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Fairness and Grace

Monday February 24th, 2020
24 Feb 2020

Kin Kwong

“It’s not fair!” This is the phrase children often use when they are corrected. Fairness deals with punishments and rewards. Fair means one receives what they deserve, while grace means one receives what is undeserved. People demand equality and justice in this world, but the problem is not everyone agrees on what that looks like. When we approach God, it is often with the mindset of what we believe is “fair” and we fail to understand that God operates through grace.

Eph 2:8 (NLT) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

We are all saved by God’s grace. If God was truly being fair, none of us would deserve His salvation. We deserve punishment and death for our sins, but instead Jesus willingly paid the price for us so that we can be in a relationship with God. A person who truly receives God’s grace and acknowledges that he is not worthy of it, will not despise His grace and intentionally keep on sinning. Even when we unintentionally sin, God, in His infinite grace, extends forgiveness so that we will return back to Him. Are you living your life in light of His grace or are you operating under the law, petitioning for justice and personal rights?

Reflections:

  1. When was the last time that you paused and thanked God for His grace because He has not dealt you with what you deserve?
  2. When and how have you acted in fairness and justice rather than extending grace towards others?
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Looking Back to Look Forward

Sunday February 23rd, 2020
23 Feb 2020

David Kao

Do you remember who you were before knowing Jesus? Do you remember those moments when you first trusted in God? In our Baptism class I tell the candidates to write their testimony using three main questions: 

1) What kind of person were you before knowing Jesus? 

2) How did you encounter God? 

3) Who are you now, having received Jesus as your Savior?

In Deuteronomy, God often reminds the Israelites to “remember” their past as they journeyed into the promised land. Moses repeatedly asked Israel to remember because throughout the 40 years that Moses led the people of Israel in the wilderness we find that the Israelites complained a lot! When they forgot, they rebelled; when they remembered, they worshiped.

Oftentimes when we become overwhelmed, frustrated or depressed, it is because we have forgotten to look back remembering who God is, where He has saved us from or the promises God has made in our lives. We allow our present circumstances to dictate our mindset and take away the Joy of our Salvation! Due to forgetfulness we allow the present disruptions to take away our freedom to live a life of worship, in unison with God. 

Reflections:

  1. Would you set a time to remember your past by writing down God’s footprints in your life as we’ve done in the Baptism class? 
  2. Would you find someone to share and celebrate those life-changing moments of your encounter with God? You are saved! When looking back, you will live like those who were saved from slavery in Egypt.
  3. Looking forward. Who do you want to pass it on to? Testify your salvation to the next generation so they might also know and remember WHO God is and WHAT God has done. By that, you are able to look beyond the present disruptions, setting your eyes on God and the mission He has given to you.
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Busyness = Burnout

Saturday February 22nd, 2020
22 Feb 2020

Leonora Taylor

“Ask anyone running through the halls of a high-tech company how they’re doing. The informal poll I did on a random Wednesday resulted in 99.9% answering ‘Crazy busy’ or some version of that. When I dug deeper and asked what was causing people to be so ‘crazy busy,’ they offered the typical responses: back-to-back meetings, hundreds of emails in their inbox and no space in their days to think.” (Melissa Daimler, Huff Post 2014).  Does this quote sound familiar to anyone? We live in a place where busyness is praised and those who take pride in being busy gain a sense of feeling important because so much is demanded of them. But, is busyness good for our soul and could it be distracting us from something more important? Read more →

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From Death to Life

Friday February 21st, 2020
21 Feb 2020

Pastor YouPing Liu

Dr. Wenliang Li, who was one of the coronavirus whistleblowers, passed away on February 7, 2020. His death shocked everyone nationwide, as well as globally.  Dr. Li, a 34-year-old ophthalmologist working at Wuhan Central Hospital, was arrested on January 1 by local Chinese officials on a charge of  “spreading rumors.” Two days before his arrest, he had posted on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging website, giving a warning to his colleagues, saying that the harm of the new coronavirus was similar to SARS. The Chinese national media reported that his arrest, along with the other 7 doctors, was to make sure that no one in the medical arena continued to spread rumors, lest fear proliferated before the lunar New Year.

Dr. Li was diagnosed with the coronavirus on January 10 and was admitted to the hospital 2 days after. On January 28, the local government could not help but admit their mistake and tried to defend these doctors. Unfortunately, Dr. Li passed away at a young age. What comforted me was that it was said that Dr. Li was a Christian believer. He was boldly speaking the truth under great pressure because of his Christian conscience and professionalism. Though Dr. Li left this earth, we believe that he now is forever with the Lord Jesus. Up until February 10, 40,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus, nearly 900 have died, and most of them were not Christians yet. Where are these souls now?

Ephesians 2:4-7 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Despite the rapid pace of change of this world, only those who put their trust in Jesus will be blessed! Our souls were dead in transgressions, separated from God. However, by God’s grace and mercy, Jesus Christ paid the ransom for us and our sins are forgiven when we believe in Jesus. Also, God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms. We will receive His abundant grace.

Reflections:

  1. How do we, as Christians, face these sudden calamities and plagues? What do we hope for?

  2. So many lives have been lost in the coronavirus outbreak and most of them were not Christians…who is responsible for their lives?

Read more →

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The Transit Lounge of God

Thursday February 20th, 2020
20 Feb 2020

Grace Chen

Passengers from all walks of life are waiting in a transit lounge. Some are waiting reluctantly, others with anxieties; and yet there are people who wait patiently. However complex their feelings, the plane will soon be taking off. At worst, the flight could be delayed or even cancelled. Nevertheless, it will eventually land at the final destination.

In the transit lounge of God, passengers could be facing similar situations as those of the world. The difference is, however, that these people are waiting with high expectancy.

Abraham waited patiently and he finally received what was promised (Hebrews 6:15). Abraham is our role model in terms of waiting with patience. The background of Hebrews 6:15 is that he went to the region of Moriah, sacrificing his beloved son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. In such a crisis, he desired to obey God wholeheartedly, trusting that God’s promise would not go empty. Thus, his waiting was active. The very core of God’s promise to Abraham was to bless him and to bless him with countless generations. To respond to Abraham’s active waiting, God fulfilled His promise, as Hebrews 6:15 was written, “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” In the transit lounge of God, we’re waiting actively, patiently and full of expectancy, without being lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (Hebrews 6:12).

We are to wait in hope for Jehovah God, trusting Him with joy because He is our help and our shield (Ps. 33:20-22).

Reflections:

  1. Abraham received what was promised because of his active waiting. In your life, what makes you wait in the transit lounge of God?
  2. In your lounge, you may feel tension, frustration and anxieties. It could also be a place of peace. While waiting, what is your attitude?
  3. Are you seeking God’s will, setting your eyes on Him, actively waiting for God?
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Peace Amidst Uncertainty?

Wednesday February 19th, 2020
19 Feb 2020

Eugene Lui

Can there be peace during uncertainties? We just finished reading the Genesis account of the story of Joseph. Will you have peace if you were thrown into a pit by your brothers and have no idea what may come next?  If you were sold to traveling traders and have no idea where you are going and what future is awaiting you? If temptation is within arm’s reach in where you work and live, and you are not sure if your boss would understand your situation?  If you were wrongly accused and in prison and didn’t know if justice would prevail? 

Peace is trusting God.  In my life, peace does not come instantaneously. I have been a Christian for a long time and served Him however I could.  But when I was told that I was laid off, my being was shocked. I loved my line of work and my performance always exceeded expectations.  I was lost in what the future would hold for a person late in his career. Fear, feeling lost, doubt, and my very identity were all being challenged.  There was no peace but much unrest. But God slowly allowed me to see: 

His provision…my company gave a very good retirement package 

His faithfulness…allowing me more time to serve Him

His loving kindness…via the support of family and brothers & sisters in Christ

Then I came to know that He had a better plan for me than just continuing along my own path with my company.  Peace came only after many months of wrestling with God.

Peace is not a packaged state of mind.  Peace to me is a long fight that takes all my might.  Peace only comes when I finally surrender to God and take up His peace.  It is in Jesus’ Words, “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).  Then my soul rests. My heart becomes free of turmoil and fear and I am encouraged to walk with Emanuel, God with us.

Reflections:

  1. What are you going through today?  Issues with health? With work? With relationships? With life in general?
  2. Do you want peace in your life?  What is peace to you?
  3. What would you like Jesus to do at this moment for you?
  4. Would you pray and ask Him?
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This World Belongs to the Father

Tuesday February 18th, 2020
18 Feb 2020

Derrick Duong

What is your worldview? The fact that we often see and hear about activities of darkness, wickedness and sinfulness and that we are bombarded by bad news each day such as earthquakes, coronavirus, protests, shootings, wildfire and the like does not necessarily mean that the world belongs to the king of darkness. Let us make no mistake and believe that this world is out of God’s great Hand. The world we’re living in forever belongs to our Heavenly Father. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1). The heavens are His, and His also the earth; the Lord founded the world and all that is in it (Ps. 89:11). God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne (Ps. 47:8). Our Father is forever taking control over the world, and He never stops loving the world since the first day of His creation. God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him (Jn. 3:16-17). With this new set of eyes to see the world, we’re able to embrace this broken world and be ready to participate in God’s redemptive world mission.

Reflections:

  1. The Apostle John warned us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (1Jn. 2:15). How do you differentiate between the way you love the world and that of the Father’s? 
  2. What changes do you need to make in order to love this world as the Father does? What do you have to offer to this world with the blessings you received from the Father?

Does embracing and loving this broken world mean that you have to belong to it? Jesus said, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (Jn. 15:19). How do you prepare yourself to be treated by the world?

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Power Through Powerlessness

Monday February 17th, 2020
17 Feb 2020

Rev. John Young

Someone told me she heard a testimony in which the sister was saying: Before coming to America, I had a good job, and did very well. Everyone in the company appreciated me. I felt that I was pretty capable. There weren’t too many things I couldn’t handle. But ever since coming here, the language and culture were all new to me. People here were better than I. I felt depressed. And I felt that I was useless, incapable of anything… “

Hearing this testimony, I began to think: How wonderful is it that this person has such self awareness and humility! Actually the Lord has already begun His wonderful work of turning around her life, so that His power and glory would shine through her.

Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest garden plant and becomes a tree, so that the wild birds come and nest in its branches.” A mustard seed is here to testify to the power of God. Sense of insignificance and humility are the steps every believer must traverse. Even Jesus took the same road (Philippians 2:6-8), are you willing to likewise?

During this time as we prepare for the Deeper Life Conference of 2019, let us develop the 2020 vision, seeing that we are small and useless. Think. What are the things in the world that are making you feel proud: Your work? The achievements of your kids? Your comfortable home? Even your ministry in the church which has given you so much satisfaction?… Are you willing to give them us, saying from the bottom of your heart: “Lord, I am small and useless. I need you” ?

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From Fear to “Fear”

Sunday February 16th, 2020
16 Feb 2020

Rev.  Alan Lee

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the world has been gripped with fear. International travels halted. Conferences cancelled.  Borders closed. In times of extreme fear, people react with extreme measures. Some people stockpile facemasks. Some steal and reuse old facemasks. Some even put clear plastic bottles on their heads to protect themselves! How should we respond in this time of crisis?

When we survey the Old Testament, plagues broke out at least three times in Israel’s history:

  1. Korah and company attacked and accused Moses (Numbers 16 – verbal accusation, curses put on leaders) 
  2. The Israelites indulged in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women (Numbers 25)
  3. David took a census of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 24 – pride)

We need to stand in the gap and ask God for forgiveness over our verbal curses and accusations on our leaders, sexual immorality, idolatry and pride that may have brought upon this plague.

Let us replace the fear of coronavirus with the “fear of the Lord!”  This is our best defense against the virus!

“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.’”  Exodus 20:20

If we have the fear of God in our hearts, we will not sin against Him.  He has given us this great promise in Exodus 15:26:

He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”

Let us choose the “right” fear for God is our refuge, our strength and our Healer!

 Reflections:

  1. What are you fearful of today?   Does fear paralyze you?
  2. How do you practice the “fear of God” in your daily life?
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Why Fast?

Saturday February 15th, 2020
15 Feb 2020

Rev. Ted Kang

To Jesus, fasting was not a matter of “if” but “when”.  He entered His public ministry with a season of fasting.  He expected His followers to practice fasting as an ongoing spiritual discipline.  Fasting is a discipline of simplicity. We lose our ability to appreciate things simply because we have too many things to consume.  We have very little appetite for the things of God when we are stuffed with the things of this world. Fasting, in its purest form, is a voluntary abstinence from the “good” things of this world so that we will develop a hunger for the “greater” things of the Kingdom.  A well-respected pastor and theologian once said, “the greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It’s not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink every night.”

Reflections:

  1. What are the good things in your life that are preventing you from pursuing the best that God has for you?  
  2. Many assume that God no longer speaks today.  Is it possible that our lives are perhaps a little too cluttered with other voices that we simply do not have the bandwidth to hear His voice?  
  3. How can you de-clutter and simplify your life in this season so that you will have room for the spiritual blessings God wants to release to you?  
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