Commands of Christ Project 2022

Commands of Christ

Ekko Church

I am...

"In Him, we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

- Jesus' character and nature

- empower us as His disciples to practice his 49 commands

- Understand his nature and practice his ways, be formed into His image

7 Statements

- The Light

    Let Your Light Shine    Matthew 5:16

    Be Perfect    Matthew 5:46-48

    Seek God's Kingdom    Matthew 6:33

    Do unto others    Matthew 7:12

    Pray for Laborers    Mathew 9:37-38

    Fear Not    Matthew 10:28

    Be a House of Prayer    Matthew 21:13

Jesus is the light that guides us out of evil and illuminates the path of righteousness. He shines through our lives for the world to find their way home to God.

- The Gate

    Do not cast Pearls    Matthew 7:6

    Beware of False Prophets    Matthew 7:15-16

    Be wise as serpents    Matthew 10:16

    Honor your parents    Matthew 15:4

    Beware of Leaven    Matthew 16:6

    Await my return    Matthew 24:42-44

    Watch and Pray    Matthew 26:41

Through Christ, we enter salvation, by Him, we are protected. In Him, we have peace. Because He laid down His life for us, we can relinquish the temptation to worry or self-preserve, and instead lay down our lives for others. 

- The Way, Truth, Life

    Repent    Matthew 5:16

    Follow Me    Matthew 4:19

    Honor God's Law    Matthew 5:17

    Judge Not    Matthew 7:1-3

    Choose the Narrow Way    Matthew 7:13-14

    Take my Yoke    Matthew 11:28-30

    Make Disciples    Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life, and because of this, we can follow Him no matter how narrow the path or arduous the journey. He is the Way, Truth, and Life, therefore we can submit to Him and trust His direction. Where He leads, we will follow.

- The Vine

    Practice Secret Disciplines    Matthew 6:1-18

    Ask, Seek, Knock    Matthew 7:7-8

    Ask in Faith    Matthew 21:21-22

    Love the Lord    Matthew 22:37-38

    Love the Way I Loved    John 14:15, 15:12-13, 17

    Baptized my Disciplines     Matthew 28:19

    Receive God's Power    Luke 24:49

Jesus is the Vine and that He invites us to a life of apprenticeship and abiding in Him. Despite our own limitations or disqualifications, we are branches granted into Him. His life flows in us so that we can produce lasting fruit in others and in the world. 

- The Resurrection

    Rejoice    Matthew 5:11-12

    Be Reconciled    Matthew 5:23-25

    Keep Your Word    Matthew 5:37

    Love your enemies    Matthew 5:44-46

    Deny Yourself    Luke 9:23-25

    Go to Offenders    Matthew 18:15-17

    Be Born Again    John 3:5-7   

Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, that's why we can live life anticipating joy despite seemingly hopeless situations and "dead ends". In Christ death is silenced for God alone has the final say.

- The Good Shepherd

    Do not lust    Matthew 5:28-30

    Hear God's Voice    Matthew 11:15

    Despise not Little Ones    Matthew 18:10

    Beware of Covetousness    Luke 12:15

    Forgive Offenders    Matthew 18:21-22

    Honor Marriage    Matthew 19:4-6

    Feed My Sheep    John 21:15-16

Jesus is the Gate and the Good Shepherd. Through Him, we enter salvation, by Him, we are protected, in Him, we have peace. Because He laid down His life for us, we can relinquish the temptation to worry or self-preserve, and instead lay down our lives for others. 

- The Bread

    Go the Second Mile    Matthew 5:38-42

    Lay Up Treasures    Matthew 6:19-21

    Be a Servant    Matthew 20:26-28

    Bring in the Poor    Luke 14:12-14

    Render to Caesar    Matthew 22:19-21

    Love your Neighbor    Matthew 22:34-40

    Take, Eat, and Drink    Matthew 26:26-28

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is our portion and our sustenance, every need is completely filled and satisfied in Him. Because of Him, we can give out of the overflow to meet the needs of the hungry in our midst. 

49 Commands

Repent

Follow Me

Rejoice

Let your light shine

Honor God's Law

Be reconciled

Do not lust

Keep your word

Go the second mile

Love your enemies

Be Perfect

Practice Secret Disciplines

Lay up treasures

Seek God's Kingdom

Judge not

Do not cast Pearls

Ask, Seek, Knock

Do unto others

Choose the Narrow Way

Beware of False Prophets

Pray for Laborers

Be wise as Serpents

Fear not

Hear God's voice

Take my yoke

Honor your parents

Beware of Leaven

Deny yourself

Despise not little ones

Go to offenders

Beware of Covetousness

Forgive Offenders

Honor Marriage

Be a servant

Be a House of Prayer

Ask in Faith

Bring in the Poor

Render to Caesar

Love the Lord

Love your Neighbor

Await my return

Take, Eat, and Drink

Be born again

Love the way I loved

Watch and Pray

Feed my Sheep

Baptise my Disciples

Receive God's Power

Make Disciples

E and E 5/21/2021

How to Grow in Faith after Disappointment 

Christine Caine 

What do you do when you don't get the answer you wanted in prayer.

When I wanted to be released from the situation but God wants me to stay.

I won't know what I think of Him until I don't get what I think I want from God.

We often try to tell God how to answer my prayer.

"I don't like your answer, but you know what's best for me."

We try to control God. We try to orchestrate. Or bring a prayer request to God but not looking for God's answer. 

To accept whatever decision God makes.

God says... "You're not going to like the taste of this, but trust me, it's going to make you function the best. And I know what's best for you."

It would be a lot easier, if you just eat the fruit. Maybe you think you don't like it. 

"I'm not feeling it."

Good Good Father

What I want is often not the best for me.And best for me might not feel good.

God is strengthening me and preparing me.

- yes, no

- no, yes

- wait, Go

- someone else, not you

Resentment towards God...walk away from intimacy. Feeling God disappointed me...or withholding.

He has a Plan for me. He has purpose for me. He was actually trying to protect me.

Formal relationship, but my heart is not there.

Turn back, pull back, or press in.

Sometimes just some good o' theology, remind myself who God is.

If I question God's Sovereignty, I will question His wisdom.

If I question God's Love, I will question His faithfulness.

If I question God's Majesty, I will question His Power.

I don't understand the confusion or the pain.

I don't get what is going on in me, or around me.

Do I trust the character and nature of God? Instead of relying on the "feels".

I have to believe God loves me and He will be faithful to me.

Do I trust the goodness of God?

Do I trust the faithfulness of God?

Do I trust the power of God?

Do I trust the wisdom of God?

Do I trust the sovereignty of God?

Do I trust the love of God?

Do I trust the majesty of God?

Do I trust the protection of God?

2019 Fast and Prayer

 Day 1            2019/1/7

2019 - fast 1 meal per day 

Acts + Prayer for 1 family each day (or church/group)

Acts 1 + Acts 2

1:7 "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."

    - my masters, my marriage/family, my doctorate, my ministry in Japan

1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer...

    - am I praying enough with others?

    - am I intentionally seeking prayer groups? 

1:23-26 Process of new leadership

    - prayer, nomination, ask God to reveal, clarify needs, explanations 

2:4 being enabled by the Holy Spirit

2:17 God pours Spirit on His people, prophesy, visions, dreams

2:38-39 The importance of repentance and how far our salvation carries 

2:42-47 teaching, fellowships, breaking of bread and prayer

    - how am I leading small group/fellowships?

1) teach  2) fellowship  3) bread/meal  4) prayer

 Day 2            2019/1/8

(really hard falling asleep last night, kept thinking about money I got from grandma)

Acts 3 + Acts 4 

3:6 Healing power by name of Jesus Christ

3:8 not only walked, but jumped

    - God often blesses us way more than we expect

    - more than 100%

3:11-26 preaching

    - call to repent and believe

    - must recognize sin first, repent

4:2 "greatly disturbed"

    - leaders had fear and pride

4:8-12 Peter's bold statement by the Holy Spirit

    - the courage was recognized

    - to speak truth to authority 

4:19-20 to whom should we listen?

    - listen to worldly authority?

    - or listen to God?

4:23 Immediate response after questioning, Prayer

    - raised voices together in prayer

look to God for wisdom, comfort, affirmation, courage

4:29-30 gave all credit of the miracle back to Jesus

4:32-37 how to give and take care of courageous apostles/missionaries

 Day 3            2019/1/9

Lunch and Dinner switch

Acts 5 + Acts 6

(lots of nightmares the first 2 nights, spiritual attacks?)

5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira 

    - dishonest with God

    - lied to Holy Spirit

5:12-16 miracles, healing

    - even the shadow was enough for some

5:17-42 Persecution 

    - jealousy slips into the hearts

    - at loss, then fear, furious

5:29 must obey God

5:30-32 boldly proclaim 

5:38-39 fear of God starts to sink in

5:40 persecution

5:41 apostles rejoicing in persecution 

6:1-7 when disciples increase

6:2 take care of ministries 

6:3 find people full of spirit and wisdom

6:6 laying hands and praying

6:15 face of an angel

    - Stephen's faithfulness and wisdom

    - how do other people see us when we receive knowledge from God

 Day 4            2019/1/13

(Fell asleep?) Had drink with Greeny

Acts 7 + Acts 8

7:2 God's glory appears to us

7:3 God will show us the land He wants us to go

7:32 Moses didn't dare look at God

7:34 God hears our groaning

7:36 40 years in wilderness

7:37 God raises up people

7:46 David enjoyed God's favor

7:55 Stephen full of Holy Spirit

7:59 Prayer through persecution 

7:60 Even at the end he asked God to forgive those persecuting him

 Day 5            2019/1/13

Rachel's Birthday 

Acts 9 + Acts 10

9:13-14 so hard to help those who persecute us

9:15-16 God's chosen instrument

9:34 "Jesus Christ heals you", by His name alone 

9:40 Peter praying on his knees

10:2 an example of a devout and God-fearing man

10:4 prayers and gifts became memorial offering before God

10:9 Peter praying on the roof 

10:15 We have no right to judge what is impure/unclean, nor what God has made clean

10:41 God has chosen the witnesses

10:44-48 

    - Gentiles were able to receive the Holy Spirit too

    - all were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

 Day 6            2019/1/13

Matt's gathering (Matt brought breakfast then I met with Miho)

Acts 11 + Acts 12

11:25 Sometimes we get criticized by our own, so we must be patient to explain our reasons

11:26 first "Christians" disciples at Antioch

12:1-6 Peter was heavily guarded but he still got out!

12:5 the church had emergency prayer Peter

12:9 lol, Peter thought it was a vision

12:23 Herod had it coming

 Day 7            2019/1/13

(no breakfast and dinner.... :/ )

Acts 13 + Acts 14

13:2-3 Before an important send off, they had prayer and fasting, worshiping and fasting, placed hands on them praying, and then sent them off

13:4-12 Dealing with sorcerers and false prophets 

13:16-41 Powerful speech

13:47 salvation the ends of the earth

14:3 preaching boldly and God blessing and enabling signs and wonders

14:9 Paul took time to observe and wisely performed miracle

14:8-20 the crowds mistook Paul and Barnabas as Zeus and Hermes. It was so hard for them to turn the crowd back. I can't imagine it being easy to give up people's gifts and praises. 

14:27 reports at the end of mission 

 Day 8            2019/1/14

Snowboarded and had a soft served ice cream at the onsen after 6pm....sigh....

Acts 15 I'm sad I fell by the temptations 

15:2 Paul and Barnabas had to go to Jerusalem to see official people to clear the dispute

15:6-7 met to consider, took time through much discussion 

    - they are serious about this issue

15:8 God knows our hearts

15:15 quoting prophets

15:23 Council took time to write a formal letter to address issue and send people to meet in person

    - real and intentional ministry 

15:31-35

    - much encouragement 

    - strengthening believers 

    - necessary to strengthen each other 

15:36-41 

    - even Christians fight and disagree, and it's okay 

 Day 9            2019/1/15

Sore body, volleyball, and no distractions at last!

Acts 16

16:1 Timothy grew up with 2 different cultures, a Jewish believer mother and a Greek father

16:6-7 sometimes the Holy Spirit will hold us back from something

16:13 we could find a place of prayer

16:14 to be called a worshiper of God....

16:16 The place of prayer

16:18 Paul annoyed...lol, in Jesus name, Paul had commanded the spirit to come out 

16:25 even in prison, they prayed and sang hymns to God

16:31-34 God uses this moment to save the Jailer

16:37 Paul uses the Roman law to demand justice and reclaim his righteousness/rights as a Roman citizen

 Day 10            2019/1/16

ice skating with Yuna, idols groupy, wow

Acts 17

17:2-3 reasoning with people

17:11 to take time to consider Paul's words and check the scriptures to examine the message

17:13 I can't believe those people traveled all the way to Borea just to stir up trouble

17:16 I experienced the Japanese Idol culture today....

    - It was a mix of creepy men, complete hype, and lost/lonely spirits surrounding a stage of lost and scared girls

17:18 sometimes there will be debates

17:23 Paul proved how ignorant some of the people's worship was 

17:27-28 seek God and we live in him, we are his offspring. 

    - This is a reverse idea for the people because they are used to having a made thing to worship.

17:31 God set a day to judge, we need to repent 

 Day 11            2019/1/17

Great onsen time with Rachel. Had chips at 5:55 pm.... girigiri

Acts 18

18:3 tent maker mentioning 

18:5 preaching requires devotion, sometimes depend on group

18:6 Paul got frustrated and wanted to leave this ministry 

18:9 God spoke through vision

18:18 I'm curious about cultural context of this statement

18:21 God's will

18:25 to learn a certain way and be instructed/trained 

18:26 Even though Apollos was already great, there's always more to learn still 

 Day 12            2019/1/18

switched lunch and dinner, staff carry udon

Acts 19

19:2 restating the importance of baptism by Holy Spirit 

19:5 speaking tongues and prophesized 

19:8 Paul was persistent and was bold, argued persuasively, for God

19:11 God did miracles

    - He works through people

19:27-28 the roots of idolatry was so deep (Artemis of Ephesus)

19:35-36 God's grace, people spoke out for them but mostly out of personal concern and matters

    - needed legal assembly

    - danger of being charged

 Day 13            2019/1/19

Missed breakfast, had yummy Eguchi lunch, Asako's mom's sushi and bread from Mie

Acts 20

I just prayed about needing help to run the Himeji marathon....and I read

20:24 ..... finish the race! 

20:1-2 Paul took time to focus on giving words of encouragement. He made a point to encourage the disciples, and then people he met from traveling through cities. 

20:7 knowing the little time he had, he made his mind to spend every minute

20:10 no hesitation in raising Eutychus from the dead

20:16 Paul managed his traveling/itinerary very well, to maximize time at locations, only God has called him to go.

20:22-23 holy spirit guides

20:28 encouraging others to raise more disciples and to care for their own flocks

20:36 Sent off in prayers

 Day 14            2019/1/20 

Didn't run again.... :( rain... fasted breakfast

Acts 21

21:5 on the beach all knelt to pray

21:9 no big deal, all 4 daughters can prophesy 

21:13 Paul's commitment is beyond the understand of those around him

    - He's ready to give up his life for Jesus

21:14 The lord's will be done

21:27-36 mobs were mad and so messy, no one could hear what was happening 

21:38 

    - what the heck?

    - so many false accusations against Paul

    - our lives are filled with those

21:40 the power of having a common language 

 Day 15            2019/1/21

had after school snack and 2 cups of hot cocoa.... 

Acts 22

Paul is a TCK (22:2-3)

    - the way he was raised

    - where he was born

    - a perfect person God chose

    - he was someone who knew the laws and traditions of both cultures 

22:24 he was flogged and interrogated 

22:25 Paul using legal knowledge to declare his rights, a blessing of knowledge 

22:28 other citizens had to pay 

 Day 16            2019/1/22

Forgot I had dinner plans...ate big lunch and snack...and big dinner....

Acts 23    :(

23:1 and 23:5

    - always starts with "brothers"

    - softens what he's about to say

23:2 physically strike his mouth

23:3 Paul using law to account the injustice 

23:5 Paul citing scripture

23:6-10 Paul knew his audience well, he chose very specific things to share to state the truth and express the injustice happening 

23:11 God was with Paul the entire time, encouraging him

23:12-15

    - conspiracy to kill Paul

    - making up fake pretext to gain a chance to ambush Paul

23:23-24 so many guarded him

 Day 17            2019/1/23

Small breakfast, no lunch, Chicken snack, popcorn at movies

Acts 24

24:1 high priest, elders, lawyer and the governor gathered

24:10 Paul showing his knowledge of the leaders of law

24:19 Paul is being honest with all parties that might be involved to show how transparent he is about his list of "charges"

24:25 Felix was afraid of the righteous and judgement 

24:26-27 Felix was just another corrupted politician 

 Day 18            2019/1/24

I'm not being obedient....had chicken after 6pm....and starbucks...and hot cocoa

Acts 25 

25:3 Jews asked Festus for a favor in order to kill Paul in an ambush

25:7     

    - many serious charges

    - no proof

25:8 Paul learned to have proper defense that are clear and just 

25:10-11 stating truth and declaring injustice, appealed to Caesar 

25:18-21 Festus at a loss as to how to investigate Paul's case

25:25 found nothing deserving of death 

25:26-27 They have nothing to send to Emperor for this case because there's no official charges

    - so they are stuck between having to follow conduct but also lack facts and reasonable/petition/charges

 Day 19            2019/1/27

Went to onsen on Friday, came home and passed out....

Acts 26  Fasted dinner

26:1 Paul followed proper defense protocols 

26:3 King was very wise and know a lot 

26:8

    - why should it surprise anyone

    - if God is all powerful, raising someone form the dead is no big deal

26:13 light from heaven

26:17-18

    - God's commission to Paul

    - Paul knew his vision clearly 

26:19 visions are from God and we must be obedient to them

26:27 lol, asking king if he believes

26:29 except for these chains, he's adorable

26:32 Agrippa would've chosen to free Paul

 Day 20            2019/1/27

Saturday lesson, fasted breakie, studied, Worship Night came home and... passed out....

Acts 27 

27:3 being allowed to get blessed 

    - God send us friends to help us in times of suffering 

27:10 Paul tried warning those persecuting him

27:20-26 

    - Paul encouraged those on board 

    - his words of power by God's authority brought comfort to many 

27:31 it was specific regarding how they can be saved, no more no less

27:33-36

    - Paul was able to recognize the side affects on the people's minds from their lack of attribution and poor physical conditions 

27:43 Paul's life spared again

 Day 21            2019/1/27 

Fasted breakfast, ran 10k

Acts 28

28:1-6 really weird people, easily swayed people

28:8-9 prayer of healing 

28:15-16 God sent friends/brothers and sisters to him and it brought Paul so much joy and was encouraged 

28:21-22 word haven't carried to Rome yet about Paul in a bad way, the elders wanted to hear 

28:23-31

    - Paul spoke and preached boldly about Jesus

    - God took away all hindrance

    - he was able to do ministry in his own home for 2 years, even under a guard's watch

Notes from 2018

 July 14, 2018

Truths learned in public ministry

    - to be applied into private ministry 

Truths learned need to be applied to private 

Public ministry

    - info gathering, declaration 

Need both counselor and preacher

Good preaching and no counseling = people in distress 

Call of church - both Public and Private ministry 

1. why do people do the things they do?

2. how can everlasting change take place in this person's life? how does change take place?

3. how can I be an instrument of that change?

*** Everyone carries their own theories to these questions. 

Impossible to do counseling/be a tool without knowing the mechanics of change

Every counseling step is change

Do these answers match the Bible's?

1. sin, upbringing/background, experience, desires, communication style, ways to receive love

2. confrontation, inner healing, new habit

3. pray, accountability, honesty, patience 

Genesis 1:26-31

    1st form of counseling

Experiences as facts vs. Interpretations of those facts

We all need truths outside of our lives like Adam and Eve, although those two were flawless and perfect, they still needed truth and guidance from another outside party - God. 

Need truths outside of ourselves

God created human beings to be a community of giving and receiving counseling 

Our need for counsel is not a result of sin, but because we're human 

So much shame attached to counseling in society 

Genesis 21:8

We're all counselors already but, does my counseling answer the 3 questions well?

Genesis 3:1

    - dramatically different view of might and wrong

"Wonderful counselor"

Why we interpret life leads to how we live it 

We're so used to so many confusion/interpretations 

Genesis 3 - thousands of voices have been released onto humanity, confusing our world

    - weep with those who weep

    - mourn with those who mourn

    - people should be drawn to our ministry by compassion and love

Luke 6:43-45

Child analogy

    - "all the people around me is the reason"

    - no child says "because I'm angry"

People think the bad things we do are caused by others

Must learn and study all Bible passages of the heart

alcohol loosen lips, heart comes out

When we start taking responsibility (words and behavior) is when change is ready to take place

Unbreakable - Organize Connection, Spiritual Connection 

Apples will rot when they are not connected to source

Season after season - something systematically wrong with roots 

We try to nail new behaviors

Lasting change travels through pathway of the heart 

I can't run from me. 

Romans 1:25

We are inescapably a worshiper, it's just what we choose to worship

Matt. 6:19-24

    - we're after the treasure

    - treasure will control our hearts

Col. 3:12-17

To address issues while they're still small

Relationship building for self satisfaction/happiness 

Relationships are workroom for our redeemer

Where will the church get mature pastors if the immature ones run away

Col. 3:15 Constant prayer, Personal Pursuit

Peace of Christ to rule my heart

When resting in Christ, stop thinking about me, then able to care for others.

Effective cure always attached to diagnosis.

2 Peter 1:3-4

Word of God needs to dwell in my heart richly. 

So many people are not ready, I'm not ready. 

I haven't taken my calling seriously enough. 

Am I prepared? Nope. 

Be at rest with God's calling for me. 

Direction, Admonish, Teaching, An instrument of rescue, Agent of heart transformation 

Participants or consumers? 

What's my true calling?

Teaching license vs. conducting.

Counseling resources, inochi no sen

Going into ministry and not losing God

1- Gaze. Focus on the glory of God, Isaiah 40, Last portion of Job, Eph. 1

2- Remember. God's child, pray every morning that God would remind me my identity in Christ

3- Rest. because God exists and glorious connected us to His glory by grace

4- Act. live with hope and courage

John Piper- A God Word Life, 2 Volume devos, 2 pages each

JP - book on prayer

Eugene Peterson - Puritans 

1. Consideration (heart) - breakthrough blindness, what does God want this person to see? How can I ask to help them see it? Where is God calling this person?

2. Confession (heart) - What God is calling this person to see without blaming others and completely taking all the responsibilities 

3. Commitment (direction) - new ways

4. Change (direction) - where is God calling this person to apply change in daily life? New commitments?

1-4 Biblical repentance 

1-2 Put off

3-4 Put on

James 4

    - what desires are being blocked that make me angry?

Counseling led by questioning, not declaring (Nathan prophet confronting David in questions)

Heart also interacts with flesh during depression. The gospel lightens the burden.

Giving a person a safe place is enough grace.

Counseling - great medium for personal ministry and evangelism 

November 18, 2018

Romans 8:28-34

How does God reach out to us?

    - God calls us

    - People often ask if we love God enough, but the real question is are we growing deeper in our desire for God in the Holy Spirit

"All things work together"

    - all the good and bad things (suffering included) (shame, failure, sin, etc.)

All the good and bad in my life will come together for the good of God's plan

8:29-30

    - Golden chain of redemption, all connected to God's plan for salvation 

Foreknew. Predestined. Called. Justified. Glorified. 

When we're called by someone we like or respect.

Being Christian means we've heard our calling to follow God.

At right standing with God. 

Satan often brings us these partial truths....our sin and how God hates sin, but God justifies 

What do we rely on? Satan? Ourselves? or God's truth? 

No one. Christ is the one who died. God already condemned Jesus. 

God prays for us. 

There are always 2 sides of the story to our salvation....God chose me a long time ago. 

Trust and have Faith in God's plan. 

November 23, 2018

Intimacy with God

    How's my relationship with God?

    How do we measure? By feeling? by satisfaction? 

A true sign of intimacy with God

    - having peace in times of struggles 

Intimacy should permeate every moment of our lives

Psalm 139

John 1:14 

Jesus knew how it felt to be alone 

Having the desire to be intimate with God proves several things...

    - Holy Spirit is in us

    - Jesus cleared the way

    - Jesus paid price already 

We wouldn't want this intimacy if none of the above is true

We also wouldn't be able to feel this way about God 

November 24, 2018

Intimacy with God

    Shameful, Matthew 18:1-4

Get all my questions answered before becoming a Christian?

    but instead, we should go to God like Children

Children don't struggle being intimate with God, they do it naturally. 

A father wants his child to fall asleep in His arms talking to Him, tell him throughout the day how we're doing, greet him when we wake up....

During our "time out"/self punishment from our guilt and shame, we're restricting ourselves from intimacy. By punishing ourselves, we're saying Jesus's punishment isn't enough. 

Intimacy is received. Galatians 4. 

God doesn't look at us through a dirty sinful window. 

Telling our Father about my hopes and dreams.

Prayer walk. Sharing meals is intimate. 

November 25, 2018

2 Cor. 11:25-27, Roman 8:36, Psalm 44:32

When we became Christians, we get to join God's team. On the same side, but, we're left in the enemies' territory continuing to fight these battles. 

Easy: to know God loves us, to feel our sins

Hard: to feel His love 

Consuming vs. purifying fire

Like a thief who enters the home asking for....

    money - okay

    phone - okay

    but our child? We would fight to our death. 

Notes from 2017

 January 6, 2017

Jeremiah 23:3-4

    When God sees the need of a flock that needs reorganizing, leadership, or guidance, He will provide it for the lost flock.

Jeremiah 23:18

    Seek God for council first

Jeremiah 23:25-26

    False prophesy, dreams vs. delusions, take the dreams to God and not people first!

January 19, 2017

Good news? Better news? Best news?

Matthew 1:14-28

"fulfilled now" - never happened before

Everything broken since Genesis

    Waiting for something for a really long time, something we really want

    Waiting for a long time for the right person

        - easier to give up

        - "maybe God won't give this"

Is the thing we're waiting for not what we think it is? Perhaps it's just a longing for relationship with Jesus?

    What if we have something better?

        - many thoughts of doubt

Doubting God's promises....

If Queen of England walks in, we'll feel like the nation has been drawn near to us. 

What am I waiting for?

Job?

Success?

Husband?

Repentance 

    - sorrow should turn us toward Jesus to get healed

Believe - trust, faith, hope

Repentance and Believe - like a coin

Feb. 5, 2017

"Blessed" "Lucky"

    - receiving something good in unexpected ways

We naturally admire "better" people who "look good"

    - pretend to be rich 

Jesus invites people who don't look pretty, who has nothing to offer, and feel ashamed 

How much do we need God? 10%? 90%? or all?

    - "repent" once I'm better....? no....

some of my favorites

Identify need for biblical change.....

1 Peter 4:10
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

John 14:15-18
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever---the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."

Romans 8:9-11
"You however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you."

James 1:5
"If any of you lacks wisdom,he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Galatians 5:16
"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."



Identify "put-offs"

Romans 6:12-14
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to live; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.  For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

Notes from 2016

Feb. 4, 2016

船　　Ship/boat, Genesis 7:13

vessel, 8 mouths, people

Chinese language predates Hebrew of old Testament by 700-1799 years

魔 temper

鬼 ghost/devil

魔鬼 crafty, tricky, secretive 

cover

alive

田 garden/field

man/son/walker

secret, private, deceive 

木木only 2 trees in Genesis 2:9

Tree of life and Tree of Knowledge, Good and Evil, Confused Eve 2 Trees

Satan works under cover, not open light 

造　Create, Genesis 2:7 alive, 土　Earth, 口　Mouth, Moved

先　First, Alive and walker

園　Left side another, 口　Enclosed 

祖先　Ancestor Genesis 1:26　

Alive from the earth came a walker who 且Also came from God

福　Happiness/success

田　Garden 一　One　口　Mouth　With God

西　West "dies, go to west" One walker entering into enclosed

肉　Flesh Genesis 2:21-22 Person taken out of walker 

內  Wife

始    女  ム　Something going into 口　of 女

談 converse 火火 2 glowing people 言 talking

人  man (no glow)

躲 hide almost 木 tree Genesis 3:8 身 body 

來 come, hiding 木, 2 人人 walkers

遠 distant, far, 土 come 口 walker, and another 人 come out left, sent far away

刑 punishment Genesis 3:24  二 2 swords, walkers

靈 came from above like rain, 3 beings, work signs and wonders

義 righteousness 羊 lamb over me John 1:29

婪 Covet, desire, woman 2 trees

禁 Forbidden, to warn, God's commandment, 2 trees

示  God, God commands, or notifies 

5000 years ago, Chinese Characters 1000 years before Genesis written down by Moses

人 walker, 口 mouth, an upright individual, 火 walker glowing

神 God, Expressions 

May 8, 2016

God always know.

When God takes us in as His children, he saves, and gives hope. Eph. 2:12-22

As a stranger: no hope. 

Example: arriving at a foreign country and looking for a familiar face

We are not called to keep this love to ourselves, but also to share it with others. 

Hospitality - to love a stranger, to love someone you don't know

    - kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

Leviticus 19:9-10 

    - 19:14 stating His ways and expectations and standards 

Am I leaving room for people who might come across my path?

    - even to recognize

    - be financially prepared to take care of stranger

Matthew 25:31 

1 Peter 4:9

May 15, 2016

Luke 4:14-21 (Jesus read scroll from Isaiah)

    We often have the wrong perception about ourselves, the world, and others, sometimes even God

    - We can be blind and not realize it

    - So many are blind, but do not know

            - speaking to Israelite 

            - Isaiah 61 promise

            - a scroll from 600 years ago

    - People didn't receive message well

    - This is only good news to those who know they are blind

    - Not good news to people who didn't see themselves as weak or poor (especially religious leaders)

    - People today respond the same way

All of humanity is spiritually bankrupt; blind, poor, weak

5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit"

    - Beatitudes, Matthew 5

God's spiritual oxygen allows us to see the colors of the Bible

Has my heart become blind?