Happy New YOU! New year, new YOU!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Cor 5:17)
I am a NEW CREATION everyday in 2009!
Hallelujah!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Take off your shoes, Joshua.
Book of Joshua 5:13-15
The second person in the Bible God asks to take off his shoes is Joshua. Why?
Remember Exodus Ch. 3 when Moses encounters this almighty God, I AM, who shows up in burning bushes? At that moment, God tells Moses to take off his shoes because it is the holy ground. God is proclaiming His total sovereignty at that moment as Moses steps closer to the burning bushes. In the Book of Joshua Ch. 5, God tells Joshua to take off his shoes when he faces this general of the army of the Lord. Before Moses passed away, Joshua, the general of Israel, saw what his master Moses could do with the staff in his hand.
To Joshua and everyone else (even now), Moses was the symbol of Signs and Wonder. There is no comparison to what Moses could do in the Old Testament. It's hard for Joshua to live up to that standard of Moses; however God never wanted Joshua to compare himself to his master, Moses.
Book of Joshua Ch. 1, God encourages Joshua again and again; I totally believe that Joshua is afraid, otherwise God wouldn't remind him that many times. God reminds Joshua that whatever He did to Moses He will do the same to Joshua; God makes sure that Joshua receives the same favor as Moses. First, take off your shoes; that's what God says to Moses when he encounters Him. God gives Joshua the same grace as He tells Joshua to take off his shoes - Joshua, you has seen Me today, says God. It's God's individual covenant with Joshua.
Why is Joshua so afraid? Feeling of self-insignificance and the spirit of comparison. In God's eyes, you are as important as King David, Moses and Elijah, etc. Why feeling self insignificant? The only difference is do we find the grace in His eyes? Do we truly know Him?
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."
In those evil days before the flood, the only person that stood out in that generation was Noah. Why? Was he a better person? Not really. What about Abraham? Was he a holy guy? Not really. What about King David? He was not so much better than Saul...But why did these people stand out in those days?
Because they found something - grace. They found out that God is full of grace and mercy. God's eyes are full of grace! Do you find that? When you do, you will stand out in your generation.
God removed Joshua's self-insignificance, or should I say, Joshua finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Thus Joshua no longer looks down on his own image or ability but through God's eye, he receives strength and courage.
Wow...more I read the Book of Joshua, more I become confident of what God is doing in my life. I choose to stand firm. I choose to be happy. I choose God's promises over so called reality.
Amen.
The second person in the Bible God asks to take off his shoes is Joshua. Why?
- God wants to remind Joshua of His covenant.
- God wants to remove Joshua's self-insignificance.
- God wants to recommission Joshua to His battle.
Remember Exodus Ch. 3 when Moses encounters this almighty God, I AM, who shows up in burning bushes? At that moment, God tells Moses to take off his shoes because it is the holy ground. God is proclaiming His total sovereignty at that moment as Moses steps closer to the burning bushes. In the Book of Joshua Ch. 5, God tells Joshua to take off his shoes when he faces this general of the army of the Lord. Before Moses passed away, Joshua, the general of Israel, saw what his master Moses could do with the staff in his hand.
To Joshua and everyone else (even now), Moses was the symbol of Signs and Wonder. There is no comparison to what Moses could do in the Old Testament. It's hard for Joshua to live up to that standard of Moses; however God never wanted Joshua to compare himself to his master, Moses.
Book of Joshua Ch. 1, God encourages Joshua again and again; I totally believe that Joshua is afraid, otherwise God wouldn't remind him that many times. God reminds Joshua that whatever He did to Moses He will do the same to Joshua; God makes sure that Joshua receives the same favor as Moses. First, take off your shoes; that's what God says to Moses when he encounters Him. God gives Joshua the same grace as He tells Joshua to take off his shoes - Joshua, you has seen Me today, says God. It's God's individual covenant with Joshua.
Why is Joshua so afraid? Feeling of self-insignificance and the spirit of comparison. In God's eyes, you are as important as King David, Moses and Elijah, etc. Why feeling self insignificant? The only difference is do we find the grace in His eyes? Do we truly know Him?
Genesis 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."
In those evil days before the flood, the only person that stood out in that generation was Noah. Why? Was he a better person? Not really. What about Abraham? Was he a holy guy? Not really. What about King David? He was not so much better than Saul...But why did these people stand out in those days?
Because they found something - grace. They found out that God is full of grace and mercy. God's eyes are full of grace! Do you find that? When you do, you will stand out in your generation.
God removed Joshua's self-insignificance, or should I say, Joshua finds grace in the eyes of the Lord. Thus Joshua no longer looks down on his own image or ability but through God's eye, he receives strength and courage.
Wow...more I read the Book of Joshua, more I become confident of what God is doing in my life. I choose to stand firm. I choose to be happy. I choose God's promises over so called reality.
Amen.
Monday, December 22, 2008
being thankful
things that I am thankful of...
1. Thank you all, Impact, for that sweet computer you give me. I am still in shock! I don't know how to react to it still. I only thought that church and other ppl need computers, and God is good; He gives me a new computer through you guys. I know my computer should be put in the museum or something, but I live with it anyway. Thank you for your blessing. It means so much to me. I know you care.
2. Project Elisha - I know it helps us to grow spi, and I am thankful that some ppl are being blessed by it. It will totally change you life when you become a spiritual parent.
3. Sue got healed - a lady friend of Tina's mother got cancer a while ago. Some of us prayed for her at her house, Tina called last night telling us that the Doctors can't find any cancer anymore. Wow...God is good.
1. Thank you all, Impact, for that sweet computer you give me. I am still in shock! I don't know how to react to it still. I only thought that church and other ppl need computers, and God is good; He gives me a new computer through you guys. I know my computer should be put in the museum or something, but I live with it anyway. Thank you for your blessing. It means so much to me. I know you care.
2. Project Elisha - I know it helps us to grow spi, and I am thankful that some ppl are being blessed by it. It will totally change you life when you become a spiritual parent.
3. Sue got healed - a lady friend of Tina's mother got cancer a while ago. Some of us prayed for her at her house, Tina called last night telling us that the Doctors can't find any cancer anymore. Wow...God is good.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
did you feel that, Jack?
I can feel my child kicking!!!
This week I've finally felt our child kicking in Annie's belly. OMG! First time I put my hand over Annie's belly and waited for a good 10 sec; the child kicked back at my hand with so much strength. I laughed so hard! This is the joy of being a father. Although I don't see the baby yet, I know the child is there being nurturing and actively kicking inside of mommy's womb. God, this is amazing!
Went to Annie's company party, a guy whose wife is almost due says to me, "just wait until you put your face over the belly when the baby kicks, that's totally called the joy of father." I believe so. We talked about the fatherhood throughout the conversation. Others warn us about the mess the child can bring...well, I know it will be messy, but I still want to choose over the happiness of being a dad.
I can feel my child kicking!
Father God, I want to make You laugh too. I know You always do.
This week I've finally felt our child kicking in Annie's belly. OMG! First time I put my hand over Annie's belly and waited for a good 10 sec; the child kicked back at my hand with so much strength. I laughed so hard! This is the joy of being a father. Although I don't see the baby yet, I know the child is there being nurturing and actively kicking inside of mommy's womb. God, this is amazing!
Went to Annie's company party, a guy whose wife is almost due says to me, "just wait until you put your face over the belly when the baby kicks, that's totally called the joy of father." I believe so. We talked about the fatherhood throughout the conversation. Others warn us about the mess the child can bring...well, I know it will be messy, but I still want to choose over the happiness of being a dad.
I can feel my child kicking!
Father God, I want to make You laugh too. I know You always do.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
One lousy day?
It's gonna look like Christmas! I wish it's snowing here in LA.
I walked to church today again; I began to sing in spirit and started to make up lyrics, it has been a while since last time I sang something cute and funny yet "spiritual"...haha...
I like walking to church now.
After the Prophetic Art class, Annie and I went to Paul's house for another prayer meeting. Some pastor's wife prayed for me, it was encouraging and uplifting; things she prayed for once again reminded me of God's promises during these past 3 years. Just another confirmations of what God wants to do in my life. Fun stuff.
Suck at time management today. Totally wasted my day cuz of my stupidity in life/time/goal management. Sorry, I killed you, time... :(
I walked to church today again; I began to sing in spirit and started to make up lyrics, it has been a while since last time I sang something cute and funny yet "spiritual"...haha...
I like walking to church now.
After the Prophetic Art class, Annie and I went to Paul's house for another prayer meeting. Some pastor's wife prayed for me, it was encouraging and uplifting; things she prayed for once again reminded me of God's promises during these past 3 years. Just another confirmations of what God wants to do in my life. Fun stuff.
Suck at time management today. Totally wasted my day cuz of my stupidity in life/time/goal management. Sorry, I killed you, time... :(
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
spiritually circumcised
Are you spiritually circumcised?
Joshua 5 - After the crossing of the Jordan, God told Joshua to circumcise the nation of Israel. A whole nation needs to be clean and set apart before the Lord in a time of war! In front of the enemy, God wants us to consecrate ourselves and enjoy the feast. After the circumcision, the Israelites had their first Passover since the departure from Egypt. It was a time of celebration of God's deliverance and a time of thanksgiving. God prepares a banquet before our enemy!
God wants our spiritual foreskin, our hindrance, our spiritual fat!
In a time of crisis and hardship, God wants to remove our pride, self-indulgence, self-pity and shame. These are the blockages that hinder us from knowing His will. God is good ALL the time even when we don't understand it. It's the season of rebuilding His image in us, starting from the removal of our spiritual foreskin (Joshua 5).
Lord, keep me, save me and make me stronger in a time of crisis. Amen.
Joshua 5 - After the crossing of the Jordan, God told Joshua to circumcise the nation of Israel. A whole nation needs to be clean and set apart before the Lord in a time of war! In front of the enemy, God wants us to consecrate ourselves and enjoy the feast. After the circumcision, the Israelites had their first Passover since the departure from Egypt. It was a time of celebration of God's deliverance and a time of thanksgiving. God prepares a banquet before our enemy!
God wants our spiritual foreskin, our hindrance, our spiritual fat!
In a time of crisis and hardship, God wants to remove our pride, self-indulgence, self-pity and shame. These are the blockages that hinder us from knowing His will. God is good ALL the time even when we don't understand it. It's the season of rebuilding His image in us, starting from the removal of our spiritual foreskin (Joshua 5).
Lord, keep me, save me and make me stronger in a time of crisis. Amen.
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