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.