Wow! It's hard to believe my 14 months at my academy are finished. It was a life changing experience for me, and I thank you all for your support in words of encouragement and prayer during this time.
I am currently on vacation for a few days before my flight back to the states. I was in Seoul this past weekend to see friends and had an awesome time. God is working mightly through the English ministries in this country, and it's not going to be easy to leave behind....though I'll still be quite active through prayer and podcast listening....... I've seen tremendous spiritual growth and awakening in Gwangju at my church, and several churches in Seoul are alive and seeking the power from on high with all their heart. The joint prayer meeting I attended on Saturday night was excellent. I cannot begin to thank God enough for the spiritual blessings in this country.
If you worry about South Korea and the threat of war with the North, always remember that this country is a praying nation. Read Ephesians 6, and remember that prayer changes things in the spiritual realm in mysterious ways. Pray for Korea as well to be sure.....but rest assured that God will protect his elect. His hand of protection is on them.
Last night and today, I visted my friend John Kim and the Global Christian school where he works in the small town of Eumsong. Then, I took a bus back to Seoul and flew to Jeju Island. It was a short 1 hour flight, thanks to Korea's small geographic area. But the plane was large and almost full. And the service was excellent. Korean Air is the way to go if you can ever fly that airline. They are very kind and helpful and I really appreciated it.
I'm here at Jeju Island for 4 days. I'm at a very nice guest house, with mostly Korean people. I will do a tour bus tomorrow of the East Coast of Jeju with the West Coast to follow on Wednesday. Then two more days here before returning to Naju Friday evening. I'm looking forward to relaxing here, on Korea's Hawaii!
What this year in Korea has taught me the most is the power of prayer, to live life one day at a time, and that the love of God is incredible and needs to be shared. The love of God can break even the hardest people. The last day at my Hagwan, a fifth grade boy that has given all of the teachers fits told me, " I'm sad." When I asked why, he said, "You go to America." I mentioned that the previous days he had been "happy" for the same reason. He said, "I lied." Later, he patted me on the back, and I gave him a hug. If you know this kid, you'd say it was a miracle. I wanted him kicked out of the academy many times. But thankfully, the love of God won out. Mission accomplished!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Love of Christ
What exactly is the "Love of Christ?"
I can recall sharing the gospel with a young man at South Dakota State University prior to coming to Korea. After I shared, I remember he asked me why he should believe me that Christianity was true? I wasn't really in the mood for "apologetics,"so I responded, "How in the world can I look you in the eye, a human being I've known only for a few minutes, pat you on the back, and say that I love you? That makes no sense." He had no answer for me. And I could tell he hadn't experienced a genuine love like too often in his life.
I remember being amazed, that night, at how powerful the love of Christ came out in me. I was struggling myself, at that point, just to survive in some ways. I was working a part-time job, trying to discern what I should do next, etc, fighting through lingering bouts of depression. But God gave me a taste that night of something special.
When I came to Korea, I prayed that the love I had for college students in the states would be real with my younger students as well. I remember praying this prayer every day for months on end. I would see small results, but it didn't seem to stay consistently very long.
Yet the longer I stayed in Korea, the more the love of God became more real to me. My time in the mountains............my time alone wandering, etc. God showed me his love, and continually affirmed that he alone was the source of my identity and my strength. Through that, and fellowship from my fellow believers, I began to spill over more and more to my students.....
These past couple of weeks, my eyes began to open and I am seeing how all those prayers have come true. Many of the children come to me for a hug, a pat on the back, a word of encouragement. That same supernatural love.....followed me around the world. It took prayer to learn to surrender myself enough to allow it to come out. And it takes prayer each day to stay in the right spirit. But it is there. It is real. I don't ever want to lose that love, regardless of where I live.
I was teaching my grammar I class the other day and looked over at one of my students books. On the cover was a bunch of writting and a picture, written with a white-out pen. As I looked closer, I saw this:
"Jay teacher is King. Jay teacher many many many many many happy."
Tears came to my eyes, just as they do as I write this blogpost. I've wept several times as I thought about that experience.
I am privilged that that little boy thought of me as a king. What I believe he really saw and wanted was the power and love of the King. That little boy hated coming to our academy a six months ago. Now, there's a smile on his face every day. I remember thinking he wasn't all that lovable when I met him and he was fighting with anyone in sight. But neither was I, when I was dead in trespasses and sins---and Christ still loved me and extended grace for my salvation.
The love of Christ takes prayer, but its worth it. Experiences like the one described above allow me to lay my head down in peace at night, knowing that this life was not wasted.
Goodnight from Korea.....
Jay
I can recall sharing the gospel with a young man at South Dakota State University prior to coming to Korea. After I shared, I remember he asked me why he should believe me that Christianity was true? I wasn't really in the mood for "apologetics,"so I responded, "How in the world can I look you in the eye, a human being I've known only for a few minutes, pat you on the back, and say that I love you? That makes no sense." He had no answer for me. And I could tell he hadn't experienced a genuine love like too often in his life.
I remember being amazed, that night, at how powerful the love of Christ came out in me. I was struggling myself, at that point, just to survive in some ways. I was working a part-time job, trying to discern what I should do next, etc, fighting through lingering bouts of depression. But God gave me a taste that night of something special.
When I came to Korea, I prayed that the love I had for college students in the states would be real with my younger students as well. I remember praying this prayer every day for months on end. I would see small results, but it didn't seem to stay consistently very long.
Yet the longer I stayed in Korea, the more the love of God became more real to me. My time in the mountains............my time alone wandering, etc. God showed me his love, and continually affirmed that he alone was the source of my identity and my strength. Through that, and fellowship from my fellow believers, I began to spill over more and more to my students.....
These past couple of weeks, my eyes began to open and I am seeing how all those prayers have come true. Many of the children come to me for a hug, a pat on the back, a word of encouragement. That same supernatural love.....followed me around the world. It took prayer to learn to surrender myself enough to allow it to come out. And it takes prayer each day to stay in the right spirit. But it is there. It is real. I don't ever want to lose that love, regardless of where I live.
I was teaching my grammar I class the other day and looked over at one of my students books. On the cover was a bunch of writting and a picture, written with a white-out pen. As I looked closer, I saw this:
"Jay teacher is King. Jay teacher many many many many many happy."
Tears came to my eyes, just as they do as I write this blogpost. I've wept several times as I thought about that experience.
I am privilged that that little boy thought of me as a king. What I believe he really saw and wanted was the power and love of the King. That little boy hated coming to our academy a six months ago. Now, there's a smile on his face every day. I remember thinking he wasn't all that lovable when I met him and he was fighting with anyone in sight. But neither was I, when I was dead in trespasses and sins---and Christ still loved me and extended grace for my salvation.
The love of Christ takes prayer, but its worth it. Experiences like the one described above allow me to lay my head down in peace at night, knowing that this life was not wasted.
Goodnight from Korea.....
Jay
Sunday, June 6, 2010
It's June
It's June! I will be back in the states June 29, Lord willing as that is when my plane is scheduled to arrive back in Sioux Falls. I certainly have a lot of emotion---both leaving Naju and coming back to family and friends. I think that is a good thing, though.
Not everything is settled job wise for my future, and it is in some ways you could say it is a time of uncertainty. Yet I've been here many times before. One day at a time and God's masterful plan is revealed. The past couple of months have really helped me to better understand "The Fear of the Lord." This fear leaves me in awe of him and helps me see my life and my circumstances under his sovereign control. It's a much more comforting way to live than being fearful of the future. I'm just a pilgrim passing through this life. Korea, America, or Timbuktu, it really doesn't matter.
I look forward to seeing you all soon! I've got a lot of pictures I will post at some point. The plan now is to hit up Jeju island before I go and that should result in a few more.
If you get the chance, pray I stay fearing the Lord, for his providence and protection for my remaining time here, for peace as I leave and arrive back, and for providence for my future. Thank you for your prayers. God bless you from Naju.
-Jay
Not everything is settled job wise for my future, and it is in some ways you could say it is a time of uncertainty. Yet I've been here many times before. One day at a time and God's masterful plan is revealed. The past couple of months have really helped me to better understand "The Fear of the Lord." This fear leaves me in awe of him and helps me see my life and my circumstances under his sovereign control. It's a much more comforting way to live than being fearful of the future. I'm just a pilgrim passing through this life. Korea, America, or Timbuktu, it really doesn't matter.
I look forward to seeing you all soon! I've got a lot of pictures I will post at some point. The plan now is to hit up Jeju island before I go and that should result in a few more.
If you get the chance, pray I stay fearing the Lord, for his providence and protection for my remaining time here, for peace as I leave and arrive back, and for providence for my future. Thank you for your prayers. God bless you from Naju.
-Jay
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
An ordinary rainy day?
It was just an ordinary rainy day in Korea today. I was finishing up a conversation with a friend by phone as I headed out of the apartment. After descending the four flights of stairs and scurrying out of my apartment building, I realized that my umbrella was still resting on the dresser beside the door to my apartment. The rain showed no signs of relenting as I walked along the stream towards my destination: Kenya Coffee for a mocha and some reading before I went to work.....a good 15 minutes away on foot.
I finished my phone conversation and tried to "glide between the raindrops," which by this time, were becoming more frequent. Suddenly, a man came up behind me and offered to let me share his umbrella. He was a middle-aged Korean man, dressed nicely in a suit and tie. I took him up on his offer reluctantly, feeling like a bit of a fool. Honestly, it wasn't that cold (nearly 70 degrees) , and this wouldn't have been the first time I got soaked. But I was grateful for his thoughfulness.
The man asked me where I was going in Korean, and I mumbled an answer. I still felt a little embarassed. I must have kind of appeared like a dumb foreigner to him! We turned the corner heading in the direction of the coffee shop. Then, suddenly, he motioned me to follow him across the street. Upon are arrival on the other side of the street, he marched into a small men's clothing store. I thanked him, and turned to walk in the direction of Kenya Coffee. He said something to me I didn't understand, and motioned me into his store. There, he gave me an umbrella to take with me. Again I thanked him and bowed politely, before exiting his small store.
As I walked out the door, I looked up at the sign above his store, so that I could return the umbrella the next day. I do not recall what exactly the sign said in Korean, nor much of the rest of my walk to Kenya coffee. What I do recall, quite vividly even 11 hours later, was the English word "Grace" written in bold letters above the store.
Sometimes, God shows up in our lives in small ways.....but just enough to show that he cares. Maybe you've wondered how I've survived 13 months in small town South Korea. In one word, my answer is "God's grace." (I guess that's two words....). "Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home....."
Such a small gesture.....yet such a resounding impact. God's grace and providence are still as strong for me here as when I stepped off the plane. Yet they never fail to leave me in awe, even on a rainy day. Look around you, today. Who needs "an umbrella?"
I finished my phone conversation and tried to "glide between the raindrops," which by this time, were becoming more frequent. Suddenly, a man came up behind me and offered to let me share his umbrella. He was a middle-aged Korean man, dressed nicely in a suit and tie. I took him up on his offer reluctantly, feeling like a bit of a fool. Honestly, it wasn't that cold (nearly 70 degrees) , and this wouldn't have been the first time I got soaked. But I was grateful for his thoughfulness.
The man asked me where I was going in Korean, and I mumbled an answer. I still felt a little embarassed. I must have kind of appeared like a dumb foreigner to him! We turned the corner heading in the direction of the coffee shop. Then, suddenly, he motioned me to follow him across the street. Upon are arrival on the other side of the street, he marched into a small men's clothing store. I thanked him, and turned to walk in the direction of Kenya Coffee. He said something to me I didn't understand, and motioned me into his store. There, he gave me an umbrella to take with me. Again I thanked him and bowed politely, before exiting his small store.
As I walked out the door, I looked up at the sign above his store, so that I could return the umbrella the next day. I do not recall what exactly the sign said in Korean, nor much of the rest of my walk to Kenya coffee. What I do recall, quite vividly even 11 hours later, was the English word "Grace" written in bold letters above the store.
Sometimes, God shows up in our lives in small ways.....but just enough to show that he cares. Maybe you've wondered how I've survived 13 months in small town South Korea. In one word, my answer is "God's grace." (I guess that's two words....). "Tis Grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home....."
Such a small gesture.....yet such a resounding impact. God's grace and providence are still as strong for me here as when I stepped off the plane. Yet they never fail to leave me in awe, even on a rainy day. Look around you, today. Who needs "an umbrella?"
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Mid May Thanks
Wow. It's May 15. The weather is nice, so my spare time finds me outdoors a lot more than in.
I am both excited and sad that my time in Korea is coming to an end. I'm excited to see all my friends and family come the end of June....but it will be very hard to leave these students. 14.5 months in Korea appears to be God's plan for me....and I have just 1 month left to teach with a few travel days to conclude before flying.
A year+ in Korea was never something I really considered until right before I came.......but as I have said many times, it really has been a blessing to me. I feel a deep inner peace in my soul as I prepare go back to the states now. I know that God is leading my life, and I need not worry. I feel more settled as a person....and confident in the giftings I have been given. The realities of God's love and sovereign control over my life continue to leave me in awe and fear of him.
Details on job, vacation here before I leave, etc are still being finalized. I look forward to living them out....as well as my last weeks here as a teacher in Korea.
I praise God for his perfect work into making me into the man he wanted me to be. And I thank you all for your supporting prayers of love. Bless you and goodnight!
Jay
I am both excited and sad that my time in Korea is coming to an end. I'm excited to see all my friends and family come the end of June....but it will be very hard to leave these students. 14.5 months in Korea appears to be God's plan for me....and I have just 1 month left to teach with a few travel days to conclude before flying.
A year+ in Korea was never something I really considered until right before I came.......but as I have said many times, it really has been a blessing to me. I feel a deep inner peace in my soul as I prepare go back to the states now. I know that God is leading my life, and I need not worry. I feel more settled as a person....and confident in the giftings I have been given. The realities of God's love and sovereign control over my life continue to leave me in awe and fear of him.
Details on job, vacation here before I leave, etc are still being finalized. I look forward to living them out....as well as my last weeks here as a teacher in Korea.
I praise God for his perfect work into making me into the man he wanted me to be. And I thank you all for your supporting prayers of love. Bless you and goodnight!
Jay
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Latest happenings......
Wow. It's been an interesting last few days. Sometimes, it's hard to know if this many interesting things happened the entire time I was here, or if sometimes it just hits me how truly remarkable things can be in my life here.
I taught my kids an old camp song I learned at Camp Judson in the Black Hills a few summers back: "Pharoah Pharoah." It's funny, because back then, we got really sick of all the kids singing the song because it sticks in your head. Even though it's these kids second language, it stuck in there heads too! I couldn't get them super excited about the actions though......
One of the girls names in my English time 2 class is Kim. This is fine, except that Kim is a very popular last name in Korea. What that means is when she westernizes her name, her name becomes Kim Kim. Also, I jokingly called her Kimbap---which is a popular seaweed-rice roll in Korea, similar to sushi. That stuck with the other kids. My bad, Kim! When I suggested we give her a different name, I started with my grandmother's name. She was not of fan of "Florence," however, nor did she take to my mother's name: "Elaine." The older of my two younger sisters is Anita (which sounds Spanish) so I skipped to Joanna, my youngest sister's name. Kim said, "banana" and shook her head.......it struck me as funny, because my youngest sister has been teased many times the same way. I finally gave her the name Luann, because back in the day, my Sunday school teachers were Kim and Luann. It seemed fitting to just switch to the other. However, a day later, she decided to just stick with Kim. I told the class there was to be no "kimbap" talking. That worked, until today in the last five minutes, I said, "Kimbap, sit down." Woops. Better just take Luann, Kimbap......
This morning, I was getting ready to get dressed when I heard my apartment door open and "Jay" in that unmistakable voice that belongs to my director. When I first came to Korea, I was a bit intimidated by the woman, because of her aggressive, strong willed personality. Now, I merely said, "what?" She proceeded to tell me that a Korean Pastor was visiting from America and that he'd be staying in my apartment. She appologized for not telling me the day before he'd be coming. I was tempted to be upset---mostly because I hadn't cleaned up much. But this was part of the deal when I came. I got a 3 bedroom apartment to my self----with drop in guests possible. Between Somonim and myself, the place was fine within a few minutes anyway. All part of the experience. Funny how now I just roll with it.
Then there was today. I've had a weak lower back for years and have been working on trying to strengthen it. One of the other teachers has training in physical therapy, and during our break in the office, she showed me how to do a stretch. I was trying it out--and was rather shocked when Somonim came over and yanked my belt upward to try and get my belly higher......Wow. Granted, she was right----I wasn't quite in form yet. Apparently my eyes bugged out of my head and the others in the office roared with laughter. I could only laugh too. This was priceless.
I gave a quiz on basic prepositions in Grammar I. One of the questions was "draw a picture of a fish under the water." One student drew a picture of fish under the shower head. Another drew a picture of a fish literally under a fish tank. Wow. I couldn't count them wrong.
Hope you are having a good spring!
Jay
I taught my kids an old camp song I learned at Camp Judson in the Black Hills a few summers back: "Pharoah Pharoah." It's funny, because back then, we got really sick of all the kids singing the song because it sticks in your head. Even though it's these kids second language, it stuck in there heads too! I couldn't get them super excited about the actions though......
One of the girls names in my English time 2 class is Kim. This is fine, except that Kim is a very popular last name in Korea. What that means is when she westernizes her name, her name becomes Kim Kim. Also, I jokingly called her Kimbap---which is a popular seaweed-rice roll in Korea, similar to sushi. That stuck with the other kids. My bad, Kim! When I suggested we give her a different name, I started with my grandmother's name. She was not of fan of "Florence," however, nor did she take to my mother's name: "Elaine." The older of my two younger sisters is Anita (which sounds Spanish) so I skipped to Joanna, my youngest sister's name. Kim said, "banana" and shook her head.......it struck me as funny, because my youngest sister has been teased many times the same way. I finally gave her the name Luann, because back in the day, my Sunday school teachers were Kim and Luann. It seemed fitting to just switch to the other. However, a day later, she decided to just stick with Kim. I told the class there was to be no "kimbap" talking. That worked, until today in the last five minutes, I said, "Kimbap, sit down." Woops. Better just take Luann, Kimbap......
This morning, I was getting ready to get dressed when I heard my apartment door open and "Jay" in that unmistakable voice that belongs to my director. When I first came to Korea, I was a bit intimidated by the woman, because of her aggressive, strong willed personality. Now, I merely said, "what?" She proceeded to tell me that a Korean Pastor was visiting from America and that he'd be staying in my apartment. She appologized for not telling me the day before he'd be coming. I was tempted to be upset---mostly because I hadn't cleaned up much. But this was part of the deal when I came. I got a 3 bedroom apartment to my self----with drop in guests possible. Between Somonim and myself, the place was fine within a few minutes anyway. All part of the experience. Funny how now I just roll with it.
Then there was today. I've had a weak lower back for years and have been working on trying to strengthen it. One of the other teachers has training in physical therapy, and during our break in the office, she showed me how to do a stretch. I was trying it out--and was rather shocked when Somonim came over and yanked my belt upward to try and get my belly higher......Wow. Granted, she was right----I wasn't quite in form yet. Apparently my eyes bugged out of my head and the others in the office roared with laughter. I could only laugh too. This was priceless.
I gave a quiz on basic prepositions in Grammar I. One of the questions was "draw a picture of a fish under the water." One student drew a picture of fish under the shower head. Another drew a picture of a fish literally under a fish tank. Wow. I couldn't count them wrong.
Hope you are having a good spring!
Jay
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunny days.........
Sunny days have been rare this spring here in Naju. We had one today, though. I walked to my favorite spot in the mountains, which I haven't been to in two weeks! It was beautiful with all the flowers. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny as well......which is awesome! I'm pretty excited.
As I wind down my last two months in Naju, I find myself taking a bit of a different approach to life. Suddenly, I realize that this amazing time at this academy in this city of Naju is coming to a close. I am beginning to feel like a tourist again in some ways----knowing that I don't have that much longer here. Just today, I realized there are so many things I have not taken pictures of yet.
It's easy to overlook all that I've learned.....until I think about what went through my mind the first time I set foot in Young Gong Hagwan where I work. At that time, I was in awe of the students---and thought Korean children could do no wrong. Soon enough, I found out "kids are kids." Some days you love them, other days you survive.
While I do not feel my longterm job will have me working with elementary school children, a year+ working with them has been very special. I look forward to being a father someday. I look forward to teaching children in Sunday school, church camp, or wherever else I can. And I look forward to looking back on the pictures from this year and smiling as I think of all the memories.
It's been 375 days away from America....kind of hard to believe. I look forward to what lies ahead. But for the next 2 months, I'm content to relish each day......and choose to see the "sunshine" even when it is rains.
Goodnight from Naju--
Jay
As I wind down my last two months in Naju, I find myself taking a bit of a different approach to life. Suddenly, I realize that this amazing time at this academy in this city of Naju is coming to a close. I am beginning to feel like a tourist again in some ways----knowing that I don't have that much longer here. Just today, I realized there are so many things I have not taken pictures of yet.
It's easy to overlook all that I've learned.....until I think about what went through my mind the first time I set foot in Young Gong Hagwan where I work. At that time, I was in awe of the students---and thought Korean children could do no wrong. Soon enough, I found out "kids are kids." Some days you love them, other days you survive.
While I do not feel my longterm job will have me working with elementary school children, a year+ working with them has been very special. I look forward to being a father someday. I look forward to teaching children in Sunday school, church camp, or wherever else I can. And I look forward to looking back on the pictures from this year and smiling as I think of all the memories.
It's been 375 days away from America....kind of hard to believe. I look forward to what lies ahead. But for the next 2 months, I'm content to relish each day......and choose to see the "sunshine" even when it is rains.
Goodnight from Naju--
Jay
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The Secret to Living Life.....
About 10 days ago, I found myself muddled in a whirlwind of thoughts. What should I do with my future? Should I go back to the states, should I stay in Korea? What should I do? Talking to people, while encouraging, often results in more confusion.
At times of crossroads, Proverbs 3:5-6 is really the only way to proceed: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." But...how do we trust in the Lord?
We have to learn to receive God's love for us. All of our earthly fathers, no matter how good or bad of a job they did, failed in some way. They were/are men. They are imperfect. Because of that, we tend to struggle to trust God as being a perfect Father. We fear rejection. We fear getting beat over the head for a wrong move. Or we fear abandonment.
As children of God, we must realize God's great love for us. If you understand salvation the way I do, you realize God literally had to change our hearts before we could even make a decision for him. We all choose sin, because of our own nature. God loves us enough to save us from ourselves. And he isn't going to stop loving us now. Phillipians 1:6-- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
There are so many scriptures that talk about God's love for us. These are not "fluff" scriptures. These are where we need to get our identity--so we can obey the so-called "hard" scriptures. The best way to overcome any sin or lack of obedience is to focus on the love of God, not on self denial and more "religion."
I posted a list of "I am" scriptures a few weeks back. I finally took my own advice and began meditating on that list over the past week+. I am going to again today. God is grounding me through these scriptures.
I am the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13)
I am the light of the world (Matt 5:14)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1, 5)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16)
I am a slave of righteousness (Rom 6:18)
I am enslaved to God (Rom 6:22)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom 8:14, 15; Gal 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom 8:17)
I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me (I Cor 3:16; 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (I Cor. 6:17)
I am a member of Christ's Body (I Cor. 12:27; Eph 5:30)
I am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18, 19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal 4:6,7)
I am a saint (I Cor. 1:2, Eph 1:1, Phil 1:1; Co1 1:2)
I am God's workmanship--His handiwork--born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph 3:1; 4:1)
I am righteous and holy (Eph 4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Eph 2:6, Phil. 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)
I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4)
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4)
I am a son of light and not of darkness (I Thess. 5:5)
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1)
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb 3:14)
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (I Pet. 2:5)
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (I Pet. 2:9,10)
I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (I Pet. 2:11)
I am an enemy of the devil (I Pet 5:8)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (I John 3:1,2)
I am born of God, and the evil one--the devil--cannot touch me (I John 5:18)
I am NOT the great "I am" (Exod 3:14; John 8:24, 28, 58), but by the grace of God, I am what I am (I Cor. 15:10)
As I began to read these scriptures, my problems did not all get solved.....but I became a whole lot more content. I can embrace God's love, and let it transform my life. I can cling to who he says I am, and his love for me.
I'll finish this post with a quote from Simon Guillebaud and his book "More than Conquerors."
"I am immortal until I die."
I am immortal until I die. And so you are you! But we can't live this reality out until we really embrace God's love. I'm done with sinful fear. I hope you are, too! To God be the glory.
Signing out from Korea--Jay
At times of crossroads, Proverbs 3:5-6 is really the only way to proceed: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." But...how do we trust in the Lord?
We have to learn to receive God's love for us. All of our earthly fathers, no matter how good or bad of a job they did, failed in some way. They were/are men. They are imperfect. Because of that, we tend to struggle to trust God as being a perfect Father. We fear rejection. We fear getting beat over the head for a wrong move. Or we fear abandonment.
As children of God, we must realize God's great love for us. If you understand salvation the way I do, you realize God literally had to change our hearts before we could even make a decision for him. We all choose sin, because of our own nature. God loves us enough to save us from ourselves. And he isn't going to stop loving us now. Phillipians 1:6-- "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
There are so many scriptures that talk about God's love for us. These are not "fluff" scriptures. These are where we need to get our identity--so we can obey the so-called "hard" scriptures. The best way to overcome any sin or lack of obedience is to focus on the love of God, not on self denial and more "religion."
I posted a list of "I am" scriptures a few weeks back. I finally took my own advice and began meditating on that list over the past week+. I am going to again today. God is grounding me through these scriptures.
I am the salt of the earth (Matt 5:13)
I am the light of the world (Matt 5:14)
I am a child of God (John 1:12)
I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1, 5)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit (John 15:16)
I am a slave of righteousness (Rom 6:18)
I am enslaved to God (Rom 6:22)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom 8:14, 15; Gal 3:26; 4:6)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom 8:17)
I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwell in me (I Cor 3:16; 6:19)
I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (I Cor. 6:17)
I am a member of Christ's Body (I Cor. 12:27; Eph 5:30)
I am a new creation (2 Cor 5:17)
I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18, 19)
I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal 4:6,7)
I am a saint (I Cor. 1:2, Eph 1:1, Phil 1:1; Co1 1:2)
I am God's workmanship--His handiwork--born anew in Christ to do His work (Eph 3:1; 4:1)
I am righteous and holy (Eph 4:24)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Eph 2:6, Phil. 3:20)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3)
I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4)
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; 1 Thess 1:4)
I am a son of light and not of darkness (I Thess. 5:5)
I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb 3:1)
I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb 3:14)
I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house (I Pet. 2:5)
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession (I Pet. 2:9,10)
I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (I Pet. 2:11)
I am an enemy of the devil (I Pet 5:8)
I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (I John 3:1,2)
I am born of God, and the evil one--the devil--cannot touch me (I John 5:18)
I am NOT the great "I am" (Exod 3:14; John 8:24, 28, 58), but by the grace of God, I am what I am (I Cor. 15:10)
As I began to read these scriptures, my problems did not all get solved.....but I became a whole lot more content. I can embrace God's love, and let it transform my life. I can cling to who he says I am, and his love for me.
I'll finish this post with a quote from Simon Guillebaud and his book "More than Conquerors."
"I am immortal until I die."
I am immortal until I die. And so you are you! But we can't live this reality out until we really embrace God's love. I'm done with sinful fear. I hope you are, too! To God be the glory.
Signing out from Korea--Jay
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The greatest of Love of all.....
I am nearing my one year anniversary for my time in Korea. Last year, I came to Korea on Easter Sunday. Due to all the excitement of the upcoming adventure, not to mention the jet lag, I didn't really get to celebrate Easter.
This year, I was asked to lead worship on Sunday evening at an Easter get together for church. It will be my first time leading with guitar, so you can pray for that.
There is something very special about this Easter though. This past year in my Christian life, God has taught me a number of things. Yet the one thing he seems to be driving home to me day after day is his great love for me.
"How deep the father's love for us.....how vast beyond all measure. That he would give his only son. To make a wretch his treasure."
"The Love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches too the lowest hell."
These song says it all. The Lord gave his son for us. He made him to be sin who knew no sin. His love is immeasurable.
Christian, get on your knees until God makes this real to you. The enemy is a master at making us forget these realities. I'm having to do it everyday. There is no way I can show love to the kids I teach unless I am assured of God's love for me. I can't love my family, friends, or people I meet correctly either without Christ's love. I cannot be obedient to God's commands without understanding his love. Having gotten a taste of it, I simply cannot go back to living without it!
The days I live out of the love God has for me, I am an incredible weopon for the Lord. And so are you when you are living in the Spirit. "Onward Christian soldier, marching as to war. With the Cross of Jesus, going on before." We have been set free. Christ died for us. We must live out of the freedom and love. This world needs it. It's not a selfish thing.
This Easter, meditate on the love of God. You'll leave a changed person. Cling to God's promises. Then spill that love over and change the world! I'm done with powerless Christianity. I hope you are, too!
Have a blessed Easter.
Jay
This year, I was asked to lead worship on Sunday evening at an Easter get together for church. It will be my first time leading with guitar, so you can pray for that.
There is something very special about this Easter though. This past year in my Christian life, God has taught me a number of things. Yet the one thing he seems to be driving home to me day after day is his great love for me.
"How deep the father's love for us.....how vast beyond all measure. That he would give his only son. To make a wretch his treasure."
"The Love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star and reaches too the lowest hell."
These song says it all. The Lord gave his son for us. He made him to be sin who knew no sin. His love is immeasurable.
Christian, get on your knees until God makes this real to you. The enemy is a master at making us forget these realities. I'm having to do it everyday. There is no way I can show love to the kids I teach unless I am assured of God's love for me. I can't love my family, friends, or people I meet correctly either without Christ's love. I cannot be obedient to God's commands without understanding his love. Having gotten a taste of it, I simply cannot go back to living without it!
The days I live out of the love God has for me, I am an incredible weopon for the Lord. And so are you when you are living in the Spirit. "Onward Christian soldier, marching as to war. With the Cross of Jesus, going on before." We have been set free. Christ died for us. We must live out of the freedom and love. This world needs it. It's not a selfish thing.
This Easter, meditate on the love of God. You'll leave a changed person. Cling to God's promises. Then spill that love over and change the world! I'm done with powerless Christianity. I hope you are, too!
Have a blessed Easter.
Jay
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