118. Something More

During a Bible Study Prep workshop, Pr. Liang said that as a Bible Study leader, you need to make an effort to prepare good questions that are relevant and lead the group to a desired destination, instead of just going around and asking everyone to share something, which can take up the time as well. When he talked about how some people only go around and have everyone share, all I kept thinking was "Wow, that's what I do."

Although this is both funny and true, I think the same goes for anything in life. We have this limit of time, and we can fill it in any way we choose (to a great extent). Do we just do the minimum and get by? Or do we plan and try to do something more for God? Either way, we take up the time, right?

It's often tempting to take the easier way. And when we're very busy, that may seem like the only way. But there must be something more we can offer to God. Something more we can do to please Him. 

Saviour, Thy dying love Thou gavest me, 

Nor should I aught withhold, dear Lord, from Thee:

In love my soul would bow, my heart fulfill its vow, 

Some offering bring Thee now, Something for Thee. 

117. Harmony

During this past Winter Spiritual Cultivation at Elizabeth, Preacher Hwang gave a testimony about how a Gentile friend phoned a TJC sister and heard her family singing hymns in the background, harmonizing with voice parts and instruments. The Gentile said she admired the warmth and wished she were in that family. Then, Pr. Hwang made a punny point about how harmony in the church can bring about growth in numbers. The pun was unfortunately lost in translation; nonetheless, that's when I decided I would name my daughter Harmony (if I ever encounter such an occasion).

116. It's You Again

"It's you again!" said the doctor, as he opened the door to find Carlos sitting in the waiting room.

"Yeah, I burned mys--"

"You burned yourself using the oven. Again. Why am I not surprised? I knew you'd be back."

Carlos looked down in a disappointing silence as he held his arm.

"Carlos. You can't keep doing this. Do you even care about your own well-being? It seems like you just do whatever you want, whenever you want. There are people who care about you. But obviously, you don't seem to care at all! I thought you said you were going to change."

"This was an accident."

"Which could have been prevented... You know your issues go beyond this silly burn. Admit it. And change. How can you expect things to be different if you don't do anything different?"

115. Standing Firm

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Mt 10:22)

There's enough verses in the NT to know that we'll be hated for our beliefs, but Mt 10:21 puts this hate into the context of those who are close to you--those you care about.

You know, it doesn't even have to be someone that close to you. Many people already care about what strangers and acquaintances think of them--not to mention those in their own social circles. Because of this, when others disagree with what you've done or how you've done something, you will naturally want to know why so that you don't repeat the mistake.

And this is where standing firm comes in. If people you're around consistently disagree with something about you, you'll likely change it. This is often good. But what if that something were a manifestation of your zeal in servitude or a result of your desire to adhere to the word of God? The fact that someone (even a consistent worker in church) has a problem with it may make you question if you were right to act that way. And we become very different from Paul who didn't change in zeal even when opposed in and out. We are gradually crafted into mellowed-out, lukewarm workers who fear and avoid conflict (and are even taught to do so).

However, this dampened zeal comes at a cost too high to pay. So, let us carefully examine our ways and intentions every time someone shows direct or indirect disapproval (no matter how reputable they are in church). What is their reasoning? Is it based on the Bible? If so, is that the correct interpretation? On the other hand, if they're right and our actions are based on an incorrect interpretation or based on personal opinion, preference, or stubbornness, we may need to change. Conversely, how may we be affecting others? Is it for the better or for the worse?

Only if we stand firm to the end in the unwavering truth can we be saved.

114. Perfection

I've always been quite the perfectionist. From refining the shading in Elementary School drawing projects to minimizing errors on High School Math tests, I have repeatedly desired to hand in something as close to perfect as possible.

However, recently, it seemed that my reach for perfection in school work and church work had become more a sheer satisfaction with mediocrity and minimum. This may have been a result of fear of disappointment from high expectations, lack of equal motivation from peers, and a dearth in faith. Overall, standards had become undeniably lower.

But even though my standards may have dropped, His standards never change. And if that is the case, what happened to striving toward these standards to please Him? What happened to the perfectionist who always sought extra credit? What happened to running as if only one gets the prize?

It's time to raise the standards again. It's time to pay attention to all the smudges and creases. To surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. To give to the one who asks and not turn away from the one who borrows. To love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. To greet not only my brothers.

It's time to be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect and press on toward the goal!

113. Sermons

I recently started listening to sermons again.

While eating dinner just now, I was quite stunned when Pr. Hwang mentioned briefly in a sermon the name of Brother Daniel Zheng (This brother was shot and died in San Francisco when he went out to buy a mother's day card). Just yesterday at GG, Lulu mentioned him because we were talking about youngest people who attended the first NYTS in 1992, and she told me his story.

I'm convinced that this compelling coincidence was not mere coincidence. Perhaps God is telling me something. In the sermon, Pr. Hwang emphasized that if we live, we should not live for ourselves (though everyone lives for themselves). We must live for Jesus.

When I heard "We must not live for ourselves!" ringing through my 1st generation iPod touch, I couldn't help but feel my inner man strengthening.

This is something I really like about listening to sermons. Even though some teachings may not be "new", listening to someone talk about it with full conviction and power is very refreshing.

112. For the Help of Man is Worthless

Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies. (Ps 108:12-13)

One might find it difficult to believe that "the help of man is worthless."

In fact, from the eyes of the world, the only help available is the help of man. And people happily rely on this because the capabilities and potential of man are "great." (Look at the medical and technological advancements man has made in the past century!)

However, during both physical and spiritual struggles, whatever help the fleshly arm can provide (how ever "great" it may possibly be) is worthless compared to the arm of God. And to believe this is the core of what we call faith.

With this hard-to-come-by yet simple faith in our God, we can indeed trample down our enemies. God will trample down our enemies.

Who will bring me to the fortified city?

Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?

Give us aid against the enemy,
for the help of man is worthless.