Feb 28, 2009 - John 13:18-30

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me"..

I had re-read this verse a couple of times because I was just like hmm.. "anyone I send" I was trying to think who Jesus sends.. maybe it's those non-believers that Jesus sends or just friends that are struggling with their personal lives.. but many times I don't accept them with open hearts. I have a bad habit of judging people by their looks or actions without knowing them in person and I think this is something I have to really work on for those that I just can't get along might be those the Christ sent on purpose. 

Finally Jesus predicts his death by giving  a piece of bread to Judas Iscariot.. I wonder what Jesus felt like prediciting this and even 11 other disciples. Jesus was betrayed by his own disciples.. not by some random person on the street. it must have been heartbreaking to see his own loving disciple to betray him for some money.. 

Feb 27, 2009 - John 13: 1-17

Back in those days.. since people didn't have shoes or sandles or whatever, they were in barefeet a lot.. so basically people's feet were the diriest part of their body. And from the scriptures, we can see that Jesus washed the disciples' feet. I remember doing it for my small group back when I volunteered for this retreat in Korea. It was so show my kids.. how much Christ loves them and that I love them.. it was something I can never forget. Some kids were crying.. some were just goofing off but it was a memorable time for all who attend the retreat. 

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.." 

This is what I want to be able to do.. not just washing people's feet but for other things Christ did during his journey.

Feb 26, 2009 - John 12:37-50

In today's passage, I can see that some jews including the Pharisees are still doubting Jesus even after the miracles that He performed. I can tell that Christ cries out in distress that there is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day. He also said that whatever He says is just what the Father has told Him to say. 

In a fallen world like these days, I feel like it is getting harder to stay strong in Christ. There are so many distractions, temptations, etc. I feel like our world is just like the verse 42 and 43 of how some love praise from men more than praise from God and they claim themselves servants of God! I've experienced this myself before.. i realize that i was serving not to glorify God but for my 'pride and selfish desires'.. we are such sinful human beings.. that's why all we need is God.. nothing else! 

Feb 25, 2009 - John 12:20-36

Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and die, it remains only a single seed.. but if it dies, it produces MANY seeds..When I read this, it just hit me hard.. about how Christ died on the cross for all of us here on earth.. And because of Him, I'm able to know about Christ and go to heaven. If He didn't sacrifice himself for us.. then.. we all would have ended up in hell. This is something I knew since I was young but.. the parable He used just was kinda like wow..
"whoever serves me must follow me and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me." God honors those that serves Christ.. this is why I need to serve Him.. to glorify His name.. and "Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become songs of light.." AMEN!

Feb 24, 2009 - John 11:45 - 12:19

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, I can see that the Pharisees were furious and now planning to kill Jesus. I wonder how Jesus felt at that time.. as He knew that He will soon be betrayed by not some other person but one of His disciples.. and to that cross. This just shows how humble and awesome our Lord is.. He bares all the pain for our sins even though we did not deserve to receive any of these and belong in hell.
Martha broke her expensive perfume on Jesus's feet and wiped his feet with her hair... and as we all know.. it was years' worth wages! These it's been hard for me.. trying to find a job and getting stressed out because of money and etc. But really.. God will provide and like Martha I shouldn't be all uptight about the money but just give it all to God..

Feb 23 ,2009 - John 11:1-43

I knew about the story of Lazarus since I was young and I didn't know Jesus went to Judea where he was about to be stoned by Jews earlier in His journey. And it also says in verse 35 that Jesus wept which I can tell that Jesus really loved Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. And as we all know Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead! I admire Martha's strong trust in Jesus. She keeps saying that if you (Jesus) was here earlier, Lazarus would not have been dead. Because I were in her position, I probably would have been blaming Jesus for not being here on time or what not and obviously would have expected Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead. I think that's one thing I really have to learn from Martha. Being able to trust God even if things don't workout the way I want things to.

Feb 22, 2009 - John 10:22-42

As pastor Kim said during the sermon today.. the world hates Christians.. God is trying to bring light into this world but we, humans, are too comfortable in the darkness..
While I was reading today's scripture.. I kept getting angry at those that mocked and tried to stone Christ. I thought to myself... the many things I say and do.. aren't really christian-like things. I have such a hard time laying everything down to God for He will provide and He will have a plan for me... but worries triumph over me.. it has been my prayer request to be able to trust without doubts and concerns and to do my best in all that I do to glorify His name.. It is definitely hard and I feel guilty of failing at it but I pray that God gives me strength, wisdom, and patience to continue..