Oh how I can relate!

The preacher/teacher mentioned how there are people who have the tendency to condemn themselves when they say the wrong things. Maybe they said something one night and their heart begins to condemn themselves through the night and into the next day over what was said. Oh how I can relate! I know how that feels when my heart often condemns itself and forgets to believe in God. I begin to beat myself up and continue being distraught over my self-condemning heart – my high school youth pastor’s song entitled “Self-Inflicted Agony” is fitting.

There is therefore now  no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

HOWEVER!!!! In Christ, God does not condemn us. NO, NOT EVER! He is an everlasting God with an everlasting love for those that love Him and are found to be in Christ Jesus. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). God’s love towards us doesn’t quiver and wane by our condemning hearts. BECAUSE GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR HEART (v.19).

HOW DOES GOD FEEL? 

I was thinking, what if I didn’t believe what someone told me was true. “My father just passed away”, and I didn’t believe them, how do you think that person would feel? They may feel upset, angry, uncared for, ignored, misunderstood. “What the heck?!? My dad just passed away and you don’t believe me?!? You’re not my friend anymore!” (have you ever said that as a little kid? haha) I was thinking that when I came to realize how that person felt because of my unbelief, it would make me feel pretty bad too because I realize how my unbelief affected them. The thing is, we DO often believe what our friends tell us to be true. We are understanding, supporting and loving. However, when it comes to God, He has made it known, opened my eyes and ears to hear that there is NO CONDEMNATION IN CHRIST! Yes, no condemnation. Yet when my heart continues to condemn itself over whatever is going on internally and externally, “I’m unlovable, unforgivable, messed up, not worth anything, always getting it wrong and therefore there is no hope for me,” beating myself up…then,

HOW DOES GOD FEEL? 

the nature of God cannot be manipulated by my unbelief

Does he say, “What the heck?!? I gave you my Son Christ Jesus and you don’t believe me?!?” NO. And not with that kind of tone either. I have to remember that God gave His Son because He so loved this world. The evidence of God’s love is in the giving His son, Jesus Christ. He will confront our unbelief don’t get me wrong, but the point I am making here is that the essence, the nature of God cannot be manipulated by my unbelief. Why? Because God is greater than our heart. God is not like man in that He is lacking anything. God is an immovable rock, the same yesterday, today and forever, everlasting, constant, and unrelenting. God is reminding me that His love for me supersedes self-condemnation, revealed through the once-and-done yet standing-for-eternity-cross-of-Calvary. Jesus Christ took that condemnation crucified upon that cross in my place that I might have no condemnation in Jesus.

¹⁹By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; ²⁰for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. ²¹Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; ²²and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. ²³And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. ²⁴ Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. || 1 John 3:19-24 ||

Just a short thought, but it hit me. I learned last semester that “Irene” comes from the Greek word εἰρήνη (ai-ruh-nay), which means “peace”.

Irene has been on the headlines for sometime now and for good reason. One of the biggest floods for the first time ever in the past 40 years in some places here in the States.

I realized that “Hurricane Irene”, is an oxymoron!

This Hurricane has clearly made an impact, a reverberating alarm among hearts in the nation, ripping through power lines and wrecking streets, and calling for evacuation in some places there on the east. Just a short thought, but it hit me. I learned last semester that “Irene” comes from the Greek word εἰρήνη (ai-ruh-nay), which means “peace”. I realized that “Hurricane Irene”, is an oxymoron! There ain’t no hurricane that’s gonna bring peace, but terror and destruction only. However, we can pray that God would bring another Hurricane Irene, a Hurricane of True Peace, Good News, Hope, Physical and Spiritual Relief…Consolation to many souls in the light of Jesus Christ to macro physical areas of destruction and to micro spiritual desolate individuals. That the church would continue to rise and shine in response to the Katrina’s, the Haiti’s, Japan’s, Chile’s, Irene’s and so forth. That the church would be a post Hurricane Irene, bringing the Gospel of Peace wherever they go.

For the Christian, we are not be surprised at the increase of natural disasters, for the Bible already has told us of such things to come in the end days, but it still does make us, I hope, a little bit more mindful of the reality that the end of all things is near, so that we can pray as Peter says.

1 Peter 4:7 “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

Oh may the Holy Spirit of the Living God whirl swiftly into our midst and bestow peace upon our souls and the souls of others, especially as we kneel and pray, asking and interceding.

richung: haha…not EVERYDAY…haha not that hardcore

Jenny: well still pretty cool that you even do dawn patrol. matt and i do midnight patrol when i’m in SD… pretty gnar.

richung: dude! thats so nigh! lol

Jenny: ya the best part is there is no one out and the bioluminescence from the phytoplankton make you feel like a radioactive superhero haha 

 richhung: LOL!

Recounting Today’s Surf Session

We were the first ones to run through the sand and paddle into the water. About 10 past 6AM.

Huntington Beach was throwing some clean barrels this morning but with unusually large waves. “Unusually large” because we hadn’t been out in such large surf in months. We just weren’t used to it.

Though the waves were large, they were still clean and rideable; however, the drops were fearfully steep and fast to pull into. The kind of waves that make you wide-eyed and sends a chill through your chest.

Wave after wave passed by, and we still didn’t catch anything between the two of us.

Around 630AM, we saw 2-3 guys paddle out and in a sequence that spanned 2 minutes, we saw them each pull into a few large waves, getting fully barreled and coming out standing. You could only imagine what those guys were feeling, adrenaline pumping and ‘stoke’ meter fully raised.

While seeing these guys, it opened my eyes to the possibility of catching these big and steep waves. It was empowering.

I looked at my watch and it was already 635AM. I needed to get out at 7AM in order to get cleaned up and ready for work, so I only had about 25 minutes left to catch some waves.

I mustered up strength, and started telling myself, “You got this Rich, come on, let’s get this, go get it.” So I started paddling around with the intention of taking off on an incoming wave regardless. The next wave came and I got it. Steep and fast, yes. Barrel, no. It was okay, I was just happy to have ended the cycle of being waveless. I paddled back out to the break ear to ear and ready to find another wave.

The current was strong and quickly moved us underneath the pier onto the northside. I took the next wave into shore to conclude my Wednesday morning (8-17-11) surf sesh.

Personal wave count for the morning: 3. = |

Personal barrel count for the morning: 0. = (

Tomorrow is another day, and we’ll try again. = )

Spiritual Lesson

There were a few lessons learned today, but here’s one reflection.

“Even if you wipe out in these large, steep and fast waves, you can swim back to the surface, hop back on your board and try again, but this time, being more determined to successfully ride the wave.” That would have been the ideal mentality to carry this morning, but this mentality didn’t cross my mind once.

Today I totally psyched myself out by thinking about how BIG, how STEEP, how FAST, how POWERFUl each wave was, that it paralyzed my confidence. It had to take something to get me out of that state of paralysis. What that was today for me was “regaining vision”. Once I saw those guys take off on those waves unscathed (which was only for a brief moment) I began to believe in the possibility of catching these waves myself. This was the initial form of deliverance from my paralysis – seeing those guys go tubular!

Same thing with our spiritual life. Sometimes it takes regaining vision of the spiritual reality there is in Jesus Christ through short glimpses we see in others. Maybe it’s seeing someone truly living in light of the forgiveness they have in Christ, truly walking by faith in Christ, living with joy in Christ, serving because of the love of Christ, that it ignites a spark within you to move beyond paralysis to possibility. From cold to passionate, from dark to light and from death to life. That in and through Jesus Christ, nothing is impossible for Him.

Jesus has made a way for sinful men and women to be reconciled to God through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead 3 days later, something only God Himself could do. That is why we can place our confidence in Jesus and find our identity in Him, for the Bible says that those who receive and believe in Jesus become children of God (The Gospel According to John Chapter 1). I’m so thankful that God has given us the church to catch glimpses of His reflection and regain vision of the spiritual reality in Christ through one another. May the Lord bless us with an accurate, fresh and deep vision of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection Questions

How has your way of thinking “psyched” yourself out spiritually? And what made you start thinking that way in the first place? Can you identify the spiritual waves that are psyching you out?

Has there been anyone recently and in particular that gets you excited about Jesus? If not, you might be surprised to catch a glimpse of God’s reflection this week in someone you know or even a stranger. Don’t forget to give God thanks for His grace in providing you direct and even indirect encouragement from others, especially those who belong to the family of believers!

“Oh no, I brought it. Hmm, but you can buy one downstairs.” He replied.

I just smiled and waved my hand down like, “Eh, whatever, it’s all good.” And went on to do my snatches. Since I forgot a towel, I just used the bottom of my shirt to wipe my face because the floor was getting my sweat all over it. But after the third set, that same guy I asked about the towel, came towards me and gave me a brand new towel that he just bought downstairs for me. Right before he turned around to walk away, I asked him what his name was. He said, “Tony”. My immediate response was to express my gratitude, so I replied with the simple cliché,

“God bless!”

I don’t know if Tony is a Christian. Maybe he is. From his generosity, I wouldn’t be surprised. I’m thinking what it would have been like if I engaged in conversation with him about the Lord, but everything happened so fast. He just gave me the towel, gave me his name and left.

It’s so crazy. Like a total stranger would go out of his way, after his workout and walk downstairs to take out his wallet, buy a towel for me, walk back upstairs and just give it to me and walk away. No strings attached. Crazy! For me, having a towel is so not important, it just would have been nice to have one at the moment, and I thought that if the fitness center provided them, I would just use the fitness center’s towels. If I was Tony, I totally wouldn’t buy a towel for me. I wouldn’t even think twice about getting me a towel if I were in Tony’s shoes.

I don’t think many of us ever experience this. It’s usually us middle class folk who give to organizations like Gospel for Asia, World Vision, Compassion, to the beggar on the street, or to those we know and love – also the middle class. On the flip side we also receive a lot from those who know us and love  us. But we often don’t receive from strangers. Usually strangers who want to give us something are motivated by an ulterior motive. Not this guy. He just gave me the towel and bounced. Poof! Gone.

It’s just a good reminder that if a stranger would go out of his way to get something for me that’s only needed temporarily, how much more will God give to me eternally? I know I didn’t deserve that towel. And I didn’t even ask for it. But I got it. It was in my hands and I used it to wipe away my sweat, and it’s now hanging around my neck as I type this reflection over this microscopic event. And I can’t help but think about God in all of this. The whole time, I couldn’t help but think about how the Lord gives to us. Personally, God gave his son Jesus Christ to me, a stranger. A stranger to his love and rebellious to his ways. That I might know love and know God’s way. In Jesus Christ, there is eternal life. That free, brand new towel that I used to wipe away the sweat of my face, is a reminder that God gave freely unto me, the  pure and perfect Jesus Christ, who wipes away all my blots and exchanges my blemishes for pure. I’m a stranger, but Jesus was willing to demonstrate his love by allowing his sinless soul and flesh to hang upon a Roman cross at Calvary and die for my sin. What love is this? I’m a stranger. God gave his son when I did not ask. It was already in his heart. Jesus was committed and determined to give away his life for mine. He thought about me in an eternal way. Tony gave unto me a stranger. He has no idea how God used that to remind me of God’s love.

There’s a time and place for us to ask.

There’s a time and place for us to listen and receive.

It’s kind of hard to listen and receive when words are still coming out of my mouth. I think this was the time for me to listen and receive.

But there is a time to ask. Jesus says, “your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8) Again, Jesus says on the mountain top, “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9-11)

Let’s keep seeking the Lord Jesus and asking, but let’s not fail to listen and receive when God is speaking and giving because it just might happen when you least suspect it. God loves you….and God bless!

Now in specific reference to this prayer guide. It has helped me to memorize each of the Scripture references to each of the 6 sections below – and to meditate on the verse that corresponds to each section upon entering that area of prayer. There will come a point when you really don’t have to “use” this prayer guide, but you will simply value the various areas of prayer deep within your heart along with the Scriptures foundations. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer – Romans 12:12.

Luke 18:1 ‘The Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’

(each section (6) 5 minutes each = 1/2 hour with God)

PRAISE – Recognize God’s Nature. Psalm 63:3-4 – Because yoursteadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Select a specific theme for praise, such as God’s righteousness, His Word, or His creative acts. With your selected theme, declare vocally all that God is.

WAITING – Silent Soul Surrender. Psalm 46:10 – Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

After your moments of praise, bring your mind and spirit into a time of complete silence. Think no thought but thoughts of God the Father, His Son Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. If words are to be voiced, let them be quiet whisperings like, “I love you Lord.”

CONFESSION – Temple Cleansing Time. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Following your time of silent waiting, immediately ask God to search your heart for any unconfessed sin. Mentally examine your recent activities. Confess to the Lord any specific sins you may be guilty of, either against God or your fellow-man.

INTERCESSION – Remember the Word. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Plan a special prayer for God’s work in your family, friends, church, America, and countries around the world. Your KEY prayer will be to reach out to the lost people who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Ask God to cause a person, or group of people, to feel a deep desire to know God and trust Him.

PETITION – Share Personal Needs. Matthew 7:7 – Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Begin your petition by asking the Holy Spirit to help you claim only those desires that will bring special honor to the Lord. Make a list of specific needs you have for that day and offer each need to God. Frequently examine your motives for each need. Be certain they are pure in the sight of God.

THANKSGIVING – Confess My Blessings. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Begin by thinking about all that God has given you in recent days. Thank God for at least one particular blessing you have not thanked Him for previously. Example: Your job, health, car, clothes, etc… Frequently thank God “in advance” for blessings you expect Him to give you in the future. Look back at the devotional half-hour and praise God for hearing each of your requests. Let your spirit “rejoice” for a few moments at the close of prayer. Repeat the universal word for praise, Hallelujah…God is trustworthy!

Why Should I Pray?

Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

This is a momentous knowledge. There is unspeakable comfort – the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates – in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that his love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench his determination to bless me.

There is, certainly, great cause for humility in the thought that he sees all the twisted things about me that my fellow humans do not see (and am I glad!), and that he sees more corruption in me than that which I see in myself (which, in all conscience, is enough). There is, however, equally great incentive to worship and love God in the thought that, for some unfathomable reason, he wants me as his friend, and desires to be my friend, and has given his Son to die for me in order to realize this purpose. We cannot work these thoughts out here, but merely to mention them is enough to show how much it means to know not merely that we know God, but that he knows us.

This is exactly what I’ve been reminded of lately, “knowing and being known”…for the believer, isn’t it incredibly astounding to recognize the Presence (of God) living inside you, guiding, directing and teaching you? To trust in the Unseen and Eternal is a constant battle and struggle to do seamlessly inside this flesh,  yet once faith is exercised, what peace & quietness meets the now sensing soul. I’ve been completely undone re-realizing this & having a hard time piecing everything together – which is, a rather futile effort considering a day will come when my flesh will completely fail and be one with the dust, yet my soul will be one with God – sensing in full array the glory of the altogether God, Jesus Christ….4/28/10…

(Introduction ix)

I read this after coming back from Taiwan, summer 2009 with my church. It’s a post to remind myself of those “passed by” and “unreached” in Taiwan… < 0.500% of the working class of Taiwan are reached with the gospel. Pray pray pray…