Anticipate His 2nd Coming

MY LIFE IS COMPLICATED

There is, indeed, greater needs that wants to consume our emptiness. We crave, actually. What do you consistently put your hope in? Let's not talk about the knowledge of the answer is, but let's talk about where your heart is at. Your thoughts, your emotions, your intelligence, and your actions. I remember reading parts of the book called "Soul Cravings" where the author, Erwin McManus, said there are three major aspects of things which we crave for: Intimacy, Meaning, and Destiny. In one of this entries (#12) on Destiny, he says, "What is fascinating about the human spirit is that we can live with a conscious awareness of death and not be paralyzed...it can actually inspire us to live a life of passionate urgency...even the smallest of dreams will keep us moving forward...but when we give up hope, when we allow ourselves to internalize despair, we shut down..." Despair to mean that "to live apart from hope" or "to live without a future." Continuing, "We should be able to live perfectly well without God and without hope. But neither proves to be the case. Ironically, when we should believe even the existence of hope, when we are most consumed with a sense of our insignificance, it is here we will crave it the most...Without hope your life may not come to an end, but it does come to a stop."

Fascinating, I suppose. If you are a Christian, then what do you consistently put your hope in? Answer: Jesus. Yes, that's a good simple answer. Now, let's not talk about the knowledge of the answer is, but let's talk about where your heart is at. Really? Do you really? Do you truly consistently put your hope in Jesus every moment of your life?

I'm convicted of this question that I asked myself, "Do I constantly have hope in the anticipation of His 2nd coming?" Honestly, my life is full of complicated issues. There are a lot of disgusting, unclean, unrighteous, and sins that need to be purify. As I live everyday, I get anxious about my future, my education, my future wife, future ministries (my career), my student loan, my family, and whole bunch of crap that are weighing me down. Nonetheless, I do have hope. If you're not a follower of Jesus Christ, then I am sure you have hope. Hope for a better future, a good wife (a good husband if you are a woman), good place to live, and career. We plan out this kind of list and work our way towards the future.



But what happens if what you crave for fails you? What happens when you become despair? We may typically want to continue find these things until they fulfill our cravings completely. We do not want to lose heart or hope, actually. We want our lives to continue. I know some people who are despair and lose all hope in whatever they are doing. They won't persevere. Like McManus said, "without hope your life......[comes] to a stop." Indeed, that's when suicide attempts happen. That's when life becomes meaningless. Your boyfriend/girlfriend breaks up with you, you lose your job, you go through bankruptcy, your parents divorce, your friends betray you, you are very stressful, your health fails you, your mentality was wrong, you experience catastrophe, and maybe you can list more. What, then, did I do wrong with my life!? Then, majority of the social network would put these three simple letters: FML...maybe for real this time.

My friends, let me confess to you on the account of my life. I am bitter. I am jealous. I am proud. I am an idolator.

I am bitter about something that I shouldn't be bitter about. I am jealous about something that I shouldn't be jealous about. I am proud about myself that I shouldn't be prideful of. I am idolizing something that I shouldn't worship. I am, therefore, broken. I put my hope on something that eventually led me to brokenness and despair because I didn't put my hope and focus on something that will last for eternity. This is what the Bible says about me, as a sinner:

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21)
" For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." (Isaiah 55:2)
"And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me..." (Mark 7:6)
"But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.” (Matthew 15:18-20)
"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:13-14)

Are you despair recently? If so, why? If you have not yet experience this of deep despair, then God bless you. But, what you hope for in this world (your future and stuff) will eventually bring you to despair. We all agree that we will die one day. When we will die is not the right question. "How short is my life" is the question. You and I don't know for sure if we will live tomorrow. But aren't we supposed to be hopeful or optimistic about life? Yes, we human beings are hopeful people and we want to live forever in this earth, but that is not happening. After you die, you will live forever: Heaven or Hell. Wake up, my friends. Can you prove to me that you will live tomorrow or can you guarantee yourself that you will live tomorrow? Wake up, my friends. Do you know 100% for sure know where you will be going after you die?

What do you put your hopes in? After feeling all beat up about my life being so complicated, when all hope is lost in this world, I still have Jesus Christ. I was a fool. He's been walking beside me the whole time. He promised me that "I will never leave your nor forsake you." "I (Jesus) am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:14) When this world fails me, I am reminded of what Jesus promised:

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)

My friends, Jesus is alive and He will make all things new, and He will come back again. It is either we die and meet Him as our Judge, or He comes back for the second time. Wake up, my friends. Life is short! "You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." We don't know when we will die, and we also don't know when Jesus will come back. We could die in a minute or tomorrow, or Jesus could come back in a minute or tomorrow.

"And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:29-36)

If you do not believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord ans Savior and what He has done for you, then God bless you that you are still alive today while grace and forgiveness of sin are still open-handedly given to you freely. Turn to Him and believe in Him while you are still alive. You and I are sinners who turned our backs against God. Because God loves you and I, He demonstrated that love by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins while we should be the one who should have paid that penalty. He died and, 3 days later, He was resurrected to give us new life and the hope that we could have in Him alone. Do you see that you have turn away from God and put all your hopes in this world in which God created that will ultimately lead you to despair and destruction. Now, YOU have an important decision to make, my friends. Do you want to accept and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us stop sleeping around and watch out for ourselves "lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life", and be awake and anticipate our 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! Believing this truth, there are still people who needs this hope that we have! What a joy and great hope we have in our Savior! Love My Life because of Him.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)

Journey With Me (Day 7)

May 12th, 2011

Today was my first ever sleeping in late! I woke up at 7:40am. It was an awesome and adventurous day as Angel and I set out to meet new friends. Before taht, I'll confess that some of us (including me) were late for class. Surprisingly, there was a new student who joined our class! The punishment for being late was to sing a song. The song that I sang was decdicated to Alison and it was called "Just The Way You Are".

Anyhow, Angel and I ran into a lot of different students. I kind of got the routine of everybody's schedule for the week.

Journey With Me (Day 6)

May 11th, 2011

Humbling experience! My triceps are sore, and it was hard to lift up my arms and put on my backpack. It was all due to the workout in the morning, and I think I overdid it. Zach and I went and make more friends. There were few moments where I said something that I should not have. Zach corrected me with wisdom and I was very humbled by it seeing that I make mistakes in making friends. I shared with him how Alison and I got together. Speaking of Alison, I wonder how she's doing right now. I do miss her very much, and I hope she's doing well in her spiritual growth. When I think about her, it just makes my eyes tear up because she's doing something that may leave an imprint that last forever. If I was to tell you about her one year ago, she is a whole new person compared today. I would never imagine that I would be with an amazing woman who loves Jesus, and willing to commit herself in fulfilling the Great Commission. However, at least right now while I'm not with her, I trust that God is working in her heart. I hope that she is writing a daily journal for project, so that we will exchange it when we see each other in the future. I love her and I will be a man of integrity. Praying for her.

On the other note, Justin, Zach and I ate so much meat at the Brazillian restaurant for guy's night. We had awesome conversations and sharing our stories together. Anyhow, it is 9:10pm, and Justin and Zach are telling me their testimony. More to come...and sharing their relationship experience.

Word On The Street: Compassion

Take at least 2 minutes to read Luke 10:25-37 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the famous stories in the Bible. Christians and non-Christians (secularism) know this story and have implemented into the culture. The concept of the “Good Samaritan” is found in the “Good Samaritan law”, helping others and cleaning up the mess in the riot, and I don’t know how many “Good Samaritan _____  “(fill in the blank) there are. Hopefully some of you know what the story is about, but we often miss the main point of the story.

It started out with a lawyer asking Jesus what it takes to go to heaven. Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The lawyer answered the Great Commandment. Since the lawyer answered correctly, he must apply it. The lawyer wanted to justify himself. What did he mean “justify himself”? To be show what is just and to be made right. Why did he want to “justify himself”? He asked Jesus a question, “Who is my neighbour?” As deceitful and clever this lawyer was, he tried to escape the responsibility of not loving those who are “non-neighbour”, such as the poor, the sinners, the sick, the lame, and those who are in the lower social classes.

Jesus told a story to show an example of what a neighbour is like. A man from Jerusalem got mugged by robbers. There were three people who Jesus talked about: Priest, Levite, and Samaritan. Priest is a descendant of Aaron who had priestly responsibilities in the Jerusalem temple. He saw the man wounded but he passed by on the other side, which was to describe his unwillingness to love his neighbor. Levite is a member of the tribe of Levi but not a descendant of Aaron and therefore not a priest. The Levites were the ones who assisted the priests. He also passed by the man. Then came a Samaritan. Culturally, it would have been unthinkable for a Samaritan to help a Jew (the wounded man could have been a Jew because he is coming from Jerusalem) because Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jesus, however, emphasized the point that to love your neighbor involved showing care and compassion even to those who would not have any normal relationship or to those who are undeserving to be loved and cared for. The Samaritan ministered and helped the injured man by setting “him on his own animal” because he’s probably too injured to walk, brought him to an inn and paid for the fees because he’s been mugged and has nothing left, and extending whatever more cost and care may be needed for this Jew. On the extended note, two denarii were equivalent of two days salary; therefore, it showed that the Samaritan was willing to sacrifice his money and energy for the well-being of the Jew. Jesus ended with this question, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” And we can all answer: “The Good Samaritan”.

I want to make a personal note that I don’t agree that there is a “Good Samaritan”. The headline of your Bible may say that “The Parable of the Good Samaritan”, but Jesus never said the Samaritan was good although he did demonstrate love and kindness. I think, perhaps, that the “Good Samaritan” was able to show love and compassion for his neighbor was because God showed compassion and love toward him in the first place, if he ever existed. Because of the grace of God, the Samaritan’s heart and mind was able to be changed and renewed by the Holy Spirit. No one is good besides God. No one is righteous besides God. Why did Jesus tell us this parable then? It is to show how the “wise and understanding” (the religious leaders who thinks they are good and self-righteous) do not understand even the simplest commands of Scripture. We too fall short like the lawyer. Like the lawyer, we try to justify ourselves by picking and choosing who our neighbours are. How about the man or woman living in E Hastings and doing drugs and sleeping street? Do they need compassion and need to be loved? How about a new person coming into the youth Sunday School or small group or Bible study and we ignore him or her because we like to be comfortable with the friends we know? Does he or she need compassion and need to be loved?

The gospel is a better news than just helping the poor and paying their hotel fees. It is about Jesus. I think that Jesus wanted to us to see ourselves in the story. Who did the injured man represent? I think it would be, in the context of the Bible, the sinners, the lame, the sick, and living in the lower social class (like you and I spiritually speaking). Who did the priest and Levite represent? The religious leaders. Throughout the story of the gospel, the Pharisees never cared about the sinner and didn’t even want to interact with them because they were afraid that it would defile them. They would condemn people like hypocrites for not seeing the plank in their own eyes. In John 8, Jesus was with the prostitute who was about to be stoned by the Pharisees. It shows that being religious doesn’t work.

Jesus not only taught about “loving your neighbor as yourself”, but He fulfills that command in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:5). It is about Jesus loving the world by demonstrating His love on the cross. Jesus loves those who hated Him. Jesus loves those who are affected by culture (John 4). Jesus loves those who persecuted Him. On the cross, He told the Father to forgive them because they don’t know what they were doing.

Apart from Jesus, if we think that by doing good works will label us as “good” and “righteous” people, then don’t be fooled by the religious culture we are living in. Apart from Jesus, all our good deeds are like garbage. I’m not saying don’t help people and stop doing good, but if Jesus has renewed your heart and mind, then all the good deeds you do are no longer for yourself, but for Jesus Christ. Instead of asking an improper question, “Who is my neighbor?” we should ask, “How can I be a loving neighbor?”

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you...Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.” (Luke 6:27; 30)

Journey With Me (Day 5)

May 10th, 2011

It is 8:20pm, and I am, surprisingly, not tired/sleepy. Today has been an awesome adventure in terms of doing the regular stuff. God has blessed me and Justin the time we get to spend together. We went to another campus to meet more friends. I am glad that we were able to meet those who spoke good English. Nonetheless, I was grateful to be able to make numerous amount of friends. Additionally, one of our friends invited us to his English class, so we joined in. Personally, I found that to be very interesting compared to my IAT classes. Some of the discussions that me and my groups talked about was, "What does it mean to be a successful student." It's a great seeing different students present their ideas and it furthered our understanding of the culture in the classroom setting. They were very nice people and I'm glad to meet them, and hopefully get to hangout. Furthermore, there were two students that stood out to me. He reads a lot of novels and also like to spend time alone, and he also mentioned about the Bible. Another was very philosophical in seeking the purpose of life.

On the fun note, my family was lost in finding out which bus to take. We didn't know which side was the correct direction, so we crossed the street 4 times to discover our route back to campus. Sadly, we walked back instead, but it was a fun experience with laughers and excitement. Hopefully people didn't think of us as maniacs crossing the street multiple times.

We had dinner right across the campus, and they were delicious. But people spat on the floor and smoking in the restaurant, which was gross. Overall, we had fun being funny with each other. however, it's still the beginning, and I'm looking forward to what will happen.

Justin asked me if I miss Alison. Honestly, I do miss her. Hope that she's alright and doing well with her family and her relationship with God. I guess she missed me more, but we're united in the same body of Christ. I will write a letter to her soon.

Word On The Street: Gratitude

Take at least 2 minutes to read Matthew 20:1-16 for this week’s passage of the “Word On The Street”.

As Jesus taught in the parable, the landowner teaches the laborers to be thankful with wages they received. The landowner clearly promised the laborers that the deal was to give them a denarius (a typical day’s wage for a laborer) a day. The landowner, however, did not say denarius per hour. When the laborer came in the last hour before laborers need to get off work, he too got the denarius as the ones who worked from morning at 6am, 9am, 12pm...and so on.  The workers grumbled at the landowner for being unfair because he gave the same wage as to the one who worked only for an hour while they worked for 12 hours. The landowner reminded them, “‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? (v.13 ESV)” That’s the deal my friend! He continues saying, “Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what BELONGS to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” The reward (the wages) belongs to the landowner, and he explained the fairness of his actions. Begrudge (or envious NIV) literally means, “Is your eye evil?” Instead of being thankful for their wages, they have been blinded by their own self-interested lack of compassion for his fellow worker who needed a job (v.7).

I’ll be asking this question for this post and for the next four weeks: What does this have to do with the gospel?

Jesus is not just an idea originated from the western culture. That is the biggest mistake and assumption that people make regarding Jesus. Jesus was a God becoming a man and was born in Asia in a place called Bethlehem. Anybody can believe in Jesus whether if you’re an Asian, Caucasian, African and every race and tribe and tongue and nation. This parable displays God’s generosity to give salvation to anybody whom Jesus saves whether if they are young or old. Some of us became Christians when we’re young. There are some who would become Christians later on in our life. Some would become Christians a moment before they die. What? Jesus can save those an hour before they die? Yes! But that’s not fair! What about the things they did in the past? Stealing, murder, rebellion, sexual immorality, and etc. Take this parable as a warning from Jesus. Do NOT despise those who would come to faith later. We are no different from them because we are all sinners and we have once been on their shoes before. As Jesus teaches, “So the last will be first, and the first last.” As Christians, we should never measure our worth by comparing it with other’s accomplishments. For example, I helped around the church longer than this person did, so I think God should reward me more. Being a Christian is not about getting a bigger reward than others, but it is about where our heart is at when we serve God. Does our serving focus from a heart of gratitude and joy in RESPONSE to God’s grace to us? Basically, do we love God because Jesus saved us by dying on the cross for our sins, from the wrath of God, resurrecting from the grave to give us new life. Those who are Christians will get the same reward. If you’re a Christian, then you and I will get the same reward when we get to heaven. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

This parable is an amazing story that Jesus taught, and it can relate to us in a personal level. If you’re not a Christian yet, by God’s mercy and grace, Jesus welcomes you. Let our attitudes be changed to gratitude by believing in what Jesus has done for you and I and accept His forgiveness, inviting the Holy Spirit to regenerate you, and to convict us of sin, and repent of sin.

"Religion will change your outer behaviors, but grace will change your heart."

"If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:14-15 ESV)

VBS: Words On The Street

This week, from Tuesday until Saturday (Aug 2nd - Aug 6th), Oakridge Children’s Ministry will be hosting Vacation Bible School! It’s very exciting to see children coming to our church, having fun, making friends, learning the parables in the Bible, and getting to know our awesome Savior Jesus Christ.

The children will basically be learning about 5 words based on the parable lessons being taught: Gratitude, Compassion, Grace, Forgiveness, and Faithfulness. These lessons may be simple knowledge for our Christian life, but not easy to apply them in our day-to-day basis. For the next 5 weeks, through the reliance of the Holy Spirit, I will try to explain each word through the teachings of Jesus - the parables - and how it all points to the gospel.

5 Questions to think about:
What are you thankful for each day?
How do you deal with someone who is in need?
Is there someone, who usually ticks you off, you need to show love?
Is there someone who you need to forgive?
How is your walk with Jesus Christ?