022808:
1 Corinthians 13:5 It (love) is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Paul is writing to the people of Corinth about love. This is a very popular and well heard of scripture. Today, I am interested in this particular verse. God is love. God cannot be anything other than who He is. He has very distinguishable characteristics. Love is one of His characteristics that is often overlooked or glazed over by the world’s own jaded view of the word. God is not rude, self-seeking, or easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs. This means that Jesus also was all these things. If Jesus dwells inside of me and I am to die to my flesh and allow Jesus to live through me, then I should be these things as well.
What I am realizing is that I am indeed rude, self-seeking, and easily angered. Also, I do hold grudges. However, what I need to do is not brush off these sinful flaws, but take ownership of them. For example, today I have to meet a lady who only wants to help our ministry in the area of fundraising. But, I’m already complaining to myself (and to my husband) that it won’t be worth the trip over there. I’m more concerned with how much sleep I get. Also, I’m more concerned about my gas and the wear and tear on my car. What I realize, is that I’m very selfish. I’m very rude. I never voice my rudeness to people directly, but I think of all the things I wish I had the nerve to say and boy, they sure are rude things to say! So, today, I the Lord has answered my prayer from yesterday, that I may be like Balaam’s donkey and see God’s truth. I feel ashamed of my record of denial, but I know that God is forgiving and so I need to know that God will not hold this against me if I truly repent and that gives me hope to learn and move on.
Heavenly Father, I praise You for answering my prayer. Lord, I see clearly in Your light. Please continue to reveal those things that are hidden. I repent, Lord, of all my sin. I desire to die to my flesh so that Jesus can live through me. Help me to change my thought process. Renew my heart today so that I do all things with zeal for You. I love You, Lord. I thank You for Your Son and for the changes You are making in my life each day. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior, Amen.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Am I Resisting God's Resistance?
022708:
Numbers 22:32-34
32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.” 34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”
Balaam had already been told by the Lord to not go with the men. When the king sent more men, Balaam asked God again on something the Lord had already spoken on. It's not that God changed His mind, but rather, He had to make His point clear to Balaam and King Balak. As Balaam was riding on his donkey, three times the donkey say the angel of the Lord holding a sword and it tried to avoid it, I would imagine, for Balaam's sake. The Lord opened the donkey's mouth and she asked Balaam why he had beaten her three times! It turns out that Balaam had indeed sinned against God by going with Balak's men. Balaam saw his sin, confessed it, and repented. But instead of sending Balaam home, He used Balaam's sin for His greater glory.
With all the changes in motion at this point in my life, I feel like I can't afford to be like Balaam and refuse to listen to the Lord's warnings. I feel like I'm being drawn in a direction that is of His will, but I must still proceed carefully. I don't want to resist God stubbornly! However, if I happen to do that, I know that God will still use my mistake for His greater purpose. I can rest assured that He will accept my repentance. But, man! I totally don't want to be one to be beating upon the very thing that is trying to lead me to safety! I want to be obedient. I want to be like the donkey and see the angel of the Lord.
Heavenly Father, I love You so much! I thank You for Your Son, Jesus! Please forgive me for my sins. Show me the path that You want me to take. Please help me to see Your plan and Your will. Guide me, Father. I am willing to be obedient, now. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Numbers 22:32-34
32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.” 34 Then Balaam confessed to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I didn’t realize you were standing in the road to block my way. I will return home if you are against my going.”
Balaam had already been told by the Lord to not go with the men. When the king sent more men, Balaam asked God again on something the Lord had already spoken on. It's not that God changed His mind, but rather, He had to make His point clear to Balaam and King Balak. As Balaam was riding on his donkey, three times the donkey say the angel of the Lord holding a sword and it tried to avoid it, I would imagine, for Balaam's sake. The Lord opened the donkey's mouth and she asked Balaam why he had beaten her three times! It turns out that Balaam had indeed sinned against God by going with Balak's men. Balaam saw his sin, confessed it, and repented. But instead of sending Balaam home, He used Balaam's sin for His greater glory.
With all the changes in motion at this point in my life, I feel like I can't afford to be like Balaam and refuse to listen to the Lord's warnings. I feel like I'm being drawn in a direction that is of His will, but I must still proceed carefully. I don't want to resist God stubbornly! However, if I happen to do that, I know that God will still use my mistake for His greater purpose. I can rest assured that He will accept my repentance. But, man! I totally don't want to be one to be beating upon the very thing that is trying to lead me to safety! I want to be obedient. I want to be like the donkey and see the angel of the Lord.
Heavenly Father, I love You so much! I thank You for Your Son, Jesus! Please forgive me for my sins. Show me the path that You want me to take. Please help me to see Your plan and Your will. Guide me, Father. I am willing to be obedient, now. I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Speak to the Rock
022608: Devotion
Numbers 20:11-12
11And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore [b]shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Psalm 28: 1UNTO YOU do I cry, O Lord my Rock, be not deaf and silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit [the grave].
Mark 5:28-29
28For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.
29And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment.
In Numbers, it gives an account of when the Israelites were grumbling to Moses and Aaron that there was no water. The Israelites were frequently grumbling. They grumbled about there being no food, then God sent Manna. They grumbled about no meat, then God sent them quail. Now, they were complaining about water and God told Moses and Aaron that if they would just speak to the rock, then water would flow forth from it. But possibly in anger and resentment, Moses and Aaron spoke to the people (not the rock) and also struck the rock twice. What they were told to do was to speak to the rock, not yell at the people and strike the rock. There were consequences for disobedience because what they had done was made the water flow from the rock from their anger, from their resentment, and so God was not glorified by the miracle. The Lord only asks for us to depend on His strength. In Psalm 28, David refers to God as his Rock not because rocks are silent and still, but because rocks are strong and stable. Jesus only needed one touch from this woman who believed in Him. The Lord does not need us to make a show of our religion, but just a humble obedience to depend on Him in all situations.
Wow, Lord! This is a lot to take in. I really need to ask myself, am I doing things for show or am I depending on Your strength? I know that there are things I need to prune back on. I'm doing way too many things which is making it hard for me to focus on my true mission. Hmm...what is my true mission? Lord, I know that I need to stop forcing miracles to happen. Like, I need to stop trying to command healing in sick people. I should stop trying to please You with extra religious stuff and just walk step by step. When I look at all the things I feel I need to do, it just makes me paralyzed and I can't move forward. I need to just touch You. I need to just speak to You, Jesus, whenever I encounter an obstacle and trust that You will pour forth Your healing water. Today, I lift my hands in surrender. I'll stop trying to be so "in control."
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for this new day. I pray for Your forgiveness for all the times that I try to do miracles on my own strength. Lord, help me to depend on You totally! I trust in You alone, Lord. Please transform me into the woman You designed me to be! May all my actions and words point back to Your strength and Your power. Help me to be humble. Show me where I should set my priorities today and always. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Numbers 20:11-12
11And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
12And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore [b]shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Psalm 28: 1UNTO YOU do I cry, O Lord my Rock, be not deaf and silent to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those going down to the pit [the grave].
Mark 5:28-29
28For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.
29And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment.
In Numbers, it gives an account of when the Israelites were grumbling to Moses and Aaron that there was no water. The Israelites were frequently grumbling. They grumbled about there being no food, then God sent Manna. They grumbled about no meat, then God sent them quail. Now, they were complaining about water and God told Moses and Aaron that if they would just speak to the rock, then water would flow forth from it. But possibly in anger and resentment, Moses and Aaron spoke to the people (not the rock) and also struck the rock twice. What they were told to do was to speak to the rock, not yell at the people and strike the rock. There were consequences for disobedience because what they had done was made the water flow from the rock from their anger, from their resentment, and so God was not glorified by the miracle. The Lord only asks for us to depend on His strength. In Psalm 28, David refers to God as his Rock not because rocks are silent and still, but because rocks are strong and stable. Jesus only needed one touch from this woman who believed in Him. The Lord does not need us to make a show of our religion, but just a humble obedience to depend on Him in all situations.
Wow, Lord! This is a lot to take in. I really need to ask myself, am I doing things for show or am I depending on Your strength? I know that there are things I need to prune back on. I'm doing way too many things which is making it hard for me to focus on my true mission. Hmm...what is my true mission? Lord, I know that I need to stop forcing miracles to happen. Like, I need to stop trying to command healing in sick people. I should stop trying to please You with extra religious stuff and just walk step by step. When I look at all the things I feel I need to do, it just makes me paralyzed and I can't move forward. I need to just touch You. I need to just speak to You, Jesus, whenever I encounter an obstacle and trust that You will pour forth Your healing water. Today, I lift my hands in surrender. I'll stop trying to be so "in control."
Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for this new day. I pray for Your forgiveness for all the times that I try to do miracles on my own strength. Lord, help me to depend on You totally! I trust in You alone, Lord. Please transform me into the woman You designed me to be! May all my actions and words point back to Your strength and Your power. Help me to be humble. Show me where I should set my priorities today and always. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, February 25, 2008
This new blog
What an interesting and convenient discovery! I'm formerly a Xanga member, but I think I'll switch over to this blog now. How appropriate, especially since I have entered into a new chapter of my life, that I will have a new blogspot as well. My prayer is that whoever reads my blogs will be touched in a very meaningful way. Perhaps a life changing revelation will take place or answers will be found. I'll start this blog off with some background about who I am and what I do.
I'm Christian who fell in love with Jesus Christ at the age of 21. I grew up knowing about Jesus all my life, but I truly fell in love with Him in December 2004, while I was in a church Christmas musical called "Children of Eden." I was living a double life at the time, partying during the night and rehearsing for the play and studying for college during the day. I got very sick soon after opening night and lost my voice. All I could do was pray to God for my voice to come out while I waited in the wings to sing or speak my lines. The other youth choir members were praying over me as well, and it was then that I realized, these "Christians" weren't faking it. They truly loved me and didn't judge me. They lived a life, as best they could, following in Jesus' footsteps. With a broken pride and damaged vocal chords, I asked God to forgive me and I had a new conviction in my heart to serve Him with all the gifts He had given me. Since that point in my life, my relationship with Jesus has grown and blossomed.
It was with His help that I began to turn away from drugs, drunkenness, lusts, and many other sinful tendencies. Now, about 4 years later, I am serving at New Hope Oahu as the Youth Choir musical's choreographer, on the Drama Team, in the Young Adults Ministy called Pursuit, and starting up a new women's ministry for Young Adult Women called Embrace. Also, on December 29, 2007, I became the wife of Hanzo Hamamura! Hanzo is a Youth Pastor with Pursuit and he has his own web page at http://hanzohamamura.googlepages.com/. Married life is wonderful and it keeps getting better. I have to admit, it requires a lot of hard work, but the fruit from that hard work is sweeter than any other investment.
I'm currently in a season of transition when it comes to my occupation. I am a part time magician's assistant for Alan Arita and a substitute teacher. However, I think all that will change very soon. I feel that God is calling me into full time ministry, so I'll be pruning my jobs and focusing my schedule on God's calling in my life.
I hope to be faithful in posting updates on this blog. Perhaps I'll post my devotion once in a while or give the 411 on the latest things going on in the ministries and our marriage. Either way, I hope that what I write serves a greater purpose. God bless you and may peace be with you wherever you go.
I'm Christian who fell in love with Jesus Christ at the age of 21. I grew up knowing about Jesus all my life, but I truly fell in love with Him in December 2004, while I was in a church Christmas musical called "Children of Eden." I was living a double life at the time, partying during the night and rehearsing for the play and studying for college during the day. I got very sick soon after opening night and lost my voice. All I could do was pray to God for my voice to come out while I waited in the wings to sing or speak my lines. The other youth choir members were praying over me as well, and it was then that I realized, these "Christians" weren't faking it. They truly loved me and didn't judge me. They lived a life, as best they could, following in Jesus' footsteps. With a broken pride and damaged vocal chords, I asked God to forgive me and I had a new conviction in my heart to serve Him with all the gifts He had given me. Since that point in my life, my relationship with Jesus has grown and blossomed.
It was with His help that I began to turn away from drugs, drunkenness, lusts, and many other sinful tendencies. Now, about 4 years later, I am serving at New Hope Oahu as the Youth Choir musical's choreographer, on the Drama Team, in the Young Adults Ministy called Pursuit, and starting up a new women's ministry for Young Adult Women called Embrace. Also, on December 29, 2007, I became the wife of Hanzo Hamamura! Hanzo is a Youth Pastor with Pursuit and he has his own web page at http://hanzohamamura.googlepages.com/. Married life is wonderful and it keeps getting better. I have to admit, it requires a lot of hard work, but the fruit from that hard work is sweeter than any other investment.
I'm currently in a season of transition when it comes to my occupation. I am a part time magician's assistant for Alan Arita and a substitute teacher. However, I think all that will change very soon. I feel that God is calling me into full time ministry, so I'll be pruning my jobs and focusing my schedule on God's calling in my life.
I hope to be faithful in posting updates on this blog. Perhaps I'll post my devotion once in a while or give the 411 on the latest things going on in the ministries and our marriage. Either way, I hope that what I write serves a greater purpose. God bless you and may peace be with you wherever you go.
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