Angels We Have Heard on High!

Here are two rendition of Angels We Have Heard on High that I thought you might enjoy! My prayer is that the words of this song have as much meaning to you and I as it did when the shepherds first heard the angels sing on the first Christmas day. Be blessed as you are listening and singing GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO with the angels!

What's your favorite Christmas song and why?

Listening and singing your favorite Christmas song helps ushers in the season of celebration for many people. Some people love the traditional hymns. Other love the new pop renditions of timeless classics. Still others even turn to tunes about Santa and reindeers. Well, I would like to know what is your favorite Christmas song and why?

Since I ask you to share, I will volunteer to share first! Let's see if you can guess my favorite Christmas song as I describe the setting... "On a quiet holy night, shepherds stand guard watching and tending their flocks. Suddenly, angels appear speaking (and singing) about good news. The shepherds are afraid but the angels calm their fears speaking about the birth of a Savior - Jesus Christ."

If you haven't guessed already, I really enjoy listening to the beautiful chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High". The angelic melody brings both wonder and peace with "Gloria, in excelsis Deo!" This song reminds me that God enters the lives of ordinary people like the shepherds and also to you and me. In the Christmas season, we can join along in singing with all of creation to give glory to God in the highest!

The origin of "Angels We Have Heard on High" is anonymous. It has always been printed with no known lyricist or composer. There is some historical studies that many years ago shepherds in the hills of southern France had a Christmas Eve custom of calling to one another, singing "Gloria in Excelsis Deo," each from his own hillside. The traditional tune that the shepherds used may have been from a late Medieval Latin chorale. It became the magnificent chorus of "Angels We Have Heard on High."

"Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? Say what may the tidings be Which inspire your heavenly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see Christ Whose birth the angels sing; Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See Him in a manger laid, Whom the choirs of angels praise; Mary, Joseph, lend your aid, While our hearts in love we raise."

Now it is your turn to share your favorite Christmas song and why!

Christmas Revelation

Today's title combines the Christmas season and our last book this year of devotional Revelation. Christmas has always been my favorite holiday of the year. It's my favorite not because of the gifts, carols, or Christmas trees. Although, I love all of those things. The most beautiful part of Christmas for me is that we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

This year, Leah and I, are beginning to wrap gifts. We picked out our very first Christmas tree together. We are starting to sing Christmas songs. What amazes me in particular is that people celebrate Christmas whether or not they believe in God. For those who don't believe in God, Christmas is in general a happy time of year to give gifts and celebrate with family. Christmas is a fun holiday because family and friends give gifts to one another. For those who do believe in God, Christmas is more than just a happy time of year...Christmas celebrates the Messiah, the coming of a long-awaited Savior. Christians celebrate Immanuel who is God with us. Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's one and only son who paid the penalty for our sin with His innocent life.

Isaiah 9:6-7 says, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

So I hope you will join in the annual Christmas Revelation with me this year. A child was indeed born with a name above every name. His name is Jesus. He is a wonderful counselor, a mighty God, a prince of Peace, and in Him we can commune with our Everlasting Father. So when you say "Merry Christmas" this year emphasize the "Christ". We cheer, celebrate, and carol to proclaim the promise of Jesus Christ. As you wrap your gifts, decorate your Christmas tree, or sing carols remember that this is all about worshiping God. Thank Jesus for this season. Thank Him for the blessing of a Christmas revelation.

Be in Awe of God's Creation...See it for yourself!

Got some free time on your hands? Here are two must-watch videos about being in awe of God. One is focused more on the earth and everything in it...The other enlarges the scope to the entire universe, the stars, and the infinite expanse outside the earth...I hope you enjoy being in awe of God as much as I did.

Watch if you want to be in awe of God's Creation - The Earth:

Watch if you want to be in awe of God's Creation - The Universe:

Being in Awe of God

Being in awe of God is not a strong point of today’s culture. In fact, being in awe of anything or anyone falls fairly low in scale of most people’s daily life. The rapid progression of science and technology continually researches what was once unknown making it known; thus, turning the mysterious into the common. People are no longer in awe of tornadoes, hurricanes, or unusual storms as in past generations. Science has explained that these natural phenomena are caused by pressure systems, humidity levels, and changes in temperature. Technology has helped predict the weather forecast and the annual climate. Most people are also no longer left in wonder by magicians and performers because they know there is a scientific explanation to the trick or act. What about God? What do people think about when they think about God? Is God worthy of awe and wonder or can God be explained by human progression? In my person study, I believe God is the one thing in the created universe that can never be truly explained in human terms, and only God can create a sense of humility, awe, and wonder found in a worshipful heart.

I write this knowing that my natural inclination this week has not been towards worshiping God as He deserves. Yesterday, I lost something very valuable to me and I've been beating myself up about it. I've wrestled with God and asked Him, "Why?" So I struggle even as I write asking myself am I worshiping God in spirit and truth? Am I believing that God is awesome, holy, and mysterious? Psalm 145:3-13 says,

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. 9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. 11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The comfort in the Bible is found that is has nothing to do with me, but everything to do about God. The psalmist David shifts the focus from "I" towards God. Great is the Lord. God is most worthy of praise. I am not the lord. I am not most worthy of praise. The truth found in Scripture is that the world has nothing to do with me but everything to do with worshiping God. You and I are made in the image of Christ. We are a but a reflection of God's glory. So what good would it be if I found the most valuable prize in the world, but forfeited my soul? I would rather have God as my prize who is more valuable than anything in this world. God is out of this world, but while I am in this world...I will worship.

APA - Appreciating Pastor Appreciation

Yesterday, I attended Pastors' Appreciation Luncheon hosted by a local Bay Christian Area radio station KFAX AM 1100. Here is what I learned at the Pastoral Appreciation. KFAX invited Alistair Begg as the keynote speaker (who is a pastor with a distinct Scottish accent...I appreciate a good Scottish accent by the way). I am thankful that God spoke through Alistair Begg and reminded me why preaching is the fundamental core of any church ministry. Here is my APA - what I appreciated in Pastor's Appreciation luncheon.

Pastor Begg shared that many contemporary churches emphasize prayer and praise but leave out preaching. Some churches even emphasize "all worship" or "all prayer" or "all fellowship" and stress "no sermon". However, the reason preaching is so important is because God shared salvation through His word. Preaching in its essence is to speak God's word to others.

After 24 hours to mull over this, I look back at the Bible and see that God didn't bring salvation through music, prayer, or fellowship, but through the word! John 1:14 (NIV) states that "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The Word of God became flesh! The Word of God is Jesus Christ. So when we proclaim God's word, we proclaim Jesus Christ.

This is reminder to me and I think a powerful message to all of us that salvation comes through the Word of God. A person cannot be saved without sharing the Gospel. We must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. No matter how powerful a worship session is, no matter how intense a prayer meeting is, and no matter how close a fellowship is, this alone cannot save a person from sin and death. Only preaching the Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ can save a person for eternity.

So I hope that this message is both a reminder for me and a message to you that going to church is not enough to be saved, thanking God is not enough to save us, praying 24/7 is not good enough...All of us must hear God's word and share God's word. That is the main call of any Christian. We might do this in different forms: prayer, music, fellowship, and ministries. But, we must never forgot the Gospel is the center of everything we are and everything we do.

"Lord Jesus Christ, help me to read your word, hear your message, and proclaim your Gospel to the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen."

A Spirit of Thanksgiving

Halloween has come and gone...I know because the Spirit of Halloween shops are starting to close up and make way for new business...Ushering the holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas (my two favorite holidays of the year). I made a comment to my wife the other day that I should start my own store called Spirit of Thanksgiving and Spirit of Christmas. In fact, I saw Christmas decorations and Thanksgiving supplies showing up at Target even before Halloween!

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is commonly traced back to the early American pilgrims who gave thanks for a good harvest. However, the true spirit of thanksgiving goes wayyyyyyyyyy farther back. In fact, the Psalmist David says, "Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." You can read more in Psalm 95:1-2.

Leah and I dressing as Ellie and Karl from the Pixar Movie UP.

I want to remind us all as we begin preparing for Thanksgiving to not just prepare our stomachs for all the delicious turkey, mashed potato, smoked ham, and pumpkin pies...But, to also prepare our hearts in a spirit of Thanksgiving. We have soooo much to be grateful for this season. We have a roof over our heads. We have a family that lives with us. We have food every night for dinner. Not everyone is so blessed this Thanksgiving. In fact, some people will not be celebrating Thanksgiving this year. So I hope that you will stop, pray, and thank God for providing for you and your family today.

Have you stopped and prayed for the recent victims of super typhoon Haiyan? Did you know we currently support Alex Tan, a missionary in Philippines, who is in the middle of this tragedy? Please pray for Alex Tan and the victims of Haiyan. I want to write a short prayer out loud here on my blog.

"Heavenly Father. Break our heart for what breaks yours. Help us to step out of our own "daily comforts" and see how desperately the world needs you. It is unjust that some people have more than enough to eat because they were raised in wealth and some people never have enough to eat because they were raised in poverty. Please send your comforting presence to those in need this season in the Philippines and with Alex Tan as well as other countries. Our hope is found in your Gospel that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all mankind - rich and poor, young and old, and every man, woman, and child. God, I am thankful that you have adopted me as your son and I pray that this day many more will enter your family and kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Savior and Messiah...Amen."

Why is fellowship so important?

I've just returned from a recent trip down to visit our friends in LA (near Biola University). My wife and I held our good friend's newborn baby, we had a late night fellowship and snacks at Guppies, and we connected with a lot of college friends. I am reminded as I write this new blog post why church AND fellowship is so important. This will be a little different than my previous posts and I think from now on, I will start integrating more topics on church, faith, and spirituality in addition to daily bible devotional. Also, I probably will shift into sharing more personal stories of my own life. So I hope you readers don't mind learning more about me and my life with Jesus Christ! So let's dig in.

Before I can answer why fellowship is so important, I first have to answer what is fellowship? Usually, when I hear people talk about "youth fellowship" or "adult fellowship", I usually hear about the activities: special event, games, bible study, prayer, etc... I hear this question all the time, "What are we "doing" tonight?". But really, fellowship is not simply an activity, it is not what we "do". Fellowship is in fact a relationship. Like what I did there? The emphasis is not in the doing but in the being.

(Our Biola classmates together at Guppies Tea house in Rowland Heights)

So the reason why fellowship is so important is actually quite simple. Because the Bible shares many passages about the importance of fellowship and church unity! Act 2:42-47 is just one of many verses that talks about early church fellowship that says,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

Being in fellowship draws people together closer to God. So there are two important relationships happening here: One is a vertical relationship between us and God. Second is a horizontal relationship between you, me, and others. We are the body of Christ! So the next time, you are thinking about if I should go to fellowship at church or why fellowship is important. Go ahead read the Bible, do a Google search on fellowship, or think about the purpose of church. I think you and I can both find that we are called to serve God in community and relationship with one another.

Setting a Godly Example

I've just recovered recently from the cold flu symptoms of fever, chills, and cold sweat. By the grace of God, however, I am once again sitting down and typing up a devotional blog post. This morning, I read from 1 Timothy 4 (1 and 2 Timothy are two of my personal favorites books in the Bible since Timothy is my middle name) and again I am struck with both the joy and responsibility of being a minister of the Gospel.

1 Timothy 4:6-16 says, “6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

To set a godly example, one must first train to be godly. I know what this means. In high school, I trained six days a week for 3+ hours each day for tennis. I was determined to be fit, play hard, and train even harder. Physical training included running, conditioning, and building endurance. Paul tells Timothy that physical training does have some value, but spiritual training (godliness) has sooooo much more value. Godliness holds value not just in present life but also for eternal life.

I hope we can take this heart so that we can set a godly example to others. Can I encourage you this morning to set an example in one of the following today: 1) In speech: say something kind or encouraging to someone today or 2) In life: do something kind or encouraging, maybe give a gift to your friend or a neighbor or 3) In love: tell someone that you care for them and are praying for them today or 4) In purity: commit yourself to obeying God and confessing anything that you may be putting above God.

If you are really bold, maybe you can try practicing all four of those things this week. For Paul reminds us, that if we persevere in godliness we will save both ourselves and those who we come in contact with.

Faith and Gratitude: The Twin Guardians of the Soul

Colossians 2:1-8 says, "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.

The two guardians of the soul that I want to talk about today is Faith and Gratitude. Actually, both Faith and Gratitude have a whole lot more meaning than the picture I shared above. So let's dig right in... What is Faith? Faith can be defined as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” in Hebrews 11:1. Faith is best described as a "channel of living trust", an assurance—that stretches from man to God.

Faith enables us to stand firm in our beliefs. Faith enables us to weather the storms of life. Faith enables us to see beyond present circumstance or when we can't see we can trust that God sees our circumstances. Being rooted in Christ gives Christians a firm foundation, a foundation that cannot be shaken by trials or hardships.

The role of faith in our daily life is how we choose to live each day either rooted in ourselves or rooted in Christ. Faith comes from a right relationship with God and overflows into an assurance that God cares for us deeply. How can we guard ourselves from doubt? How can we guard ourselves from despair? How can we guard ourselves from fear, worry, and stress? The answer is to allow faith to reign in our lives and take heart that greater is He that is in us then he that is in the world.

What is gratitude? Gratitude can be defined as in "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" in Colossians 3:17. Gratitude here is giving thanks to God in everything both word and deed.

Gratitude (overflowing thankfulness) is a guardian of the soul. Think about it, when our hearts are not thankful, we are vulnerable to the enemy's attacks of sadness, depression, anger, jealousy, and many other schemes of the devil. A song of thanksgiving is one of the best medicines to cure the soul. So encouraging a daily habit of thanksgiving is like taking a daily multivitamin or a daily vaccination against the sickness of trials and tribulations.

The role of gratitude applies to our daily life and how we interact not only with God but with others. How can we guard ourselves against complaining? How can we guard ourselves against blaming others? How can we guard ourselves against sarcasm, criticism, and cynicism? The answer is to fill are life both words and deeds with overflowing thanksgiving.

Fighting Joylessness as Forgiven Sinner

The foundation of our joy is Jesus Christ: His blood, His righteousness, His living, His dying, and His rising from the dead. What a powerful line that is for us to remember. I want to begin today by making a distinction between happiness and joy. When I was young, I thought both words to mean almost the same thing that is that "joy" and "happiness" were namely about "feeling good". However, if we look at the Bible...the words translated into joy appear many more times than the words translated into happiness. Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words “happy” and “happiness” about 30 times, while “joy” and “rejoice” appear over 300 times.

In an article in Psychology Today, research is also showing that happiness is different from joy. Here are a few quotes from an article saying, "happiness is external. It's based on situations, events, people, places, things, and thoughts...The transitory things of life are happiness-based...When you need nothing more than your truth and the love of a good God to bring peace, then you have settled into the abiding joy that is not rocked by relationships. It's not rocked by anything."

So today's blog post is to remind us that joy doesn't come from external circumstances nor does it come from even "inward feelings. Happiness might come from external things or internal feelings. But true joy comes, the joy that cannot be quenched by hell fire, the joy that survives for all eternity...this joy comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has done for you and me.

Ephesians 6:7 says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free." This passage is referring to slaves obeying their masters wholeheartedly. Because believe it or not, there existed a lot of slavery in Roman times and when a servant became a Christians it was a HARD and DIFFICULT struggle to serve their masters. (If you put yourselves in a Christian slave's shoe, its like serving two masters: an earthly master and a Heavenly Lord.) So Paul reminds us that even if we were servants and slaves to slave masters...we can still have joy. Why? Because of Jesus Christ. As Christians are reward is in heaven, not on earth, so let us remember who we are serving the Lord of time, space, and all living things.

Are you Weary in Well-Doing?

This next post is tied into the last post on "Lukewarm and Loving It?" so please read the first one before beginning this next one. I hope that everyone really wrestles with the question of being lukewarm. In Revelation 3:16, the apostle John writes, "So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." I personally do not want to be spit out...I think neither do you. We need to spend time with God and ask Him how we can be ON FIRE for Jesus.

Our theme today for the second part of the video-blog series is "How to Live a Life of Joy when Feeling Joyless?". There are times in our life when it is hard to find joy, hard to find happiness, hard to find excitement, and hard not to be bored. However, if we let the truth of Ephesians 2:1-10 sink into our lives. I think we would come to find that our joy is not from external circumstances, not from our wants or desires, and not from our own actions. Joy comes from Christ. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-10 that we are made ALIVE in CHRIST, not made alive in ourselves, not made alive in our victories, not made alive in our happiness...no we are made alive in CHRIST and CHRIST ALONE:

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Pastor Martin Lloyd Jones gives a great three minute message how not giving up in well-doing. Yes, we will face hard times. Yes, we will even feel weary. But our hope is in Christ. Remember, the apostle Paul reminds us that God who is rich in mercy will seat US with HIM in the HEAVEN in CHRIST...that is our true hope of joy in this world. Please take a moment to watch this video and let the Gospel sink into your soul...that we are made ALIVE in CHRIST.