Obedience!

When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. v9

Ezekiel's calling was not an easy one. I talk about this with my friends sometimes - if you really want to be a prophet, there is a lot of difficulty and suffering that you're going to need to go through. Many of the prophets in the bible faced rejection, threats of death, etc. because they had to proclaim the Lord's judgment upon their unrighteousness.

Even if we don't have a prophetic gift, if we love our neighbor, we need to say difficult things sometimes (in a wise way). I wish it was a little easier to do this haha - sin really makes it difficult. If I notice something in someone else, it's usually because I have a similar sin - so it's like, blahhh you hypocrite. Or other times I don't have wisdom...other times the person isn't ready to hear it.  So yes, lots of obstacles, but still important to do it!

The bad example of not loving your brother that I think about in this context is Cain and Abel - if someone were to ask you if you're looking out for your brother, caring for them, warning them about sins, encouraging them, etc., would Cain's response be yours?

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Genesis 4:9

Thinking about rebuke also makes me think about encouragement!

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13

If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. v13

Obedience is important. It's too easy to hear a promise from God and think that I can just continue to live the way I am living, and walk into that promise. Many of the promises of God (like the promised land) require obedience. LORD help me not be lazy! I want to receive Your promises! Guard my heart! Keep it pure and holy!

A Natural Response

Personally, I hope that my obedience to God continues to develop into a very natural response to God’s love for me.  (I used to use the words ‘impulse’ and ‘reflex’ but such types of actions are involuntary; I like to think that we can make the voluntary choice to obey the Lord and allow it to be a part of ourselves through time, practice, and accountability.)  When I think about the magnitude of His sacrifice, I can’t help but want to give all of me to Him.  When I think about what I so unfairly gained, it is only proper to give all of me to such a good God.

Of course, that is easier said than done.  Through the ebbs and flows of any given week, temptations and worldly standards bombard me like crazy.  There are so many forces specifically designed to turn my eyes away from Jesus and disobey. 

What really helps me is taking the time to preach truth myself especially in the morning when my mind is freshly emptied after a full night’s sleep.  I tell myself “God loves me” over and over, reminding myself that I live and should live because of His love for me.  When such meditations prime my brain for future thoughts and actions, I’m much more driven to obey on a daily basis. 

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the man^[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law^[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Disobedience is Costly

I really enjoyed today's post, reminding us to take our spiritual relationship with God seriously. As I prepare for transitioning within these next couple of months, I'm reminded that nothing is permanent - relationships, jobs, shopping, some less than others. But the gift of the Cross is permanent, the promises that God speaks to us each morning are permanent, His desire for us is permanent, our purpose in worshiping Him is permanent, and this permanency comes with a significant weight and responsibility. It's easy to think that because of this permanence it's okay to prioritize other things before my time with God, but it is actually the opposite: if this is the only thing I can depend on in life, then I should invest my time and emotions and resources into pursuing more of Christ.

In Ezekiel, God strikes down nations and peoples who have disobeyed Him, who have known Him but turned away, in order that He would be known as Lord. In today's passage, we are warned to not be towered high with pride and arrogance, lest we are brought down like Pharaoh. But God is a God of grace and mercy, and He calls us to "repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions... make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For [the Lord] has no pleasure in the death of anyone.. so turn and live." (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

Perfect in all of His ways

Ezekiel 29 was a difficult one to digest. I know many people, even believers, have a hard time reconciling the disparity between the wrath of God in the Old Testament and the grace of God in the New. This text initially struck me in that way. How can God devastate lands, scatter peoples, and curse nations with no hesitation? He commands these things to come to pass with no remorse. Totally unapologetic and with full swiftness. All for the purpose of letting us know that He is the Lord. Aren’t we being a little rash here, God? Isn’t this a bit extreme? Can we take it down a notch and talk about this?

Here’s the reality – God is holy, and we are not. God is perfect, and we are not. God is just, and we are not. If God had not given these prophesies to Ezekiel to speak over the nation of Egypt, He would be denying Himself because the Lord demands holiness, perfection, and justice. 

Simultaneously, it’s necessary for us to recognize that God must be this way in order for our faith to have real power. We need a God who is holy and demands perfection, not a God with whom we can negotiate terms and then walk all over. At the same time, we need a God who is perfectly loving and gracious, or else being a Christian would be a torturous and fragile race of perfection that we could never finish. 

Thanks be to God for giving us the gift of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for all sins past, present, and future. It's only through Jesus -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life -- that being a Christian "works." It's only through Jesus that we can have a relationship with God who is perfectly holy and perfectly loving. Too much holiness, and we will live lives of striving and subsequent failure. Too much love, and we will exploit and cheat the grace of God.

Father, thank you for being perfect in all of Your ways. You demand holiness, and yet your Love abounds even deeper in areas of our lives where sin runs deep. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning, that as far as the east is from the west, our sins have been separated from us because of the sacrifice of Your Son on the cross. We are indebted to you and this day, we choose to praise you. 

Song of the day: Steadfast Love of the Lord!!!

The Cry of the Broken

O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

- Psalm 10:17-18

I've been reading through the Psalms for encouragement recently and have noticed that the Lord pays a lot of attention to the broken, weary, oppressed, poor in spirit, fatherless, afflicted, etc. It reminds me of P. Joe's sermon from Sunday about brokenness. I think about some that may have a physical ailment or issue, and others which may be broken in spirit. Either way, these people are not the ones which the world considers to be of great value. Especially in my day to day of the business world.

As we are getting closer to leaving for OTR this summer, please pray for me and our team that we would be bold in sharing the gospel with those on the streets and with the children of OTR. But please pray that we would be able to share that God truly cares for the broken and broken-hearted. It's not the strong or independent or rich that come to a place of need at the feet of Jesus, but it's the weak, the dependent and the poor which find their delight in the promises of the Lord. Whether physically or in spirit. I want to really share that testimony about how in my own brokenness, Jesus came and met with me. And to testify that now even though I still have so much brokenness, He cares and provides for me, and has given me a new and living hope.

Some lyrics from Kristian Stanfill's "Who You Are" -

You hear the cry of every broken heart

You give the hopeless soul a brand new start

Putting on the Armor for Battle

I wasn't sure what to write about when  I first read this AMI devo, but I think the thing that struck me most was when P. Ryun spoke about truly being content in God by being more generous. Lately I've been so focused on what I have to do for missions and balancing personal family expectations and commitments that I've just been putting contentment in God's presence aside in a box. Generosity itself is not just limited to earthly wealth and possessions, but it's also in the time we spend in God's presence, truth and in prayer. I haven't been putting on enough spiritual armor on to fight the enemy and he's been winning the battle by discouraging and physically tiring me out. 

Though the evil one fights dirty, I am encouraged by the truth of God's goodness revealed in his Word. For in Ephesians 6: 10-18 it tells us the truth, about how great and powerful our Lord truly is!!and how he HAS given us everything we need to win the battle: 

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

 ^{Romans 13:14-"}Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.<sup>" 

Lord, I Acknowledge that I haven't been spending time with you and that I need your help. I cannot win this battle against the enemy myself. I Choose to fight with your truth and your spiritual armor. Guide me and direct me so that I keep my eyes on you-help me to be in tune to you and your instructions. Give me patience to wait for you to lead. Thank you for your Son, Jesus, and for equipping us with these weapons to fight the good fight. Help us run the race well to the end. When and if we fall, continue to pick us up and shower us with your grace and mercy. You've given me all I need to win the battle.</sup> 

Transformed by Christ

Sorry for the late post! I had my personal quiet time but was never able to post it on the blog until now...Below is a (somewhat) edited/modified version of my personal QT from May 20 :)

This passage on Zacchaeus is a great personal reminder as I continue to prepare for missions. I don't think I've necessarily been very stressed out about the trip, but I realize that I tend to drift toward focusing on the logistical aspects of the trip. That isn't to say that there's anything wrong with that--there are a lot of things to prepare for and it's important to get those things figured out--but I realize that I need a strong, constant reminder that it's not about what we do as a team, but what God does through us during our trip. Like the devotional writer (Jabez!) says in the devotional, only Jesus can truly save lives and transform hearts. I assume most of us know the story of Zacchaeus, so we know that he wasn't the most highly regarded. It's hard for us to say for sure why Zacchaeus wanted to meet Jesus but, when Jesus called his name, it says in the Bible that Zacchaeus "hurried and came down and received him joyfully." We see that his life is transformed radically. Maybe to some around him, he was a lost cause that would never change. Maybe even Zacchaeus wanted to change but couldn't or wouldn't for whatever reason. But we see that Jesus radically transformed Zacchaeus' life forever.

I have to admit that I have certain hopes or expectations for our trip this summer and I'm really hoping that we will be ready for everything that's coming up. Again, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but more than any of that, I want to have a heart that trusts in what God has in store for our team and know that He is the one who does the heavy lifting, not us. I want to remember that just as people like Zacchaeus had their lives completely transformed, the same can happen to the people we meet through the power of Christ. 

Love God or Money not both

Mark 8:36: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

I think everyone's  definition of earthly gain is different.  How much is enough before you can be satisfied?  It is hard to say that a certain amount of money or goods is enough.  What usually ends up happening is that we say we will get to helping someone or doing something God wants us to do right after we finish the thing we are doing for ourselves.  Whether it be school, getting ahead in our career, having a family or home; we find reasons to get around our calling.  I'm  sure there are lot's  of people who share the gospel at school,  work, and with their family, but I have a hard time doing so if I am not completely focused on what  God is doing.  I am reminded from the recent train derailment and earthquakes  in Nepal  that our time here is not determined  by us, so why keep putting things off.  If I love God, then I should be loving him and being obedient now and not later.

God please help me to have a kingdom mindset for my family, coworkers, and the families in Clarkston.

Belonging to the Coming Age

“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”  3 I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” 4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.  7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”. - Ps. 16:1-11


I will respond to the text used for today’s QT (Pss. 16:1-11). Verse 10 reminds me of the time that takes place between Christ’s first and second coming. When we think about the coming of Christ in the incarnation and the day where he will come in glory, the time in between is something worth thinking about. We know that the kingdom of God has been inaugurated by the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Although the kingdom is here, there is a distinct overlap between the passing age and the age that is to come. According to the Word of God, our citizenship rightly lies in the coming age and in the new heavens and new earth. And although we belong to the new age, we still exist in the passing aeon. And so, until Christ comes again, there will be a struggle that categorizes this age. The struggle comes because all of creation simply does not function correctly on account of sin. As Christians who have been redeemed by Christ’s once for all sacrifice on the cross, we come face to face with this suffering every day. Personally, when I struggle with sin and feel weak, I sometimes forget that the blood of Christ has already bought my life and that there is nothing that categorizes this age that can have a hold on my life. As I read through and meditate on this Psalm, I pray that God will continue to remind me to look to where my citizenship lies, and find encouragement in knowing that he has not “abandon[ed] me to the realm of the dead”.

Circumstances

Psalm 16:1-11

As someone who micromanages, change in circumstances can be difficult; but despite however big these hindrances may be, I'm always reminded that my God is sovereign and greater than all these things. In this chapter, we read that David is so overjoyed, simply because he knows that God is Lord over all. That is why he has the confidence to keep his eyes on Him, and therefore never have to worry. 

Ezekiel 24

On the same note, we read in this chapter that Ezekiel experiences the loss of a loved one. Despite this tragedy, Ezekiel doesn't fail to keep his eyes on the Lord and His sovereignty. Ezekiel's love for God and His glory is shown 

through his obedience to instruction; that through this loss, God may be glorified in front of all to see. 

Now that I think of it, the death of Ezekiel's wife was not even close to being considered a loss. For in exchange, there was an opportunity for God to be glorified through Ezekiel. This can easily be a direct parallel to God's sacrifice ("loss") of his Son, and His glory demonstrated through that.  

Lord, let us rejoice and be glad that you have made a way for us; that you have clearly shown us the path of life. Let us always remain humbled by this. Thank you for your sovereignty and constant provision over us. Let us never lose sight of you and your amazing love for us.  

How Great is the Father's Love

Psalm 139:1-8
¹ You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
⁵ You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

In reading this today, it was exactly what I needed to hear. Even when life's busyness and tiredness seem to crowd around me and the walls seem to be closing in, our Father knows everything. He knows the temptations I face, the trials I am going through, the struggles, the weariness I feel-and He answers my prayers! What a wonderful relief it is to know that He knows all and is there helping me get through it.

You paint the morning sky,with miracles in mind. My hope will always stand, for you hold me in your hands. Lord I'm amazed, by you, Lord I'm amazed, by you.  Lord I'm amazed, by you,and how you love me.

Thank you, Jesus, for your love. Help me not to take it for granted even when I'm struggling in this life here in the present.  Help me to remember that You have never left my side, through it all You know every part of me. Remind me that because You've overcome the grave, I am free to worship and live this life for You.

All of me for all of Jesus

As the consequences of David’s sin unfold, he understands that his hope of restoration is in God alone.  vs 25, 26 —Take back the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His house.  But if He says, I have no delight in you, then here I am; let Him do to me what seems good to Him. 

These two verses made me think of David’s heart and attitude in dealing with his sin.  It had me reading Psalm 51, back to David’s heart of repentance as he was confronted with his sin in chapter 12.  

Living in the presence of God, His light shines over my darkness.  It’s not easy to be so exposed as I mess up and sin.  Recently I was confronted about something I am ashamed of from my past.  Psalm 51 was my immediate “go to” scripture.  God’s kindness leads me to repent over my sin and renounce my shame. 

Christ alone for my past, Christ alone for my present, Christ alone for my future.  Something Mei Lan always says to me that I love, and we’re all familiar with this line as PKirt has shared this encouragement several times too: All of Tina for all of Jesus.  All of _______ (you!) for all of Jesus.     

Remembering God

I was reading Ezekiel 16 and it hit me that I so often forget how everything good was given to me by God.  I would take his good gifts and claim them as my own, inflating my pride.  The Israelites did the same thing with the beautiful  garments and finest foods that God gave them.  They took them as their own and gave it away to their idols.

It is so easy for me to get distracted by the worries of this world.  I start off trying to work hard for God and sometimes end up satisfied by the praises of others.  I hope that as I keep running this race I will remember who I am living for and spend my gifts from God on those things.  I definitely need to be more prayerful in how I spend my time!  I pray that I would remember that it is not my own, but a gift from God.

Forgiveness

Personally, I love God because of what He has shown me through forgiveness.  As I go through today’s AMI devo, I’m thinking back on the times when I experienced victory and healing in those relationships with my friends and family that were once broken.   

Between my younger brother and me, there was once this obsessive need to be ‘better’ than the other.  Everything about our lives was up for comparison: how good we were at sports, how studious we were, how many friends we had, how we dressed, how we looked, and even how much we rebelled against our parents (in other words, who was ‘better’ at rebelling against them); the list can go on and on.  In the midst of this ‘competition’, we inflicted a lot of hurt towards each other (and indirectly towards our parents) through our words and actions.  Our first step towards healing was about 8 years ago (I think?) when my brother texted me, apologizing to me for all the trouble he caused.  Now, we’re really good; we help each other through our life crises, and he gives me advice for my job search as my unofficial career counselor. 

I also think about my college friends when I think about forgiveness.  Through my freshman year and most of my sophomore year, I hated them for the most part (for reasons I won’t share here).  God had to do a lot of work in my heart in order to soften it and bring it to a place of forgiveness.  I could sense more and more of that change within me with each passing 'hello' as I awkwardly ran into them in between classes.  Eventually, I came around to apologizing and rebuilding those bridges between me and them.  Six years later, the very same people who I once hated are now not only my best friends but also my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  Cray.

Forgiveness is an impossibly huge pill to swallow, and I’ve learned that it’s not something I can accomplish on my own.  God works on my heart and the hearts of others to make it happen.  God, thank you for the strength and wisdom that you give me in order to experience victory in a special way.  Just as you have shown such grace to me personally, continue to be that perfect example of grace in my life.

Ephesians 4:29-32

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.