Genesis Blog

Do I Know You?

2010-04-12T14:28:00.001-05:00

Growing up in church, I have known a lot about God and have done a lot of things for Him too. I was almost sure that, when I met Him face to face, He will pat me on the back and say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." and let me into the Kingdom. That was all changed when I read this passage:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. " - Matthew 7:21-23

I was sore afraid to understand what the above passage means. Knowing about God is not the same thing as knowing God. The sad part of the passage is that some people (mostly Christians) think they know God, but, in reality, they only know about God. I thought I knew God, but all I knew was things about God. For example, since I joined GENESIS about 10 months ago, I have heard a lot about this guy named Dane Bledsoe. Dane is a friend of Scott Cook, one of the first people I met. As I spend my time more with the group, I learned more and more about Dane. I learned that Dane is a little bit older than I, Dane goes to Crown College in Knoxville, TN, Dane is a loud and extremely hilarious individual, Dane used to be a bad kid, and that Dane is knowledgeable in automotive. From my own perspective, I know Dane, or should I say... I know about Dane. I did not know Dane Bledsoe personally until I finally met him in Sonia's house and spend some time together in the group. Our friendship did not start until we know each other... personally.

Notice also that these people done great and mighty things in the name of Jesus. Not Buddha, not Allah, but in the name of Jesus. I am an active member of my church. Wether it was the church I grew up in, the church that my mom is a member of, the Campus Church where I spent four years at, or the Temple Baptist Church where I am spending my post-graduation life at, I always try to be involved as much as I should. Before I got saved, I have my assurance in the work that I've done: in what I've done for Christ. If I did these things for Jesus, surely my salvation is secure. Matthew 7:22 proved me wrong. It's not what I've done for Christ that gets me to heaven: It's what Christ done for me that gives me eternal life. If I used to work for my salvation, now I work because of my salvation.

I am so glad that my assurance of salvation is not in what I've done (for Christ) but rather in what Christ done for me. And because of that, I have a personal relationship with Him, the Creator, God, King, Savior, and Friend. I know His voice when He speaks through His Spirit. I know more about His likes and dislikes.

What about you? Do you know God? Do you have a real relationship with God? Can you recognize His voice? Think about this. You don't want to miss out on life, do you?

In His service,
VL

Jesus Is In The House

2010-03-27T10:12:00.000-05:00

As I continue my reading in Matthew, I believe there is no coincidence that I come to chapter 21, which tells about the triumphal entry, a day before the Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before the crucifiction and exactly one week before the ressurection. Starting from that day on, Jesus allowed people to publicly worship Him and acknowledge Him as the King.

The passage reads:

"And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosan'na to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosan'na in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Naz'areth of Gal'ilee." - vv. 8-11

I love how the Holy Spirit put these phrases together. "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved," Can you see an ocean of people, shoulder to shoulder, back to belly, moving towards the gate to see what was going on? Out of curiousity they're saying to each other "Who is that? What's going on?" and some answered that "This is Jesus," and He is in the house!

Do you remember that church service, when the preacher was so literally burned with the fire from heaven that you wonder if he had too much caffeine? How about that song, which the choir sang that gives people red-wattery eye and stuffy nose? What about that time of invitation, when you heard something screaming "Accept! Accept!"? Or, that weekly or monthly devotion which made you realize what you are missing daily? It's Jesus, and He is in the house!

If you have seen and heard Him, and even worshiped Him with the saints, but never in yor life accept Him as your personal Savior, today is your chance. Today is your day of salvation. Do it while He is still in the house sitting on a donkey. A king only rides a donkey in peace time. There is coming a day when He will, once again, enter triumphantly on a horse ready to destroy those who are against Him. There is no coincidence that you come across this posting. Will you do it?

In His love,
VL

The Blind Side

2010-03-22T10:55:00.001-05:00

"The Blind Side", released on November 2009, is an Oscar winning movie with another four wins and twelve nominations. I had the privilege to watch the movie for the second time last weekend.

The movie tells the story of Michael Oher, a young lad that grew up in the inner city housing project called "Hurt Village". He was taken away from His drug-addicted mother at early age and after being in and out foster homes, he was homeless. His life began to turn around when he got into a Christian school. Not many people in that school showed him compassion, except the little S.J. and his mother Leigh Ann Tuohy. The Tuohys are a well-to-do Christian family. Michael found himself staying with them in their house and becoming a part of the family before too long.

Even though Michael's new life was so much better, it wasn't one without hardship and toil. Laughter was balanced with tears, wealth with danger, love from inside with hatred from outside. However, regardless of the circumstances, he received the unfailing support from the Tuohys.

Michael also found himself playing regular football for Wingate Christian School after the Tuohys helped him with his grades. College football coaches came from all across the country to recruit him. Regardless of all the fame and the fortune he could get by playing for more renown universities, he excercised his free will by choosing the one his family wishes for, the Ole Miss.

It could ended there with a "happily ever after" cliche, but it didn't. Resistance from outside still oppressing him. He was confused, ran away from the Tuohys, and returned to the "Hurt Village". The community there welcomed him back with their arms and smile wide open. Fortunately, he was reminded of the Tuohy's love and went berserk when his old friends mock and scorn them. He then got reunited with the Tuohys', but not after Leigh Anne sought him to that dangerous neighborhood. The story ended with a real footage of Michael Oher drafted by the Raven Baltimore as an offensive left tackle.

The story was a good picture of God's marvelous grace to us. Our life was as misserable as it could be. Our soul is destined to hell regardless of our social or economical status. But somehow, we found ourselves amongs God's people. Our life began to change when we met the Son of God. Jesus invited us into the family of God and some of us accepted that invitation. We were once hopeless and homeless, now we are a part of the richest family in the universe and a mansion waits for us just across this life.

We don't find it easy to live this new life, but we always find God's unfailing support as the Holy Spirit guides and leads us along. If you are a born-again Chrsitian, you have to realize that God saved you for a purpose, a divine purpose, and we are to surrender to that. Don't worry though, you do not have to do it alone. If we rely on God, He will do it for us, in us, and through us! But as we yield our will to God's, we will hear the world calling out our name, reminding us the fame and fortune we could receive. May we never forget of what God did to us on Calvary. May we ask Him to lead us to Calvary each day lest we forget Gethsemane, His agony, and His love for us.

To make all of these practical, I challenge you to do unto others, not as what they've done unto you, but as what God has done unto us. Another application you can make out of my rambling is to invest your life into other's. Yes, the road maybe rough; Yes, he/she will run away; Yes, it may cost a fortune; but God said this in His Words: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9

Doctor's Order

2010-02-25T21:59:00.000-06:00

My car was cruising at 70 mph on I-635 before I took the exit 19A to merge to 75 South towards Dallas. I was suppose to find a place called Insight Imaging just off of North Central Expressway. Never been to this place before, never even seen it, never even been to the area. I learned the map before I took off though, so it must be all good. After driving for about 30 minutes, and make a few u-turns, I finally parked my car underneath the big sign saying "INSIGHT". I knew my sense of direction would serve me well, it always does. By the way, I was suppose to do a chest X-ray which is required for a school admission.

I stepped out of my white 2000 Mitsubishi Galant ES and proceeded to the lobby where a staff worker was assisting two other clients. After those clients have gone to do whatever they were there for, I approached the worker who was standing at the other side of the desk. "I'm here to do a chest X-Ray" I said confidently.

"Okay, do you have the doctor's order?" the lady asked me politely.

I never heard of anything like that before in my life. "A what? Doctor's order?"

"Yes, you need a doctor's order to do a chest X-ray." I definetly didn't have that thing called the "doctor's order". How was I suppose to have it if I didn't know what it is?

Apparently she stood firm with the rule. No doctor's order, no X-Ray. So there I was, slotting my car key into the key hole, turning it counter-clockwise, and opening the door. I just drove all the way from Irving only to find out that I don't have the one thing I need in order to get an X-ray. I called them in advance to check the price and availability, but I was never aware of the most important requirement. There is nothing else I could do but to get in the car and drive back with all the traffic.

As I replay that incident in my mind, I was thinking of the people who will, one day, finally meet God face to face after all life's journey, thinking that they had overcome much to earn heaven, only to find out that they don't have the only requirement to enter that glorious city. (Mat 7:22) How sad will that day be.

It doesn't matter what you've done, or how much money you have, if you don't have the Doctor's order (in this case, faith in Jesus Christ), you will not be able to step your foot in heaven. The rule will stand firm regardless of your awareness of it. You will be filled with regret as the angels dragging you to cast you into the lake of fire.

Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Have you rest your faith in Christ? You can know all there is to know about Christianity, you may do all there is to do for God, but have you trust Him as your personal Savior? Because, my friend, that is the only thing that will grant you access to the pearly gates.

In His love,
VL

The Feeding of Four Thousands

2010-02-17T13:20:00.000-06:00

I was reading through Matthew 15 when a passage startled me with amazement. It was the story about the feeding of four thousand (Mat 15:29-39). If you haven't know, the book of Mark and Matthew recorded two occassions where Jesus fed the multitude. The first occasion is found in the previous chapter of Matthew and is known as the "Feeding of the Five Thousands". The second occasion, not so popular as the first one, is what I read in Matthew 15. I can't help but to be amazed on the story.

The story opens with a scene similar to Matthew 14. Verse 30 - 31 says:

"And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."

Both occasions were preceded by other miracles. Jesus was healing the sick (14:14) so much so that everybody (including the twelve disciples) were amazed of what they saw. After the miracles, Jesus didn't send the multitudes away nor did He left them. Instead, Jesus wanted to fed them (14:16, 15:32).

Now this what got me the most. Verse 33 says:

"And his disciples say unto him, Whence would we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes."

Notice their unbelief! Now here are the disciples asking Jesus how in the world would He feed 4000+ people with 7 loaves of bread and a few 'lil biddy fishes while not too long ago, Jesus fed 5000+ people with only 5 loaves and a couple 'lil biddy fishes. Didn't they remember the twelve baskets full of leftovers from last night's dinner?

Jesus then went on and did the exact same things He did before. He took whatever they had, gave thanks, and broke the bread, and miraculously fed the multitude. The leftover were, again, so much that it filled up 7 baskets. If you do the math, you might wonder how come there were less leftovers with more food and fewer people? I would not speculate more than that it had something to do with their unbelief.

The application of this story goes like this. God did a miracle in my life not too long ago. But a few months later, there I was, doubting and worrying of the very same thing which God brought me through. If I compare the two situations, the current one seems a little bit less worrying than the previous one. But that didn't help me to realize that the God who did a miracle in the past is still the same God that will do a miracle today.

Oh, Lord, forgive me for doubting You. I want to cast down all my worries at Your feet, so God, please help my unbelief.

In His love,
VL