True Freedom

It's interesting how freedom and obedience is so closely related in Stott's entry on "True Freedom". It seems that obedience to God is synonymous to freedom. We often think that to be obedient to a person or a set of rules puts you under submission to him/her or it. It contradicts the idea of freedom but I think when we change our perspective to see God's law not just as a set of rules but as truths to live by, it is easier to see how obeying God's law gives us true freedom and rest.
I think that whether we realize it or not, we are bound by certain laws and rules that overshadow all parts of our lives. The laws of gravity is one example. You may not choose to abide by it and jump off a cliff but there will be a consequence. Even if you decide to to create a device that can help you defy gravity, that law still stands. It does not mean you are imprisoned by it, you can live with it, build your life around it.
God created this world and all the things it holds according to His own ways/laws/rules-whatever you want to call it. As the Master builder, He knows best how we can best live.

Unfortunately, humanity is marred by disobedience to God and we are still living with the consequences. We are bound by the laws of sin. Yet, in His love and mercy, God has made a way for us to defy sin's reign over us. Jesus calls us to take His yoke, and He promises us that He will give rest for our souls. Isaiah 57:20 says that we are like the tossing sea, casting up mire and mud. Without Christ, we are restless like the tossing sea, and there is so much "mire and mud" we cast up from our sinful hearts. Who can break the laws of the sea and make it stop tossing? Is it not Jesus Christ? Who can break the laws of sin and give rest to our souls? Again, the answer is Christ- if only you would choose to heed His call.

Caring for Creation

I remember once heard on the radio station saying that over population humanity is destroying the earth. I’m not really sure how over populated we are, but I believe that we are living healthier than before with today technology and we are using greater sources from this earth than before. And with limited sources we have in this earth, someday we are going to run out of our very sources. I think somewhat it’s happening already, rising gas price, Glover food shortage and critical weather changes from unbalanced ecosystem.

Living in North America, rising gas price is most concern for me than other things. Because there is still plenty of food to go around and weather is not too bad with well built house. Through The Bible explains that what God has given us is a delegated and responsible stewardship towards to his gift. As a person who has more access and control over goods, we need to take part of our responsibility, rather than pointing false towards to God’s greatest gift humanity.

Collaborating with God

Sorry for blogging so late.
It is so true that all of us drag to go to work or school after 2 days of resting. I remember when I was little, I hated Monday. Once a while I pretended I was sick so I could stay home. Rarely my plans were successful but also I had to pay the consequences of lying to my parents.
As I was reading the reflection today, the last paragraph that Stott wrote stood out for me. He said," our work becomes a privilege when we see it as collaboration with God." It is a great honor to be part of God's team. It is like far more privileged than appointed by US president. One thing I want to add to Stott's comment is that We are privileged and honor to be used by God by knowing us who we are in relation to Who God is. God can do everything alone. Remember God created this universe without even moving His finger. We will never fathom the magnitude of who God is therefore we are overwhelmed by the fact that He wants to share His work with us. Moreover in God's eyes there is no insignificant work as long as our hearts are right with Him and we do for the glory of God. Just to share what happen today related to our devotion today. Caleb started school last week and Jacob will start his preschool after the labor day. Before when they both attended school same days and same times, I enjoyed couple hours of ME time twice of week. Now because they attend different schools, ME time is pretty much gone. I have been in complaining mood and tired from taking care of them. Anyways, I took the kids to the play ground for late afternoon after playing a baseball with Jacob for over an hour. As I was pushing swings that Caleb and Jacob were on, I lifted up a little prayer for the boys and asked God's strength. God graciously filled me with inconceivable joy at the moment. It is truly God that granted Il and me with the wonderful gift and invited us to share in His work by raising them to be a man and a woman of faith.
I am looking forward to spending time with children because I am partnering up with God to raise Nina, Caleb, and Jacob to be the followers of Jesus Christ.

The Creation's Worship

The pictures that is painted in Revelation 4 is difficult to imagine and understand -- who are the living creatures, the twenty-four elders, etc.. But clearly John is given this revelation so that we might see that the focus of heaven is centered on the glory, and greatness of God. And the message that came out of the throne room in heaven is our meditation text: "You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being." God is worthy of our worship simply by the fact that he created us. You and I, by our sheer dependence on God for our very lives owes God praise and honor. Just as good parents are worthy of honor by their children, so God, in whom we move, and have our being, is worthy of greater honor and praise. But the question needs to be asked, 'in what ways are we honoring' God? The answer I believe is obedience. Just as children honor their parents by their obedience so we are to honor our heavenly Father through our obedience. Are we obeying the Lord?

Posted by Pastor James

holding the keys of the kingdom

"what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open"
(Revelation 3:7)

i have to respectively differ from mr. stott's understanding of this passage, in which he sees the open door as the door of opportunity for missions. i took it to mean the door to eternal life.

Jesus describes Himself as the One "who is holy and true, who holds the key of David". what is that key? i wonder if it meant the key to the kingdom of david, namely, God's kingdom, namely, eternal salvation.

"what He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open" (verse 7).

right now, Jesus says to the church in philadelphia, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut". Jesus alone has the power and the authority to open the door to salvation. it is an open invitation to the philadelphian church to enter into eternal life, to persevere in the work of God, "to endure patiently" (verse 10).

the door will not be open forever. no one else can shut it but Jesus, but once He shuts it, no one else will ever be able to open it.

i understood this passage as both an encouragement and a warning. the time to enter eternal life is now while the door is open. there will be a time, however, when the door will be decisively shut and no amount of pleading, weeping and gnashing of teeth will induce Him to open it.

The Letter to Pergamum - Truth

The church of Pergamum stood strong amidst the paganism, satanic influences and false teachings surrounding them. Today's reflection is a good reminder on how as a church we need to stand strong for truth even amidst everything that is going on in the world around us --especially today where truth is so 'relative' in today's society. The congratulations that they received from Jesus is something we should stive for too. That one day we can also receive congratulations that we 'fought the good fight!' together. :)

Faith and works

There is always the danger of emphasizing one truth over another, to be imbalance in our spiritual life. And this is the case with regards to the issue of the relationship between faith and works. Some will rest content with the fact that they believe in Jesus and that is just about all they think they need to do. While others will rest on their works, whether that work is done at church or some social or missional organization. But what God desires from us is that our relationship to Him be characterized by both faith and works. Both are needed but for different reasons. The way I like to look at the relationship between faith and works is like that between belief and evidence. If we truly believe in Christ, the evidence for this is that our faith will produce works of love. Let us all ask ourselves this question with regard to our relationship to Jesus Christ: Are there evidences in my life, works that I do for Christ, which shows that my faith and love for him is genuine and true?