Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Forever Reign - Hillsong Live - A Beautiful Exchange
My Jesus....
You are good, when there's nothing good in me
You are love, on display for all to see
You are light, when the darkness closes in
You are hope, you have covered all my sin
You are peace, when my fear is crippling
You are true, even in my wandering
You are joy, you're the reason that I sing
You are life, in You death has lost it's sting
You are more, than my words will ever say
You are Lord, all creation will proclaim
You are here, in Your presence I'm made whole
You are God, of all else I'm letting go
I'm running to Your arms
The riches of Your love will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world, forever reign
My heart will sing no other name
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Consequence of Grace
“Is it our duty or our responsibility as Christians to look after the prisoners and their families?”, someone had asked me. The term duty or responsibility didn’t quite sit comfortably in my head as I processed that question. To say yes would be to refute God’s grant of free-will to humanity. Something of this act of charity towards the imprisoned requires not a decision of the mind but of a changed heart. It cannot be an imposition, because frankly, who could love the most unlovable and possibly the hardened and the most hideous of criminals?
We are able to love those who are repugnant it’s because Jesus first loved us. The grace we received undeserved is the same grace that we are able to extend to those who thinks that they are beyond forgiveness. All of us are in need of that saving grace manifested through the death of Jesus. For we were once slaves to sin (Romans 6). So it’s really not about whether it’s a Christian responsibility or duty, it’s because we love Christ…..for only love can ‘cover a multitude of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8). The perfect love that is of Christ in us.
“let him know that he [she] who turns a sinner from the error of his [her] way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him [Jesus Christ] might be saved.” John 3:16a,17 (NKJV)
We are able to love those who are repugnant it’s because Jesus first loved us. The grace we received undeserved is the same grace that we are able to extend to those who thinks that they are beyond forgiveness. All of us are in need of that saving grace manifested through the death of Jesus. For we were once slaves to sin (Romans 6). So it’s really not about whether it’s a Christian responsibility or duty, it’s because we love Christ…..for only love can ‘cover a multitude of sins’ (1 Peter 4:8). The perfect love that is of Christ in us.
“let him know that he [she] who turns a sinner from the error of his [her] way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” James 5:20 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him [Jesus Christ] might be saved.” John 3:16a,17 (NKJV)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Working for Jesus
"What motivates you to come to work?" I was asked one day. I knew it wasn’t money. I believe it was something more valuable but perhaps not yet tangible for my mind to capture. Something just kept me going... but what was it?
Finally, a revelation. There it was on the first page of my nearly tattered Daily Bread it read, “meaningful work - not for the accumulation of wealth (although it was rather convenient) but to have something to share with others”.
My work now made even more sense. I asked and so He gave. And that I don’t take lightly. It’s all about Him. What I do at work, I do it for Him, because it was Him who brought me there. What my work brings out in me blesses Him and in turn, He will make it so that it will bless others also. He works out His purpose in me through the work that He has endorsed me. There I harnessed the skills, talents and gifts that He endowed me. He does this to fulfil His will and makes stronger the passions He has placed in my spirit. It pleases Him to see me happy.
Friday, September 17, 2010
My roller coaster ride
Lord here I go again...angry and hurting! I wait for your healing, when You will make all my hurts disappear, when You will turn my anger into love, when You will dry my tears and make my heart joyful again. Remind me of my iniquities so that I will not rise up in pride and despised those who have caused me pain. Remind me of your great forgiveness and love that I may show the same. Give me courage to do what pleases You and bring You great joy. It is no longer I who live but You who lives in me. My times are in Your hand, O lifter of my head!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Choose Life, Choose Jesus
On my car bears a sticker - a name big enough that no one can miss. It has generated both positive and negative responses. Some have found it amusing, some embarrassing. Where others have found it weird, others have taken courage from it. It could be a good start to conversation, or else a controversy but one thing is for sure….
It is the name above every name. It is the name that every knee in heaven, earth, and hell shall bow to, and every tongue confess that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord‘ (Philippians 2:9-11). Whether you agree or disagree, it is what the God of the whole universe has already declared - like it or not. Can anyone stop the sun in its track and the coming of the moon at night? Can anyone capture the power of the lightning in their hands or contest the rumble of the thunder with their voice? Can anyone calm the pounding of the great ocean waves or cease the shaking of the earth? No one except God.
When the name of 'Jesus' becomes a taboo, it is exactly where Satan wants everyone to be; his purpose is to suppress and keep anyone from experiencing the power inherent in that name. The devil knows that what we speak out or what we don't speak out will either bring life or death. When the disciples were casting out demons and laying hands over the sick, whose name did they utter? It's no other else's name except the name of JESUS.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days….” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
“The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly“. John 10:10 (NIV)
It is the name above every name. It is the name that every knee in heaven, earth, and hell shall bow to, and every tongue confess that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord‘ (Philippians 2:9-11). Whether you agree or disagree, it is what the God of the whole universe has already declared - like it or not. Can anyone stop the sun in its track and the coming of the moon at night? Can anyone capture the power of the lightning in their hands or contest the rumble of the thunder with their voice? Can anyone calm the pounding of the great ocean waves or cease the shaking of the earth? No one except God.
When the name of 'Jesus' becomes a taboo, it is exactly where Satan wants everyone to be; his purpose is to suppress and keep anyone from experiencing the power inherent in that name. The devil knows that what we speak out or what we don't speak out will either bring life or death. When the disciples were casting out demons and laying hands over the sick, whose name did they utter? It's no other else's name except the name of JESUS.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days….” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NIV)
“The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly“. John 10:10 (NIV)
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Taking one day at a time
My dear Lord Jesus,
I take everyday as a gift from you. This is the day that You have made; whatever this day brings, whatever comes my way is your gift to me. I receive it with rejoicing and gladness in my heart. I won’t worry about how I’d cope tomorrow because You are already there. I only need your grace and strength for my today. There is no fear - for you my Lord, are the master of my whole life, my everyday, my every hour, my every minute, my every second, my every breath. Thank you and I love you so very much. I am yours forever.
Do-rhen
“For I knows the plans that I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
I take everyday as a gift from you. This is the day that You have made; whatever this day brings, whatever comes my way is your gift to me. I receive it with rejoicing and gladness in my heart. I won’t worry about how I’d cope tomorrow because You are already there. I only need your grace and strength for my today. There is no fear - for you my Lord, are the master of my whole life, my everyday, my every hour, my every minute, my every second, my every breath. Thank you and I love you so very much. I am yours forever.
Do-rhen
“For I knows the plans that I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Saturday, June 5, 2010
In the hands of Abba
What's your life like? An idle activity? It's things that you do less the higher purpose. Just going along, floating along, working along, then doing it all again. It’s not necessarily useless, it’s just really boring. It’s when you reply to someone who happened to asked how you are, “same old, same ‘old….“
What is life? What should it look like? In the hands of your Creator....
Like a little child holding God’s hand, you just know that He wouldn’t let you go; it’s like sitting on the top of the tallest mountain and seeing everything below but you’re really sitting on God’s shoulder looking down next to His ears, you just know that those things you thought were overwhelmingly big are dwarfed from where you now sit and He can hear even your heart’s tiniest whispers; it’s like God allowing you to walk on your own but being aware that He really is near, you just know that He is ready to catch you when you fall; it’s like walking without fear, you just know that God’s voice is enough to scare off anyone or anything that might harm you; it’s like God taking you in His arms like a little child and throwing you up in the air catching you and you scream in surprise and glee, you just know that He loves to hear your laugh and excitement. Then on that day when I finally see JC, I’d say, “what an adventure I had with You back there, that was awesome!” That’s LIFE!
'And because you are sons [daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son [Jesus Christ] into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son [daughter], and if a son [daughter], then an heir of God through Christ'. Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
'The thief [the devil] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus Christ] have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly'. John 10:10 (NKJV)
What is life? What should it look like? In the hands of your Creator....
Like a little child holding God’s hand, you just know that He wouldn’t let you go; it’s like sitting on the top of the tallest mountain and seeing everything below but you’re really sitting on God’s shoulder looking down next to His ears, you just know that those things you thought were overwhelmingly big are dwarfed from where you now sit and He can hear even your heart’s tiniest whispers; it’s like God allowing you to walk on your own but being aware that He really is near, you just know that He is ready to catch you when you fall; it’s like walking without fear, you just know that God’s voice is enough to scare off anyone or anything that might harm you; it’s like God taking you in His arms like a little child and throwing you up in the air catching you and you scream in surprise and glee, you just know that He loves to hear your laugh and excitement. Then on that day when I finally see JC, I’d say, “what an adventure I had with You back there, that was awesome!” That’s LIFE!
'And because you are sons [daughters], God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son [Jesus Christ] into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son [daughter], and if a son [daughter], then an heir of God through Christ'. Galatians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
'The thief [the devil] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I [Jesus Christ] have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly'. John 10:10 (NKJV)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Being Still
I lie in wait…almost tempted to think that perhaps God had forgotten or had fallen asleep; or that He had lost the prayer request that I trustfully handed Him. As I ponder on these questions, I’ve become very much aware of the struggles happening within my heart. It began to challenged the very knowledge and nature I have known about God - who He is and has become to me, His love and His faithfulness. I felt myself rise to take control. ‘God needs a bit of a push, I will help God to get things going’, I heard my thoughts say compelling me to manipulate my situation. Whatever happened to putting God in the driver seat? Laughing quietly, I saw myself asked God, "Lord, would you like me to drive?" How silly am I to think that I know better than the God who created my destiny and my purpose! But the question still remains - “Can I really trust Him? Is God really good - all the time?”
His Word says so and anything, any thought or anyone that says otherwise is telling a lie. The God I surrendered my whole life to, my everyday, my every minute, my every second, my every breath, is the same God who is in control and has always been. Nothing escapes His sight. He who sees the beginning and the end remains faithful in times both good and bad. He and His word is trustworthy forever.
His Word says so and anything, any thought or anyone that says otherwise is telling a lie. The God I surrendered my whole life to, my everyday, my every minute, my every second, my every breath, is the same God who is in control and has always been. Nothing escapes His sight. He who sees the beginning and the end remains faithful in times both good and bad. He and His word is trustworthy forever.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Casting Crowns - Who am I
“Lord, what is [human] that You take knowledge of us?…We are like a breath; Our days are like a passing shadow”.
Psalm 144:3-4 (NIV)
“…For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14 (NIV)
“But You have loved us so much that You gave us Your only son Jesus Christ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but will live with You forever.” John 3:16 (NIV)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Then comes the uncertain
Just when you thought you were walking in assurance and were just about to reach that much awaited destination, the Lord takes you through a period of uncertainty. It is when what you thought you knew was logical suddenly makes you think that perhaps you may have just misunderstood. It is when you thought you have put yourself in the best place to make the events that take place to work for you suddenly comes to a halt. It is when you thought the path ahead of you was clear suddenly becomes dim. And the Lord tells you to keep walking and hands you with a single light with just enough brightness to enable you to see what is immediately before you but not far enough to see what is ahead of you. When all but the Holy Spirit’s gentle voice to guide you, and those familiar ‘little notes of promises’ that JC drops within the depths of your heart keeps you going - taking those cautious tiny steps. When your everyday depends on that voice you know now so well from the intimate times you have spent with Him. These are the critical times when your identity in Christ is challenged. When what you said, “ ‘I AM HIS BELOVED and that’s more than enough’ “ , goes through a test of fire if His love for you is really more than enough.
JCluvMD
Sixteenth of April two thousand and ten, written in the page of my spiritual journal occupying but two single lines, in final resolution and profound revelation, I have found my identity and put to rest all my uncertainties....
Who am I in Christ? ‘I AM HIS BELOVED’ and that’s more than enough.
Who am I in Christ? ‘I AM HIS BELOVED’ and that’s more than enough.
Friday, March 5, 2010
His Place is Our Place
Who is more lost? Those that are without Christ or those that say are with Christ but live without purpose?
Who should I be praying for more? Those that do not know Christ or those that say they know Him but is far from His will?
Who should I be feeling more sad for? Those that do not know salvation or those that do know yet holds it back from those who needs it?
Who should I be crying more for? Those that are far from God or those who claims they know God yet is far from Him?
I heard a song go ‘…this is my cry, my one desire, is to be with You Lord, now and forever…’ and found myself singing to the tune, then I felt JC asking me, “do you really know where I am?” A quick ‘’yes” came out and then there was this long silence. Feeling somehow unsure and embarrassed, I whispered shyly, “perhaps not.” Then JC answered, “I am where the hurting people are, where nobody wants to go, where poverty is, where prisoners are. I am with the vulnerable, the rejects of society, the hopeless, the fatherless, the widows and the outcast. Where are you?”
“Then the King will say to those on His right Hand, ‘Come’, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’….And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me‘. Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ’Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels… Then He will answer them saying, ’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me’. Matthew 25:34-36, 40-41, 45 (NKJV)
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world”. James 1:27 (NKJV)
Who should I be praying for more? Those that do not know Christ or those that say they know Him but is far from His will?
Who should I be feeling more sad for? Those that do not know salvation or those that do know yet holds it back from those who needs it?
Who should I be crying more for? Those that are far from God or those who claims they know God yet is far from Him?
I heard a song go ‘…this is my cry, my one desire, is to be with You Lord, now and forever…’ and found myself singing to the tune, then I felt JC asking me, “do you really know where I am?” A quick ‘’yes” came out and then there was this long silence. Feeling somehow unsure and embarrassed, I whispered shyly, “perhaps not.” Then JC answered, “I am where the hurting people are, where nobody wants to go, where poverty is, where prisoners are. I am with the vulnerable, the rejects of society, the hopeless, the fatherless, the widows and the outcast. Where are you?”
“Then the King will say to those on His right Hand, ‘Come’, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’….And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me‘. Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ’Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels… Then He will answer them saying, ’Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me’. Matthew 25:34-36, 40-41, 45 (NKJV)
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world”. James 1:27 (NKJV)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Summing Spirituality
Spirituality made simple is to know God, to be intimate with Him, His words, His Son, His Holy Spirit. You are complete in Him for He is your everything. "Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart." Jeremiah 24:7 (NKJV).
God wants to return us to the original state of our relationship with Him where there is no shame. Adam and Eve were naked but were not ashamed because there was no sin in them. With sin came shame but God understood this so He sent His Son to regain that lost intimacy with us. There is nothing in us that can come before the holiness of God save for the blood of Christ. Jesus had become like our ‘cloak of righteousness’ that when God looks upon us although we are still in our fallen state, sees Jesus His Son, the whole world’s Saviour, so we can be free from anything that holds us back from returning to God. “For God did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him [Jesus Christ] might be saved.” John 3:17 (NKJV) “And if anyone hears My [Jesus] words and does not believe, I [Jesus] do not judge him; for I [Jesus] did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me [Jesus], and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12: 47-48 (NKJV).
God wants to return us to the original state of our relationship with Him where there is no shame. Adam and Eve were naked but were not ashamed because there was no sin in them. With sin came shame but God understood this so He sent His Son to regain that lost intimacy with us. There is nothing in us that can come before the holiness of God save for the blood of Christ. Jesus had become like our ‘cloak of righteousness’ that when God looks upon us although we are still in our fallen state, sees Jesus His Son, the whole world’s Saviour, so we can be free from anything that holds us back from returning to God. “For God did not send His Son [Jesus Christ] into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him [Jesus Christ] might be saved.” John 3:17 (NKJV) “And if anyone hears My [Jesus] words and does not believe, I [Jesus] do not judge him; for I [Jesus] did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me [Jesus], and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12: 47-48 (NKJV).
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Finding Spirituality and everything else in between
Last night, I found with great difficulty explaining to someone about my God-given purpose here on earth. After what seemed to be half a day’s conversation, my acquaintance, I thought was in no closer to really understanding what I was trying to convey. Strangely, we spoke the same language but perhaps not at the same level. I remembered a verse in the Bible that explained this quite well: “But the natural man [woman] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, nor can he [she] know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2: 14 (NKJV)
Just as I was about to give up the discussion, I shared what I felt was the most important issue that JC has been impressing in my heart. It was again that concept of spiritual intimacy.
Since my acquaintance was married, it was easy to use the analogy of physical intimacy.
Intimate interactions produces some form of result. New knowledge is produced as the undressing of two bodies previously hidden had now become open on view. Everything is seen, both beauty and blemish. A new language is, at the same time, created and learned where communication happens spontaneously between two people without the need for words. A new life conceived. Something is finally understood and learnt. These and more is what JC calls the process of ‘knowing’ each other - you know that ‘other person’ a lot more than anyone else has and equally, ‘the other person‘ knows you better than anyone else does.
In the spiritual realm, there is the revealing of one’s purpose by the God of heaven. But more importantly, during spiritual intimacy, there is the unveiling of who God is and the knowing of yourself in light of how your Creator really sees you. It is also when you see your imperfections against the perfect Christ and the love He has for you in spite of who you are.
Out of this spiritual intimacy is the ‘planting of a seed’ within the womb of your soul. The impact of this revelation on you is not something that can be easily explained, but it leaves a mark and everyday it grows. It’s like telling someone about the growing foetus in your womb. You cannot see it but it’s there and you feel it. As it grows, the ’fruit’ of that intimacy becomes evident to the outside world.
I use to think that spiritual performance (the activities we do in church on Sundays or on Saturdays) is the same as what the Bible described as fruits. I used to do a lot of things in church, leaving me physically exhausted and drained, until I no longer find joy in what I’m doing. It became more of a ‘task’ for me than a ‘service’. “Why is bearing fruit such a miserable activity?”, I asked.
Of course, I got it all wrong. Those things we do are only manifestations of the fruit that we bear. It is not the fruit itself. The fruit that Jesus describes that only comes through intimacy with Him, will compel you to do those things out of the overflow of your heart, without the need to force it out, because His desire has become your desire, His prayer becomes your prayer, and His life - yours. You really cannot give what you don’t have.
Church activities, church commitments, or whatever you may want to call it, noble they may be, is no substitute for the intimate time with Christ. It really is not about our performance that Christ is after, it’s our time. In the words of Christ to Martha, "..you are worried and troubled about many things, But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 41-42 (NKJV)
Just as I was about to give up the discussion, I shared what I felt was the most important issue that JC has been impressing in my heart. It was again that concept of spiritual intimacy.
Since my acquaintance was married, it was easy to use the analogy of physical intimacy.
Intimate interactions produces some form of result. New knowledge is produced as the undressing of two bodies previously hidden had now become open on view. Everything is seen, both beauty and blemish. A new language is, at the same time, created and learned where communication happens spontaneously between two people without the need for words. A new life conceived. Something is finally understood and learnt. These and more is what JC calls the process of ‘knowing’ each other - you know that ‘other person’ a lot more than anyone else has and equally, ‘the other person‘ knows you better than anyone else does.
In the spiritual realm, there is the revealing of one’s purpose by the God of heaven. But more importantly, during spiritual intimacy, there is the unveiling of who God is and the knowing of yourself in light of how your Creator really sees you. It is also when you see your imperfections against the perfect Christ and the love He has for you in spite of who you are.
Out of this spiritual intimacy is the ‘planting of a seed’ within the womb of your soul. The impact of this revelation on you is not something that can be easily explained, but it leaves a mark and everyday it grows. It’s like telling someone about the growing foetus in your womb. You cannot see it but it’s there and you feel it. As it grows, the ’fruit’ of that intimacy becomes evident to the outside world.
I use to think that spiritual performance (the activities we do in church on Sundays or on Saturdays) is the same as what the Bible described as fruits. I used to do a lot of things in church, leaving me physically exhausted and drained, until I no longer find joy in what I’m doing. It became more of a ‘task’ for me than a ‘service’. “Why is bearing fruit such a miserable activity?”, I asked.
Of course, I got it all wrong. Those things we do are only manifestations of the fruit that we bear. It is not the fruit itself. The fruit that Jesus describes that only comes through intimacy with Him, will compel you to do those things out of the overflow of your heart, without the need to force it out, because His desire has become your desire, His prayer becomes your prayer, and His life - yours. You really cannot give what you don’t have.
Church activities, church commitments, or whatever you may want to call it, noble they may be, is no substitute for the intimate time with Christ. It really is not about our performance that Christ is after, it’s our time. In the words of Christ to Martha, "..you are worried and troubled about many things, But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 41-42 (NKJV)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Finding Spirituality II
An interesting conversation took place one Friday late afternoon between JC and I. It started when I came across a familiar scripture: Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV). The passage goes, “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he [she] who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I [Jesus] will declare to them, ’I never knew you…’."
That passage never struck me before when all of a sudden I found it all but strange that JC would respond that way. I had to ask Him, “what do you mean You never knew them?! They believe in You (that’s what Mark 16:17 says, or they wouldn‘t have been able to cast out demons!), they did your work, and I’m sure a lot of people got saved through them! They were your servants, for goodness sake! So, how could you not know them?! And how could You being JESUS not know anyone?!” Apparently, believing in God is not enough but neither is our ‘spiritual performance’ (casting demons, prophesying, doing God’s wonders etc.) or even being a 'good Christian' a guaranteed ticket to heaven.
In His response, He led me to find out what the term ‘knew’ in this passage meant. All through the Bible, the word ‘knew’ refers to physical intimacy: Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; Adam knew Eve; Abraham knew Sarah. In the spiritual realm, it meant spiritual intimacy. To ‘know’ Jesus is to spend intimate times with Him. It happens within closed doors. Just as in physical intimacy, it is not an activity done publicly or with spectators. One has to go out their way to get to ‘know’ Jesus. It is done consciously, deliberately and regularly. So when JC said 'I never knew you', He meant you've never been intimate with Him.
That passage never struck me before when all of a sudden I found it all but strange that JC would respond that way. I had to ask Him, “what do you mean You never knew them?! They believe in You (that’s what Mark 16:17 says, or they wouldn‘t have been able to cast out demons!), they did your work, and I’m sure a lot of people got saved through them! They were your servants, for goodness sake! So, how could you not know them?! And how could You being JESUS not know anyone?!” Apparently, believing in God is not enough but neither is our ‘spiritual performance’ (casting demons, prophesying, doing God’s wonders etc.) or even being a 'good Christian' a guaranteed ticket to heaven.
In His response, He led me to find out what the term ‘knew’ in this passage meant. All through the Bible, the word ‘knew’ refers to physical intimacy: Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; Adam knew Eve; Abraham knew Sarah. In the spiritual realm, it meant spiritual intimacy. To ‘know’ Jesus is to spend intimate times with Him. It happens within closed doors. Just as in physical intimacy, it is not an activity done publicly or with spectators. One has to go out their way to get to ‘know’ Jesus. It is done consciously, deliberately and regularly. So when JC said 'I never knew you', He meant you've never been intimate with Him.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Finding Spirituality
I think I found true spirituality. It's called intimacy with God. Not that He was lost but you were….who got lost of finding Him in all the wrong places, lost of finding Him in legalism and lost of finding Him through a set of rules and traditions.
I began that journey when I found myself stuck in a hole so deep there was no coming out. Everyday seemed like I was just barely ‘hanging-on’ that if ever I let go, it will mean falling off to my death. (I can’t remember if I had made the hole myself or if I was cast there accidentally or it’s just that I didn’t notice the hole I was walking into!) All I knew was that I was in my most desperate state when I started yelling for heaven to help but was at the same time unsure of how God would respond.
I was too tired and upset to go through the routine of piety to appease God or to explain to Him why I was such in a state. Funny He never asked questions and He never pointed a finger either. All I sensed was this overwhelming arms of love taking me and holding me until I couldn’t cry any longer.
Here's some excerpts from my personal journal:
Do you know what it's like to be so broken, ashamed and nearly destroyed coming to the Lord in all His holiness? That you can't look Him in the eye because of your filth and the state of your heart that's in? ….It was all over me again – the feeling of shame and brokenness in the worst manner, knowing that the time you’ve spent with the Lord last week didn’t really change you. I didn’t feel like praying at all. I was walking in circles when I finally decided that I should just read the book I brought. It’s amazing how God will speak through any means just to let you know that He likes conversation. There was a section on the book where someone spoke about God coming to you whatever state you are in. Devotion with God I found is not a pious routine of do’s and don’ts to appease His presence. He comes to where you are and takes you in His arms and tells you how much He truly loves you.
What do I love about coming to JC on Fridays? It's almost like going on a honeymoon. I come to JC naked and baring all in His sight because there is no point in hiding, there is no point in making the right impression and there is no point in pretending. He who sees me, sees every filth and blemish, sees every hurt and struggles, sees every evil in me and yet holds me in His arms full of love.
Friday is when I come to receive grace yet again, to experience being held and loved, being caressed by His blood as it cleanse every part of my being. It's this kind of intimacy I look forward to at the end of a gruelling week, when I am about to crumble in the sins that bears on me. I don't know whether I've abused His love, sometimes I feel like He will drop me at any minute. I can't blame Him if He did, as who could ever put up with me anyway, but then what hope is there for me if that should happen? I'll be dammed forever and I can't bear to think of that so then I succumbed to the ritual of pleasing and appeasing Him as if bribing the God of heaven to gain His approval and acceptance once again. I feel stuck in this cycle of knowing that I am loved inspite but I need to do something pleasing to obtain this reward. And so I tell Him that He can easily put Himself out of this misery of 'maintaining me' but He remains quiet as if waiting to listen to the next silly thing that I would have to say. Then He gently reminds me, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
I began that journey when I found myself stuck in a hole so deep there was no coming out. Everyday seemed like I was just barely ‘hanging-on’ that if ever I let go, it will mean falling off to my death. (I can’t remember if I had made the hole myself or if I was cast there accidentally or it’s just that I didn’t notice the hole I was walking into!) All I knew was that I was in my most desperate state when I started yelling for heaven to help but was at the same time unsure of how God would respond.
I was too tired and upset to go through the routine of piety to appease God or to explain to Him why I was such in a state. Funny He never asked questions and He never pointed a finger either. All I sensed was this overwhelming arms of love taking me and holding me until I couldn’t cry any longer.
Here's some excerpts from my personal journal:
Do you know what it's like to be so broken, ashamed and nearly destroyed coming to the Lord in all His holiness? That you can't look Him in the eye because of your filth and the state of your heart that's in? ….It was all over me again – the feeling of shame and brokenness in the worst manner, knowing that the time you’ve spent with the Lord last week didn’t really change you. I didn’t feel like praying at all. I was walking in circles when I finally decided that I should just read the book I brought. It’s amazing how God will speak through any means just to let you know that He likes conversation. There was a section on the book where someone spoke about God coming to you whatever state you are in. Devotion with God I found is not a pious routine of do’s and don’ts to appease His presence. He comes to where you are and takes you in His arms and tells you how much He truly loves you.
What do I love about coming to JC on Fridays? It's almost like going on a honeymoon. I come to JC naked and baring all in His sight because there is no point in hiding, there is no point in making the right impression and there is no point in pretending. He who sees me, sees every filth and blemish, sees every hurt and struggles, sees every evil in me and yet holds me in His arms full of love.
Friday is when I come to receive grace yet again, to experience being held and loved, being caressed by His blood as it cleanse every part of my being. It's this kind of intimacy I look forward to at the end of a gruelling week, when I am about to crumble in the sins that bears on me. I don't know whether I've abused His love, sometimes I feel like He will drop me at any minute. I can't blame Him if He did, as who could ever put up with me anyway, but then what hope is there for me if that should happen? I'll be dammed forever and I can't bear to think of that so then I succumbed to the ritual of pleasing and appeasing Him as if bribing the God of heaven to gain His approval and acceptance once again. I feel stuck in this cycle of knowing that I am loved inspite but I need to do something pleasing to obtain this reward. And so I tell Him that He can easily put Himself out of this misery of 'maintaining me' but He remains quiet as if waiting to listen to the next silly thing that I would have to say. Then He gently reminds me, "...I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
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