my favorite restaurant in Aspen before my housemate's concert. My stomach yearned for the delicious tacos and nachos I saw at La Cantina. But, God was with me and kept telling me, "Rely on me." Throughout the day, I constantly had to tell Jesus, "I need Your bread of life right now. I need you to sustain me." And He did. The Holy Spirit constantly reminded me that He was with me and that this fast was for a purpose.
When we got home Friday morning, I was ready to go and spend time with our India group to prepare, host, and serve a dinner to sponsors. As I have told several people, I have never been a part of a group that works so well together. Each member was not a cog in the machine, but instead was performing each job so well that they were able to complete them ahead of schedule and help others do what they need to do. When people saw a task that needed to be completed, one, two, or three of us would step up and do it. It gives a whole new meaning to the words "unity in the Body." And to top it all off, my Bible study leader from Metro picked me up to drive us out to meet our pastor and several men from the church at Joshua Tree.
We woke up the next morning and Mike began to draw parallels between physical battle and spiritual battle. I was amazed as Mike and my pastor started talking about the enemy's knowledge of our critical vulnerabilities and how we need to ask God to shore them up. In warfare, a primary principle is to leverage all of your strength against the opponent's weakness. Spiritually, the enemy will take advantage of those critical vulnerabilities, pitting all of his strength against that particular weakness. It makes me wonder how many critical vulnerabilities I actually have. It also drives me to pray that God strengthens those areas, and also that I call on Jesus' strength, because it is at once my ultimate and only strength and the enemy's ultimate weakness. "Where, O Death, is your sting?"
And today, I get to share the gospel with a housemate. I was so much the more bolder for being in the desert and speaking about the realities of Christ and the realities of those who oppose Him. It gave me a heart to really open up to her in a much bolder way than I have before.
Then, Whitney sends me a link to a sermon from Francis Chan about the fact that because God's Spirit lives inside us, we should be the most powerful, boldest people there are. After all, it is the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from death back to life that lives inside us. What a powerful thought!
What an awesome week of reflection, prayer, and listening! May God use this last week before we leave as an awesome extension of that time for me to WALK OUT the ways He's showing me. Pray for our team heavily this week, that God would use us and give us more and more of His power and boldness to proclaim His Light in the midst of great darkness!
P.S. We also received our itinerary today. It is going to be fantastic. Let you know a little more about it soon!
Friday, July 17, 2009
"In Every Nation..."
Acts continues to be my focus in the time leading up to our departure. Acts 10 details the practical broadening of the apostles' mission to "the man in every nation" who "fears Him."
The chapter begins when the Holy Spirit sends messengers from the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, to Peter. The two men are in different cities, so as the messengers are on their way to Peter in Joppa, the Holy Spirit visits Peter. "Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself."
The messengers tell Peter who they are and that he is invited by Cornelius to Caesarea to speak a word to his entire house. Peter goes with them to Cornelius' house and, in a humorous introduction, Cornelius immediately bows before Peter and begins to worship him. It says Peter actually pulled him up and told him that he was "too just a man." It seems Cornelius thought it was Peter who was the important part of the story. Peter made it clear from the beginning he was not.
When they get inside, he listens to Cornelius' story. "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour (about 9 am); and behold, a man stood before me in shining garmenst, and he said...'Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' So I sent for your immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
At that point, Peter opens his mouth. "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) - you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem (how awesome is that for us as followers two millenia later?). They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
What an awesome word for people who are going to another nation to preach this news to people who have never heard it!
Another interesting idea - Peter writes that Jesus was appointed by God as "Judge of the living and the dead." Elsewhere, Paul writes that Jesus is our "Advocate" - what we know today as a defense attorney. Thus, when we put our faith in Christ, we have as Judge our D.A. That gives a whole new meaning to blessed assurance! If we accept Christ, the courtroom is rigged in our favor!
The chapter begins when the Holy Spirit sends messengers from the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, to Peter. The two men are in different cities, so as the messengers are on their way to Peter in Joppa, the Holy Spirit visits Peter. "Behold, three men are looking for you. But get up, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself."
The messengers tell Peter who they are and that he is invited by Cornelius to Caesarea to speak a word to his entire house. Peter goes with them to Cornelius' house and, in a humorous introduction, Cornelius immediately bows before Peter and begins to worship him. It says Peter actually pulled him up and told him that he was "too just a man." It seems Cornelius thought it was Peter who was the important part of the story. Peter made it clear from the beginning he was not.
When they get inside, he listens to Cornelius' story. "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house during the ninth hour (about 9 am); and behold, a man stood before me in shining garmenst, and he said...'Therefore send to Joppa and invite Simon, who is also called Peter, to come to you; he is staying at the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.' So I sent for your immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."
At that point, Peter opens his mouth. "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all) - you yourselves know the thing which took place throughout all Judea, starting from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem (how awesome is that for us as followers two millenia later?). They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
What an awesome word for people who are going to another nation to preach this news to people who have never heard it!
Another interesting idea - Peter writes that Jesus was appointed by God as "Judge of the living and the dead." Elsewhere, Paul writes that Jesus is our "Advocate" - what we know today as a defense attorney. Thus, when we put our faith in Christ, we have as Judge our D.A. That gives a whole new meaning to blessed assurance! If we accept Christ, the courtroom is rigged in our favor!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
I received an email from my brother-in-law yesterday about spiritual warfare against pastors in our nation and across the world. At the end of the message, this prayer appeared. Although originally intended as a prayer for one's pastor, I thought it was also pertinent for my India group.
Here is the prayer message below. Use it to pray for us and your pastor!
So how can you pray for our group? Scripture provides the answer! We should pray that God will:
USE US to spread God's Word and that it will be received with honor (II Thess. 3:1).
DELIVER US from those who oppose him and the gospel (II Thess. 3:2; Romans 15:30, 31).
GIVE US opportunities to share the Word and the whole gospel (Col. 4:2-4).
MAKE US bold and faithful to continue proclaiming the gospel no matter what the cost (Eph. 6:19, 20).
GIVE US godly knowledge and insight (Eph. 1:8) so that we can grasp the greatness of the hope (Rom. 8:29; I John 3:2) and the inheritance that is ours in Christ (Eph. 1:17, 18).
HELP US to understand God's great power that is always available to us (Eph. 1:18, 19).
GIVE US peace in the midst of the storms that come upon us (II Thess. 3:16; Phil. 4:6, 7).
BE GLORIFIED as we walk worthy of the calling we've been given (II Thess. 1:12).
Also we must pray that we:
DRESS IN the complete armor of God every day (Eph. 6:10-18); and,
BEHAVE consistently with our identity in Jesus Christ (II Thess. 1:11).
Thanks, Patrick!
Here is the prayer message below. Use it to pray for us and your pastor!
So how can you pray for our group? Scripture provides the answer! We should pray that God will:
USE US to spread God's Word and that it will be received with honor (II Thess. 3:1).
DELIVER US from those who oppose him and the gospel (II Thess. 3:2; Romans 15:30, 31).
GIVE US opportunities to share the Word and the whole gospel (Col. 4:2-4).
MAKE US bold and faithful to continue proclaiming the gospel no matter what the cost (Eph. 6:19, 20).
GIVE US godly knowledge and insight (Eph. 1:8) so that we can grasp the greatness of the hope (Rom. 8:29; I John 3:2) and the inheritance that is ours in Christ (Eph. 1:17, 18).
HELP US to understand God's great power that is always available to us (Eph. 1:18, 19).
GIVE US peace in the midst of the storms that come upon us (II Thess. 3:16; Phil. 4:6, 7).
BE GLORIFIED as we walk worthy of the calling we've been given (II Thess. 1:12).
Also we must pray that we:
DRESS IN the complete armor of God every day (Eph. 6:10-18); and,
BEHAVE consistently with our identity in Jesus Christ (II Thess. 1:11).
Thanks, Patrick!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Worship as a Weapon
YESTERDAY, SOME OF OUR GROUP MEMBERS MET AND SANG SONGS OF WORSHIP AND PRAYED. IT WAS AN AMAZING DEMONSTRATION OF UNITY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. CARLOS, A MEMBER OF THE WORSHIP TEAM, LED US ON GUITAR. HE BEGAN WITH SOME INSIGHTS INTO WHAT WORSHIP IS AND IS NOT. "IT IS NOT A MUSIC STYLE, BUT A LIFE STYLE." IN OTHER WORDS, WORSHIP IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO, BUT RATHER HOW WE LIVE - ARE WE LIVING IN THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF OUR SALVATION AND THAT JESUS IS LORD AND RULER OF OUR LIVES? HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT WORSHIP AS A POWERFUL PROTECTIVE WEAPON. "WHERE MANY PEOPLE ARE WORSHIPING GOD, NO EVIL WANTS TO BE AROUND TO WITNESS IT." THIS LAST INSIGHT IS PARTICULARLY COMFORTING AND INSPIRING.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"Whether it is Right..."
"Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop talking about what we have seen or heard."
A week ago, I felt led to pick up Acts and study it up to the day we leave for India. I started four days ago, and nine chapters through, I have read so much that impacted me that I did not know where to begin.
That is, until tonight, until after watching "The Half-Blood Prince." (Full review to come later)
Editor's Note: Many Christians (including many dear to me) become flummoxed because of the main premise of the books: they detail the life of an up-and-coming wizard in his wizarding world, replete with side stories about all his wizard friends (and enemies). White magic or dark, it matters not: it's magic and thus, occultic. A Christian has no part in it. Mainly, I oppose this type of reasoning because, a. it assumes the Christian cannot ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual discernment to locate what is godly and what is not, and b. discourages any attempt to exercise spiritual and intellectual discernment.
Near the end of the film, Albus Dumbledore gives a condition to the main character, Harry, in order for Harry to be able to accompany him on a very important mission to help him recover an artifact that will help them destroy the evil Lord Voldemort. He tells Harry, "It is vitally important that you do everything I say exactly as I say it." (That's a paraphrase).
More to come on that tomorrow...
A week ago, I felt led to pick up Acts and study it up to the day we leave for India. I started four days ago, and nine chapters through, I have read so much that impacted me that I did not know where to begin.
That is, until tonight, until after watching "The Half-Blood Prince." (Full review to come later)
Editor's Note: Many Christians (including many dear to me) become flummoxed because of the main premise of the books: they detail the life of an up-and-coming wizard in his wizarding world, replete with side stories about all his wizard friends (and enemies). White magic or dark, it matters not: it's magic and thus, occultic. A Christian has no part in it. Mainly, I oppose this type of reasoning because, a. it assumes the Christian cannot ask the Holy Spirit for spiritual discernment to locate what is godly and what is not, and b. discourages any attempt to exercise spiritual and intellectual discernment.
Near the end of the film, Albus Dumbledore gives a condition to the main character, Harry, in order for Harry to be able to accompany him on a very important mission to help him recover an artifact that will help them destroy the evil Lord Voldemort. He tells Harry, "It is vitally important that you do everything I say exactly as I say it." (That's a paraphrase).
More to come on that tomorrow...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Back from My Roots
One trip down...two to go.
Like my mom said last night, India is becoming more real because the other major trip I planned this summer (being in Indiana) is done. One of the issues our group prayed about this week (in fact, it was yesterday) is that God would calm our anxieties, worries, and illnesses. I had not felt anxious about the trip until the past two or three days in Indiana. So, I continue to pray for those to subside - they mainly have to do with what I will be able to do for the group and whether I will be able to do it.
Today, our group prayed as a unit that we would not underestimate what God can do through us. Funny how that works out, right? Also quite incoincidentally, I read in Acts 3 today about how Peter healed a man who had been lame for many years in Jesus' name. He spoke to people who saw or heard it occur and were in disbelief for the second chapter, or major miracle, in a row.
"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all."
"Lord, use us to speak Your name and the healing that comes with it into many people's lives on our journey. Your name is more powerful than we can imagine. Don't allow us to put Your power in a box. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Like my mom said last night, India is becoming more real because the other major trip I planned this summer (being in Indiana) is done. One of the issues our group prayed about this week (in fact, it was yesterday) is that God would calm our anxieties, worries, and illnesses. I had not felt anxious about the trip until the past two or three days in Indiana. So, I continue to pray for those to subside - they mainly have to do with what I will be able to do for the group and whether I will be able to do it.
Today, our group prayed as a unit that we would not underestimate what God can do through us. Funny how that works out, right? Also quite incoincidentally, I read in Acts 3 today about how Peter healed a man who had been lame for many years in Jesus' name. He spoke to people who saw or heard it occur and were in disbelief for the second chapter, or major miracle, in a row.
"And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all."
"Lord, use us to speak Your name and the healing that comes with it into many people's lives on our journey. Your name is more powerful than we can imagine. Don't allow us to put Your power in a box. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Friday, July 10, 2009
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--
The author of Acts wrote that Peter spoke these words to a group of Jews from the diaspora in Jerusalem not long after Christ's resurrection. There are powerful ideas behind these words.
The idea that the generation that saw Jesus saw His mighty power, rejected it, and killed Him.
The idea that God had this planned out from eternity.
The idea that God raised Jesus again, and that it was impossible for death to keep hold of Him.
The idea that Christ makes known to people the way of life and that His presence makes people full of gladness.
I look at my own life and wonder: Do I look at His presence in my life with the full measure of gladness that David wrote about? That is my prayer.
Jesus, I want your presence in my life to be nothing less than full gladness in my heart. You submitted to a cruel death, but it had no power to hold you in its grip. Thank you for showing that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for another. As our group travels to India, prepare us to lay down our lives for one another and the people we encounter, however that may look. Calm our anxieties, nerves, and illnesses. My conversation with mom tonight showed me that this trip is becoming more real and I want to take full advantage of every opportunity. Turn our group members' anxieties into action - action to accomplish what You want us to accomplish!
Peter ended with the following words to those in Jerusalem who asked him who would benefit from the actions of this Nazarene.
"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."
God is always calling people to Himself. Do you hear Him?
this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
"But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
"For David says of Him,
'I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE;
FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN.
'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED;
MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;
BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES,
NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.
'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE;
YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.'
The author of Acts wrote that Peter spoke these words to a group of Jews from the diaspora in Jerusalem not long after Christ's resurrection. There are powerful ideas behind these words.
The idea that the generation that saw Jesus saw His mighty power, rejected it, and killed Him.
The idea that God had this planned out from eternity.
The idea that God raised Jesus again, and that it was impossible for death to keep hold of Him.
The idea that Christ makes known to people the way of life and that His presence makes people full of gladness.
I look at my own life and wonder: Do I look at His presence in my life with the full measure of gladness that David wrote about? That is my prayer.
Jesus, I want your presence in my life to be nothing less than full gladness in my heart. You submitted to a cruel death, but it had no power to hold you in its grip. Thank you for showing that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for another. As our group travels to India, prepare us to lay down our lives for one another and the people we encounter, however that may look. Calm our anxieties, nerves, and illnesses. My conversation with mom tonight showed me that this trip is becoming more real and I want to take full advantage of every opportunity. Turn our group members' anxieties into action - action to accomplish what You want us to accomplish!
Peter ended with the following words to those in Jerusalem who asked him who would benefit from the actions of this Nazarene.
"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."
God is always calling people to Himself. Do you hear Him?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Acts of the Apostles
Lately, I have felt the call to read the book of Acts before I embark on this planned journey to India. I do not remember a time before now when I had given any thought as to why the fifth book in the New Testament canon is referred to as the "Acts of the Apostles." And then I asked a question - "What could the title be otherwise?"
"The Sayings of the Apostles?" Or, maybe, "The Musings of the Apostles?" Certainly those are included in the account. Yet, the traditional title has been "The Acts of the Apostles." I think that specific word is significant - Acts. The author and those who read it saw the main theme to be how those men who had abandoned Jesus at the time of his arrest turn around and act on their knowledge of who Jesus is - the resurrected Lord and Savior of humankind.
And with that, I'm going to dig in (and make sure my musings are accurate).
Prayer for today:
Lord, your will is for unity in the body. Form our group into a smaller version of your body - unify us in Your name for Your purposes and don't let us divide. We have different skills sets, levels of faith, and levels of comfort, but we have acted on your call to make Your name and kingdom famous in the world. We trust in Your power to unite us and accomplish through us what You want to accomplish. It is a vast power, but it's also humble. It causes us to consider others better than ourselves and take on the form of a servant. That's when You say we are great - that's Your example. Let us see the eternal value of that greatness and act the same. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"The Sayings of the Apostles?" Or, maybe, "The Musings of the Apostles?" Certainly those are included in the account. Yet, the traditional title has been "The Acts of the Apostles." I think that specific word is significant - Acts. The author and those who read it saw the main theme to be how those men who had abandoned Jesus at the time of his arrest turn around and act on their knowledge of who Jesus is - the resurrected Lord and Savior of humankind.
And with that, I'm going to dig in (and make sure my musings are accurate).
Prayer for today:
Lord, your will is for unity in the body. Form our group into a smaller version of your body - unify us in Your name for Your purposes and don't let us divide. We have different skills sets, levels of faith, and levels of comfort, but we have acted on your call to make Your name and kingdom famous in the world. We trust in Your power to unite us and accomplish through us what You want to accomplish. It is a vast power, but it's also humble. It causes us to consider others better than ourselves and take on the form of a servant. That's when You say we are great - that's Your example. Let us see the eternal value of that greatness and act the same. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Seeking
Since being with my family in Indiana, I have really fell off writing for this blog daily. And I have justified in my mind why this is so. "I am here only for a limited amount of time and I want to savor all my time with my family, so I will wait until late to read the word and pray." When it comes to that time, though, I am too tired to do it. This is that same old cycle from which I thought God broke me last fall.
My sister answered that line of thinking well today when she said, "Yes, but it's like I do with my son - I need a quiet time every day and I tell Dylan when it's going to happen." In other words, it's a simple matter of prioritizing. My problem? I am not prioritizing God at times I know He is telling me to do so.
This has been at the back of my conscience all trip...that is, until Bridget sent our India group an email that essentially asked an important question: "Are you seeking God right now?" It was our prayer yesterday - that every member of our group would be on fire, seeking for God and to understand the freedom Jesus brings. Unfortunately, I forgot my binder with our prayer calendar at home in LA, so I completely forgot to be praying for specific things along with the entire group on the same day.
Fortunately, I received the prayer list via email (Thank God for iPhones and email) and acted on my convictions immediately. Today's topic is to pray that "our testimonies and words will be used by God." I know that He will prompt me to say what the people I meet need to hear. I already do know that He will use me and the parable of the Good Samaritan to make me and th people who hear me to reevaluate what it means to love others.
Thank you, Jesus, for showing us what true love is. Make my words and actions true love on a daily basis.
My sister answered that line of thinking well today when she said, "Yes, but it's like I do with my son - I need a quiet time every day and I tell Dylan when it's going to happen." In other words, it's a simple matter of prioritizing. My problem? I am not prioritizing God at times I know He is telling me to do so.
This has been at the back of my conscience all trip...that is, until Bridget sent our India group an email that essentially asked an important question: "Are you seeking God right now?" It was our prayer yesterday - that every member of our group would be on fire, seeking for God and to understand the freedom Jesus brings. Unfortunately, I forgot my binder with our prayer calendar at home in LA, so I completely forgot to be praying for specific things along with the entire group on the same day.
Fortunately, I received the prayer list via email (Thank God for iPhones and email) and acted on my convictions immediately. Today's topic is to pray that "our testimonies and words will be used by God." I know that He will prompt me to say what the people I meet need to hear. I already do know that He will use me and the parable of the Good Samaritan to make me and th people who hear me to reevaluate what it means to love others.
Thank you, Jesus, for showing us what true love is. Make my words and actions true love on a daily basis.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
An Independence Day Prayer
Father, thank You for this day of independence - a day when I like to reflect on my independence from the bondage of the world. I ask You to provide freedom from bondage for those I encounter in India who need it. I know that bondage can take many forms, some of which I know will surprise me. Whatever the forms, send your Holy Spirit to proclaim freedom for them from what entraps them and to love and serve You and their neighbors.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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