John 15:4-5, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
I had the most amazing time earlier this week with a group of Deaf Teen Quest (DTQ) leaders at a spiritual retreat in Tennessee. Upon my arrival, I looked around nervously and wondered what to expect in the next few days. I did notice the peace and quiet; the views were absolutely gorgeous! There's a main cabin that has a long deck with rocking chairs to over look the mountains miles and miles away. Looking straight ahead, someone tells me that on the other side is North Carolina. "Wow!" I thought. God is so amazing! Really, is there a God that created all of this just for me? I mean, WOW! It was absolutely breathtaking. If you think about it, God has brought each and every one of us here for a reason and none of us is a mistake. I find this very clearly in Ephesians 1:4, which says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." You may be wondering right now or have wondered why on earth you're here? No matter what happens in your life or where life takes you, know this...God created you the way he wanted and he desires one thing from you.
A loving and intimate relationship with Him. That is what God desires from you. The staple message throughout the retreat was John 15, which talks about the vine and the branches and the importance of remaining in Him. I have read this chapter several times and I can say that it hits the spot in my heart every time. Especially this time, I've lost focus on how important it is to remain in Christ. There have been so many situations and circumstances that I've faced this year which led to discouragement. No matter what, I've held close to God. That's what God wants from me...to remain in Him.
As I look back in my life, I realize that I've been through a lot to get to where I am today. Quite honestly, I still wonder at times where the heck I'm going? Earlier in my life, I wanted to be a professional golfer. God closed the door on that one. After college graduation, I worked several part time jobs not really knowing what I want to do or what God has called me to do. Somehow along the way, I ended up in Master's Commission, a full time discipleship program. I went through that for two years of my life. I returned back home, not knowing what's next in my life. Within 3 months, I moved to a new city and landed upon a new job and a new ministry. This has been a challenging year and I did wonder from time to time if I've made a right choice.
On the third day of my retreat, I was sitting outside observing nature and praying. I spent some time reading a devotional and the Bible. I wrote in my journal and expressed my feelings about all the things I've listed above. Immediately, I heard a silent voice in my heart from God saying, "Be still and know that I'm God." I knew what that meant. For me, it means that I'm heading the right direction and that I needed to stop trying to do thing in my own power and control. God was saying that he knows what he is doing and I just needed to stop trying so hard to figure things out. I know that I'm called doing what I do. For a long time I've struggled with the word, called. The day before, someone said that you're not called until you get there. Somehow that made sense to me. I'm here right now. I'm in the deaf ministry that I know God has been stirring in my heart to be a part of it. Yes, there are days when I don't think I can do the "job," but God didn't place me here because it was going to be easy. Being a follower of Christ means fighting for life and continue sweating it all out in love. You may be wondering right now what God has called you to do. Just know this, if God has been stirring your heart to do some special work for him, obey it even if it doesn't make sense! And when you get to that destination, you have been called by God.
One thing I know for sure in what each and every one of us has been called to do. God has created us to have a loving relationship with Him. You have been called by God to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Whether you're a Christian or not, God fearfully and wonderfully made you (Psalm 139:14) and he wants you to talk to Him, walk alongside him, and to love him with everything you have! Life is full of storms. If you truly know God in your heart and believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, you will continue to put your faith and hope in Him no matter what! My prayer is that if you don't know the Lord as your personal Savior, you will choose to do that right now. Or if you have a personal relationship with Christ, that you will continue to remain in Him and go through a life-pruning process and bear plentiful fruit. The reason for all of this is that apart from God we cannot do anything. God is what holds us together.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the powerful message of John 15 and the importance of remaining in the vine. I pray for those lost souls in the world, hearing or deaf, to come to know you. I also pray for those who are struggling to continue to put their hope and faith in you alone. Thank you for your wonderful and abounding love. I cannot thank you enough. I give you all the glory and praise, Amen!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Watch, listen, and obey!
John 14:21, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
It is interesting to know that being a Christian really isn’t that hard if we would simply obey God’s speaking in our hearts. Too many people get caught up in religion and doing good works as a mean to earn their way to salvation. Jesus wasn’t too fond of religion. He debated against the Pharisees and Sadducees during his days on earth. He knew that they were living hypocrite lives. Jesus walked on earth to show us that the only way to the Father is through Him. And by through Him, we are called to follow His footsteps. It really doesn’t take much and I would like to share a personal story with you that I think fits into this example very well.
The past couple of weeks I have been vacationing and traveled many miles! I traveled, by car, about 3,500 to 4,000 miles in a three weeks span! And summer is not even over yet! I still have many more miles to travel! Anyways, it has been an awesome couple of weeks because I was able to get a break from the everyday busy lifestyle. I experienced a different level of intimacy with the Lord and spiritual refreshment. Typically, my mornings usually start off with a prayer and devotions; and throughout the day, I would meditate a lot. It has been different during my vacation and worshipped the Lord in a different way. As I was traveling throughout the country, the Lord has been speaking to my heart about many different things. I meditated a lot as I was driving. I witnessed God’s beautiful creations. I was blessed by other people with their God-given gifts and generosity. I developed new relationships and friendships with some new people. I experienced some trials and knew that God was strengthening my character. Above all else, I am deeply amazed and in awe of God’s amazing love for His people!
There is one of many stories that I would like to share that I experienced in the past three weeks. While I was staying in the St. Augustine beach area in Florida, I experienced a simple act of obedience even when it didn’t seem like it would make a difference. One hot and humid morning, I was going for an 8 mile jog along the main road just off the beach. Towards the half way point of my jog, I turned around and about a tenth of a mile ahead of me I noticed something unusual on the sidewalk. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Am I really seeing some bills on the sidewalk, I asked myself? I had just passed this point less than 5 minutes ago and I didn’t remember passing by anyone or seeing any money on the ground. As I approached closer, I realized that it really was money! I stopped, took a look around, hesitated, and then bent down to pick up the money. It wasn’t much, but it was 5 single dollar bills. My first reaction was, “Yeah!” I mean, who wouldn’t get excited? I was already thinking of the many small things I could buy with $5. A free lunch. Maybe a Trilogy Kombucha tea, which is my favorite drink, but expensive. Maybe some ice cream. Or whatever else…I was excited! I folded up the money and started to run again. As I got back to focus, I saw a woman carrying a bag walking with a little girl ahead of me. I thought, “Could it be that this woman dropped the money?” Even if I did stop by to ask, she may lie about it and say that it is her money. I decided I would just not ask and keep the money for myself. For some reason I was immediately convicted and prayed a short prayer to God. I knew what I had to do. As I approached her, I asked her if she lost some money. Immediately, her hands went into her pockets and she realized her money was gone. I gave her the $5 and told her I found it on the ground. She was saying some things to me, but I was trying hard to lip-read. I’m pretty sure she said that she and her daughter were on their way to the grocery store and that was the only money she had left. I said, “No problem” and took off. I felt relieved, at peace, and was glad I performed a simple act of obedience. I mean, if you think about it, a family might have been in need that day and I was living in abundance. The $5 may not seem much to me, but to another, it’s everything.
Sometimes God uses us in the small things to show others how we are to follow Jesus’ footsteps. Nothing should be taken for granted. If we would just take a step back, take a closer look at things, and ask God for wisdom. No matter how small or large things are, God is always at work. Take a minute and ask God to help you to slow down and take a closer look at things. You may be surprised in what comes your way as God works in strange and mysterious ways! I hope this story has blessed you in a special way and have you thinking about your personal lives as well. God Bless you!
It is interesting to know that being a Christian really isn’t that hard if we would simply obey God’s speaking in our hearts. Too many people get caught up in religion and doing good works as a mean to earn their way to salvation. Jesus wasn’t too fond of religion. He debated against the Pharisees and Sadducees during his days on earth. He knew that they were living hypocrite lives. Jesus walked on earth to show us that the only way to the Father is through Him. And by through Him, we are called to follow His footsteps. It really doesn’t take much and I would like to share a personal story with you that I think fits into this example very well.
The past couple of weeks I have been vacationing and traveled many miles! I traveled, by car, about 3,500 to 4,000 miles in a three weeks span! And summer is not even over yet! I still have many more miles to travel! Anyways, it has been an awesome couple of weeks because I was able to get a break from the everyday busy lifestyle. I experienced a different level of intimacy with the Lord and spiritual refreshment. Typically, my mornings usually start off with a prayer and devotions; and throughout the day, I would meditate a lot. It has been different during my vacation and worshipped the Lord in a different way. As I was traveling throughout the country, the Lord has been speaking to my heart about many different things. I meditated a lot as I was driving. I witnessed God’s beautiful creations. I was blessed by other people with their God-given gifts and generosity. I developed new relationships and friendships with some new people. I experienced some trials and knew that God was strengthening my character. Above all else, I am deeply amazed and in awe of God’s amazing love for His people!
There is one of many stories that I would like to share that I experienced in the past three weeks. While I was staying in the St. Augustine beach area in Florida, I experienced a simple act of obedience even when it didn’t seem like it would make a difference. One hot and humid morning, I was going for an 8 mile jog along the main road just off the beach. Towards the half way point of my jog, I turned around and about a tenth of a mile ahead of me I noticed something unusual on the sidewalk. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Am I really seeing some bills on the sidewalk, I asked myself? I had just passed this point less than 5 minutes ago and I didn’t remember passing by anyone or seeing any money on the ground. As I approached closer, I realized that it really was money! I stopped, took a look around, hesitated, and then bent down to pick up the money. It wasn’t much, but it was 5 single dollar bills. My first reaction was, “Yeah!” I mean, who wouldn’t get excited? I was already thinking of the many small things I could buy with $5. A free lunch. Maybe a Trilogy Kombucha tea, which is my favorite drink, but expensive. Maybe some ice cream. Or whatever else…I was excited! I folded up the money and started to run again. As I got back to focus, I saw a woman carrying a bag walking with a little girl ahead of me. I thought, “Could it be that this woman dropped the money?” Even if I did stop by to ask, she may lie about it and say that it is her money. I decided I would just not ask and keep the money for myself. For some reason I was immediately convicted and prayed a short prayer to God. I knew what I had to do. As I approached her, I asked her if she lost some money. Immediately, her hands went into her pockets and she realized her money was gone. I gave her the $5 and told her I found it on the ground. She was saying some things to me, but I was trying hard to lip-read. I’m pretty sure she said that she and her daughter were on their way to the grocery store and that was the only money she had left. I said, “No problem” and took off. I felt relieved, at peace, and was glad I performed a simple act of obedience. I mean, if you think about it, a family might have been in need that day and I was living in abundance. The $5 may not seem much to me, but to another, it’s everything.
Sometimes God uses us in the small things to show others how we are to follow Jesus’ footsteps. Nothing should be taken for granted. If we would just take a step back, take a closer look at things, and ask God for wisdom. No matter how small or large things are, God is always at work. Take a minute and ask God to help you to slow down and take a closer look at things. You may be surprised in what comes your way as God works in strange and mysterious ways! I hope this story has blessed you in a special way and have you thinking about your personal lives as well. God Bless you!
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