I Am Unable, But He is Able.

My heart has been heavy for the past few weeks, and I have yet to figure out why. God has been slowly drawing the curtains, but my heart has been a dark place for the past few days. Today, I went through John 1:1-18, and read about who Christ is. Amidst the heaviness in my heart, the grueling routine of school and work, and the unknown insecurities and fears that worry me, God uses his Word to comfort me.

^“9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” [John 1:9-13]

I am unable to encourage you today with words of my own, but I can tell you with confidence that what I cannot, He can.

 

I saw this on Pinterest today, and wanted to share it with you. I hope that whatever you are going through, whether it brings you joy or sadness, you will remember to rely on Him as your source of life and strength.

Whether your heart is broken or amended, I hope that you spend some time in his Word and really thank him for all he’s done, even in his mere existence and presence.

I am unable, but He is able.

Love,
JP.

A Network

Today, I had the opportunity to sit in during the prayer time for Global Recording Network. My fellow Grace and Peace Blogger, Margarette posted about it a few weeks ago!

They had a guest speaker today come in who is a pastor at a church in Hacienda Heights. His name was Pastor Johnny and he was talking to us about how the Cell Church Network all over the world is fueled by the love for one another. He spoke about a time when a cell church, which is a small underground church run in countries where it is illegal to be Christian, helped other cell churches all over the nation. He was talking about a church in Pakistan, where all the members of the church were Christian slaves to Muslim families. Although slavery is illegal in Pakistan, the government looks away when they are Christian slaves. Yet, these slaves continue to meet in secret in small groups and continue to worship God and hunger for the Word. Then one day, they found out about the Cell Church Network and decided to contribute financially to help send missionaries to other countries from different churches in different countries. Let me reiterate. THESE SLAVES, mustered up pennies and even less, basically all that they had, in order to help support the sending of missionaries to other countries!

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”Luke 21:1-4

First of all, wow! If this is not a perfect example of a people giving their all to the glory of God, then I don’t know what is. I felt really convicted that I keep asking God for more provision, for more money. I keep trying to be frugal and greedy because I feel like I don’t have enough. That, or I take for granted all I have and instead of giving it to the glory of God, I use it for myself. Whatever we have should go to God, and others before myself but I seem to have gotten it all backwards. I might feel that I deserve some sort of compensation from God for my works that I’ve done for Him. In reality, God is the one who provides for me enough to do what He wants me to be doing.

Then the pastor brought up another amazing point. There was a cell church out in China who was mainly made up of business men, doctors, and lawyers. Then one day the pastor at that cell church realized how they were not ministering to anyone else. So the first thing they did was open up their church to prostitutes, drug dealers, violent people in prison, and government officials. All of a sudden, the church realized what it meant to give spiritually and financially to others for their well being. So the church decided that instead of taking care of their own church, they will help to maintain other cell churches in China. They heard about a church that needed a pastor, so they decided to not only recommend a pastor, but fully fund the church as well from their offerings! How amazing that a church will see the needs of another church and fulfill them without question, for the sake of love and the spreading of the gospel! These churches realize the importance of eternal salvation through the Word. And how amazingly shameful that the abundant churches in America lack the general love for each other to help each other.

I cannot speak about the many times I’ve heard pastors and elders say that their neighboring church is struggling because they are not in good favor with God. Instead of turning to help the church, they belittle them in hopes of making their church sound better or more worthy!!! I myself included! I am often guilty of judging other churches when really, I should be offering my help and sacrifice to these struggling churches. Pastor Johnny claimed that the reason for this is because we as a church lack the singular vision of giving glory to God in unison, with one heart. These Cell Churches are never burdened with riches, but greatly dependent on the grace of God! We in America also have that dependence on God whether we realize it or not, but are hindered by our riches! And it made me realize that I sometimes miss the point of this passage.

For just as the body is one ans has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free- and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Yes, if in fact we have all been blessed with the Spirit of God, then we are all supposed to help each other. A lot of times, churches will use this passage to talk about the individuals in their churches. But I realize now that individually, we are all just little atoms. These atoms make up cells, which make up tissues, which make up organs, which make up limbs, or body parts and we are all a whole. I always thought I was an arm. Now I realize I’m just that little skin follicle on the bottom of the foot! We have to all support each other, protect each other, and grow each other! Our hearts must be set not on ourselves, but on all those around us.

Honestly, I went to GRN thinking that I can bring something to the table. Instead God convicted me about how He does not need me, but that I need Him. And as I need Him, God will provide for me a way of life that is glorifying to Him. So today, I ask that if you are reading this, you will spend some time praying for the various different missionaries who are preaching the gospel to the lost. Also for the churches all over the world to glorify God and be a light on a hill. Pray also for your home churches, that they will continue to grow in love for God, for other Christians, and for the lost.

Grace and Peace Always,-Chris

Simplicity in Faith

How many times a day do you worry, trying to “figure out” what God wants you to do?  Trying to figure out if you are in God’s will? This past Sunday, my pastor shared a verse:

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.- Deuteronomy 29:29

This verse brings up two points:

1. Submission to God’s secret will

2. Obedience to God’s revealed will

I don’t know about you guys…but I have this problem where I constantly try to figure things out. It’s probably to a point where its unhealthy because I run things over and over again in my head until I go crazy! No bueno! This sermon couldn’t have come at a better time!

There are a lot of answers the Bible will never directly tell you. The Bible will never give you the exact blueprint of your life; it’ll never give you a detailed explanation or reason for the things that happen in your life. This is one area in which I tend to struggle! So many times, I sit, worry, and ponder what it is that God wants me to do; or I try to figure out why God let such and such happen. I try to reason things out;  I try to make sense of things. And well, those attempts at trying to “figure things out” are futile because:

My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)

The Bible doesn’t command us, or expect us, to read God’s mind. It simply says to “do all the words of this law.” It commands us to obedience in faith, hope, and trust. However, in order to fully submit to God’s secret will while actively obeying His commands requires humility. Second guessing and constant speculation is lack of trust in God; and thus, a lack of humility before Him. You need to trust that whatever God puts in your life, it is because that is what is genuinely good for you. This point hit me really hard.

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? (Matthew 6:26)

Thankfully, God assures us that as long as we are following His revealed will, all things will turn out for good. As long as you are within God’s revealed will, the choices you make will be in alignment of God’s secret will. So we have no excuse to be worried! Better yet, we really have no reason to be worried!

Many times, we overcomplicate our circumstances, but God doesn’t want us to live a life of constant worry. We clutter our minds with questions and doubts, when really; all we need to be doing is setting our hearts upon the Lord in obedience (after all, anything outside of faith is sin–Romans 14:23). Our faith in God should make a difference in our lives in this way, because we know that God’s character is trustworthy and steadfast. Thus, our lives, as Christians, should be marked with a deep sense of peace, despite whatever circumstances that we may be in.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27)

Though it may be difficult, let us actively FIGHT to TRUST in God’s secret will. Let’s not give in to our worries, anxieties, or doubts. Let’s not let our logic and flesh get the best of us. Let us simply  believe in God, and do good while waiting.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Amen. It’s funny how something as simple as faith can be such a difficult thing to do; but thankfully, the work of faith is not ours alone. Praise God for the security that He provides in the midst of uncertainties. If you want a really good look at the importance of faith and obedience…look at Deuteronomy 1…pretty crazy stuff O.O Hope you all had a blessed Tuesday! Continue to fight the good fight of faith!

<3 Your sister-in-christ,

Hannah

Consistency

How often do you learn something at one point in your life, only to forget about it a few months later? All of us can relate to that in an academic sense– we’ve all felt like this in school. But what I’m referring to, are those moments in our lives when everything became clear to us and God’s plans and lessons were revealed to us. How often do we gawk at those moments, telling ourselves that we will never forget it and start refreshed and recharged, only to have them fade away with time?

Well, this happened to me yesterday. I was scrolling through my Tumblr, and came across a post I wrote at the end of my Junior year of college. It’s been about 8 months since I wrote the post, but I was so dumbfounded by how relevant everything was. The post could not have come at a more opportune time. I have been starting to get used to the everyday grind, slowly forgetting how awe-some and faithful God is. This post reminded me of how wonderful God has been to me, and how ignorant I have been of His love.

So instead of writing a completely new post, I wanted to share with you guys the post that left me feeling both encouraged, by the marvelous ways God works, and rebuked, by my lack of faithfulness. I challenge you, readers, to remember that among the inconsistencies and fluctuations in life, there remains only 1 thing that does not vary– God. And find peace in His immutable character, trusting that He will be with you through all time and situations. Place your hope in Christ; remember him daily.

I hope you leave this post with a hopeful and encouraged heart, reminded of how desperately we need God and relieved at how we already have Him. And if you don’t know Him, please take some time to really think back on your life. I hope that you will see God standing by you through all of your circumstances, emotions, thoughts, mistakes, achievements, and etc. He is sovereign, and He loves you very, very much.

Jesus, calm my storm.

Amidst the strong winds of finals week and life, Jesus calms my storm.

With the change of every season, God seems to teach me new things through new challenges. When I think I’ve successfully conquered one life-lesson, He throws me another one.

But His timing is truly impeccable; He may throw me a curve ball, and it may startle me, but His love catches me. Ever so softly. He reminds me in the times of uncontrollable emotions and situations, that He is in control. It’s as if I am caught in the tornado of tests, projects, and life, yet I’m still fighting to control everything. And when I am about to give up, He whispers to me through the wind, “Do you not trust me? I am the one who created all of this; do you doubt my love for you?”

As my third (I actually wrote second. oops) year of college comes to an end, I can’t help but see His footprint every step of the way. Every class I took, every friendship I’ve made and lost, and every single day, He was orchestrating everything and guiding me through the way.

I remembered when Jesus calmed the storm and realized that I have nothing to fear; in the fiercest of storms and in the darkest of nights, Jesus calms my storm.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41)

All Jesus needed to say in order to stop the winds and the sea were three words, “Peace! Be still!” And everything ceased, and there was a great calm.

The peace that Christ offers us is unique and cannot be found anywhere else. Not even in the sweetest of fellowships with those we love. He tells us of this peace in the gospel of John,

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

In my blurred vision of my future, fear is birthed and it cultivates in my heart. And while I am frantically trying to place everything back in its place as I knew it, God is just waiting for me to learn. To learn that no matter how hard I try and how “perfect” everything seems to be, until His will is done, all my works will be in vain.

So I sit back, and wait for the storm to pass by. Because it will. And as I watch everything I built torn to pieces, disfigured and unrecognizable, my heart will break. But it breaks with joy. Because God is greater than all of my troubles, and He is sovereign. He loves me, and He will do all it takes to show me that He wants the best for me.

“The heart of man plans his way, 
    but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

So even if it takes a while to clean up the mess and get back to the regularity of life, I know that the Holy Spirit is helping me partake in this peace God grants me. I know in my heart that I am weak, and I must lean on the Gospel for motivation. I know in my heart that I am weak, and I must grab tightly onto the helping hand of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for those of you who always listen to me, and always care for me sincerely from your heart. Although your comforting words will never be comparable to those of God, they have helped me not fall and stumble along the way. Your prayers, most of all, have been a great supplier of my strength. I hope and pray that I can be even 1/8 of the friend that you are to me, to you.

Learning to love God and attribute all of me in both my sorrows and my joy, I now return to learn about life-span development. Persevere in Him, and ask me to pray for you! I will be more than happy to be your punching bag (not literally, please…) and prayer buddy.

Good luck studying!

God is good. O Kurios einai kalos. (The Lord is good)

Yes, thousands of years and 8 months later, God is still good.

Happy Thursday (:  !

Invest

Do you have that friend who you have spent countless years ministering to and have not yet received Christ? Whose heart seems so hardened that you just don’t know what to say anymore? Have you run out of encouraging passages or stories? Have you grown tired of telling the same stories over again? Do you see their life spiraling out of control, constantly digging themselves into deeper holes emotionally and spiritually? Have you been on the brink of giving up on that friend? Well, you are not alone.

One of my dearest friends, is struggling deeply with her life. And it seems like the past 5 years of ministering to her, has not at all changed anything. About a year ago, I had this feeling like I could not do it anymore. It was emotionally draining, spiritually challenging, and increasingly frustrating to deal with all her struggles and constant baggage. And then it was then that God reminded me of an important passage

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:1-7

When I read that passage, I was convicted of one thing. That Jesus does not give up looking for the lost sheep until he finds it. UNTIL he finds it. That means he does not give up. If Jesus does not give up on my friend, what gives me the right to give up on her? Is she so difficult that I cannot love her? That I cannot invest in her anymore? I think not. I am not greater than Jesus and so if Jesus has to search for his lost sheep, I should also do the same without ceasing. And Jesus clearly proclaims the joys of heaven when that person is found. That my joy is not for the moment. My joy is for when that person is saved. So until that happens or I am no longer on this earth, I am to continuously invest in my friend.

I think it is so easy to give up on people. Whether they believe or not. Remember, God calls us to minister to the lost, and love our brothers and sisters in Christ. I wanted to challenge everyone today. If there is someone in your life that you have kind of neglected or gave up on. If there is someone who you can fix a relationship with. You can initiate a healing of a life, relationship. You can give someone the hope of Christ. The challenge is a simple text, email, phone call, or if you can, a real life meeting. Never cease investing in others! Sacrifice yourself as Christ has sacrificed for us.

I know I suck at investing in others. I will take the challenge of everyday, making sure that at least one person remembers that they are loved by God and me! Fight on brothers and sisters! Stay steadfast and faithful to the calling of God.

Grace and peace always,

Chris