Devotion 01/31/09

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-13)

God creates everyone of us differently to fulfill the work of His Son, Christ Jesus. It's not about us; it's ALL about the King and His business. It's NOT about the 5 fold ministry, but it's about the equipping of the saints. God calls some of us to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to train those who can be faithfully teaching others. It's not God's plan to categorize our callings or offices, but it's His heart that EVERY saints can be empowered to edify the body of Christ.

We've just started our School of Disciples today; I have been struggling about this training school, because I know that I am not the teacher type of leader. However if this is from God, I will set forth and be led by the Holy Spirit, because it's all about the empowering of the saints. I believe that through this training, we will see teachers, pastors, prophets, apostles and evangelists being raised up to continue equipping the next generation.

Devotion 01/29/09

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'"
(2 Cor 12:9).

If there is one thing that is consistent throughout scripture, it is this: God calls people when they are not ready. God will never call you into service when you think you are ready. This is intentional on God's part.

When God calls, you will most likely be in the most unlikely circumstances to receive that call. You will be in the midst of a crisis, you will lack resources, you will not have the skills you think you need. This too is the way of God.
God does this because He wants you to know your call is only based on His ability, not yours. When you think it is based on you, this is a false humility. And, it is unbelief and disobedience on your part.

We were not ready when the doctor told us the negative report on baby Austen; but I know that He is forever gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Through the hardship, we know that His grace is always sufficient.

Impact Daily Devotion

Devotion 01/28/09

The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children (Ex 12:37-38).

How does God prepare someone for big assignments? Consider the mission given to Moses. He was called to deliver an entire nation from slavery. The assignment was to bring six hundred thousand men, on foot, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. In addition, there were the women and children. Who is up for this big assignment? How can we get ready for assignment that big?

God prepared Moses by allowing him to grow up under the ways of Egypt. He learned their customs, their idols, and was a favored son of Pharaoh until God revealed his birthright. He began to realize God had placed him in the court of Pharaoh but realized he was not one of them. He then was being called back to his own people. He tried to deliver his people using the ways of Egypt. This was not God's way. So, God banished him to the land of Midian for additional training.

Moses learned while living in the dry land moving sheep around to places where water and grass could be found. The desert was a place of preparation for one of the greatest assignments given to one man. Did you hear what I just said? Yes, the desert was the place of preparation.

What kind of assignment is God preparing you for? Does He have you in the desert of preparation? Learn well the lessons you are there to learn. You may find you are called to be a deliverer, just like Moses.

Impact Daily Devotion

Devotion 01/26/09

Jesus answered: Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?'" (John 14:9).

The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They'd seen miracles - dead men came back to life, the sick were healed, and water was turned to wine. These were but a few of the hundreds of miracles they saw Jesus perform. However, even after these experiences, they lacked one important thing - intimacy with Jesus. They didn't really know Jesus.

This is a challenge to my own walk with God. It is easy for me to fall into this trap of working so hard for Jesus that I forget to walk with Jesus. Jesus desires intimacy more than works.

He tells us in John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." Whatever works we do must be a fruit of our intimacy with Him.

Lord, help us not to just know about You. We desire to know You. Amen.

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Devotion 01/24/09

All your children shall be taught by the LORD, And great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. (Isaiah 54:13-14)

As I sat there listening to the ultra sound specialist giving us all the negative report of our baby, my heart dropped into a dark pit where seemed no hope and it was full of fear. When there seems to be no way, God makes a way for His people.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9) The word “grace” is found in the Bible 159 times. God repeatedly confirms His love to His children. You might feel the stress like a tsunami coming at you, but you should not lose hope; for when you are weak, then you are strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)

God never leads us into a jungle full of adversity without giving us weapons to overcome the afflictions. Before we can take down the Goliath, we must learn how to kill lions and bears. It's a process to a spiritual victory in our Christian walk. God is faithful and He will never give you loads that you can't bear; His grace is sufficient for you.

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Devotion 01/23/09

"So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, 'Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!'" (Job 2:7-9).

When faith doesn't see results it challenges what we believe. We must pray as Job prayed: "Teach me what I cannot see" (Job 34:32). God says there is a purpose in everything we go through.

God is going to reveal things to you through this season of adversity that you would never receive had you not gone through this. This is part of your calling even though Satan is the instrument. God is always bigger than Satan's afflictions.
Our greatest tests come when we cannot see positive results from our faith and obedience. In such cases we must die to our expectations and entrust them to our Lord.

Impact Daily Devotion

2009 Daily Devotion

I am so inspired by other pastors of what they have been doing during my trip to the pastoral conference in San Jose. Especially pastor Tong, senior pastor of our mother church and pastor Billy Joe from Victory church. I am going to write my daily devotion on this blog from now on. Everyday I will have a fresh devotion post, like pastor Tong's devotion hotline.
2009 I am going to have a devotion blog.

Pray for me! Persistence is the key!
Let's grow together!
Amen.
pastor Jack.