Exodus 20:
God spoke to Moses the 10 commandments.
1. no other gods
2. no idols
3. don't misuse the name of God
4. keep the sabath day holy
5. obey parents
6. don't murder
7. don't commit adultery
8. don't steal
9. don't give false testimony
10. don't covet other people's things
When the israelites saw this, they were really scared, and they feared God
Luke 23:
People took Jesus to Pilate, and he gave him over to Herod. Herod was curious, but bad, after he found that Jesus wouldn't answer his questions, he insulted him. Pilate became friends with Herod, and after Jesus came back, he wated to release him. But the people were too loud, they wanted barrabas. Pilate did as they said. Jesus was crucified...
Here we see the two criminals along side of Jesus. They were both criminals, but their attitudes are different. It's never too late to accept Christ.
2009/09/22
2009/09/17
9.17.09 Ex19, Lk22
Exodus 19:
God showed that he was close to Moses by having the whole israel witness that Moses went to the mount Sinai, and spoke with God. all Israelites saw God's presence as fire. Before that, he had moses consecrate the people, and cleanse their body. He told the israelites that no one could go close to the mountain, or else, he would be put to death. When God came, he had Moses go up the mountain to talk to him face to face, and also told moses to bring Aaron.
Even though, we are such imperfect, God could still use us in doing his perfect will. I need to be like Moses.
Luke 22:
This is a very dense chapter. Jesus ate passover meal with his disciples and told them one of the people sitting with him would betray him. Also told the disciples to have a serving heart. then prophesied that Peter would disown Jesus for 3 times. All the prophesies became true. Jesus said that he was the son of God when the chief priests and teachers of the law asked him and judged him. That was his crime.
I am all three of them, Judas, Peter, and the chief priests, who betrayed Jesus, disowned him, and put him to death. Yet I am here writing about him. if it wasn't God's grace, i don't know where i'd be, and I don't know what kind of person I'd be. God's grace is enough!
God showed that he was close to Moses by having the whole israel witness that Moses went to the mount Sinai, and spoke with God. all Israelites saw God's presence as fire. Before that, he had moses consecrate the people, and cleanse their body. He told the israelites that no one could go close to the mountain, or else, he would be put to death. When God came, he had Moses go up the mountain to talk to him face to face, and also told moses to bring Aaron.
Even though, we are such imperfect, God could still use us in doing his perfect will. I need to be like Moses.
Luke 22:
This is a very dense chapter. Jesus ate passover meal with his disciples and told them one of the people sitting with him would betray him. Also told the disciples to have a serving heart. then prophesied that Peter would disown Jesus for 3 times. All the prophesies became true. Jesus said that he was the son of God when the chief priests and teachers of the law asked him and judged him. That was his crime.
I am all three of them, Judas, Peter, and the chief priests, who betrayed Jesus, disowned him, and put him to death. Yet I am here writing about him. if it wasn't God's grace, i don't know where i'd be, and I don't know what kind of person I'd be. God's grace is enough!
2009/09/15
my miraculous day!
So it all happend pretty much last night, but first of all, I have to put the night before into account. So Angela called me at 11:pm telling me that she had found out who her lifegroup was. I was really excited for her, and at the same time, I was excited that i could find out soon. So all night that night, i was waiting for the phone call, and not happened. The next day--yesterday, many people texted me and told me who's lifegroup they were in, and told me about many others. I was really ready to hear mine sometime. Since I was in class for most of that day, I was getting antsy, and worried: what if they were sending me an email? I went to check my email every two hours, and of course, nothing happened. The anticipation was just built so high! I had known about so many people's lifegroup, but just not mine. as a selfcentered person, I am not finding out the one that I care about the most. haha.
But it seemed like God was teaching me pacience. and he was sooo humorous. he was probably sitting there in his throne laughing at me saying that: Jean, if you wait, I will give you the best! and voila, at the end of the day, when i fianlly walked out of the music school, I got a message from Anna, and when I called her back, she told me that i am in her lifegroup, and on top of that, she's leading with tina! TINA KIM!!!! I was soooo surprised. I made a deal with God, that i am not going to be resentful this time if I didint end up in tina's group. but God said, Jean, if you wait, you will have the best! (best for me) see, no matter how much I was to help him and hurry him up. When he says no, nothing's gonna come out. but when he permits. blessing are just like floods.
Later that night, I went to study math with Yisi, we were at momo tea. I met one of the workers there, and she's very funny. Angi is her name, and she was very cool. she came over to talk to us during her break, and talked to the person behind us. Yisi and i got stuck on a math problem. we just couldn't figure out the possibilities. at this time Angi came over and found out what we were struggling with, and told us: " you know he's a math GSI right? the guy sitting behind you guys." That was sooo amazing. we asked him the question, and he explained to us, it as like the sun has finally come out behind the clouds. we became friends. and when we were about to go home, i needed to go up north. and what's more exciting, we found out that he is my neighbor! we live in the same building! how funny is that! we went back together, and he told me a lot about math and the crazy math teachers here at michigan!
so the bottom line is that i was really blessed by all the people God had sent to me, and all the "jokes" he made with me, and the lessons he tried to teach me--lovingly!
He is soooo good!
But it seemed like God was teaching me pacience. and he was sooo humorous. he was probably sitting there in his throne laughing at me saying that: Jean, if you wait, I will give you the best! and voila, at the end of the day, when i fianlly walked out of the music school, I got a message from Anna, and when I called her back, she told me that i am in her lifegroup, and on top of that, she's leading with tina! TINA KIM!!!! I was soooo surprised. I made a deal with God, that i am not going to be resentful this time if I didint end up in tina's group. but God said, Jean, if you wait, you will have the best! (best for me) see, no matter how much I was to help him and hurry him up. When he says no, nothing's gonna come out. but when he permits. blessing are just like floods.
Later that night, I went to study math with Yisi, we were at momo tea. I met one of the workers there, and she's very funny. Angi is her name, and she was very cool. she came over to talk to us during her break, and talked to the person behind us. Yisi and i got stuck on a math problem. we just couldn't figure out the possibilities. at this time Angi came over and found out what we were struggling with, and told us: " you know he's a math GSI right? the guy sitting behind you guys." That was sooo amazing. we asked him the question, and he explained to us, it as like the sun has finally come out behind the clouds. we became friends. and when we were about to go home, i needed to go up north. and what's more exciting, we found out that he is my neighbor! we live in the same building! how funny is that! we went back together, and he told me a lot about math and the crazy math teachers here at michigan!
so the bottom line is that i was really blessed by all the people God had sent to me, and all the "jokes" he made with me, and the lessons he tried to teach me--lovingly!
He is soooo good!
9.15.09 Ex18, Lk21
Exodus 18:
The Israelites were camped in the desert, and Moses' father-in-law came to him, and brought back his wife and two sons. He was amazed to see God's work in the Israelites, and recognized God above all gods. They ate with the elders and Aaron in the presence of God. When he saw Moses jugding all the people of their difficulties, he suggested that people could be divided into groups and have "group leaders" judge impartially. Moses took his advice and his load wasn't so heavy anymore. His father-in-law then went back to his own country.
Moses's father-in-law wasn't an Israelite, he was an ousider. However, God used him to bless Moses. This is amazing. a lot of times, I think I was all this and that as a christian, yet, I fail to recognize God's words comeing out from the "gentile's" mouth. I was too ignorant. I thougt God was only present among Christians, and I always prayed about God be with the prechristians, but never really thought about it. If the Holy Spirit was with the prechristians, then God could use them to speak to us, as well!
Luke 21:
Jesus in this chapter talked about a widow giving very little, but also the most, because all others were giving some portions out of their wealth, but the widow was giving all she's having. Sometimes, I fall into the trap of feeling obligated to give more, because it'll look good on the envelope. However, I forgot that the heart is what matters. I don't have to give much, but it has to be out of my heart.
Then he went on and talked about the sign of the end of the earth--earthquake, famine, presilence. all these are happening in the world now. Famine is always there, earthquake in China, Honduras, U.S. and other places. prestilence such as SARS, swine flu, and the very ancient ones are still going around. Jesus said that there will also be nations agaist each other--wars are everywhere. people against people--even among friends. And there are many more. The end of the earth is coming near. (I think) and I need to get ready. if I go to heaven right now, can i say that I don't have any regret? I don't think so, I'll probably say: "oh wait God, let me finish this, and let me finish that." and the most scary thing is that the end of the earth, not all my friends are sure they are going to heaven, and this is gonna be my fault. So Jean, you need you hurry up!
The Israelites were camped in the desert, and Moses' father-in-law came to him, and brought back his wife and two sons. He was amazed to see God's work in the Israelites, and recognized God above all gods. They ate with the elders and Aaron in the presence of God. When he saw Moses jugding all the people of their difficulties, he suggested that people could be divided into groups and have "group leaders" judge impartially. Moses took his advice and his load wasn't so heavy anymore. His father-in-law then went back to his own country.
Moses's father-in-law wasn't an Israelite, he was an ousider. However, God used him to bless Moses. This is amazing. a lot of times, I think I was all this and that as a christian, yet, I fail to recognize God's words comeing out from the "gentile's" mouth. I was too ignorant. I thougt God was only present among Christians, and I always prayed about God be with the prechristians, but never really thought about it. If the Holy Spirit was with the prechristians, then God could use them to speak to us, as well!
Luke 21:
Jesus in this chapter talked about a widow giving very little, but also the most, because all others were giving some portions out of their wealth, but the widow was giving all she's having. Sometimes, I fall into the trap of feeling obligated to give more, because it'll look good on the envelope. However, I forgot that the heart is what matters. I don't have to give much, but it has to be out of my heart.
Then he went on and talked about the sign of the end of the earth--earthquake, famine, presilence. all these are happening in the world now. Famine is always there, earthquake in China, Honduras, U.S. and other places. prestilence such as SARS, swine flu, and the very ancient ones are still going around. Jesus said that there will also be nations agaist each other--wars are everywhere. people against people--even among friends. And there are many more. The end of the earth is coming near. (I think) and I need to get ready. if I go to heaven right now, can i say that I don't have any regret? I don't think so, I'll probably say: "oh wait God, let me finish this, and let me finish that." and the most scary thing is that the end of the earth, not all my friends are sure they are going to heaven, and this is gonna be my fault. So Jean, you need you hurry up!
2009/09/14
9.14.09 Ex17, Lk20
Exodus 17:
The people are so weak! They did not trust God for what he was going to provide. instead, they were like children whining for what they wanted. The people here didn't have water, and they complain to and blame moses for bringing them out of Egypt. poor moses. Yet, god still provide. If it was me, I'd leave them alone, see without God what They could do. Whiny people. God is still a loving a caring God for them. only he has the patience.
Luke 20:
Jesus is so smart, so wise. When his authority was questioned, he asked them questions and they couldn't answer, and so he didn't answer their questions, therefore, he didn't have to lie about his authority nor tell them the truth because they would only think that he was lying and being prideful.
The parable of the Tenant was the exact parallel to what's going to happen. We are the tenant, God is the father, and Jesus the son.
Facing many challenges, Jesus has the calmness and wisdom to answer all the quetions. he has the power from God, and a close relationship with him. I want to do that too.
The people are so weak! They did not trust God for what he was going to provide. instead, they were like children whining for what they wanted. The people here didn't have water, and they complain to and blame moses for bringing them out of Egypt. poor moses. Yet, god still provide. If it was me, I'd leave them alone, see without God what They could do. Whiny people. God is still a loving a caring God for them. only he has the patience.
Luke 20:
Jesus is so smart, so wise. When his authority was questioned, he asked them questions and they couldn't answer, and so he didn't answer their questions, therefore, he didn't have to lie about his authority nor tell them the truth because they would only think that he was lying and being prideful.
The parable of the Tenant was the exact parallel to what's going to happen. We are the tenant, God is the father, and Jesus the son.
Facing many challenges, Jesus has the calmness and wisdom to answer all the quetions. he has the power from God, and a close relationship with him. I want to do that too.
2009/09/13
9.13.09 Ex16, Lk19
Exodus 16:
God provided Manna and quail for the Israelites in the desert. As God commanded, each were to take what they needed for that day except for saturday, they take twice in order to prepare for sunday. However, there are so many disobedience going on in the people. They took more during regular days, but the ones they took were rotten and smelly. Even the people who God brought out with his power, the people who had seen the cloud and fire didn't trust that God would provide enough, and how little faith we have. I thought I trusted him a lot. yet, I was still holding back from him. Thinking that there are some areas of my life that God just cannot touch. that is so funny. So God help me grow in faith, and have more trust in you!
Luke 19:
Jesus went into Jericho, and there the tax collector zacchaeus came to see Jesus on the tree. Jesus stayed at his house that night. here the bible didn't say how the tax collector view Jesus. all it indicated is that he was a curious man, so as long as he wanted to know, jesus would go to him and let him know.
Jesus then told a parable of the king giving money to the servant to have them investigate, the ones who made more out of the money received more awards, and the ones who didn't was punished. Same with us, if we do more God's work, we will receive more rewares in heaven.
Jesus then went into Jerusalem. he enter from the mount of olives, and when he entered on the donkey back, everyone cheered and welcomed him. He went to teach in temples, and the Pharasees and teachers of the law and the chief priests wanted to find ways to kill him, but they couldn't. i bet Jesus knew all these, yet he was still teaching to save mroe souls, and i think he is also waiting for his persecutors to turn to him as well! However, they never did.
God provided Manna and quail for the Israelites in the desert. As God commanded, each were to take what they needed for that day except for saturday, they take twice in order to prepare for sunday. However, there are so many disobedience going on in the people. They took more during regular days, but the ones they took were rotten and smelly. Even the people who God brought out with his power, the people who had seen the cloud and fire didn't trust that God would provide enough, and how little faith we have. I thought I trusted him a lot. yet, I was still holding back from him. Thinking that there are some areas of my life that God just cannot touch. that is so funny. So God help me grow in faith, and have more trust in you!
Luke 19:
Jesus went into Jericho, and there the tax collector zacchaeus came to see Jesus on the tree. Jesus stayed at his house that night. here the bible didn't say how the tax collector view Jesus. all it indicated is that he was a curious man, so as long as he wanted to know, jesus would go to him and let him know.
Jesus then told a parable of the king giving money to the servant to have them investigate, the ones who made more out of the money received more awards, and the ones who didn't was punished. Same with us, if we do more God's work, we will receive more rewares in heaven.
Jesus then went into Jerusalem. he enter from the mount of olives, and when he entered on the donkey back, everyone cheered and welcomed him. He went to teach in temples, and the Pharasees and teachers of the law and the chief priests wanted to find ways to kill him, but they couldn't. i bet Jesus knew all these, yet he was still teaching to save mroe souls, and i think he is also waiting for his persecutors to turn to him as well! However, they never did.
2009/09/10
9.10.09 Ex15, Lk18
Exodus 15:
Moses and Mariam sang songs to the Lord when they crossed the red sea and saw all the egyptians drown. They feared God but praised him. but I don't know why people are so forgetful. They just came out of a battle and the Lord had provided and protected them, they came to another town, and when they couldn't drink the water, they complain to moses, instead of asking God for it. Yet, this loving God still provided for them. He truely never fails.
Luke 18:
Jesus taught many lessons in parable--the widow who kept bothering the unjust judge, the pharase and the tax collector, rich ruler, and the children. Hwoever when he spoke in plain language, people don't understand him anymore. They didn't understand what Jesus meant by the son of man dying and raising back to life. a lot of times, i'm like that. I don't understand the most plain thing that God laid out in front of me. and I went and looked for the sophisticated answers. I needed to be more observant in looking for God's words.
Moses and Mariam sang songs to the Lord when they crossed the red sea and saw all the egyptians drown. They feared God but praised him. but I don't know why people are so forgetful. They just came out of a battle and the Lord had provided and protected them, they came to another town, and when they couldn't drink the water, they complain to moses, instead of asking God for it. Yet, this loving God still provided for them. He truely never fails.
Luke 18:
Jesus taught many lessons in parable--the widow who kept bothering the unjust judge, the pharase and the tax collector, rich ruler, and the children. Hwoever when he spoke in plain language, people don't understand him anymore. They didn't understand what Jesus meant by the son of man dying and raising back to life. a lot of times, i'm like that. I don't understand the most plain thing that God laid out in front of me. and I went and looked for the sophisticated answers. I needed to be more observant in looking for God's words.
2009/09/09
9.9.09 Ex14, Lk17
Exodus 14
We sometimes are like the egyptians, who pursue something that we are not supposed to pursue. It eventually lead to destruction. However, the lord is faithful, and he gave us promises and visions, and miracles. In this chapter, there is such a magnificent image where the angel goes and guard the israelites in the back, and the pillar of cloud/fire went also from the front to the back to protect the people and to separate egyptians from the israelites. He will do the same for us.
Luke 17:
Forgive people, and Jesus said even if they kept sinning against me, I should forgive, but this is soooo hard to do. He also gave us hope, because we are unworthy sevants, and we are like a samaritan, but he still heals us and loves us. We need to prepare for the kingdom of heaven, it's coming soon.
We sometimes are like the egyptians, who pursue something that we are not supposed to pursue. It eventually lead to destruction. However, the lord is faithful, and he gave us promises and visions, and miracles. In this chapter, there is such a magnificent image where the angel goes and guard the israelites in the back, and the pillar of cloud/fire went also from the front to the back to protect the people and to separate egyptians from the israelites. He will do the same for us.
Luke 17:
Forgive people, and Jesus said even if they kept sinning against me, I should forgive, but this is soooo hard to do. He also gave us hope, because we are unworthy sevants, and we are like a samaritan, but he still heals us and loves us. We need to prepare for the kingdom of heaven, it's coming soon.
2009/09/08
How stupid am I
So I haven't been here for a while, and this summer i couldn't feel God as much as I did my freshman year. I blamed God for not showing hhimself to me, and blamed him for leaving me after giving me two lessons to learn. However I was so blind to see the changes that i had during this 4 months. I was so blind to see his works on me. eventhough i didn't readt he bible much, i didn't pray as much, i wasn't asking him for help as much. yet, he still works in me. he never gave up on me. I just fail to see that for the past 4 months.
also, i was so dependant on the worldly people instead of depend on him. I went back home to china where my parents are and there i found that since they are with me, i started depending on them. thinking that they could bring me what I need. they did materialistically, but not spiritually. God still didn't give up on me when i turned myself away from him. he still loved me as he did before, and gave me a lot of blessings. He showed me my problems and I'm sure he will help me fix them.
also, i was so dependant on the worldly people instead of depend on him. I went back home to china where my parents are and there i found that since they are with me, i started depending on them. thinking that they could bring me what I need. they did materialistically, but not spiritually. God still didn't give up on me when i turned myself away from him. he still loved me as he did before, and gave me a lot of blessings. He showed me my problems and I'm sure he will help me fix them.
9.8.09 Ex13 Lk16
Exodus 13:
It's so funny how the Lord took the Israelites a longer way to go out of Egypt in order to protect them from encountering war. God knew their faith wasn't strong enough to handle it. Sometimes it's the same with us. we are resentful for God taking us a long way. However, we don't know that it's his plan and it's a better one, because we don't have ehough faith to endure the challenges. Even though it might feel like a long way, but it's actually gonna be easier than the short one.
Also, when they were going out of Egypt, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire never left them. Now I always ask God why he is not there anymore, however, I fail to realize that he is always there it's just i have become more and more blind, so i don't see this standing-still God, and go and find some man-based object to put my faith on. Sammy was right, God is always the last one we turn to and the first one we blame.
Luke 16:
another chapter with a lot parables. One thing I didn't understand is that why when the manager of the rich man spent his master's money to please people, and to secure his way when he loses his job, the master still commended him? I understand (I think) Jesus' talking about the not worshiping money but God part. But why in this example?
People's vision are short, and my heart is broken for the ones who haven't met God yet. I hope that they will come to him eventually, and be like Lazarus instead of the rich man who lived luxuriously on earth but whose final desination is hell. Those confused people need Jesus.
It's so funny how the Lord took the Israelites a longer way to go out of Egypt in order to protect them from encountering war. God knew their faith wasn't strong enough to handle it. Sometimes it's the same with us. we are resentful for God taking us a long way. However, we don't know that it's his plan and it's a better one, because we don't have ehough faith to endure the challenges. Even though it might feel like a long way, but it's actually gonna be easier than the short one.
Also, when they were going out of Egypt, the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire never left them. Now I always ask God why he is not there anymore, however, I fail to realize that he is always there it's just i have become more and more blind, so i don't see this standing-still God, and go and find some man-based object to put my faith on. Sammy was right, God is always the last one we turn to and the first one we blame.
Luke 16:
another chapter with a lot parables. One thing I didn't understand is that why when the manager of the rich man spent his master's money to please people, and to secure his way when he loses his job, the master still commended him? I understand (I think) Jesus' talking about the not worshiping money but God part. But why in this example?
People's vision are short, and my heart is broken for the ones who haven't met God yet. I hope that they will come to him eventually, and be like Lazarus instead of the rich man who lived luxuriously on earth but whose final desination is hell. Those confused people need Jesus.
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