Romans 7

Romans 7

On our own merit we cannot live a victorious life. Although 'I' tries, he only finds defeat. Obeying God is not hard; It is impossible! There is only one solution---vs.25 'I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.' Whan 'I' gives up, the Holy Spirit takes over. Struggling yields to power; defeat turns into victory; and misery is transformed into rejoicing. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ---not by our own futile attempts at self-righteousness. ~Lifepac excerpt

Romans 8:1 -There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

You are only as close to God as you want to be,

you are only as strong a Christian as you want to be. ~Ps. Linda

I want my 'wants' to be in line with what Jesus wants.

I want my every choice to go through the thought---'WWJD?'

I want to sought after the things which are of eternal value.

I want to live by Spirit and not by flesh.

Lord, I know I am a nobody, maybe even worse than a nobody,

but Dear Jesus, this is my heart's cry

'To live a life that brings you joy'

So do help me, and hold my hands,

change my heart and cleanse my mind,

hold me close and lead me there,

where love and joy is all we share.

~Carissa's Pendown thoughts~

Life's Reflection

`You are the sum total of all the choices you've made since you were born.

`Happiness depends on character, character depends on the choices you make,

the choices you make depends on your value,

your values depends on your vision.

`In order to say 'yes' to something of eternal value,
we have to say 'no' to something else.
A person who says 'yes' to two things is a double- minded person.

`Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was somebody.

He spent his second forty years learning he was a nobody.

He spent his third forty years discovering that God can use a nobody.

~Ps. Linda's message's excerpt~

Thoughts to ponder
1. What is my eyes fixed on?
2. What are the values that i hold on to?
3. What are the things in life that I have to learn to say 'no' to?

기도

오늘은 새로운 날이다
난 새로운 꿈, 새로운 계획, 새로운 희망을 가지고 ...
하지만 아무것도 당신의 상관없이 발생
그래서 난 당신에게 내 인생을하다
다, 다 내 일

난 당신을 믿어요

내 심장은 '이제 그만해야'그러는데
꿈을 꾸고 중지, 기대 그만, 검색 중지...그것은 잘못이다.
그러나, 하나님,어렵습니다.
내 마음이 아프다!내가 생각 할 때마다,그게 불쾌.
의혹, 서스펜스, 죄의식, 두려움....난 아주 피곤 해요
하지만 난 막을 수있는 강도를 찾을 수 없습니다.
그래서 사랑하는 예수님, 좀 도와 줘요.

난 당신을 믿어요

우리는 재미를했다!

A night to remember. =)

PS: 헤인  헤성  사랑해!

cooking 1

My first official out-of the-recipe-book cooking!
100% edible, daddy thought it taste good! so, yup! effort paid off!

Certainly something to thank God for.!

Finding Calcutta: Mother Theresa I

I  'Did something beautiful for Him'.

-Mother Theresa

'Me too.'

-Carissa

 

Back from India

India.Oh India.
'No more discouragement. No more doubt.'---Jesus

Words that spelled 'I Love You'.

I write to you, young men, because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:14

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalms 84:11

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
This then is how we know that we belong to the truth,
and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.
For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 
Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
and receive from him anything we ask,
because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:18-21

Can a woman forget her sucking child, 
that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;
thy walls are continually before me.
Isaiah 49:15-16

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,
to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them,
so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. 
Persevere in them, because if you do,
you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:12-16

In-India-I-had-a-personal-encounter-with-Jesus

God is GOOD. FAITHFUL. and TRUE.

Yesu unnai neeisikerram.

Prosecutor Princess

Just finished the 16th episode of Prosecutor Princess, 검사 프린세스
excellent drama. superb acting. hands up chemistry.
This drama certainly did made me giggle quite a bit, at times I had to hold back my tears,
the best of it all is going gaga over simple romantic moments=)
Okay, that aside. I've been seeking God a lot about my future...
And even though the seeking part had been less intense lately, yet God is always faithful, and this movie really sparked me again to what I aspire to be.
Done a whole lot of research. Yes, I really do want to do LAW.
And last week came Pastor Pax's sermon about God whose foundation of throne is Righteousness and Justice. Well, being a lawyer  certainly does contribute to upholding justice.
And being able to meet a lot of people in need and helping them is sheer joy.
Whatever about the study load, work hours...
It is going to pay off if its where God wants me to be. 
Am feeling really good about it, lots of prayers still required though.
I've gotten advices that being a lawyer would be dull, frustrating, time consuming...
But take it from Seo-In Woo:
“How many people are there who do it (work) because they like it?
They do these things to feed themselves, to live and not to die.
Living is just like that. Who are you to do the things you like or find funny?”
Agree with it, but would definitely minus the 'Living is just like that' part.
I know what life means. And it is certainly more than just a career. 
However, if this career could feed me and help people at the same time,
Why not?

Once again, Thanks to the director, crew and cast of PP!
Excellente!

这一生最美的祝福

《这一生最美的祝福》

在无数的黑夜里，

我用星星画出你

你的恩典如晨星，

让我真实的见到你

在我的歌声里，

我用音符赞美你

你的美好

是我今生颂扬的

这一生最美的祝福

就是能认识主耶稣

这一生最美的祝福

就是能信靠主耶稣

走在高山深谷

他会伴我同行

我知道，这是最美的祝福

。。。

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VDhujHrIbQ

这么简单的歌词，却深深地打动了我的心。。。

的确，在我们生活最灰暗的时刻，

有这耀眼的星星

放出温暖的光芒，

轻轻的呵护我们的心，

柔和的告诉我们，

‘别慌，有我在。’

啊，无比的爱！

The star shine the brightest in darkness.

Jesus is your star.

Treasure in Jars of Clay II

Our testimony is the treasure that makes us so resilient.

Our testimony is not how Christ has changed us.

Our testimony is not how the Spirit has gifted us.

Our testimony is that Christ became sin and died for us.

Fear Vs. Love

From Clash of the Titans, extracted conversation of God and Satan:

God: I dwell in the love of the people.

Satan: I dwell in the fear of the people.

---Pastor Penny =) ----

 People of every age harbour a certain amount of fear within them, whether it is the fear of the concretes like spiders, snakes, cockroaches, or physical abstract, for example fear of heights, being alone, darkness, or emotional abstract like fear of failure, rejection and losing of a loved one. What God says about the source of these fears?‘For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ 2 Timothy 1:7.
Hmm..If fear didn’t come from God,  then I believe there’s just Mr.D left to be accountable. 

There is no need to fear of anything or anybody, this applies even more when you are serving in a ministry. You would have to come across all kinds of people and situation and the only way not to fall is not to fear. Trust in God for every step you take. Without fear, power increases, spirit moves, things happen! Instead fill your heart with lots of love. Irony to what the world thinks, having love doesn’t make you weaker and  defeatable, it makes you stronger. Because look at our Father God, Almighty, All powerful operates in love, and really, He IS love! 

From blogger http://bana-readings.blogspot.com/2008/02/fear-vs-love.html
‘Fear is the energy which contracts, 
closes down, draws in, runs, hides, hoards, harms.
Love is the energy which expands,
opens up, sends out, stays, reveals, shares, heals.
Fear wraps our bodies in clothing, love allows us to stand naked.
Fear clings to and clutches all that we have, love gives all that we have away. Fear holds close, love holds dear.
Fear grasps, love lets go.
Fear rankles, love soothes.
Fear attacks, love amends.’

 Fear destructs, love conquers. 

Email Ponders I

Email from a friend:
So true and precise I have nothing to add on.

Ponder: 
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did...'
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Sin

A lot of times we humans shun people who sin, or more appropriately, people whose sins have been exposed. 'Oh gosh, how could he have cheated on his wife?', 'Oh what a horrible thing, he's addicted to drugs.' All those snotty comments we make about others, come to think of it, does it makes us feel better to talk about the wrong doings of others? Does it just give us the little assurance we need,’ I’m so much better than he/she is, I'm considered a fairly good person,'? The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 that ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. By all, God includes us 'RIGHTEOUS' people too right?
Just recently I was at a scene where someone very dear to me was caught red handed for committing an offense. He was a good person, and I assumed he was doing fairly well. It was shocking news to all that were present. If this incident were to happen years ago, I would really be mad at that person,' why didn't you tell me you had this problem? Why do you have to do such a shameful thing? Why do you have to hurt people around you like that?' Why why why????
But as he was sitting down, hearing his verdict and being punished severely in front of my eyes, I felt a gush of pity towards him. I felt like understood him. It wasn't like I ever committed any big time crime. I don't kill, don't steal, don't gamble....... But through the years I've read of people's struggles, those struggles that dealt with the inner parts of a person, and had my own fair share of them too. In shame and repentance, I came before God and now I can say that I’ve been totally free from them ever since. Nonetheless through that experience I’ve learned a valuable lesson: people don't sin because they are bad people or being selfish or whatever, they sin because they are being themselves, they sin because they are being humans. I mean, common, I sin too! I’m definitely no con-man!
Even Christ acknowledges the fact that all humans sin since the fall of Adam and Eve. ‘If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.’ I John 1:8 whether your sin is a big sin like murdering or embezzling, or even the tiniest sinful thought of lust or hatred, bottom line is, we all struggle with sin. So now the question is this, how then do we get out of sin? How then do we change and free ourselves from these sins?First things first, realize and identify your foe. Do not try to deny or give seemingly reasonable reasons to clear your conscience. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, Prov. 28: 13. Absolutely nothing is worth your integrity and righteousness that Christ had gained for you on the cross. Come before God in total repentance. Acts 3:19.Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Pray, fast, weep, do whatever it takes, no sins are impossible to get rid of. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:4. And the next thing that most people don’t want to do is, tell somebody. Some people overcome their struggles passing this step, but they’re not the common, rather, the exceptional. Take God’s advice, ‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.’ I John 1:7. Brethrens are there to encourage you, give you the boost when you think you can’t do it anymore. And my dad always tells me this, ‘Non-believers never bother to tell people about their struggles because he knows that nobody can give him the answer to what he’s going through, he could only be grateful if it doesn’t turn into the gossip of the town! But to followers of Christ, there is prayer and love given by our brethrens that overcomes all difficulties and in that we could find solace.’ Last but not least, shake off the guilt! It won’t be of any help. If you have repented and determined to turn over a new leaf, God is happy. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, Isa. 1: 18 God won’t remember your sins once they are forgiven. Psalms 103:12- ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed your transgressions from you.’ God forgets, now its up to you.

Dear friends, to conclude is none better than Romans 6: 12-23, May God bless your heart as you make it vulnerable to His spirit:

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Treasures in jars of clay

 

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing

power is from God and not from us.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed.

We always carry around n our body te death of Jesus,

 so that the life of Jesus may be revealed in our mortal body.

For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake,

so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body.

So then, death is at work in us,

but LIFE is at work in you.

 Clay jars were used to hold belongings, even the very valuable ones up till today.

These jars aren't necessary the prettiest jars,

many times they are dirty and have cracks here and there.

Believers in Christ are like these clay jars,

though we may look ordinary outside,

yet in all of us we carry immeasurable treasures!

 The message of the gospel is precious and valuable like a treasure of jewels or light, 

but it is purposely contained in common and ordinary-looking human "vessels of clay."
In the next verse Paul moves on to show us that we are not 
just a common earthenware container,

but also a rather battered one as well.

"Hard pressed", "perplexed", "persecuted", "struck down"

sounds familiar to what you're going through?

Yet "But not crushed," "but not in despair," "but not abandoned," and "but not destroyed" 

all refer to the deliverance which God is able to bring to any "impossible" situation.

You remember the last time the sky seemed to be falling on your head,

OH no there's no way out,and POOM! Miraculously, 
Super Christ comes in and saves the day?

What about the other time when you were so down,

and He gave you a verse in the Bible to lean on and helped you push through?

 God purposely permits the clay pots to be battered so that He 

can exhibit His supernatural power in the situation. 

All the struggles and hassles of the battering a Christian goes through 

have the result of breaking open the clay jar so that the treasure within can be seen.

To "carry around in our body the dying of Jesus" 
and to be "given over to death for Jesus' sake" 

is to experience in some small way the battering which our Lord 

went through when He walked on this earth.

As the Christian undergoes these deadly attacks and the jar of clay is broken down, 

the Divine Life can be both seen and communicated more easily to others who need this treasure.

vs16-18 

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, 

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an 

eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 

For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

When we look only at the frail clay pot, despair is the natural result, 

but when we look at the glorious treasure we hold, we are inwardly renewed day by day. 

And those frailties and cracks in our clay pot? 

They are not to be despised, for they now serve a purpose! 

They allow the life of God, our cherished treasure, 

to seep out for all those around us to see.

God will permit the battering and breaking process to go on in your life. 

There may be changes in your way of living, but that is all part of Christian growth. 

Remember, there is treasure that can meet the needs of others in your jar of clay.

Credits:eDevotions for Growing Christians

About.com Christianity 

Beautiful grace

2 Corinthians 12:9

"My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made prefect in weakness."

Therefore i will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses

so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why, for Christ's sake,

I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, 

in persecutions,in difficulties.

For when I am weak, then I AM STRONG.

Paul, when he wrote this scripture, was being tormented by a

messenger of Satan. Three times he pleaded God to take the sufferings

away from Him, But He didn't.

Instead all He said was," Hey, my grace is sufficient for you"

You know many times, we think we have to be in prefect condition

to serve Christ: perfect health, perfect family, perfect character...

The fact is, we don't. 

In fact when we have weaknesses, pain and difficulties,

and we still pull through, our testimony of Christ would be even more powerful

because then it is not us, for we are weak

but Christ, for His power rests in us. 

Beautiful grace 

-word4thoughts from CL- 

PS: Everything happens for a purpose friend =) you can do it!

AsiaConf Afterthoughts

Asia Conference Afterthoughts

Hope you enjoyed the posts on all the fantastic speakers
 we met at the Asia Conference. 

If there’s one thing that I REALLY caught on to that week,

the one thing that I believe I will work on for the

rest of my life its PRAYER.

I mean God is so good!

 Dad, Mom, I know I’ve been telling you this like a million times,

but I’ve gotta jot this down to remind myself in the future,

Year 2010 is truly a year where God is molding me and

 bringing me to a higher level of relationship with him.

He’s increasing the intensity of our relationship!

At the beginning of this year, He was revealing to me the importance of treasuring His word, 
reading and meditating on His words…

And then half way through the year,

and then came Captivating ( blogged on my afterthoughts )...
I sensed that He wanted a more intimate relationship with me, 
I wanted it too but I just didn’t know how.. 
or maybe I just needed a little kick to start off.

And thanks to Asia Conference, I got it!

When I looked at Pastir Kong Hee, Pastor Reinhard Bonkke, 
Pastor Phil, Pastor Steve Munsey and most importantly, Pastor Yonggi Cho…

I was really inspired by them and I thought to myself

that I would love to be like them too! 

I want to be influencing people with my personal testimony.

But then I looked around myself and there were 22000 other people,

there could only be ONE Reinhard bonkke, ONE Kong Hee.

What does it take to be the ONE Carissa for Christ?

‘ Anybody can be an EXTRAODINARY PERSON therough PRAYER’

---Phil Pringle---

I guess that answered my heart’s cry perfectly.

My life was lacking the dynamics of prayer!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking to be famous,

standing on an international stage or whatever,

I’m talking about being the ONE in the heart of Christ,

being the ONE for my family, being the ONE for my community,

whether small or large, it doesn’t matter.
I want to bring Christ to people through my life that's all.
 

When I slowly took time to analyse this speakers,

I found out some keys that they all had:

1. They all prayed a GREAT DEAL

Ps. Cho Yonggi wakes up every morning at five and prays for HOURS 
everyday despite his so very BUSY schedule.

Ps. Reinhard seeked God for help even with a 50 dollar rent.

Ps. Phil stressed that  
prayer is about seeking God,

not seeking what He could do for you.

All in all, prayer was potrayed in every great men we saw.

Behind their success, laid unmeasurable amount of praryers!

2. They all had at least one encounter with God.

I shared about the encounter Ps, Reinhard had when God

wanted to give him a million dollars,

but instead he asked for a million souls, 

and that’s how he started off!

One day when Pastor Kong Hee was seeking God,

God asked him,’What is it that you want,Kong Hee?’

Many preachers would be tempted to ask for the largest church..

but he told God,’ I want the stringest church in Asia’.  

And now look at City Harvest!

Our very own Ps. Clarine, asked God for just 100 children

and she got exactly a hundred! that’s how Superkids started.

(source:Ps.Penny)

3. They all believed in positive declaration.

Steve Munsey – ‘Calling those things which are not as though they were’

Phil Pringle-‘The first purpose of language is CREATION’

Cho Yonggi-‘Draw and image of what you want on the wall

and start praising God!’

4. They were focused in one particular thing

Ps, John Avanzini focuses on financial blessings and he has been

preaching that all his life.

Pastor Kong Hee stressed on Cultural Mandate that has been one of the 
key elements that led City Harvest to great success.

Pastor Reinhard knew from his teen years that he was set for Africa!

Now that I’m already 17, I was asking Pastor Penny…

How do I know what are the goals for my life?

What I want for my future?

Because for now, I really don’t know what I want to do for a career,

what ministry I was cut out for…

And this is what she told me:

‘You’re still young, Don’t rush into making goals yet.

Now is the time to pray and to seek God for directions.

Think of your own natural giftings that God has given to you.

What is your uniqueness. Along this line God will show you.’

For seventeen years,  i think that was one of the wisest and most helpful 

words I have ever heard. I believe it came from God.

I will bring that along with me all the time and share with other youth

who are facing the same dilemma.

I love you God. Thank you Thank You Thank you

for your love towards me…

for choosing me to receive your solid word.

thank you for your favor upon my life, and the

most wonderful people like Papa, Mama, and Auntie Penny

who have been  my spiritual mentors.

Lord, I will seek your face DAILY.

I want to know you more, I long to.

And I want to know the purpose you have for my life.

Holy Spirit, I want to know how to please Jesus,

I want to learn how to bring him sheer joy!

Would you be my teacher, O sweet spirit?

I LOVE YOU! More than anything else.

Right now. Right at this moment,

My Life Belongs to You.

Ps. Kong Hee 2

Ps. Kong Hee

Acts 2:17

In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

God uses a lot ofyoung men in the Bible.

Jeremiah was sent out to speak at a young age.

In Mark 16:5, even the Angel was a young man.

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed

in a white robe sitting on the right side…

MTV reaches out to 1 Billion youths!

There are 5 things MTV knows about the youth that the church doesn’t:

1. Youths are open and flexible

2. Youths are moldable.

3. Youths love to dream.

4. Youths have the capacity of faith.

Difference of Mary and Zechariah -

Mary accepted the will of God when Gabriel told her about

the child she was to conceive.

Yet Zechariah was doubtful when the Angel of god

told him that his wife will bear a child.

5. Youths are the treasure.

They don’t just HAVE the treasures, they ARE the treasures.

5 Goals of a Christian Ministry

Worship

Relationship

Discipleship

Ministry

Evangelism

So often with jumbled the priorities and make it look something like this:

Worship

Relationship

Discipleship

Ministry

Evangelism

RELATIONSHIP IS THE KEY!!!

Things you need to do for your youths:

1. Be present for them

2. Be consistent

3. Be patient

Inciteful advice out of love is better than a thousand

scriptures you can quote.

4. Be accepting

The greatest motivation in life is not visions and dreams,but

L-O-V-E

John 13:34-35

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,

so you must love one another. By this all men will know

that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Ps. Reinhard Bonkke

Ps. Reinhard Bonkke

Reinhard is a German charismatic Christian evangelist.

According to his evangelistic organization,

his crusades have resulted in the conversions of over

10 million people to Christianity between 1995 and 2000,

55 million people filled out decision cards

'to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour' from 2000 to 2009.

‘ HELL EMPTY,HEAVEN FULL!!!!’

You will plunder hell and populate heaven for Calvary’s sake!

Ps. Reinhard knew since he was a little boy that

God had called him to minister to Africa.

However things did not go too well when he first started.

Once he didn’t had the money to pay his rent and he told God,

‘God I need USD50 to pay my rent!’

That was when he had a personal encounter with Christ---

He was walking on the streets and God surprised him,

‘Reinhard, I’m going to give you 1 Million Dollars’

Ps. Reinhard answered:

‘NO! I don’t want a million dollars,

I want a million SOULS!’

Faith is the currency in the Kingdom of God.

***

There are going to be more people in heaven than in hell!

---Reinhard---

How could this be? the bible said that the way to hell is broad,

but the way to heaven is narrow.

Yes the way to hell is broad, yet when Christ died on the cross,

His cross is planted right in the middle of the higway.

The Cross is the BIGGEST ROADBLOCK!

***

The less Holy Spirit we have, the more we need cake and coffee

to keep the church alive.

***

God is ALWAYS WITH US.

We don’t have to beg for Himto be with us.

Its awfully funny to beg someone to come when the person has never left!

Matthew 28:19-20

Surely I am with you always,

to the ends of the earth.

So even if we don’t feel God’s presence, we should be saying,

‘ Lord I appropriate Your presence here with me by faith.

thank you for being here with me.’

***

When the fire of God fell on the 120 in the upper room,

surely the flames on each person’s head would be different in size and shape.

Yet the tiniest flame on a person’s head equally

represents the FULLNESS of the glory of God!

*Dignity is not the fruit of the spirit, Joy is!

I shall not be rattled by what others want to say about me.

This is the way God made me! This is the way I speak!

this is the way I love Jesus!