Wikipedia

Search results

Translate

April 29, 2023

“God In Our Suffering”(Job 42:1-7)

 

We are told that Job has a happy ending, but many of us question this. Job loses his children and endures the suffering, but later God gives him new children. It doesn't seem like anything anyone would want to go through and it does not seem like a happy ending.  

 

Actually, we see that Job complains much and even asks God why this is happening to him. God tells him or rather shows Job that He is his creator. 

 

As our creator, God is greater than us and has plans that we cannot understand. God is a leader and will lead us. God will listen to us, but we need to be silent and listen to God. 

 

We see in the Bible when God answers prayers in ways sometimes that is not the same as what we want. Paul is rescued from prison whereas John the Baptist lost his head. David is crowned king whereas Jonathan was killed in battle. God's sovereign will is not always understandable to us. God answers prayers, but not always like how we want to hear the answer. 

 

God has plans for all of us. 


I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 

Job 42:5 ESV 

 

In this verse, we read that Job has encountered God and now knows who God is. Job was a righteous man, but before all of these tragedies, he did not know God. For today's church, many may only know God from the sermons or reading the word. To encounter or experience God is more profound than just hearing sermons or going to church. 

 

After Job had encountered God, he no longer had to worry about the future because Job understood God is the creator and his father. We may worry about our future, but if we understand who God is, we would not worry. 

 

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 

Matthew 6:26-27 ESV 





2023-04-30 Worship Songs

April 28, 2023

Make A Way

Make A Way

CCLI Song # 7036219

Adam Palmer | Jason Ingram | Jonathan Smith | Matthew Hein | Stephanie Kulla


Verse 1
You brought me to the desert
So You could be my water
You brought me to the fire
So You could be my shield
You brought me to the darkness
So You could be my morning light


If You brought me this far
If You brought me this far
 
Chorus
Wherever You lead me
I know You won't leave me
Wherever You call me
You will make a way
 
Wherever we're going
I will be holding
To the promise You have made
You will make a way
 
Interlude
Way, Way
(You will make a way)
(Way, Way)

Verse 2
And when I'm in the valley
You will be my comfort
And when I'm at the end of me
I'll find You there
When I'm in the battle
You will be my present peace

'Cause You brought me this far
You brought me this far
 
If You brought me this far
 
Chorus
Wherever You lead me
I know You won't leave me
Wherever You call me
You will make a way
 
Wherever we're going
I will be holding
To the promise You have made
You will make a way
 
Interlude
Way, Way 
(You will make a way)
(Way, Way)

Bridge
'Cause You brought me this far
(You brought me this far)
'Cause You brought me this far
(You brought me this far)
'Cause You brought me this far
My God will make a way
 

Chorus
Wherever You lead me
I know You won't leave me
Wherever You call me
You will make a way
 
Wherever we're going
I will be holding
To the promise You have made
You will make a way

(2X)

Ending

Way, Way You will make a way

Way, Way Jesus make a way

 




Lord I Need You

 Lord I Need You

CCLI Song # 5925687
Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher





Verse 1  
Lord I come I confess  
Bowing here I find my rest  
And without You I fall apart  
You're the one that guides my heart
    

 
Chorus  
Lord I need You oh I need You  
Ev'ry hour I need You  
My one defense my righteousness  
Oh God how I need You     


Verse 2  
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more  
Where grace is found is where You are  
And where You are Lord I am free  
Holiness is Christ in me
  

 
(Where You are Lord I am free)  
(Holiness is Christ in me)
  

 
Chorus  
Lord I need You oh I need You  
Ev'ry hour I need You  
My one defense my righteousness  
Oh God how I need You
    

   
Bridge  
So teach my song to rise to You  
When temptation comes my way  
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You  
Jesus You're my hope and stay
  

 
(And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You)  
(Jesus You're my hope and stay)
  

 
Chorus  
Lord I need You oh I need You  
Ev'ry hour I need You  
My one defense my righteousness  
Oh God how I need You  
(2X)   

 
Chorus Tag  
My one defense my righteousness  
Oh God how I need You  
(2X)     

 

April 23, 2023

"Engaging The Word of God" (Hebrews 4:12)

Hebrews 4:12


The word of God needs to touch us before we can see its impact on others.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 ESV

The book of Hebrews was written to persuade new Christians to stay in the new covenant and not return to Judaism and the old covenant. 

The writer makes effort to stress the God is living and his word is living. To understand the word of God we need to understand three aspects of it.

  1. Attributes of the word of God.
  2. Abilities of the word of God.
  3. Activities of the word of God.


1. Attributes
The word of God is alive. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:1‭, ‬4 ESV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6:63 ESV

The word of God is active.

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.
Psalm 107:20 ESV


The word of God is acute. That is to say the word of God is sharp. The word has much ability to do and create many things. It will split right and wrong and other levels.

This word is spoken. It must be declared to be effective. This is how it becomes effective. 

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:17 ESV

There must be an encounter with Jesus. It is not enough to study the Bible, you must encounter Jesus and then declare what Jesus has revealed to you.

2. Abilities of the word of God.

Pierce 
It creates an opening, so the word of God can enter.

Penetrate 
The word of God can penetrate into any area of life. We cannot keep God out of any areas. Our deepest secrets will be penetrated.

Perfect
The word of God can judge you and criticize you, so that you will be perfected. Your thoughts, motives and desires will be judged, but if we submit, we will be perfected.

3. Activities 

In the spiritual consciousness of man

In the soulish consciousness of man

In the physical consciousness of man

Our soul is the center of who we are. The spirit is the center of God's consciousness. Our body is the centre of physical being.

Your spirit man needs the word of God. The moment we wake up, what is the first thing you think of. If it is God, things are good with us. If it is not with God, then there is something wrong with your spirit.

If your emotions are controlling you, you are not mature. They word of God will show you the difference between soul and spirit. When the spirit controls the soul, we are a mature Christian. 

The word of God can affect your body. If the word of God does not connect with your soul and spirit, it cannot engage in your body. God is more than able to heal you.

 The word of God is active and we need to engage with the word if we are to change in the way God wants us to grow.


2023-04-23 Worship Songs

April 16, 2023

"God's Timing"(John 11:17-26)

John 11:17-26

There are many times when we pray and God does not respond. It can be disheartening. Lazarus is dying when messages are sent to Jesus that Lazarus is dying. However, Jesus does not show up until after Lazarus dies. Mary and Martha's timing is different from God's timing, so they believed their prayers would not be answered. They believed that it was finished and Lazarus was dead. Yet, God's timing was to bring something greater. 

Often times we believe that if our timing is different from God's timing, we believe our prayers will not be answered.  We believe that our timing is the best timing.  

The longer you wait, the greater the plan will be. Jesus had a great lesson to teach the disciples.  

Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 

John 11:14‭-‬15 ESV 

We often limit what Jesus can do because we want our timing. Jesus had every intention to raise Lazarus that day, but Martha thought Jesus was talking about the Resurrection in the future. 

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 

John 11:23‭-‬24 ESV 

It is possible when we have faith that although we are weak and have many shortages, God is strong and perfect. When we have the faith that God will eventually change us, that our prayers will be fulfilled.  

But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 

John 11:22‭, ‬24 ESV 

It is enough to know, but we have to believe with faith. We can read and memorize the Bible, but without faith there is no power in it. If we read the Bible as a book, it will just be book. 

Our faith in the Bible will improve our lives. The knowledge from the Bible will not do this alone. We have to believe in it. After doing our QT in the morning, we need to believe and put in practice what we read. Treating Bible readings like a chore will not bring much to your life. 

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 

John 11:25 ESV 

Jesus may be waiting for His timing so you may truly believe in Jesus. This is why Jesus came, but not only for you, but all people.  

and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

John 11:26 ESV 




2023-04-16 Worship Songs 

As The Deer 목마른 사슴

Holy Is The Lord 일어나   들고/거룩하신 

Lord I Lift Your Name On High 주의 이름 높이며


April 9, 2023

"Resurrection for Us"(Matthew 28:8-20, John 21:15-19)


After Jesus was resurrected, he went to his disciples. He did not go to the Pharisees or Pilate to show that they were wrong, or he was the resurrected God. Instead, he goes to his loved ones. 

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9-10 ESV

Soldiers always go to their families and loved ones when they return from duty. They want to spend time with people who matter after all their suffering. 

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 
Acts 2:33 ESV  

The reason Jesus ascended to heaven was to be with all of us always. We are His beloved disciples.

Yet, who are these disciples? These were the same people who abandoned Jesus. Peter even denied Jesus three times before running away. What was the response of these undeserving disciples? They came back to Jesus. 

Judas was the only disciple who did not come to see Jesus after his Resurrection. Some scholars speculate Judas was trying to get hope from his own ability. The other disciples put their hope in Jesus.  This is what kept them going.  

Jesus goes back to the place, Galilee where the disciples first meet Jesus and started to follow Him. We, too, need to go back to the place where we first met Christ. 

Come back to Jesus who always there for us and lay down our ego and sinfulness so that we can die on the cross and to live the resurrected life through His resurrection.

Jesus also wanted to allow His disciples to be healed and be prepared to serve Jesus.  

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” 
John 21:15-19 ESV 

Peter was confident that he would never betray Jesus and yet he did this three times during Jesus’ most desperate time. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Jesus. He gives Peter the opportunity to lay down everything before God and accept that he cannot do anything on his own.  The death that Peter will die is death on the cross. 

But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Matt 12:48-50 ESV

Jesus treated Peter as His brother because Jesus was giving Peter the same ministry He did on earth.

During Easter, we must remember that Jesus died on the cross so we could deny ourselves like Christ did on the cross. This is not just Peter's story. It is our story. We need to think how we can live our life for Jesus. Accept we are weak, but Christ is strong. Jesus will be our strength to overcome and lead us to the cross and make us live the new resurrected life with Him.  









2023-04-09 Worship Songs

King of Kings 지극히 높으신 

Everybody, Everywhere

Who am I  땅의 주인

Forever (We Sing Hallelujah)

Hosanna 호산나