Brothers and Sisters in Christ...
We know that at times, our minds and lives are attacked by the enemies, and it seems that this battle are going completely out of hand. And we are wondering, why are we in this battle and sometimes we feel that we are fighting this battle on our own.
God has promised to His children that He will never leave nor forsake us. We learn from this that no matter what is going on in our lives, God is present. If we cry out to Him, trust Him, that He will be able to help you out in amidst of your difficult situation.
This morning, my mind was pulled in so many different directions, and could feel the pressure that just keeps building on my head. Of course, situation like this arise from doubts, fears, unbelief, etc.
I've learned that when thing like this happen, I always try to cling to God's promise closer and just plant my feet on His words.
Storms will come into our lives, but know for sure that where we stand is a firm foundation, and no storm can blow our house away, because our God, Jesus Christ is our firm foundation.
God bless
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Generation Youth
The word of God in Acts explained to us the characteristics of a church, not long after Jesus had ascended to heaven.
A church, a group of people, at first mainly consisted of the apostles, like Paul and Peter.
They joined their hands in prayer. Peter came up to address the crowd and speak boldly about repentance and calling the name of the Lord.
Peter addressed the crowds, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem." which shows how he understands whom his audiences were. Just like in Youth Street Evangelism in today's time, we need to address the crowd where we are living, e.g., Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, etc.
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...They were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
A Youth group, would be a place, where many young people can get together and share and learn together about Christ. It should have both the teachers and the students, but at the same time, there's a unity between everyone.
They all have faith in Christ, and through His Name, healing comes to those who need it, boldness comes to those who ask for it.
There would be persecution, there would be many people attacking the faith and testimony of the believers, there would be many distractions, but the apostles were able to overcome it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Today's generation of youth would follow the samples of the first generation of Jesus's apostles. We would pray, we would preach, we would heal, we would be persecuted or attacked for our faith, we would distribute food,...
The purpose for this meeting is no other than to fulfill the prophesy, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams...."
By God's grace, generation youth would be a blessing to many others...in Christ I pray.
A church, a group of people, at first mainly consisted of the apostles, like Paul and Peter.
They joined their hands in prayer. Peter came up to address the crowd and speak boldly about repentance and calling the name of the Lord.
Peter addressed the crowds, "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem." which shows how he understands whom his audiences were. Just like in Youth Street Evangelism in today's time, we need to address the crowd where we are living, e.g., Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, etc.
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...They were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
A Youth group, would be a place, where many young people can get together and share and learn together about Christ. It should have both the teachers and the students, but at the same time, there's a unity between everyone.
They all have faith in Christ, and through His Name, healing comes to those who need it, boldness comes to those who ask for it.
There would be persecution, there would be many people attacking the faith and testimony of the believers, there would be many distractions, but the apostles were able to overcome it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Today's generation of youth would follow the samples of the first generation of Jesus's apostles. We would pray, we would preach, we would heal, we would be persecuted or attacked for our faith, we would distribute food,...
The purpose for this meeting is no other than to fulfill the prophesy, "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams...."
By God's grace, generation youth would be a blessing to many others...in Christ I pray.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting
How merciful and how great our God is...
Not only is He willing to forgive anyone who come to Him that ask for His mercy, but He also is willing to guide us in our walk in this life.
I had not appreciated the power of prayer, which brings so much peace, and joy, and incomprehensible feeling...of love, anointed power, courage, freedom that are everlasting and eternal, until recently.
I remember the first time I had prayed...it was back when I was growing up at a Catholic school, where the nuns had taught students to memorize different prayers. A priest would often assign these prayers to a person to repeat several times given as penalty for their sins after they made a confession.
It's amazing to see myself now compare to when I was 10 years old. It really brings back a lot of memory...the school...the teachers...my friends...I guess I was being a kid...where I follow directions and obey what my mother or teachers told me to do.
As I grow older, and turned into my Junior High School year, things began to change...I have more authority to make decision...it's not that I am asking for more authority, but it seems that I became more aware of myself and the decision that I had to make and its consequences. In other words, I became more independent to my choices and life.
I was 12, when I entered Junior High. I wasn't familiar at all with anything other than my Catholic upbringing. And even the experience that I had wasn't too enticing either. I guess, it was hard to follow the rules that were set as I remember. But, in my heart, there's a longing to meet and show my heart to a Maker, a Creator, a Savior, a God.
I always express my desire to go to church, but I ended up staying at home watching Sunday morning cartoon or practicing martial arts. None of my family members were interested in going to the church, let alone to bring me with them. So, I guess I was left to my ownself to explore this journey of faith.
All those years going to a Catholic School, I learned the concept of "sin". I had a theory, this theory may also be passed down by one of the nuns or my fellow students. Whenever I took communion, I always checked if the holy bread would stick on the upper part / ceiling of my mouth. If I had sinned a lot, the bread would stick there, but if I was forgiven, it would not stick.
The story of Jesus would meant a sad, a happy, and interesting stories, where I was amazed by all the miracles that had happened, and it could probably qualify for the best cartoon show ever. And I would come to the Christmas or Easter show, for just the show. But, of course I couldn't blame anyone, since I was a kid and it probably is normal to think that way :)
Many years had passed by. My next encounter with God in prayer after a long absence was when I heard that voice that were calling me back to go back to church. What a dear and loving voice that draws me back.
Not only is He willing to forgive anyone who come to Him that ask for His mercy, but He also is willing to guide us in our walk in this life.
I had not appreciated the power of prayer, which brings so much peace, and joy, and incomprehensible feeling...of love, anointed power, courage, freedom that are everlasting and eternal, until recently.
I remember the first time I had prayed...it was back when I was growing up at a Catholic school, where the nuns had taught students to memorize different prayers. A priest would often assign these prayers to a person to repeat several times given as penalty for their sins after they made a confession.
It's amazing to see myself now compare to when I was 10 years old. It really brings back a lot of memory...the school...the teachers...my friends...I guess I was being a kid...where I follow directions and obey what my mother or teachers told me to do.
As I grow older, and turned into my Junior High School year, things began to change...I have more authority to make decision...it's not that I am asking for more authority, but it seems that I became more aware of myself and the decision that I had to make and its consequences. In other words, I became more independent to my choices and life.
I was 12, when I entered Junior High. I wasn't familiar at all with anything other than my Catholic upbringing. And even the experience that I had wasn't too enticing either. I guess, it was hard to follow the rules that were set as I remember. But, in my heart, there's a longing to meet and show my heart to a Maker, a Creator, a Savior, a God.
I always express my desire to go to church, but I ended up staying at home watching Sunday morning cartoon or practicing martial arts. None of my family members were interested in going to the church, let alone to bring me with them. So, I guess I was left to my ownself to explore this journey of faith.
All those years going to a Catholic School, I learned the concept of "sin". I had a theory, this theory may also be passed down by one of the nuns or my fellow students. Whenever I took communion, I always checked if the holy bread would stick on the upper part / ceiling of my mouth. If I had sinned a lot, the bread would stick there, but if I was forgiven, it would not stick.
The story of Jesus would meant a sad, a happy, and interesting stories, where I was amazed by all the miracles that had happened, and it could probably qualify for the best cartoon show ever. And I would come to the Christmas or Easter show, for just the show. But, of course I couldn't blame anyone, since I was a kid and it probably is normal to think that way :)
Many years had passed by. My next encounter with God in prayer after a long absence was when I heard that voice that were calling me back to go back to church. What a dear and loving voice that draws me back.
To bring the story closer to up to date...yesterday praying meeting was remarkable. I was amazed and overwhelmed by God's presence. He always present when two or three are gathered in His Name...He manifests Himself and reveals Himself when we seek Him...
I felt I was sitting down with the rest of the prayer team enjoying His communion at the Last Supper.
to be cont..
Friday, August 10, 2007
Ephesians 3:20-21
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
It's amazing how much God is pouring out His love and His grace to His people...
God doesn't look at what you've done in the past, nor your background, nor your status...
He loves us the same...
I'd like to encourage those who already know who He is...to keep praying in His Spirit and keep seeking His will...and He promises to reward those who dilligently seek Him, He will bring revival first in your life, and renew your mind, body, and spirit with a new fresh mind, body, and spirit.
For those who are still searching for Him...I'd like to also encourage to keep seeking the true and only God above who has created us...we should follow His way and not our own...He is near, closer than ever before...ask Him to show Himself to you...
God bless all
It's amazing how much God is pouring out His love and His grace to His people...
God doesn't look at what you've done in the past, nor your background, nor your status...
He loves us the same...
I'd like to encourage those who already know who He is...to keep praying in His Spirit and keep seeking His will...and He promises to reward those who dilligently seek Him, He will bring revival first in your life, and renew your mind, body, and spirit with a new fresh mind, body, and spirit.
For those who are still searching for Him...I'd like to also encourage to keep seeking the true and only God above who has created us...we should follow His way and not our own...He is near, closer than ever before...ask Him to show Himself to you...
God bless all
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