FUMC Ventura

Wednesday, November 1st, 2006

Today's Focus: Saints of the faith
Today's Prayer Focus: For all the saints.
Today's Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

6 As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

The first thing that came to my mind when I read this passage was, "what the heck does libation mean?" The first thing I did when I come across a word that I did not know was open Word Document and find a synonym through the thesaurus that it provided. It ... did not give me a synonym. Then, without the benefit of a dictionary, I went to the NIV version and found the following translation, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering." The intention of the word libation is to describe the outflowing spirit of the author, who presumably was Paul.

Then I thought, oh, of course. This was near the end of Paul's life. A life that had filled itself with overflowing kindness and teachings for the first century Christians. His spirit was definitely flowing like a drink offering.

Then I thought what today is. Today's is All Saints Day, when we honor the saints of the past and remember how they had poured out their spirit like drink offering in order to influence us and care for us in a loving way. What we need to learn from them is that we live our life not for ourselves, but for God. A life that pours out love wherever we turn, wherever we are, indiscriminate of who we meet and who we live with. Like a drink offering, we pour out our love to God and to our neighbors. I believe this is how we honor the saints.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me be a drink offering to you. Help me pour out my love indiscriminately to others wherever I am. Amen.

Thursday, November 2nd, 2006
Today's Focus: The Importance of Guidance in biblical studies
Today's Prayer Focus: For teachers of Bible
Today's Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south* to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
34The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ 35Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’* 38He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip* baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

As some of you know, I went to Seminary straight out of college, where I was an Electrical Engineering Major. That is right, I was an engineer before I started seminary. This was a 180 degree turn. My first semester in Seminary was in the spring semester because I finished college in 3 1/2 years. Thus, I was immersed immediately with people who were 1 semester ahead of me. I was in a state of shock.

And I still am whenever I dig into the scripture and prepare for a sermon. I will use this passage as an example. My first question would be why did this story get put into the book of Acts? In all books, the author often chooses one story over another. Thus, I ask, what's the point of this story that it got put in? Does it have anything to do with the person being an Ethiopian Eunuch? It probably does.

Then, I ask myself, what's an Ethiopian Eunuch signify? Well, Eithiopia is outside of Jerusalem, and an Eunuch is someone who was castrated for a political purpose. Here's an ah-hah moment! This person is both a gentile and a person who is on the outskirt in society and religious standing because of his castration. What does this teach us?

There are many people in the world who we (the religious people) have regarded as persons who do not "deserve" the gospel. I don't need to name them, we know who they are. However, here is an instance in the scriptures that God took Philip literally by the head and placed him in a situation to reach out to this particular person. This also teaches us the same.

That is one lesson, if we continue to dig this passage, other questions will lead us to other conclusions. Questions such as what's the significance of Ethiopia historically with Jerusalem? How did this person hear about the scriptures? etc...

The point is, this eunuch was guided by Philip when he wished to study the scriptures. The scripture is a complicated book to dig into. Although the words can be read aloud by a child, it is still hard to understand for a full-grown adult. We need more Philip's in the world. I was blessed with some of the best professors in Princeton, however, in a local church, we pray earnestly for the Philip's who can guide us through scriptures.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help us identify the biblical teachers among us so that we can be guided in the process of learning from the Bible. Amen.

Monday, November 6th, 2006

Today's Focus: Feeling Good
Today's Prayer Focus: Reminder to do good
Today's Scripture: Psalm 1

1Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.


4The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.


The image that is in my mind this morning is the image in verse three. "[The righteous] are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its seaon, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper." We woke up today with the Santa Ana wind, which brought its warmth and dryness. It is a good thing we're in the middle of winter, though it doesn't feel like it, or else it would be scorching hot here.

The image of being planted next to streams of water is refreshing physically right now. However, as I think on it, a tree being planted right next to a source of water is like being in heaven. It is comparable for us to be in the presence of God. A lot of us, including myself, have had the "moutaintop" experience in our past, and those experiences stick with us for a long time.

The teaching of this psalm reminds us that if we are righteous and if we do good, we will be like a tree planted next to water. Our souls will be refreshed each day and our spirits will be enlightened each day. If we do good, we will feel good! My experience in the past have certainly confirmed this.

Jimmy's Prayer: Dear Lord, help me do good and experience the living water each and every day. Amen.

Wednesday, Nomber 8th, 2006

Today's Focus: What to do with wealth?
Today's Prayer Focus: Stewardship
Today's Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ 14But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?’ 15And he said to them, ‘Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.’ 16Then he told them a parable: ‘The land of a rich man produced abundantly. 17And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” 18Then he said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” 20But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” 21So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’

In the age of two income families, where a middle class family could only survive to have both spouses work, stewardship is one of the hardest thing to conquer. How can we "spare" anything if we're struggling to survive the everyday livelihood of our families. My wife and I occasionally go through this whenever we have a change of income because of the instability of her income sources. How much do we give to God now that we have this change?

I believe the real question underneath all that is, "how much do we really need to live?" How much do we really need to live? When we carefully look at our budgets and lifestyles, the wisdom of the 10% tithing comes to the forefront. Our family has been doing that for a while now, and even with that, we have contributed to the capital campaign. I wouldn't say that we're anywhere in the top of the income chain, but we are content with what we have. Giving to God is a willing and a conscious thing, we should not hold anything back. I have learned from my parents that God will return the blessing down the line.

Jimmy's Prayer: Dear God, help me not to be attached to worldly possessions, but look around to see who most needs to be helped. Amen.

Thursday, November 9th, 2006

Today's Focus: The Reason we do things.
Today's Prayer Focus: For the glory of God
Today's Scripture: Isaiah 58:3-9

3‘Why do we fast, but you do not see?
Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?’
Look, you serve your own interest on your fast-day,
and oppress all your workers.
4Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight
and to strike with a wicked fist.
Such fasting as you do today
will not make your voice heard on high.
5Is such the fast that I choose,
a day to humble oneself?
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush,
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes?
Will you call this a fast,
a day acceptable to the Lord?


6Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
8Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator* shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am.

Doing God's work is tough. Doing God's work is demanding. Doing God's work can be stressful at times because doing God's work deals with people. However, on the other side, doing God's work can be refreshing and rewarding, and yes, even glorious when things fall into place.

I have had number of times in my short ministry life where something that I started to do in the church fluorished and praises began to come in from all side. It is good to get praises, it's very refreshing and encouraging. However, that kind of attention is like a drug, and too much of that drug can become addicting.

Today's scripture lesson reminds us that we fast not to bring attention to ourselves. We fast and do God's work in order to give the glory back to God, and to thank God for what God has done in our lives.

Jimmy's Prayer: May the meditation of my heart, and the ministry that I undertake be holy and pleasing to you, Oh Lord my redeemer. Amen.

Monday, November 13th, 2006

Today's Focus: A Matter of Perspective
Today's Prayer Focus: Change of Perspective
Today's Scripture: 2 Corinthian 9:6-12

6 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. 9As it is written,
‘He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness* endures for ever.’
10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.* 11You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; 12for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.

Typically, when we think about what we have and what we have gained in our lives, we think of how hard we have worked and how we have earned every thing that we possess. And typically, when we do this, it is difficult for us to be generous about what we have. But, if we change our perspective on our possessions from an earning to a blessing, we will change our perspective on our giving.

If instead, we think about how we got our current employement as something that we worked so hard for to something that God had blessed us with, an opportunity opened to us mysteriously, then what we think about what we gained in this line of work will change.

As I look back in my life, I can have two perspectives. I can either say I've done very well in keeping up with the work that I have been called to, and I am well-deserved in what I get, or I can think of it as God had opened and blessed me with great people in my life who have tutored, mentored, and blessed me with their generosity, my perspective on giving will change.

In reality, thought, we do know that the truth lies on both side of the fence of work and blessing. It is really not a matter of where the truth lies, it is really a matter of how we keep this perspective. Our perspective on our possessions will free us from being 'enslaved' to our possessions.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me keep perspective on what I have, and what I have gained through your blessing. All glory be to you. Amen.

Tuesday, November 14th, 2006

Today's Focus: Gracious Acts
Today's Prayer Focus: Praying for dissolution of bitterness
Today's Scripture Passage: Hebrews 12:11-15

11Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

14 Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled.

Not withholding bitterness is something that is very difficult to do. If someone cuts us off on the freeway, or if someone hurts us in a backhanded way, our human nature causes us to often times hold bitterness. Road rage happens because of that, long standing feud continue because of bitterness.

This scripture is really speaking to me at this time and in this place right now. "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled." When I am bitter, other can see it through my facial expressions and actions. When I am gracious, people can feel it through my facial expressions and actions. Oh, how I wish to be gracious.

I believe I can not stop others from hurting me, or doing things in a backhanded way in order to undermine my existence, however, I can definitely ask for strength to display the grace of God. We were freely given the grace of God and justification through it, let us grant others the same as well.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh Lord, help me not to be bitter, help me to be gracious in what I do, in what I think, and in what I say. Amen.

Wednesday, November 15th, 2006

Today's Focus: Purpose of Theological Talk
Today's Prayer Focus: To Love, not just to Talk
Today's Scripture Passage: 1 Timothy 1:3-14

3 I urge you, as I did when I was on my way to Macedonia, to remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach any different doctrine, 4and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training* that is known by faith. 5But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. 6Some people have deviated from these and turned to meaningless talk, 7desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions.

8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately. 9This means understanding that the law is laid down not for the innocent but for the lawless and disobedient, for the godless and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their father or mother, for murderers, 10fornicators, sodomites, slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Recently, as most of us have heard, the mainline churches have been debating the correct stance that we all should take in regards to homosexuality, and the authority of scripture. We've heard bickering, arguments, and at best, compromises that both sides don't like. As I read this passage, Paul reminded me what the purpose of these "doctrines" should be. "The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith."

As we continue to debate for or against the ordination of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, the national church's membership continues to decline. As we continue to debate whether or not the Bible is infallible, the infallible truth is that there are still people starving, thirsty, cold, and shelterless.

At a more local level, our church is currently going through a process of becoming a Reconciling Congregation, we must remember that no matter which side of the aisle we stand on, we are still in the same room. We are brothers and sisters in Christ, a body of Christ that is diverse. And our differences in opinions should not overcome the aim of such conversation, "love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith."

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me be loving despite my opinions. May I be faithful to your will for us as we continue to see the images that you reveal to us each and every day. Amen.

Thursday, November 16th, 2006

Today's Focus: Moving onto Perfection
Today's Prayer Focus: To continue the struggle
Today's Scripture Passage: Philippians 3:10-4:1 (NRSV)

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I have a confession, I am a Presbyterian. And as you can see in the theme today, it's a very Methodist theme. Although it is not unique to Methodism, the phrase, "moving onto perfection" is certainly Methodist. Perhaps we were thinking about this passage when we coined the phrase. For me, perfection means that we are in line with God in every step of our lives. Imagine the footstep image, one set of footsteps, yet, God is not carrying us while we both walk, us behind God.

In Paul's ministry, his struggle with his health greatly deterred him from doing some of the things he wanted to do. Many times he promised the people that he would personally go to them, however, due to his physical illness as well as some time in the prison, he wasn't able to. To be sure, he wrote this probably trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince the people in Philippi.

Some times I think to myself, boy, is it hard to be a good person. It is difficult because it goes against the grain of my emotional feelings. We naturally want to do something else besides what we should be doing. (This is also Paul's words). However, the passage, "[pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus" reminds us that we are here for a greater call. A greater call than what we wish to do with our lives. Have I heard this call?

As I get older and older, I have learned that God is talking to me more often than I imagine. Soemtimes, it feels like someone keeps putting work on your desk. There are so many things that needs to be done for the kingdom of God, the desire may be there, but the physical ability may not be. "I Press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus." God's call for us to respond to God's will happens everyday, in different shapes and forms, we have to listen in order to find out what that is. It may be as small as apologizing to a person we may have offended, to as big as standing up to a hostile crowd in the name of justice. Who knows what God is calling you today to do. We have to listen, and we have to keep on pressing on towards the perfection of following God's footstep every single step.

Jimmy's Prayer: Align me to your will, O God, help me press on towards your heavenly goals. Amen

Monday, November 20th, 2006

Today's Focus: Love thy assailant
Today's Prayer Focus: To love my assailants.
Today's Scripture Lesson: Psalm 109:1-5, 26-31 (NRSV)


Do not be silent, O God of my praise.
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,
speaking against me with lying tongues.
They beset me with words of hate,
and attack me without cause.
In return for my love they accuse me,
even while I make prayer for them.
So they reward me evil for good,
and hatred for my love.

Help me, O LORD my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love.
Let them know that this is your hand;
You, O LORD, have done it.
Let them curse, but you will bless.
Let my assailants be put to shame;
may your servant be glad.
May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a mantle.
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save them from those
who would condemn them to death.

As Christians, we are taught to love our neighbors as ourselves. What happens when our neighbors respond to our love with hatred? This is what I believe the author of this psalm is facing at this moment. Many believe that the author of this psalm is King David. And some believe that the time in which David wrote this psalm is when he found out that his eldest son, Absalom revolt against him and his kingdom. His own son, revolt against him.

Putting myself in his situation, I can't imagine the emotion that he's going through. Not only did he have to think about the safety and the welfare of his son, (he is his son after all), but he also had to think about the welfare of the kingdom that God entrusted him with. "Oh God, let them know that this is your hand, you have done it." David is asking God to take the yoke of this dilemma away from him, oh what he must be going through.

There have been time in all of our lives that people have responded to our love with their apathy, or worse yet, hatred. It is at those times that we come to God, and pour all our frustration at God's feet, just as David did during his most trying times.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me be steadfast in my love for others. Amen.

Tuesday, November 21st, 2006

Today's Focus: Prompted into Ministry
Today's Prayer Focus: Ability to step out at the right time.
Today's Scripture: Luke 9:10-17 (NRSV)

On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured.

The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish--unless we are to go and buy food for all these people." For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, "Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each." They did so and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.


I have another confession to make. It seems like I make all kinds of confessions during this. However, I believe that as we go through prayer life each day, we will start to see who we truly are. So, I have a confession to make. I have a confession to make that I read this a whole lot differently than the traditional reading.

I will be begin this confession with a question to all of you who are reading this. How do you read this passage? Do you read this passage as a miracle of the five loaves of bread and two fish? Or do you read this as a miracle of the people?

Now, it is pretty clear that when I asked those two questions, I am leaning one way over the other. But let's for one second consider this, have you ever been in a situation where a group of people who have started something that is good, then the next moment, a whole lot of people joined like the swarming of the bees? It is very similar to the way all people work. That is why during election day, it is very bad form for national media to start declaring winners on the east coast before the polls close on the west coast, why? Because people like to vote for the winner, especially those who are undecided.

Consider this, this group of people who are listening to Jesus sought him out. The passage tells us that when the crowd found him, "they followed him." If you put yourself in the shoe of one of the people of the crowd, you would find yourself very much liking the situation. Now, consider this, if you have brought something to eat on this trip, and though at first, you did not offer it up to be shared, then you saw, supposedly, a child who offered all he had, and as the bread came along for you to have, you would most likely bring out what you have, and share it with the rest of the five thousand people. As more and more people see this, they start to share what they have with the rest.

I think the miracle that Jesus performed is that he demonstrated his knowledge of the people at that time. That, when prompted and encouraged correctly, the people will do the right thing. This is a lesson to all of us who are in ministry. How do we encourage and how do we prompt, correctly, the people that we face so that we can all be encouraged to do the right thing. The best thing that we can do is to be the first one to step out and offer ourselves to God so that others can see what we did and follow.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me do the right thing at the right time so that others may be encouraged as well. Amen.

Monday, November 27th, 2006

Today's Theme: Death in Christ, Life in Christ
Today's Prayer Theme: Grace in our lives.
Today's Scripture: Romans 6:1-10 (NRSV)

What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

This passage is one of those passages that I had to do a double take. Especially the way the passage starts. "Should we continue in sin in order that grace abounds? By no means!" I read that and I thought to myself, does that mean that I should not be sinning at all since we were all "buried with Christ by baptism into death ... so we too might walk in newness of life." Though I am still young, I know that I will continue in sin for the rest of my life despite my efforts in trying to perfect myself.

Thus, I had to do a little Greek exegetical work. The way it sounds is that Paul is asking his reader not to continue "to" sin by saying that we should not continue in sin. However, the preposition there, "in" is actually mean physical presence. It's like saying, should we continue [to be] in United States in order that.... It's a physical presence, it's a mindset issue.

Paul is not asking me to not sin anymore, Paul is asking me not to dwell in the mindset of sinning but be "freed" from the mindset of sin. Instead of a hopeless mindset that we would have if we do not have Christ, it's a hopeful mindset that we are, because Christ was raised from the dead, we will be living with him.

What does this have to do with our personal lives. On the personal level, I have hope that grace abounds when I fall short, when I sin. Grace abounds despite our shortcomings that we treat others poorly. Instead of being dejected at the number of times that I sin, I can be hopeful that God continue to shape me into a better person. I am no longer in the mindset of sin. I have been rescued from it.

Once a homeless person who came to our church said to me, "Pastor, I feel hopeless. I feel like I can not dig myself out of this hole that is in front of me." I think this is the mindset that a lot of people have who do not know God. They are in a emotional or spiritual hole that they can not dig themselves out of. However, with God, we are rescued from this hole.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, continue to be present with my everyday life so that I can see your grace in all of my shortcomings. Amen.

Tuesday, November 28th, 2006
Today's Theme: Evangelism
Today's Prayer Theme: Down to earth.
Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-15 (NRSV)

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him"--
these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else's scrutiny.

I believe this is one of my core beliefs in regards to evangelistic activities. In areas of spiritual understanding, I believe I can not use knowledge to fully convince others. This is because all questions in regards to God will always end up falling on a step of faith. A faith is not something you can "convince" someone to have or receive.

I love when Paul said, "I did not come proclaiming the mystery of God to you in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified." Paul was a Jewish rabbi, he "knew" a lot. Yet, he mentioned that he CHOSE not to convince the Corinthians with lofty words, but through personal experience. This is something I really need to remind myself. As an seminary educated pastor, there are some "knowledge" that I have obtained that I can use. However, as Paul mentioned, these will get me nowhere.

This is not only true in the words of Paul, but it also has been true in my life. I have found that as I share my personal experience to others, their question in regards to my faith became deeper and more meaningful. I speak to them with my heart, and not with my head. "For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within?" God guides our lives each day, and God guides our paths each day. God's Spirit is within us and if we allow it to flow through us, there will be people who will take that to their hearts as well.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, help me not to be lofty but to be down to earth. Help me be who I am from within my heart. Amen.

Wednesday, November 29th, 2006

Today's Theme: Pastor's underlying distress
Today's Prayer Theme: Thanks for the fragrant offering
Today's Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20 (NRSV)

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.

You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

It is very clear to me that Paul received some kind of financial assistance from the Philippians, namely, from an individual named Epaphroditus. I am going to put on a pastor hat now to fully understand what Paul is going through.

As I see it, I share Paul's feeling in the response to the generous giving of the church in Philippi. On the one hand, he is their spiritual leader, a man called by God to do God's ministry. On the other hand, he is a man, with physical and earthly needs such as clothing, food, shelter, etc. On the one hand, he is "content with whatever he has," yet on the other hand, he is glad to have the Philippians to "share in his distress."

As a full time clergy, it is often difficult to talk about the gifts that I receive from the church where I serve, being "content with whatever I have." Yet, on another, I am a man, with physical needs as well as a family. Times of distress in regards to financial needs can be overbearing at times. Just like any other people who is in a different vocation.

However, I feel Paul's underlying feelings in regards to this dilemma. He did not want to sound like he deserves what he has gotten from the Philippians, for his work is for God, and anything we do for God, we should not ask for anything in return. However, on the other hand, financial distress will affect his ministry and the ministry for the whole Christian community as he is doing this full-time and do not have another job. Paul gave up a pretty nice life as a Rabbi to become a minister for Christ.

There is a reason why in Jewish tradition, every ten household, they have a rabbi within them. The reason is if ten houses do as they should, tithing ten percent of the income, they can fully support a full time rabbi in their midst.

Somehow, Philippians got the word that Paul needed financial help. Somehow, Philippians got the inspiration to give what Paul needed. Just as Paul said, "I'm content with whatever I have," but "[I am glad] that you share in my distress." My feelings are similar if not exactly the same.

Jimmy's Prayer: Oh God, I thank you for the fragrant offering from the people of God for the good of furthering the kingdom. Amen.

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

Today's Focus: Praying for Praying's Sake
Today's Prayer Focus: Praying for the Unknown
Today's Scripture Lesson: Romans 8:22-27 (NRSV)

We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.


More often than not, our prayers revolves around supplication of our prayer needs or intercession of other's prayer needs. The A.C.T parts of the A.C.T.I.S (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Intercession, Supplication) rarely get prayed by our prayers. This is very human, as our instincts direct us to God when we're in trouble. Sometimes, our joyful occasions would involve a prayer to God, but rarely do our "so-so" days involve looking to God in prayer.

I don't know about you, but it is those "so-so" days in my home that are in need of more communication. Our minds and spirits are more often in the so-so moods, if we just let it go by, we will lose precious time developing a better relationship with our loved ones. Our loved ones always celebrate with us during joyful times, and share our pain during those needing times.

It is the same with God, God does want to hear about your so-so days. This is why daily prayer discipline is needed because you will be with God during the so-so days. And sometimes, during these times, God will reveal to you God's will in a most interesting way. Prayer thoughts will come when our minds are empty and ready to receive. Our thoughts are most ready to receive, I believe, during the so-so days.

Jimmy's Prayer: Help me, O God, to be in communication with you always. So that I am ready to receive whatever is unknown to me.