Answered Prayer Requests:
Mom listens to Church talking
Ongoing Prayer Requests:
Job after UCLA
Evangelism to Family
Evangelism to Rich's Family + Justin Rayala + Greg (praise too)
Rich's Mother's Cancer
Evangelism to Ben
Relationships with SFBCers (praise too )
Personal Prayer Requests:
Cooking skills
Getting the ORL Job
Lust
Laziness - working & studying the Word
Fear - proclaim the Good News!
Purity - fighting lust
Smack talking - appropriateness
JPince - SG leading and preparation and people
++ Brad - Stephanie's Salvation & New girl relationship
++ Bryan
++ SFBC Group
++ Steven, Derek Tong (Hope EFC, Davis fellowship), JM (energy for show, janice, ministry)
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Whenever I feel that I have sinned and desire to overcome that sin for the future, the devil at the same time comes to me and whispers, "How can you be a pardoned person and accepted with God while you still sin in this way?" If I listen to this I drop into despondency, and if I continued in that state I should fall into despair, and should commit sin more frequently than before; but God's grace comes in and says to my soul, "Thou hast sinned; but did not Christ come to save sinners? Thou art not saved because thou art righteous; for Christ died for the ungodly." And my faith says, "Though I have sinned, I have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and though I am guilty, yet by grace I am saved and I am a child of God still." And what then? Why the tears begin to flow and I say, "How could I ever sin against my God who has not been so good to me? Now I will overcome that sin," and I get strong to fight with sin through the conviction that I am God's child.
-Charles Spurgeon
-Charles Spurgeon
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong
p.57-59
Glorifying God in the Gray Areas
There are other principles but these are the ones I need to START applying:
Will this activity produce spiritual benefit?
Will this activity lead to spiritual bondage?
Will this activity further the gospel?
Will this activity violate my conscience? (Romans 14:23)
Is this good stewardship? (Ephesians 5:15, Prov 13:11, Psalm 90:12)
Is this immoral, even a little? (Ephesians 5:3-4)
A Match Made in e-Haven
Genesis 2:18 - Christian men & women COMPLEMENT each other, meaning there are differences
Compatibility:
Anatomical design = Genesis 2:14
Constitutional Makeup = 1 Peter 3:1-7
Sexual parts = Prov 18:22, 31:10
Roles = Eph 5:22-23
Biblical compatibilty is about complementary roles, not having the same interests nor being the same in every area
Dangers:
People lie online
No accountability from church / Confirmation principle
Commitment
Where Virtual Reality Meets Real Life
Am I staying immature & not picking up responsibilities to people / church / future family?
1 Cor 16:13 = Be a man
Am I being selfish by playing games?
Mark 12:30-31 & Mark 8:34
Again, will this enslave me?
Again, am I having an eternal perspective? Evangelism?
Ephesians 5:15-17 = making the best use of your time, because the days are evil
Parental Guidance Required
Parent's are good at physically caring with sanitizing hands + bandaids...can we say that about how we spiritually care for our children?
1. Make no provisions for the flesh = Romans 14:13
"We should not be entertained by the sins for which Christ died"
2. Again, make the best use of my time.
Be an example of doing #1 & #2.
Make nights a prime time for your FAMILY! And they they will want to give up tv.
American Idols
Glorifying God in the Gray Areas
There are other principles but these are the ones I need to START applying:
Will this activity produce spiritual benefit?
Will this activity lead to spiritual bondage?
Will this activity further the gospel?
Will this activity violate my conscience? (Romans 14:23)
Is this good stewardship? (Ephesians 5:15, Prov 13:11, Psalm 90:12)
Is this immoral, even a little? (Ephesians 5:3-4)
A Match Made in e-Haven
Genesis 2:18 - Christian men & women COMPLEMENT each other, meaning there are differences
Compatibility:
Anatomical design = Genesis 2:14
Constitutional Makeup = 1 Peter 3:1-7
Sexual parts = Prov 18:22, 31:10
Roles = Eph 5:22-23
Biblical compatibilty is about complementary roles, not having the same interests nor being the same in every area
Dangers:
People lie online
No accountability from church / Confirmation principle
Commitment
Where Virtual Reality Meets Real Life
Am I staying immature & not picking up responsibilities to people / church / future family?
1 Cor 16:13 = Be a man
Am I being selfish by playing games?
Mark 12:30-31 & Mark 8:34
Again, will this enslave me?
Again, am I having an eternal perspective? Evangelism?
Ephesians 5:15-17 = making the best use of your time, because the days are evil
Parental Guidance Required
Parent's are good at physically caring with sanitizing hands + bandaids...can we say that about how we spiritually care for our children?
1. Make no provisions for the flesh = Romans 14:13
"We should not be entertained by the sins for which Christ died"
2. Again, make the best use of my time.
Be an example of doing #1 & #2.
Make nights a prime time for your FAMILY! And they they will want to give up tv.
American Idols
Monday, May 25, 2009
New way of studying Bible:
Little flip outs
ch4,10
why did God make us?
for his glory...find a passage that includes ALL men not just the saved
why send to hell?
because it glorifies God...find a passage, not just what hell is for
illustration with "You meet a homeless person. You give him clothes, a haircut, wash him, and then give him plenty of money to find a job. He doesn't. Would you give him a second chance?" No
This is an awful illustration but find one.
Holy Spirit
Little flip outs
ch4,10
why did God make us?
for his glory...find a passage that includes ALL men not just the saved
why send to hell?
because it glorifies God...find a passage, not just what hell is for
illustration with "You meet a homeless person. You give him clothes, a haircut, wash him, and then give him plenty of money to find a job. He doesn't. Would you give him a second chance?" No
This is an awful illustration but find one.
Holy Spirit
Saturday, May 16, 2009
May 16, 2009
**Careful with words to Gabe
**Work at my prayer requests!
Romans 2:
God's judgment should always be mentioned with God's love & patience & desire for us to be saved. We don't repent out of fear, we repent because we know God's kindness & love.
When looking at others' sins & shortcomings, be reminded of my own need for Christ. I am not any-more deserving of salvation as a born-again Christian.
God loves us all equally, wants us all to be saved equally, and will not judge anyone differently. He is impartial.
Study of Women & Her meaning to God:
**Work at my prayer requests!
Romans 2:
God's judgment should always be mentioned with God's love & patience & desire for us to be saved. We don't repent out of fear, we repent because we know God's kindness & love.
When looking at others' sins & shortcomings, be reminded of my own need for Christ. I am not any-more deserving of salvation as a born-again Christian.
God loves us all equally, wants us all to be saved equally, and will not judge anyone differently. He is impartial.
Study of Women & Her meaning to God:
Thursday, May 14, 2009
May 14, 2009
Preach the Gospel to Yourself...you need to remember it
Can judge someone's salvation...must be able to explain what they're saved from (can they explain Gospel message)...do they obey God?...lastly, does their heart SEEK CHRIST as a lifestyle (they can still fail at times)
Money:
1 tim 6:6
hebrews 13
Romans Chapter 1:
Our responsibility is to proclaim Christ to ALL.
Being saved is more than knowing who God is; it is a relationship!
Emulating Paul, his prayers and ability to say "God be my witness"
Genesis Chapter 14-16:
Faith is righteousness NOT action
Our faith can waver...look at Abram's failing to continue believing in God's plan...continue refreshing my trust in God
Can judge someone's salvation...must be able to explain what they're saved from (can they explain Gospel message)...do they obey God?...lastly, does their heart SEEK CHRIST as a lifestyle (they can still fail at times)
Money:
1 tim 6:6
hebrews 13
Romans Chapter 1:
Our responsibility is to proclaim Christ to ALL.
Being saved is more than knowing who God is; it is a relationship!
Emulating Paul, his prayers and ability to say "God be my witness"
Genesis Chapter 14-16:
Faith is righteousness NOT action
Our faith can waver...look at Abram's failing to continue believing in God's plan...continue refreshing my trust in God
Friday, March 27, 2009
Humility - CJ Mahaney
General awesome quotes:
--If unconvicted of the weight of a sin, give it a Biblical definition
--Look for "must" in the Bible
--Live in light of death (share the gospel, honor parents, avoid fights)
--It's possible to admire humility while remaining proud ourselves.
--Do not think that I am the "author" of my life...God is and He deserves all glory.
Part I (Humility & Pride contrasted):
**Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness.
Isaiah 66:2 "This is the one whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"
James 4:6 "God...gives grace to the humble". God helps those who humbles themselves not those who help themselves.
**Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.
Proverbs 8:13 "I hate pride and arrogance"
Proverbs 16:5 "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished"
James 4:6 "God [ACTIVELY!!!!!] opposes the proud"
Greatness Redefined:
--Jesus does not forbid the desire and ambition to be great...he redirects the ambition in Mark 10:40-44 "whoever would be great among you MUST be your servant"
Greatness Demonstrated:
--Our Christian service exists only to draw attention to our crucified and risen Lord who was the example of service
(Ransom = payment for releasing from bondage, captivity)
--Apart from Christ's sacrifice, there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example--and made possible by the Savior's sacrifice.
As Each Day Begins:
--Make a list of my weaknesses and "strengths"
--Reflect on the wonder of the cross
Stand as close to the cross as possible...because it's harder to be arrogant if you're standing there
--Acknowledge dependence on God and your need for God
Sin doesn't wake up tired so I must go on the offensive...speak truth to self!
--Express thankfulness to God
If I'm ungrateful, I'm arrogant
--Practice the spiritual disciplines--prayer, Bible study, worship
--Memorize and mediate on Scripture (during commute time)
--Cast your caves upon Him (1 Peter 5:6-7)
As Each Day Ends:
--Reflect on the graces of today & give trust to God
Don't go on dreading the next day
--Receive the gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.
I am not sufficient like God who never sleeps (Psalma 121:4)
For Special Focus:
--Study the attributes of God (infinite, omnipresent, self-sufficient)
--Study the doctrines of grace (election, calling, sanctification, perseverance)
--Study the doctrine of sin
--Be able to laugh at self
Identifying Evidences of Grace In Others:
--God is always at work in other people
--Use a Godly & eternal perspective to determine my attitude towards EVERYONE
--Study ways that the Holy Spirit works in others (lack of complaining under trials, growing them, saving them, convicting them)
--Still promote human responsibility so that God can work
--1 cor 1:8 & Philippians 2:12-13
--Be known as a grace pointer-outer not a problem pointer-outer
--Any correction requires one to see that person in a Godly manner, not a Alex-standard
Encouraging Others each and every day:
--Proverbs 18:21= Death and life are in the power of the tongue
--Eph. 4:29 = Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear
--Corrupting = Don't limit someone's growth, don't distract it
--Edify = not just polite but rather BUILD UP, enter their lives & discern how God is actively present & draw attention to it & celebrate it!
--Appropriate = What do they need now? Cousel? Exhortation? Warning? Comfort? Forgiveness?
--Hebrews 3:12 = exhort one another every day...that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin
So we are to always help one another because sin is active continually
--Grace...everyone needs more of it and pray that God helps me know what kind of grace a person needs in that conversation...justifying grace (feeling guilty), sanctifying grace (struggling), comforting grace (trials), or sustaining grace (tired of trials).
--CORRECTION = implement the Gospel always!
Inviting and Pursuing Correction:
--You may know your heart but other people may understand it better
--Hebrews 3:12-13 = teaches us that community helps us understand ourselves
--Proverbs 12:15 = the way of a fool is right in hi own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice
--Recognize need for others
--Participate (confess sin and welcome correction)
--Have faith that God will use others to help my soul and sin
--James 1:22 = Be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves
Responding Humbly to Trials:
-Prayerful before God
-Wait on God
-Rejoice in God
--God-centered prayer (acknowledge his knowledge)
--Focus on salvation, not suffering (acknowledge & truly believe God will save while asking that He comes soon)
--Waiting is not resignation; waiting is an active trust in God
--Rejoice in the Lord
--Our suffering is NEVER AS GREAT OR AS SERIOUS AS OUR SINS' DESERVING PUNISHMENT
Last Chapter:
Be an example of humility (you'll fail)
Teach others to serve
Teach others to respect humility
Teacher others to realize fake "greatness"
--If unconvicted of the weight of a sin, give it a Biblical definition
--Look for "must" in the Bible
--Live in light of death (share the gospel, honor parents, avoid fights)
--It's possible to admire humility while remaining proud ourselves.
--Do not think that I am the "author" of my life...God is and He deserves all glory.
Part I (Humility & Pride contrasted):
**Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness.
Isaiah 66:2 "This is the one whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"
James 4:6 "God...gives grace to the humble". God helps those who humbles themselves not those who help themselves.
**Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him.
Proverbs 8:13 "I hate pride and arrogance"
Proverbs 16:5 "Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished"
James 4:6 "God [ACTIVELY!!!!!] opposes the proud"
Greatness Redefined:
--Jesus does not forbid the desire and ambition to be great...he redirects the ambition in Mark 10:40-44 "whoever would be great among you MUST be your servant"
Greatness Demonstrated:
--Our Christian service exists only to draw attention to our crucified and risen Lord who was the example of service
(Ransom = payment for releasing from bondage, captivity)
--Apart from Christ's sacrifice, there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior's example--and made possible by the Savior's sacrifice.
As Each Day Begins:
--Make a list of my weaknesses and "strengths"
--Reflect on the wonder of the cross
Stand as close to the cross as possible...because it's harder to be arrogant if you're standing there
--Acknowledge dependence on God and your need for God
Sin doesn't wake up tired so I must go on the offensive...speak truth to self!
--Express thankfulness to God
If I'm ungrateful, I'm arrogant
--Practice the spiritual disciplines--prayer, Bible study, worship
--Memorize and mediate on Scripture (during commute time)
--Cast your caves upon Him (1 Peter 5:6-7)
As Each Day Ends:
--Reflect on the graces of today & give trust to God
Don't go on dreading the next day
--Receive the gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.
I am not sufficient like God who never sleeps (Psalma 121:4)
For Special Focus:
--Study the attributes of God (infinite, omnipresent, self-sufficient)
--Study the doctrines of grace (election, calling, sanctification, perseverance)
--Study the doctrine of sin
--Be able to laugh at self
Identifying Evidences of Grace In Others:
--God is always at work in other people
--Use a Godly & eternal perspective to determine my attitude towards EVERYONE
--Study ways that the Holy Spirit works in others (lack of complaining under trials, growing them, saving them, convicting them)
--Still promote human responsibility so that God can work
--1 cor 1:8 & Philippians 2:12-13
--Be known as a grace pointer-outer not a problem pointer-outer
--Any correction requires one to see that person in a Godly manner, not a Alex-standard
Encouraging Others each and every day:
--Proverbs 18:21= Death and life are in the power of the tongue
--Eph. 4:29 = Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear
--Corrupting = Don't limit someone's growth, don't distract it
--Edify = not just polite but rather BUILD UP, enter their lives & discern how God is actively present & draw attention to it & celebrate it!
--Appropriate = What do they need now? Cousel? Exhortation? Warning? Comfort? Forgiveness?
--Hebrews 3:12 = exhort one another every day...that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin
So we are to always help one another because sin is active continually
--Grace...everyone needs more of it and pray that God helps me know what kind of grace a person needs in that conversation...justifying grace (feeling guilty), sanctifying grace (struggling), comforting grace (trials), or sustaining grace (tired of trials).
--CORRECTION = implement the Gospel always!
Inviting and Pursuing Correction:
--You may know your heart but other people may understand it better
--Hebrews 3:12-13 = teaches us that community helps us understand ourselves
--Proverbs 12:15 = the way of a fool is right in hi own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice
--Recognize need for others
--Participate (confess sin and welcome correction)
--Have faith that God will use others to help my soul and sin
--James 1:22 = Be doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving yourselves
Responding Humbly to Trials:
-Prayerful before God
-Wait on God
-Rejoice in God
--God-centered prayer (acknowledge his knowledge)
--Focus on salvation, not suffering (acknowledge & truly believe God will save while asking that He comes soon)
--Waiting is not resignation; waiting is an active trust in God
--Rejoice in the Lord
--Our suffering is NEVER AS GREAT OR AS SERIOUS AS OUR SINS' DESERVING PUNISHMENT
Last Chapter:
Be an example of humility (you'll fail)
Teach others to serve
Teach others to respect humility
Teacher others to realize fake "greatness"
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Battling Unbelief by John Piper
Battling for faith = Battling against unbelief & the lies of sin [I made this up]
Christian Living
"whether that act is truly loving[God-glorifying] depends on what is oging on in the heart, not just on the external action" --> "Righteous" action is only righteous if done with a heart for God not friends&family&duty
Why do we obey God? It proclaims (only if we have the right God-desiring attitude) that we "trust the promises of God"
"The final, best, highest, most satisfying gift of future grace is seeing and savoring God himself"...Obey while remembering who I'm obeying = God,His qualities,
"A lot of people strive for moral improvement who cannot say, "The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). They strive for the purity of love but can't realize that such love is the fruit of faith in future grace: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6)"
Cannot be pure without faith --> cannot love God without faith
Sin
2 Peter 1:3-4 = Sin's deceitfulness
"Be killing sin or it will be killing you"...killing sin = killing the lies of sin
"Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17)
The Word cuts through the fog of Satan's lies and shows me where true and lasting happiness can be found.
Evangelism
Why are people important even if they're unbelievers? Why should we love them?
"because they have the capacity to honor God wit their hearts and minds and bodies FOREVER"
Don't scare people...but God's final judgment is something to be feared and respected
Security
"The test of whether our faith is the kind of faith that justified is whether it is the kind of faith that sanctifies"
Truth produces GROWTH, not PERFECTION
True Faith AFFIRMS the truth of Christ & fights against sin...but we can still fall
"Belief is not merely an agreement with facts in the head; it is also an appetite for God in the heart, which fastens on Jesus for satisfaction...Faith is coming to Jesus and drinking the water and eating the food so that we find our hearts satisfied in him"
Agree & go to God and Christ! Why wouldn't I if I believe?
Anxiety about...
No Outcomes: Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplis hthat which I purpose, and shall succeed inthe thing for which Isent it"
My Weakness: 2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"
Decisions: Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you"
Opposition: Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Falling Away: Phil 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completetion at the day of Jesus Christ"
Pride...
"is an issue of where your satisfaction is"
& "Itching for glory form other people makes faith impossible. Why? Because faith is being satisfied with all that God is for you in Jesus. And if you are bent on getting the satisfaction of your itch from the scratch of others' acclaim, you will turn away from Christ"
"is an issue of what you are trusting in for your future"
if not God, that is arrogance! That's God we're talking about!
...leads to boasting, self-pity, and anxiety
Shame...
"Don't feel shame for something that honors God, no matter how weak or foolish it makes you look in the eyes of unbelievers"
"Do feel shame for having a hand in anything that dishonors God, no matter how strong or wise or right it makes you look in the eyes of men"
**Also realize that for the believer, do not be crippled by shame. We are forgiven!
Patience...
is the capacity to "wait and to endure" without murmuring and disillusionment--to wait in the unplanned place, and endure the unplanned pace.
"the strength of pateicne hangs on our capacity to believe that God is up to something good for us in all our delays and detours. This requires great faith in future grac,e because the evidence is seldom evidnet."
Covetousness...
is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment in God.
Fighting for contentment = Fighting for faith in future grace because we struggle to believe that we have everything
We should accept unneeded gifts bcause it allows other people to encourage/serve us
Bitterness/Anger...
--Romans 12:19-20 = Paul says, "Beloved, never avnege yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'
We are not worthy to execute judgment.
--Romans 12:18 = So far as it depends on you, live peacably with all"
We are not responsible to make reconciliation happen, but we are responsible to SEEK it.
--God undertakes vengeance against sin not only by means of hell, but also by means of the gross. All sin will be avenged--severely and thoroughly and justly. Either in hell, or at the cross. The sins of the unrepetant will be avenged in hell; the sins of the repentant were avenged on the cross.
Despondency [not depression but sadness longer than just a day]...
--Psalm 19:7 = "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul
This is a clear admission that the soul of the sain sometimes needs to be revived. And if it needs to be revived, in a sense it was dead. David says the same thing in Psalm 23:2-3, "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." The soul of the "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) needs to be restored.
--We must talk to ourselves instead of allowing ourselves to talk to us.
--Jesus was despondent in John 14 at the Garden of Gethsemene.
--He did not sin; so it's not a sin to be despondent. It's a sin in the response.
Jesus didn't give in, he FOUGHT with friends, opened to them, asked them for help, prayed, trusted God, looked to God.
Lust
Job 31 - A restriction because of FAITH in greater things than lust, not just "lust is bad"
Matt 5;* - Exchange God's glory&love&wisdom for lust
Christian Living
"whether that act is truly loving[God-glorifying] depends on what is oging on in the heart, not just on the external action" --> "Righteous" action is only righteous if done with a heart for God not friends&family&duty
Why do we obey God? It proclaims (only if we have the right God-desiring attitude) that we "trust the promises of God"
"The final, best, highest, most satisfying gift of future grace is seeing and savoring God himself"...Obey while remembering who I'm obeying = God,His qualities,
"A lot of people strive for moral improvement who cannot say, "The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). They strive for the purity of love but can't realize that such love is the fruit of faith in future grace: "In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6)"
Cannot be pure without faith --> cannot love God without faith
Sin
2 Peter 1:3-4 = Sin's deceitfulness
"Be killing sin or it will be killing you"...killing sin = killing the lies of sin
"Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17)
The Word cuts through the fog of Satan's lies and shows me where true and lasting happiness can be found.
Evangelism
Why are people important even if they're unbelievers? Why should we love them?
"because they have the capacity to honor God wit their hearts and minds and bodies FOREVER"
Don't scare people...but God's final judgment is something to be feared and respected
Security
"The test of whether our faith is the kind of faith that justified is whether it is the kind of faith that sanctifies"
Truth produces GROWTH, not PERFECTION
True Faith AFFIRMS the truth of Christ & fights against sin...but we can still fall
"Belief is not merely an agreement with facts in the head; it is also an appetite for God in the heart, which fastens on Jesus for satisfaction...Faith is coming to Jesus and drinking the water and eating the food so that we find our hearts satisfied in him"
Agree & go to God and Christ! Why wouldn't I if I believe?
Anxiety about...
No Outcomes: Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplis hthat which I purpose, and shall succeed inthe thing for which Isent it"
My Weakness: 2 Cor 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"
Decisions: Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you"
Opposition: Romans 8:31 "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Falling Away: Phil 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will bring it to completetion at the day of Jesus Christ"
Pride...
"is an issue of where your satisfaction is"
& "Itching for glory form other people makes faith impossible. Why? Because faith is being satisfied with all that God is for you in Jesus. And if you are bent on getting the satisfaction of your itch from the scratch of others' acclaim, you will turn away from Christ"
"is an issue of what you are trusting in for your future"
if not God, that is arrogance! That's God we're talking about!
...leads to boasting, self-pity, and anxiety
Shame...
"Don't feel shame for something that honors God, no matter how weak or foolish it makes you look in the eyes of unbelievers"
"Do feel shame for having a hand in anything that dishonors God, no matter how strong or wise or right it makes you look in the eyes of men"
**Also realize that for the believer, do not be crippled by shame. We are forgiven!
Patience...
is the capacity to "wait and to endure" without murmuring and disillusionment--to wait in the unplanned place, and endure the unplanned pace.
"the strength of pateicne hangs on our capacity to believe that God is up to something good for us in all our delays and detours. This requires great faith in future grac,e because the evidence is seldom evidnet."
Covetousness...
is desiring something so much that you lose your contentment in God.
Fighting for contentment = Fighting for faith in future grace because we struggle to believe that we have everything
We should accept unneeded gifts bcause it allows other people to encourage/serve us
Bitterness/Anger...
--Romans 12:19-20 = Paul says, "Beloved, never avnege yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'
We are not worthy to execute judgment.
--Romans 12:18 = So far as it depends on you, live peacably with all"
We are not responsible to make reconciliation happen, but we are responsible to SEEK it.
--God undertakes vengeance against sin not only by means of hell, but also by means of the gross. All sin will be avenged--severely and thoroughly and justly. Either in hell, or at the cross. The sins of the unrepetant will be avenged in hell; the sins of the repentant were avenged on the cross.
Despondency [not depression but sadness longer than just a day]...
--Psalm 19:7 = "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul
This is a clear admission that the soul of the sain sometimes needs to be revived. And if it needs to be revived, in a sense it was dead. David says the same thing in Psalm 23:2-3, "He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." The soul of the "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) needs to be restored.
--We must talk to ourselves instead of allowing ourselves to talk to us.
--Jesus was despondent in John 14 at the Garden of Gethsemene.
--He did not sin; so it's not a sin to be despondent. It's a sin in the response.
Jesus didn't give in, he FOUGHT with friends, opened to them, asked them for help, prayed, trusted God, looked to God.
Lust
Job 31 - A restriction because of FAITH in greater things than lust, not just "lust is bad"
Matt 5;* - Exchange God's glory&love&wisdom for lust
Monday, March 9, 2009
John 1
(4) reveals that "Word" = Christ because the Word is the "Light of men"
(1) Christ was God but separate from God
(1) Christ took part in creation...afterall God spoke (Christ = Word) and things came into being
(14) Christ was 100% Man..."And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us"
(17) comparison between "Law through Moses" & "grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ)...Law was temporary atonement but Christ was permanent forgiveness
John's Witness to the Priests & Levites
(23) "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' as Isaiah the prophet said" = Isaiah 40:3...Christians' purpose is to enable others to see the glory of God
John's Witness at Christ's Baptism
Baptism = Identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection
(31) John, a man, can only baptize in water...yes purification...but cannot purify the inner man
(33) Jesus, our Savior, baptizes in the Holy Spirit...yes purification...and it DOES PURIFY THE INNER MAN and offers a hope for mankind
First Apostles model evangelism & just share Gospel with each other
John 2
Christ Changes Water to Wine (CB to this)
Christ Cleanses the Temple
Jesus threw out people not desiring to worship God
Jesus had a RIGHTEOUS ANGER
What qualities of this anger did he have?
Controlled - No personal injury or else Roman city soldiers would've come
Thought out - Made a whip of coords & took to time to deem his actions necessary
Inconvenience sinners - all to bring the point to better God
Can inconvenience others...but it must be THOUGHT OUT!
(21) Christ is perma-atonement not temporary
Belief in Scripture & Jesus
vs
(23) Christ's signs are what people follow...sad
We need faith in Him, not peopel showing up
John 3
Christ Witnesses to Nicodemus
-Nicodemus seeks salvation and Christ willingly tells him about it
-Christ evangelizes to those who seek Him
-(5) One needs the Holy Spirit to enter heaven (which is received at justification)
-(5) born of water (OT reference, CB to this) & Spirit
-(8) Holy Spirit is like the wind...it is invisible and can't see where it is nor where it comes from BUT YOU KNOW IT IS THERE and you SEE ITS RESULTS & SEE ITS POWER
-(16) What does "believe in Christ" mean in this overly used verse?
It is clarified in 21 "practices the truth"...it's not simply believing like it says in James 2:19 that even the demons believe in Christ, God, & HolySpirit.
John the Baptist Witnesses Concerning Christ
-John the Baptist EVANGELIZES FOR GOD & CHRIST, not himself
-(30) "He must increase, but I must decrease"
John 4
Christ Witnesses to the Women in the Well
-Christ evangelizes to the unsuspecting even if it's compeltely random because people want to hear the truth but don't realize it themselves
-(15) Samaritan women doesn't understand Jesus's reference to living water (OT reference, CB to this)...she isn't thinking she needs salvation at all
-(16) Jesus goes into her need for salvation...
-(19) Samaritan women agrees she is a sinner but only sees Christ as a prophet...she doesn't think about needing a Savior
-(21-22) Jesus goes into her need for a Savior
-(23-24) about heaven
-(25) She knows that a Savior is coming
-(26) Jesus says who He is
-(39) How one person's salvation can result in many others' salvation
Christ WItnesses to the Disciples
(34) Jesus, who we call Lord, desires to further God's Kingdom to his own detriment
Jesus wants us to do the same and further God's Kingdom (no command to our detriment, but it is inevitable)
Christ Heals the Nobelman's Son
(50) God and Christ reward absolute faith in Him
John 5
The Healing at Bethesda
v3b,4 = not included in older versions of Bible...so dunno what to do about them...unimportant
v.8 Christ heals a lame man on the Sabbath day
v.14 That man is in the temple...unknown whether he is religious or not
But Jesus says, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."
Unknown whether he was immoral before...but our salvation should reflect a heart of that no longer wants to sin
How do you know Pharisees/Jews were not godly men?
Their issue was about doing work on the Sabbath, are they so callous that they would shun a man from healing the sick on the Sabbath...cmon
v.19-30 Jesus testifies how He is the Son of God
v. 39, 40, 46 = Jesus says Scriptures testify about Messiah & claims that He is Messiah
Jews got angry and wanted to kill Jesus
v.17 "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working"
John 6
Five Thousand Fed
v.9 = little boy gives up a meager amount to Christ...Christ can do great things with anything/anyone!
v.19 = Jesus walks on water
v.26 = Rebuke - yes or no? Yes because Christ tells them NOT to do something in 27.
v.27 = Do not think solely about this world...think about eternity
v.35 = Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who bleieves in Me will never thirst."
v.37 = "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out"
?! v.51-59 = We are to eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood...? Metaphorically, eating and drinking are necessary for physical life so Christ is ncessary for spiritual life.
v.65-66 = Jesus loses many followers because he says "no one can come to me unless it has been granted hi from the Father"
Chapter 7
v.18 = "He who speaks from himself seeks his own gloryu; but He who is seeking the gory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" ... everything I say should be grounded in the Word not myself
v.24 = "Do not judge according to appearnce, but judge with righteous judgment" (context is Jews are seeking to kill Jesus)...so we can judge with righteousnly
Chapter 8
v.7 & 11 = No immediate condemnation != No justice...justice will be executed when Christ gets crucified
v.34-36 = ?
Chapter 9
Healing of Blind Man
v.3 "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
v.16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath."
-What kind of moral leaders look at the healing of a blind man in this light? Do they not show happiness at all?
-Do they look to understand the law correctly? Is this profitable work that God has forbade? Is this true, sweat work? No!
v.28 "You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses"
-Do they not realize Moses is God's disciple?
Chapter10
v.25 "the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me"
-salvation revealed by someone's works (in line with God's standards) & someone's verbal intentions in doing those works (glorify God)
Chapter 11
v14-15 "So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him."
Things occur so that we may believe. Bad things lead to believing.
Chapter 12
v7-8 "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."
-Christ deserves to be glorified & Mary recognizes this, thus she spends money that could go to the poor on Him...it is a form of worship and He allows her to do so.
-NOT saying that poor are unimportant
-Giving to poor can be form of worship too
Chapter 13
v.14 "If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet"
-Serve like Christ, the most humble person ever
v.37-38 Peter: "I will lay down my life for You." Jesus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times."
Chapter 14
v6 "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but throug hMe.
v14 If you ask Me anything *in My name*, I will do it.
v16-18,26 = Holy Spirit..."He will giv eyou anotehr Helper....that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot breceive, because it does not see Him or know Him...the Helper, the Holy Spirit...He will teach you all things
Chapter 15
v5 "apart from Me you can do *nothing*"
v7 "if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you"
-All our prayers will be granted...IFF...we abide in God (we are one with God, we are one with His will)
Chapter 16
v7 = One blessing of Christ's departure to heaven is the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
v8 = The Holy Spirit convicts the *world*? How if Holy Spirit is just for Christians?
v12-15 = Holy Spirit is God.
v20 = "you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy"
-The world will be happy when Christ dies and his followers will cry.
-But they will see Christ again (after death, which they aren't thinking about)
Chapter 17
v3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
v19 "For their sakes I santicy Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."
-My actions help teach others and help others grow...I need to give others an example.
Chapter 18
v11 "the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"
-Accept God's plan for my life...even if it hurts and I'm scared
Chapter 19
"You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been give you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin"
-Christ exemplifies submitting to government even though government will make the wrong choice and allow him to be killed
v19 Pilate also wrote..."Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews" ... "What I have written I have written"
-Did Pilate acknowledge Christ's deity?
Chapter 20
v23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have ben forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained"
They don't determine salvation. But they preach the Gospel. If they let go of their sins, they will be saved. If they don't, they will be punished.
v25 "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"
-We do want physical proof of God & Christ. But it nullifies faith...Christ says, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." v.29
Chapter 21
Jesus commands Peter to "Tend My Lambs...Shepherd My sheep....Tend my sheep" out of love for His Savior. This is what loving Christ means, it means bringing people to Christ.
(4) reveals that "Word" = Christ because the Word is the "Light of men"
(1) Christ was God but separate from God
(1) Christ took part in creation...afterall God spoke (Christ = Word) and things came into being
(14) Christ was 100% Man..."And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us"
(17) comparison between "Law through Moses" & "grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ)...Law was temporary atonement but Christ was permanent forgiveness
John's Witness to the Priests & Levites
(23) "I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, 'MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,' as Isaiah the prophet said" = Isaiah 40:3...Christians' purpose is to enable others to see the glory of God
John's Witness at Christ's Baptism
Baptism = Identify with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection
(31) John, a man, can only baptize in water...yes purification...but cannot purify the inner man
(33) Jesus, our Savior, baptizes in the Holy Spirit...yes purification...and it DOES PURIFY THE INNER MAN and offers a hope for mankind
First Apostles model evangelism & just share Gospel with each other
John 2
Christ Changes Water to Wine (CB to this)
Christ Cleanses the Temple
Jesus threw out people not desiring to worship God
Jesus had a RIGHTEOUS ANGER
What qualities of this anger did he have?
Controlled - No personal injury or else Roman city soldiers would've come
Thought out - Made a whip of coords & took to time to deem his actions necessary
Inconvenience sinners - all to bring the point to better God
Can inconvenience others...but it must be THOUGHT OUT!
(21) Christ is perma-atonement not temporary
Belief in Scripture & Jesus
vs
(23) Christ's signs are what people follow...sad
We need faith in Him, not peopel showing up
John 3
Christ Witnesses to Nicodemus
-Nicodemus seeks salvation and Christ willingly tells him about it
-Christ evangelizes to those who seek Him
-(5) One needs the Holy Spirit to enter heaven (which is received at justification)
-(5) born of water (OT reference, CB to this) & Spirit
-(8) Holy Spirit is like the wind...it is invisible and can't see where it is nor where it comes from BUT YOU KNOW IT IS THERE and you SEE ITS RESULTS & SEE ITS POWER
-(16) What does "believe in Christ" mean in this overly used verse?
It is clarified in 21 "practices the truth"...it's not simply believing like it says in James 2:19 that even the demons believe in Christ, God, & HolySpirit.
John the Baptist Witnesses Concerning Christ
-John the Baptist EVANGELIZES FOR GOD & CHRIST, not himself
-(30) "He must increase, but I must decrease"
John 4
Christ Witnesses to the Women in the Well
-Christ evangelizes to the unsuspecting even if it's compeltely random because people want to hear the truth but don't realize it themselves
-(15) Samaritan women doesn't understand Jesus's reference to living water (OT reference, CB to this)...she isn't thinking she needs salvation at all
-(16) Jesus goes into her need for salvation...
-(19) Samaritan women agrees she is a sinner but only sees Christ as a prophet...she doesn't think about needing a Savior
-(21-22) Jesus goes into her need for a Savior
-(23-24) about heaven
-(25) She knows that a Savior is coming
-(26) Jesus says who He is
-(39) How one person's salvation can result in many others' salvation
Christ WItnesses to the Disciples
(34) Jesus, who we call Lord, desires to further God's Kingdom to his own detriment
Jesus wants us to do the same and further God's Kingdom (no command to our detriment, but it is inevitable)
Christ Heals the Nobelman's Son
(50) God and Christ reward absolute faith in Him
John 5
The Healing at Bethesda
v3b,4 = not included in older versions of Bible...so dunno what to do about them...unimportant
v.8 Christ heals a lame man on the Sabbath day
v.14 That man is in the temple...unknown whether he is religious or not
But Jesus says, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you."
Unknown whether he was immoral before...but our salvation should reflect a heart of that no longer wants to sin
How do you know Pharisees/Jews were not godly men?
Their issue was about doing work on the Sabbath, are they so callous that they would shun a man from healing the sick on the Sabbath...cmon
v.19-30 Jesus testifies how He is the Son of God
v. 39, 40, 46 = Jesus says Scriptures testify about Messiah & claims that He is Messiah
Jews got angry and wanted to kill Jesus
v.17 "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working"
John 6
Five Thousand Fed
v.9 = little boy gives up a meager amount to Christ...Christ can do great things with anything/anyone!
v.19 = Jesus walks on water
v.26 = Rebuke - yes or no? Yes because Christ tells them NOT to do something in 27.
v.27 = Do not think solely about this world...think about eternity
v.35 = Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who bleieves in Me will never thirst."
v.37 = "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out"
?! v.51-59 = We are to eat Christ's flesh and drink His blood...? Metaphorically, eating and drinking are necessary for physical life so Christ is ncessary for spiritual life.
v.65-66 = Jesus loses many followers because he says "no one can come to me unless it has been granted hi from the Father"
Chapter 7
v.18 = "He who speaks from himself seeks his own gloryu; but He who is seeking the gory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him" ... everything I say should be grounded in the Word not myself
v.24 = "Do not judge according to appearnce, but judge with righteous judgment" (context is Jews are seeking to kill Jesus)...so we can judge with righteousnly
Chapter 8
v.7 & 11 = No immediate condemnation != No justice...justice will be executed when Christ gets crucified
v.34-36 = ?
Chapter 9
Healing of Blind Man
v.3 "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
v.16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, "This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath."
-What kind of moral leaders look at the healing of a blind man in this light? Do they not show happiness at all?
-Do they look to understand the law correctly? Is this profitable work that God has forbade? Is this true, sweat work? No!
v.28 "You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses"
-Do they not realize Moses is God's disciple?
Chapter10
v.25 "the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me"
-salvation revealed by someone's works (in line with God's standards) & someone's verbal intentions in doing those works (glorify God)
Chapter 11
v14-15 "So Jesus then said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe; but let us go to him."
Things occur so that we may believe. Bad things lead to believing.
Chapter 12
v7-8 "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me."
-Christ deserves to be glorified & Mary recognizes this, thus she spends money that could go to the poor on Him...it is a form of worship and He allows her to do so.
-NOT saying that poor are unimportant
-Giving to poor can be form of worship too
Chapter 13
v.14 "If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet"
-Serve like Christ, the most humble person ever
v.37-38 Peter: "I will lay down my life for You." Jesus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times."
Chapter 14
v6 "I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but throug hMe.
v14 If you ask Me anything *in My name*, I will do it.
v16-18,26 = Holy Spirit..."He will giv eyou anotehr Helper....that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot breceive, because it does not see Him or know Him...the Helper, the Holy Spirit...He will teach you all things
Chapter 15
v5 "apart from Me you can do *nothing*"
v7 "if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you"
-All our prayers will be granted...IFF...we abide in God (we are one with God, we are one with His will)
Chapter 16
v7 = One blessing of Christ's departure to heaven is the impartation of the Holy Spirit.
v8 = The Holy Spirit convicts the *world*? How if Holy Spirit is just for Christians?
v12-15 = Holy Spirit is God.
v20 = "you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy"
-The world will be happy when Christ dies and his followers will cry.
-But they will see Christ again (after death, which they aren't thinking about)
Chapter 17
v3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
v19 "For their sakes I santicy Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth."
-My actions help teach others and help others grow...I need to give others an example.
Chapter 18
v11 "the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?"
-Accept God's plan for my life...even if it hurts and I'm scared
Chapter 19
"You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been give you from above; for this reason he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin"
-Christ exemplifies submitting to government even though government will make the wrong choice and allow him to be killed
v19 Pilate also wrote..."Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews" ... "What I have written I have written"
-Did Pilate acknowledge Christ's deity?
Chapter 20
v23 "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have ben forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained"
They don't determine salvation. But they preach the Gospel. If they let go of their sins, they will be saved. If they don't, they will be punished.
v25 "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe"
-We do want physical proof of God & Christ. But it nullifies faith...Christ says, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." v.29
Chapter 21
Jesus commands Peter to "Tend My Lambs...Shepherd My sheep....Tend my sheep" out of love for His Savior. This is what loving Christ means, it means bringing people to Christ.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Romans 14-16
14A
When looking at younger believers, don't look to criticize. Why?
Because it is not my place to disparage a young believer who is struggling in his walk with Christ and is still working to follow Christ.
Christ is the ultimate judge and a young believer will answer to Christ in the end not me so I don't need to criticize him.
14B
Also take others' weaknesses into account. Guard others weaknesses. Guard them from temptation and sin.
15A
please - make another happy
so make others happy...for their good and growth
This expands off of 14-part I -> your place in a young believers' life is not to criticize
IT IS TO ENCOURAGE...HELP THEM GROW AND SUPPORT THEM
Scriptures/Bible gives us hope and instruction.
Give it to young believers!
15B
What is context? We're talking about problems of conscience/liberties
Taking all this in, ACCEPT ALL BELIEVERS AS CHRIST DID
How did Christ accept us? He didn't take into account wrongdoing and betrayal and incorrectness against Him
So we should deal with but not make it uber-important = issues of liberties
16
Divisive people = Argue contrary to what?
Contrary to SCRIPTURE
So it always goes back to knowing SCRIPTURE...know it!
14A
When looking at younger believers, don't look to criticize. Why?
Because it is not my place to disparage a young believer who is struggling in his walk with Christ and is still working to follow Christ.
Christ is the ultimate judge and a young believer will answer to Christ in the end not me so I don't need to criticize him.
14B
Also take others' weaknesses into account. Guard others weaknesses. Guard them from temptation and sin.
15A
please - make another happy
so make others happy...for their good and growth
This expands off of 14-part I -> your place in a young believers' life is not to criticize
IT IS TO ENCOURAGE...HELP THEM GROW AND SUPPORT THEM
Scriptures/Bible gives us hope and instruction.
Give it to young believers!
15B
What is context? We're talking about problems of conscience/liberties
Taking all this in, ACCEPT ALL BELIEVERS AS CHRIST DID
How did Christ accept us? He didn't take into account wrongdoing and betrayal and incorrectness against Him
So we should deal with but not make it uber-important = issues of liberties
16
Divisive people = Argue contrary to what?
Contrary to SCRIPTURE
So it always goes back to knowing SCRIPTURE...know it!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Read to OBEY. Read to be convicted.
Romans 12:9-20
Love Christ without hypocrisy. Love his perfection. Hate sin.
***Remember why I hate sin. It is an empty life.
Put others before myself, period. Care for others' circumstances.
Vengeance is the Lord's.
But what about protecting my family if someone were to attack?
That' s not vengeance...
Romans 12:9-20
Love Christ without hypocrisy. Love his perfection. Hate sin.
***Remember why I hate sin. It is an empty life.
Put others before myself, period. Care for others' circumstances.
Vengeance is the Lord's.
But what about protecting my family if someone were to attack?
That' s not vengeance...
Saturday, January 24, 2009
It's a pretty spiritually dry time for me right now.
I have little to no desire to read the Word...why? I'm very involved in school, GoC, and non-Christian friends so there's pretty much no time for reading & praying.
But I have so much to be thankful for...shouldn't I tell God what I'm thankful for?
Don't I have ways to grow...shouldn't I ask God to grow me?
This Word of God is good, it's infinite and I need to drink its pure milk. (oh ho ho funny)
2 Corinthians 5:13
God made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus is so awesome. And God sacrificed Jesus so that all believers could become Jesus.
I have little to no desire to read the Word...why? I'm very involved in school, GoC, and non-Christian friends so there's pretty much no time for reading & praying.
But I have so much to be thankful for...shouldn't I tell God what I'm thankful for?
Don't I have ways to grow...shouldn't I ask God to grow me?
This Word of God is good, it's infinite and I need to drink its pure milk. (oh ho ho funny)
2 Corinthians 5:13
God made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus is so awesome. And God sacrificed Jesus so that all believers could become Jesus.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Romans 9 - 12:1-2
Be saddened by others rejection. Why am I not?
God is in control of who He saves and whom He condemns. Do they choose it?
Through sin, God has shown his wrath & power & mercy.
Moral laws do not bring righteousness; they bring condemnation. Only Christ brings righteousness.
Do not let salvation boost pride. Fear God knowing that I was saved by grace & should respect Him, the Holy & Almighty.
Be saddened by others rejection. Why am I not?
God is in control of who He saves and whom He condemns. Do they choose it?
Through sin, God has shown his wrath & power & mercy.
Moral laws do not bring righteousness; they bring condemnation. Only Christ brings righteousness.
Do not let salvation boost pride. Fear God knowing that I was saved by grace & should respect Him, the Holy & Almighty.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Fri 12
Flew home
Ate dinner at Foster City
Missed devo...prayed
Sat 13
Devo & Prayer
Saw Rich & Jeff & RJ - tempted me & used my laptop to look at bad stuff
Didn't object to them
Temptation & resisted with GOd's help & prayed
Sun 14
Church & Dim Sum
Saw some other friends - objected to them but didn't give reasons
Mon 15
Videogames &
Basketball with Richard
MB at night
Devo & Prayer
Tue 16
Repented & thank GOd that He didn't give me over to a depraved mind
MP = Ch2 Association
Romans 1 = 2 passages to memorize
Wed 17
Dim Sum
Group Meet up
Romans 2
Thur 18
Bball
MB
Fri 19
Bowling
Angry with RJ for being too over-powering
Sat 20
TIred at night & still watched Shooter w/Mom
Sun 21
Missed church
Mon 22
Tues 23
Wed 24
Thur 25
Bball w/rich
Fri 26
Bowling w/Greg & Joan & Phil & Rich
Sat 27
Dad yelled at me & I cried
Dad was sad...prayed for him
Flew home
Ate dinner at Foster City
Missed devo...prayed
Sat 13
Devo & Prayer
Saw Rich & Jeff & RJ - tempted me & used my laptop to look at bad stuff
Didn't object to them
Temptation & resisted with GOd's help & prayed
Sun 14
Church & Dim Sum
Saw some other friends - objected to them but didn't give reasons
Mon 15
Videogames &
Basketball with Richard
MB at night
Devo & Prayer
Tue 16
Repented & thank GOd that He didn't give me over to a depraved mind
MP = Ch2 Association
Romans 1 = 2 passages to memorize
Wed 17
Dim Sum
Group Meet up
Romans 2
Thur 18
Bball
MB
Fri 19
Bowling
Angry with RJ for being too over-powering
Sat 20
TIred at night & still watched Shooter w/Mom
Sun 21
Missed church
Mon 22
Tues 23
Wed 24
Thur 25
Bball w/rich
Fri 26
Bowling w/Greg & Joan & Phil & Rich
Sat 27
Dad yelled at me & I cried
Dad was sad...prayed for him
Friday, January 2, 2009
Went into SF with Rich today, I spent some money on him...can't I be less stingy? I should get a job and earn my own money.
Randomly walked into Chinatown and suddenly to Coit tower. Awesome.
Went to Mel's Diner...Fish & Chips wasn't so good but should get Steak & Eggs.
Saw Gran Torino, amazing but need to look at it with a Christian lens to get past racist stuff & think about
***What would I do if my daughter were actually raped? I would want to kill the guy(s) who did it. Would I go through with it though? Do I believe God is the ultimate judge?
Revelations 8 - 11:14
God will spare judgment from His children. Be SERIOUS about how painful this judgment is & appreciate salvation that much more.
Randomly walked into Chinatown and suddenly to Coit tower. Awesome.
Went to Mel's Diner...Fish & Chips wasn't so good but should get Steak & Eggs.
Saw Gran Torino, amazing but need to look at it with a Christian lens to get past racist stuff & think about
***What would I do if my daughter were actually raped? I would want to kill the guy(s) who did it. Would I go through with it though? Do I believe God is the ultimate judge?
Revelations 8 - 11:14
God will spare judgment from His children. Be SERIOUS about how painful this judgment is & appreciate salvation that much more.
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