WORD of GOD

Wow.. I've never seen such a passage
that describe so plainly the importance of the Word of God.
I have been trying to keep up with a Bible Reading accountability partner,
and I've been always few chapters behind in my reading ~~
but the passage today asks me
to NOT be hypocritical but that I should just
want to have spiritual hunger like a baby that
is craving for spiritual milk...

I want to ask why... why should I be craving spiritual milk..
but the passage already explains it.
It is because we have "tasted what is good"
Surely God has been showing good things in my life~~
and do I crave more? yes !!!

let's us all crave spiritual milk !!
The Word of God and his majesty..
let it reign in our lives !!

HAVE A BLESSED EM RETREAT EVERYONE !!
May you find God's sweet sweet favor !!

The Promise of Salvation

I like today's passage because it tells me, gives me reassurance, that my decision was the right one. The verses that touched me the most are v. 6 and 7:
"In this greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

This is actually the first time I have read these verses, I think, and as a Christian who has never read these two verses it really helps. All those trials and tribulations - splits, fights, depressions - were all worth it. Even though they are horrible things you would think, "Why God?" but then again it is necessary for us because if our faith was not tested, who's to say we are true believers? How can we really be sure if we don't rely on God during those tempests of our lives?

Sometimes we forget how privileged we are to have Jesus Christ in our lives. Like the passage says, it is what our souls are longing for. We are longing for a better life, longing to be loved, longing to be saved. Ours is the time we can reach that salvation - the people in the Old Testament were waiting to see these days. Jews during the times of the Roman Empire Jesus was going to return after the war against Vespasian and his son Titus.

But now is the time. We have received that love, grace – the Son of God. This challenges me to keep in mind that all is not lost. Things happen for a reason, and God will always be a God that loves, protects, and corrects but loves nonetheless.

Good and Bad

What stuck out to me in today's passage was a line that was repeated a couple of times or variations of it.. v. 14 “Seek good, not evil..” and v. 15 “Hate evil, love good..”

This reminds me of a part of what Jun JDSN said in yesterday’s sermon, “There are two part of me, a human Jun, and a holy Jun.” And that also reminded me of what Jonathan said when we were praying in the EM service, “There are two sides to us, a good monkey and a bad monkey.” To seek and love good is to feed the good monkey, however when seeking evil and loving evil we feed the bad monkey.

When we give into our fleshly desires, we feel the evil monkey that hides in our closet aka, our hearts. Whether it is driving 25 miles over the speed limit or buying the super expensive sweater at the mall, we are feeding into our own desires and giving into idolatry. With all the temptations in the world, it is hard to not feed that monkey.

I guess asking for forgiveness is like relieving the bad monkey of all the food. By repenting the bad monkey loses its nourishment and the good monkey can now be fed. This can happen anywhere. It should happen especially before service because with the bad monkey full and happy you'll focus on what makes you fleshly happy. This is what the people of Israel did. They were not worshiping with unpure hearts and God was unhappy.

So when I go into worship i want to make sure i have a pure heart and at that time i ask for forgiveness and hope to not fill my evil monkey so much..

All that we need

Amos 1:1-12

So we're back to the prophets, reading about God's punishments on Israel and her enemies. Israel was actually very prosperous when Amos prophesied - but was falling away because they were indulged in luxury and corruption. It seems like Israel never enjoyed prosperity without falling away from God. In today's passage, God speaks through Amos about all the punishments he'll bring on Israel's enemies for their sins. But later in Amos, God will speak of the punishments he'll bring to Israel for its own sins.

It's funny how we can't seem to have the best of both worlds. When we have what we want, we fall. But we cry out to God when we're in need. One time I was talking with a pastor in Chicago, and he said he actually prayed for one of his sons to grow up to be really rich. The pastor saw in his son the potential to be used for God's kingdom from the boy's gift of generosity. If godly men and women who have give to those who don't, with a kingdom vision that sees the world through God's eyes, man.. wouldn't that be an awesome world?

I tend to carry a "my glass is always empty" mindset. I say, I'll give when I have - but when I do have, I feel like I need more before being able to give. Jesus laid down his life for his sheep - regardless of the circumstances. Laying down his life was his calling. And he called out to us to go and make disciples of all nations. And taught us that we'll have everything to gain by laying down our lives. The Great Commission is a call to die to ourselves.

It may sound funny, but I really had to fight myself in deciding whether I should go to the youth group's summer retreat. Only when I realized that even my vacation time can be used as an offering to God was I able to decide comfortably. My personal plans for this winter will have to change, but if I need rest and vacation, I'm sure God knows the best place and timing for giving them to me. Please pray that I can connect with the kids and continue serving as a dedicated teacher to these children.