"Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?..." -a question by Paul to those who already believed on Jesus in Ephesus (Acts 19:2)

~truth only works for the hungry~

When a person is baptized in the Spirit, he receives the Spirit of Christ in his life on a permanent basis (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 3:16,17). He becomes a part of God’s spiritual family, and God’s Spirit begins to guide him. The Bible describes this in several ways: (1) By the Spirit we are born into the kingdom of God (John 3:5); (2) the Spirit adopts us into the family of God (Romans 8:15,16; Galatians 4:5,6); (3) the Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13); (4) the Spirit sanctifies us (I Corinthians 6:11; I Peter 1:2); (5) the Spirit is the seal of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13); and (6) the Spirit is the earnest (pledge, guarantee, first installment) of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). In short, receiving the Spirit is part of our salvation. Of course, as Chapter 4 discussed, we should not sharply separate the baptism of the Spirit from water baptism since they join together to complete the new birth and bring all the benefits of salvation.

In addition to being part of salvation, the baptism of the Spirit brings power (II Timothy 1:7), which includes: (1) power to witness and be a living testimony that Christ saves from sin (Acts 1:8); (2) power to overcome sin, live righteously, and mortify the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:4,13); and (3) resurrection power when Christ comes for His church (Romans 8:11).

The Spirit bring rest and refreshing (Isaiah 28:11,12; Acts 3:19), and gives a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). The Spirit becomes a teacher, a guide into all truth, and an illuminator of the Word of God (John 14:26; 16:13). He also becomes our intercessor and way of access to God (Romans 8:26,27; Ephesians 2:18). Finally, the Spirit works in our lives to give the ninefold fruit of the Spirit; namely love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentlness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22,23; Romans 5:5;14:17)

All these works of the Spirit reinforce the doctrine that receiving the Spirit is essential to salvation. Without all the above workings of the Spirit, we cannot successfully live a victorious Christian life that is pleasing to God. Anyone who tries to be saved without receiving God’s Spirit is attempting to be saved by his own efforts and is doomed to failure.

-David Bernard, The New Birth

Do not settle for less that all God has for you, my friend. Empty thyself of thyself. Yearn for that which brings power, life, peace, joy, victory, salvation, renewal, refreshing, anointing....the Holy Spirit. If you long for this, it is not unwise to ask yourself the same question Paul asked to believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2). I want to be like them - not trapped in my own thoughts or belief systems or even of those around me, but to be open to the move of God founded upon His Word. God can only fill an empty vessel...not one full of itself. Even though they believed, yet there was more to their relationship with Christ then they had experienced...(Acts 19:1-6). They could have held onto their traditions and belief system when confronted with further revelation, or they could have done exactly what they did: believed to the point of obedient action in receiving the Holy Spirit and being baptized in the name of Jesus. (Acts 19:5,6)

There was a man who believed his daddy had an inheritance for him that would allow him to buy a house when he is older. However, his belief never turned into obedient action to go and get the statement, the title, the check at the bank that would give evidence of his belief. One day, he shows up empty handed to buy the house and simply declares to the landlord on the front porch, "I believe with my whole heart that I can buy this house. I've believed it every day of my life. That belief has given me peace, joy, satisfaction...wow! Ok, where are the keys?" Is it any wonder why the landlord laughed and walked away?

Matthew 7:21-27

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.
-Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear friends, we must love each other because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born from God and knows God. The person who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love. God has shown us his love by sending his only Son into the world so that we could have life through him. This is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the payment for our sins. Dear friends, if this is the way God loved us, we must also love each other. No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
-John (1Jn 4:7-12)

His river for your desert

Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don't you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.
(Isaiah 43:18-19)

God bless the person who invented sms

A walkway back in my hometown of Ridgefield, CT.

The following is an sms from a member in my church here in Singapore on a recent night full of doubt, fear, heaviness, oppression, weariness, and confusion...something they could have never, ever known. Herein do I glory in the providence, the love, the understanding, the power, the victory, and the concern of my Jesus. His Words do more than any mere man's ever could...

"Don't lose heart, I'll lead u back 2 dr road of life, yr feets were created 2 walk on my words throughout yr life, u will find my truth inside of u that gives u wisdom n direction 2 begin a walk 2 discover dr real joy of life a journey togather with Me in truth clinging with My word that is supernatural mixed with faith that need 2 b used on a regular basis n My words are set as a cornerstone that creates boundary 2 establish life in abundance forever."

"How Far Will You Trust Me?" -God

The right hand of the LORD is held high. The right hand of the LORD displays strength. I will not die, but I will live and tell what the LORD has done. The LORD disciplined me severely, but he did not allow me to be killed.
(Psalms 118:16-18 GW)
During times of trouble I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me and set me free from all of them.
(Psalms 118:5 GW)
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
(Job 5:17-19 KJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 KJV) 

I've been stupid like an animal before...

 
When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt, I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you. Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor. What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth? My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign LORD and to proclaim all that he has done!
(Psalms 73:21-28 GNB)

Need Help in Prayer Time?

1. Praise - Psalm 22:3; 63:3; Hebrews 13:15
2. Forgiveness - Matthew 6:14-15
3. Confession - Psalm 66:18; 139:23-24
4. Petition - Matthew 6:9-13; James 4:2-3
5. Intercession - Matthew 9:37-38; 1 Timothy 2:1-2
6. Bible Reading - 2 Timothy 3:16
7.Meditation - Psalm 1:1-2; 77:12
8. Thanksgiving - Philippians 4:6
9. Praying the Word - Personally apply, out loud, the precepts of the Bible.
10. Singing - Psalm 100:2; Ephesians 5:19
11. LISTENING - 1 Kings 19:11-12
12. Praise - Matthew 6:13

Rare does an album repeat this many times in my mp3 player, but...

Click here to play!

...The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford soundtrack is one such album.

Those who know me well know that I have more movie soundtrack albums than any other genre. I used to hold up an old tape deck next to my mom's 1980 TV set when I was a kid to record like 10 seconds of a musical part from a film. Didn't care about what movie it was...but if something caught my ear I recorded it. In fact, I still have my first cassette (remember those anybody?) back in my home in CT.

This movie in itself is a masterpiece...more a film and character study than anything else. The two main characters powerfully portray America's most notorious criminal and the man who worshiped, hated, and killed him. However, it was the music that did it for me. And when that happens, the medium through which I heard the music becomes immaterial. Such is the case here.

It's been a long time since I've heard music that caused me to imagine...to dream..to long...to believe...to think about my God in a way I've not in a long time.

Music with words and our contemporary styles have their place indeed. But I wonder about David out on the hills thinking of God. He had no mp3 player, no top 10, nothing but the music in his heart. What music did he hear when pondering the awesomeness of the Lord?

What kind of music do I hear when meditating on the goodness, long suffering, mercy, fear, and love of God? Click the photo above for a sample...this is what I hear.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made. One day tells a story to the next. One night shares knowledge with the next without talking, without words, without their voices being heard. Yet, their sound has gone out into the entire world....(Psalms 19:1-4)

Love Beyond

By far my favorite comic strip of all time.

"You are loved beyond your failures, you are loved beyond your past."
-MSN tag of a friend

"But God is rich in mercy because of his great love for us."
-Ephesians 2:4

Worship

This is a beautiful pic...in many ways.
Worship is the submission of all our nature to God.  It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness, nourishment of mind by His truth, purifying of imagination by His beauty, opening of the heart to His love, and submission of will to His purpose.  All this gathered up in adoration is the greatest of all expressions of which we are capable. -William Temple

Yes We Can - Americans

Click here to play!

Suffice it to say that I've no idea what's going on with the American elections and candidates. Ok, yes...Obama is black and so am I. But that doesn't mean I support him. He's got his views (of which I don't know), Hillary's got hers (of which I don't know about...though I know her history), etc. etc.

I am American. Not Japanese, not Singaporean. And I'm proud to be so! Tact demands one not to stand on a soapbox and announce this while living in a foreign country, but every now and then something comes along that causes me to remember where I'm from...

...and this video is such a moment. It touched me. The message in the song is what is powerful (which are verbatim Barak Obama's words...total PROPS to the producer of this song...what genius). Human beings are moved and motivated by words. And these words ring a bell in my heart. I believe it would ring a bell in anyone's heart. One thing is sorely missing though - God! Then they'd have to change it to "Yes He Can"

Of course, politically backing up those words is a completely different story...only time will tell. Nevertheless, I like the words, I like the music, I like the vision, and I like the black and white of the video. Who will I vote for? That's for me to know. And with such an important decision as who will be the next leader of the most powerful country on the earth I'll not be swayed by mushy gushy music videos....haha, no way. But still, I like the video.

For all its shortcomings, failings, craziness, like any good patriot, I still believe in my country and would never lose hope in change for the better....America.

Yes We Can.

p.s. I think it goes without saying that the only way I know "we (Americans) can" is through repentance, faith, and obedience to the Word of God. A return to the values and morals that the country was built on (minus the slavery part..haha. I mean the fact that a black man is running for office is AMAZING considering the history of my people in America). Jesus was, is, and always will be the answer to our nation's issues. Until then, it's just a song. But as long as we have praying believers for our country, I have hope for my nation.

Can't wait...

Click here to play!

The angel showed me a river filled with the water of life, as clear as crystal. It was flowing from the throne of God and the lamb. Between the street of the city and the river there was a tree of life visible from both sides. It produced 12 kinds of fruit. Each month had its own fruit. The leaves of the tree will heal the nations. There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the lamb will be in the city. His servants will worship him and see his face. His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night, and they will not need any light from lamps or the sun because the Lord God will shine on them. They will rule as kings forever and ever.
(Revelation 22:1-5)

More than Conquerors

The Word of God declares that our lives are hidden in Christ.  Jesus said that if a man desires to find his life in this world he should pursue losing it.  One way of looking at what Jesus said is that he is telling us that if we lose our life, for His sake, then we will really find it.
It is interesting that our world is filled with the spirit of 'finding oneself' by looking inward.  The desire to want to find one's purpose, one's meaning in life, is not bad in and of itself.  It is the means by which we seek to find out this understanding that is troubling.  While the world says look inside oneself, Jesus says look outside of ourselves.  Specifically, in Colossians 3:3 the life we seek - our true lives - is found hidden IN Christ.  Notice that even though it is hidden, the bible tells us where it is: in Christ. 
It follows that this is in line with the bible's encouragement to seek God, His face and His person.  As Christians, the life we seek is found in Christ.  Thus it behooves us to seek Him.  For in doing so not only will we find Him, but we will find ourselves as well. 
Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:2-3 GNB)
Col 3:2=3  あなたがたは、地上のものを思わず、天にあるものを思いなさい。 あなたがたはすでに死んでおり、あなたがたのいのちは、キリストとともに、神のうちに隠されてあるからです。
For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also certain of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.
(Acts 17:28 MKJV)
そのように私たちは神の子孫ですから、神を、人間の技術や工夫で造った金や銀や石などの像と同じものと考えてはいけません。
(Acts 17:29 JSS)

I've Come Too Far

Click here to play!

I have come too far. I have come too far. I've come too far to turn around, a higher plain Ive found. This I know: I'm gonna make it, I cant turn back now.

Though the storms may rise, though winds may blow! I know the Lord is by my side, to comfort and to guide. This I know: I'm gonna make it, I cant turn back now.

Forgetting those things which are behind me. I'm reaching to those things which are before me. Oh I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ!!

-Richard Smallwood

Think different....Hear different...Be different.

Click here to play!

LESSON
Sensei: "...TAA ta TAA ta TAA..." but in jazz, it's the opposite. "Doo TA doo TA doo TA..." Just follow that beat, you can jazz up anything. Try it.

Students play...unfortunately.

Sensei: No, no. All wrong!

STREET
Student 1: What are you doing?

Student 2: Is this jazz?
Student 3: Are you nuts?
Student 4: No, it's not.

Old school clapping vs. New school revelation ensues...

Students: Wow! It sure is jazz now. SWING!

oy: Mom, who are they?
Mom: Don't look.

STORE FRONT:
Mother: So this is jazz...
Grandma: Just like street hawkers.

The innocence - and truth - of children

I don't know why, but feel like posting up tons of pictures of my students and other kids I knew while living in Japan:

A purikura picture of some of my former Japanese students during my first year living and working in Japan. Not primary, but cool nonetheless...yossha!

A picture I took of my nursery school children in Japan.  Yes, they always looked like this because they always had this energy...it is not lens blur...haha.

 

Some of my co-taiko players back in the day.  Those kids could rock those drums!

As a primary school teacher I have the blessed opportunity to learn, remember, be refreshed, and enlightened each day by these bundles of conviction (at least they convict me by reminding that Jesus said of such is the kingdom of God) called children.

1. One day, 3 primary one girls seemed bored being in the jungle gym.  There were other kids running around, going crazy as if there was no tomorrow.  These 3 girls, however, were standing in a circle right in front of me deciding how to overcome their boredom.  "This is boring, what should we do?"  "I don't know, what do you want to do?"  Silence ensues for about 25 seconds.  Suddenly, one of the girls shouts, "Look, it's a hairy monster...RUN!"  Screaming at the top of their lungs, the girls found their escape from the prison of boredom. This monster apparently chased them for the next 10 minutes or so because I never saw them bored for the rest of that recess period.  I might try that the next time I'm on the Singaporean MRT system at about 7am during a workday. 

LESSON LEARNED:  God gave us an imagination.  I should use it.  Bah-humbug to adults and 'mature' people who scoff at seemingly immature rantings or actions of others.  hey, I like to watch cartoons...especially silly ones.  What? Inappropriate or really strange behavior for someone like me? Well, that's ok...you can think that and use up energy while I watch the newest episode of Animal Yokocho and laugh my head off...  :-)

2. Today, we were studying patterns in numerals and geometric shapes.  After doing a class wide instruction, the students were busy working out their individual questions, trying to solve pattern problems in their packet.  One girl was having trouble with a few so I went over to help her with a geometric pattern problem.  I asked, "What part of this pattern is giving you trouble?"  "I don't know," she said.  So I replied, as any good teacher would, "Ok...look at it closely."  She, as any good student would, widened her eyes, leaned in very close, and proceeded to stare at her worksheet...about 2 centimeters from her paper.  I'm glad she didn't see my face...I was about to explode with laughter.

LESSON LEARNED:  I could learn a lot from kids regarding obedience.  When God says, "Look at this" I should do like my girl.  When God says go, I should go.  Stop, then I'll stop.  I wonder if God gets a kick out of us sometimes.  I love my kids...they keep me young.

3.  Sometimes my students do bad things.  Like swearing, or hitting other students, or just being mean to each other.  When I deal with them I always ask, somewhere in the interaction, "...WHY did you do it?"  The answer is usually always the same: "I don't know."  Inside I weep because I know they really don't know why they do mean things.  Who does?  A prophet in the bible once said, "The heart is desperately wicked.  Who can know it?" It's the same with adults, teenagers, anyone really.  We don't wake up in the morning saying, "Ok, how can I be bad today?!?"  We just act...and, more than nought, in a way we aren't too happy about.  Like a child, I find myself saying, "Now WHY did I do that?  I don't know."  But I do know....my fallen heart, carnal nature, old man that sometimes rises up and gets the best of me. 

LESSON LEARNED: Kids have the same problems that non-kids do.  And it is just as serious for them as it is for us.  It's not about rules, and a government or society...no matter how moral or civil it is...cannot change our hearts. We all need Jesus. He is the only one that can make an old man a new man.  An old kid a new kid.  A bad student a good student. Period.

I SURRENDER

Click here to play the music yo...

Anything you want Lord, you got it.  

I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER!

I tired fighting You, I tired I tired its true.  I tired fighting you, I tired I tired its true.

Your love win me over, Your love take me over. Cause your love set me on fireYour love take me higher.

Anything you want Lord, you got it.  

I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER!

Show me the way, so I kneel and pray.  You teach me how to understand how to be a righteous man

But inside of me there is a battle going on, inside of me there is struggle.  But this fight is over, to You I surrender.  This fight is over, so come and take controlrule my world!

Anything you want Lord, you got it.  

I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER

 -Isaac Blackman 

"....."

I have oft regretted my speech.... ...never my silence.

Why Morning Prayer?

The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favours without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God's young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God's warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day! -Spurgeon's Daily Devotional