Journey: Guangxi

We focused on anger and forgiveness today. We all get into conflicts, there are always difference in opinions, and just when people don't get along. It often can spark anger, and tension, but thats completely fine, no one ever said that you had to get along with every person you see. But how you deal with it is whats most important.

When there's conflict, there are two main roads we can take.

Bitterness. You can take this conflict and make it anger, you can twist it into revenge, and act upon it. It can get much worse, its practically playing with fire. Whats worse is that when we are bitter when we hold grudges, it doesn't help. It affects us, our relationship with others as well as our relationship with God. It will eat you from the inside out and the bitterness will eventually start pouring out of you.

Forgiveness. God calls us to forgive, continuously, over and over again. When forgiving, you are channelling Christ's love for us, and similar to bitterness or anything in general, as you channel and invest yourself into something more and more, you eventually start to be it and it starts to reflect and pour out of you naturally.

Along the lines of conflict, forgiveness, and bitterness, the next step is repentance. Especially when you've done something wrong. Repentance isn't a formula, some ritual you do, but it is a choice that you make, a change in thinking. When you decide to confess and repent, you acknowledge what you are doing wrong, and you make an effort and change, to stop, to fight it. This allows for growth, and strengthening in your faith and in your character.

On a short terms missions, even every day, we're dealing with problems and people, we must learn to follow Christ, forgive and love. Turn the other cheek.

²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Mark 11:25 

continue to pray

Im completely guilty of not spending enough time with Christ in prayer. Usually, its short and simple before meals, and long and lengthy before I head to bed.

Prayer is so important with Christ, its our only form of communication with Him. Thinking about it, sometimes I really feel like I'm just using Christ, with all my requests, not only for myself but for other people as well. We've learnt to pray Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. I know that many of us usually just skip to supplication. God is not our vending machine for us to take advantage of.

I really hope that i can continue to pray more, its hard to go to him in prayer sometimes, but its so important and i hope i can continue to practice that.

Remember that prayer can be simple, it doesn't have to be formal and crazy, God hears you, you can cry out, you can speak softly, he's listening.

²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24 

God's Masterpiece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhfUzodLRvk

You are God's masterpiece. No one's perfect. We all have flaws. The first time i saw this video was back in Grade 10 and i thought it meant nothing. Just another YouTube video being shown at fellowship. The second time hit me hard. It was during retreat and we were talking about how our lives is like a renovation.

It's all bad and unwanted at the beginning but when during the process it gets ugly, destroyed, and it's messy, very messy. Once all the stuff is destroyed and rebuilt in the end it's all pretty and perfect.

Similar to our walk with God. He made us his masterpiece and he shapes and molds us to be like him. During our walk with God it will definitely get ugly. With temptations, struggles, and challenges.

Accept the fact that God made you for a reason, a purpose, and you're perfect. Every time we confess our sins he uses that hammer to chisel away our sins to make us beautiful.

hidden away

God sees all. And although he has the power to see all, there are many things we still try to hide from him. Sins especially.

Like when Adam and Eve, after they ate the apple from the forbidden tree in the garden of Eden, they immediately tried to hide, cover themselves up for the sin they committed. I think i've realized this a lot too. Before sin, temptation looks so enticing and delicious, and you get closer and closer, and inch by inch it teases you to fall in, and after you taste it, a lick, a drop, or a bite, you immediately see. Like Adam and Eve, their eyes TRULY opened, and i feel like the same happens. Your eyes open and you truly see how disgusting and filthy you are from stepping into the sin. Immediately you want to hide it, pretend like it never happened. But the truth is, God knows, and he sees it.

The thing we need to do is admit, confess, and repent. Ecclesiastes 12:14 says,

¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

God will bring everything you do into the light. And you will be judged for it. BUT if you do confess and be honest to God about it, he will be forgiving and will give you another chance.

Are you still hiding your sins? Whats stopping you from bringing it into the light?

Clearing The Air: Prayer

Prayer is one of our only ways to communicate to our father. Its a time of confession, praise, thanksgiving, and acknowledgement, but i think many people misunderstand what prayer really means.

Im guessing that when people first hear the word "prayer", they imagine people in white cloaks, getting onto their knees, heads bowed, hands together, eyes closed, and just completely in the zone. Prayer does not need to be like that.

Prayer also doesnt need to be out in the open, fully obvious and evident. (Matthew 6:5-8)

⁵ “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Prayer can be something as simple as a quick word to our Father. You dont necessarily have to get on your knees, it can be just a sign of devotion and respect. You can think a prayer as well.

Prayers also dont have to be formal. You're not talking to the president. And although you're talking to the king of kings, the creator and the saving one, he's your father as well as your friend. Prayers can be like "heavenly father, we thank you for your grace and love..." or it can be "hey God, how's it going, i've been feeling really tired lately...". Whats important is that you are praying wholeheartedly.

Another misunderstanding. God is not a vending machine. You dont pray and expect him to give you things. God does have a say in all this, if he decides to give what you want/need. For instance, praying that you'll do well on a test versus praying for wisdom to make the right decisions for university.

Prayer is simple, informal, formal, intimate, wholehearted conversation. Just remember one thing, that you are talking to the Father, the almighty and powerful wise king.

Clearing The Air: Homosexuality

I know this is gonna be probably one of the more challenging posts im going to write, and its asensitive topic that i'll have to be careful. Im praying that God will give me the wisdom to speak about this properly.

I think lately, the world has started to become more and more open towards this topic of homosexuality, and lots of people are coming out and saying that this is their sexual orientation. The world says that its fine, that love is love, or as one may say "you were born this way".

Im sure most people have the misconception that Christianity hates homosexuality, and just doesn't tolerate it. We do say something about it, but i think many of us dont fully understand or see our perspective on homosexuality.

First of all, yes, the bible clearly condemns the act of homosexuality, for instance in Leviticus 20:13, it says

¹³ If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

As well as 1 Timothy 1:8-11:

⁸ Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹ in accordance with the gospel of the glory ofthe blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

This is truth. That this act is condemned. It is a sin.

ALTHOUGH it is a sin and is condemned in the Word, it does not mean we have ANYTHING against people who struggle with homosexuality. We are ALL children of God. We may have fallen astray, we may be reunited, but EACH and EVERY one of us were created in His image. We are all loved by God and He wants each and everyone of us to turn to him and repent.

As Christians, we love because God loved us first. We should not be judging and do not have the right to judge because God is the true judge in the end. What im trying to say is that as Christians we are not going to exclude and shaft those who are homosexual, (or who have done committed any other sins). We are to love everyone no matter of what they are struggling with. We are all sinners, that is true, and everyone is equal. The one who lies about their homework is just as sinful as the one who committed adultery. Society has ranked all these "wrongs" but in God's eyes, we have ALL fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23).

We do not agree with the act one may commit with homosexuality (or any other sin), but we love all people because we all belong to God.

For my own personal thoughts, as a Christian, i do not know why God does not allow man to lie with man, i dont understand why love cannot be what it is, why cant we love anyone we want. I think its because this isnt how God intended. He made man and women to become one flesh, not man and man, or woman and woman. Although i have all these questionings and thoughts, I still believe that it is condemned and that it is a sin. There are so many things we as humans cannot understand, but God knows, and we can find out when we get there.

I think that feelings cannot be controlled. Whatever you feel is whatever you feel, whether if it is towards someone of the opposite or of the same gender. Homosexuality is the sin of when you act upon your feelings. When you decide to follow and conform to the patterns of this world. "Are you asking me to fight against my feelings then?" you may ask, yes, i think if you are struggling with this, fight against it. It may the hardest thing ever, fighting against yourself, but God will never give you anything you cannot overcome (1 Corinthians 10:13). If your mind, heart and spirit is there, anything is possible with God's almighty power.

All sins can be forgiven. If one whole-heartedly is willing to repent, confesses their sin to Christ, you will be forgiven. God is great, he is just and will forgive (1 John 1:9).

verse of the day: Romans 12:2

² Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Kelly shared this verse on Sunday and its been my iphone wallpaper since. I never knew it said that in the Bible and i love how great of a reminder it is. Each new day, God has given us new mercy, and a new chance. This doesn't mean you can just mess up your day and sin because the next day is new, but it means that our God is a gracious, loving and forgiving God. If you realize and confess your sins, he will forgive. The past is the past, what matters is that you change in the present and you keep the momentum going for the future.

I think we ought to remind ourselves daily of this, that God is good and that his love for us is eternal and overflowing. Praise God!

Prayer Granted: 1.25$

Expect God to Answer Your Prayers

Rick Warren

“If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask him ... but if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” (James 1:5-6 TLB)

God wants to direct you in life, but two things need to line up: You have to ask the right person, God, and you have to ask with the right attitude — in faith, expecting an answer.

Have you ever asked God for something and didn’t expect to get it? That’s why you didn’t get it. God works in our lives according to faith. So many times we say, “God, please guide me!” and we walk away not even waiting for guidance. We just immediately start to work. We say, “God, I want you to give me wisdom; help me make the right decision.” But we don’t really expect him to do that. We think it all depends on us.

God has promised to give us wisdom, if we will ask. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. Wisdom is the ability to make decisions the way God makes decisions.

Think about this: God never makes a bad decision. He never makes a mistake. He says if we trust him and listen to him, he will guide us. But we must ask in faith.

Just to start.. i had this problem with devos before... sometimes i feel like the message is super repetitive and that i already know this concept.. teach me something new kinda, that usually results in me stopping because i find it boring and useless. I've been told that maybe this is God trying to tell me something, to remind me something, but sometimes i dont know. We'll see :)

Expecting God to answer your prayers. God DOES answer prayers, and there are usually 3 answers. YES. NO. and WAIT. Like we've stated before, God knows best, and sometimes you may not understand what is going on, why certain things happen, but know that its for the better. You may not understand God's plan at this exact moment, but you will eventually. It may be tomorrow, it may be in weeks, or even in years.

Over the years i've also learnt that God is not a vending machine. Now that i think about it, i think i am using him like that recently, and sometimes not meaning it either. Its just ME ME ME, i want THIS THIS THIS, give me THAT THAT THAT. You cant just ask things from him. Like the structure i guess you can say for prayer, ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. We first praise our God and Saviour, confess our sins, a big reason God may not answer your prayer is because you have unconfessed sins. thank Christ for all he's blessed you with and then AT THE END you ask him for things.

Pray to God IN FAITH. He WILL answer your prayers if you pray humbly and wholeheartedly.

prayer is key!

Jason