Tag: small group

Struggle of a Discipler

My heart was troubled for the past days. This got triggered when I learned something about someone so dear to me. It somehow broke my heart for the fact that she did not tell me about it immediately when she has been open to me about a lot of things. And also, the fact that she pursues something that somehow I thought she would be wiser and spiritually mature enough to make such choice.

Three important things that God is teaching me these past days.

One – this circumstance made me reflect on how I should be as a discipler. I went back to the One who started it all. How was Jesus as a discipler? How was Jesus when He knew that Judas would betray Him? When Peter would deny Him? When the disciples hid and ran away? All of these did not stop Jesus to love them and all the more He prayed for them. I got reminded (not the first time) of how I have to let go the people that God has entrusted me to disciple. Let go, meaning not to stop discipling them but to let God take care of them when they choose certain things which we might think would not be good for them.

Second – this also reminded me of God’s heart. I realize that if my heart aches for my disciples when they choose to do things that are not in obedience to God, God’s heart who has the perfect standard must be aching more for all of us when we do things that are not pleasing to Him.

Lastly – it also made me reflect being a disciple. I realize that I, myself also do not tell everything to my discipler. It could be that I feel like I am not doing anything wrong or I could be scared that I might get judged or I just don’t feel the need of telling. And probably, the girls I disciple are also feeling the same thing that’s why they don’t tell me the things that I thought they would tell me. For whatever reason, I must learn to respect and just continue trusting God who knows the deepest of their hearts.

Overall, I am humbled. God reminded me that the most important that I can do for the girls I disciple are to love them and pray for them. I am also truly grateful for the disciplers that God has used to help me in my walk with Him. I am thankful that they allowed me to depend not on them but on God alone.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (Jesus’ prayer for the disciples – John 17)

yy

 

For the love of Fatburger…

I just have to write about this before I sleep tonight or else this will just be another item in my blog list.

It’s been a while since I had the biggest laugh in my life. The kind of laugh that gives you stomachache and headache after. If you know what I mean. 🙂

This was a non-typical night for our discipleship group. We usually do our fellowship at Marj’s place in Surrey. However, there was a reason for a “burger” celebration that we had a long week of discussion of where to eat burger. Options were: Fatburger Lougheed, Fatburger Whiterock, Fatburger Langley. Yes, anywhere as long as it’s Fatburger. 😀

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Tonight was more of an accountability night, just sharing and listening to each other’s life stories. No filter, raw and honest. It’s such a blessing that some of us singles get to learn from the married women in the group.

The most important thing I have learned tonight is about being “intentional”. For all of us to meet and really commit to go to Fatburger no matter where that is, that is being intentional. It’s never about the burger. 🙂 It’s being intentional in our relationships – to our families, to our friends, to our church, to our small group. If we want our relationships to improve, we need to make an effort for it. We have to be intentional if we expect change and results.I know this is not something new, however, it’s just good to be reminded about it. And humbling. 

Tonight, I thank God for these amazing women whom I get to share stories, eat burger and laugh out loud (literally) with.

And thank you to Fatburger Lougheed for being so nice of not kicking us out even if we stayed a little bit past their closing time (we didn’t know, sorry…)

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Accountability over Fatburger

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Growing Together

I’m so blessed to be a part of other people’s lives by seeing them grow in their walk with God. As we say we are Christian, we must then believe that we are also commanded to make disciples just like what Jesus did with the chosen twelve. And to be a disciple and to make disciple is a privilege in our Christian walk. It must not be a burden for us but a joy as we experience God’s transforming power in our lives.

And being part of a discipleship group is never boring. It’s a great time of knowing the Lord deeper, knowing one another deeper, encouraging and praying for each other. It’s a venue where you can be yourself without fear of being judged. You get to travel together, do fun things together. And the other best part – there is always food! Haha!

I’m glad to be a part of a discipleship group. If you are not part of any, I hope you would start stepping out of your comfort zone and start reaching out. As our senior pastor said, (reason for not joining a discipleship group) if you think you don’t need help, then, be the one to give help. And I totally agree! Today, someone might need your encouragement, your blessing, your prayer. Don’t miss out on such a privilege!

It’s getting COLD

Aside from the weather, I think I’m getting cold towards writing. I haven’t written anything for more than a month! And nothing is coming out at all. No thoughts, no ideas, no nothing. And now I kinda miss it. Which is a good thing.

A lot has been happening especially at work. Project demands all at the same time. But work is good. I still get to go home early and I don’t need to bring work at home. So, it’s really good.

I’ve been having my weekly discipleship group with amazing girls. Just being with teenagers makes me appreciate more the kind of discipline my parents had brought to us when I was their age especially on education. And I’ll be forever grateful to my parents for that.

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Aside from that, I’ve been helping out in our Kid’s Ministry which I really enjoy. The kids at church are totally awesome. They know so much about the Word of God even at their very young age (4-6). Kudos to the parents! Indeed, learning about God should start at home. And these kids just bring out the little child in me. Games, games and more games!

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I had the privilege as well to volunteer at a Soup Kitchen in First Baptist Church in Vancouver downtown. Every Tuesday, volunteers would come to help prepare meal that will be served to the homeless people. It’s truly an opportunity to show care to the community and hopefully share God’s love to these people who need not just physical food but also spiritual food that lasts.

And, I have a new goddaughter! Beautiful and precious baby girl. Her name is Skye Angela. I’m so honored to be asked to be her godparent.

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So why am I telling these things? Sometimes, I just have to put some major happenings in my life to writing just to remind me that even if I can’t have everything I wanted, God continues to give what’s best for me. And I can never find any reason to complain because regardless of what I have or what I do or where I am, God is my reward. He satisfies me. He is enough.

One milestone I have this week is I’ve decided that I will stop waiting. I’ve been praying that someday God would bring me to that person that He has prepared for me. But then I realized, I got too focused on waiting for that. It’s kinda exhausting to wait for something that is really uncertain. With that, I have decided to stop waiting and to just purely trusting God on what He has for me today and tomorrow. And because of that decision, I actually feel better because now I’m more focused on what I can do with God and for God and for other people. I’m done waiting on uncertain things.

I’m going to live this life BIG for God! Now, I’m praying that God would really use me or make me usable in helping share the gospel especially to those who haven’t heard it at all. I’m currently reading this book of Bill Hybels, “Just Walk Across the Room” and I am so encouraged especially about personal evangelism. I realize how important relationship building truly is especially in this culture. You just can’t approach somebody and shove to his face the Bible. It will never work. I realized that God would really provide opportunities for us either we plant the seed, or help that seed grow. Whichever phase God would use on that specific person’s walk, it is just a matter of obedience for us to do it.

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With this, I’m excited that God would really give me such opportunities to be able to help someone know more about Him.

As I say, I’m going to live BIG for God! Pray for me 🙂

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  Matthew 9:37

“I am your great reward.” – God  Genesis 15:1

Just one thing…

Last night in our weekly small group meeting, we studied one of the attributes of God which is being merciful.

Upon pondering my take home last night…

Justice – you get what you deserve

Mercy – you don’t get what you deserve

Grace – you get what you don’t deserve

Just imagine if God is only just but not merciful and gracious…

How will we be able to live?

There’s no even point living because we will totally be separated from God – eternally.

Why?

Because God being just means all of us are bound for hell forever. We will never be able to live up to His standards.

But because God is merciful, He sent His Son Jesus to take the penalty of our sins.

And because God is gracious, He gives us salvation and eternal life through Jesus even if we don’t deserve it.

Do you want to live not just for now but eternally with God?

Just one thing…

Believe, have faith in Jesus. Let Jesus not just be your Savior but also the Master of your life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Isn’t it amazing how one decision can totally impact your eternal destination? 

 

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