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Monday, December 4th, 2006

Today's Focus: Judgement Day!
Today's Prayer Focus: To be reminded to help others.
Today's Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40 (NRSV)

Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"

As a member of the mainline Christian denomination, and an ordained member of the clergy, this one passage struck very deeply into the meaning of ministry that I have been called to do. My official "title," if you will, is a Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Truly, what does that really mean?

It means that I can administer the Sacraments, which in a protestant denomination includes the Baptism and the Communion around the table. And the Word, meaning that one of my chief responsibilities is to spread the "Word" of God through preaching and teaching. However... as the membership numbers start to dwindle within many of the mainline denominations, there are a lot of self-reflection that we (the collective minister, whether ordained or not) must do.

What IS our ministry? Is our ministry merely to spread the word of God to the ends of the earth? What is the goal of all ministers? The passage is clear, when the judgement day comes, the judge does not look at how many souls we have converted, how many sermons we have preached, nor does he look at how many questions in regards to Theology we've answered correctly, on the contrary, the judge asked the goats and the sheep, how many of you have helped the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, and the imprisoned. How have we helped those who are on the fringe of the society. That is what determines we are goats or sheep. That is the question that the judge asks at the gate.

This is a wake up call, much of our denominations' energy have been focused on how to better ourselves, many of our congregations have followed this ethos, it is time to look out instead of looking within.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me become a lover of others who have not been loved. Amen.

Tuesday, December 5th, 2006

Today's Focus: A New Heart
Today's Prayer Focus: Praying for a new and right spirit
Today's Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12 (NRSV)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.

The grind of daily life could sometimes be overbearing. When we live in a world that is connected by technology and other things to other people, there is rarely time for quiet and alone time. Because of this, we get caught in the busy-ness of life and this can drain on us. Draining us to a point where we are not atuned to the outside world and our attitudes change, our demeanors change. This is what science calls "stress."

In religious terms, stress can be said to have been straying away from God, and God's purpose. When we are doing the things that we do in the world, we must remember that we are doing this for the good of God's kingdom. When we remember that, if it's too hard, the joy of knowing that God's kingdom is furthered will strengthen us. The psalmist asks God for the joy of God's salvation. The psalmist is asking that God does not cast him/her away, but instead, he/she is asking for a sustaining spirit. It is obvious that he/she is going through some stress. Yet, the psalmist remembers to come back to the root, come back to the source of his/her actions. He/she does not ask for the burden to be lifted, instead, he/she is asking for the sustaining spirit to go through the burden.

The easy way is to walk away from the burden, the harder way, the right way, is to go through it with God's refreshing spirit. If we have the right mindset, our hearts will be right with God, and our spirit will be renewed by the holy spirit.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, let not this burden pass away, but let the burden be an opportunity for me to feel your presence in my life. Amen.

Wednesday, December 6th, 2006

Today's Focus: Sense of Direction
Today's Prayer Focus: Ability to refocus
Today's Scripture: John 12:34-36 (NRSV)

The crowd answered him, "We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" Jesus said to them, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light." After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

We recently got a new van for our family. This van is definitely fully loaded. I will not go into detail as to what kind of feature it has, but there is one little detail that the van has that I have never had before in a car - a compass. In the middle of the van, there is a display where it tells me which direction I'm facing. This is something that is really nice to have.

I am known to be a very good navigator. I usually can get around the town, knowing direction and such. One of the ways before I got a compass in my car to get around town is spotting the sun on the road. Then I will know where I am, approximately. This is a skill I believe have helped me a number of times when I am at a foreign place. It is easier out here in the west because most of the roads out here are perpendicular or parrallel to each other. In the east, you won't get back to the same place even if you turn right or left four consecutive times.

Analogies like this can be applied to life. We can often get lost, and lose our sense of direction in life. When we feel like we're just spinning our wheels, or somehow, just going through the motions of life. During those times, we have to look at ourselves and say to ourselves, "what is my purpose, and where am I suppose to go?" Someone once said to me, even if you have a lot of potential energy, but you do not have a direction, you do not have power. (An engineer will appreciate this analogy. This is physics.) When we figure out our direction, when we see the light that is suppose to guide us, our energy that we feel will become the power that we need to do useful things.

Jimmy's Prayer: Help me, Oh God, to refocus when I need to. Help me, Oh God, to not lose my sense of direction towards your will. Amen.

Thursday, December 7th, 2006

Today's Focus: Promises of Security and Peace
Today's Prayer Focus: Claiming the promises
Today's Scripture Lesson: Micah 5:2-5 (NRSV)

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.

If the Assyrians come into our land
and tread upon our soil,
we will raise against them seven shepherds
and eight installed as rulers.

What are two of the reasons why most of us work at a job, or go to school in order to get a better job. How do we motivate ourselves each morning to do this? Well, we do this because we wish to provide some kind of financial security for ourselves and those whom we love. This reason hasn't changed ever.

When this was written, Israel was under chaos, Judah was under attack by the Assyrians. Most of us who are Americans have never ever experienced what it is like to be LIVING in the midst of war and chaos. Just looking and watching the television, I can imagine that there is not only no peace, but the people who live in the midst of war worry about their physical and financial security every day. It's not that they can not go to work, it's that they can not find a job. Living in those kinds of situations, the messages of security and peace will certainly ring promising in their ears.

How do we, as people in America who probably enjoy more peace and security than the rest of the world see this as a great promise as the Judaeans do? We do this by getting in touch with the rest of the world, keeping up in what's going on in the rest of the world so that we can immerse ourselves more into their world. Sharing in their burden, and helping in their recovery. The technology now is wonderful and the news agencies are doing a much better job of "getting the story out" of the locale. Organizations such as Project Understanding, and other organizations that are involved in our Alternative Christmas Faire give us an idea what it is like to live in a surrounding that lack peace and security. Let us listen to what they have to say and immerse ourselves in their "story" so that we can better understand the vastness of this promise that Micah has written about.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me realize the greatness of your promise of security and peace. Help me be attune to the needs of this world. Amen.

Monday, December 11th, 2006

Today's Focus: Changing Perception
Today's Prayer Focus: To be a "professor."
Today's Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17 (NRSV)

As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


I believe Walt mentioned a little bit of it this past sunday through a story of a pastor. Being a pastor is really a lot of pressure in the public. Very often, when someone asks me what I do, I cringe inside just a little. No longer can I hide and be discrete, now I am full blown representative of the Christian community. No matter if I want to be one, I am one just because I said I am a pastor of a Christian Church. This is a LOT of pressure.

In the same way, perhaps to a larger degree, when we profess our faith in public, we have just been put into a different spot light. No longer can we hide and be discrete, we are now a full blown representative of the Christian community when we say to others, "I am a Christian, I have Christ in my heart." What this means, of course, is that we are to "clothe [ourselves] with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... clothe [ourselves] with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in [our]hearts, to which indeed [we] were called in the one body."

In this day and age, we see a lot of public figures, such as politicians, athletes, entertainers, even pastors(!) making headlines that a normal person would not want to make. The public opinions of these public figures have gone downhill ever since a "gossip column" news is made. In a similar way, many religious figures have also made these headlines. It is no wonder the public perception of a faithful Christian has also gone down just a bit. How do we re-direct this trend? Do we just point and blame those who have made the headlines? No. None of us are perfect in EVERYTHING that we do. The people who made the headlines are just public figures who got caught in one of the imperfections of their lives. If we were in their shoes, we would also be under the same scrutiny.

Instead, the rest of us who profess this faith should do our best in professing our faith in public AND do our best in what Paul is asking the Colossians to do. Just think, if we can hold up our own court, the perception will change. There are definitely more people who are doing something right for the name of Christ than the people who got caught doing something wrong. We just need to get the word out.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me profess your faith in my life to the public, so that I can be a good witness to the faith. Amen.

Tuesday, December 12th, 2006

Today's Focus: Grace Abounds
Today's Prayer Focus: To help not limiting God's Grace
Today's Scripture: Luke 4:16-30 (NRSV)


When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

20And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ 22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, ‘Is not this Joseph’s son?’ 23He said to them, ‘Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, “Doctor, cure yourself!” And you will say, “Do here also in your home town the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.” ’ 24And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town. 25But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up for three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; 26yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. 27There were also many lepers* in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.’ 28When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. 30But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.

Why was Jesus driven out of his hometown? His basic message was the inclusiveness of God's grace. Yet, this was counter-intuitive to what the crowd who was there listening to them. The crowd there, knowing that he was Joseph's son, a local carpenter who raised Jesus in Nazareth. Now that he's becoming somewhat of a public figure, and one that heals others, surely, he will come and heal us, who are his family.

Yet, Jesus' message goes to the people outside of his "family." He says, you may think that I'm here just for you, but you're wrong. I'm here for more than you folks here.

Throughout our history, the gospel has been a lot more inclusive than those of us who claim the gospel as ours. Even as Gentiles ourselves, the gospel reached us and included us despite the fact that the chosen people before Christ was the descendents of Abraham. Yet, still now, we continue to want to set boundaries as to who the gospel belongs to. We continue to set limits on who may receive the grace of God. We continue to look at the "Syrians" of our world and think, "they don't deserve God's grace because they're sinful." Yet, Jesus' gospel message says to us, "No, it's the Syrians who are cleansed because they accepted me, you have rejected me."

Who are the Syrians of our world? Who are the people who are on the fringe and the people who we look at as "not-worthy" of God's grace? Who are the people who we set a standard on before they can receive God's grace? We must be careful in limiting God's grace.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me remember those who are Syrians of our world. Help me remember that your grace reaches beyond our imaginations. Amen.

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

Today's Focus: Passing the love
Today's Prayer Focus: Pray for Humility
Today's Scripture: Philippians 2:1-5 (NRSV)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes, even Paul has a hard time describing and explaining what the love of Christ is all about. Paul is trying to answer how we are to love others as Christ loves others. Instead of trying to go into a long discord, as he usually did, he tried to connect with his readers this way: [Have you felt the love from Christ? Have you felt the Holy Spirit within you that moved you? Have you felt comfort, received encouragement? Have you felt the compassion from God that you didn't expect?]

Using experiential feeling to describe something as big as God's love is what we definitely can do for others. It is difficult to measure God's love. But all of us have a way of describing God's love towards us. Paul says, then, if you have received this kind of love from God, "be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves."

I am a very imperfect person. This is definitely true. I know some of you may not think so, but I am! Thus, when I am about to get angry at someone else's imperfection, I think, why am I angry? Have I not received mercy for my mistakes? Have I not been loved despite my imperfection by God? It helps to tone down the frustration when I go into that mode.

Paul reminds us of our feelings when we were loved unconditionally. Let us pass this love to others.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me be humble enough to look at other's interests before mine. Amen.

Thursday, December 14th, 2006

Today's Focus: Realizing what's important.
Today's Prayer Focus: To help stay on task
Today's Scripture: Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But [Jesus] answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."

Being a minister on Sunday morning isn't the easiest thing in the world. This is because I'm running around, doing the things that I need to do as a pastor - Greeting members and new people, making sure things run smoothly, and doing the things that needs to be done in order for the worship experience to be as best as it can be. On many Sundays, I often find myself instead of worshipping, I'm DOING things.

Although I have found ways to worship within the Sunday experience, I often hear the words of Christ to Martha, "Jimmy, Jimmy, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better pat, which will not be taken away from her."

It is the same way I also see some of my leaders at church. We are all distracted by things that needed to be done, instead of enjoying the worship experience, sitting down at Christ's feet and listening.

Does this mean that we don't do anything at all and sit back? Certainly not. Things just don't run themselves. What this does mean though, is that if there are business that needs to be taken care of that can wait, I need to wait. If there are things that can wait until later on in the week to do, I need to let it wait. Focus on what's important for Sunday mornings, and those things will not be taken away from me.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me distinguish those things that are important at the moment so that I can enjoy the moment as Mary did. Amen.

Monday, December 18th, 2006

Today's Focus: Rejoice in the Lord always
Today's Prayer Focus: To be joyful
Today's Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Life is difficult sometimes. It is just like any journey we go on. There are times when we are just cruising, enjoying the scenery, there are times when we can go fast when we go down a hill, but there are times when it is difficult, it feels like we're going uphill, without shoes, and in a snowstorm. Haven't we all felt that way before?

Paul knows, Paul understands. His ministry wasn't one that was all cheery and joyful. Even though in hindsight, he was extremely influential and successful, but he had his problems in his journey as well. However, what kept him going was that he knew the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding," guarded his heart and his mind. He was at peace no matter what kind of obstacles were in front of him.

If we can remember to rejoice always, and not worry about anything but instead, be prayerful and be thankful with what we have, God will take care of us.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me at all times to rejoice, to be at peace with the obstacles of life. Amen.

Tuesday, December 19th, 2006

Today's Focus: Shame
Today's Prayer Focus: Solomon's Prayer
Today's Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6 (NRSV)

In you, O LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O LORD, from my youth.
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.

Shame is a powerful thing. The potential of shame is something that parents use, some say mistakenly use, to teach children the rights and wrongs of the world. I find myself sometimes use the potential of shame to warn my daughter not to do something that she would regret.

Shame is also a tool that many use to degrade someone, to expose another's weaknesses and shortcomings. In these cases, this use of shame could have a powerful effect on the person who is being shamed. They are told that they are imperfect, they are told that they are not up to standards of society, if someone has a low self-esteem already, this kind of shame could push them over the edge. Shame used in this way could be very detrimental.

The psalmist felt this. We are not told the circumstances that the psalmist is being shamed of, however, he asks refuge from God to take away the shame that others are putting on him. (Read on to verse 13 to verify this.) When I read this and put myself in his shoes, first, I feel for him. I know how shame can hurt. Second, I also realize why he went to God. He went to God because of his faith. He realizes that only God has the power to judge someone, God is the final judge.

This brings us to what we are right now. If you are one of the people who are wrongly being shamed by others, keep your head up. Realize that God's grace abounds even to us. God's the only one that has the power to judge us, not anyone else. Take refuge in God and feel God's love surround you so that others shame will not put you down.

Jimmy's Prayer: In you, O LORD, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me. Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Amen.

Wednesday, December 20th, 2006

Today's Focus: Mother's love
Today's Prayer Focus: For all mothers.
Today's Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NRSV)

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

It is quite interesting that just two nights ago, I briefly saw a program from PBS in regards to the place of Bethlehem. In there, the host mentioned and showed us the road that led Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was a rocky and crooked road. It was hilly, and I can not imagine a pregnant woman walking on that kind of road in the middle of winter.

Even though the nativity story did not say that Mary was riding on a donkey, our tradition tells us that she did. I sure hope so. I can not imagine someone in her condition walking in those roads.

A mother's love for her child, even an unborn child is something not to be under-estimated. She carries the child 24 hours a day, and the child is safely nestled in her womb. Child psychologist tell us that it is a shock for a child to be born. I imagine myself being the babe, from a 24 hour care to a world like ours. It is no wonder that it is a shock for a babe to be born.

Jesus was born into this chaos, just like all of us. The realization that God was willing to experience that through God's only Son lets me know that God's love for us is even deeper than I thought. And through Mary's love for her child, Jesus was raised to be someone very special... God was raised to be someone very special in a human form.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, I thank you for all mothers, especially this day I thank you for the Holy Mother of Mary, who accepted your call and cared for the babe. Amen.

Thursday, December 21st, 2006

Today's Focus: Angel's Command
Today's Prayer Focus: Courage
Today's Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,"
which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.

I don't know about any of you, but if an angel comes to my dream and tells me to do something, I would probably do it. I mean, it's pretty clear that if an Angel comes to us and informs us of what God's will is for us, that's what we want, right?

Not so fast. What happened to Joseph is what happens to us more often than we think. An angel of God is a messenger from God. Messengers from God comes more often than we think. God reveals God's will for us more often than we think. But of course, it's hearing those messages that gets us into trouble.

What's more is that even once we hear the message, we need to follow it. And that takes courage. Here's Joseph, who is engaged to Mary, found out that his fiancee was pregnant with a child that he had nothing to do with. What was a man to do? During a time like that, I find it very difficult for anyone to listen to anyone rationally. Especially if we're listening to a dream! Further, having the courage to follow a message coming from a dream must took a lot more. I pray that when something like this happens to me in my life, I will listen and have the courage to follow.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me to be full of ears to listen to any message that comes from you. And help me to have the courage to follow your will. Amen.

Tuesday, December 26th, 2006

Today's Focus: Others see God in us through Love
Today's Prayer Focus: Loving kindly
Today's Scripture Passage: 1 John 4:7-12 (NRSV)

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

The passage that struck me was the last sentence of this passage where it says, No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us." The author, presumably John, tells us that even though that none of us have seen God face to face, if we, the believers, love one another, the God will live in us, and I believe, others will see that we belong to God by our love.

The best way to witness to others who don't know God is to love. History have taught us that "evangelising" through force and violence will never work, in fact, it will just have an opposite effect in the long run. If we truly care about spreading the Gospel, the best thing you and I could do is to spread God's love and not God's wrath.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me be a good witness and be loving to others so that your love may flow through me. Amen

Wednesday, December 27th, 2006

Today's Focus: Reason for Meditation
Today's Prayer Focus: Reminder of the Presence of God
Today's Scripture: Psalm 119:129-135 (NRSV)

Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
With open mouth I pant,
because I long for your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your custom toward those who love your name.
Keep my steps steady according to your promise,
and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.

What is the reason why we would have devotional everyday? What is the reason why during a busy day in the office, we should take time out to give to God? God knows what we need already, what is the reason we would tell God what we need in prayer?

The reason, according to the author of this Psalm is "The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments."

When we center ourselves in the midst of a busy day, we realize what kind of impact God's words would have in our day. I caught myself in one of the busy days during the week of Christmas recalling the words that I studied just that morning. It helped in bringing one of the happiest moments of that day to me. I realize that God hasn't forsaken me, God hasn't left me astray, instead, God is right there with me.

What is the reason we would tell God what we need in prayer despite that God knows what we need already? Because WE need to know ourselves, WE need the moment of time to re-center in the midst of the busy life. WE need to be reminded that God walks besides us every moment of our lives.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me center myself everyday. Remind me of your presence each day. Amen

Thursday, December 28th, 2006

Today's Focus: A Gentle Encouragement
Today's Prayer Focus: Continuing the struggle.
Today's Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4-15 (NRSV)

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer.

If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives' tales. Train yourself in godliness, for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

As a young pastor coming out of seminary, this was the passage that one of my best friends from seminary showed me. This passage was an encouragement of Paul that was given to Timothy, who was about to take on some responsibility in the area of ministry.

Paul's words: "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress." These words spoke to me in a dramatic way, where I was encouraged daily by my first Senior Pastor who is one of my mentors to use my gifts to its fullest and not be scared because of my age. Taken these encouragements to heart, I have tried to act accordingly.

Now I pass these encouragements to anyone who wish to hear it. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with your baptism. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

Jimmy's Prayer: Dear God, I thank you for the gifts you have given me. Help me to continue the struggle in your kingdom so I can best serve you and the people. Amen.