0170. Passion is the Fuel of Will

[Notes of Sermon] Completed Santification (5) Santification of will
Related scripture：Gen. 1:27, 2:16-17, Ps. 119:37, 71, James 4:8, Rev. 12:11

HOW:
1. Resist any person, any thing, any situation that God does not like every single time
2. Willing to suffer
3. Obedient at any given time
4. Fear the Lord more than fear people
5. Learn to proclaim the victory of the blood of Jesus

. Will must choose God first.

. Learn to be alone with God so it becomes the most desirable things to do in the life.

. The key of success is passion. Passion is the fuel of will. It will change a person, also will make impossible to possible. Therefore, close to the God of fire!

. The power of the blood of Christ is unthinkable by humans!

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0169. What Did I See?

[Notes of office fellowship, 20090611]
Scripture: Acts 17:15-18, 22-23
"And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. ... Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."

Paul saw the people need the Lord in Athena. What do we see in our company?
Do we see from God's eyes?
If Paul weren't ready to preach, he would not see the altar of the unknown God and stayed for two years. No matter how we came to this company, it was under God's control. We shall be ready to plant ourselves in this company, seeing what is opportunity for the Lord and what can we do here.

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0166. Talk to man more? or to God more?

And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. (1 King 10:2, KJV)

More talk to the Lord and less to man because it is a stupit, maybe dangerous, thing to tell others what is your heart. Talking too much to the people will have nothing to say to the Lord. Often the reason we are restless is that we avoid talking to the Lord. We take the risk and in worry, even into the deep hurt or hate.

What are the things we can tell the Lord?
1. Sadness, worry, distress, loniness, hovering between (maybe sing them)
2. Joy in my heart (through praise and thanksgiving)
3. Give my service to God
4. My plan and wishes

(ShiLin Zion Church, Class 18 of Old Testmony History, early 2009)

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0148. Kingdom of Heaven is ...

[Notes of Sermon] Parables of kingdom of heaven

Scripture：Matt. 13：31-33，44-46

. Kingdom of heaven starts from small
. Kingdom of heaven requires taking root in a long term
. The rule of growing faith
. Invisible influence

. Change the life that was dry and hard
. Prayer - is generator
. Wait on God
. Love

. The value of kingdom of heaven is hidden
. The value of kingdom of heaven is discoverable
. Kingdom of heaven is worthy at any price with joy
. Kingdom of heaven is the most beautiful

Rev 21：10-22：2
. Bright and pure
. Discriminable
. Rooted with fundation which will not be shaken
. Ordered
. diverse and abundant
. Glorious
. Satisfiable and healing

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0146. Winter Conference Notes

Time: Feb. 7-11, 2008
Location: Christ's College
Theme: Kingdom of Heaven

. Verse of 2008 is Heb 12:28 - Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
. Read God's word earnestly, remember and think through
. When does the God's kingdom start? Pentecost
. Must have fountain
. Sing more
. Our king is full of power and authority, as well as love, moreover a friend.
. Let heavenly glory in every morning
. God's kingdom is not matter of eating, drinking, and words but of righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit and power.
. God's kingdom brings healing
. God's kingdom is from least to many, from small to large, from point to all, narrow entrance (Mat 13:18-23, 31-32, 33, Lk 18:24-30）
. God's kingdom can not be observed by eyes but sits within our hearts
. Is God your king?
. What we obey is what rule over us
. Never think you are important
. Just near Him, sit beside Him
. Make Him happy as in love

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0140. Pray And Thanks

[Reflection of Sermon] Heavenly Melody in the Heart II - A Grateful Heart

01. 2 Cor 2:14
02. 1 Tim 1:12 -- Grateful for the strength
03. Col 1:12-14 -- Grateful for the salvation
      Holy Spirit s\comes to reveal Jesus in us
      and to reveal sins within us;
      So we know what required changes and what are two-sided wihtin us
04. Ro 6:17 -- Grateful for obidence
05. Ro 7:21-25 -- Grateful for the power to overcome sinful natures
06. Phil 4:11-13 -- Grateful and contented
      The richest person is the one who is always thankful in any situation.
07. Ps 50:14, 23 -- Thank offering is the most holy sacrifice which a saint can offer.
      God works easier and faster on those who have a thankful heart.
      Spirit of thanksgiving brings perfect (blameless)
08. Phil 4:4-7 -- Pray, Petition, and Thank
09. Phil 2:14-16 -- NO complains and argues
10. Heb 12:27-29 -- With reverence and awe,
      grateful for the unshakable kingdom within us
11. Mat 11:20-30 -- Praise

Pray = Admit the fact that we need to be changed
The most profound prayer is non-stopping obidence to God. In other words, take the Lord's yoke and learn from hi,.

My reflection:
. Patience with collegues
. Estabilish an attitude of giving thanks
. Thank you God for the
      Family
      Unshakable kingdom within me
      Job
      Choices to make
      Clothings

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0139. God takes over things that I let go

[Reflection of Sermon] The Holy Spirit who he is and what he does I
Scripture: Eph 5:18

** Who is he? **
Jn 14:16-21; 1 Jn 2:1
Counselor, the Spirit of truth
In Greek, it has the meaning of lawyer, helper, counselor, comforter.
Holy Spirit is a different form of Jesus.

Jesus was counselor to disiples while he was on earth (Lawyer and encouragement).
R. A. Torey: How shall Holy Spirit gain me and use me?

** My reflection **
What are the things which I shall let go and let God take over?
. Ambition
. Future
. Health
. Unsatisfied

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0137. What shall leave at alter?

[Reflection of Sermon] Heavenly Melody in the Heart I - Longing for God
Scripture: Gal 1:13-17; Phil 3:3-16

. He is an artist knife turning defects to merit.
. Is Chist my beloved/treaure in my heart?
. Anthing that take this place shall treat as rubbish and shall leave at alter -> Take me away from longing fro God

What shall leave at alter? Maybe emotion, maybe ambition.

** My reflection **
What shall I put on the alter?
. Emotion
. Heart
. Thoughts
. Enjoy good material things
. Control

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0114. New year resolution & other notes

(Notes during Bible Study 20070116)

. We should make new year resolution. Here is why: climb up whenever we can even though we often slide down. Don't just go down straight to the bottom. At least try to climb up every time we have a chance. And maybe one day we will reach the top.

. We can have a good habit by making it happen.

. Pay attention to what is my opinions about God; meaning thinking of God

. Pay attention to the inner voice

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0113. Winter Conference Notes

I was asked to share my harvest of this winter conference at the last meeting before leaving Vancouver. Here is the summary of that sharing.

1. Knowing God

   This is a reminder. Uncle Martin mentioned this on the afternoon of the second day. We may read the Bible often, worship God and sing praises and songs without knowing God. When we turn those activities into routines, none of Bible scripture we read and the songs we sang come into our hearts. This is also the reason that the behind will catch up.



2. Work on the problems in my life

   Sister Gerta told a story of a minister. He was a good minister except he had a ill temper. He never worked on his temper. His ill temper could get him hit his wife so his wife suffered a lot. After their kids grew up, his wife asked for a divorce. What a tragic.
   Past a few years, God has showed the problems in my life. I didn't pay attention to them. This minister is a good mirror to me. I have to start to work on the problems; otherwise I will regret when I grow old.



3. "I am fine."

   Ask Sister Gerta her preference of hot or cold water. Her answer was both are okay. Sometimes, we should learn not to have too much of our own opinion. It's hard for those who serve us when we are so picky on everything.



4. Verse of 2007

   The verse of this year is Psalm 32:8.
   
   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you and watch over you.
   
   Several times in the past year, Pastor Tsao mentioned something like donot-move-till-you-are-sure type of message whenever I thought about job change. I felt confused. This verse comes as a comfort to me, knowing God is fully in control, instructing my walking and watching over me.

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0109. Study Notes - 20061212

(This is notes jogged down during Bible Study at ShiLin Zion Church, Tuesday Dec 12th of 2006.)

• I shouldn't live like a begger when I am a son of God. God's characters and Power are on me and I can overcome my weakness!


• Only myself can make myself unhappy.


• Believe I have then I have. (Mark 11:24)


• Prayer is not for asking God to give. It is for us to understand that God wants to give us and we just need to stretch out our hands to take or receive.

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0069. The Helpless(2)

This is to clarify last post. Not long ago, one of the colleague gave me a book to read - Good Luck. The main message of this book is that we can not change fate but we are the one to create luck. It also includes some principles so that readers can apply to their lives. It takes some time to think through these principles in order to apply them into the current situations and life. We happened to study the helpless on the evening of the day I finished that book. I thought about these principles a little bit prior to the Bible study. During the Bible study I realized I don't need to spend time on these principles. The gentile is trying to make more money by using these principles. Jesus is all in all and it's enough to have him. Also, these principles may not help me to get closer to God. I don't need to spend time on these principles. Trust in the Lord because the Lord our God gets closer to the helpless!

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0068. The Helpless

Lately, we are studying Psalms in the Bible. They are many psalms are about the helpless. And these psalms usually end with prayers to God. How ironic that we forget God till we have difficulties! Also, these psalms mention another type of people - the wicked. Often, only a thin line between the helpless and the wicked. For example, the helpless becomes the wicked when others become miserable because he lets out his downside of emotion of being the helpless. I think I need to be reminded often that I am the helpless; otherwise, I am way too easy to forget God.

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