Types of Relationships with Jesus

Pastor Michael Smith from Calvary Costa Mesa had a great study on the last night of Jesus. There in John the last moments prior to his arrest, beating, death, and burial he was saying some very important things about relationships. Michael points out that there are cause and effects to our relationship with Jesus and based on our reasons for relating to Jesus we find that the outcome of our life yields less than desirable reactions.

He spoke about how Jesus came to establish a relationship with us. Did he come with the purpose to redeem man to make heaven's population to grow? God is sovereign and doesn't need our work. He has innumerable angels to carry out the works. He just wants us.

Going through John 14,15,16 Michael laid out examples of relationships Christians typically have with Jesus. With most of these superficial relationships they have adverse reactions. This helps me for personal reasons and for counseling purposes not that everyone falls into these categories but that this gives me tools. This views potential realities people live under and when we see the symptoms we can know that the answer is in righting the relationship with Jesus.

These are to be compared with just having a normal relationship with Jesus.

john 14:7-14 Relationship versus works
John 14:15-31 Relationship and Obedience
John 15: 1-17 Relationship and fruitfulness (Gods and Jesus relationship)
John 15: 18-25 Relationship and opposition
John 15: 26-27 Relationship and evangelism
John 16:1-4 Relationship verses religion. diametrically opposed to each other
John 16:5-15 Relationship and the Holy Spirit
John 16:16-19 Relationship during confusing times
John 16:20-22 Relationship through the ups and downs of life
John 16:23-24 Relationship and Prayer
John 16:25-33 Relationship and Spiritual failure

When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Works you have Legalism.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Fruitfulness you have Spiritual Pride because its is all about you and what your doing and how good you are. “Look at me.” How holy how loving
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Opposition you become downcast.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Evangelism leads to spiritual pride. You are THE EVANGELIST. You become obnoxious and argumentative and conflicting and no one likes you.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Religion your religious.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of seeking the Holy Spirit leads to charismania all that matters is Holy Spirit touch.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Confusing Times leaves you confused you get mad at God because things you want done don't get done.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of the Ups and Downs of life leaves you unbalanced and eventually leads to being bitter and cynical.
When you take a Relationship with Jesus out of Prayer it makes you Pharisaical. They could pray well and long and Jesus heard none of their prayers because they had no relationship.
When you take Relationship out of Spiritual Failure this leads to condemnation.

A relationship with Jesus is foundational for anything you want to do for him. Anything you want to do for the kingdom of God has to stem from your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If there is no relationship there will be nothing long lasting about your walk with God. You will get burned out.

I am so stoked about this God bless you all.

Flower viewing

It was a great day to go and view some flowers.

Felice on the Kiddie Train

Felice aren't you a little too big for that. She let all her inhibitions go and just went for it. She was one of the girls having fun riding the choo choo train. Too funny. Rachel and Jane love their new big sister.

Felice on the Radio

At Chappy Radio FM 77.7 we had a special guest on the Foreign Broadcast Program. Felice Ip was in studio and she rocked the mike. Actually she gave a really great testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ. It was a fun program. Felice grew up in Hong Kong and came to the US at 13. She graduated with honors from UCLA in Mechanical Engineering and worked for 10 some years for a large Corporation. She left all that for the love of serving Jesus and it has been the most exciting ride of her life. She's not done and God has allowed her to see many places and do many things that were it not for Jesus she would have never done. She came to Christ at a young age and has just grown deeper in her relationship with Jesus over the years. She declared that Jesus is the only way to heaven and it is just a simple prayer of repentance and faith in Jesus who he is that will bring you salvation. It was a great interview. Pray that those who will hear the broadcast tonight will hear and receive Jesus. Thanks Felice for coming to Japan and being on the radio. God bless.

Hanna Sakurai at CC Montebello

Hey I just wanted to share with you a clip from Hanna Sakurai singing worship at CC Montebello. She is awesome. She is the daughter of Calvary Kokobunji pastor Chizuo Sakurai. She is presently attending the Calvary School of Worship and she is great. Give her a listen. We are all very proud of her and the gift God has given her.

Christians have the answers to 9 out of 10

The Website "Ask Jeeves" has published its all time list of the 10 most asked questions by over 1 billion people. This is really fascinating as the Bible has all the answers even about dieting. Sad to say the Bible can't answer in the present to question 9 but in the future absolutely as it is appointed for man to die once. So why are folks not receiving the Biblical answers? That perhaps should be at the top of the Jeeves list.

JEEVES' UNANSWERABLES

1. What is the meaning of life?

2. Is there a God?

3. Do blondes have more fun?

4. What is the best diet?

5. Is there anybody out there?

6. Who is the most famous person in the world?

7. What is love?

8. What is the secret to happiness?

9. Did Tony Soprano die?

10. How long will I live?

Jane turned 6 WOW

Jane turned 6 and was blessed by family members for the gifts she received. It is always a joy to watch her expressions while she opens them. God bless you Jane. We love you.

We were blessed to visit Hong Kong

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?v=feed&id=1365301853#!/album.php?aid=2090507&id=1365301853

Hey Guys, the Lord blessed us and we were able to fly to Hong Kong and attend part of the Calvary Chapel Asia Missions Conference. God is so good and we were so blessed with touring the city and hearing the word of God taught by some amazing teachers. I posted picks on our Facebook see the link above. If you don't have FB well...Come to my house and I will show you them.

Grace and Mercy

Remember Mercy is not getting the punishment you deserve.
Remember Grace is unmerited favor where you get things you haven't earned.

On the cross of Christ mercy was displayed by the wrath of God being expiated and we who believe on Christ obtain mercy and our sins are forgiven.

God gets all excited and wants to pour out his grace so He says hey I'll throw in eternal life and a dwelling place in heaven...not only that! But I'll give you my son to abide in you...Not only that but I will seal you with the Holy Spirit...and not only that but I will empower you and gift you with abilities to do those things that are on your heart...Not only that I will never leave you nor forsake you...not only that but I will give you every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...Not only that but if you sin I am ready and willing to forgive any thing you could ever do. Just confess your sin and I'll be faithful and just to forgive your sin...Not only that.... It can go on and on and for all eternity we will be experiencing the grace of our gracious loving heavenly Father. Eph 1 John 3,14,20 1Jn 1:9 I love Jesus Christ and am anxious for experiencing more and more of his wonderful grace.

Born of God

I am really letting this sink in as this week we are in John 1:12-17 I am zeroing in on the phrase "born of God." This is truly amazing. I like what Pastor Francis Chan had to say about the transformation.

First Day of School second posting

I found our camera. Here are some more pictures on the kids first day at school at GCIS Grace Christian International School. It was a great day. There are great teachers at GCIS. Jane has class with the CC Kansas City Okinawan sensei Erin Shaver. Rachel is with Mr. Meyers from CC Florence OR. and Nathan has all the other teachers. Ms McBade and Mr Van Slooten, Ms Rechten, Mr Galvin, Ms Smith, of course Mr Wilson and some others. We are excited for the kids to have a fun and blessed year. Our homeschooling experience was a special time. We drew closer together as a family but there were also challenges. I am hopping my kids won't be affected for too many years after my stirring the pot. They are a little weirder and way too vulgar. I apologize to all who will be subjected to these after effects. Now mom and I are hoping to have more free time. NOT!