Thank you so much for praying for me last week. Here's how can you be praying for me for this week:
1. This Wednesday morning I have the opportunity to speak to the high school students at Whittier Christian High School. I am still praying through the message. Please pray for me to hear what the Holy Spirit wants to say to those students.
2. On Thursday at noon I get to teach and hang with the students of Western Christian High School. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep and preach this message.
3. On Thursday evening I get the honor and privilege of performing the wedding of Jason Carney and Valerie Kriesel. I am so excited for this couple.
4. On Saturday afternoon I get the honor and privilege of performing the wedding of Dominic Ambriz and Breanna Rodriguez. Breanna was in my youth group when I first started in ministry 19 years ago.
5. On Sunday morning I get to teach a small group of youth adults who are going through the Basic Training program at PFB Church. It has been incredible the past two times that we have met. This is such an amazing group of young adults.
6. On Sunday morning I get to teach at Purpose Church: Claremont at 11:11. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep and preach the message there.
That's it. Thank you so much for praying.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Key To Being More Like Jesus
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at [Stephen]. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. — Acts 7:54-60, ESV
As I began typing out this passage, I had a specific thought in mind to share in this post. But as I kept typing, all of these different thoughts and ideas starting popping in my mind. So, instead of me focusing on one thought for a few paragraphs, I wanted to share quickly each thought that came to mind.
But he full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God,...
Stephen was experiencing a sight that not many have ever experienced, while those who resisted the Holy Spirit (7:51) went into a frenzy because of the fact that they were confronted with the truth. It is only because of Jesus that we are able to look upon the glory of God — only by his sacrificed and resurrected life is it possible
It is also amazing to me how much the Holy Spirit can impact a life that is submitted and surrendered to him. Perspectives change and lives are impacted because of the difference of being filled by the Holy Spirit. Those who had resisted the Holy Spirit were throwing a tantrum. The one filled by the Holy Spirit was experiencing a view of heaven. What a difference.
...and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
What am I doing everything that I am doing for? Am I doing it for the applause of others or for the ovation of Jesus? So often Jesus is described as the one seated at the right hand of the Father. However, in this verse, he is described as standing. There was no necessity in Jesus standing. He could have remained seated. So why stand? Here's my take: because of what Stephen was about to go through. Jesus could relate with Stephen and his murder because Jesus too had experienced the same treatment from those same "tantrum throwers". So he stood to honor Stephen who was about to die because of his love for Jesus. And Stephen saw it.
As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
As Jesus died on the cross, he cried out to the Father to do the very same thing that Stephen was asking of Jesus to do. What does this show me? That Jesus has the same power and authority that the Father has. Jesus is not a created being or a little god. Rather, he is LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!
And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
While he was being murdered, Stephen asked the Lord to forgive those who were murdering him. How does this happen? How does a man who is being killed pray for the forgiveness of his killers while they are in the act of killing him? Here's the key: "But he, full of the Holy Spirit,..." It wasn't Stephen. It was the Holy Spirit in Stephen. And when a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, he can't help but sound like Jesus.
And so here was my prayer this morning after reading this passage:
Holy Spirit,
Please fill me completely and to overflowing today so that Christ may be made manifest and be exalted in and through me. I want my life to be done, leaving only you in me, exalting Jesus to the glory of the Father. None of me. All of you. Please continue your work of destroying me and making me more and more like Jesus.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Prayer Update for this Week...
Hi all,
Thank you for praying for me last week. Here's how you can be praying for me this week:
1). This Wednesday night at FLOOD we are looking at the sixth church out of seven in our series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church" (a study of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3). This study has been blowing my mind. Please pray for me as I prep, pray through, and preach this message. I am really excited about this church that we are looking at this week (the church at Philadelphia).
2). On Thursday morning I will be speaking to about 1,000 8th graders and high school students at Maranatha High School. I absolutely love partnering up with this school. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would give and confirm his message before Thursday. And then pray for me as I preach.
3). This Saturday morning I get the opportunity to speak to a group of 40-50 men at a men's gathering at New Hope Community Church. Again, please pray that the Holy Spirit would confirm his message for these guys.
4). This Sunday morning I get to teach at a discipleship/leadership program at PFB Church called, "Basic Training." We are spending 5 more weeks taking a small group together through this program to develop leaders within our church to take on ministry responsibilities. I am taking certain sections from the book of Acts for this time together. Please pray for me as I prep, pray through, and teach.
As I say often, thank you so much for your ministry on my behalf. I am so blown away that you have committed to loving me so well through this ministry.
Thank you for praying for me last week. Here's how you can be praying for me this week:
1). This Wednesday night at FLOOD we are looking at the sixth church out of seven in our series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church" (a study of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3). This study has been blowing my mind. Please pray for me as I prep, pray through, and preach this message. I am really excited about this church that we are looking at this week (the church at Philadelphia).
2). On Thursday morning I will be speaking to about 1,000 8th graders and high school students at Maranatha High School. I absolutely love partnering up with this school. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would give and confirm his message before Thursday. And then pray for me as I preach.
3). This Saturday morning I get the opportunity to speak to a group of 40-50 men at a men's gathering at New Hope Community Church. Again, please pray that the Holy Spirit would confirm his message for these guys.
4). This Sunday morning I get to teach at a discipleship/leadership program at PFB Church called, "Basic Training." We are spending 5 more weeks taking a small group together through this program to develop leaders within our church to take on ministry responsibilities. I am taking certain sections from the book of Acts for this time together. Please pray for me as I prep, pray through, and teach.
As I say often, thank you so much for your ministry on my behalf. I am so blown away that you have committed to loving me so well through this ministry.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Prayer for this week...
Hey all,
Here's how you all can be praying for me this week:
1). On Wednesday night at FLOOD we are on to the fifth church out of seven in the book of the Revelation as we continue in the series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." The topic this week is Jesus' opinion of hypocrisy. Please be praying for me as I prep, pray through, and preach this message. I was working through it with some of the FLOOD leadership and I was so excited after our discussion.
2). This Saturday I have the honor and privilege of performing the wedding of a very dear couple to me: Juan Banos and Alexandra Parke. I'm so excited for this day. Please pray that Jesus is honored and that it is a day that this wonderful couple never forgets.
3). This Sunday morning I get the opportunity to start teaching at a discipleship/leadership training course at PFB Church. It's six weeks long and I get the opportunity to teach a small group of leaders at PFB as they walk through this together. Please pray as I prep, pray through, and teach these next six weeks.
4). This Sunday morning I get to hang with the junior high students of PFB and teach them about what I learned in junior high. :) I'm very excited. These are a great group of students.
That's it for this week. Thank you so much for praying.
Here's how you all can be praying for me this week:
1). On Wednesday night at FLOOD we are on to the fifth church out of seven in the book of the Revelation as we continue in the series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." The topic this week is Jesus' opinion of hypocrisy. Please be praying for me as I prep, pray through, and preach this message. I was working through it with some of the FLOOD leadership and I was so excited after our discussion.
2). This Saturday I have the honor and privilege of performing the wedding of a very dear couple to me: Juan Banos and Alexandra Parke. I'm so excited for this day. Please pray that Jesus is honored and that it is a day that this wonderful couple never forgets.
3). This Sunday morning I get the opportunity to start teaching at a discipleship/leadership training course at PFB Church. It's six weeks long and I get the opportunity to teach a small group of leaders at PFB as they walk through this together. Please pray as I prep, pray through, and teach these next six weeks.
4). This Sunday morning I get to hang with the junior high students of PFB and teach them about what I learned in junior high. :) I'm very excited. These are a great group of students.
That's it for this week. Thank you so much for praying.
Maybe Not When, But Definitely What
"And while staying with them [Jesus] ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'
"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." _ Acts 1:4-8, ESV
When?
We have absolutely no clue. Now there are some who have tried to figured it out, even predicted it's arrival, but no one really knows.
When would Israel be restored? Jesus' response: "It's really none of your business."
When will Jesus return? I believe that Jesus' response is the same: "It's really none of your business."
Of course, I do not believe that he is saying this in an angry way, but rather in a very loving and gracious way. The fact that we do not know when Jesus is returning, I believe, is one of God's greatest gifts to all of mankind. Think about it. If Jesus told us the exact day that he was returning, then hope would be horribly affected by those who would have to face suffering during the time when Jesus was not returning. But because of the fact that it was left open, with maybe some clues to his return, hope is still present as we look forward to Jesus arrival.
He also protects us from laziness. As human beings we have a tendency toward sin, not toward righteousness. The only reason that I am able to live a righteous life (which I struggle with every day), and to be seen by God as righteous is because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in me. That's it. If Jesus had told us the exact day that he was returning (or take any topic of God's timing and apply it here), we would be tempted to just sit back and wait until that day. And we all know how well we do with waiting.
Jesus kept us in the dark about when, but he definitely did not keep us in the dark about what. What are we supposed to do until his return? What are we so supposed to do while we wait for God to do what he is going to do in this world and in our lives? First, live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, be his witnesses all over the world. This is what Jesus made very clear.
So I'm guessing the time that is spent by us trying to figure out God's perfect timing of future events is a waste of time, since those things have not been told us. They really are none of our business. But the mission to share Jesus with a broken world still has as much urgency in it as when Jesus gave it to his first apostles. We answer that call and let God "figure out" when everything is going to happen. We remain faithful to what he wants us to do. We wait for when God is going to get it done.
When? It's none of our business.
What? Let's get to work.
"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." _ Acts 1:4-8, ESV
When?
We have absolutely no clue. Now there are some who have tried to figured it out, even predicted it's arrival, but no one really knows.
When would Israel be restored? Jesus' response: "It's really none of your business."
When will Jesus return? I believe that Jesus' response is the same: "It's really none of your business."
Of course, I do not believe that he is saying this in an angry way, but rather in a very loving and gracious way. The fact that we do not know when Jesus is returning, I believe, is one of God's greatest gifts to all of mankind. Think about it. If Jesus told us the exact day that he was returning, then hope would be horribly affected by those who would have to face suffering during the time when Jesus was not returning. But because of the fact that it was left open, with maybe some clues to his return, hope is still present as we look forward to Jesus arrival.
He also protects us from laziness. As human beings we have a tendency toward sin, not toward righteousness. The only reason that I am able to live a righteous life (which I struggle with every day), and to be seen by God as righteous is because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in me. That's it. If Jesus had told us the exact day that he was returning (or take any topic of God's timing and apply it here), we would be tempted to just sit back and wait until that day. And we all know how well we do with waiting.
Jesus kept us in the dark about when, but he definitely did not keep us in the dark about what. What are we supposed to do until his return? What are we so supposed to do while we wait for God to do what he is going to do in this world and in our lives? First, live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Second, be his witnesses all over the world. This is what Jesus made very clear.
So I'm guessing the time that is spent by us trying to figure out God's perfect timing of future events is a waste of time, since those things have not been told us. They really are none of our business. But the mission to share Jesus with a broken world still has as much urgency in it as when Jesus gave it to his first apostles. We answer that call and let God "figure out" when everything is going to happen. We remain faithful to what he wants us to do. We wait for when God is going to get it done.
When? It's none of our business.
What? Let's get to work.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Truly FOR Jesus
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. — John 21:25
And this is how John closes his gospel.
We only know in part the things that Jesus did while he walked the planet. The things that were recorded have been a constant source of encouragement, training, discipleship, discussion and debate for centuries. And the truth of the matter is that we only have a small glimpse into the life of Jesus that was recorded for us to know about.
I've read this verse before. I've taken this same principle away every time. But this morning it became much more personal. Here's what I wrote in my journal:
"And I pray that I will mimic Jesus in this. May I live my life in such a way that not everyone will know everything that I do for Christ so that the motivation for my service is actually Christ."
No applause from people. No one recording what I do. Nothing. Rather, all for Jesus and to his glory.
One day I do want to sit down with the Great Storyteller and listen to all that he did while he walked the earth. I don't want to rent the video of his life, but rather sit quietly at the Rabbi's feet and listen to what he did and why he did it. Until that day: I will live my life in such a way that Christ is honored and glorified and that others are introduced to him through my words and deeds, all for Jesus and to his glory.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
I'm At Peace
She found Simon Peter and John. On hearing the news, they took off running for the tomb. John, the younger of the two, outran Peter (showing that John had a little bit of a competitive spirit in him since he made sure to mention this in his gospel account), stopped at the tomb and looked in. Simon Peter showed up after John, but went right in to the tomb to see for himself. After they went in, seeing the linen strips lying there by themselves, with the garment that covered Jesus' face folded in a different spot, they went home.
Mary Magdalene stayed there. And then Jesus showed up. She didn't recognize him at first. Rather, she thought him to be the gardner and begged him to tell her where Jesus' body was if he knew. And then the "gardner" said that one word that opened her eyes to the identity of the man before her. He simply said, "Mary." He said her name and she knew it was Jesus.
After that, Jesus showed up in the room where his disciples (minus Judas Iscariot of course) were locked away in for fear of the religious leaders. While the doors were still locked, he just showed up. And his words:
"Peace be with you."
They were dumbfounded at the sight of Jesus in the room with them. But isn't that just like the miraculous? The miraculous always leaves us dumbfounded. Then the Bible says that the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. And Jesus' first words to them were:
"Peace be with you."
But Thomas missed out on all of this. He wasn't there for this reunion with their beloved Rabbi. So when he came back from wherever he was, the disciples told him about what had just happened. His response: "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). So eight days later, Jesus answered his request. Jesus showed up, but had these words to say to him first:
"Peace be with you."
Three times in the span of about eight verses, Jesus says, "Peace be with you." I did a search for that phrase and saw that Jesus never used it before his death and resurrection as a greeting toward anyone. But here, in the chapter telling us of his first moments and week of his resurrection, he uses the phrase three times.
So I kept listening and journaling, and this verse came to my mind:
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1, ESV).
How did it feel for Jesus to use those words with that meaning? Because of Jesus' sacrifice, peace with God is available. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, I am good with God. So as Jesus said those words to his disciples, he was proclaiming a major truth: those who have surrendered to Christ have peace with God.
And that truth hit me so wonderfully this afternoon as I looked at those words. So much of my walk with God is trying to appease him, not truly accepting that I have peace with him. I have struggled with this truth for so long over the years. But today: those words rang loud and true. Jesus showed me this afternoon that I have peace with God. And not only that, God's peace, through his Holy Spirit, is with me.
And I'm at peace.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Prayer for this week...
Thank you for your prayers for yesterday at PFB. I'm still blown away by what Jesus accomplished. One of the best responses I received yesterday about the message came from someone who attended and then wrote this after:
"The Holy Spirit is amazing!!! Thirty minutes after [the worship service] I got to share Jesus with the Indian woman threading my eyebrows at the Montclair plaza! And while I've been a Christian for many years I have never felt so free to share. Our God rocks!!! When Brian talked about conversations being weird like on an airplane... the Holy Spirit didn't even give me a chance to think about 'weird'! The two girls waiting in line stopped talking when I started talking about Jesus! Afterwards, I went to the car and got my PFB Weekly, invited her to church and gave her my number. Praying for the Holy Spirit to continue his work on her heart and mine as well."
That's when you know that it was the Holy Spirit handling the morning. So thank you for praying.
Here's how you can be praying for me this week:
1). Tonight I have the opportunity to share with some graduate students at the LA Campus of Azusa Pacific. I love being the chaplain for this group of people. Please pray that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading so that I share exactly what these students need to hear.
2). Tomorrow night I have the opportunity to share with some of the graduate business students at the main campus of Azusa Pacific. Again, please pray for me to know what to say.
3). This Wednesday night we continue through our series at FLOOD called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." God has been doing some crazy things at FLOOD the past two weeks. Two weeks ago we saw five people surrender to Christ. Last week we saw a little boy get baptized. It's been awesome. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach this message.
Thank you so much for praying.
"The Holy Spirit is amazing!!! Thirty minutes after [the worship service] I got to share Jesus with the Indian woman threading my eyebrows at the Montclair plaza! And while I've been a Christian for many years I have never felt so free to share. Our God rocks!!! When Brian talked about conversations being weird like on an airplane... the Holy Spirit didn't even give me a chance to think about 'weird'! The two girls waiting in line stopped talking when I started talking about Jesus! Afterwards, I went to the car and got my PFB Weekly, invited her to church and gave her my number. Praying for the Holy Spirit to continue his work on her heart and mine as well."
That's when you know that it was the Holy Spirit handling the morning. So thank you for praying.
Here's how you can be praying for me this week:
1). Tonight I have the opportunity to share with some graduate students at the LA Campus of Azusa Pacific. I love being the chaplain for this group of people. Please pray that I would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading so that I share exactly what these students need to hear.
2). Tomorrow night I have the opportunity to share with some of the graduate business students at the main campus of Azusa Pacific. Again, please pray for me to know what to say.
3). This Wednesday night we continue through our series at FLOOD called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." God has been doing some crazy things at FLOOD the past two weeks. Two weeks ago we saw five people surrender to Christ. Last week we saw a little boy get baptized. It's been awesome. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach this message.
Thank you so much for praying.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
Prayer Update for This Week...
Hi all,
Here's how you can be praying for me this week with regards to my teaching ministry:
1). This Wednesday night at FLOOD I am continuing in our series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach this message.
2). This Sunday morning I am preaching at all three services at PFB Church out of the book of Mark. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach.
Thank you so much for praying for me. It is always awesome to know that so many of you are praying for me. Thank you.
Here's how you can be praying for me this week with regards to my teaching ministry:
1). This Wednesday night at FLOOD I am continuing in our series called, "What Jesus Doesn't Like About Church." Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach this message.
2). This Sunday morning I am preaching at all three services at PFB Church out of the book of Mark. Please pray for me as I pray through, prep, and preach.
Thank you so much for praying for me. It is always awesome to know that so many of you are praying for me. Thank you.
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