Ephesians 4:23-24

to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

(v23, NIV)

As mentioned in the last verse, we are to put off our old self. This is the former way of life which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires. Putting off the old self allows for this change to occur. This being made new begins with the attitude of the mind. Learning the truth in Christ means a change in our thinking and understanding. As Paul mentioned a few verses ago, the Gentiles walk in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding. However, truly knowing Christ will result in the change of our thinking. There is a change in our mind that allows us to understand clearly and to know and understand the truth in Christ Jesus our Lord.

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

(v24, NIV)

This putting off of the old self and renewing of the mind comes with putting on the new self. In the same way that you put off the old self, you are to put on the new self. This new self is not like the old self, which is your former manner of life. The purpose of the new self is to be like God. We are to strive for righteousness and holiness. What's interesting is that they are referred to as "true" righteousness and holiness. The word true implies that there are such things as false righteousness and holiness. False righteousness and holiness can probably be found among the Gentiles or the Jews. The Pharisees gave the impression to others that they were righteous, but they were hypocrites as Jesus reveals. They may have been following the letter of the law, but they did not follow the spirit of the law. Or, some may think they have achieved righteousness and holiness by comparing themselves to others. They may think they have achieved righteousness by simply being better than others around them. This is not true righteousness and holiness.

One type of righteousness is Jesus' imputed righteousness. As we wear the breastplate of righteousness, we come to understand and realize that we are sinners and cannot attain righteousness by ourselves. However, because of the Lord Jesus Christ and his shedding of blood, we can be welcomed in as adopted sons of the living God and be counted as righteous by God. We cannot do anything by ourselves to make us righteous. However, let us strive to pursue true righteousness and holiness in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Samuel 8 - You thought You Were Right?

When Samuel became old, his two sons became judges, yet they were corrupted and they turned away from God. It is normal that the elders of Israel were unhappy, because Samuel's two man were unmoral to the people, especially they were in the leading position. However, the elders thought the problem can be solved by following how other nations did, which is to set a king rule over them. They compared how others "success", but yet in a way, the elders were as well turning away from God because they no longer depended on God. That was why they unpleased Samuel and God.

I think this applies to a lot of churches' current situation. Indeed we know that there is something wrong within the church. So called believers stopped serving, stop tiding, stop going to prayer meeting, stop caring and loving others. All they worry and care is stuff that related to them. Indeed it is something wrong obviously. What is our reaction to these situation though? The church often will have lots of meeting and discussions, and we will try different things to attract people, and we will try using different material or sermon to turn people's heart. We do analysis of the pro and cons for our actions, etc. Is that the biblical way though?

Let's see what Samuel did. He PRAYED to God. In whatever situation, even at war (Chapter 7) or at criticism from other elders, the first thing he did was prayer. A true hearted prayer to God. He asked for wisdom and advised. He didn't just prayed to God to bless whatever he was going to go. He prayed and only action based on God's respond. He patiently wait.

To the elders of Israel, they thought that there was nothing wrong to set a king rule over them, because this is how other's did, and seems like it worked to other nations. But if we really think about it, why should we depend on the worldly wisdom anyways, when we already have the best security in life, which is God!? Maybe because we don't really trust in God after all, and we thought we trusted.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

God knew your and my life even before we were born. His plan for us is always good in His eyes. All God wants from us is to fully surrender to Him and depends on Him. It is about choice. Would I choose God more important then my life, which is in fact given by God. You thought you were right on doing something, based on other people's advices or your life experience, it might seems right, but maybe it is not. Be careful.

1 Samuel 7

The men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up and guard the ark of the LORD. It shows that they honored and worshiped the LORD. For twenty years, the ark remained at Kiriath Jearim, and all the people of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD. However, still some of the Israel still worshiped the foreign gods, and it was referred as the "Baals" and the "Ashtoreths" in the passage. "Baals" can refer to any god and even to human officials, and "Ashtoreths" can refer to good soil, sexuality, and war. (wikipedia)

Does it sound familiar to us? A lot of us became Christian many years ago. We trusted it Him because He had shown His faithfulness in our life, just like how the Israel trusted in the LORD. But there is still so many gods in our heart that restrict us from God. Other gods not only refer to an object, but also can refer be our mentality or attitude towards life.

Samuel said: "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him ONLY, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." (vers 3)

Samuel was talking to those whom worshiped the LORD, the creator, but at the same time whom struggled with worshiping the created objects. Samuel said you can either worship and serve God ONLY, and truly rid yourselves from the created things which come from your heart, then you will be free from the hand of the "Philistines", or refer to the ruler of the worldly values and worldly mentality.

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Luke 16:13)

Don't be an lukewarm, because if you thought you belongs to God, but actually maybe you are not.

"So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)

And here is what the Israel responded to God. They fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." (vers 6). They examined their life and admit their sin and confessed in front of God. They felt ashamed and because of that they fasted. Fasting doesn't make them save, but because they returned to the LORD with all their heart. Same with the burnt offering.

The Israel must have gone through a lot of struggle and suffering in their life, but they got it, they repent and God gave them a new beginning.

Repent doesn't make your life easier, in fact, the Philistines came up to attack them after their confession. (vers 7) But don't stop crying out to the LORD, because He will rescue us from the hand of the "Philistines".

This is what I have learnt from 1 Samuel 7. Examine the "Baals" and the "Ashtoreths" in your life. Truly repent and confess your sin to God. And remember He will rescue us from the ruler of the world, because He is the ultimate ruler after all.

Ephesians 4:21-22

Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

(v21, NIV)

If you are to know Christ, there are a few different steps or aspects to take. You must first hear of him. Many people stop at this step. Some people will hear of him and that's it. Some people will hear of him and walk away, but some will hear of him and think that is enough. Hearing of Christ doesn't mean that you know him. You must be taught in him, since the truth is in Jesus himself.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

(v22, NIV)

The teaching of Christ requires a response and action from you. The teaching about Christ includes not doing what you used to do. This removal of past things is so apparent that it is described as putting off your old self. In the same way that you put on and take off clothes, you are to take off your former way of life. However, it is not simply as interchangeable as clothes, but it is described as putting off your old self. Your self is what you take off, and it seems like quite a big thing to take off. Why do you have to take it off? Well, it's being corrupted by its deceitful desires. It doesn't make sense to continue wearing something that is being corrupted. The process of corruption is continual and increasing. It'll only get worse and worse. What's also interesting is that the deceitful desires belong to the old self. So, let's say there a bunch of bees or ants that are invading your house. Maybe they're coming in from the outside, so you could seal off their entrance to your house. That would be a simple solution and then they wouldn't be able to get into your house. However, if that can't be done, then you'd have to widen the scope in order to deal with the problem. For example, you may have to simply kill all the bees or ants. Or maybe, in order to solve the problem, you'd have to move out of your house. In the same way, your old self is increasing in its corruption. The course of the problem is the deceitful desires, so a logical solution may be to cut off the deceitful desires which are the source. You can't simply separate the deceitful desires from the old self, so you must take off the old self in order to be rid of this corruption.

Ruth - Faith

The summery of the whole book of Ruth basically talks about a lady called Ruth, she lose everything in her life, her husband, her sons, and in fact if I were in her situation, I would think I have lose all my future and hope. That was tough. But in that kind of tough situation, she still did whatever is pleasing to God. She knew it was a right thing to follow her mother in law and protect her, even she didn't know what would happen in the future. She didn't know if that is the will of God or anything, but she just took a step and have faith in God that He is good. The ending of her story is that God provided all she needed, more then what she could imagine.

Sometimes, there are a lots of things in life you don't know if that is the will of God, and you worry what will happen if we do this or that. We did lots of risk analysis and all these is a resistance for us to have faith in God. First question to ask is, do you know your God? If you do, do what is in front of you that is pleasing to Him, and have faith in Him that He will provide the best for those who love Him. Remember, He is faithful and trust worthy. If we truly understand and practice this concept in life, Living can be so simple and joyful, and peaceful, yet powerful and inspiriting.

Ephesians 4:19-20

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way.

(v19-20, NIV)

Paul was just explaining how the Gentiles live. They live in the futility of their minds. They do not understand God and are separated from him. This is all because of their hard hearts. They see before them the choices they can make as Pharaoh did. However, between choosing to follow God's advice and man's sinful advice, pharaoh did not choose wisely. In the same way, when people have a hard heart, they harden their heart to the wisdom God leads us to. They have even become callous to sinfulness and continue to indulge in sinful deeds. Paul even says that they are greedy to do those things. Greed in itself is wrong, but they are even greedy towards impurity. They have a desire to continue doing more and more sinful deeds. So, the question is whether you are increasing in your committing of sins, or are you decreasing? In the process of sanctification, are you putting off your old self and putting on your new self? The work of the Holy Spirit within you because of the power of the cross is mighty. Do not continue to increase in your indulging of impurity. This is not how we came to know Christ! So, if you live like this but think you have come to know Christ, then you are not living in the way in which you came to know Christ. In fact, maybe you do not know Christ.

Psalm 105

Our God is SO good. He provides all our needs, and He keeps His promises to His people. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy (vers43).

He promises that if we truly seek Him, He will provide peace and joy in our life, because He is the source of life, and this is His purpose of all creature, is to glorify Him because all He made is good.

Yet we have sadness, worries, pain, death, in life, is only because we choose to talk our own path. We choose to separate from God, therefore His goodness cannot be blessed on us, this is called sin. Dead is our consequences of sin, yet for God loves the world, He humbled Himself to human to earth, taken our sin away, so that we can be part of His kingdom to receive His goodness, if we choose and believe in Him.

We have to always remember in life, we came from nothing, and we deserved nothing, but because of God, He provides goodness and life. Life is meant to be wonderful, if you don't receive it, God the creator of the universe promise that "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me (Jesus), as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38). I want to recieve this living water, so I will not be thirst again.

Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!! (verse3)

Ephesians 4:18-19

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

(v18, NIV)

So we are not to walk as the Gentiles do. How do the Gentiles walk and why are they the way that they are? Well, they do not walk in the truth for they are not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. They simply do not understand or do not know the truth and life that is found in Christ Jesus. This is because their hearts have been hardened. They dare not open up their hearts to the welcoming love that is found in our Lord and savior. Pharaoh's heart was also hardened when Moses asked to let his people go. God sent plague after plague upon the Egyptians, but due to Pharaoh's hardened heart, he would not let the Israelites go.

Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

(v19, NIV)

Playing guitar is one way in which you can develop calluses. It may hurt at first, but after a while, your finger tips become hard and your fingers don't hurt as much anymore when playing the guitar. Calluses can develop doing something other than playing guitar. Sometimes people will wear gloves when living weights because if they do not, they may develop calluses on their hands. This may also apply to batting in baseball or playing golf. The gloves protect their hands from the pain they may feel at first when doing whatever they need to do. However, after bearing with the pain and keeping at it, calluses develop on your hands and you won't feel the pain as much anymore. In the same way, the Gentiles have become callous. When they first gave into sinfulness of the flesh, it was painful and quite shocking. However, if they kept at it and were bearing with the pain, they got used to it. Continuing to indulge in their sins resulted in them not necessarily feeling the same weight or pain or burden they initially felt from their sin. They started to accept it as it was and fell deeper and deeper into their sins. We are not to live as they do and we are not to develop calluses with regards to our sins and sinful nature. See sin for what it really is and do not learn to accept it and fall deeper into your sins.

The callusing I can see in the culture nowadays. In media and television and movies we can see how they become more perverse and cruder. If you compare the movies we see today with ones we saw 10 years ago, on average, they are much worse nowadays. The society is accepting more nudity, more sexuality, more cursing and more violence than before. A movie rated R 10 years ago would maybe only receive a PG-13 rating nowadays. Maybe I'm exaggerating, but I forgot the rating system and what comes between PG-13 and R. Regardless, do not become calloused and do not lose sensitivity. See sin for what it is and despise it. Live a life worthy of your calling.

Count everything as lose, but Him

"I would rather spend the rest of my day behind bars (jail), then one day come back to the world without Him...I just ask God to teach me to be obedience until the end.....don't cry for me, because I am free."

Ephesians 4:17

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

(v17, NIV)

Paul is explaining that we as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ should not live as the Gentiles do. Apparently, there is a certain way in which they live or think that we must avoid. How do the Gentiles live and think? Well, in chapter 2, Paul tells us about how we used to walk in the ways of this world. However, God stepped in and graciously made a way for us to be redeemed to him. This way is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the way the Gentiles think you should be saved is anything other than this. In particular, some of them must have thought it was through good works, or religious works through their religions worshiping their false gods. However, we are not to think or live this way. We do not work for our salvation; it is a gift from God.

Another way in which Gentiles think is that they don't think they can be brought near and into fellowship with the God of the Jews. However, as we read in chapter 2 again, through Christ the Gentiles are being brought near. The Gentiles were far off and separate from God, but through Christ's blood both Jews and Gentiles can be brought into and under the household of the living God.

Another way the Gentiles lived was that they were gullible. The Gentiles were tossed to and fro by every doctrine. Of course, not every single one of them was, but they were not followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The very fact that they were not in the truth proves that they were following something that was not truth. Therefore, the Gentiles were at least deceived into believing whatever they were currently following.

Regardless, there are many ways in which God does not want us to live or think. Following through Ephesians, we can see the ways in which we are instructed to live and think. Taking the opposites of those is often the ways in which Gentiles thought. Paul goes into more detail of how the Gentiles thought. The way the Gentiles thought and lived are not how we are to think and live. As previously stated, we are to grow up into Christ and out of immaturity. We are to no longer be children and no longer be tossed to and fro by the waves of every wind doctrine.

Ephesians 4:15-16

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

(v15, NIV)

What does it mean to speak the truth in love? I have heard it explained as putting other people's needs before mine. For example, my need may be my need for someone else to like me or my need to cause as few arguments as possible. However, the need for the other person may be the need to hear the truth. They may need to be rebuked or need the care of a friend. Therefore, I may need to set aside the possibility that whatever I need to say may not be accepted so pleasantly, but they may need to hear it. This is only one example or one way in which we may need to speak the truth in love. Regardless, without love we are only a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.

The word 'instead' at the beginning of the verse refers to the previous verse. Verse 14 talks about no longer being infants and no longer being tossed to and fro by the waves of false doctrine. So instead of remaining children, we are to mature and grow up. Who we grow up to be is important as well. Some people grow up to be a certain type of person or into a certain job. Some people grow up to become carpenters, computer programmers, lawyers, janitors, and many other types of jobs. There are also different characteristics we grow into and grow out of. We may grow into a leader or a warrior or maybe someone humorous or someone serious. Instead of remaining as children, we are to grow up into Christ. This is who we aspire to grow up to be.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

(v16, NIV)

Christ is the head. If we are different parts of a body, Christ is the head. The head contains the brain and controls the rest of the body. As such, us mere body parts should submit ourselves to the will of the head and work together under the head. If we were to go about doing or own thing regardless of instruction given by the head, then the body cannot function properly. If we grow up into Christ, he grows the entire body; because it is from him that the whole body grows and builds itself up in love.

Psalm 119: 9-13

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

What does it means by living according to your word? It means sacrificing something not as important for something important, or something more rewarding. "I will speak of your statutes before kingsand will not be put to shame" (ves 46) Do not feel ashamed only because you get rejected by speaking the truth of love. Don't fear of man whom can only take away our body, but fear of the Lord whom can take away our body and our soul. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverb 1). Depends on Him, and He will give you peace and lead you to a right way. He is the way, life, and truth, no one can come to the Father through Jesus.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

We want to keep doing things that delights God, yet we are weak and fail thousands time. How can we keep living His way then? by seeking Him with all our heart every moment!

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Don't seek and hidden His word with our head, but with our heart. Our head belongs to flesh, which belongs to the sinful nature, but our heart and soul belongs to God, which can lead us to a holy way.

There are much to learn and practices.

Ephesians 4:13-14

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

(v13, NIV)

The building up of the body of Christ is a continual process. It continues until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. This means that this is the goal we should be striving for. We should strive to reach mature manhood and to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. This is the kind of thing that we won't reach in this life. This growing and building up the body of Christ is a continual process.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

(v14, NIV)

This process of building up the body of Christ serves a purpose for each and every one of us. As we strive for the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, it will produce in us a maturing and growing up. It says in verse 14 that we may no longer be children. Children are naive and are easily manipulated by every wind of doctrine. We shouldn't be easily swayed by every flimsy teaching we hear. We should learn to properly discern what is from God and what is not from God. The building up the body of Christ in this full process will help us to not be easily tossed to and fro by the waves.

Ephesians 7,11-12

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it... It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

(v7, 11, NIV)

There apparently is the giving out of grace. This grace is apportioned by Christ. In verse 11, Paul lists out a number of different roles that are given by Christ. Not everybody is the same, and different people have different roles and duties and responsibilities.

to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

(v12, NIV)

The purpose of the distribution of roles as described in verse 11 is given here in verse 12. This is for the preparation for works of service. Each and every person who is a believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ submits him or herself to God. We are his servants and he is our master and Lord. As such, there are duties we must do and work to accomplish. What's amazing is that God tells us what to do and he even equips us for the work. We're not simply charged to go do some outrageous task that is far too difficult for us to accomplish without even the tools to start. God equips us with what we need to face the work he has instructed us to do. Now, this doesn't mean that it'll be a walk in the park. Work is still work and we still have a task in front of us to accomplish.

So now, why are we being equipped to accomplish the task in front of us? Was it not to simply accomplish whatever we've been instructed to do by our Lord? This whole process of following the Lord Jesus Christ and the receiving of grace from God and receiving equipping from God to do the task he lays before us serves a purpose. The purpose is the building up of the body of Christ. As followers of Jesus Christ we form the church and the members of his body. We build each other up through this process. It's pretty amazing how it works. God tell us what to do and equips us to do it. All we need to do is to actually do it. The result is that the body is built up, so I am benefited and so are other believers. Again, this doesn't mean I won't face persecution and suffering and calamities. However, I will continue to trust in the Lord and obey him.

Joshua 1

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful

(Joshua 1:8)

If we really love God, we should be living our life very carefully, because we do not want to dishonor God by saying or doing things that God doesn't not intent. If we follow what God wants, whom the creator of this world, we will be prosperous and successful according to His infinitely wisdom.

It is like playing sports, if you want to play well and be successful in the game, we really have to know the rules by heart. Some players however might come to you and try to teach you some tricks, but then we will end up getting a yellow card.

It is also like the lawer on the court, in order for them to win the court, they have to know laws by heart, and support their point of view by laws.

In life, in order to be successful, meditate the words and the laws, and be really careful on our actions.

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Matthew 22

Ephesians 8-10

This is why it says:

"When he ascended on high,

he led captives in his train

and gave gifts to men."

(8, NIV)

When you ascended on high,

you led captives in your train;

you received gifts from men,

even from the rebellious—

that you, O LORD God, might dwell there.

(Psalms 68:18, NIV)

I'll go back to verse 7 probably tomorrow. Here, Paul is quoting from Psalms 68:18. When Christ was raised from the dead and ascended from earth, he did two things. The two things he did were that he led captives and he gave gifts to men. Jesus Christ led captives to freedom, making a way for people to be saved and showing it to us. The other thing that Jesus did was give gifts to men. This is the equipping of God's people, which Paul discusses later on.

(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

(9-10, NIV)

The verse Paul quotes in Psalms describes Jesus as ascending. However, if Jesus ascends, it also means that he descended at one point. If someone is described to be raised to life, then it means that person had lost their life. Paul brings to light that this verse in Psalms is referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus ascended, but he also descended. He descended from heaven to earth. When Jesus died, he was raised on the third day. Jesus walked around on the earth, showing that he was alive and then ascended back to heaven.

Love is...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In fact, I already went to bed, thinking I should just skip one day on this blog cus it has been a long day. (so bad!) But on the bed, have been thinking of that passage. I turn on the bible and have memorized it!

I don't know how I can apply this passage on specific incedence in my life these day, but I will meditate the word closely, and let the spirit speaks to me.

ok, get back to sleep.

Ephesians 4:2-6

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(v2-6, NIV)

Love is another important ingredient for our lives. It is necessary if we wish to live worthy of our calling.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

(1 Corinthians 13:1-3, NIV)

We are also called to live in peace and unity with one another. This is referring to the relations we have with other believers. This is the body, the church, not quarreling or fighting with one another. There should be no separation or division among the church, since we all serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We are all given one Spirit. We shouldn't fight with each other, but continue to bear one another in love. We are all part of the same body.

If you think about it, we really shouldn't be fighting. We are on the same side, and it doesn't make sense to fight with yourself. What good reason would you have to shoot your own foot? That is what we are doing when we fight and quarrel with other brothers and sisters. We are of the same body and have the same Lord and the same Spirit.

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

(v2, NIV)

How do we live a life worthy of the calling we have received? In the last verse, Paul urges the believers at the church in Ephesus to live a life worthy of their calling. The first thing is that we are to be humble and gentle. Humility is encouraged by Paul in the beginning of Philippians chapter 2.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

(Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)

We are not to consider ourselves to be better than others. Being prideful of ourselves and boastful of ourselves is the opposite of humility. Being worthy of the calling calls for humility.

Gentleness and patience are the other two things that are required to live a life worthy of our calling. These two are included in the list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(Galatians 5:22-23, NIV)

Gentleness is the opposite of being harsh. So we must be gentle in order to live up to our calling, which means we shouldn't be too harsh or too abrasive. In the same way, we are to be patient. We shouldn't be unable to wait. Sometimes we will be waiting a long time, but we need to be patient. God works in his own timing. Often, we get impatient. Sometimes we'll come to God with a request and we don't see it answered right away. Maybe we're waiting for days, weeks, months, maybe even years and we start to get impatient. I think patience requires faith. If you don't have faith in God, why would you wait?

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

(Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

So, if you have faith in God, you are sure of what you hope for in God and certain of what we do not see. God is not like us humans. If you put your faith in humans, you'll eventually be let down. Put your faith in God, and he will not let you down. Now, as I say that, I realize some may try to come up with objections. I realize that you may feel as though God let you down sometimes. When I say that God won't let you down, I don't mean that you won't feel let down. Sometimes we feel let down by God, but God does not in fact let people down. We let down God. In our sinfulness we turn away from God. It is also in our sinfulness that we sometimes feel let down by God. We may sinfully feel as though God owes us something. What we deserve is death and destruction and eternal separation from God. However, God lovingly gave us a way to be saved. It's not something we deserve and it's not something God owes us. Therefore, if anyone receives it, they receive it as a gift. Therefore, if someone receives this gift, another person can't complain because they didn't receive it because of they deserved it. If we received salvation because we deserved it, then everyone else could argue that they deserve it too. However, we don't deserve it.

Wow, that was a long tangent. Be humble, patient and gentle.

Dig deeper and deeper and deeper!

Thanks for sharing Dad. Best birthday gift ever! =)

There are 7 passages from Dad, all he wants me to learn is to dig deeper into His word, so that I can do, and say the correct way in life according to God, instead of other people thoughts.

In the coming days, I will go deep into the following passages. Exciting!

--------------

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful

(Joshua 1:8)

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

(Psalm 119:9-11)

(Psalm 105) <- too long, not gonna post it here

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

(Philippians 4:8-9)

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

(2 Timothy 2:2)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:14-17)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

(Hebrews 10:24-25)

Walking with God

It has been a long day today. Have seen a lot of ppl. have talked to a lot of ppl, have done and accomplished a lot too. I don't feel I am wasted today, not because what I do but because I know God is will me. Yes, he is. He is the source of peace and joy and love.

The following is a great verse. Thanks for the reminder.

"You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." Romans 8:9

Ephesians 4:1

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

(v1, NIV)

Paul is a prisoner to the Lord. In what way is he a prisoner to the Lord? We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ.

you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

(1 Corinthians 6:20, NIV)

I have heard in a sermon on a passage in Romans that we are doubly not our own. First of all, we are created by God and created in his own image. We are his because he is our creator. We are also his because we are purchased by God. Putting those together, this means that we are doubly not our own. We are doubly owned by God.

We are made alive by God. We were dead in our trespasses and we were following the ways of this world. We were made alive together with Christ. Because of this purchase and stepping in by God, Paul feels like a prisoner to God. This is not necessarily in a bad way, though being a prisoner is usually not a desirable state to be in. However, we are only given two options. One option is that we are a slave to sin. As a slave to sin, we are dead in our trespasses and follow the ways of this world. A slave to sin is on the path to death and destruction. The other option is to be a slave to God. Instead of serving the flesh, a slave to God lives by the Spirit. This path leads to life. Given the two, I am pretty sure that being a slave to God is the better choice. Furthermore, it's not as if being a slave to God is "the lesser of two evils" but it is actually an enjoyable desired state to be in. Unfortunately, most are blinded by sin and unable to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of God.

Paul's urge is for those he is writing to at the church in Ephesus to live a life worthy of the calling. Those he is addressing have been called since he refers to the calling to which they have been called. They have already received the calling. Now, they must live up to it. It's the feeling that there's a standard above what we are capable of that we must achieve. It's like being born into a very smart or rich family and trying to meet everyone expectations for you since you are their child. An example I heard was that this pastor was asked to speak at a famous conference. Since it already had a great reputation, he felt as if he had to live up to that reputation since he was asked to speak. He didn't want to embarrass the person who asked him to speak and was up the night before practicing so that he wouldn't mess up. This is the felling we get and that should urge us to live up to this calling which we have received.

Where Is My Wife?

Song of Solomon chapter 2
I'm just a wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon, a lotus blossom from the valley pools.The ManA lotus blossoming in a swamp of weeds—
that's my dear friend among the girls in the village.The WomanAs an apricot tree stands out in the forest,
my lover stands above the young men in town.
All I want is to sit in his shade,
to taste and savor his delicious love.
He took me home with him for a festive meal,
but his eyes feasted on me!

Oh! Give me something refreshing to eat—and quickly!
Apricots, raisins—anything. I'm about to faint with love!
His left hand cradles my head,
and his right arm encircles my waist!

Oh, let me warn you, sisters in Jerusalem,
by the gazelles, yes, by all the wild deer:
Don't excite love, don't stir it up,
until the time is ripe—and you're ready.

Look! Listen! There's my lover!
Do you see him coming?
Vaulting the mountains,
leaping the hills.
My lover is like a gazelle, graceful;
like a young stag, virile.
Look at him there, on tiptoe at the gate,
all ears, all eyes—ready!
My lover has arrived
and he's speaking to me!The ManGet up, my dear friend,
fair and beautiful lover—come to me!
Look around you: Winter is over;
the winter rains are over, gone!
Spring flowers are in blossom all over.
The whole world's a choir—and singing!
Spring warblers are filling the forest
with sweet arpeggios.
Lilacs are exuberantly purple and perfumed,
and cherry trees fragrant with blossoms.
Oh, get up, dear friend,
my fair and beautiful lover—come to me!
Come, my shy and modest dove—
leave your seclusion, come out in the open.
Let me see your face,
let me hear your voice.
For your voice is soothing
and your face is ravishing.The WomanThen you must protect me from the foxes,
foxes on the prowl,
Foxes who would like nothing better
than to get into our flowering garden.

My lover is mine, and I am his.
Nightly he strolls in our garden,
Delighting in the flowers
until dawn breathes its light and night slips away.Turn to me, dear lover.
Come like a gazelle.
Leap like a wild stag
on delectable mountains!
----
By some reason, Chris started the topic again. This is the second time he asked me "where is your wife". Interesting.

Our conversations turned me on and make me want to know more. I reflected on my past, and read through the whole "Guide To Marrying Well" again. Very insightful and mind refreshing!

In fact, I found Song of Solomon chapter 2 has already explained the very biblical way of relationship between man and woman. In sum. man supposes to take the lead and take initiative to find the godly woman what God intended for those who loves Him. Men is to protect and love the woman, and woman is to be submissive to the man. They all happen once two are married become one.
Don't excite love, don't stir it up,until the time is ripe—and you're ready. (verse 8).
Indeed, pursing a godly wife is the most spiritual thing I should do in this stage of life. Lord, I pray for the right timing and the right person, that's all I want. Dear father, teach me and give me wisdom. I am willing to do whatever is right.

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,

(v20, NIV)

There are many things I come to God in prayer with. We have all sorts of requests and things we want from God. Sometimes we pray so much in earnest desire for certain things to God. There are even some outrageous things we come up with in our requests to God. However, how great is it to know that God is able. God is able to do more than all that we ask. Even the things we imagine to ask God, he is able to do. Not just that, but he can do more than all that. Can you imagine or grasp how great and awesome he is? He is able.

His doing and ability to do things is according to the power that is at work within us. This power within us comes from God which he imparts to us. God is not limited by his power, because it is by the power he gives us that he is able to do things. The real question is whether he will do it or not. God is able. God is more than able.

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

(v21, NIV)

God deserves all the glory. God is the one who is able. God is the one who is doing all that we ask and request of him. Our moving and doing is only through him and his power. He deserves the glory and to him be all glory. Give him the glory he so rightly deserves.

Ephesians 3:17-19

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

(v17-18, NIV)

There is a God given ability to grasp the enormity of the love of Christ. Sometimes we try to describe God as big, or sometimes we try to describe different qualities of Him as big. However, the word "big" just isn't enough to describe the size. With reference to the love of Christ, it's not just bit, but its size is big in all three dimensions. The love of Christ is wide, long and high. It is difficult to comprehend, but with the strengthening that comes from God and being rooted and grounded in love, we may be able to comprehend this.

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

(v19, NIV)

Not only will we be able to comprehend its size, but we'll be able to know this love. There are different ways in which we come to know things. We can know things the same way we know things in school. In school we know and learn math and it's an intellectual kind of knowing. However, we can also know things with an experiential type of knowing. Here, we will not simply be able to comprehend the love of Christ, and we will not simply know the love of Christ with our knowledge, but we may truly experience his love and thus know his love by our experience. If we try to know his love through knowledge, it is limited because his love surpasses knowledge. Wow, how awesome is the love of Christ.

All this knowing and experiencing and comprehending of Christ's love are Paul's desire for all of us. Through our relation and experience of Christ's love, we will be filled to the measure of all fullness of God. Filling and being filled only comes through the love of Christ. It makes me think of people who try to fill their lives with things other than the love of Christ; it doesn't work. I've heard it explained to me that we all have a God shaped hole inside of us. Since it's a God shaped hole, when we try to fill it with anything else, it doesn't satisfy us because it doesn't fit. The only thing that will satisfy us and fill this hole is God.

What is True Fellowship

When you receive emails from originally labelled as "fellowship" in your gmail account to a point that you no longer able to distinguish should I label them as "friends" or "fellowship" anymore.

Thanks for the BS group. You guys have made my semester wonderful and fruitful. =) You guys are the gifts from God to me. The right time to send the right people. Awesome!

I think I find what's the true meaning of fellowship, this is it, if you ever wonder.

p.s. or maybe the better is yet to come. I know it will =)

Ephesians 3:15-17

from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

(v15, NIV)

God is our creator and from him each and every person is created. Paul bows before the Father, and it is this same Father who is father of each and every person on heaven and on earth.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

(v16, NIV)

God has the ability to strengthen us. We are also told where this power comes from or rather its magnitude. It is according to the riches of his glory. God has received and deserves all glory and honour and praise. As such, his glory is massively big beyond words can describe. According to this is where this strengthening is coming from. This strengthening isn't simply an outward physical thing. It is through his Spirit in our inner being. The strengthening is something inward and not something outward.

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love

(v17, NIV)

This strengthening is required in order that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. In order for Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith, we require this strengthening that is mentioned in verse 16. The through faith part is how we are saved and mentioned in chapter 2 verse 8. We are saved by grace through faith.

P.Kai at Oasis preached a sermon on the gospel. In preparation for this sermon, he said a few things in preparation and hinting to the congregation. One question he asked was for the congregation to find in the bible where it tells us to ask Jesus into our hearts. It is not in the bible. Here, verse 17 is the closest thing to asking Jesus into our hearts. But really, it should be described as the living out or living through Jesus. For Christ to dwell in our hearts is for us to live for Jesus and for Jesus to live through us. Our heart's desire and yearning should be solely focused on Jesus and his death and sacrifice on the cross.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

I have ALMOST wasted today.

It is so easy to just rush through life day by day without really thinking about what I am really doing or saying or looking, that are they really glorified God?

An unholy day of mine sometime this semester is to wake up, go to work, turn on emails, go right to work, lunch, work more or pretend to work, and then maybe turn on some Christian music but not really thinking about God through the lyrics, and then go back home, chating facebook do some silly things, and then feel guilty not spending time with God, so then turn on my bible or other resources and write some stuff on this blog, or sometimes I even skip it. And then that's end of the day.

I don't feel great about this kind of life, especially when I have experienced the day when I am with the present of God. I can almost capture the feeling while I am filled with His love through the spirit. Everything you see in life is just so different. How you response to people is just so different. And I want that every day every moment! It feel good and i guess that is called the joy, because you have the creator God, who claim to be my father, with me.

I don't know why I just fall so easily though. There are so many things in my life and in my heart that I know it need to be cleaned. And I hated it so much yet sometimes I just couldn't overcome the evil thought or behavior. I guess the simple answer for this is because we are human...but should this be the excise to sin!? I hate sin indeed, yet I do what I hate.

While typing, the following verses popped up, and I search on google and here you go. I can so related to it:

"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me."

Romans 7:15-20

"So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." Romans 7:15-25

I know I don't even fully understand what the verses are talking about, and I pray that one day I will. I pray I will become more Christ like. But thank you Lord, At least I spend this time with you right now, and you have spoken to me. This made my day from ALMOST wasted to not wasted. Love you Lord, my father.

Ephesians 3:11-14

according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

(v11-13, NIV)

God has a plan and it was planned long time ago. This plan is put forth through Jesus Christ our Lord and is to the glory of God. Through it we can be saved and come into saving fellowship with God.

Apparently some of them were or could have been worried or anxious about Paul's suffering. This suffering Paul was going through was for them. Paul tells them not to lose heart over this suffering. This suffering in fact was their glory. They should be happy and glad for his suffering since it was for their benefit.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

(v14, NIV)

Paul is suffering. In addition, he has been graced with the task of preaching to the Gentiles. As a result, he needs to submit himself to God and ask for help. We need God's help. Paul needs help to endure through suffering. He also needs help to perform the task given to him from God. In order to live for God and walk the path he lays for us, we need his help. Therefore, we must bow before the father as Paul does and submit ourselves to him and him alone.

Reflections

"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." Jn 16:33b

As I reflect on this semester there were a lot of trails to go through. I been academically challenge; mentally and emotionally too. Ever since I remember getting the call to go into ministry I struggled with being capable doing ministry, especially youth ministry. I felt over the semester I was not cable for ministry because of my academics skills I was not sure, but God kept pushing me and giving me the encouragement to go on. I talked to really wise and old person that I've gotten to know well in school. I shared with him my struggles and he said "where in the bible does God require marks to be in his kingdom mission?" I said "no where" "So what do the Lord require of you?" he said

"So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful." - 1 Cor 4:1-2

Be faithful to your studies was my answer. And that's exactly what I did. Looking back now I see how God has been faithful not in the marks but my habits and how I see myself in a academically. I see how my writing has improve and how my learning experience has impacted me spiritually. I learn a lot about worldview in general of how historically we are impacted even in a Christian worldview. I am made alive in learning and I have to thank God for that. I am definitely now confident to go into ministry.

I read this article on "Spiritual Formation and College Life" and this really made me think, I hope this will gives you encouragement:
'We must breath in (inhale) the word of God through disciplined prayer, meditation, worship and study, and we breath out (exhale) His words through our choices. Moral growth, then, is a maturing process in judgment and action, particularly regarding our relationships with others. Spiritual growth is a maturing process in reception, gradually expanding our capacity to listen to God and to be open to his word. Spiritual growth involves a reception of divine influence; moral growth involves a reception of divine influence; moral growth involves the outworking of that influence with others."

Ephesians 3:9-10

and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

(v9, NIV)

Not only is Paul preaching to the gospel, but he has another task. The plan is to make everyone aware of the administration of the mystery. The mystery is described in verse 6. The mystery is that the Gentiles are now heirs along with the Jews. Paul is letting people know how the mystery is being given out to people. People are being made aware by Paul's preaching, but Paul is also explaining how it is happening. It was hidden from them beforehand. God hid it from them. However, now it is being made known to them through the Holy Spirit as explained in verse 5.

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

(v10, NIV)

Here we find God's reasoning for doing this. It's for his wisdom to be made known. But who are the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms? I'm not sure exactly. However, since they are not in the earthly realms, they are not us actually acting it out. Therefore, they are mere spectators or people who are seeing what we are doing. So, to those who are observers and see what is happening on the earth, the wisdom of God will be made known to them through his working in us.

Ephesians 5

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. -- Ephesians 5:15-17

Look carefully is more important then how you walk.

If we care about our life and want to use the best of it for God, we will often think about what we should do next in life for God. But God says "Look carefully" first, "then how you walk". I never thought about that until today.

"Don't waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness." (ver 11, the message)

Mere busywork without an purpose is meaningless, even though it is a so called "good" work. 1 Corinthians 13 basically says that work without love, it means nothing, or you will gain nothing. Therefore, if you want to be wise, you need to first acknowledge love.

Life is all about love, and we can only learn about love by experience God's love in our daily life, like everything that He provide in this creatures, my family, my friends, etc, but most importantly is God is love because he send His only son and die for me and you. " do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is". To love and to be loved is God's will of our life. Get it.

Ephesians 3:7-8

I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.

(v7, NIV)

As Paul mentioned earlier, we are saved by grace. It is also according to this gift of grace that he is made a minister of this gospel. So, he is made a minister of the good news by the grace that saves him. Of course, all these things come from God. Specifically, it is by the working of his power. It is through God's power that this can happen and is made to happen.

This power that is able to do this is indeed powerful. What else could turn Paul in the complete opposite of where he was going? Paul was headed for destruction as he was on the path of salvation by works. Moreover, he was first and foremost persecutor of the Christians. It is only by the power of God that could turn a man like Paul into an apostle and bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

(v8, NIV)

Paul is not prideful or boastful. He does talk about boasting in other letters, but not boasting in himself. Here we see how he considers him the least of all the saint. He does not elevate himself to anything but the least of all. However, even though he was the least, grace was given to him to preach to the Gentiles. Paul knows his calling and his specific calling is to preach to the Gentiles. He goes and tells them about the unsearchable riches of Christ. If the riches of Christ are unsearchable, why should we even bother with it? His riches are so great and so vast that they are unsearchable! You look to find and you may find some, but you won't find all of it. This gift that we receive and are able to be brought near to God is so rich it is unsearchable. How great is our God and how awesome he is to gift us with this gift?

Ephesians 3:1-6

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

(v1, NIV)

Paul was just talking about unity in the body of Christ. The Gentiles were separate from God and God's people and were called the "uncircumcision" by what is the circumcision. However, they have now been brought near by the blood of Christ Jesus. Therefore, both Jews and Gentiles now have a way to be brought into the household of God. Paul begins to talk about something else that is linked to what he has just said. However, he cuts himself off and does not continue that train of thought. Verse 1 begins something new, but he does not continue it in verse 2.

Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you,

(v2, NIV)

God is administering grace. This grace is the grace by which we are saved in chapter 2 verse 8. He is the one who administers the grace which is a gift. It is up to us to accept his gift offered to us. Paul is speaking to Christians who must have heard of the administration of God's grace. They are saved and receivers of this grace, so it only makes sense that they have heard of and know about this.

that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

(v3, NIV)

A revelation is made known to Paul. The mystery is described by Paul in verse 6.

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

(v4, NIV)

Reading Paul's letter will help them to understand Paul's insight into the mystery of Christ. Somehow his words are going to give them understanding upon reading them. I would assume that he means that he is going to explain to them his insight in a way that they would be able to understand. That is what I would understand from reading that. Maybe the mystery of Christ is very simple, or maybe Paul just does a really good job at explaining it.

which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.

(v5, NIV)

People beforehand did not understand this. It wasn't even known to them. This has now been revealed and has not been revealed to people before. It was revealed by the Spirit. It would make sense that people beforehand did not know because people beforehand did not have the Holy Spirit. However, we do and at that time God had just given them the Holy Spirit.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

(v6, NIV)

Paul refers to something which he calls the mystery. The mystery is described in verse 6. It is that the Gentiles and Jews are both heirs through the gospel and sharers in the promise of Christ Jesus. He talked about how the Gentiles were being brought near in the last paragraph.

Success in Life

"I have learned that success is measured not so much by the position one has reached in life as by the obstacles he has overcome." --Booker T. Washington

"Our greatest fear as individuals should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter" -- Tim Kizziaror

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" -- Philippians 3:8

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,

(v19, NIV)

The Gentiles are no longer separate from God's people. They have now can be brought near and can be called citizens with God's people. Through Jesus Christ and the shedding of his blood they are allowed to come into God's household.

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

(v20-21, NIV)

This household the Gentiles are now allowed into is both for Jews and Gentiles. This household's foundation is of the apostles and prophets. The apostles had seen Jesus and been commissioned by Jesus as apostles. The prophets came sometimes prophesying the coming of Jesus but simply God's word to the people. The foundation of the apostles and prophets are what make this household. The important piece which is the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. This chief piece and important stone is what holds the household together. Without it, it would fall apart and break down. The entire household is held together by Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone. All this is to stress the importance of Jesus Christ.

And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

(v22, NIV)

Now this household both Gentiles and Jews are being welcomed into is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Also, the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We ourselves are also to be a dwelling place for God. The way in which God lives in us is by his Spirit. If our bodies are to be a household for his Spirit, we should build it the same way the household for us is being built. Our bodies or our lives should be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Most importantly, it should have Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. Without it, our household will easily fall.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

(1 Corinthians 6:19, NIV)

Ephesians 2:13-18

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

(v13, ESV)

Gentiles used to be far off and separated from God and his covenant with the Jews. However, this is not the case anymore and the Gentiles are now being brought near. The way that they are brought near is by Christ Jesus and by his blood. His death and sacrifice and the shedding of his blood is what allows Gentiles to be brought near to God.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

(v14, ESV)

There used to be a distinction between Gentiles and Jews. Jews prided themselves in the fact that they were God's people and the fact that they were circumcised. They distinguished themselves from Gentiles calling them the uncircumcision. However, through Jesus' death and shedding of blood, the dividing wall is no more. There is no longer a separation and distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Jesus is our peace and he is what brings us together.

by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

(v15-18, ESV)

More specifically, Jesus abolished the law of commandments and ordinances. Jews were on the path of salvation by works. However, salvation is not by works, so that no one can boast as Paul mentions in verse 9. Regardless, both Jews and Gentiles are being made into one, all together being reconciled to God through Jesus. This is not merely an act of saving grace towards the Gentiles. God's glorious grace is offered to both Jews and Gentiles. Those far off are the Gentiles and those who were near are the Jews. Even though the Jews were near and had access to the promises of the Old Testament, they still needed saving.

Partaking in Christ

I woke up today with frustrating feeling. I don't know why these feelings happen time to time, but as I was walking down to the cafe for breakfast this morning I ask God to help me deal with it. I went back to bed praying and as I pray I felt God nudging toward something. I was praying for everyone, my family, friends, church etc and as I was praying I started to realized the importance of not only being involve in people lives through prayer but allowing God to be involve in our lives. Such a must thing to do as Christians, but also the hardest think to do. We are so pron to be selfish and self-reliance; something about frailty of how human we are and that we truly need a God to be in our lives.
I was reading John 13 Jesus wash his disciples feet, something about partaking in our relationship with Christ is so needed.

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” v 6-9 NLT

unless I wash your you, you won't belong to me. Christ ask us to partake in himself the question for us is do we all Christ to partake in us. When we let Christ partake in us it leads us to follow up on his commandments that we so often failed at by ourselves.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” v.34-35 NLT

This will be an ongoing battle. To let God rule us or the world. In are culture today we are face with so many things to pull us away. The advertisements, the image we need to portray, who we are to others by how we look and act. Don't lose hope, "Do not let your heart be troubled, trust in God, trust in Christ" Jn 14:1 (paraphrase). Know that Christ has overcome the world. know that sin is defeated. know that we are not stuck but free. A great reminder from one of my friends: "If the devil ever remind of your sins, remind him where he is going"

Treasuring Him

Don't Waste Your Life man.

Ephesians 2:11-12

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

(v11-12, ESV)

The gentiles were called the uncircumcision. This is because they were not circumcised. The Jews took pride in the fact that they were circumcised. It was a symbol of their covenant with God showing them to be God's chosen people. So they were named this because or in reference to those who were circumcised. Paul notes as well that it is made in the flesh by hands. Circumcision is fleshly and a means of boasting in the flesh. They thought circumcision had the power to save, and they boasted in it. However, verse 10 reveals that God's saving grace is not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. Since they boast in circumcision, and it was a type of "works" then it is clearly not a way to be saved.

Paul is still speaking to Christians. However, since he refers to the gentiles, then he is talking to the Christian Gentiles. He asks them to remember that they were once called "the uncircumcision". They are to remember that they used to be separated from Christ. In the last section, Paul points out that each and every one of us used to be dead in our trespasses. Our old life before Jesus was one in which we followed the ways of this world. This is true for both gentiles and Jews. However, the reason why Paul is targeting the gentiles is to point out how they were never included in the covenants of the Old Testament. Before Jesus, they were separate from God's people. Apparently, they had no hope without God in the world.

Cycle of Life reviews God

Finally, Ottawa snows. Having sessions make creature looks beautiful and interesting. All things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). If yo love God, you will know Him. When you know Him, you will get it. Indeed all things God works for the good of those who love Him.

This is the cycle of life. No matter what we are suffering in life, or how well we are enjoying life, doesn't matter if we worship God or we against God, something remains unchanged forever and ever. This is THE WAY of life. It reminds me that life does not circle around us as individual, we, and what we do is not the main point of life, but the creator God is.

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." (1 Peter 1:24,25)

That's the reason why we want to worship. The purpose of all creature and life is to make God looks good. But how? Here is a phrase that I really like from John Piper. "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Let's worship our God through whatever we do in life, eating working sleeping laughing playing pooing, caring loving, everything that is good in Gods eyes...

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

(v10, NIV)

We were dead in our trespasses, but God saved us. We were going along a path that was leading towards death and destruction. Apart from God's saving grace, there was nothing we could do or anyone could do to derail us from that path. So God saved us by grace through faith in Jesus. This was nothing on our part, but only God's gift. None of us worked or amassed any sort of wealth or action to be saved. Therefore, we have nothing to boast about.

Let us not forget that we were created by God. We often forget that we are his creation and his workmanship. He carefully crafted us and knit us in our mother's womb. Because the word "workmanship" is used, it means more than just that God made us. Skill and effort and detail went into making us. It gives me the idea that God is proud of making us and his skill is shown when others look at us. This is similar to when you make a very beautiful painting. The beauty of the painting will be seen and recognized by those who see the painting. Their praise of this painting goes directly to the creator of the painting. Paintings don't boast in themselves because they themselves didn't do anything to make themselves look good. It is simply the painter or the creator of the painting who made the painting and made it what it is. We give praise and glory to our creator. We mere paintings do not boast that we are saved because it is God who saves us, not us who save ourselves.

Our purpose is for good works. We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. This is why God made us. This was even prepared beforehand. Long time ago even before we were created God prepared beforehand that we'd walk in good works. So, we should walk in them. It does not say that our walking in good works saves us. However, whether it saves us or not, it is the purpose for which we were created. If good works was the saving, then it is a contradiction. Because he just said not by works, so that no one can boast.

We are created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are each members of the body which is Christ. If we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, we must remain in Christ Jesus to walk in good works. There are people who try to walk in good works without being in Christ Jesus, but walking apart from Jesus results in death and destruction in the end. Without God's saving grace we will be dead in our trespasses. Therefore, if we seek to do what we were created to do, we must do it in the way that the creator predetermined us to.

Light vs Darkness

A huge theme mention in John's Gospel it idea of light vs darkness. In beginning of the John's Gospel, the contraction of the Jesus being light coming to the dark world. The world does not know nor understand this darkness, but Christ makes himself noticeable for those who are not afraid or willing to see pass the darkness they live in. I am challenge by this idea of light vs. darkness in my life.
Reading to day ch 12 of John I felt a little unsettle in part of the passage:
Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.v 23-26

A part of me felt resisting to every time I read, "serve, follow me". I not saying I am going to abandon the faith but I know there something at work here. like the light vs. the darkness. A part of me felt to embrace the fleshly desire but also to embrace the life that God has. Ironically Christ has call us to die because that's where life is, This is so abstract thinking, life through death. This is so awkward to someone who does not know Christ but as me and you experience that is where the well spring of life is.
Pray That we can be like john the Baptiste has said, "I must decrease, he must increase"

What We are Missing

Indeed the younger one is the hope of THIS generation.

As the media and technology improve, there are more and more distractions that drift us away from God. We need to cry out to God more. If we seek and we will found. But the only problem is that we are lack of praying to God because we very often want to depends on our own wisdom to do so called "good" things for God, or ignore God by doing whatever you feel like to. This is also a sign of proud. This might also be called "lip praising" or "lip worshiping" God, which is not real.

May God rains mercy on us, so that we are able to get over the consequence of sinning through His power of love. Let's cry out to God.

We are missing God. We are missing depending on Him and rest in Him and receive true wisdom from Him. We are also missing His love to over come sinning.

Ephesians 2:9

not by works, so that no one can boast.

(v9, NIV)

Many people think you can get to heaven through works. This often comes in the form of being a "good" person. So, if you're "good" enough, you'll go to heaven. This is far from the truth, yet so many people believe this. Sometimes you'll hear of people who randomly ask people this question and whenever I've heard of this study being done, the common response is that being "good" is the way to heaven. How did people even come to this conclusion? Some religions or religious people follow this train of thought. They follow a strict set of rules and if they adhere to them then they will go to heaven. At the time when Paul was writing these letters, there were many Jews who held this belief. Even some of the Jews who had began following Jesus still held to the idea that being "good" or performing works were a way to be saved. It is not by works. We were dead in our trespasses and without God's intervention we would have remained dead in our trespasses. It is not our doing that saved us from being dead in our sinful nature, but God's saving grace. If it were by some sort of effort or redeeming factor of ourselves, we would have reason to boast. We could boast to others and boast to God that we are so good. We could walk around receiving high praise for our efforts in attaining salvation. It doesn't work that way. We all deserve to die; regardless of how much "good" we accumulate. We can only get so close to being perfect, but we are still imperfect. Therefore, we fall short of the glory of God.

Greg told me a really good story a while back. I guess he got it from somewhere else. I have a feeling I told this story already. This girl was arguing with her father over a sin she had committed. She was trying to push it off as something so small that it wasn't a big deal but the father wouldn't agree. The argument ended without any conclusion and both parties holding their own opinions. The daughter's birthday was soon and the father made her a cake. When presented with the cake, the father told his daughter that one of the ingredients was poo. However, he said that only a little bit of it got in, so it wasn't a big deal. Nobody ended up eating the cake.

We are all spotted sinners. Even if we wash most of it, there still exists some spots. The way we are saved is not merited to any of our efforts. It is by God's amazing grace given to us. Therefore, nobody will be able to boast. If you have reason to boast in our own efforts for your salvation, you are not saved. This is because it is not by works, so that no one can boast.