God's Overpowering Purpose - January 24 - My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers

"I have appeared unto thee for this purpose." Acts 26:16

The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was no passing emotion, but a vision that had very clear and emphatic directions for him, and he says, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision." Our Lord said, in effect, to Paul - Your whole life is to be overmastered by Me; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but Mine. "I have chosen him."

When we are born again we all have visions, if we are spiritual at all, of what Jesus wants us to be, and the great thing is to learn not to be disobedient to the vision, not to say that it cannot be attained. It is not sufficient to know that God has redeemed the world, and to know that the Holy Spirit can make all that Jesus did effectual in me; I must have the basis of a personal relationship to Him. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim, he was brought into a vivid, personal, overmastering relationship to Jesus Christ. Verse 16 is immensely commanding - "to make thee a minister and a witness." There is nothing there apart from the personal relationship. Paul was devoted to a Person not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ's, he saw nothing else, he lived for nothing else. "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

The Lord Answers Prayers...

As often times, we Christians believe that the only answer that we should get from our prayers is a big fat "yes" from God.  We always say "please answer our prayers" and expect a "yes" from it.  Or if we do get a "yes" we respond "My prayers were answered."  But what if we get a "no" or a "later?" 

We fail to understand that a "no" or a "later" from God are also answers to our prayers.  That means we have to accept the fact that we don't always get a "yes."

Sad to say, many Christians today focus themselves on the "claim-it idea" where they claim a certain request from a prayer and expect God to grant them what they ask for.  What if it's not according to His will?  What if He says no?  Would you still be able to grasp the fact that He's still a loving God? Would you still have faith in Him? God gives according to His will.  We believe this because we pray this, "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
and in 1 John 5:14, "..if we ask according to his will, he hears us.." and in Phil. 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

These "things" that we ask for can be in material, relational, social.  Can be success, acceptance, understanding.  But God reminds us of our greatest need.  A savior.
Jesus is the only one we need.  Paul repeatedly says the phrase "through Christ Jesus," "Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," "In Christ Jesus."  To whom our rest comes from, our strength comes from, our daily needs comes from. 

During this season, it's not about us, praying for our wishlists, or about what we want to get. Let's remember, that even if we did not pray for this, this season is about what has been GIVEN to us through grace, a savior.

God bless everyone!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Celebration 2010

You are all invited. Come and be a part of the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Just like any other Christmas parties, there will be food, games, fellowship and fun.

This is on December 18th, 2010, Saturday at 1pm.

It will be held at the old church site, 

7416 Beckford Ave

Reseda, CA 91335

Invite your friends and loved ones! 

Christ Is Coming Church

2010 Photo right after "Who Am I" Family Summer Camp.

Christ is Coming Church Los Angeles was established on February 27, 2008 by a small group of Filipinos with a great desire to seek Jesus and work in His ministry.

Now, as young as the church is, so are the members. Comprised mostly of young people, Christ is Coming Church reaches out, in Jesus' name, to more young people around Los Angeles and its surrounding cities.