Romans 1:20
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
In this passage, Paul is talking about how creation itself gives people no excuse not to believe in God. This implies that God reveals Himself through creation which would be consistent with one of David's psalms.
Psalm 19:1
"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
...as does Numbers14:21b
"all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD."
And today, I experienced this. Let's rewind the day a little bit. 4:00 PM, I was packing my bag at my dorm dreading a long night of anatomy and physiology. A typical anatomy study night ends up in frustration and stress as the exams are extremely difficult and there is no way to feel comfortable going into the exam without every word in the chapters from the first word all the way to the last word. Now let's fast forward to 10:30 PM. I was walking back to the dorm with a smile on my face. The reason behind the smile wasn't a text from my girlfriend nor was it a result of my complete nerd-ism. The reason behind the smile was this: I saw and experienced the glory and majesty of our Lord through studying His creation.
In anatomy, we are learning about the heart. The heart is an essential part to life. Simply put, if your heart stops beating, you're done. It isn't something that we consciously think about or control. For most people, knowing that the heart beats is enough. For my anatomy professor, we need to know the fine details of all the processes. So as I was sitting there in the library studying the human heart, I was left in awe at the sheer complexity behind it all. Not only so, but for something so complex, it works so efficiently. From the alternation of contraction between the atria and the ventricles to regulatory hormones that respond to changes in blood pressure, everything just works. If one simple there were to go wrong, it would spell out quite a bit of trouble.
Living in the belief of an intelligent designer, I must say that I am blown away. To think, the heart is just one organ in the body. There are many other organ system, just as complex if not more, equally precise, equally perfect, equally beautiful. At the end of my studying, I sometimes lift up a prayer to God thanking Him for the ability to study and the ability to learn. Tonight was different. Tonight, I thanked God for revealing Himself to me through creation.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Because all You are is all that I want.
Real blog post coming soon but I stumbled upon this song last night. It's pretty old but it's a wonderful song.
Edit: In spite of my desire to keep my blogs honest throughout my ups and downs, there are some things that are better if left unblogged. I'm not going to update the rest of this post in fear of typing something that I will later regret.
Edit: In spite of my desire to keep my blogs honest throughout my ups and downs, there are some things that are better if left unblogged. I'm not going to update the rest of this post in fear of typing something that I will later regret.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Your Love Never Fails
Thought of the day: I need to stop leaning on people and relying on them. People fail but God does not.
1 Kings 1
This is a period of transition. David is too old to take care of himself and it is time to appoint a new king. Logically, David's remaining son Adonijah should assume the throne. However, this isn't that David had in mind nor is it what God wanted. Adonijah self-appointed himself without his father's knowing and did the whole ceremony of sacrificing animals. David and the Lord had other things in mind, however. David's other son, Solomon of whom he had with Bathsheba, was the one he desired to appoint to the throne.
I got a few things from reading this. First, I'll focus on Adonijah. I find it quite humorous (and sad) that he thought he could actually get away with his little front of being the self-proclaimed king. He hid it from his father and everyone else important. Again, I feel like this echoes what I learned over break: just keep it real. We can front as much as we want and we will fool some people. God sees through all of lies and into our hearts. Lying to others means nothing because we ought to be living for God's approval. Come just as you are before the Lord. He knows your heart anyway.
The second thing that stuck out was more of a reminder. God's plan often defies common sense. What seems logical in worldly standards can be foolish in God's eyes. This is something that I need to focus on as my status as a Purdue student may potentially come to a close at the end of the Spring 2010 semester. Logically, Purdue has the best program out of all of the pharmacy schools that I applied to. That does not necessarily mean that God wants me here even if I do get accepted. I need to seek God's will in all of this because I know that lately, I've just speak from my heart and my desires when I talk to people about my plans for the future.
This is a period of transition. David is too old to take care of himself and it is time to appoint a new king. Logically, David's remaining son Adonijah should assume the throne. However, this isn't that David had in mind nor is it what God wanted. Adonijah self-appointed himself without his father's knowing and did the whole ceremony of sacrificing animals. David and the Lord had other things in mind, however. David's other son, Solomon of whom he had with Bathsheba, was the one he desired to appoint to the throne.
I got a few things from reading this. First, I'll focus on Adonijah. I find it quite humorous (and sad) that he thought he could actually get away with his little front of being the self-proclaimed king. He hid it from his father and everyone else important. Again, I feel like this echoes what I learned over break: just keep it real. We can front as much as we want and we will fool some people. God sees through all of lies and into our hearts. Lying to others means nothing because we ought to be living for God's approval. Come just as you are before the Lord. He knows your heart anyway.
The second thing that stuck out was more of a reminder. God's plan often defies common sense. What seems logical in worldly standards can be foolish in God's eyes. This is something that I need to focus on as my status as a Purdue student may potentially come to a close at the end of the Spring 2010 semester. Logically, Purdue has the best program out of all of the pharmacy schools that I applied to. That does not necessarily mean that God wants me here even if I do get accepted. I need to seek God's will in all of this because I know that lately, I've just speak from my heart and my desires when I talk to people about my plans for the future.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
2 Samuel 24
Interesting passage here and I cannot say that I fully understand it. In the beginning of the chapter, David took a census of his men. From what I understand, it isn't the type of census that we have today but rather the equivalent of what we call the draft in today's time. It makes no sense to draft in a time of peace but David ignored this fact that took a draft anyway. I'm not sure if I fully buy this but my study bible said that this was a sin, not the draft itself but David's mindset. The sole purpose of this draft was to marvel at his own accomplishments and find security in the size of his army.
God gave David the option to choose from one of three punishments as a result of his actions: disease, famine, and war. Instead of choosing, David declared "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great". I found this very interesting. David had the opportunity to choose his fate in this case but left it in the hands of God. Instead of turning to his own heart, he turned to God. This is the appropriate response when we sin: to turn to God but to also live in the full knowledge of his mercy.
At the end of the chapter, David built an altar. When it came time to acquire the altar, David offered to pay but the seller offered it for free, oxen included. Free stuff is sweet, right? This was David's response:
"No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
I find this quite compelling and convicting. So often we think that we honor the Lord in our comfort zones. I'm not saying that this is impossible. Here's a question to think about: What do we delight in more, serving the Lord or our comfort? Sometimes serving the Lord requires to us to give up what we value and what we find comfort in. God was previously angry at David for finding security in riches, wealth, and power. I believe that this signifies where David's heart is at. He once found value in wealth but realizes that it is nothing compared to honoring God.
On another note, David could have easily taken the land and oxen for free, built his offer, and sacrificed it to the Lord. Without the cost involved, this sacrifice would mean nothing. Here's what I am not implying: suffer for the Lord for the mere sake of suffering. Here's what I am saying: serve the Lord always, but when the Lord is convicting you to act, don't just go through the motions and do the bare minimum. God looks at the heart.
Interesting passage here and I cannot say that I fully understand it. In the beginning of the chapter, David took a census of his men. From what I understand, it isn't the type of census that we have today but rather the equivalent of what we call the draft in today's time. It makes no sense to draft in a time of peace but David ignored this fact that took a draft anyway. I'm not sure if I fully buy this but my study bible said that this was a sin, not the draft itself but David's mindset. The sole purpose of this draft was to marvel at his own accomplishments and find security in the size of his army.
God gave David the option to choose from one of three punishments as a result of his actions: disease, famine, and war. Instead of choosing, David declared "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great". I found this very interesting. David had the opportunity to choose his fate in this case but left it in the hands of God. Instead of turning to his own heart, he turned to God. This is the appropriate response when we sin: to turn to God but to also live in the full knowledge of his mercy.
At the end of the chapter, David built an altar. When it came time to acquire the altar, David offered to pay but the seller offered it for free, oxen included. Free stuff is sweet, right? This was David's response:
"No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
I find this quite compelling and convicting. So often we think that we honor the Lord in our comfort zones. I'm not saying that this is impossible. Here's a question to think about: What do we delight in more, serving the Lord or our comfort? Sometimes serving the Lord requires to us to give up what we value and what we find comfort in. God was previously angry at David for finding security in riches, wealth, and power. I believe that this signifies where David's heart is at. He once found value in wealth but realizes that it is nothing compared to honoring God.
On another note, David could have easily taken the land and oxen for free, built his offer, and sacrificed it to the Lord. Without the cost involved, this sacrifice would mean nothing. Here's what I am not implying: suffer for the Lord for the mere sake of suffering. Here's what I am saying: serve the Lord always, but when the Lord is convicting you to act, don't just go through the motions and do the bare minimum. God looks at the heart.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Give Me Jesus
Here is an honest confession: I did not spend time with God in His word today. I'm not going to fake it and pretend like I did by posting up some passage that I've already studied just to make myself look good. God sees through my motives. If anything hit me over winter break, it's the call to just keep it real and come before God just as I am.
In my unfaithfulness, God still spoke to my heart today. It was a reminder. I know the quote is from Oswald Chambers but I cannot find it at the moment. It goes something like this:
So often, we seek peace, strength, wisdom, patience, and the like from God and we wonder why it never comes. Instead of seeking such things, we ought to be seeking God Himself. All those things will come soon after.
To emphasize that, here's a quote from C.S. Lewis
"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
So many times, I pray for God to give me strength through a tough day or to give me peace in times of stress. Here's the problem with that. It is the peace and strength that I desire, not God. Even in my prayers and faulty motives, our loving and faithful God still answers me. I still need to change though. With that said, here's my prayer: Give me Jesus.
In my unfaithfulness, God still spoke to my heart today. It was a reminder. I know the quote is from Oswald Chambers but I cannot find it at the moment. It goes something like this:
So often, we seek peace, strength, wisdom, patience, and the like from God and we wonder why it never comes. Instead of seeking such things, we ought to be seeking God Himself. All those things will come soon after.
To emphasize that, here's a quote from C.S. Lewis
"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
So many times, I pray for God to give me strength through a tough day or to give me peace in times of stress. Here's the problem with that. It is the peace and strength that I desire, not God. Even in my prayers and faulty motives, our loving and faithful God still answers me. I still need to change though. With that said, here's my prayer: Give me Jesus.
Monday, January 25, 2010
2 Samuel 21
Sometimes I have a hard time seeing purpose and application behind what is in the Bible. It might be because I don't completely understand the context and customs of how things worked back when many of these books were written. With that said, I am struggling to find a way to apply 2Sam21 in my life. Here's what I got from it.
Israel was in the middle of three years of famine. As the king, David sought the face of the Lord. By this, he did not take the famine into his own hands and try to correct everything himself but humbly came before the Lord and sought His answer. I think it was a way of David's way of acknowledging that even with some grand scheme to provide food for his people, nothing could come to fruition without God.
The Lord responded by stating that the famine was a result of Saul and his actions. I found this a bit strange. Saul died years before this and yet Israel still faced the consequences of his actions. As it says, this was the account of "Saul and his bloodstained house. it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." This shows a side of the Lord that we often overlook. Yes, God loves us. As loving as God is, He is also equally just. In His grace, He may withhold eternal condemnation from His people but there are still consequences for sin.
As in old testament times, God required a sacrifice for sin. The Gibeonites executed seven of Saul's male descendants. This is what I find confusing. I understand that Saul sinned against God and a sacrifice was needed. However, the men that were slain were grandchildren of Saul. They played no role in their grandfather's actions and yet they were the ones that bore the earthly consequences. If anything, reading this makes me even more thankful for the death of our Savior upon the cross. We don't need to go out and sacrifice an animal in repentance for our sins. The only thing that God requires from us is to humbly come before Him and accept His grace.
Israel was in the middle of three years of famine. As the king, David sought the face of the Lord. By this, he did not take the famine into his own hands and try to correct everything himself but humbly came before the Lord and sought His answer. I think it was a way of David's way of acknowledging that even with some grand scheme to provide food for his people, nothing could come to fruition without God.
The Lord responded by stating that the famine was a result of Saul and his actions. I found this a bit strange. Saul died years before this and yet Israel still faced the consequences of his actions. As it says, this was the account of "Saul and his bloodstained house. it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." This shows a side of the Lord that we often overlook. Yes, God loves us. As loving as God is, He is also equally just. In His grace, He may withhold eternal condemnation from His people but there are still consequences for sin.
As in old testament times, God required a sacrifice for sin. The Gibeonites executed seven of Saul's male descendants. This is what I find confusing. I understand that Saul sinned against God and a sacrifice was needed. However, the men that were slain were grandchildren of Saul. They played no role in their grandfather's actions and yet they were the ones that bore the earthly consequences. If anything, reading this makes me even more thankful for the death of our Savior upon the cross. We don't need to go out and sacrifice an animal in repentance for our sins. The only thing that God requires from us is to humbly come before Him and accept His grace.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
I'm back..
After a long hiatus, I am finally back on the blog. With that said, I do it with a bit of hesitation.
I realized over winter break that I am too legalistic when it comes to the blog. If I don't do it, I feel like an incompetent Christian, subjective to many judgmental eyes. When I do it, I feel like a pharisee, pointing the finger at those who don't. I remember last semester, I would look at the sheet at the end of the week and think to myself "Man, I'm so awesome for doing all my blogs this week. Other people haven't done theirs this week so I guess that means..." For this, I am truly sorry. To the other leaders: I am sorry for judging you guys and thinking more highly of myself than I ought.
To God: I'm sorry for making this blog about things that it shouldn't be about. I'm sorry for making my time with you into a public display, used to justify myself as 'superior' to others.
Legalism in the church gets us nowhere. If anything, it creates false tiers of members. It creates an aura of self-righteousness and justification before God. This is something that I need to be wary of as I blog this semester. We are all sinners caught in the unfair mercy and grace of our loving Creator.
I see the good in doing the blogs however. It is a good form of accountability and it somehow gets me to dig deep into God's word each and everyday. As humbled as I am by God's revelations this past break, I need to continue to remain humble before God. I am nothing but my God is capable of anything. My heart needs to come before Him each day and realize that this is for His glory and His glory alone. It's by grace that I am here and by grace that I will continue to live.
I realized over winter break that I am too legalistic when it comes to the blog. If I don't do it, I feel like an incompetent Christian, subjective to many judgmental eyes. When I do it, I feel like a pharisee, pointing the finger at those who don't. I remember last semester, I would look at the sheet at the end of the week and think to myself "Man, I'm so awesome for doing all my blogs this week. Other people haven't done theirs this week so I guess that means..." For this, I am truly sorry. To the other leaders: I am sorry for judging you guys and thinking more highly of myself than I ought.
To God: I'm sorry for making this blog about things that it shouldn't be about. I'm sorry for making my time with you into a public display, used to justify myself as 'superior' to others.
Legalism in the church gets us nowhere. If anything, it creates false tiers of members. It creates an aura of self-righteousness and justification before God. This is something that I need to be wary of as I blog this semester. We are all sinners caught in the unfair mercy and grace of our loving Creator.
I see the good in doing the blogs however. It is a good form of accountability and it somehow gets me to dig deep into God's word each and everyday. As humbled as I am by God's revelations this past break, I need to continue to remain humble before God. I am nothing but my God is capable of anything. My heart needs to come before Him each day and realize that this is for His glory and His glory alone. It's by grace that I am here and by grace that I will continue to live.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Psalm 62
Psalm 62
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.
Selah
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah
9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.
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