"Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge." Jesus is telling them that Jesus is not here to give glory to himself, but to give the glory to the Father! He told them that he was sent here by his Father, that his Father is the one who did all of those things. Jesus claimed that his Father is the one who has the authority to do all of those things! Even Jesus claimed that he does nothing on his own. Jesus showed the humility by saying that he didn't do anything, but his Father had!
"If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'" I love how God designed us to give Him glory and then He will glorify us! He will lit the inner glow within us, so that the multitudes will follow us! It is funny how "we must decrease, and He must increase" ended up with this, "then He will raise us up". I love how God makes things so simple! All we need to do is to praise Him and give all of the glory to Him and let Him do the rest! God will boast about us, so that the world will see Him through us! All we need to do is enjoy being in His presence and let Him work in then He will send us out!
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Eph 2:8-9
Here are two ways that we can boast:
2 Corinthians 10:17But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
2 Corinthians 12:5I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.
Share and let this blog fly!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Not Competing (John 4-6)
"The Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea."
This verse really hits me, I love how Jesus acted in humility! Jesus decided to leave before the competition begins to rise. Jesus didn't want to hurt John the Baptist by allowing the Pharisees to stir up the troubles, to stir up the competition. So he decided that it will be better for him to leave it all to John and go somewhere else although it wasn't Jesus who was baptizing the people. He left to avoid the competition.
If Jesus was here to set an example for us to follow. Then here is a wonderful example of humility. Jesus didn't compete against John, or even allow the people to start the competition. In the same way, we shouldn't compete against others in winning the souls, in discipling, in mentoring, in our ministry, in churches, etc. We all should focus on the ministry of reconcilation, to help the people to find Him again, to get their relationship with Him restored!
Let's dump all of the titles. Such as saying, "My church won most souls", "I did this", "My church did that", or so. But to work with others instead, like how Jesus worked with John the Baptist. Jesus allowed his disciples to work among John the Baptist's disciples. In the same way, we should work with other churches, or other ministries. It is all about the unity, the Oneness. We are all brethens. Love one another like yourself and myself. =)
This verse really hits me, I love how Jesus acted in humility! Jesus decided to leave before the competition begins to rise. Jesus didn't want to hurt John the Baptist by allowing the Pharisees to stir up the troubles, to stir up the competition. So he decided that it will be better for him to leave it all to John and go somewhere else although it wasn't Jesus who was baptizing the people. He left to avoid the competition.
If Jesus was here to set an example for us to follow. Then here is a wonderful example of humility. Jesus didn't compete against John, or even allow the people to start the competition. In the same way, we shouldn't compete against others in winning the souls, in discipling, in mentoring, in our ministry, in churches, etc. We all should focus on the ministry of reconcilation, to help the people to find Him again, to get their relationship with Him restored!
Let's dump all of the titles. Such as saying, "My church won most souls", "I did this", "My church did that", or so. But to work with others instead, like how Jesus worked with John the Baptist. Jesus allowed his disciples to work among John the Baptist's disciples. In the same way, we should work with other churches, or other ministries. It is all about the unity, the Oneness. We are all brethens. Love one another like yourself and myself. =)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Not Yet Come, Then Come! (John 1-3)
"Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." Jesus told his mother when she told him that this wedding just ran out of wine. But his mother went ahead and told the servants to heed him anyway. It seems like there is some disagreement here!
Here's what amazed me, something switched in Jesus. So, Jesus told the servants what to do. So, the bridegroom got the "miracle wine". After tasting it, he declared that, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." So, Jesus' disciples were with him when they saw the first of his signs and they believed him.
But what switched Jesus? Was it his mother's faith? Or was it the time? Or was Jesus just testing her mother's faith? But here is what amazed me: his mother went ahead. I think she knew what to do from raising Jesus. She knew him. She saw that he was ready. She went ahead by her faith! Where is Jesus today? Is He alredy in you? Is He already in me? I don't know about you, but I know that He is already in me by the Holy Spirit. So, the question is how can we switch something in us? Here's the deal, Jesus also switched something in his twelve disciples, they are with him first so that he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. (Mark 3:14-15)
But let's look closer at this: "my hour hasn't yet come" and "you have kept the good wine until now". His mother's faith came between those two different phrases of time! His mother knew Jesus well enough to know that it is time to pour a new wine into a new wineskin, which triggers a new movement! How do we know? We need to follow Jesus' mother's example by living with Jesus daily to know Him well. We are called to know Him. God created us to be with Him.
Here's what amazed me, something switched in Jesus. So, Jesus told the servants what to do. So, the bridegroom got the "miracle wine". After tasting it, he declared that, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." So, Jesus' disciples were with him when they saw the first of his signs and they believed him.
But what switched Jesus? Was it his mother's faith? Or was it the time? Or was Jesus just testing her mother's faith? But here is what amazed me: his mother went ahead. I think she knew what to do from raising Jesus. She knew him. She saw that he was ready. She went ahead by her faith! Where is Jesus today? Is He alredy in you? Is He already in me? I don't know about you, but I know that He is already in me by the Holy Spirit. So, the question is how can we switch something in us? Here's the deal, Jesus also switched something in his twelve disciples, they are with him first so that he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. (Mark 3:14-15)
But let's look closer at this: "my hour hasn't yet come" and "you have kept the good wine until now". His mother's faith came between those two different phrases of time! His mother knew Jesus well enough to know that it is time to pour a new wine into a new wineskin, which triggers a new movement! How do we know? We need to follow Jesus' mother's example by living with Jesus daily to know Him well. We are called to know Him. God created us to be with Him.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Action Speaks Louder Volume (Mark 15-16)
"Pilate asked him, "Are you the 'King of the Jews'?"
He answered, "If you say so." The high priests let loose a barrage of accusations.
Pilate asked again, "Aren't you going to answer anything? That's quite a list of accusations." Still he said nothing. Pilate was impressed, really impressed." 15:2-5 MSG
Why was Pilate impressed? Here is a raw deal, Jesus said nothing! There are a barrage of accusations before him and he said nothing! Not even a word of defense! Innocence or not, we usually reacted quickly when someone offended us or accused us. But Jesus didn't! I think Pilate saw something in Jesus, something supernatural. So, Pilate figuratively came into Jesus' side by telling the crowd, "So what do I do with this man you call King of the Jews?" It is as if Pilate accused them back for calling him the King of the Jews. Jesus didn't call himself the King of the Jews, nor did he deny it. But Pilate believed that Jesus didn't call himself the King of the Jews without hearing anything from him. Action speaks louder volume.
The crowd was so stubborn, they wanted him crucified and set Barabbas the murderer free. Pilate once objected, "But for what crime?" He tried to save Jesus, but he saw something stirring in the crowd and Jesus' silence. Those are beyond his control, so he had to let him be crucified. I wonder if Pilate was ready to save Jesus if he said something to defend himself? I think Jesus knew that Pilate would, so he kept his silence so that the Father's plan will be accomplished! More than that, I think Jesus knew that his action on that day will impact the many through his story!
"Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead." (15:44 MSG) Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead so he summoned the captain to verify. I think Pilate expected something more from Jesus and was surprised, but what he didn't know was that Jesus will resurrect on the 3rd day! The Good News! While Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus into the tomb, they waited unknowingly for 3 days until the Good News begun!
He answered, "If you say so." The high priests let loose a barrage of accusations.
Pilate asked again, "Aren't you going to answer anything? That's quite a list of accusations." Still he said nothing. Pilate was impressed, really impressed." 15:2-5 MSG
Why was Pilate impressed? Here is a raw deal, Jesus said nothing! There are a barrage of accusations before him and he said nothing! Not even a word of defense! Innocence or not, we usually reacted quickly when someone offended us or accused us. But Jesus didn't! I think Pilate saw something in Jesus, something supernatural. So, Pilate figuratively came into Jesus' side by telling the crowd, "So what do I do with this man you call King of the Jews?" It is as if Pilate accused them back for calling him the King of the Jews. Jesus didn't call himself the King of the Jews, nor did he deny it. But Pilate believed that Jesus didn't call himself the King of the Jews without hearing anything from him. Action speaks louder volume.
The crowd was so stubborn, they wanted him crucified and set Barabbas the murderer free. Pilate once objected, "But for what crime?" He tried to save Jesus, but he saw something stirring in the crowd and Jesus' silence. Those are beyond his control, so he had to let him be crucified. I wonder if Pilate was ready to save Jesus if he said something to defend himself? I think Jesus knew that Pilate would, so he kept his silence so that the Father's plan will be accomplished! More than that, I think Jesus knew that his action on that day will impact the many through his story!
"Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead." (15:44 MSG) Pilate was surprised that Jesus was already dead so he summoned the captain to verify. I think Pilate expected something more from Jesus and was surprised, but what he didn't know was that Jesus will resurrect on the 3rd day! The Good News! While Joseph of Arimathea buried Jesus into the tomb, they waited unknowingly for 3 days until the Good News begun!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Keep Anticipating! (Mark 13-14)
I don't know why, but I wept this morning. Sometimes we just wept when we see some changes ahead and knew that things will change for the best! I think this is the tears of hope and joy, of anticipating! I think weeping is part of our prayer life. Just like how your tears may impact your friends when you allowed your authentic tears to flow, God was impacted by your tears when you weep freely before Him. When things became more and more stable, it is time for us to start anticipating for some changes to come, to keep us anticipating!
"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout [anticipate], for you don't know the timetable. It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch [anticipate]. So, stay at your post, watching [anticipating]." 13:32-34 MSG
Maybe we hate some changes, but if we look harder into Jesus' prayer at Gethsemane we will see that Jesus anticipated a time shift. He knew that it is time for His plan to be accomplished and that he will suffer greatly for the best! He even begged, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Jesus begged God to remove his burden, but he told Him that he rather His plan to be accomplished than his desire for the pain to go away! I love how Jesus anticipated prophetically! Jesus knew that the hours are near, so he prayed and sweated for this hour to come! He sweated a blood sweat! Did you know that we sweat a tiniest ounce of blood sweat from sorrow? We cannot see our blood sweat because they are so small, because our grief isn't like Jesus' grief! Supernatural-Grief shows that Jesus had the Supernatural-Holy-Anticipation!
"Watch and pray [anticipate] that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." We all need some changes in our life to keep us anticipating so that we will keep seeking Him to strengthing our weak flesh. Check your seats! Too warm? It's time to anticipate some changes!
"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout [anticipate], for you don't know the timetable. It's like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch [anticipate]. So, stay at your post, watching [anticipating]." 13:32-34 MSG
Maybe we hate some changes, but if we look harder into Jesus' prayer at Gethsemane we will see that Jesus anticipated a time shift. He knew that it is time for His plan to be accomplished and that he will suffer greatly for the best! He even begged, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Jesus begged God to remove his burden, but he told Him that he rather His plan to be accomplished than his desire for the pain to go away! I love how Jesus anticipated prophetically! Jesus knew that the hours are near, so he prayed and sweated for this hour to come! He sweated a blood sweat! Did you know that we sweat a tiniest ounce of blood sweat from sorrow? We cannot see our blood sweat because they are so small, because our grief isn't like Jesus' grief! Supernatural-Grief shows that Jesus had the Supernatural-Holy-Anticipation!
"Watch and pray [anticipate] that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." We all need some changes in our life to keep us anticipating so that we will keep seeking Him to strengthing our weak flesh. Check your seats! Too warm? It's time to anticipate some changes!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Holy Spirit degree (Mark 11-12)
The high priests, religion scholars and leaders demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?" And Jesus responded, "First let me ask you... about John the Baptist- who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me." The leaders refused to answer because they are afraid of the people. They didn't believe in John, so they cannot say that John got the authority from heaven, and if they said that he got the authority from the humans, then the people will be up against them because the people believed that John is a prophet.
I love hearing my mom's stories about what God did for her in her life as I grew up. She once told me that she once was asked by the people about her degree. Since she didn't graduated from Gallaudet University, she withdrawed after failing one of the classes. However, she answsered, "Holy Spirit is my degree" and she didn't know where she got this idea from! That's right! If you would like to look at John, he was filled with the Holy Spirit when he was in the womb, before he was known as a prophet! Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to the nations before God shaped him in the womb! And you and me!
Jesus told them, "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get."... then He went on to explain that, "the truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss, she gave EXTRAVAGANTLY what she couldn't afford- she gave her all."
Who cares how much money we got, how much education we got, how much skills we got, always remember that we have the Holy Spirit degree. Your GPA is how much we love God by EXTRAVAGANTLY using up all of our passion, prayer, intelligence, and energy that we have for Him! If you have "zero", then give Him all of your "zero"... that is 100%!
I love hearing my mom's stories about what God did for her in her life as I grew up. She once told me that she once was asked by the people about her degree. Since she didn't graduated from Gallaudet University, she withdrawed after failing one of the classes. However, she answsered, "Holy Spirit is my degree" and she didn't know where she got this idea from! That's right! If you would like to look at John, he was filled with the Holy Spirit when he was in the womb, before he was known as a prophet! Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to the nations before God shaped him in the womb! And you and me!
Jesus told them, "Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get."... then He went on to explain that, "the truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss, she gave EXTRAVAGANTLY what she couldn't afford- she gave her all."
Who cares how much money we got, how much education we got, how much skills we got, always remember that we have the Holy Spirit degree. Your GPA is how much we love God by EXTRAVAGANTLY using up all of our passion, prayer, intelligence, and energy that we have for Him! If you have "zero", then give Him all of your "zero"... that is 100%!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Reversed Impossibles (Mark 9-10)
It's amazing how God can change men's impossibles into possibles! There are two impossibles:
"'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Jesus told the father. Then the father cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Now the father's unbelief was reversed! So, his child was healed of the demon possessed spirit! Jesus turned his disbelief into believing! It is amazing how the father's unbelief was reversed after this conversation with Jesus!
"With man it's impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." Jesus looked at his disciples as He told them that it is possible with God. They were amazed after seeing how the young wealthy guy leaving. This young wealthy guy followed all of the ten commandments, but he was downcast when Jesus asked him to sell everything he has and give them to the poor to follow Jesus. So, he left. It is hard for someone with wealth to give up everything to follow him, but Jesus said that with God it is possible! This young guy left without asking Jesus to help him to reverse his unbelief (to turn his believing into action)...
How?! Yeah the disciples asked the same question! How? Jesus answered after they failed to cast out the demons, "this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer (and fasting)." Do you want to increase your faith, to believe and to act upon believing? Keep praying and fasting. Talk with Him (pray) and strip off any physical hindrances that prevent you from having a full conversation with Him (fast). In Him, your impossibles will be reversed!
"'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Jesus told the father. Then the father cried out, "I believe; help my unbelief!" Now the father's unbelief was reversed! So, his child was healed of the demon possessed spirit! Jesus turned his disbelief into believing! It is amazing how the father's unbelief was reversed after this conversation with Jesus!
"With man it's impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." Jesus looked at his disciples as He told them that it is possible with God. They were amazed after seeing how the young wealthy guy leaving. This young wealthy guy followed all of the ten commandments, but he was downcast when Jesus asked him to sell everything he has and give them to the poor to follow Jesus. So, he left. It is hard for someone with wealth to give up everything to follow him, but Jesus said that with God it is possible! This young guy left without asking Jesus to help him to reverse his unbelief (to turn his believing into action)...
How?! Yeah the disciples asked the same question! How? Jesus answered after they failed to cast out the demons, "this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer (and fasting)." Do you want to increase your faith, to believe and to act upon believing? Keep praying and fasting. Talk with Him (pray) and strip off any physical hindrances that prevent you from having a full conversation with Him (fast). In Him, your impossibles will be reversed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)