Remember Peter.
Remember the challenge.
Remember that as rash and tempestuous Peter had been; only he walked away having had encountered Jesus in a way the other disciples who were given the same opportunity failed to do.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
2007 winter retreat comments
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
We've just returned from our very first retreat at Rosendale Retreat Center (Jan 5th to 7th) and we've all seen what an awesome and faithful and loving God we serve.
Let's share our thoughts and feelings!
We've just returned from our very first retreat at Rosendale Retreat Center (Jan 5th to 7th) and we've all seen what an awesome and faithful and loving God we serve.
Let's share our thoughts and feelings!
a new thing
A child of God ought never lose that sense of awe and wonder in the presence of God.
King Solomon, the wisest man on earth second only to Jesus Christ, came to a tragic conclusion at the end of his life when he confessed "there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1:9)
For the truly redeemed, "been-there-done-that" attitude has no place. The God I know and love today and always bring me to my knees with amazing revelation of Himself tomorrow... And this until the Day Christ comes.
Prophet Isaiah, in giving hope to the children of Israel, urges them in 43:18-21 to stand upon three foundational promises - promises we cannot do without as we grow in Christ.
1. New Perspective: God urges us to "Forget the former things..." This reference is not to our sinful past; rather, it is to manifestations of God's promises in our lives.
Why?
Because this "new thing" will surpass what we had ever known or experienced in the past. He is not exhorting us to forget God's faithfulness but is speaking of the incomparable glory of what will be revealed to us.
2. New Path: "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (v.19)
God desires to take us to the next level of deeper relationship with Him in this new year. And that will inevitably lead to a new path; a path we had not tread before in this faith walk.
3. New Provision. "...because I will provide water in the desert...to give drink to my people..." (v.20)
Water in the Bible symbolizes the Word of God.
As we grow deeper and deeper into better understanding and knowledge of our infinite God, we need the firm foundation of God's Words in new revelation of His truths.
As these three things come together - New Perspective, New Path & New Provision - we will grow to know him more and to enter into that deeper relationship with our Creator.
I truly believe this is the Word God desires to give us, Nakwon EM.
He is going to usher us - as we continue to diligently seek after things above - into new understanding of God and His faithfulness.
--from Nakwon EM January 7, 2007 Sunday Worship Service
King Solomon, the wisest man on earth second only to Jesus Christ, came to a tragic conclusion at the end of his life when he confessed "there is nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1:9)
For the truly redeemed, "been-there-done-that" attitude has no place. The God I know and love today and always bring me to my knees with amazing revelation of Himself tomorrow... And this until the Day Christ comes.
Prophet Isaiah, in giving hope to the children of Israel, urges them in 43:18-21 to stand upon three foundational promises - promises we cannot do without as we grow in Christ.
1. New Perspective: God urges us to "Forget the former things..." This reference is not to our sinful past; rather, it is to manifestations of God's promises in our lives.
Why?
Because this "new thing" will surpass what we had ever known or experienced in the past. He is not exhorting us to forget God's faithfulness but is speaking of the incomparable glory of what will be revealed to us.
2. New Path: "I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (v.19)
God desires to take us to the next level of deeper relationship with Him in this new year. And that will inevitably lead to a new path; a path we had not tread before in this faith walk.
3. New Provision. "...because I will provide water in the desert...to give drink to my people..." (v.20)
Water in the Bible symbolizes the Word of God.
As we grow deeper and deeper into better understanding and knowledge of our infinite God, we need the firm foundation of God's Words in new revelation of His truths.
As these three things come together - New Perspective, New Path & New Provision - we will grow to know him more and to enter into that deeper relationship with our Creator.
I truly believe this is the Word God desires to give us, Nakwon EM.
He is going to usher us - as we continue to diligently seek after things above - into new understanding of God and His faithfulness.
--from Nakwon EM January 7, 2007 Sunday Worship Service
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
ebenezer
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying "Thus far has the Lord helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. (1 Sam 7:12-13)
What is your testimony for the year 2006?
The book of 1 Samuel is about good beginnings and bad endings.
Eli began well, only to end in tragic death along with his sons.
Saul began well, only to end in suicide, away from the presence of the Lord.
How did you begin the year 2006? And how did you end it?
As we face the dawn of new year 2007, we need to take time to remember God's faithfulness to us throughout the past year.
God constantly reminded the Israelites to remember the Lord God who brought them out of Egypt. Even centuries after the great exodus from slavery, God exhorts His children to remember the day of their salvation and their Source of salvation.
Our past is our stepping stone and foundation for our present and future.
We need not - and ought not to - dwell on our failures and sins once forgiven by God, but we need to remember God's ever present help and His amazing work of salvation in our lives in the past.
Do you see God's hand in all that had taken place in the past year? Do you perceive a God who never left you, nor forsaken you?
Did you recognize adversity as an opportunity to see God working in your life?
It is in seeing His loving hand in every facet of our lives that we come to a place of faith and assurance that He will continue to guide us throughout the coming year.
Can you say as Samuel did on behalf of the people of Israel - "Ebenezer"?
John W. Peterson's song expresses beautifully the words I hope we will all confess before the throne of God on that Day:
Someday life's journey will be o'er,
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I'll sing while entering heaven's door,
"Jesus Led Me All the Way."
Jesus led me all the way,
Led me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burdens down,
"Jesus Led Me All the Way."
--from Nakwon EM Decemeber 31st Worship Service
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