Ok.Stephen.Ko

Tough Reminder

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1John 2:15-17

As I end the week, I’m reminded to “fix my thoughts on Jesus” Hebrews 3:1, and that the world really doesn’t have anything to offer me of any eternal value; I’ve been distracted this week in terms of focus, but by the grace of God, He has kept me from going crazy and picked me up when I’ve fallen down.

Thank You Almighty God for Your love and faithfulness!

Restless

Funny how a few days can make a difference; how a new week can change the person you were the last. I have been neglecting my quiet time with God, and yes I’m regretting it. It seems to be a bad cycle that comes up around mid-term exams and final exams; I get distracted with other things and neglect both God’s word and school work.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” 1Peter 4:1-3

I am tired and restless, but one thing is for sure: “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1Corinthians 1:9

I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Til I rest in You, ‘til I rest in You

I’m restless, I’m restless

‘Til I rest in You, ‘til I rest in You

Restless - Audrey Assad

Question of the Week: Is anyone of you tired and/or restless?

What do you do when you feel discouraged?

Is anyone going through a tough time and you need prayer?

Growing as a Worship Leader

So our worship team is up this week. I’ve had the past 2-3 weeks to think and pray about the song set.

In my younger years as a worship leader, I was very careless (to say the least) when choosing songs; my main interest was choosing songs that had a cool riff or sounded good - you could say that the lyric of the song had little influence on whether I chose it or not. Some weeks, we’d hit the mark, and others would be a country mile off in terms of choosing the right song for the service.

As I look back at the many years of being in the worship ministry, I cannot claim I had a TRUE passion for worshiping God, but a passion for music intermingled with my own pride and selfishness. I loved to sing and make music. But by God’s grace, He pulled me out of the darkness, and instilled in me a truthful, powerful, inspired, and living passion for worshiping Him.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

I don’t know what prompted me to pick the guitar up but I thank God for His mercy and His blessings; also, for connecting me with supportive people: my leading lady Elaina, and various leaders, and especially my mom. “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.” John 1:16

For all worship leaders and team members, I highly recommend you read Exploring Worship by Bob Sorge; it discusses the foundations of ‘what is praise?’, and ‘what is worship?’ which will help you to understand the form/flow of the church service, and what types of songs (vertical worship, horizontal, etc.) are appropriate when. Great insight!

Continue to pray for your worship leaders and teams: that they will be Spirit-filled.

Heavy Hearted

My heart is laden with despair for our church. There is uncertainty and confusion; we need to pray for the leaders of our churches, and we, as the body of believers, we must continue seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18 

Let’s continue to pray for our churches; that we may bear fruit for the glory of God.

Be Holy

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”   

1 Peter 1:13-14

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-15

These two verses have really been speaking to me this past week.

God wants us to be holy; this is often easier said than done. We’re all humans, and have our weaknesses.

By God’s grace, we are cleansed. By God’s grace, we are saved.

“Naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus” -Lowry