Nine months have passed (no kidding!) since we opened the first page of our I Corinthians study book. After the long journey of beating the chests, squinting the eyes, scratching the heads, and echoing millions of words -- that's a healthy discussion -- , we have finally come to the end of the I Corinthians series. Hopefully, all of the lessons learned have fallen, like seeds, into good soil. When the time comes, these seeds will multiply and produce good crops for our Master and Creator.
At the end of every passing moment, there are usually two things that people can choose to do: to forget or to cherish the memory. Sadly but true, everything related to our spiritual life is tend to be forgotten easily. What an irony! Many of us won't disagree that the physical life is temporary, while the spiritual is eternal. Yet the way we allocate our energy and mind in each 24 hours tells which part of life is the most important.
Let's be different! We don't have to follow the crowd. As we believe that taking care of our physical life is important, we also believe our spiritual life needs the same attention. Hopefully we want to spare some times to look back to the lessons we have learned from our last series.
Please drop one or two paragraphs (or even just a line!) -- as a comment for this posting -- about the things that you have learned from our study of the I Corinthians. By doing that we can make the lessons stick and will also help our brothers and sisters to remember some important points from the letter. Yes, it's a looking back, but a constructive one!
Important(?) fact: The series began on July 20, 2007.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Giving
Yesterday, some friends and I joined an activity arranged by Willowcreek to pack meals for the children of the poorest of the poor. We packed thousand of meals for 72 kids in Zimbabwe for one whole year supply! Isn't that amazing?
Knowing that each meal pack only cost 15c (I estimate it can feed a kid for 1.5 day), I feel guilty about myself. It makes me realize how inadequate I am in giving. Yes, I give my tithing. I even take notes of what I earn just to calculate how much I 'owe' God (yea, I don't do that for any other reason honestly). So, I want to make sure that the 10% goes to God's temple (church, charity, etc). Why 10%? Well, that's what the Old Testament said:
One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. (Leviticus 27:30, NLT)
Now, what did the New Testament say?
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (1 Corinthians 9:7, NLT)
So guys, it's good that I force myself to fulfill my 'tithing quota'. But God prefers those who give cheerfully (OK, this is not a reason to reduce your tithing). My point is if you are 'counting precisely what you should give' to God, do you ever think how it will be if God is also 'counting precisely how much He wants to bless' you? What if God says "OK, today's blessing is too much for you, let me take back some since you only gave me 9% this month".
So let's consider ourselves as the steward but not the owner of God's blessing. To where and to who we want to distribute it? The poor, the sick, the unbeliever? And remember what God has promised:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3: 10-12, NLT)
Knowing that each meal pack only cost 15c (I estimate it can feed a kid for 1.5 day), I feel guilty about myself. It makes me realize how inadequate I am in giving. Yes, I give my tithing. I even take notes of what I earn just to calculate how much I 'owe' God (yea, I don't do that for any other reason honestly). So, I want to make sure that the 10% goes to God's temple (church, charity, etc). Why 10%? Well, that's what the Old Testament said:
One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. (Leviticus 27:30, NLT)
Now, what did the New Testament say?
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (1 Corinthians 9:7, NLT)
So guys, it's good that I force myself to fulfill my 'tithing quota'. But God prefers those who give cheerfully (OK, this is not a reason to reduce your tithing). My point is if you are 'counting precisely what you should give' to God, do you ever think how it will be if God is also 'counting precisely how much He wants to bless' you? What if God says "OK, today's blessing is too much for you, let me take back some since you only gave me 9% this month".
So let's consider ourselves as the steward but not the owner of God's blessing. To where and to who we want to distribute it? The poor, the sick, the unbeliever? And remember what God has promised:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. (Malachi 3: 10-12, NLT)
And The Heavens Rejoice...
There is rejoicing every time in the presence of the angels of God over one soul turns to God...
Rudi was baptized this morning, in the chilly Chicago weather as the wave of the waters crashing to the shore. In a splash, in the twinkling on a eye, all the heavens rejoice. You are now free since you have put your faith in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
The Holy Spirit within you now will guide you, instruct you and comfort you, my friend. May Lord Jesus will do wonders through your life.
Congrats, Rud!
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 26-28)
Judging Other People (2)
What kinds of judgments does Jesus not allow?
John 7:24 says,
What do you think of when you see girls out on the street at night? What do you think of when you see African/American workers in south suburban Chicago? What do you think of those homeless people on the street, selling newspaper, begging for money? What do you think of pastors?
I think, Jesus' point is that we should not evaluate one's outer appearance, which is how the world see things; instead, we should evaluate one's heart and actions based on God's principles, which is righteousness. This is a big gray area for me, so I won't say anymore about it. You should think about it, too.
How should I judge correctly?
James 4:11 says,
God tells us not to say bad things about our brothers and sisters, especially if we are not sure. If we have confirmed there is a problem, we should approach the person instead of spreading dark rumors.
Lastly, as we learned a couple weeks back:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
ps: There is an interesting reading on http://www.boundless.org/2002_2003/regulars/office_hours/a0000681.html.
John 7:24 says,
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.
What do you think of when you see girls out on the street at night? What do you think of when you see African/American workers in south suburban Chicago? What do you think of those homeless people on the street, selling newspaper, begging for money? What do you think of pastors?
I think, Jesus' point is that we should not evaluate one's outer appearance, which is how the world see things; instead, we should evaluate one's heart and actions based on God's principles, which is righteousness. This is a big gray area for me, so I won't say anymore about it. You should think about it, too.
How should I judge correctly?
James 4:11 says,
Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
God tells us not to say bad things about our brothers and sisters, especially if we are not sure. If we have confirmed there is a problem, we should approach the person instead of spreading dark rumors.
Lastly, as we learned a couple weeks back:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
ps: There is an interesting reading on http://www.boundless.org/2002_2003/regulars/office_hours/a0000681.html.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Judging Other People (1)
One of the things I regularly struggle with is: feeling that I have to live my life in a certain way, and that the way other people live theirs are often not right/biblical. By that, I mean both Christian and non-Christian people.
I suppose it is ok with the former, but the second part comes down to judging others, which--for me--sounds troubling.
The bible says in Luke 6:37-38:
I have always read only the first part of that verse, of which--taken wrongly--means "don't ever judge". But that is confusing to me because I feel that at some point we should judge and help our brothers and sisters when needed (Uh oh, I see a problem there, because I think I am the right one. I'll come back to this later). We need to judge in a lot of things we do, and to make good decisions.
So.. my next question is: What does Jesus mean He said "Do not judge" in this verse? What kinds of judgments does He not allow? How should I judge correctly?
What I say next is based on my reading and self-reflection. I do hope God guides me since He has put this concern in me for a long time. But feel free to give your thoughts, make corrections, or email me about your concerns :)
What does Jesus mean?
I realize I need to read further in the bible, on Luke 6:39-42:
Jesus reminded us that we are also lost people, in need of guidance from Him. We make mistakes and sin, often times without realizing it. Thus we're blind. Because we're blind, how can we say, "I'm going to guide this friend of mine so he/she comes back to God." My friend and I are in the same condition!
But Jesus does not mean simply that we should never help other people because we're just as bad as them. On verse 42, He says, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, .." For example, I would tell that some people (I know) spend lavishly, such as buy expensive/too many clothings, take many vacations, dine in expensive restaurants and throw left-over food. I consider those wrong, and they are probably wrong in general sense, but when I keep those negative thoughts about them, I am condemning myself. Because sometimes I do those, too. When I think that other people sin, I sin, too; that they should be punished, I should be, too.
What I should do is inspect myself and see if I sin in similar ways. Sometimes the issue is not as simple as I thought.
(to be continued..)
I suppose it is ok with the former, but the second part comes down to judging others, which--for me--sounds troubling.
The bible says in Luke 6:37-38:
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
I have always read only the first part of that verse, of which--taken wrongly--means "don't ever judge". But that is confusing to me because I feel that at some point we should judge and help our brothers and sisters when needed (Uh oh, I see a problem there, because I think I am the right one. I'll come back to this later). We need to judge in a lot of things we do, and to make good decisions.
So.. my next question is: What does Jesus mean He said "Do not judge" in this verse? What kinds of judgments does He not allow? How should I judge correctly?
What I say next is based on my reading and self-reflection. I do hope God guides me since He has put this concern in me for a long time. But feel free to give your thoughts, make corrections, or email me about your concerns :)
What does Jesus mean?
I realize I need to read further in the bible, on Luke 6:39-42:
He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
Jesus reminded us that we are also lost people, in need of guidance from Him. We make mistakes and sin, often times without realizing it. Thus we're blind. Because we're blind, how can we say, "I'm going to guide this friend of mine so he/she comes back to God." My friend and I are in the same condition!
But Jesus does not mean simply that we should never help other people because we're just as bad as them. On verse 42, He says, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, .." For example, I would tell that some people (I know) spend lavishly, such as buy expensive/too many clothings, take many vacations, dine in expensive restaurants and throw left-over food. I consider those wrong, and they are probably wrong in general sense, but when I keep those negative thoughts about them, I am condemning myself. Because sometimes I do those, too. When I think that other people sin, I sin, too; that they should be punished, I should be, too.
What I should do is inspect myself and see if I sin in similar ways. Sometimes the issue is not as simple as I thought.
(to be continued..)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Resurrection Body (1 Corinthians 15: 20-58) - Arang April 11, 2008
Our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed has risen from death and became first fruits of those who have died in the past.
From the man Adam came death but by the man Jesus came the resurrection.
The order of the resurrection: Jesus Christ first, then all the people that belong to Him, then comes the end of time.
At the end of time (Lord Jesus second coming):
Without Christ's Resurrection:
From the man Adam came death but by the man Jesus came the resurrection.
The order of the resurrection: Jesus Christ first, then all the people that belong to Him, then comes the end of time.
At the end of time (Lord Jesus second coming):
- He will destroy all rulers, dominions and authorities
- He will deliver the kingdom to God
- He will reign
- He will destroy death
Without Christ's Resurrection:
- Baptism for the dead is useless
- (The Apostle) Self-sacrifice is useless
What we should do then?
- Do not listen to bad company, people that want to spread the lies
- Awake to righteousness
- Do no sin
If we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we will be resurrected with new spiritual body when Christ comes again.
Our body right now is like a seed, when we died, that body is sown to the ground and at the last day it will be resurrected/raised like a plant or tree that comes from the ground from the very same seed (our resurrected body will inherit certain characteristics from our earthly body).
Every flesh is different and every splendor of resurrection body is different. Like the splendor of sun, moon and stars and the splendor of stars to stars.
In comparison:
* Earthly Body:
- Perishable
- Dishonor by sin
- Weak
- Natural body
* Heavenly Body:
- Imperishable
- In glory
- Powerful
- Spiritual body
When will we receive our heavenly body?
At the last trumpet, when Jesus comes again to this earth for the second time, in a flash, in a blink of an eye, the dead will be raised and the living will be instantly changed. From perishable to imperishable, from mortal to immortal.
Thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, through our Lord, death and sin have been defeated.
What we need to do until then?
- Stand firm in your faith
- Let nothing move you from your faith and commitment to Jesus Christ
- Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord.
Why? Because our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Thank you Jesus!
Come Lord Jesus, Come! O, yes!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Welcome!
Hello, my friend!
I'm glad you stop by today, aren't you?
Since this is the first post ever, I want to be short so everyone of you would read it, yet still deliver the important message of why this blog is born and why YOU should be a part of it.
Throughout the life of Arang, some of us have wondered..
I don't think I need to be more verbose. Those are WHY this blog is born!
Now, what does it have to do with you?
Well, on one side, you might agree with one or more of those reasons above. In that case, please do participate in this blog: share your stories, ask questions, learn from others, help one another. I'll tell you later how you can start.
On the other side, if you don't share those concerns, it's ok! It's more important that you continue to grow spiritually. This blog is here for you, if you need it. We still would like you to visit this space, though! ;)
This is getting long, but bear with me please, I'm almost done :-)
After all that, I hope you understand that you are more than welcome to create new topics and post comments on this blog. Before you get too excited, here is the not-so-fun part:
If this is your first time on this blog, please leave a note (that is, comment). Tell us how you're doing and what you're doing at the moment.
See you later. You're loved.
I'm glad you stop by today, aren't you?
Since this is the first post ever, I want to be short so everyone of you would read it, yet still deliver the important message of why this blog is born and why YOU should be a part of it.
Throughout the life of Arang, some of us have wondered..
- I have bible study on Friday, but I often forget what I learn several days/weeks later
- I have learned a lot about loving people regardless, but my friend hurt me and I'm struggling to forgive her
- I'm going through a difficult time and need somebody to pray for me
- God has blessed me greatly! I want to tell my friends about it
- There is this new song that's really nice.. can we learn to sing this song together in Arang?
- I missed the last Arang bible study. It'd be great if I can look at the notes and discussions.
- I came across this bible verse (or lesson), but do not get it. I want to ask someone.
I don't think I need to be more verbose. Those are WHY this blog is born!
Now, what does it have to do with you?
Well, on one side, you might agree with one or more of those reasons above. In that case, please do participate in this blog: share your stories, ask questions, learn from others, help one another. I'll tell you later how you can start.
On the other side, if you don't share those concerns, it's ok! It's more important that you continue to grow spiritually. This blog is here for you, if you need it. We still would like you to visit this space, though! ;)
This is getting long, but bear with me please, I'm almost done :-)
After all that, I hope you understand that you are more than welcome to create new topics and post comments on this blog. Before you get too excited, here is the not-so-fun part:
- Contact Adrian with your Google email (gmail) and he will give you permission to post to this blog.
- There is only 1 rule (for now). Please post topics that are relevant to Arang. Don't post arbitrary information, such as weekend plans, jokes (unless it has biblical meaning), complaints/criticism about other people. In doubt, please discuss it with somebody first.
If this is your first time on this blog, please leave a note (that is, comment). Tell us how you're doing and what you're doing at the moment.
See you later. You're loved.
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