4/25/09 John 15

In John 15, Jesus brings up many important things to the diciples.  It seems like Jesus knows that he is going to get crucified and Jesus wants to tell diciples the very important last concepts.  Jesus speaks to the diciples about vine and branches.  Meaning that if we trust in Jesus and follow his walk, we will be arriving where Jesus is because Jesus will guide us thought the journey of our lives.  Also, he strongly pointed out that we must love each other.  Lastly, Jesus talked about the hardship they are going to face from the people because they are rejecting Jesus.

I felt like Jesus was trying to cram alot of concepts that his diciples should be aware of in this chapter.  I felt like Jesus knew that he doesn't have much time, therefore, he wanted to tell everything to the diciples.

4/24/09 John 14

As I was reading through today's scripture, one of passage spoke out to me.  That passage was John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'Iam the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  As I was reading through this passage, I wondered one specific thing.  I talked to one Catholic about how they were different then us "Christians"  One of the main difference was Jesus.  That person wasn't too sure what she was saying either, however, she told me that there are other ways to get to the heaven without going through Jesus.  She said Jesus wasn't the absolute way to go to heaven.  When I read about this passage, I wondered how Catholic viewed this passage.  I know that we have same bible, only that Catholic has one more book than us.  Therefore, I assume this specific scripture is in their bible too.  I was deeply wondering how would they portray this passage because it seems very straight forward from my point of perspective.

4/22/09 John 13

Many famous events happens throughout the John 13.  This is chapter where Jesus washes the diciples feet, tells diciples what Judah was going to do to him, portraying about his death, and Jesus told Peter that he will deny Jesus 3 times before roaster crows.  Everything that happened in this chapter, Jesus was preparing for his death at the cross.  Jesus was trying to show the true meaning of why Jesus is here and to prepare the diciples for the future when Jesus went back to heaven.  However, it seems like none of the diciples understood what Jesus was trying to do.  Their minds were focused on is going on infront of their eyes.  

4/17/09 John 10

In John 10, Jesus talks about the comparison about the shephard and sheeps.  Jesus referred himself as shephard and people as sheeps.  Jesus said that only the good shephard could lead sheeps to be safe and under provision.  When Jesus was talking about this comparison, Jesus meant that he is the good shephard who can give salvation to these people.  These people  did not believe what Jesus was saying, instead they tried to stone Jesus and catch him.  As I was reading through John 10, I found a very interesting verse.  

John 10:17 - The reason my father loves me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again

After Jesus talks about the comparison about shephard and sheeps, he mentions this specific verse.  I am pretty sure that at that time, people did not understand what he meant that he lay down his own life to take it up again.  Jesus was portraying his death at the cross and his resurrection that were to come.  I found this very interesting because Jesus actually literally says that he is going to give his own life for us.  However, yet probably no one in the crowd understood him.

4/16/09 John 9

Throughout the book of John, Pharasees tries to find any faults Jesus does to prosecute him.  In John 9, one of accusation Pharasees bring up is shown.  However, it can't be really seen as fault because this accusation was from legit.  Pharasees accused Jesus because he healed blind man's eyes on Sabbath day.  To almost everyone, it is clear that what Jesus did was the righteous and correct thing.  Even the blinded man said that I can't imagine who this would be if he isn't from God.  Pharasees took the literal meaning of the Moses' Law and applied in their own ways to favor their situation.  

4/15/09 John 8

As I was reading John chapter 8, Pharasees prepared a trap so Jesus would fall into it.  They brought a woman who was caught in adultery, and asked Jesus how to take care of this woman.  When they said trap, I simplely thought they would be just accusing Jesus' thoughts but this wasn't true.  This specific trap was directly connected into the life of Jesus.  Reason was that if Jesus answered that they are suppose to stone this woman, Jesus could have been in trouble with Romans because Romans did not allow Jews to carry out a death penalty on their own.  Also, if Jesus answered that they are not suppose to stone this woman, then Jesus could have been accused because he was going against Moses' laws.  However, Jesus said to people that whoever doesn't have any sin, stone this woman.  No one was able to accuse Jesus because his answer was completely different to what they expected.

4/14/09 John 7

Throughout the John 7, many people are trying to deny Jesus Christ as Savior by asking Jesus difficult questions.  However, Jesus answers every very fluently,  just looking at the question, it is kind of hard to come up with the answer.  However, by reading about Jesus' ansewrs, we can clearly tell that he knew these questions and answers well beforehand because his answers everything fluently and everything corresponse with future upcoming.  One of interesting answers I found was that people argued that when Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.  However, they were saying that they knew where Jesus came from because they knew he was raised as carpenter's son.  When Jesus was asked this question, Jesus answers that Jesus was from God and because you people didn't know about God, they don't know where he is from.  After reading this passage, I kind of understood that why virgin Mary beared Jesus.  It was because Jesus was from God.  

4/13/09 John 6

It was very interesting for me to read this passage because it was right after the Easter sunday service where we thought about Jesus' flesh and blood by eating bread and drinking grape.  Within the scripture, Jesus says that he is the bread from the heaven.  Also Jesus said that if you eat this bread, meaning himself, then they will receive eteral life.  When people heard Jesus, they were deeply confused because they were wondering how could they eat Jesus' flesh and how would that give them eternal life.  

Looking at the reaction from people, I could clearly tell that these people did not understood the big picture Jesus was showing them.  Also, there is another example that these people did not understand Jesus.  Beginning of the chapter, Jesus performs miracle by feeding 5,000 people with very few amount of food.  When people realized he was able to such miracles, they thought Jesus was going to be their King who will save them from Romans.  This portion of scripture also portrays that people did not understand Jesus at all.  Jesus came down to defeat the sin and save them from the eternal death, however, these people couldn't understand what Jesus was doing.

When I read the bible, I could tell that these people had such a narrow mind and did not understand what Jesus was doing.  However, I thought about how much we understand Jesus in our Christian walk.  I feel like we are just as same as the people long time ago.  We might understand little more than them, but still I feel like there are many things that we do not understand.  

4/11/09 John 5

In John chapter 5, Jesus performs the miracle of healing the man to be able to walk.  The important thing is that Jesus performed this specific miracle on Sabbath day.  When I was taking History of Roman empire, Jesus was shown up as one of topic in our class.  For our essay, we were asked to define the reasons that Jews hated Jesus and they tried to kill Jesus.  As I was researching in that class, first reason they brought up to kill Jesus was the fact that Jesus performed miracles on Sabbath day.  Traditionally, Jews weren't suppose to work on Sabbath day because God has told us to rest on Sabbath day.  Therefore, these people persecuted Jesus because he performed miracles on Sabbath day.  Later on Jesus asks Pharasees that is it better to not heal the people and let them die or is it better to save their lives on Sabbath day.   Which clearly explains that which was more important.  As I was reading this passage, I was just amazed at the fact that actually persecuted Jesus with this specific concept.  It is perfectly clear that they wanted to get anything out of Jesus inorder for them to kill Jesus.  

4/9/09 John 4

John Chapter 4 is the chapter where Samaritan woman comes out.  Around the noon time, Jesus comes by the well and sees Samaritan woman and he asks water from her.  This is extremely crucial because back then, Jews did not treat non-Jew as a human being.  The amazing thing is that Jesus tells this Samaritan woman that she is capable of receiving the water, spring water that will give us the ethernal life.  As I was reading this passage, I felt deeply thankful.  Personally, I am not Jew, and in the beginning, God chose Jews as chosen people.  However, because God has given us mercy, we (non-Jews) were able to receive salvation also.  

4/8/09 John 3

John chapter 3 is very popular chapter within the bible.  The most famous verse John 3:16 is within this chapter.  When we look at John chapter 3, we only think of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have ethernal life"  Which is very powerful verse that we should spend alot of time studying.  However, as I was reading through the passages, I found another verse that grabbed my attention.  Passage is John 3:19-20

"19. This is verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

Couple months ago, someone asked me don't you think it's problem that Christians tend to hang out with Christians and have hard time hanging out with non-Christians?  After reading this verses, I remembered that specific question.  I believe Christians tend to have trouble hanging out with non-Christians because Christian strive to walk in the light.  However, when Christians are with non-Christians, it is very difficult to walk in the light.  Also, non-Christians tend to not like what Christians do as Christians.  Therefore, it is problem that Christians tend to have difficulty hanging out non-Christians, however, it is perfect obvious cause and effect.  So it'll be our best interest to try to pull people who love darkness to the light.

4/7/09 John 2

In John 2, scripture talks about how Jesus performed his first miracle.  This miracle was to turn the water into wine.  When you look at the verses 7 - 8 says "7. Jesus said to the servants, 'fill the jars with water', so they filled them to the brim 8. Then he told them, 'now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet' they did so,"  Scripture says that servants simply did what Jesus told them to do.  However, if you think about it, this isn't something that can be easily done.  First of all, the water was very rare at this time, therefore, first Jesus is telling them to waste significant amount of water.  Secondly, Jesus asked servants to draw the water and give it to the master of the banquet.  These servants know that they are in need of wine and they could not possibly understand the reasoning and it should have sounded non-sense to the servants.  However, these servants did not refuse Jesus' word and followed even it did not make any sense.  I'm not sure if these servants had faith in Jesus word but they did what Jesus told them to do.  I think this is something we lack in our lives.  Jesus is someone who we cannot understand in our terms, therefore, when Jesus tells us to do something, we should believe and do as what he tells us to do.  However, we tend to try to understand and comprehend in our own minds, and simple tend to refuse to believe in Jesus if we can't understand him in our own comprehention.  

4/5/09 John 1

In John 1, scripture talks about the light from the God.  Mentioning that God was there from the beginning and there was life in God.  Then the life was the light of the men.  Also, scripture says that light shines through the darkness and darkness does not understand the light.  When scripture talks about the light of the men, scripture is talking about the son of God who gives the true light.  One of interesting I read about is that darkness does not understand the light.  I am assuming that the darkness is the satan.  When I hear about what satan does, it seems like satan tends to know everything that is going around us.  Also, satan knows everything about us and satan uses those knowledges to hinder us.  However, scripture says that even the satan that we think who has significant power, couldn't even understand the light (Jesus).  When it says does not understand, satan did not understand what Jesus was doing at all.  Meaning satan's power is not even comparable to our God and Jesus Christ because satan can't even see what Jesus was doing.  Therefore, when we decide to follow the light, we should have faith that the light we are following has far greater power than the darkness.  Also, when we are walking in the light, satan can't do anything because light shines through darkness which keeps us away from the satan.

3/12/09 1 Thessalonians 2

Throughout the scripture, Paul basically indicates that because we received the Gospel, we are going to have a hard time.   For example, because we received the Goodnews, it is our job to evangelize to others.  While trying to evangelize to others, we will face hardships and it won't be easy to overcome.  However, Paul encourages us that through God's power, it is more than enough for us to overcome the hardships we will face.  Paul tells us that we are the hope, joy, and the crown.  He also says that we are glory and joy because we are in God.  Therefore, we should urge each others to spread the goodnews and amazing words to the people who hasn't had a chance to receive.

3/11/09 1 Thessalonians 1

Book Thessalonians is another letter Paul wrote to the churches.  1 Thessalonians 1 starts off very similar to other letters Paul sent (Ephesians, Colosians, and etc.).  Very similar to other letters, Paul emphasizes on two things in his introduction.  First, Paul emphasizes on the sense of thanksfulness we should be having toward God.  Another point he emphasizes is about Jesus Christ.  Paul says that we need to build up our faith by accepting Jesus Christ as our savior.  

3/9/09 1 John 5

When I was reading through this scripture, I coudln't understand one thing.  In 1 John 5 says that Jesus came not only by water, but my blood also.  Then couple verses later, scripture says that there are three that testify Jesus Christ.  Then it says these three are Spirit, water, and blood.  I couldn't understand what passage meant by water.  It seems like Spirit means the Holy Spirit and blood means the blood of Jesus Christ.  However, I did not understand what water meant.  I understand that water was very precious and rare to acquire in this age.  However, at that point I couldn't figure what the bible meant exactly.  As I researched about the scripture more, I realized what I knew about water and blood wasn't correct.  The water symbolized the baptism of Jesus Christ received.  Also, the blood meant the death of Jesus Christ.  Meaning that these two are witnesses since Jesus' ministery started when he was baptized and ended at the cross.  

3/8/09 1 John 4

This particular portion of the scripture talks about one specific concept.  1 John 4 focuses about concept on love.  Scripture talks about many many things about love.  For example, if we don't have love, we are not in God because God is love.  Also, it talks about God's love to us and different kinds of love that we need to possess toward God and others.  After reading this chapter, I was amazed because I read so much things about love.  I counted the number of word "love" used in this scripture and it turned out scripture used 26 times in one chapter.  When people repeat certain word or a concept, they repeat it because it is very important concept.  Within one chapter, word love repeated 26 times.  I feel like bible encourages us to know about love because it is very very important.  I believe we should really study what love is in God's point of view.

3/7/09 1 John 3

As I was reading the 1 John 3, one concept caught my attention.  This concept was about our sinful behavior and our faith/walk with God.  I believe most people, at least Christians, think that we shouldn't sin.  However, ALOT of people believe that because we are human, some aspects of sin are okay.  As I was reading today's scripture, I found that this concept is very wrong.  In 1 John 3 clearly says that if you walk with God, you shouldn't be sinning.

(verse 6) "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.  No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him" 

(verse 9) "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning because he has been born of God.

I believe who do not have enough faith on God's power.  Through God, everything that seems impossible is possible.  We just tend to limit God's strength in our own eyes.

3/6/09 1 James 2

1 James chapter 2 also talks about many things.  Within the scripture, couple of the passage talks about the light and the darkness again.  Passage tells us that words alone won't do anything.  If we consider us as in light but if the things we do are in the darkness, then we are lying and it isn't the truth.  One of the example passage brought out is the loving other brothers.  Even if we say we are with God, if there is no love or there is hatred, then we are really not walking in light with God.  I believe passage repeats about the lights and darkness from previous chaptor because this is very important.  Many of us tend to believe we are good enough as where we are, however, that is rarely the case.  

3/5/09 James 1

In James 1, passage talks about couple things.  Out of these couple things, one of point it focus is the fellowship.  When we think of fellowship, we often think about relationship between people at church.  Passage describes that there are two kinds of fellowships.  One is the relationship between the people/believers and the other one is the relationship between us and the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ.  Then passage talks about when these fellowship properly occurs.  Before talking about when these fellowship properly occurs, passage emphasizes the fact that God is light and there is no darkness in him.  Since God is light and he is in the light, we are not having a fellowship with God if we are not walking in light.  Also, when we are walking in light, we will be able to have proper fellowship between each other.  Therefore, when we strive to walk in God's light, we will achieve fellowship with God and each other.

3/3/09 Acts 23 - 28

These remaining chapters of Acts talks about rest of Paul's journey.  Roman commander finds nothing wrong with Paul after hearing from him, however, the Jews were going crazy to kill Paul.  Therefore, commander sends Paul to the governor.  Then governor, unable to find any wrongful acts from Paul, sends Paul to the King Herold Agrippa.  When the King talks to Paul, he wanted to free Paul but he couldn't because Paul was appealed by Caesar.  While heading to Caesar, due to many instances such as shipwreck, Paul was unable to go to Caesar.

As I was reading the story of Paul, I realized one thing from Paul's actions.  Everywhere Paul went, there was a very high chance that he would get killed.  However, even though Paul went through so many people (crowd, officer, commander, governor, King, and Caesar), everyone refused to kill Paul.  I believe we need to have more faith in God when we live our lives.  If we truely believe that we are doing anything for God's glory, we shouldn't be afraid or scared because God will guide us through any kinds of obstacles.

3/2/09 Acts 22

Paul started to talk to the crowd in Aramaic and the crowd became quiet to hear Paul.  Paul basically talks about how he was back then and how he met Jesus Christ.  Then he talked about what Jesus wanted him to do as a diciple.  After hearing from Paul, crowd strongly disagreed against Paul and kill him right away.  When the officer (centurion) heard that Paul had Roman Citizenship, he greatly feared Paul.  So he decided to send Paul to his commander.  When commander clearly heard that Paul was born as Roman citizen, commander decides to hear why Paul deserve these from the crowd.

3/1/09 Acts 21

This passages talks about the hardship Paul is facing.  Knowing that Paul is going to get caught by the Jews in Jerusalem, he still headed to Jerusalem to preach the words of the God.  When Paul arrived and started to talk about Jesus Christ, Jews soon realized that Paul was in Jerusalem.  Therefore, Jews stirred up the crowd and siezed Paul.  The crowd of peope were about to kill Paul, but crowd stopped when they saw the Roman officers and soldiers came down.  Roman commanders came because they heard the riot was occuring.  These Roman commanders arrested Paul and he asked who he was and what he did to deserve all this.  However, commander was unable to get a clear hearing because everyone was talking differently.  Therefore, he decides to take Paul to the barrack.  As Paul was going to the barrack, Paul asks commander to let him speak to the people.  Then Paul started to talk in Aramaic.

Story continues...

2/19/09 16 continued

Since we talked about Paul's and Silias' Roman Citizenship yesterday, I thought it would be helpful if I share couple things I learned about Roman Citizenship.  When Rome was growing and extending alliances within the Italy, they offered Roman Citizenships to the people and provinces who wanted to make alliances with Rome.  However, as Roman Empire extended to Spain and Greek area, Rome started to take over the provinces.  In Roman empire the hierachy of the ranks were 

Roman Citizenship -> Latin Citizenship -> plebabians (Regular normal) ->Freed man(freed from slave status) -> slaves

This Roman Citizenship was very critical in this era because of many reasons.  Main reason was that you had to have Roman Citizenship if you wanted to have power in Roman Empire.  Achieving power at Rome can be viewed as entering into the senates or one of the offices.  However, one of the requirement for running for offices or senate was to have Roma Citizenship.  Also, if you wanted to do anything at Rome, it was critical to have Roman Citizenship.  This was important because Rome was the city where you can get your fortune.  Lastly, Roman Citizenship was very difficult to achieve in this era.  Normal people was unable to get Roman Citizenship at all.  There was a chance for Latin Citizens to achieve Roman Citizens.  However, the requirement they had to complete is very difficult.  For example, they had move and live in Rome for specific amount of years at Rome, leaving their homes.  Also, they could only receive Roman Citizenship in specific event which was held every five years.

This just shows how critical Roman Citizenship was in this era.

2/18/09 Acts 16

In Acts 16, passage tells us the story of Paul and Silas being captured by Roman magisteratesand tortured and prisoned.  When they were prisoned, Angel came down to the prison and opened the prison doors for Peter and Silas.  So the guards were trying to kill themselves assuming the prisoners ran away.  However, Paul and Silas didn't run away instead they stayed and told the guards to believe in Jesus Christ.  After that night, Roman magisterates heard about this and they ordered Paul and Silias to be released.  End of the Acts 16, Paul says that Roman magisterates should come to them and escort them out because they tortured and prisoned Roman Citizens without any trials.

When I heard Paul and Silias claiming that they are Roman Citizens, was very surprised.  Before I learned about specific rights Roman Citizens had in my class, I assumed that Roman Citizenship wasn't that important.  However, I learned that Roman Citizenship is very very hard to achieve.  Especially when Roman built an empire and extended many provinces.  First of all, Roman Citizenship shows that they have great power and wealth.  Second, being Romans Citizen in this kind of rural area shows even greater wealth and power.

2/17/09 Acts 15

In Acts 15, there was an issue about uncircumsized Gentiles being believers.  Therefore, many gathered and opened a debate about this issue.  Many of the Jews argued that Gentiles have to be circumsized and follow the laws of Moses to be believer.  Peter started to speak and told them Jesus gave no distinction to them and why are we trying to distinct others from believing in Christ?

After reading this passage made me think of judging.  I seemed like Jews were judging Gentiles because Gentiles didn't meet their certain requirement/expectation.  I believe we judge others in our own requirements and expectations.  Scripture clears state that who are we to judge others.  I think we should be careful when we judge others.

2/16/09 Acts 14

Acts 14 talks about many works of Paul and Barnabas.  Among these works they did, one event caught my attention.  When Paul and Barnabas was staying in the Lycaonian cities, Lystra and Derbe, they thought Paul and Barnabas were Gods due to their miracles performed.  They referred Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes.  When Paul and Barnabas heard about this, they tore their clothes and shouted to crowd that they are wrong.  It is by God's grace that they were able to do such things.  

When I read this passage, I really admire the actions Paul and Barnabas took.  Instead of glorifying their works, they tried glorify God's name.  I believe we are very gifted in certain ways, and when we are succesful in our gifted ways, we tend to believe that we accomplished that gifts on our own.  However, these gifts we received are from God.  I see that Paul and Barnabas received trenmendous amount of gifts from God and it was very easy for them to claim it as their own.  However, they claimed as it isn't theirs'.  

2/12/09 Acts 13

This portion of scripture talks about the preaching Paul and Barnaba did to the people.  Through these preachings, conflicts ocurred betweens the Jews because they weren't very happy to see people following Paul and Barnaba.  Paul and Barnaba talked about couple things including story about Jesus.  As I was reading through the scripture, I realized one thing.  Ever since this portion of the book, Saul was always referred as Saul.  However, in middle of the Acts 13, Saul's name changed into Paul.  I wonder why his referring name changed into Paul from this point.  I'm pretty sure that they are meaning toward it but I just wonder what is the meaning.

2/11/09 Acts 11 - 12

Acts 11 talks about how word Christian brought up in the churches of Antioch.

Acts 12 talks about how Peter got prisoned.  When King Herold Aggrippa killed off couple of diciples, he realized that Jews liked it.  Therefore, he decided to persecute Peter and he went the army to capture Peter.  So soldiers capture Peter and put him into the prison.  Day before the persecution, angel comes to frees Peter.  Then Peter and the diciples spread to preach the word of God.  Angel took away King Herold's life because he didn't praise God's name.   

As I was reading through the scripture, I realized that I recognized couple things.  I recognized the geographic location of city called Antioch and I realized why there was such thing as King when Israel was under the Romans.  I recognized these things because I'm currently learning about Roman history.  I am currently learning about how Romans expanded their power and what kinds of control they enforced in conquered provinces.  Knowing these facts allowed me to understand the bible a little better.  I think it is important for us to try to study for the background knowledge for this era.

2/10/09 Acts 10

In Acts 10, Peter confronts  a vision from the Lord.  Peter saw four footed reptiles and the birds of the air come down from the heaven.  Then Lord told Peter to catch those animals and eat them.  In Peter's eyes, these animals were unclean.  Therefore, Peter answered Lord I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.  When Peter said that, God told Peter not to call anything impure that God has made clean.  Later on Peter realize that this vision was trying to show him that God does not show favoritism and accept everyone.

When I read about Peter's vision, I realized that it is very important to look what is inside then looking at the outside.  Even though those reptiles looked unclean, they were such a beatiful creation from God.  I believe we tend to look at things in our perspectives, however, it is very important to be able to look from God's perspectives on everything.

2/9/09 Acts 9

This passage talks about story about Saul.  Acts 9 specifically talks about how Saul came to accept Jesus Christ.  Saul used to be the one who persecuted Christians.  Saul traveled city to city to catch and kill the Lord's diciples.  However, Jesus Christ showed up infront of him and he blinded Saul.  Then Jesus asked Anaias to find Saul and heal his blindness.  So Ananias found Saul and healed his blindness.  After this incident, Saul realized that Jesus Christ is real and he started to tell everyone that Jesus is the Son of God.

Reading this passage make me realize the greatness of our God.  Our God is so powerful that there is nothing he can change.  Saul was the one of people who were against Jesus Christ the most, and our God changed him into one of his diciples.  This shows how poweful Jesus Christ is.  He can change our worst enemy into our good allie.  

2/8/09 Acts 8

This passage talks about what happened after the death of Stephen.  After Stephen died, great persecution started at the churches of Jerusalem.  Many believers scatter around and they started to preach.  Throughout the the passage, Acts 8 talks about who did what kind of works or micracles in different areas.  Among all these works and micracles, one specific event caught my attention.  Peter and John were dispatched to the Samaria.  When they arrived at the Samaria, they realized that people were baptized, however, they had yet to received the Holy Spirit.  When Peter and John placed their hands on them, people started to received the Holy Spirit.  One of the people who saw Spirit coming down.  He offered money to Peter and John and asked them to give Holy Spirit to him.  Peter answered him by saying "may your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money".

When I read about this specific passage, it makes me wonder if we are the same way.  We tend to believe we can receive Holy Spirit/being a good Christian by paying some kind of price.  This kind of price can be many things.  Things such as serving often, coming to the morning prayer, prayer meeting, giving a lot of offering, and etc.  It seems like we don't realize we can't receive the Holy Spirit by doing things.  I believe we can only obtain Holy Spirit through building up a personal relationship with God.  Doing good works are very good to our lives, however, it shouldn't be the measurement of our spiritual lives.

2/7/09 Acts 7

In Acts 7, Stephen's story continues.  Stephen is brought infront of the elders and the teachers of the law and shares about multiple of stories.  Stephen starts out from story of Abraham and talk about his life.  Then links the story to the life of Joseph, then Moses, and lastly Joshua.  By telling them these stories of Jews' ancestor, Stephen was portraying that how people weren't able to understand the God's message and the Holy Spirit.  Stephen shouted out that you are resisting Holy Spirit.  When the crowd and teacher heard Stephen's testimony, they got agry and stoned Stephen.  Due to the stoning, Stephen's life was over.

When I was reading the life of Stephen, it reminded me what Pastor Thomas was saying at the retreat.  Pastor Thomas was explaining that if you are to be diciples of Christ, you must lay down everything you have even if it means death.  Reading about Stephen made me think of what Pastor Thomas said.  Stephen was not afraid to risk his life to stand up as a diciple.  I believe all of us should desire to have that much passion as Christians.

2/5/09 Acts 6

This passage talks about the life of diciple called Stephen.  Jesus' Twelve diciples chose seven diciples who were to carry out God's work.  Among those seven, there was Stephen.  Acts 6 talks about the beginning portion of Stephen's story.  It is said that Stephen received great power and wisdom from holy spirit.  People weren't able to win against Stephen because of his great wisdom.  Those who were against Stephen, bought people to carry out false testimonies.  False testimonies to accuse Stephen.  Due to these false testimonies, teachers and elders of the law were very upset.  Therefore, they brought Stephen to the court.

First portion of the story ends here, to be continued...

2/3/09 Acts 5

Reading the Acts 5, I found couple very interesting verses.  These verses take portion in beginning parts of Acts 5.  When Ananias and his wife came up to Peter and John, they were planning to put down the money (for the land) to Peter and John.  However, both Ananias and his wife hid portion of the money and only put down other portion of the money to Peter and John.  Here's the interesting verses

5. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died ...

10. At the moment she fell down at his feet and died ...

What is interesting is that both Ananias and his wife died at an instant.  I believe this shows the depth of God's wrath on us.  God can be very mercyful to us and God has been very mercyful because he sent Jesus Christ as our savior.  However, sometimes God's wrath (little things to death) can come down on us quickly.  I believe we should be more thanksful that we havn't received God's wrath for the little mistakes we did.  

2/2/09 Acts 4

As I was reading through the Acts 4, one event caught my attention.  Since Peter and John were performing miracles and preaching about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the priests and temple guards weren't very happy.  Therefore, these people captured Peter and John and started to ask question.  I think these priests were expecting Peter and John to be scared and deny Jesus Christ because they denied Christ when Jesus was getting crucified.  However, Peter and John spoke strongly about Jesus Christ.  They weren't scared and they did not deny Christ.  High priests couldn't do anything to Peter and John because  their influence was already too big to handle.

1/28/09 Acts 3

In Acts 3, John and Peter were going to the temple and they ran into a crippled person.  Acts 3 tells us how Peter cured this crippled person.  When this crippled person was coming up to Peter and John, he was only wanting little money.  This crippled person wasn't expecting acything except something that was very little.  However, Peter told the crippled person "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  and this crippled person was able to walk.  

When I read about this passage, it makes me think about myself.  I feel like this crippled person is me.  When I was reaching out to Church, I wasn't expecting my faith to grow or believe in God.  I just followed my parents and my friends without any expectation of salvation.  However, Jesus granted me a chance to know about him and gave myself salvation even though I wasn't expecting at all.  

1/27/09 Acts 2

Within the Acts 2, Peter mostly spoke out loud to the people.  Peter talked about what God has told us and who Jesus Christ was.  Within Acts 2, I found out that people used one of Peter's saying into a worship song.  This verse is the 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.  When Peter was speaking out loud to the people, his message had deep meaning just like the previous verse.  As I was reading what Peter spoke out to the people, I wondered one thing.  Is this really the Peter I read about when he was with Jesus?  Peter started as a stupid fisherman and he is the one who denied Jesus Christ three times!!  It was very shocking that Peter was able to speak out to people this well.  This is very good news for us.  Through Jesus, even such stupid fishermen like Peter was able to change into great Christian.  This shows that it is possible for any of us to change into great Christians.

1/25/09 Acts 1

I have always wondered how Jesus went back to the heaven after Jesus' resurrection.  When I read Gospels such as John, Matthew, Luke, or Mark; they don't really tell you what happened to Jesus after his resurrection.  However, in Acts 1, there are passages about Jesus ascending to the heaven.  It was very interesting to see that Jesus directly ascended to heaven through the skies.  Acts 1 also says that Jesus will come decend as same way as he ascended.  It makes me wonder that how Jesus will come back to our land when time comes.

1/24/09 Romans 16

As I was reading through Romans 16, one verse came out to be very interesting. 17 - I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.  Keep away from them.  Paul is basically saying that no matter how strong your faith is, you are very likely to fall if you contact with concepts that are contrary to the word of God.  Paul isn't referring to only certain portion of the people, therefore Paul is portraying that it is possible for everyone to fall.  After reading this passage, I realized that how easily we are distracted by all of the things around us.  We tend to believe we are strong enough to withstand all the temptation.  However, as believers we often see people drifting away because they couldn't withstand the temptations.  How can we believe that we are strong enough to withstand the temptation when bible told us to be careful because we are very likely to fall?  I believe we should be very careful about the distractions around us.

1/21/09 Romans 15

Throughout the Romans chapter 15, Paul talks about the what kinds of things we should do to glorify God's name.  Paul mentions things such as accepting each other, helping the weak, building our neighbors, and etc.  One kind of thing caught my attention as Paul talks about many things that we should do to glorify God's name.  One thing stuck out me was in verse 6 - so with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

I think this verse talks to me the most because I am currently trying to achieve it.  In our worship team, we always focus about being united and praising God with one heart and one voice.  Also, our worship team has been practicing for the joint worship with Little Spark and we just prayed for this unity last sunday.  So when I was reading about one heart and one mouth to glory our God, I believe God was talking about achieving unity with other bodies of Christ.

1/20/09 Roman 14

Romans 14 talks about judging others.  Within the scripture, Paul tells us to stop passing judgement on one another.    Paul strongly says that we shouldn't judge each others because God is only one who can judge others.  Also, why would you judge others when you know that they will be judged my God later on.  Rather judging other people, we should carefully watch ourselves so that we won't stumble others.  Within the scripture, Paul emphasizes in one more thing.  Paul emphasizes that we should be very careful on how/what we act toward others.  Paul mentions that what you consider good might not be good to others. 

1/14/08 Romans 13

In Romans 13, Paul talks about the love.  Paul emphasizes and focuses on love very much.  Paul even says the commands, such as do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet, sums down to love.  Through these scriptures and comparision, we can see that Paul tried so hard to show us the importance of love.  Then Paul explains one kind of love, love your neighbor as yourself.  

Love your neighbor as yourself, this sentence might look plain and simple, but it really isn't.  In the scripture, neighbor means people around ourselves.  There are a lot of people whose around us, and there are some people who we don't get along with.  Being able to treat/love those whoem we hate isn't very simple.  We can be loving on our surface, but being truely forgiving and loving to those people, it's not that simple.  I believe we should realize the depth of word love.  We should know how hard for us to fulfill love to another and strive to achieve love.