Crooked Teeth February 4, 2010
Posted by pastordavidkim in Life Observations.add a comment
During one of my discipleship meetings, I noticed that one of the guys sounded kind of funny as he was sharing about his week. Trying to focus on what he was saying, I noticed that he had a retainer on his teeth? I asked him, “Hey … when did you get a retainer?” And he, orthodontist by trade, went on to explain that his teeth were getting “a little crooked”. Now, I don’t stare at other people’s teeth and judge to see if they are straight or not … maybe you do. As far as I know, he has a nice set of pearly whites even without the retainer. But as a professional orthodontist, he is able to pick up on little nuances of teeth that regular folk like me can’t even detect. Anyhow, he went on to explain that having straight teeth is crucial as he works with people that come to him with crooked teeth issues. That makes sense. I mean what kind of reputation would this orthodontist have if he practiced his trade with crooked teeth!?!
As I reflect on that conversation, I was challenged and convicted in my “profession” & “calling” as a pastor. I thought about how on a regular basis I meet people struggling with a “crooked” life. And they come to me because I am their spiritual shepherd, and they sincerely seek help to “straighten” their lives. Having been in ministry for a number of years now, I have become “good” at diagnosing people’s problems and giving them plans for spiritual victory and renewal. But I wonder, is my life worthy to be imitated or desired (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)? Or is my life “crooked?” Am I able to diagnose my own “crookedness” just like my orthodontist friend was able to diagnose his own crooked teeth? As I counsel, do I exhibit the life that Christ has saved me to? Is my life producing Christ-Character (i.e. “the straightened life”) that others can see and be inspired to follow Christ in a greater capacity? My life as a pastor has to be more than knowing the techniques of ministry. I need to remember to always look at myself first and diagnose the reality of my crookedness before the Lord.
Just the Bible … Please. January 28, 2010
Posted by pastordavidkim in Opinion.2 comments
In recent days, I have been convicted about JUST reading the Bible and loving it. This is insane for me to even think about this. Of course, we should read the Bible and love it! But I often wonder, is this really true? Do I really love to read God’s word and love it? Am I dedicated to the Word, which shows up by me reading it and loving it! Or, do I love reading books about the Bible and love it more? Do I love THE Author of the Book, Holy Spirit, or do I love the celebrity authors that occupy much of my personal library?
Ok. Before I get misunderstood here, I am NOT saying we should chuck the books from great Christian authors. These authors, past and present, are gifts to the church of God. These books are treasures to the soul. They are gifts to the kingdom of God. But, all I am saying is … I need to check my heart’s affection. How come it’s so much harder to just read the Bible versus reading “books?” There are many reasons … I know. How come we talk more about authors of latest Christin books versus talking about … “hey did you hear what Moses said in Exodus 3500 years ago?” I guess it’s sounds little outdated. But listen, it’s the Living Word of God! Yes, even Exodus 21-31 (today’s Bible reading). It’s active and alive! (Hebrews 4:12).
Reading is good for the soul. And the Word is the best “food” for the soul. And so, I want to grow in just reading & loving the Bible. Currently, I am reading the Bible through in 90 days. And, I am finishing up Day 7 today. And I hope to say some time in April that I have completed my goal. And I long to say then … I read it, and I loved it!
“… just because” January 7, 2010
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Luke.4 comments
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:37-38
This narrative is about how Jesus forgives sinners. But the story starts with this sinful woman giving extraordinary attention and devotion to Jesus. What is so interesting to me was the fact that she gave this devotion to the Lord before she received anything. She just showed up to the dinner and she starts giving honor to Jesus. I don’t know what she had in mind when she did all that she did, but what is clear is that she offers her worship and devotion just because she understood who was in the room – her Savior.
Few weeks ago, I listened to a sermon at our church that talked about the consumer mentality of church goers. It’s this idea, “What’s in it for me.” I have seen so much spiritual unhealthiness in people when they come to church with a certain personal agenda and personal desire. Listen, God does meet our needs. That is the gospel. He met our greatest need by dying on the cross. And our gracious and merciful God does meet our needs always! Maybe not the way we want … but He does. He provides. What I am trying to say is when we come to church, do we have the attitude of this woman? Do we just want to be near Jesus … just because who He is? And does this desire to be near Jesus permeate our lives … not only during Sunday but the rest of the week?
Impatience January 6, 2010
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Genesis.1 comment so far
“So Sarai said to Abram, ‘Now behold, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her.’” Genesis 16:2
Sarai takes matters into her own hands. She knew that God would bless their family through an heir, but she could not wrap her mind around the fact that how she could bear a son. God’s plan was to give an heir through Abraham and Sarah and not through Abraham and someone else.
It’s interesting. We are just like Sarai in many ways. We love to take matters into our own hands before seeking God’s wisdom. And when we lack this wisdom to seek the Lord first, we are impatient. And what this leads to often is rationalizing the situation with our limited wisdom. And yes. This takes us to a tragic place of sin. So often, we go ahead of God, and nothing good comes out of that. I have seen this in my personal life, and I have seen this in the people that I minister.
Christ-Centered Correction December 18, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, John.add a comment
“From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.’” John 4:39
The Samaritan woman is confronted by Jesus. But the beauty of this story is that the woman (having been married five times & living with someone she is not married to) is not defensive of her transgressions. Rather, she finds hope & freedom from her sins in the Savior.
I don’t know about you, but my nature is non-confrontational. As a pastor, I have grown to address sin issues in the lives of the people I minister. But, it’s not easy. I have had too many talks when people are defensive and defend their “freedom” to rationalize in their sins. I am still growing to know how to counsel like Christ.
When I read the story of Jesus at the well with the Samaritan women, I was truly awed by how Jesus spoke & counseled the woman. Instead of running away in anger, the woman draws nearer to the Savior. She finds hope in her troubles. She finds grace in the Messiah.
In any of our confrontations and rebuke, the person has to find grace, hope, and Christ. That is the message of the gospel isn’t it?!
“Intense Heat!” December 17, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in 2 Peter, Daily Devotional.add a comment
“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,12looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” 2 Peter 3:11-12
[I am back. Sorry for the hiatus. It's been quite busy with ministry. I will try to be disciplined to post couple times a week.]
This morning’s Life Journal reading was in 2 Peter. To be honest, when I think about the fact that everything will just burn up with intense heat, it’s bit depressing. But the truth of the matter is that everything is temporal. Given this eternal perspective, Peter allows me to think about the things that will not burn up. That is my salvation in Christ. But more than anything, the life of “holy conduct and godliness” should characterized the people of God who understand the outcome of this world.
Accountablity September 10, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Titus.2 comments
[Read Titus 1:12-14]
This church allowed certain ungodly cultural influences to enter the church. Paul instructs the leaders of the church to correct the people who allowed certain teachings to enter the church. Paul says, “reprove them severely” or “rebuke them sharply.” It was a serious matter.
Are we agents of false thinking that opposes the gospel? And do we have a system of accountability that allows us to be corrected when we are stray from the truth?
[Living Before the Face of God from Table Talk]
“The church must be on guard against the cultural transforming it, for it is distinct from culture and must remain so. People should be able to see in our love for one aonther something they have never seen before, not attitudes and actions that conform to the worst of the society around us. As we read Scripture and hear the Word of God preached, may we seek to fulfill the challenge to be Christlike borth in His church and in the world.”
False Teachers At Our Church? September 8, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Titus.add a comment
[Read Titus 1:10-11]
We don’t often think that false teachers are present within our home church. We think that false teachers were a problem for the early church, or that they are what comprise our modern day cult groups. False teachers at our church – it couldn’t be. But, Paul makes it clear that not thinking rightly of God, is a means of promoting false teaching. And, we can “in practice” fall under this category knowingly or unknowingly.
I am pretty confident that the false teachers in the early years of the church thought that they were speaking truth. They didn’t go around saying, “Listen to me, I am a false teacher.” No, they really believed they had it right. It goes the same with us. A false perception of God may be very subtle and our fleshly (or “fallen”) minds automatically tell us that it’s correct.
How do we protect ourselves from believing false notions about God? We have the inerrant Word of God as our ultimate authority. We have to constantly check and study the Word, making sure that all that we believe to be true of God is found the Scripture.
[Living Before the Face of God from Tabletalk]
“It remains true in our day that money often follows erroneous teaching, and, unfortunately, sinners often seem more willing to throw their income at people and institutions who water down the gospel or teach an outright perversion of it. We who are committed to the biblical gospel must be even more willing to support those persons, institutions, and churches that proclaim Scripture faithfully.”
Sobering Reminder September 7, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Titus.add a comment
In this passage, Paul continues his teaching on who is fit to be an elder. Here, Paul says that the elder must love the truth so that he might instruct those in the church to grow in the knowledge of the truth. Paul speaks of sound doctrine, which helps us to think rightly of God.
This is a sobering reminder to me to continue to grow in my understanding of Scripture so that I might help others to know and think rightly of God. It is through sound instruction that I equip the believer to love and serve God. This is my primary role as a pastor.
[Living Before the Face of God]
John Calvin writes, “Those persons shall be chosen who, having cordially embraced the truth of God, and holding firmly, never allow it to be wrestled from them, or can be torn from it.” The elder, as well as all believers, must have not only knowledge of Scripture but love its teachings. As we study we should be looking not only to know for the sake of knowledge but to love what God teaches. Are you asking Him to help you develop this love?
Self-Control is Everything September 4, 2009
Posted by pastordavidkim in Daily Devotional, Titus.1 comment so far
“For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain” Titus 1:7
Paul gives a list of qualifications for a church leader (i.e. elder, etc.). This list contains outward, visible signs of a changed life. What seems to underlie this list is being self-controlled. Evidence of self-control is a sure sign of spiritual maturity.
[Living Before the Face of God from Tabletalk]
“The vices Paul mentions in today’s passage are obviously prohibited for any Christian. One of the most difficult to overcome is self-indulgence, for our culture does little to encourage self-control. Do you bear this fruit of the Spirit in our life? There is grace for those times when we are not self-controlled, and there is renewal through repentance, but the evidence of it is seen in the endeavor to control one’s passions by the help of God’s Spirit.”
