Come, follow Me.
Matthew 4:19
The word "disciple" means being an apprentice to someone.
And it was easy to tell if someone had done that. Peter, James and John made a decision to spend every day with Jesus in order to learn how to be like Him. Now, they did the same kinds of things you do. They ate, slept, worked, played, and learned. They just did all of these things with Jesus.
And now it's your turn.
What happened to those three fishermen 2000 years ago can happen for you. And your season of life, your temperament, your job - these are no obstacles. Throughout history when people came to understand what Jesus was really offering they would sacrifice anything - money, comfort, home, security - to get the chance to be an apprentice to Him. And this is your chance to follow Him too.
Read these words from a young pastor in Zimbabwe, Africa, who was later martyred for his faith: "The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colourless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognised, praised, regarded, or rewarded.
I now live by faith, depend on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labour with power." That's what it means to be a disciple of Jesus!
Friday, April 20, 2007
Drawing What We need From Christ
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you.
John 15:7
When a mother nurses her baby it's an experience of intimacy. The baby's not only getting milk, but drawing close to its mother in the warmth of a loving relationship.
We could say that the baby is feeding relationally as well as nutritionally.
This is what Jesus meant when He said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you."
Too many of us view the Bible as a library of information to be studied. And Bible study is important. But when you feed on God's Word with the desire of getting to know the person behind the page, it changes everything.
You can read the big words in a medical book, but when you're sick you want a doctor there to tell you what those words mean and what it will take to make you well.
When you're hungry it's nice to have a menu to choose from. But what you want is a waiter standing there to tell you what's in the various meals and what he has tasted and found to be good from the menu.
In other words, you want to relate to someone who embodies the information you are receiving. That's because the goal of medical treatment is health, not being able to pronounce the big words of your illness. And the goal of going to a restaurant is a meal, not the menu.
When your goal in Bible reading moves from information to personal intimacy ("Lord, what are You saying specifically to me?"), especially during times of Spiritual need, you are on the road to maturity.
John 15:7
When a mother nurses her baby it's an experience of intimacy. The baby's not only getting milk, but drawing close to its mother in the warmth of a loving relationship.
We could say that the baby is feeding relationally as well as nutritionally.
This is what Jesus meant when He said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you."
Too many of us view the Bible as a library of information to be studied. And Bible study is important. But when you feed on God's Word with the desire of getting to know the person behind the page, it changes everything.
You can read the big words in a medical book, but when you're sick you want a doctor there to tell you what those words mean and what it will take to make you well.
When you're hungry it's nice to have a menu to choose from. But what you want is a waiter standing there to tell you what's in the various meals and what he has tasted and found to be good from the menu.
In other words, you want to relate to someone who embodies the information you are receiving. That's because the goal of medical treatment is health, not being able to pronounce the big words of your illness. And the goal of going to a restaurant is a meal, not the menu.
When your goal in Bible reading moves from information to personal intimacy ("Lord, what are You saying specifically to me?"), especially during times of Spiritual need, you are on the road to maturity.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
My papa 8
Papa went for chemo today, while waiting for the nurse to get ready, we were sitting outside the treatment area, I saw him yawning, he told me boring, because we have to wait for about one hour. So I start asking him about the trips he has been , which one is the most memorable and which one he likes the best... he likes south africa, Capes town...
He and my mom have been to Australia, New Zealand, U S A, South Africa, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand..the places that they have been are more then me... For China, they have been to Quang Zhou, Hainan Island, have not been to Beijing and shanghai.. so I thought to myself, after all his treatment.. I will take him and mom there...
Lord...thank you for your protection and care, let your will be done on us...
Amen!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
New family member at Easter
There are two more members in my God family this easter, Eunice and Celestine, they were baptised on easter vigil on 14/4/07 9.30pm mass.Welcome to the family!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Live In God's Presence
I have set the Lord always before me.
Psalm 16:8
The words "I have set the Lord always before me," are the simplest description of Spiritual life. When certain thoughts are present, there's a good chance they're the result of God walking alongside of us.
The first thought involves feelings of reassurance. Whether it's Joshua taking over from Moses, or Paul going through his worst storm, the message is: "Be not afraid. I am with you."
The second thought you'll have when God is present is that you'll get guidance. Maybe you're stumped with some issue and then an idea comes to you. It might be a big one or a small one, but it will help. Or you're about to say something that will inflict damage, and suddenly a little voice inside your head says "be quiet."
A third indicator of God's presence is conviction of sin. You're going down the wrong road and a little stab of pain says, "no, turn around." Heed that voice or you'll violate your values, diminish your influence, and end up guilt-ridden.
The fourth kind of thought that will tell you God is present, is joy! "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence" (Psalm 16:11 ).
It works like this: you put in an extra effort, something gets accomplished and you feel a surge of satisfaction - that's what happened when God created the world, then said, "That's good!"
God can use any of those things to convey His presence.
If you "Set the Lord always before [you]" you'll begin to sense Him in your everyday life.
Psalm 16:8
The words "I have set the Lord always before me," are the simplest description of Spiritual life. When certain thoughts are present, there's a good chance they're the result of God walking alongside of us.
The first thought involves feelings of reassurance. Whether it's Joshua taking over from Moses, or Paul going through his worst storm, the message is: "Be not afraid. I am with you."
The second thought you'll have when God is present is that you'll get guidance. Maybe you're stumped with some issue and then an idea comes to you. It might be a big one or a small one, but it will help. Or you're about to say something that will inflict damage, and suddenly a little voice inside your head says "be quiet."
A third indicator of God's presence is conviction of sin. You're going down the wrong road and a little stab of pain says, "no, turn around." Heed that voice or you'll violate your values, diminish your influence, and end up guilt-ridden.
The fourth kind of thought that will tell you God is present, is joy! "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence" (Psalm 16:11 ).
It works like this: you put in an extra effort, something gets accomplished and you feel a surge of satisfaction - that's what happened when God created the world, then said, "That's good!"
God can use any of those things to convey His presence.
If you "Set the Lord always before [you]" you'll begin to sense Him in your everyday life.
Find Your Place
Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us.
2 Corinthians 10:13
Da Vinci only painted one Mona Lisa.
Beethoven only composed one Fifth Symphony.
And God only made one version of you.
He custom-designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. "How can I discover mine?" you ask. Your ability reveals your destiny! "If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11 ).
When God gives you an assignment, He also gives you the skill-set.
To discover your assignment - study your skill-set!
Your ease with numbers. Your love of computers. Your gift for interior design. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and say "I was made for this." Heed the music within, then dance to it! No one else hears it the way you do. Look back. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your desires and your successes, and you'll find your uniqueness. "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others" (1 Corinthians 12:7 ).
Away with this depreciating "I can't do anything," and its arrogant opposite, "I have to do everything." No, you don't!
Paul said, "Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us." Don't worry about skills you don't have and don't covet strengths others do have. Just maximise your God-given gifts! "Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you."
If you're not sure what God has called you to do, get down on your knees and ask Him to reveal it to you. And when He does, pour yourself into it!
2 Corinthians 10:13
Da Vinci only painted one Mona Lisa.
Beethoven only composed one Fifth Symphony.
And God only made one version of you.
He custom-designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. "How can I discover mine?" you ask. Your ability reveals your destiny! "If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11 ).
When God gives you an assignment, He also gives you the skill-set.
To discover your assignment - study your skill-set!
Your ease with numbers. Your love of computers. Your gift for interior design. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and say "I was made for this." Heed the music within, then dance to it! No one else hears it the way you do. Look back. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your desires and your successes, and you'll find your uniqueness. "The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others" (1 Corinthians 12:7 ).
Away with this depreciating "I can't do anything," and its arrogant opposite, "I have to do everything." No, you don't!
Paul said, "Our goal is to measure up to God's plan for us." Don't worry about skills you don't have and don't covet strengths others do have. Just maximise your God-given gifts! "Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you."
If you're not sure what God has called you to do, get down on your knees and ask Him to reveal it to you. And when He does, pour yourself into it!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Divine Mercy Sunday
God of mercy, You wash away our sins in water,
You give us new birth in the Spirit,
and redeem us in the blood of Christ.
As we celebrate Christ's resurrection
increase our awareness of these blessings,
and renew Your gift of life within us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Second sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday
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