Power of the Cross-復活節快樂

This is my second Easter day that I have spent in Kinmen, Taiwan. I miss my home church and spending this special day with family & friends. But I feel extremely honored being able to serve God with brothers & sisters that have such a passion for Jesus. 

"This, the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us, took the blame, bore the wrath, we stand forgiven at the cross..." 

"Power of the Cross" is the hymn my team chose to sing on Easter morning.  It is such a beautiful song with a powerful message. 

We have been meditating on the importance of Jesus' death. There really was no other way for mankind to enjoy a relationship with God if it wasn't for Jesus' sacrifice. We watched, Passion of the Christ, on Friday and we were reminded of Jesus' sufferings. We wept. He had the power to just come down that cross, to destroy the Roman soldiers, to prove to the Pharisees that he was God! But of course, we all know he chose to suffer & die for us. 

I thank God that Jesus shed his blood for me. It's because of his sacrifice that we are free, that we can enjoy a life of joyfulness. Verse 3 from the hymn, Power of the Cross, goes like this,  "Oh, to see my name written on the wounds, for by your suffering I am free. Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, won through your selfless love." 

Life is mine to live. What kind of a life? A careless, selfish, sinful life? No. We are called to a life of service. A life of dedication. A life of passion. A life of growing in Christ. Living for God is not the easiest thing to do! But it is through Jesus' blood that we have the strength to carry on. Carrying our cross. Focusing on Jesus.  

Yep, I am convinced that living for Jesus is the hardest thing to do. I have to deny myself and what my flesh wants to allow Christ's image to be seen in me. Deny myself is something I should do every second of everyday day. 

BUT IT'S SOOOOO HARD!!

I mean, I am completely rejecting the things I love and the things that bring me satisfaction so that I can "carry my cross" and follow Jesus. Sometimes, I end up doing the things I know I shouldn't do. Sometimes, I feel so unworthy of living this life that I am tempted to give up.

{One of my favorite moments
of today was to see two
 little sisters praying earnestly
to God. In love
 with him at a young age.
So, encouraging!}

But,I'm telling you:  it is possible! It is worth it! It is rewarding! To be able to live our life for Jesus & to be able to serve him even in our weaknesses. He glorifies himself in us when we trust him, and when we wholeheartedly surrender ourselves to His feet.  And, "We stand FORGIVEN at the cross".

Little girls praying.

 Ephesians 5 talks about living in the light. It says, 

 "¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Pastor Samuel with the four young girls who got baptized!

This chapter basically sums up the life we should be living! God brought me to this chapter today. I really needed to be reminded what God's standards are for me to follow. 

With Helen Cheng!

So, these are some of the things that I learned this weekend. Today on Easter day, we celebrated the baptism of 4 young girls who decided they wanted to carry their cross & follow Jesus. Helen Cheng is one of the young people that go to the NQU Bible Study and that got baptize today! After we celebrated the baptisms, we headed out to the streets of Kinmen to give out gospel tracts to everyone who would accept them! We were all so happy to be able to yell out to the world that Jesus is alive! [call me holyroly- I get so excited that I can be forgiven from my failures!].  

So, this is how I spent 復活節快樂 [Fùhuó jié kuàilè]!

He is risen!