God's Gift of Everlasting Life

Acts 13: 45-52
Paul Turns to the Gentiles
When Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel to the Jews, the Jewish leaders came out and argued against them.  As such, Paul told them they were unworthy of God's gift of everlasting life and thus told the Gentiles, this gift was thus now freely given to them.  Paul and Barnabas were then chased out of this town

We will always have people speak out against our faith and our belief.  These people have "closed" ears and hearts.  We are not to judge them but ask God to forgive them for their own ignorance and selfishness and we are to continue with our message to those who are willing and open to hearing God's message.

Hebrews 14:18-24
A Call to Listen to God
"Those who are not holy, will not see the Lord" (14)
"You have come to God himself, who is the judge of all people" (23)

Without Christ, God can seem very mean.  But with Christ, we see God's love for us.  We are to forgive and not seek out vengence.  We are not to let "gossip" and spiteful actions take root in us for it is poision for our souls.

We must have faith...

Acts 9:19b-35
Saul in Demascus and Jerusalum
The believers were walking in fear of the Lord but in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (31).  What an interesting line. It seems to be dichotomy of thoughts, but then it isn't...
This passage shows how God uses Saul to convert many.  Many people recognized Saul as the one who didn't believe and was adament about persecuting all followers of Christ.  So how shocked were people to hear that he was a "die hard" follower.  Even the apostles thought Saul was faking his belief to get "close" to them... In fact he was so great at convincing others about the truth of the gospel that Jewish leaders plotted to have him murdered.  It was through God's hands that Saul escapes being killed twice. 

This is affirmation of how great God's plan for each of us if we just let Him use us.

Peter Heals Aeneas and Raises Dorcas
In this passage Peter cries out for Aeneas, a man who had been bedridden and paralyzes to get up.  Surely he does and the people in the village befieve in Christ.  This reminds me of how "unfaithful" we are.  We must see to believe...  we shouldn't we should trust the Holy Spirit inside us...

Hebrews 10:32 - 11:6
Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  (35,36)

This is a reminder of God's message to me in Cambodia... patience...

Great Examples of Faith
It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him, must believe there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (6)
Yes Lord.  I have been seeking you most of my life and now I find you coursing through me, which makes me so thankful that you love me.

Love Each Other and Show True Humility to Everyone

John 15:1-15
Jesus the True Vine
I command you love each other in the same way I love you. And here is how to measure it- the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. (12,13)

This, I am trying.  I am trying to love the ones who do not care to be loved by me.  I do my utmost to be inclusive and not to be selfish.  But I do know that I need more help in this department for I am far from being perfect.  So Father, I pray for rest in your arms and I pray for energy and compassion for so that I can keep trying to shine your ray of love to them through me.

Titus 3: 1-8
Do What Is Good
We should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. God saved us not because of our good deeds, but because of his mercy. As a sign of our gratitude, we must be thankful and let God work in us as means of thanking His goodness.

Father, I pray that you will allow me to show grace and humility to everyone and allow me to have the patience to greet everyone with a smile.

Be Not Afraid For Christ Is With Me & I Will Welcome Him With Open Arms

John 6: 16-21
Jesus Walks on Water
This is the passage where Jesus walks across the lake towards the boat to meet up with his disciples. Jesus calls out to his terrified disciples reminding them to not be afraid for he is here. Upon his arrival, the boat reaches its destination.

I am reminded that Jesus also tells me to "not be afraid, for he is here" with me always - to lift me up and to encourage me, to give me hope and to wisdom in times of need. When he is near, the end, his light, is not that far away.  So I pray Father that you will continue to light this path for me. I know that you love me and will bring me great joy and peace.

1 Timothy 4: 7-11
Warnings Against False Teachers (cont'd)
This passage reads 'Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and  old wives' tales.'  We are to spend our time in 'spiritual fitness', equipping ourselves for the evil one in this lifetime and ensuring we spend our next one in God's presence. 'We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and particularly of those who believe. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. (10,11)'

God is telling me to spend my time wisely.  Don't debate and dwell on things that are of no value, especially spiritual value.  As God's children, we too will suffer and will need to work hard.  This is a part of God's purpose for us. It will be in these moments that God will reveal himself to us.  We need to open our "eyes" and let Him in, for He will be knocking.  God doesn't force himself into our lives, he wants to be welcomed in...

Satan is ever present.  We need to be on the look out for false or "watered-down: versions of the gospel.  There will be preachers and pastors out there who are misled.  God only forgives those who repent.  There is always a consequence for our actions.  If you believe in Heaven, there must alse be Hell.

Father, I pray that you will continue to reveal yourself to me and my husband, especially my husband.  I pray that he will open the door to his heart wide and welcome you with open arms.  At this moment, he hears your knock and he has looked through the peep hole.  He has removed the chain link and opened the door a crack, recognizing it is you.  Yet he is hesitating for he is scared to endure anymore pain and suffering.  So Father I pray for you strength, wisdom and words of encouragement so that he may fully accept you again and be a faithful servant and warrior for your cause, sharing his truth about your compassion and grace with all others. Amen.

Do you believe? Water into Wine...

John 1:35-51 & John 2: 1-12
The First Disciples & the Wedding at Cana
Jesus asked him (Nathaniel), "Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this. The truth is, you will all see heaven open up and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man." (50, 51)

At the wedding of Cana, Jesus turns water to wine (upon his mother's request).

Christ reminds us that He can perform "miracles". We just need to have faith, to believe. God is reminding me of his faithfulness to me. My husband was deemed pretty ill about 6 months ago. He was diagnosed with diabetes and high blood pressure. Just 2 weeks ago, the doctor, himself, claimed it was a "miracle" that he is off the diabetic medication and his blood pressure is like that of a 16 year old! Praise God!

Of course, I will not lie, what lies heavy on both my heart and his, is having a child of our own. Now that would require another miracle. Of course God performs miracles, but will this prayer request be a part of God's plan, His will? In Cambodia, God told me to be patient. He loves me and in time, He will provide. And so I wait... not expecting, but accepting His will with a glad heart.

For the past 2 weeks I have been in and out of the hospital, helping my grand aunt and uncle. My grand uncle had heart bypass surgery. He has no children of his own and my grand aunt has no relatives. I knew that God placed it in my heart to do all within my means to be of service to them. He provided me with words of comfort and used me to represent His love for them - used me to remind them that they are not abandoned.

I ask God to continue to open my heart to receive his gift of love and obedience and to help me be more disciplined in my actions to lead a life that will please the Lord.

Leading a Faithful Responsible Life is Our Greatest Sermon

Luke 23:44-56
The Death and Burial of Jesus
It was dark from noon to 3pm. At 3pm the veil in the temple was torn and Jesus shouted with his last dying breath, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands." (44-46)
Joseph, a member of the Jewish high council asked for Jesus' body. He wrapped in linen and prepared a new tomb for Christ's body. (50-54)

This passage makes me wonder if the Sabbath is Saturday since the text alludes to preparing Christ's body on Friday, 'the day of preparation for the Sabbath' (Luke 23:54). As I sit and reflect on this text, I am envisioning the sudden darkness that falls on this land and think about how Jesus must have felt on the cross, baring our sin and shame, feeling completely abandoned and separated from God. These are feelings we all endure at some point in our lives - and for many of us, this feeling of abandonment could be felt for years. Yet Christ didn't ask for this, He did it so that we would have an opportunity to be with God for eternity. We need to be like Joseph, and cherish what Christ has done for us, despite what non-believers do. I continue to ask God to enlighten me and I entrust my spirit into God's hands.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-11
The Hope of Resurrection
But let us, who live in the light, think clearly, protected by the body armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. He died for us, so that we can live with him forever... So encourage each other and build each other up... (8-11)

It is evident that God loves each and every one of us. He sacrificed Christ, not out of anger, but out of love. God gives us a choice to follow Him. In turn He asks us to 'think clearly' about the choices we make. We should strive to be responsible and serve the Lord by working hard. By leading a respectful life, we will have more opportunities to share our fatih with others. We would draw attention to the Lord by our diligence - our faithful, responsible lifestyle would be our greatest sermon! Thus, I ask God to protect me with His body armour so that I may lead a life that does not bring disgrace to the Lord, but joy.