John 3:1-18

Context: Jesus talks to Nicodemus in the night. Nicodemus only wanted to be buddy-buddy with Jesus, but Jesus lays out the new revolutionary life for believers. It confuses poor Nick, but later in the gospel we see a new strength from Nicodemus that suggests a new spirit.

John 3:1-18
Nicodemus, a rule maker for council of the Jews, got a chance to meet up with Jesus in the night time.  He approached the famous rabbi and stated,

"Teacher, we know you are a legit teacher who has  God's stamp of approval. You would not be able to perform such great wonders if you weren't."

Jesus flat out replied, "Listen up, this is important. No one can be part of God's ultimate take over of the world unless they are reborn (in Heaven)."

Nicodemus was thrown off a little only focusing on the reborn part, "That is a bit tricky seeing as that I am old, should I take a trip back in my mother's womb?"

Jesus explained further, "The ultimate takeover by God is closed to others unless they are cleaned spiritually by the work of the Holy Spirit. God will wash you and it will make you new. Humanity and falleness leads to more humanity, but the spirit brings up the spiritual life. This is a no brainer that I am telling you that the spirit brings new birth to people. In fact, this Spirit goes wherever it wants, comes and goes as it pleases. Like the wind, you don't know if it is coming or going. Same idea with those who had their life remade."

"I am so confused," Nicodemus confessed.

"You practically majored in this, Nicky, and you still don't have a clue what I am saying. I swear, you people talk big about knowing God and teach like its your job, but you are missing my point entirely. I toned down the explanation so you would understand and you are still playing stubborn. How do you suppose you will get an understanding if I start speaking deep theology about Heaven? No one has any idea what Heaven is truly about except me who just came from there.

It was just like when Moses raised a snake on a pole for the people to see, so must Jesus be raised up for the world to see. For God has a deep heart for this world and gifted his only son to it for the sake of him dying. He would give his eternal life to the people of the world. When the son of God gets lifted up, others can believe and have eternal life. God is not hunting for people to go to Hell even though some will reject the son and be out in the cold.

Finally, this is light coming into the world. Unfortunately God's children are addicted to darkness. In fact those people hate the light because it shows something they do not want to see.

John 12:24-37

Synopsis: Jesus is drawing near to his crucifixion and his time is spoken for. He tells the crowd about how committing to an unselfish life and abandoning your own agenda is a marriage with eternal life. Till death does its part.



John 12:24-36
What really matters
"Unless money is thrown at investments, pushed as far it can go, it just sits in a rainy day jar and has no value. When its value is exhausted and buried in investment it springs up and grows. The interest far outweighs the seed money. If you hold onto your life and keep it under a mattress for a rainy day then that is a life wasted. But if you sell out to my service you will invest in eternity.

You want to know that life? Follow me. Be present in constant ministry where I am. My Father will respect you for such noble service.

I am going through some life sized hurricanes. Am I going to hit the ejection button and go to Heaven? Nope! This is my moment to show how good my father's reputation and honor is.

A voice presented from the Heavens, "I have lifted up that name and it will rise again."

At this moment the people were confused and thought it was thundering out, while some people speculated an angel was talking.

Jesus spoke again, "that voice was not for my sake, but for yours. Our world is not in good shape. Satan is the true king of this ball of dirt, but his dominion is going to end abruptly. I am going to be lifted up from the Earth and that is going to be the pivotal moment in history that brings all the people to me."
Jesus had just described the details of his death.

Some of the people answered, "wait a second. I learned in Bible school that the chosen savior was immortal and his throne will last forever. Who is this savior, this son of God, who is going to die?"

Jesus replied, "Right now you are walking with the lights on and the dark cannot touch you on account of me. If you walk toward the darkness, away from me, confusion and lostness will ensue. Take advantage of this personal light. Believe in its power and goodness. You will notice that this light is inside you, Christ has made his base in you and now you are a child of that light.

Colossians 3

Context: We often see the verses in this chapter that talk about how much God hates sexual immorality, lying and anger. If that is the only message you get from Colossians 3 then you are missing the greater truth. This new life in Christ makes us holy and beloved. This is a title that gives purpose and a plan to our existence. We might have to commit to making sure the sinful life stays dead, but look at the new life that Christ has for us.





Colossians 3
The Life Defined

Since you just crossed over from the dead life to Jesus' brand new life, let's make sure your thoughts are thinking on a Godly level, where Jesus is master. Make a conscious decision to think the thoughts of Heaven and not the thoughts of popular culture. You died, bro, your life is now firmly secure in Jesus the master, waiting like a ninja to strike when the fateful day comes. When Christ makes his glorious comeback, we will be right there enjoying it with Him.

Slay your problematic sins and leave them. I am talking about the loose sex morals, the dirty thoughts, the inappropriate relationships, the whining about not having enough toys. This is bowing to a straw god. God has a vendetta against this life and he will be bringing the axe down. Take them out with prejudice. I am talking about the outbursts, wall punching anger, the jokes you make that would make a sailor blush. That life is a lie and it deceives others when you live it.

Here's the alternative. You are a spitting image of your creator, the God who made you. Start acting like that life matters. Slip on the new life God has for you. In this life it does not matter where you live, what your gender is, your political leanings nor if you follow a religious denomination.  All that matters is we are free in Christ.

The new task is trying out the new life in Christ, the life that sets you apart to be clean and deeply loved. Try out caring for others in a way that breaks your heart, waiting for others, serving others, being nice to others intentionally, servant like attitude and soft spoken behavior. Be prepared to forgive and communicate with those who are horribly imperfect to you. Christ treats you that way. To cap it all off, everything should be covered in love, the deep chocolaty shell that makes up this blessing sundae. Love sets the world right.

2 Cor 1:1-7

Context: Paul is one of the founding members of the Corinthian church. He spent a whole letter rebuking the once led church for sexual sins, splits over leadership and bad use of gifts. Now, he writes a second letter with a softer tone. He is explaining how his hardship with the church is for their wisdom and comfort.





2 cor 1:1-7

From: Paul, a fellow adminastrator of Jesus Christ, recruited by God
And Timothy, the brother in Christ

To: The Corinth Church of God and all people in the surrounding area of Achaia

May God grant you grace and peace as He is the Father of Jesus Christ.

Let's take a moment and give a shout to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the father of helping out those in need and the caretaker for those who need to be cheered up. He sends a soothing and healing word when we are totally bumming out over life. Then we can be inspired to send soothing and healing words to others, like you.  This Christian life is not just about receiving hard knocks and reality checks like Christ did on the cross, we also need to accept the words of comfort that Jesus supplied so freely.

If my ministry is bugging out I want you to know it is for your ministries betterment and ease. My stress serves to teach you. On the same note, if God shares with us a relaxing and joyful moment we want you to get that as well.  My pain is your pain and my comfort is your comfort. All this for the sake of teaching you guys how to keep on keeping on in hard times.

Do not misunderstand our mission in the church, brothers and sisters. This ministry has been no cake walk. Working in Asia Ministries is hard work. We got the Roman gestapo knocking on our door, endless deadlines and the constant feeling I might not see tomorrow. The feeling of doom has been very familiar in this walk.  But we learned that we can't trust our own decisions and leadership power, but give it up to God instead. (Similar how my words stressed you out so you could rely on God). God has reached out His hand and saved us from some bad spills. We are confident he will do it in the future. We thank you for asking God for help on our behalf and we know that your prayers will lead others to see how awesome God truly is.

2 Corinthians 5:1-15

2 Cor 5:1-15
New Lease on Life

My life is like a broken and shoddy car. It is a knock off of a knock off. If that old car were to break for good I would not worry. God replaces that life with a quality, premium and choice select vehicle that has an endless warranty. This shiny new car was not ruined by 3rd rate human developers, but made by the owner of eternal life. Deep inside I desire the new quality life instead of this old one that won't work properly. The new car smell is driving me crazy. I wish just to reach out and grab it. Honestly, I would rather be found in the brand new ride instead of the broken one.  This new life is always on my mind and I know God put it there to give me a glimpse of hope. It is his spirit's lifetime guarantee.

So we are brave and tough it out even though greater things lay on the other side of this half-priced life. This is our end goal and we see it in our hopes and beliefs...not our eyeballs. We choose the new car over the old one 10 out of 10 times. But whether we are leasing this old junker or partaking in the luxury ride one thing is still top priority: God's pleasure is our aim. We will all have to kneel before Jesus as he takes command from his seat of judgement. From there we will be reviewed by how we lived this life and how we spent our time. Whether good or bad review, we will recieve it.

Therefore, since we do not take God lightly, we use our time and effort to persuade others. God sees us work at it all the time. Our work to his glorious throne is always before him. But this is not bragging and name dropping to impress you, this is to show you a community of believers that care about people like you and about what is inside your heart. We have an extreme range of emotions for our affections. If we are crazy it was for God. If we were calm and collected it was for your sake. It is Jesus' deep affections and encouragements that drive us to do good things. That love died for us and we along with it. But our death is to the old life.

1 Peter 4:1-11

DON'T CRY FOR ME OLD LIFE
Listen up, church. I got news for you. Christ Jesus suffered way worse than we ever did. His body was drained from stem to stern. So we can take a cue from his playbook. Maybe it is not such a shocker when we receive lesser maltreatment from neighbors. We should have the same outlook on life. Those who suffer internally with the stresses of this world are slowly letting the poison of selfishness drain from them.  If you feel the discomfort from this world it means you are on the right track to leave sin.

Because you are putting an axe to the bad habits of your pagan neighbors, you are choosing God's personal management over your life. Very smart move. By now you have punched your card enough times at your old job: the nasty sins of alcholism, addiction, meaningless sex, obsession with things and fight starting. Your neighbors are starting to talk and they wonder why you aren't living in the fast lane of fast cars and faster woman. They call you softie behind your back for chickening out.  Don't listen to them. Those who live in the fast lane can't see the wall at the end. That wall is God and he will make them pay the bill for their extravagant life. Dead or alive, He will get you.

But that is the difference that the good news of Jesus makes. It is a battery that brings power to those who are even already dead. Even though their body hit the bucket, their spirit is doing just fine in this new life.

God is closing the book on this dark chapter. Focus! Concentrate on God's agenda so you can have a steady flow of communication with Him. You lose focus and your prayers become muddy. And what do we focus on? Where should our braincells be firing? Love! Give someone the deepest and most wide spread love your frame can handle. Love erases the screw up, pardons the messy and spends time with the broken. Open up your house to everyone and let them use your luxuries. You have that special skill, that God given power that makes others blessed. God is investing in your skills. If your skill is speaking then fill the air with the speeches of God. If you like helping people in need than let God be your driving force to accomplish things. In this way God gets a good return on his investment in the form of praise and worship in Jesus. Jesus is glorious, powerful and eternal. Amen

1 Cor 6: 1-11

1 Cor 6:1-11
Don't Let The World Fix This







So two people in your church are having a tiff. Sometimes arguments arise. But the fact of the matter is that you let the ungodly courts settle the case. They are really not in the position to handle our mediations. We are the ones who will be casting a verdict on them. If we are going to judge the imperfect things of this world than I think we can settle our own tiffs without bringing legal action into it. We will be judging angels for goodness sake! I don't believe the secular courts need to tell us how to behave with one another. They have bigger problems. You should feel like you are missing the point here. Not one of you can play peace keeper and settle the matter? But instead two godly people who read the word of god are trying to play Judge Judy in front of the world of unbelievers. These are unbelievers who don't give a crap about what God believes.

It gets worse. The fact that two believers are trying to sue each other and bring legal action is a huge epic loss. It would actually be better to be wronged, violated, insulted and sinned against than to follow this action. What are you trying to prove by gambling in the court system? You are dealing with the wrong people. Those people have only their crimes as their hope and the gates of God will not be opening for them. You know the people I am talking about. The pervs, the sexual deviants, the lust monsters, guys who break their marriage, the people that bow to everything but God and those who forsake natural relationships between man and woman. Don't get me started on the con artists, the money slaves, the corrupt business owners and the the kleptos. These people are not passing on their good merits. You were once like them. All you knew was the bad life. But the Lord Jesus cleaned that off you for good. He put you on the right side of his favor for eternity.