Search Me, O God

Search me, O God
and know my heart today
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free

I praise You, Lord
for cleansing me from sin
Fulfill Your Word and make me pure within
Fill me with fire
where once I burned with shame
Grant my desire to magnify Your name

Lord, take my life, for I would live for You
Fill my poor heart with
Your great love so true
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide

Search me o God and know my heart today.  As I was thinking about this song, I thought “why would anyone ask God to search their hearts?”  Why would we want to be exposed under the searching gaze of God’s eyes?  The only way we can pray this in all earnesty is if we realize that sin to us is like cancer is to the human body.  As fearful as it maybe, we should welcome God’s scanning eyes over our life as a cancer patient would welcome a CT scan or MRI to find any trace of cancer.

God is a jealous God because He is love.  His name is JEALOUS (Exodus 34:14) and he cannot bear to see sin destroying us.  He will not allow sin to threaten or get in the way of our relationship with Him.

Hebrews 4:12-13

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The word of God is living and active and it wants to perform spiritual surgery so that we can experience life as it was meant for us to live.  We are caught in a cosmic battle between God’s truth and Satan’s lies as Dr. Del Tackett repeatedly says in the Truth Project (http://www.thetruthproject.org/).  We think that God is this deity that wants to catch his creatures, so that he can condemn us and send us to hell.  We have a warped view of God. We need to realize that God is love, that God is for us and that he desperately wants us to be redeemed so that we can experience life as he meant for us to experience.  God wants us to be more like him, not for Himself, but for ourselves, so that we can thrive in this life.  God wants us to be trusting rather than suspicious, loving and generous rather than hateful and selfish.  God wants us to be full of love and life, rather than hatred and death.  Oh, how God wants us to grow to bear his image.  That’s why we need to pray this prayer, “Search me oh God and know my thoughts today, try me oh Savior know my thoughts I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me.  Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.”  Sin makes us slaves.  God wants to cleanse us, set us free.  But we are slaves to anger, envy, jealousy, bitterness, discontentment, lust, pride; think about all the ways that we are destroying our relationships because of these things.  That’s why we need to pray this prayer, search me today, know my heart today

John 5 DT 6.10.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley):

John 5:17

17Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

My Father is always at work.  If this is the case, why do I get so anxious?  Why do I feel like I have to take matters into my own hands when things don’t go well?  Why do I get so frustrated about areas that I feel very hopeless and helpless about?  Why do I sometimes feel so alone? Why do I despair?  Why do I feel like I’m never going to overcome my current struggle?

I remember watching The Lord of the Rings and feeling safe every time Gandalf was around.  No matter what the situation was, when Gandalf was around, I felt more safe and secure for the hobbits.  But every time he wasn’t around, I anxiously waited for him to appear quickly and as soon as he did, I would breathe a sigh of relief.

I have someone who is greater than Gandalf ever was in the lives of those hobbits.  How much more should I feel safe and secure when I have Immanuel God who is  always with me and is always at work!

Lord, please forgive me for worrying and fretting over difficult situations. Lord, help me to rest in the fact that you are with me and that you are always actively at work in my life as well as in the lives of those that I feel helpless about.

The following is a sharing by a good friend of mine who does alot of work with the internationals.  Through her sharing, I was reminded once again of the importance of our ISM and Praxis-VSM (Visting Scholars Ministry).  Let’s continue to pray for these ministries to be effective in reaching out to the world that is coming to us so that we can engage in foreign missions right here at home.

Seeing with New Eyes

Several springs ago, I stood at the podium in a well-respected Asian university. Before me were 35 foreign language majors, about to head overseas for graduate programs. Their professor had invited me to give them an “orientation” to what they might expect in their new cultures. Their present circumstances couldn’t have been more different from the West. The classroom was bleak. Naked lights hung from high ceilings, making the room feel even colder than it was. The students huddled at wooden desks, sipping tea from Thermos bottles. The plaster walls needed paint. Outside the tall windows, it was gray everywhere. As I began to speak, I felt new eyes silently examining me, perhaps wondering what it would soon be like to live in my world.

“Where are you going this fall?” Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and the U.S. They all looked so innocent. Yet each had distinguished himself by mastering a foreign language, and proven his worth with high scores on TOEFL and GREs. Every eager face, framed in black hair, was the pride of a family and of a region, some from humble homes in the country, others from cities of millions that Americans have never heard of. Now, with only their visas left to secure, they had joined the academic elite. When they told me their majors (from biomedical engineering to philosophy), I remembered what is so often said, “The treasures of this country, and of the world, are in our American cities and universities.”

Nevertheless, soon they’d be “aliens” standing in an airport immigration line.  As I surveyed their youthful frames, bundled up in warm coats and colorful scarves, they reminded me of the foreign students who inhabit so many of the marginal housing areas near our universities. Walking or bicycling to nearby stores, often reluctant to speak, they arrive self-conscious of their oral language abilities, more comfortable reading English than speaking it. I have spotted them in Richmond, New Haven, Boston, and other university towns.

I remembered international exchange students coming to American high schools, whom I often had to encourage to reach out, even though they were guests here. “Be friendly. Take the initiative to speak. Try talking with Americans; use your language in conversation. Enjoy free things – sightseeing, lectures, sports, concerts, public libraries and church.” So that day in the Asian classroom I added, “When you go overseas, look for a church to visit. You don’t have to be a member or even believe in God to attend. It’s a good place to find friendly people who love your country. Many will be glad to meet you and willing to help you.” As I said this, I breathed a prayer that God’s people would, indeed, be ready for them in their university destinations – waiting at the airport, ready to help them find housing and furnishings, navigate a supermarket or the local bank. “God, wake up your people at home! Give them your eyes and ears to welcome these ‘strangers’ who are coming!”

I hope those students have done as well as “Kevin.” Within days of his arrival here at an American church, he started looking for a language partner. When he found one on Craigslist, the new Ph.D. student quickly responded! After the two young men began meeting to speak English, the savvy volunteer invited him home to meet his family, then to attend his church – even to share Thanksgiving dinner. As a new follower of Jesus, Kevin introduced himself to [hist pastor], informing him that it was the first time he’d been inside an American church.

Almost every nation of the world is represented in our community. One day recently, I noticed that a young man from Eritrea had waited on me in the mall, an Afghan welcomed me to Wal-Mart, and a Nepali cashiered where I shop. Other internationals work in our grocery stores, tailor our clothes, landscape our yards, and attend school with our children. How might international relations be improved by our small acts of friendship and hospitality to them? Welcoming a stranger may begin with a simple question as to where one is from, or an inquiry about an unusual name on store nametag. If warmth and friendliness occur, that might lead to an invitation for a cup of coffee, or even better, home for a cup of tea. Ask an international guest how he or she came to be here, then give them the rare and precious gift of listening. Practice individual acts of hospitality and kindness. This is what it means to live “as aliens and sojourners (as Peter calls us),” even as majority people in our own city. Follow the instructions Jesus gave us. Who knows where that may lead?

Colossians 4 Guided Prayer 5.17.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley):

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

18I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Pray that you will be able to proclaim the gospel message clearly, in speech and in life.  Ask God for greater wisdom to be wise in the way you act towards outsiders and make most of every opportunity to share the gospel.

Pray that God will “open a door for our message” for you, for other brothers and sisters in our church as well those serving throughout the world, especially in the unreached parts of the world.

Pray for the following countries that are known for human rights violations because of persecution or severe discrimination against Christians.  Pray for the brothers and sisters in these countries who are in “chains” for the sake of Christ:

7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts… These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings… 17Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

Pray that you will “stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully reassured.”  Pray that you will be faithful to “complete the work that you have received in the LORD.”  Confess the things that prevent you from being faithful in the work that you have received in the LORD.  Ask God to help you to stay focused on the mission that He has given you and not give into discouragements, distractions, idols and comforts.

Pray for those who are going through hardships that they will “stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”  Ask God to show you how you can be an encouragement and comfort to them.

Pray for those who are being drawn to the world that they will not end up like Demas who was once among the list of people that Apostle Paul counted on but ultimately left for the world (Timothy 4:10).  Commit to wrestling for them in prayer.

Pray for those who are dear brothers and sisters in the LORD,  faithful ministers, fellow servants, fellow workers for the kingdom of God, those who are “wrestling in prayer” and “working hard for you.”  Pray that they will be able to “complete the work [they] have received in the LORD.”  Pray that they will not allow fears, discouragements, cynicisms, and other hardships to dissuade them from being faithful to the LORD till the end.

I was really blessed by this and committed to live pushing through my fears.

Colossians 4 DT 5.14.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley)

Colossians 4:7-15

7Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. 9He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

I was reflecting on the various words that Apostle Paul uses to describe various people in his life – “dear brother,” “faithful minister,” “faithful and dear brother,” “fellow workers for the kingdom of God, “ “servant of Christ Jesus.”  I thought about all the people within the Gracepoint Family as well as those outside of our church that I have a personal relationship with who fit these descriptions.  As I spent time thanking God for them, I thought about the different ways that they encourage, challenge and inspire me as a fellow kingdom worker.

There are brothers and sisters  who have been with me through thick and thin for about 20 years now.  They have proven to be

Colossians 3 Guided Prayer 5.10.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley)

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Spend some time “[setting] your hearts on things above” by reflecting on Christ’s finished work of salvation for you, and on the reality of eternal life for those in Christ.  Thank God for the fact that “you have been raised with Christ,” that you will one day “appear with him in glory.”

5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Are there ways that you still belong “to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry?” Spend some time repenting of them and ask God to give you the desire and the strength to “put to death” these sins.

Recently, I started praying using the book Face to Face by Ken Boa. This book “combines the word of the LORD with prayer and guides you through the process of praying Scripture back to God. It will enable you to think God’s thoughts after Him and to personalize them in your own thinking and practice. It will also provide you with a balanced prayer experience by guiding you each day with eight kinds of prayer.” (page VI of Face to Face)

When I come to God in prayer, I am sometimes filled with self-centered thoughts and anxieties. Especially when I’m faced with a lot of difficulties in ministry, I almost don’t want to pray since in prayer, I’m forced to face all my burdens. This book has really changed my prayer life as it has helped me to focus on God, His unchanging character and His promises that are true regardless of circumstances. It has definitely helped to increase my faith in Him and confidence in His word as I am lifted up from my problems and come to encounter my God – God who is greater than all my problems and who is sovereign over my life. I highly recommend this book to all – both young and seasoned Christians.

Colossians 2 Guided Prayer 5.3.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley):

1I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Reflect on the fact that Apostle Paul takes his role in the lives of those in Colosse and Laodicea very seriously.  Pray for those that you need to struggle for so that they “may be encouraged in heart and united in love.”

Are you facing some situation in your life where you really need to see the “treasures of [God’s] wisdom and knowledge?”  Pray that you will see his “wisdom and knowledge”  in that situation so that you can respond properly.

4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.  6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Pray about the ways that you might be deceived by “fine-sounding arguments” from the media, from the internet,  from “human tradition,” worldly wisdom,  from people who do not acknowledge Christ as the LORD of their life.

Spend time affirming the truths that you confessed about Christ, yourself, and the important things in your life when you received Jesus Christ as LORD.

Colossians 1 Guided Prayer 4.26.09 by Kelly Kang (Gracepoint Fellowship Church – Berkeley):

As many people in our congregation are new to the faith and have asked for help in developing their prayer lives, occasionally, I’ll be putting up these prayer guides that I sometimes write for our prayer meetings.  Here’s one from this past weekend.

3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth. 7You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

Thank God for the gospel that has come to you and the gospel that is “bearing fruit” through your life.  Thank God for all the changes that you have experienced through the gospel.

Thank God for the brothers and sisters in your life whose faith in Christ Jesus and love for the saints are a source of challenge and inspiration.  Pray for the Epaphras like people in your life  and pray a prayer of blessing for them, pray for great endurance and patience.