Apr 30, 2009
Apr 29, 2009
GoD M.S.G. [Apr 29 - May 05, 2009]
This week continues the Book of Esther 4:1-17
Living by Grace in the World - Transform in the midst of Ambiguity
The world is filled with such marvels! The world was made perfect but somehow our lives in this age and society is controlled and domesticated by our occupation. God places us in the positions we are in and rather introduce God's grace in our lives we might chose to look the other way. How comfortable we are in our mist of activities, social status, work environment, etc etc etc, that sometimes we forget to remind ourselves how important it is - God has place me there!
I was reading an interview that Hillsong's song writer, Amanda Ferguson, written a book called Songs of Heaven, and in it she describes worship as this: “setting aside one’s pre-occupation with self, and focusing on God.” She placed her self-centerness out and allow Christ to use her occupation of song-writing to do God's work. Didn't place Christ aside but instead focus on God first, and her worship songs become of praise that spring forth like living water to glorify Christ. Christ comes before your occupation not after as it was the grace of God we realize that Jesus is our ultimate savior, source of identity and where our real worth comes from, we are now free to use our occupations for him. Stop my friends in your busy life, sit with the Lord, and listen to his voice. For he wants of great things to come out from each and single one of us.
This week "When you talk, do not say harmful tings, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger" (Ephesians 4:29). Learn to be humble as your life is already full of joy why place harmful thoughts in your mind. Surrender all for him and know that you are not alone . . . as we follow Jesus unconditionally to use our skills for him knowing Jesus has already done for us.
Living by Grace in the World - Transform in the midst of Ambiguity
The world is filled with such marvels! The world was made perfect but somehow our lives in this age and society is controlled and domesticated by our occupation. God places us in the positions we are in and rather introduce God's grace in our lives we might chose to look the other way. How comfortable we are in our mist of activities, social status, work environment, etc etc etc, that sometimes we forget to remind ourselves how important it is - God has place me there!
I was reading an interview that Hillsong's song writer, Amanda Ferguson, written a book called Songs of Heaven, and in it she describes worship as this: “setting aside one’s pre-occupation with self, and focusing on God.” She placed her self-centerness out and allow Christ to use her occupation of song-writing to do God's work. Didn't place Christ aside but instead focus on God first, and her worship songs become of praise that spring forth like living water to glorify Christ. Christ comes before your occupation not after as it was the grace of God we realize that Jesus is our ultimate savior, source of identity and where our real worth comes from, we are now free to use our occupations for him. Stop my friends in your busy life, sit with the Lord, and listen to his voice. For he wants of great things to come out from each and single one of us.
This week "When you talk, do not say harmful tings, but say what people need-words that will help others become stronger" (Ephesians 4:29). Learn to be humble as your life is already full of joy why place harmful thoughts in your mind. Surrender all for him and know that you are not alone . . . as we follow Jesus unconditionally to use our skills for him knowing Jesus has already done for us.
Apr 22, 2009
GoD M.S.G. [Apr 22 - 28, 2009]
This week it is exciting that Andre has gone into the book Esther. I had gone through the book of Ruth as it was interesting for books in the Bible that have no mention of God and makes one wonder why would it even make into the Bible.
"Living out of Grace in the World" - Grace in the Ordinary; a new series as the last time we were looking at Spiritual Awakening. The Book of Esther refers to Esther whom is chosen out of the many women taken by force to the palace of King Xerxes as the currently Queen Vashti refused to be paraded in front of the King's guest when Xerxes demanded her presence. Hence she was disposed and Esther was given the chance to prove herself in front of King Xerxes for one night or else she would either become an instant widower or part-time concubine.
Even thou God's silence in the Book Esther doesn't mean he is absence. He works in smallest details in our lives, and makes us be filled and joyful!
Faith brings joy, through Christ if we allow him and receive him - we will begin to taste and understand the goodness and dispose the tasteless and bad stuff in our lives. Our beings were made in perfect by God and so we should desire his approval and take guard the evil and lies in our exterior. Give thanks for God who send his son Jesus who was not made famous by dying but by dying he won our freedom to be proclaim Glorious!
Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Prayer: My sisters and brothers, let us bow our heads to allow Christ to touch our minds; close our eyes so that we shut the exterior out to be with him. Our Father, with the love you have given us through sending your son. Thank you for the cross and giving us grace even thou we didn't ask for it and don't deserve it. We might not even fully appreciate it when we get it but God you never stop giving and opening your arms to ask us to turn away from lies and turn towards him to move that one step. Thank you Lord and may you take care of us during the week and to every moment of our busy lives.
"Living out of Grace in the World" - Grace in the Ordinary; a new series as the last time we were looking at Spiritual Awakening. The Book of Esther refers to Esther whom is chosen out of the many women taken by force to the palace of King Xerxes as the currently Queen Vashti refused to be paraded in front of the King's guest when Xerxes demanded her presence. Hence she was disposed and Esther was given the chance to prove herself in front of King Xerxes for one night or else she would either become an instant widower or part-time concubine.
Even thou God's silence in the Book Esther doesn't mean he is absence. He works in smallest details in our lives, and makes us be filled and joyful!
Faith brings joy, through Christ if we allow him and receive him - we will begin to taste and understand the goodness and dispose the tasteless and bad stuff in our lives. Our beings were made in perfect by God and so we should desire his approval and take guard the evil and lies in our exterior. Give thanks for God who send his son Jesus who was not made famous by dying but by dying he won our freedom to be proclaim Glorious!
Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Prayer: My sisters and brothers, let us bow our heads to allow Christ to touch our minds; close our eyes so that we shut the exterior out to be with him. Our Father, with the love you have given us through sending your son. Thank you for the cross and giving us grace even thou we didn't ask for it and don't deserve it. We might not even fully appreciate it when we get it but God you never stop giving and opening your arms to ask us to turn away from lies and turn towards him to move that one step. Thank you Lord and may you take care of us during the week and to every moment of our busy lives.
Apr 16, 2009
Inspiring Britian Got Talent, 2009!
Stavros Flatly Father & Son - Greek Irish Dancers, entertaining to the end!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg
47; Susan Boyle - Didn't expect her to be able to SING! I dream a dream from Les Miserables
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gHvATmUsSg
47; Susan Boyle - Didn't expect her to be able to SING! I dream a dream from Les Miserables
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Apr 15, 2009
GoD M.S.G. [April 15 - 21, 2009]
The past 3 weeks I got to watch the Truth Project. One every week at our care group and it is a total of 12 DVDs you watch to finish what the tour guide (presenter), Dr. Tackett puts forward to us as the truth and what is lies that puts us away from the truth of God. It is very interesting as it does make me feel like a Paul wannabe...to be the troublemaker in the new town, to upset the businessmen, lifestyle, worshiping standards, etc. To see to the people, are you not hearing the GOOD NEWS ... Jesus Christ, it is so good I can taste it, how come you are not listening to it...
Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
To do what you do not want to do...Wow, isn't it suppose to be to do what I want to do! That is the real deal right? But if you do what you want, do you know you are making the right one? Making decisions are cool, having a directed lifestyle is reasonable...but I believe the statement that Paul was writing was that our lives need to desire away from ourselves for a change. Let God's spirit be above you...to be your number 1 and not some stuff to be randomly remembered later on.
Andre in his sermon during Easter was the assurance that Christ came to accomplish, his death and resurrection validates and provides us the assurance of God's victory over our sin, and the promise of a new life in grace. Be moved, touched, transformed and informed of this wonderful news! Christ at the God's expense (Grace).
Take care, and lovingly your brother, Francis
Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
To do what you do not want to do...Wow, isn't it suppose to be to do what I want to do! That is the real deal right? But if you do what you want, do you know you are making the right one? Making decisions are cool, having a directed lifestyle is reasonable...but I believe the statement that Paul was writing was that our lives need to desire away from ourselves for a change. Let God's spirit be above you...to be your number 1 and not some stuff to be randomly remembered later on.
Andre in his sermon during Easter was the assurance that Christ came to accomplish, his death and resurrection validates and provides us the assurance of God's victory over our sin, and the promise of a new life in grace. Be moved, touched, transformed and informed of this wonderful news! Christ at the God's expense (Grace).
Take care, and lovingly your brother, Francis
Apr 8, 2009
GoD M.S.G [April 8-14, 2009]
Dearest friends & family,
It has been a sunny week here in San Diego, except Tuesday night for now - as it rained, poured, showered, watered...got wet while walking to car or to neighbors home. But for those if you have a shelter path, while it is raining; that is GREAT!
It has been quite a walk with God and such a marvelous joy it is to walk with him. The way our lives shape and form once awaken by Grace - and knowing Christ is not working his magic but his love so that we can be risen from our death in sin and transformed into life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Do you conform to the world's reality? I look at the movies I own and the TV shows I watch...hmmmm media is such a great tool to spread lies or bombard us with more lies if we do not catch what we are seeing, hearing or receiving. I almost wanted to go study nursing or become a doctor after watching a touching movie on how they save lives (Patch Adams), or a coast guard (The Guardian). They provide great entertainment and visual aid to other people's lives, but it is not our lives. God created us in his image and we go about our lives seeking other Gods(Idols), forgetting the God who created the heaven and earth. Seek the truth=reality - Jesus came to testify to the truth (John 8:37).
Our minds are a wonderful tool given to us but we fill it with stuff that you might think is good, sufficient knowledge for you. One day you will end up empty and find your life to be meaningless. Let God transform us, like Jesus when he was transformed after he died on the cross, so that we can be fully not dead in our lives with sin, but alive with Jesus Christ in his grace.
Dear brother & sisters,
As the time for Easter has arrive, let it now about finding easter eggs, and great music, nice atmosphere in the church, but it is about you - whom has come down to earth, encountered us, died for us, and because of this we can be transform through Christ inside out in our lives to be renewed in our minds and say, I am here God. Amen.
Have a great week ahead, I miss you all those back home and to those close by - see you soon for Easter service.
Cheers,
Francis Law
It has been a sunny week here in San Diego, except Tuesday night for now - as it rained, poured, showered, watered...got wet while walking to car or to neighbors home. But for those if you have a shelter path, while it is raining; that is GREAT!
It has been quite a walk with God and such a marvelous joy it is to walk with him. The way our lives shape and form once awaken by Grace - and knowing Christ is not working his magic but his love so that we can be risen from our death in sin and transformed into life through Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Do you conform to the world's reality? I look at the movies I own and the TV shows I watch...hmmmm media is such a great tool to spread lies or bombard us with more lies if we do not catch what we are seeing, hearing or receiving. I almost wanted to go study nursing or become a doctor after watching a touching movie on how they save lives (Patch Adams), or a coast guard (The Guardian). They provide great entertainment and visual aid to other people's lives, but it is not our lives. God created us in his image and we go about our lives seeking other Gods(Idols), forgetting the God who created the heaven and earth. Seek the truth=reality - Jesus came to testify to the truth (John 8:37).
Our minds are a wonderful tool given to us but we fill it with stuff that you might think is good, sufficient knowledge for you. One day you will end up empty and find your life to be meaningless. Let God transform us, like Jesus when he was transformed after he died on the cross, so that we can be fully not dead in our lives with sin, but alive with Jesus Christ in his grace.
Dear brother & sisters,
As the time for Easter has arrive, let it now about finding easter eggs, and great music, nice atmosphere in the church, but it is about you - whom has come down to earth, encountered us, died for us, and because of this we can be transform through Christ inside out in our lives to be renewed in our minds and say, I am here God. Amen.
Have a great week ahead, I miss you all those back home and to those close by - see you soon for Easter service.
Cheers,
Francis Law
GoD M.S.G. [April 1-7, 2009]
[April 1 - 7, 2009]
Hi hi!!!
Greetings from me, Francis. Hope your day has been treating you well, if not I hope you find your favorite or enjoyable thing you like to do and take some time to do it so it your mind will be rid of the bad day! This week I did not manage to find anything to write in the devotional and so please look out next week for it. If you have a short story or devotion you saw that is wonderful, share it with me. Take care and be safe along your travels, rest & love ones around you.
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Hi hi!!!
Greetings from me, Francis. Hope your day has been treating you well, if not I hope you find your favorite or enjoyable thing you like to do and take some time to do it so it your mind will be rid of the bad day! This week I did not manage to find anything to write in the devotional and so please look out next week for it. If you have a short story or devotion you saw that is wonderful, share it with me. Take care and be safe along your travels, rest & love ones around you.
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