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...