The Viral Gospel

Acts 7:59-8:8
.
.
.
Over the lifetime of the internet, there are many videos that have gone viral. These videos just spread like a wildfire, seen by many, but it's something that many people cannot control. Many advertisers would love to have control over such impacting advertising technique.


"But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." [Acts 8:3-4]


In the same way, after Stephen's death, instead of hiding and hoping not to be persecuted, the church scattered and preached the gospel; "viral" in a way. The gospel is something we can't keep to ourselves. We must share it and ensure that everyone hears of the amazing news of eternal life. Even in the most difficult situations, we must keep on sharing the good news.

.

.

.

Spread the gospel; it's contagious! 

Looking Back

Genesis 48:8-16
.
.
.
Waking up this morning, I looked at my phone and the texts I sent last night. Most of you has experienced it, but at night, you get really emotional; you over think and things don't really tend to go your way. The texts I sent were really, really unnecessary and I instantly regretted it, wishing I could take it all back.


But looking back on the journey I have taken with God, there should be no regrets. We make life decisions everyday. Some may be small and might not do much, but some will be large and alter our relationship greatly. And I think this is one of those big things. Although I want to regret it, everything happens for a reason, and it's all a learning experience.


As we look back on our walk with God, let us realize that our Shepherd guides us in the path of righteousness, no matter how confused or upset we may be.

.

.

.

We can trust our all-knowing God for the unknown future.

Thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”

Long before psychology came around, God said your thoughts determine your feelings and your feelings determine your actions.

Our minds are really an amazing creation. It would take a computer the size of the Pentagon just to carry out the basic functions of your brain. Your brain contains over 100 billion nerve cells. Each individual cell is connected with 10 thousand other neurons.

You are constantly talking to yourself — all the time. You’re talking to yourself right now! Research indicates that most people speak at a rate of 150 to 200 words per minute, but the internal dialogue that you carry on with yourself (self-talk) you do at a rate of 1300 words per minute.

The problem is, in all that self-talk, a lot of people are like Job. In Job 9:20, he says, “Everything I say seems to condemn me” (TEV). If you're typical, you are your own worst critic. Right? You're always putting yourself down. You could walk into a room smiling, but inside you're saying, “I’m fat. I’m dumb. I’m ugly. And I’m always late.” Most of it is unconscious.

God wants you to stop putting yourself down. When you put yourself down, who are you really putting down? You’re really pointing to the Creator who made you. When you say, “God, I’m worthless. I’m no good. I can’t do anything,” you’re saying, “God, you blew it with me.” That’s why God says it’s wrong to put yourself down.

How do you eliminate negative self-talk so you can become a more confident person? It’s the principle of replacement: “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about all you can thank God for and be glad about it” (Philippians 4:8 TLB).

Focus on what you want to be, on what God wants to do in your life. I don’t know any better antidote to low self-esteem than to read God’s Word every day. Study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and learn it in your life. I can’t tell you a better thing to help you raise your confidence level than to get in the Bible and start believing what God says about you.

One Body

1 Corinthians 12:18-27
.
.
.
The Bible states very clearly we're all a part of God's family. We all have a role, and a position within the body to make up the body of Christ. Not everyone is a hand, not everyone is a foot, not everyone is an eye, but we each are different parts that work together to make up the body of Christ. 


"...its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it." [1 Corinthians 12:25-26]


I think one of the saddest things for me to learn these past few months, is that the body is scaring away the rest of the parts. The body is the church, and the church is not a building. I've had friends being driven away from church in order for "things to be made right" and friends that tell me they don't feel safe at church; they feel insecure, judged and ultimately, they don't feel loved. How is that a family? How is that a church? 


The sad truth is, despite the fact people read this passage, understand it and tell others about it, they don't live it out. I am only one person, and I can only do so much to show them love, something they have not received at their church. My prayer is that this vision of a body that cries for each other, rejoices with each other and cares for each other deeply will be truth. There will be a day where my family isn't driven away by each other, or where they can go to church, not scared of the people within this physical building. We are all one body, so why are we driving away essential parts of it?

.

.

.

We need one another in order to be who God wants us to be.

Firework and Freedom

Galatians 5:1-14
.
.
.
Canada Day was a few days ago, and many of my friends went to set fireworks. I stayed home and watched Suits! But, through the windows, I heard the sound of fireworks popping, and I remember when I did go watch fireworks, they were beautiful. Yet, these fireworks are made from the same ingredients as a bomb. A bomb causes destruction, ruining lives and tearing apart family. How can something so beautiful, can also be so deadly?


"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." [Galatians 5:13]


God gives us freedom, free will, and doesn't force us to become robots. Yet, when we take freedom, and turn it into sinful nature, it will destroy us. Freedom used for God is a beautiful thing. Not everyone will have the same freedom we do, but everyone has spiritual freedom. Let's give the glory to God today.

.

.

.

Freedom doesn't give us the right to do what we please, but to do what pleases God.  

Truth.

John 8:32

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Read this as a prayer today:

Jesus, you are the Truth, and the Truth sets me free. You are the Truth, and your Truth lives in me.

I clothe myself in your Truth, Jesus, putting on the coat of a new self, “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NIV). You are “the way and the truth and the life,” and I am connected to God through you and you alone (John 14:6 NIV). Because of you, I know the Truth about who I am and I know that your life is working in me (Galatians 2:20).

Truth enables me to discern and reject the lies of the enemy. Your Truth demolishes arguments and pretensions that are at war with the knowledge of God. In your Truth, I will “take captive every thought” and make it obedient to you (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). With your Truth, I will teach these thoughts to obey you, King Jesus (suggested by 2 Corinthians 10:5 MSG).

Your Truth says I’m forgiven, I’m loved by my Creator, and I’m God’s child, beloved and empowered by the Spirit of Truth.

The Truth enables me to respond to your direction. I can trust your leadership, I can trust your commands, and I can trust your plans because you are the Truth.

I will leave it up to you to interpret the facts and determine the truth of any situation. I will let your Truth make the decisions, and then I will obey and leave the consequences in your loving, truth-filled hands.

All the decisions are yours to make. Because you are Truth, I can respond in the Truth in all situations; I am no longer a slave to my emotions.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23
.
.
.
I think that sometimes, we forget how beautiful prayer can be. At one point of our Christian walk, we probably dreaded prayer. We probably hated praying, and would say a quick few words so that we don't feel guilty about not praying. But prayer is a way to communicate with God, our almighty Saviour; it is not a right, but a privilege. There are obviously different ways you can pray; there is no mention in the bible your hands must be clasped and your eyes must be closed. 


During Teen's Conference 2011 when I was a captain, the captains made a huge Skype conversation and invited us all in. Imagine 90 people within a group! At one point, they wanted to pray for each other. So they typed out their prayer and sent it into the chat. As it went on, my stomach felt bad. I realized that it felt like they were trying to out pray each other, to have the most extravagant and wordy prayer. Sound familiar? I brought it to the attention to my fellow captain and we both left, unable to convince them otherwise and to pray by ourselves. Yes, prayer is a wonderful thing, but when we try to use it to show how great we are as opposed to how great God is, there is a problem there. 


"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." [Ephesians 1:15-16]


I recently realized God took out the closest friend I ever had in my life, to replace it with two Christians that will definitely grow with me in Christ. Although I was hurt, I cried, and I was upset beyond repair, God really showed me he will give something better. This verse reminded me of the faith of these two individuals who accepted me without words and showed me unconditional love. I thank them everyday in my prayers, as their faith and their love for God is so evident, that I was actually surprised. But God does everything for a reason, and whether you're praying out loud, praying through e-mails or just talking to God on the bus, remember that all the glory belongs to him.

.

.

.

Praying for others is a privilege - and a responsibility. 

Birthdays.

17 years of life has passed by like a blink of an eye. 
So 17 years ago, I was born TODAY. 


I can't even believe it myself. I had nothing planned for today. No one was home to celebrate with me, except my little brother. To be honest I thought that it was going to be the worst birthday date ever. I wasted half my day by sleeping in and after that I went outside to tan and play ball.
As time passed by, I just sat at home doing nothing and all of a sudden the doorbell rang I already knew that one of best friends were going to come and visit me but she told me to grab my shoes and come outside. So i do what she says and all of a sudden 4 of my friends walk onto my driveway holding a cake. I was very surprised and how well they pulled it off because I never suspected a thing. As we were eating cake I realized how blessed I was with these 5 friends. God has put them in my life for a reason. They baked this cake all day and mission-ed all the way to my house just to celebrate my special day. 


I realized that I should always be thankful for my friends, family, peers, etc. because God has placed each and every one of them in your life for a reason. He created a purpose, good or bad, for them to help and encourage us to become stronger Christians. 


Philippians 1:3
"I thank my God every time I remember you."

A New Day

Psalm 118:19-29

.

.

.

My Teen's Conference captain two years ago told me something he does everyday. In the morning, before he does anything, he will pray to God; he starts the day off with God. At night, before he sleeps, he prays to God; he ends the day off with God. I think that's a very smart practice to have, to ensure ourselves that we realize that each new day is God's gift to us. I try to keep that practice as well, starting and ending the day off with God.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." [Psalm 118:24]

Each new day is a day where God has given us a clean slate, a new opportunity to show God's gift of life through us. We cannot anticipate how the day will go, or even prepare for it. You may think, "I'm just going to school today, then coming home to do homework, use the computer and sleep," but no! God made this day, and just because you "plan" these activities doesn't mean it'll always work out that way. We must fully rely on God to bring us through the day and rely on him and his grace, not our own! Let us remember that each day, each breath is a gift from God.

.

.

.

Each new day gives us a reason to praise the Lord.

The Offering Plate

2 Corinthians 8:1-15
.
.
.
This devotion spoke of a pastor who disliked talking about giving to the church, since his previous employment included fundraiser. I think the perception of giving is really warped, even in today's day and age. In today's passage, this was the verse that hit me the most:


"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own." [2 Corinthians 8:2-3]


He states that even in the most severe trials, they had overflowing joy and they gave as much as they could, entirely on their own. Pastor Francis Chan was not kidding when he said the rich are at a disadvantage. Pastor Ho-Ming talked about how people are living for trees. Money,degrees, and stuff that don't matter are from trees! Yet the rich live for these things. How disadvantaged are we?! 


This passage tells us a lot about giving:
- Give yourself first to the Lord (8:5)
- Give, remembering the example of Lord Jesus (8:9)
- Give according to your means (8:11-12)
- Give enthusiastically because of God's love (9:2)
- Give generously, not grudgingly or because of outside pressure (9:5-7)  


"...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will...just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of giving." [2 Corinthians 8:5b, 7]


The people at the Macedonian churches gave themselves first to the Lord, then the rest to God's will. Not only do we need to excel in faith, speech, love, but also giving! Now back to the Pastor. He ended up teaching this passage, and well, he obviously had to talk about giving! When he did, he took an offering plate, and stepped on it. Why?


We need to give our entire lives to God, not just our wallets. That means time. God's time is not our time. If there's a sister or brother in need, who are we to say, "I don't have time for you?" Who are we to turn away single mothers and homeless individuals? We all sin, and I have ignored these people, but let the Holy Spirit pour out of you and excel in love and giving. We must give our lives, not just our wallets.

.

.

.

When we give ourselves completely to the Lord, all lesser giving becomes easier.