Mary Did You Know? (2/2)

Often times, the Sunday School lesson stops when the angel leaves Mary. However, the miraculous story continues even after angelic visitation. The Bible records that Mary hurried over to her relative and kin Elizabeth who was also with child. The often overlooked miracle here is that Elizabeth according to the Bible was past the age of child birth. Of course, God also helped Sarah, Abraham's wife, in her old age to also bear child so this miracle has happened before in the Bible. Mary's miracle on the other hand has never happened before! When Mary meets Elizabeth, her cousin filled with the Holy Spirit begins praising the Lord and blessing Mary. Again, here is another often unnoticed miracle, Mary just had an angelic visitation that no one else knew about, and yet Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit already knew that Mary would give birth to a child. Even the visitation, tells a story of God's mission namely that God works in mysterious ways! God also has the power to transform lives and often does so with those who have faithful and obedient hearts. Not only did the Story of Mary inspire a beautiful Christmas song, but God's mission also inspired Mary with a song! In fact, Mary's song is one of the most beautiful words of praise to God in Scripture. Mary's Magnificat begins with, "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant." The penned words of Mary's praise song affirms God's constant search for faithful obedient hearts. Mary is truly an example of a humble servant who listen to her Lord. She offers up praise to God despite the uncertainty of being with a child as a virgin without being married to Joseph. Mary is a testimony of a missional youth, one filled with faith and obedience to carry out God's calling despite the obstacles.

Mary Did You Know? (1/2)

Luke 1:26-56 - God grants favor to Mary to become the mother of Jesus, because He finds in Mary, a faithful obedient heart. If I had only one opportunity to share a story about faith and obedience, I would be inclined to share the Story of Mary and start off with the words, "Mary, did you know?" Not only is this passage of scripture penned into one of my favorite Christmas songs, the Story of Mary is simply put miraculous on all accounts. Is there any other example in history of a young virgin with God's only child? Mary is given the honor and title as the mother of Jesus not because of her social status, good looks, or even heritage. Although, the Bible prophecies that the birth of Jesus would come from King David's line and would be born in Bethlehem, I am quite certain there were other young virgins who could have been eligible. What makes Mary different from all other youths was her missional heart filled with faith and obedience. In the first chapter of Luke, a story of the birth of Jesus unfolds with the central character who is Mary, a young virgin pledged to be married to Joseph. She was most likely only a teen in our modern age definition, but in Bible times she was a young woman ready to be married. When the angel of the Lord, Gabriel, appears to Mary, the first words that the angel says are, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son..." Mary asks a straightforward question about how could it be possible to give birth knowing she is a virgin. However, the key point, I focus on in this passage is when Mary give her final reply to Gabriel, "I am the Lord's servant... (Part 1 of 2)

Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]

There comes a time in every believer's walk with God that fear must be confronted, trials must be overcome, and hope must be tested. I hope that this song reminds us that when that day and hour comes, we can find our strength in our God. The God of Angel Armies!

Commands of God or Traditions of Men

Mark 7:1-23 tells of the exchange between the Pharisees (and teachers of the law), Jesus, and His disciples: The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”

.....He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Today's devotional from Mark taught me the importance of listening and obeying God and God alone. Man's downfall throughout history is man's pride. The Pharisees, instead of washing their hearts of sinful pride, had turned to outward washing to prove to others that they lived "clean". Jesus rebuked them and shared this lesson with His disciples so that they would understand that it is not what we eat that makes us "unclean"...it is what we digest in our heart and mind that makes us unclean.

Take for example the chorus from a pop song from the Disney movie "Mulan" which says this: "True to your heart You must be True to your heart That's when the heavens will part And baby, shower you with my love Open your eyes Your heart can tell you no lies"

Although, our culture today tells us to trust in our hearts, the Bible actually paints a very different picture of what the heart is really like...Jeremiah 17:9 says that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" So the question you and I should be asking is what should we do then? What should we really believe in? Well, I still have to face my heart and feelings daily because it is part of who I am and what makes me, me. However, I have also learned to trust in God's heart and character. Because, although, my heart can tell me lies. God's heart cannot. God in His divine nature is holy (not sinful), loving (not unkind), and just (not unfair).

Jeremiah 17:10 is the highlight of trusting in God's commands over man's traditions: “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,to reward each person according to their conduct,according to what their deeds deserve.”

Jesus the "Calmer" of the Storms

There is really only one main distinction that separates Christianity from all other religions that is the person-hood and God-hood of Jesus Christ. All religions try to "explain" a worldview (or paradigm) of how to interpret human life. Some look to wealth and happiness. Some turn to fame and recognition. Others try to give and serve others. Others meditate and philosophize on life. But really...the one missing ingredient, the one essential element, and the one missing link crucial to understanding our purpose and existence in life is found in Jesus. Jesus was no ordinary man. Some called him a prophet. Still others called him a criminal. How do I see Jesus? Plain and simple, He was and is the "Calmer" of the storms in my life. Though He died, He still lives. Though He lived a man, He rules as the Lord of Creation. Though He is unfathomably wholly other, He made himself fully known by living as one of us. This God-man, Savior-friend, and Creator-servant is who I put my trust in day by day. For I understand that there is really no one quite like Jesus.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4:35-41

Be Holy, because He is Holy

In my devotions today, I read 1 Peter 1 which is a great passage of Scripture. In God's Word, the apostle Peter tells fellow Christians to be holy. Why? Because it is written: "Be holy, because I [the Lord] am holy" from Leviticus 11:44,45. And my friends when God calls us to something, I have learned its usual important to listen! The Lord is Holy. If we are to be His people, we also must focus on what is holy, do what is holy, and trust in what is holy.

We all know that holiness is good. Being without sin, doing what is right, finding forgiveness in God...These are all things that might flash through our minds when we think about "being holy". However, living out a life of holiness for anyone that has ever tried is often much more difficult isn't it? However, it is here that Peter gives us the best example of holiness Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God without blemish or defect, offered His blood as a sacrifice for our sins. This is where we find our holiness. This is where we focus our attention. This is how we can live holy lives through the spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit, living in us.

1 Peter 13-25: Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy."

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Doing what is good and clinging to what is true

Doing what is good sounds so simple. It would be simple if pride, strife, jealousy, and sin had not come into the world...but sadly our world is no longer perfect, pure, holy, true, and good. So each of us struggle daily with living a life devoted to God or a life enslaved by our sinful desires. Thank God, however, that He gave us a choice. Without the life and death of Jesus Christ, we would not even have the power to choose good over evil. Our Savior bought with His very own life a precious gift. Namely, He gave us the ultimate "present" in every sense of that word. His life is a model for our present life. His death is a reminder for our present life. His resurrection is a promise of future life apart from our present life. Thus, Jesus Christ has given us the power to "do what is good and cling to what is true". I pray that we never ever forget what that means in our life - God gave us a choice.

Titus 3:3-8 says: "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

My very last New Year resolution as a single

I've been meaning to write a blog post on New Year resolution for the past week now. And it just hit me today quite suddenly that this might be my very last year for personal New Year resolutions...You might be asking what does that mean? Well, for me it means, its the last year that I will be planning goals solely based on my intentions. Of course, since becoming a follower of Christ, I have tried every New Year to seek God's vision for me for the upcoming year. But what I mean is that this summer, I will no longer be single and by next year 2013, I will not just be making plans for me, myself, and I...but for my wife, my family, and eventually my own children. Its a lot to think about for the beginning of the year...

However, I am so excited to marry my fiance Leah who has filled my life with joy, peace, and laughter. Psalm 66:5 says, "Come see what God has done, how awesome His works in man's behalf!" And indeed, I can see what God has done and I am truly thankful. So for this year New Year resolution, I want to take all that have learned in my life these last 23 and now almost 24 years of my life. And apply all the experience, knowledge, and wisdom to becoming a loving husband, a caring minister, and eventually a good father.

I imagine that if I could focus my three goals into three words it would be: Marriage, Ministry, and Missions. I pray God would help me begin a beautiful marriage relationship with Leah. I ask God to give me vision, patience, and energy for His ministry. Finally, I want to act on whatever mission(s) that God places before me, Leah, and my church to continue shining as a beacon of light into the world.

The Blessing of Belonging in a Family

Even though Christmas has passed and a New Year is on its way, I can't help but reminisce about this past week. You see...I've lived over 23 years with one of God's greatest gifts - the blessing of a family. This past Monday, I picked my brother up at the SF airport and spent Christmas eve with my fiance's family in Stockton. On Christmas day, my brother and I drove to Oakland to enjoy a family gathering with our relatives: aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and a newborn baby!

As I continue reading through Psalms, I skipped ahead this week to read Psalm 68 where we see God's heart for families. In Psalm 68:6, we see that God care for the lonely and the hurting. God provides homes for the homeless. This tells me that God is not a far off deity. He is not oblivious to people. He is not calloused to the cries of His people. He is not blind to our needs. No...our God cares for people. He hears every crying baby, child, woman, and man. He sees our poverty, sickness, and hurt. And God provides for the lost, the homeless, and the poor.

I want to share multiple Bible translations of the Psalms 68:6 so we can see the rich beauty of this passage:

Psalm 68:6 NIV (New International Version): God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68:6 ESV (English Standard Version): God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

Psalm 68:6 CSB (Holman Christian Standard): God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious live in a scorched land.

Psalm 68:6 KJV (King James Version) God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Psalm 68:6 NKJV (New King James Version): God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; But the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

Psalm 68:6 MSG (The Message): God makes homes for the homeless, leads prisoners to freedom, but leaves rebels to rot in hell.

So this year, I am grateful for having my family, my loving family, my wonderful family...And am also excited to start a family of my own very soon. In almost exactly 8 months, I will be married to my college sweetheart. My prayer is that in this holiday season we thank God for giving us a family to help us through the loneliness, the pain, and the suffering that we call life. Most of all, I hope you join me in praising God for giving us a precious gift - the blessing of belonging in God's family and our earthly families as well.

God is our Savior, Helper, and Deliverer!

I'm inspired this morning to write this blog post as I read Psalm 54 and listened to God, You are My God by One Sonic Society. From the book of Genesis, God reveals himself as the Creator God, the Mysterious God, the All-Powerful God. And as we go into the prophets and judges, God shows himself as the God of Justice, the God of Holiness, and the God of History. In Psalm, David gives us another intimate facet of God's character. God is our Savior, Helper, and Deliverer!

This morning, I hope we can recognize how God deeply cares for us. If you read Psalm 54 and listen to One Sonic Society's great new song. I pray that your heart and mind will also sing "God, You Are My God". No praise can define our God. No light can outshine our God. There is no one like our God!

Psalm 54:1-7:

"Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me— people without regard for God.[c]

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good. You have delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes."

God, You Are My God by One Sonic Society:

No praise can define You No thought can contain You God No other one is Holy No other one is robed in righteousness

God You are my God Glorious Glorious

No light can outshine You No power can defeat You God No other one is Holy No other one is high and lifted up

God You are my God Glorious Glorious God You are my God Victorious Victorious

From the dawn of time You reign To the end of days You're the God who saves Sing

All the earth will shout Your praise You will never change You're the God who saves Sing

A prayer for victims in Newtown, Conneticut

So often it takes a tragedy to bring about self-reflection and transformation...Last Friday the second worst shooting in US history took place in Newtown, Connecticut. 28 people died, 20 of them who were elementary age children. There is no sufficient response to comfort those who are going through the burial, mourning, and grieving process. However, I read this prayer today from Max Lucado which offers a ray of light in the dark hours of such a terrible loss. I want to share it with you here:

Dear Jesus,

It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,
Your Children

Max Lucado

Mount Zion: The Mountain of God

Psalm 48:1-3: Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon[b] is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

In my devotional reading today, I meditated on Psalm 48. It is a beautiful passage that describes God abiding with His people in Mount Zion. As I did more background research, I learned that unlike many other "mountains of gods" like Olympus, Zaphon, or Kythnos. Mount Zion in comparison seems how should I best say it...unspectacular. All the other "mountains of gods" are thousands upon thousands of feet tall with snowy summits and craggy peaks. They are mysterious and majestic and dangerous to climb. However, Mount Zion is not really that impressive compared to other mountains. In fact, its more like a hilltop inside of Jerusalem. In fact, its only about 2,000 feet above sea level and not nearly as grandiose as the giant "mountains of gods" that were previously mentioned. So what is special about Mount Zion then?

The word "Zion" in the Bible is almost always a symbolic metaphor to describe the "kingdom of God coming soon". Zion was the symbol and picture of God's dominion and kingship over the whole earth. The presence of God in a human city of Jerusalem was proof of God's covenant between God and Israel as well as the rest of the world. Thus, in many ways, I am thankful that God did not choose a Mount Olmpus or Zaphon as His Holy place. Rather than remain a remote and mysterious, God chose to be "Immanuel" who is "God with us". God chose to be born in a humble manger, live with us, walk with us, and show us the way to spend eternity with Him if we choose to do so!

Psalm 48:9-15: Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.