Helpless

When I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). When I am helpless, then I'm at the point of break-through. If there's one area you will feel most helpless in, it's probably leaving your mother tongue and entering into an environment where you're the least skilled in the language spoken.

Perhaps that's why kids feel helpless as well. They are always asking what things are and how to say certain phrases. They don't understand adults because the language is so complicated. Children know they are helpless because they don't understand so many things, but when you see a movie portraying a child who can speak elegantly like a skilled orator, suddenly they seem independent and capable.

When someone starts using words you don't understand, you automatically feel they know more than you. A bigger or wider vocabulary represents more knowledge and skill. We value great speakers because they seem like they have things figured out and can teach us.

The deaf population may have a greater or lesser intelligence quotient than you, but without the ability to speak, we don't give them credit for high intelligence or capability. Speaking a language and speaking it proficiently is a sign of maturity and honor.

That's why when I enter a community that speaks Chinese and try my best, it's always easy to be seen as a type of child, having to be taught and nurtured into understanding. I will always have new words to learn, and I have to pick and choose which conversations to enter so I don't slow others down.

After the night's finished, I will feel that sense of helplessness. It's humbling. It's the point we all must get to at times to find the break-through we're despairing for within our spirits. I'm no longer impressed by elegant speech, but I always look beyond the words at the spirit within speaking them. A few simple words from a real encounter with God will do more for my spirit than an award-winning performance from the most praised preacher.

We should let our words be few, not speaking because we have to or to make our speech more pleasing. Quick to listen and slow to speak. Speaking a second or third language forces us to apply this proverb, making us helpless and cultivating our spirits into a good tree. We won't win the praises of men, but our Father who is in secret knows our hearts because we run after Him for adoration and commendation in our secret place.

To be helpless is to be strong if we're not wrong trusting ourselves, but give our weaknesses to Jesus who lets us smile instead of frown because He turned the world upside down.

Preaching the Simple Gospel and Letting the Spirit Incite Emotions

I can make you believe something by appealing to your emotions, drawing out an emotional response, and giving you an answer that you already wanted to believe in the first place.

Set the mood, sing the songs, share a testimony, get friends around you who tell you it's true, and offer an answer to the cry of your spirit. It's the church conversion, with its climax being an altar call. It's effective. It gets the desired response and adds people to the church. It requires a commitment and gives you security that your movement will continue on.

I invited my friend to church to hear me translate the message on Sunday, but he refused. When I asked him why, he said he had been to many other religious meetings and they were all similar. People shared testimonies of how touched they were by the religion and it was a very emotional meeting. He said it made him very afraid and felt confused, not knowing what to believe.

I told him he should try Christianity, but I'm not sure he will think it's very different from those other religions. Perhaps there will be an emotional message and an altar call and he will see past the facade of the preacher and be scared of making a decision from an emotional response, confused again as to what truth really is.

Many people have entered the Christian faith because of an altar call or emotional response. Perhaps that emotional response was really from God, who is the creator of emotions and shares emotions through scripture. Emotions are powerful and effective to getting others to believe our message. The danger is you can have an emotional response without actually counting the cost of following Jesus and knowing the truth of the Gospel. When we share the Gospel without appealing to emotions, it seems it doesn't work. How often do you see someone preach the Gospel like Paul did.

Acts 28:23b From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

Paul preached the Gospel from scripture first and let an emotional response follow from the truth of scripture. He testified of the kingdom of God from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. When people didn't listen, it was a sign that their eyes and ears were closed and their hearts were dull. When they did listen, it was a sign that God had sent salvation to those people. We put so much emphasis on getting the set up and punch line correct, that we forget where the power is.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

The Gospel message has the power. What is the message? Jesus brought the kingdom of God near to us. What is the kingdom of God? It is heaven coming to earth. What are the effects? The end of the kingdom of darkness: no more poverty, war, famine, sickness, and death. And the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What's the stipulation? Repentance from sins and dead works, and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

That is the message and it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. We don't need an emotional response to see people believe. We need to trust the Spirit to move, soften hearts, and open eyes and ears to the truth. There are too many religions using altar call methods and emotional attraction to gain converts. If I draw up emotions inside you by my many words and clever speech, is it a real encounter with God? But if I depend solely on the message and let the Spirit do what He wills, then I know the kingdom of God has come to us.

Let's move out of the church building, no longer relying on the pastor to draw people to repentance, but instead preaching the simple Gospel message and allowing the goodness of God to draw people to repentance. Every Christian has a right and privilege to share the message of salvation, over and over again to as many as will listen. When the Spirit incites the emotional response, we praise God that they believed the Good News and are ready to repent and be born again.

Let's move into a new type of conversion, one where we rely on the Spirit to change people as they repent and believe the Gospel we preach, and watch as we see conversions that set people on fire for God for a lifetime, no longer relying on one man to teach them, but relying on the Spirit who is always leading and teaching, not abandoning meeting together, but anxious to share in the fellowship with the saints and expand the kingdom of God to the glory of the Father forever and ever. Amen.

Repent and believe the Good News, for the kingdom of God has come near to you.

Fulfilled Dreams, Prophecies, and Faith

Learning a foreign language is about achieving mile markers.

The first one is simply saying one sentence to a native speaker.

The second is having a conversation without needing to ask someone to translate for you.

The third is going into a conversation without first having to look up how to say certain words.

The fourth is spending an evening speaking the language, even if you still don't know many words.

The fifth is making friends with native speakers and spending significant time within a social sphere to where you feel the same as you would with people who speak your own language.

There are certainly mile markers beyond this one, but I feel very satisfied to be in a foreign country three and a half years and reach this last mile marker.

There are so many times I felt it would be impossible and so many times I just wanted to give up, but after all the sacrifice and perseverance, all the hardships and struggle, I finally made it to my goal.

I achieved my dream. It was the second dream I achieved in 2017. The first was my dream of becoming a writer, which was fulfilled when I published my novel. The second was integrating into a Chinese speaking community.

Recently, I've felt the enemy constantly attacking me and warring against me. Only now can I see the grace upon me to endure to this point.

It's still a long road ahead of me. I have a lot to learn. A lot of faith to increase in. A lot to grow to reach the prophecy on my life.

"You will be a mighty man of God."

Lord, You are protecting me. You're guiding me. Even when I feel afraid and scared, when I mess up and forget you, when my faith wanes and I lose hope, You are faithful. You know the beginning from the end. Old things have passed away. Today, this day, all things have become new. Jesus' words are just as true today as they ever were.

"Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Focus on the Lord.

Keep your eyes on Him.

You are more than a conqueror in Christ.

You are a son forever.

You are purchased with a price.

Live every moment for Christ and His peace will forever abide on your house.

The Lord's words will not return to Him empty.

Walk in the promise of prophecy.

Be strong and courageous.

For He is with you.

Amen

Culture Shock

We need a Culture Shock!

If you want to experience culture shock...

It's not enough to hear about another culture...

It's not enough to learn about another culture...

It's not enough to witness another culture...

It's not enough to meet someone from another culture...

It's not enough to visit another culture...

It's not even enough to live in another culture.

If you want to experience culture shock...

You must be immersed in another culture...

You must adjust your values to another culture...

You must give your mind to another culture...

You must agree with and embrace another culture...

You must live for a prolonged period of time in and among another culture...

You must be rewired to adhere to a completely foreign cultural mindset.

What does culture shock feel like?

It feels exciting.

It feels exhilarating.

It feels lonely.

It feels confusing.

It feels fleeting.

It feels permanent.

If you ever wondered if you could ever change, all you have to do is step across an imaginary border and live among a foreign people, refusing to leave until you're completely new.

My first year in a new culture was totally unexpected. Every thought, idea, and belief was challenged and I got lost in the universe, unable to fit in anywhere. The only belief I had left was in Jesus, but I was slowly losing grasp of even Him.

There were many cultural values and beliefs that I brought with me when I moved abroad. Each of these values and beliefs that didn't fit into my new culture was unaccepted until I had to make a choice. I could change my values and beliefs or continue to live like an Alien in a foreign land.

For example, in my old culture it's acceptable to just eat whatever is served to you, but in my new culture, you have to wait until certain others eat first before you can eat. If you just eat whatever is in front of you, people will murmur about you and give you strange looks, letting you know that your behavior is unacceptable. If you are wise enough to pick up on it, you have an opportunity to change, if you want to.

A lot of people refuse to lose their own cultural heritage and remain like Aliens for years, but others embrace a new culture and live as the local population. For me, I had to really consider which values and beliefs were eternally from God and which were from my own cultural traditions.

Every value and belief that didn't line up with God's Word, and that my new culture didn't except, slowly washed away. The values and beliefs of God's Word were gradually treasured as I sorted out truth from untruth. In this way, I allowed culture shock to test my values and beliefs and rewire me into a new man.

Of course there are some values and beliefs that are not in God's Word but that both my old culture and my new culture accept. To purify myself from these, I need a different kind of culture shock. I need to immerse myself in the heavenly culture and allow the Consuming Fire who is The Lord to rewire me all the way to dividing soul and spirit.

When we devour the Word of God, morning and evening, every day for a prolonged period of time, we are putting ourselves through a type of culture shock. This culture shock forces us to live, breathe, and be immersed in a heavenly culture where the values and beliefs of Holy Scripture are of ultimate concern.

Many themes found in the Bible do not make sense until we allow ourselves to engage in a prolonged culture shock and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Every value and belief that doesn't line up with Scripture must be washed away. It takes commitment and a continual choosing to push through past merely reading and going to events and into a true culture shock rewiring your entire being.

We will look strange to the world, but we will also carry within ourselves a love beyond what the world has ever seen. We will lay down our lives for each other and always live remembering this is not our home. We were bought with a price and we are not our own. We live for the glory of another. We live as new creations. A new heavenly culture has invaded our minds that will forever change who we are and the world around us.

Press in towards heaven.

Immerse yourself in truth.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Seek a new kind of Culture Shock!

This Is Why Christians Seem Strange

The World Says:
Love who you are.

The Bible Says:
Hate who you are and become who God created you to be in Christ.
Luke 14:26, Ephesians 2:10

The World Says:
Follow your heart.

The Bible Says:
Lean not on your own understanding, but acknowledge God in all your ways and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Proverbs 3:5-6

The World Says:
Your natural desires are good.

The Bible Says:
God gives people over to sinful lusts who are ignorant and reject the truth.
Romans 1:28-29

The World Says:
You were born this way.

The Bible Says:
You were born under Adam, under the curse of the Fall.
Romans 5:12

The World Says:
You can do anything you set your mind to.

The Bible Says:
With God all things are possible for those who believe.
Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23

The World Says:
People don't change.

The Bible Says:
Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:1-2

The World Says:
Your genes determine your health.

The Bible Says:
You are a new creation in Christ. Jesus became the curse for you. By His stripes you were healed.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 2:24

The World Says:
Choose your own destiny.

The Bible Says:
Die to self, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus.
Luke 9:23

The World Says:
All paths go to the same place.

The Bible Says:
No one goes to the Father except through Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
John 14:6

The World Says:
You're the center of your world.

The Bible Says:
Christ is the center and all things were made through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16-17

Are You Dirty?

When we use to have soccer games on rainy days, it was always a contest to see who could get the dirtiest. By the end of the game, we would all be covered with mud and we felt so proud looking in the mirror at home and seeing just how dirty we were. We would prolong taking a shower and washing it all off because it was just so awesome.

At one time in our lives, we just wanted to see how dirty we could get. We would show it off, even at school. Everyone would laugh and we would laugh with them.

At other times, we were dirty unintentionally. Have you ever worn a dirty shirt to junior high school? Maybe you accidentally picked the wrong shirt that morning, only later to realize your mistake when your friend loudly points it out to the watching world. It could only be a very small stain or dirt mark, but it's the most outrageous thing in the world to a junior high school student.

Everyone laughed just the same as they did during a muddy soccer game or when we were in elementary school, but we were no longer proud of it. We were ashamed. Our filth became an embarrassment. It degraded us and that same laughter became scars in our hearts.

After we got older, it got easier to stay clean, but the world is a filthy place and it's easy to get dirty. It became less about physical dirt and more about moral filth. We made wrong decisions, chased after the wrong girls or guys, ended up at the wrong party, or made the wrong kind of friends. We got labeled with what we did. We were dirty.

At this point, people stopped laughing at us. Instead, they spoke about it behind our backs. It became condemning and irreversible. Living in this world, it's almost impossible to stay clean and even those who are labeled clean on the outside have a lot of junk on the inside.

It's true. We were all dirty at some point and we are still living amongst a dirty people in a dirty world.

And then Jesus saved us, even when we were covered in mud and filth. God rescued us from every evil desire and action and cleaned us with such a deep cleaning that no mud could ever stick to us again. The blood of Jesus applied to us through the Word of God prevents anything unholy from sticking to us as long as we are connected to Him. We are cleansed, not by the washing of water, but by the purifying of blood.

And now we have to make a choice. Who are we? Are we dirty? Will we let others' thoughts, words, and judgments affect our value? Are we confident enough in ourselves to just be who we were created to become?

Only be labeled as filthy because you are in the dirtiest and darkest places that need the most light, and then stand firm in the Word of God that none of that filth can stick to you. All of it has been dealt with on the cross and now we stand even in the filth, dragging filthy sinners out of the mud and carrying them to the fount that makes us white as snow.

"Oh, Precious is the Flow,
That makes me White as Snow,
No other Fount I know,
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus."
-Nothing But The Blood