Count the Costs

Luke 14: 25-35

1. This parable really illustrates the fact that it’s important to see and understand what discipleship really means. In essence, one must take into account all the costs that are involved in following Christ, because since Christ seems to be a very transparent person, we know there are costs involved. And even in the minds of unbelievers, some of the costs are holding them back hence realizing that there is indeed a cost. You must cling to Jesus so much that it seems like “hating” your dear ones. I guess this idea of giving everything up is still a concept we, as American Christians, are trying to learn. In reality, we have pretty much eveything we need and hence nothing needed to be given up when we became Christian. Of course, there is a slight “cost” of being persecuted by words and/or people who just think we’re weird “religious” people. This is hardly a cost in my eyes simply because there could be a lot worse things out there. I guess to me, cost means something substantial is being given up, and I’m not sure many of us, including myself, really understands what it means. And I don’t think we’ll ever really understand what it means until we are faced with something we must really give up to follow Christ, a big thing. But maybe a “big” thing could still be something relatively small and that is enough to give up and show dedication to Christ. But I still believe if we were truly saved, there would be something bigger to teach us a lesson about this. Not sure what that would be…

Wishy Washy Invitees

So last night, we had a nice time with my family over. We watched our wedding video again because my aunt from China was visiting. Watching it again reminded me of how fast time passes by and/or it reminded me of how it feels like it just happened recently. Hmm..nostalgia.

Luke 14: 15-24: The Slighted Invitation

1. I am one of those people who hates it when people are wishy washy about their decisions to come to an event, and those who tend to make up lame excuses to come to something rather important. I think God is kind of the same way in this parable. He basically invites all His close friends (the leaders of Israel) to come join Him in this great feast, however they make up excuses (lame ones) that they are busy and can’t go. Hence the reason why God extends His invitation to others, like us gentiles. I guess for one thing, it’s a good thing that God decided to extend the invitation to all now. Everyone has a chance at salvation and can therefore join in the feast, until that room is filled. However, it’s interesting to note that God doesn’t really like lame excuses, and when it comes to salvation, I think every excuse is rather lame in comparison. Salvation is the end all be all to humankind and its problem, so turning it down would be rather sad and hence no partaking in the great banquet in Heaven. In a way, many nonbelievers have different reasons for not believing or wanting to believe in salvation/God/Jesus/etc., it’s good to always know where to point them in the Bible to say that maybe their decisions are actually a bit foolish and you should take another look. But then again, it really depends on what God decides to reveal to these people because they can’t really see what their decisions lead to unless He chooses to unveil it to them, like what He did for me.

Of healings and feasts

So yesterday I had two pretty deep conversations with two people, Esther and my husband. I think it’s really nice to take a step back and reflect/see what is really going on sometimes, which is what I got out of both. But ultimately, the conversation really led up to the fact that there is so much need for prayer. Ironically, I didn’t really pray last night because time was running out and I was too tired after. But I really do believe that there is something bigger at work when we discuss these things, I guess almost in a “re-gathering” of the troops and understanding the spiritual battles before us. At times, when we talk about people, the church, our lives, everything always seems a bit hopeless in a way. Things may be going well, but deep down, there are always things around us or inside of us that leads to a sense of “what am I doing here” or “where am I going to end up?” And I think the fact that we have faith and prayer to fall back on is really useful. And sometimes I wonder if I really do pray enough. I think maybe the Holy Spirit is really urging me to seek God in all types of solutions. And I’m not really living up to it currently. And perhaps that is the next thing that needs to change.

Also, my husband and I talked a lot about the workings of church and how things are going. Sometimes it seems a bit dismal. There are so many problems we can observe and many things gone wrong. Thankfully, ET is a very wise and humble man when it comes to things like this. I think even when I’ve given up, he tells me there is hope and good in something better, even when I don’t see it. It’s easy for me to point to the bad and things that need to be improved, especially when it’s around that time of month, but I think ET knows the concept of seeing the good through the midst of the bad. And I am glad for that reminder.

Luke 14: Jesus at the Pharisee’s House

1. One of the first thing Jesus does is rebuke the Pharisees (haha no surprise) with the legal issues they have with healing on the Sabbath. Apparently, back in those times, it was a bad thing to heal/help on the Sabbath. But Jesus directly counters that mindset and heals someone with dropsy and sends them on their way. When He questions the Pharisees, they remain silent. In today’s times, we don’t have these rules, but we definitely have legalism going on. For me personally, I tend to judge people who don’t come out to church a lot or at least on time in a somewhat less positive view, unconsciously. But in the end, it’s not about legalism, it’s about extending grace and humbling oneself. I think that’s what the Pharisees were missing because in the next parable about the banquet, Jesus states that it’s a good thing to humble oneself: “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

2. The other part that struck me about the parable was the fact that Jesus emphasizes a point that we should invite those who cannot repay us to our houses and be hospitable to them. This idea is something we don’t always practice, since we tend to invite church people over all the time and then hence in a way, nobody really out of the ordinary. But I think, being hospitable has to also do with inviting those who cannot pay us back, for “you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Do I know anyone really to invite that’ “poor, crippled, lame and/or blind”? No. I always think that I should probably get involved in some type of community service to expose myself to different people. But haven’t had a chance to yet. Maybe it’s time to take something up…..but I’m not sure what.

Easter!!!

So Good Friday and Easter went by really quickly. And my “lent/detox” period is kind of over. However, I did fail a couple of times. Yet, I feel like this is a start of a good habit. So perhaps I will try and keep with it, and eat certain things in moderation or very little to keep up with this. But definitely, I think I’ve established somewhat of a good pattern with devotions, although I seem to never have the weekends down. I always love to sleep more during the weekends. But I guess that can still be worked on.

This Easter, I felt like everything has gone by a little too quickly. As in, I didn’t really have time to reflect on what Jesus did on the cross and was watching as the services went on before my eyes. It’s kind of a weird feeling, as if I should’ve/could’ve put more thought into it, but just didn’t get a chance to yet. I think, maybe it feels this way because we, as Christians, live everyday remembering what He did, and this may seem like any other day because it’s what we do on a daily basis. I don’t “feel” any more saddened or any more grateful because I’m always grateful. I guess that’s what I really feel. Everyone else around me, including nonbelievers, are saying Happy Easter, but really I wonder if people understand what it really means. I know that God has revealed to me His mystery of salvation. And that’s a true blessing.

Luke 13:31-35: Sorrow for Jerusalem

1. In this passage, we can really see the hatred of the Pharisees for Jesus. They start telling Him lies to try to get Him to leave. However, Jesus replies in a very blunt, and then sorrowful way towards Jerusalem as a whole, which I guess includes the Pharisees. If I were reading the passage and not understanding the context and/or character of Jesus, He almost sounds a little sarcastic, as if, they don’t know what doom is coming their way and not only until they bow before Him in the end times will they really know. But ultimately, I think He is speaking out of compassion and woe. He really feels for His people and sees them still as what they once were: God’s Holy People. But because they have turned aside, a bunch of gentiles were instead saved and brought into the salvation plan, people like me. So I guess with God, turning bad things into good things is essential. And even in the epistles, in Romans, it talks about how God will one day bring all the Israelites back to Him. God loves His people and will never abandon them.

Day 53: Good Friday & the Narrow Door

Today is the day my Saviour bled and died for me. It’s easy to overlook such a day and think of it as any other day. But there’s something rather significant about this day that I think I don’t always think about. The fact that Jesus had to die first before He can be risen again. The fact that He suffered like any other human in the hands of those He came to save. There is so much behind it, yet I can’t really even begin to imagine the pain and sorrow and actual moments of the event. It’s funny how one event can be so life-changing.

Luke 13: 22-30: The Narrow Door

1. This passage is very similar to the one in Matthew where it says wide is the path to destruction, and few will enter the gate. Supposedly, this door is very narrow and not many people will enter. But the important thing to always take away from something like this is the fact that we must strive each day to make sure we are living in accordance to the Word and also working out our salvation. It’s a challenge to all believers and a warning to all nonbelievers. I think maybe many of us feel assured in salvation because of all that we have done and what “religious” things we do. But we see that the Pharisees also felt the same way. We must not be fooled by this and hopefully will cling onto the fact that only Jesus saves and work from there. Even those who said to Him that they ate with Him and “you taught in our streets” were shut out. Showing how maybe there were people present in His teachings (at church) but may not be saved. What a very harsh and to-the-point warning for those who are just sitting in church. It’s so true that many probably believe that they go to church and that they’re saved, but how sad to see that many of them are believing a lie. I hope more pastors preach on this and warn people of what they are doing with their lives. This notion was very life changing to me: I began to see Christian life as an uphill slope which I must climb. It’s not something that you take very lightly all the time.

Day 49: Healing a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath

This weekend felt a bit hectic. There was the gospel meeting, worship practices, church, baptism and visiting the Children’s Inn. There was a lot going on. I felt kind of tired. Which is not really a great thing. But despite all of that, I couldn’t keep up with my devotions during the weekend and I’m thinking of maybe it having an impact on me because I was slightly headache-y and tired during the latter half of the days. Hmm…

Luke 13: 10-17: A Crippled Woman Healed on the Sabbath

1. Again Jesus looks on people who are different with compassion. It is very hard in this world to really pay attention to these people and give them love/compassion because we are so often trained by the world to look away and pretend they are ok. However, in the Bible, and Jesus, sets the example of paying attention to them and addressing them directly. He healed her from her “infirmity” yet physically she was restored as well. Even though we hate to admit it, our response is often like the Pharisees, basically, don’t pay heed to her. Or you can only heal on this day. Making up excuses to ignore the ones who need us. I think we often do that in our own hearts. I admit to it. Sometimes I just choose not to acknowledge the people that I see on the streets. Part of it is fear and part is that I want to go about my own life not worrying about these people. But maybe God will give me the courage to confront them someday and treat them like regular human beings instead of those who are different.

Day 45: Repent or Perish

Detox fail #1: ate a cookie at a meeting because I was so hungry in the morning that I forgot all about my detox. Oh well…I guess for next time I can focus on the fact that this is an actual fast for God and hence be more motivated to keep this fast…

Luke 13: 1-8: Repent or Perish

1. Especially considering the world around us and all the bad things happening to people, one could always point to this verse. It is a little harsh in that Jesus kind of turns away from the focus of what happens to those people but instead uses it for a good cause which is to ask people who are with Him to repent. Often times, we do get caught up in tragedies and wonder why and then try to logically think up explanations for why bad things happen to good people, but Jesus says this time could be spent repenting and believing in the Gospel, which would ultimately save your own soul. I still have yet to explore this idea more….but will think about it today.

Day 44: Interpreting the Times

1. Jesus calls out the people for knowing how to predict the weather but not knowing how to predict the spiritual “times.” It’s really a time when they should repent and trust in Him so they may be saved. I guess in a way, we are all about predicting the times and things in general. There’s the zodiac signs and also the weather (even though not always predicted well) machines which tells us what next week is going to be like. Humans tend to want to know about future things and about their fortunes, I think that’s why there’s still so many psychics that make money. However, apparently, it is almost hypocritical because they put their trust in these things which are not a guaranteed instead of putting their hope in something that IS a guaranteed: Jesus. It’s still very true in these days how there are so many people turning a blind eye to the Gospel, partly because as He says in the last passage, it is divisive and also offensive, yet it is the peace that all humans long for. Hmm….might be good for evangelism purposes…

2. Also, another illustration is the magistrate and the judge. Jesus is apparently the “adversary”, I guess He is when we don’t believe in Him and hence are of this world. It talks about making peace with Him before being dragged off to the “judge”, being God. In a sense, Jesus is calling everyone there and all of us to action and to believe in Him before being dragged off to prison. I guess mostly this is a good passage for evangelism sake. But it’s good to know that people can still turn around now and be saved. It’s still not too late, yet the clock is ticking….I think God wants me to reach out to more people for the Gospel Meeting…

Day 43: Division

I have this creeping feeling into my soul that there is something more on the horizon that God wants me to do. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it will possibly uproot whatever I’m currently doing right now, as if it’s a preparation. But then again, God uses every moment to be some kind of preparatory phase for us. Still, I have an inkling there is something more (kind of like the song Consuming Fire: there must be more than this). After chatting with the Holmbergs yesterday about kids, and possibly me staying at home and/or ET getting a CPA or trying to figure out another way to earn money for the both of us and kids, I still think there’s a chance that through this God already has a plan. I just don’t know what it is at this point, but am ready and willing to accept whatever it may be. Although certain things tend to be more preferable to me, but I have a feeling God has it covered and He’ll work it out the best way. Currently, if I were to quit my job, ET wouldn’t make enough for the both of us. But the job he currently has kind of landed in his lap when he didn’t really deserve it (according to him) so why can’t another one that provides for our family do the same? I won’t be surprised if that does happen, yet I’m not sure if my faith is foolishness or just anticipating…something I cannot see.

Luke 12: 49-53: Division

1. The main point in the passage is to demonstrate how the gospel is ultimately very dividing and brings division instead of peace. It seems almost contradictory but there’s a lot of truth here. In a sense, the gospel does bring peace to an individual who believes, but that peace is internal and resides in the fact that we have piece with God. In the world, the gospel is still an offense and therefore might divide you from your family or friends because they are of this world and do not yet grasp the importance of the gospel. I guess that hasn’t happened to me quite as much. I still have the same friends and my family is Christian so it is all kind of peachy. However, there are some fears from others who do not want to believe because of their family. Yet, I’m not sure what to say to get them to understand that the Gospel will ultimately be more worth it than the strife in their family, and might save their family as well. Guess we’ll have to pray and see….

Detox Trial #1

Detoxing from:

1. Sweets

2. Fried food

3. Sodas, only water.

4. Sleeping in too much

5. Procrastinating work

Working on:

1. Exercising regularly

2. Waking up early to do devos and prayer