Sunday, May 27, 2007

grace of God: are you still trying hard?

Grace is a difficult concept for us to truly grasp because in this performance-based world we live in, to receive (or give) something totally undeserved and free is often thought unfair, impractical and even naive.

Our understanding of "gifts" (which is what grace really is) is limited to birthday or Christmas gifts.

But God says grace is His way. According to Eph 2:1-10;

Grace is a gift we ALL NEED.
No one deserves grace of God, but we cannot do without it. No saintly person is an exception to needing this grace of God by which we are saved. None deserve it, but all need it.

Grace is a gift we CANNOT EARN.
Grace earned is no grace. No amount of good works will earn us God's grace. Salvation by grace is God-given, God-driven, God-empowered, and God-originated.

Grace is a gift that GIVES US PURPOSE.
Only when we have truly realized this incredible gift we have in Christ can we find true purpose for our lives. Paul speaks of being "God's workmanship... to do good works." He mentions good works in same section with grace and when misunderstood, it could be a reason to pause and wonder if he is contradicting himself. But Paul is ultimately saying, without having understood and accepted the grace of God, no one can truly find purpose in God to do all that God desires to work and do in our lives.

We may wonder if having accepted this grace, wouldn't we be tempted to abuse it?

When a believer truly grasps this amazing grace of God, he will not and cannot abuse it.

Grace understood will result in a life of devotion and sanctification that is not forced or pretentious.

Are you resting in the grace of God or are you still living under guilt-ridden vain efforts to perform before your God to prove your worth to receive His love?

--from Nakwon EM May 27 Sunday Worship Service

Sunday, May 20, 2007

true inner peace

True Inner Peace comes only from God.
True Inner Peace comes during the storm.
True Inner Peace comes by seeking God actively.

Remember the Shunammite woman who went to Elisha the prophet all the while confessing "Peace."

Remember the story about the perfect picture of peace.

True inner peace that is so elusive to this world comes from the Giver of peace that surpasses all understanding.

--from Nakwon EM May 20th Sunday Worship Service

Sunday, May 13, 2007

acknowledging God

LET God be God.
LEAVE all doubts, anxieties and concerns to God.
LEARN to trust God's means, ways & timing.

Consider Joseph's life.

Because Joseph saw God as engineer of all his circumstances, he was able to confess before his own brothers who'd sold him into slavery years ago out of spite.

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God..." Gen 45:5-8

Can you make such confession as Joseph did?

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Recording Sample

WARNING: Your ears may be damaged due to the lack of any professional training any of the people who were involved in this recording...that is Song JDSN, Tobi, James and yes even Jane C.

is there fear in your love?

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1John 4:16-18)

1. God's Love is INDEPENDENT of our performance.

Nothing you do can intensify or lessen the love God has for you. His love is unchanging, unconditional and steadfast.

2. God's Love is DEMONSTRATED by the cross.

God's holiness demands that all sin be punished, but God's love provides a way of redemption for sinful man. The Cross is where God's justice and love meet.

3. God's Love is PERFECTED by our life of love.

Know God, know love; know love, know how to love others. It's that simple. The amazing revelation of God's love for me becomes real, unhindered by fear, when I have learned to love as God loves. Love is the will to, the intention... Emotion may follow, but we love as an active obedience to God's command to love others.

Are you certain of God's love for you?

--from Nakwon EM Sunday May 6th Worship Service