Let's be Thankful

Trying to start off this week on a good foot:

-Otus Mostus Postus Lotus

Happy Monday

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." -Deuteronomy 31:6

Have a great week everyone! Hope your weeks are starting off great! If it isn't, I hope it will turn out better!

-Otus Mostus Postus Lotus

Our Week

"WITHOUT GOD... our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, Shatterday, Seven days without God - Makes one Weak!!!"

Interesting huh? My friend sent me this email, and I thought it was clever, so I am sharing it with you guys!

-Otus Mostus Postus Lotus

Christ or Allah?

ravi answers a muslim (a confused muslim)

1-17-2010/ Christian Tongue/ James 3:1-12

I. Every Christian needs to guard one’s tongue (words) because:

A. Tongue is one of the most vital parts of a person.

i. Tongue can control a person as a bit controls a horse (3:3).

ii. Tongue can steer the direction of a person’s life as a rudder steers the direction of a ship (3:4).

iii. Tongue can bring either immense blessing or disaster upon one self as a spark of fire can result in a forester fire (3:5).

B. Tongue demonstrates the identity of a person.

i. Person’s words demonstrate the identity of a person just as a fruit of a tree identifies the type of a tree (3:12).

ii. Christian tongue cannot not be used to speak evil words and godly words just as both fresh water and salt water cannot come out from the same spring (3:11).

II. Every Christian needs to be perfect in terms of guarding one’s tongue.

A. Challenge: no man can guard his tongue completely (3:8).

B. Perfection does not refer to sinless-ness or complete taming of one’s tongue because that is impossible.

C. Perfection refers to ongoing yearning, striving and struggling for godliness in every aspect, specifically one's tongue.

D. Hence it is possible and desirable for Christians to be perfect (Matthew 5:48).

III. Application

A. Use one’s tongue to praise God: praising God does not only refer to singing praise songs, but it refers to verbally expressing who God is and his mighty works. This includes preaching, leading bible studies, evangelizing, singing praise songs and etc. Thus, all Christians are to praise God in all that we say.

B. Use one’s tongue to encourage others: biblical encouragement is not making empty promises or speaking mere positive words. It is listening, speaking and interacting with others (fellow believers first) based on genuine friendship.

EV Free La Mirada

Shai Linne with "Spread His Fame." from Grace EV Free on Vimeo.

1-10-2010/ Faith and Works/ James 2:14-26

Outline

I. The audience that James is addressing is a group of people who did not demonstrate action (in loving, helping, encouraging others and etc.) despite their confession to be believers.

II. The “actions” or “good works” that James is referring to is result of having genuine saving faith (response to the salvation in Jesus Christ), and it is not a prerequisite for salvation.

III. Hence in order to demonstrate “good works” or “action,” the bible speaks of, the person must foremost have the genuine saving faith.

A. The early Reformers concurred that the faith, in Jesus Christ, necessitates three elements in order for that faith to be considered as genuine saving faith.

i. Notitia: the content of what a person believes. The idea is that whatever the person believes (the object of faith) needs to be true in order for that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

ii. Assensus: intellectual assent. The idea is that the person must give an assent or agreement to the object of faith, at least theoretical or intellectual level, in order for that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

iii. Fiducia: the complete surrender and trust. The idea is that the person must give complete surrender and trust, to the object of faith, in order that faith or belief to be genuine saving faith.

B. The people James is addressing are missing the last part “Fiducia.”

IV. When there is complete surrender and trust in God, it will naturally produce good works since complete surrender and trust in God means obedience to the Word of God. And the Word of God teaches God's people to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

V. Application

A. Complete Surrender: Whether it is a job, money, goal, ambition, relationship, reputation, friend, hobby, Christians are to give up all things for God; i.e. placing these things as secondary, behind obedience to God.

B. Complete Trust: Whether it is a job, money, goal, ambition, relationship, reputation, friend, hobby, or even one’s life, Christians are to place confidence in God that He will provide because He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.

Interesting...

Inspirational Song from AB & HH

Ravi Zecharias on the Word of God

RC Sproul on Seeker Sensitive Church

Remember This Song?

The intro to the song is kind of wierd, I think the guy who made this video added it on, but still a good song.

-Otus Mostus Postus Lotus

01-04-10 Clippers Vs. Trailblazers

-Jake Sully

GGC EM went to the Clippers Game

GGC EM went to the Clippers Game

GGC EM went to the Clippers Game

The GGC EM group went to the Staples Center to watch the LA Clippers vs. Portland Trailblazers on Monday night the 4th. The night started out with dinner at a Mexican restaurant "El Taurino" in LA. El Taurino's hot sauce was a true demonstration of the word "spicy." Some people's faces turn from normal to red as they tasted the sauce whereas some others started to sweat profusely and hiccuped. After the dinner, few people decided that the experience will be bland without the presence of ice cream for dessert. This led to few guys walking over to the Food 4 Less, across the street, and buying some ice cream sandwiches as well as some other snacks. Everyone enjoyed the ice cream sandwiches and snacks.

Then the group drove to the Staples Center. Parking two blocks away, the group walked to the Staples Center. The seats were located in the back, but the group did not have difficulty following the game. During the first half of the game, a lot of the people felt drowsy and tired. Perhaps it was because of the food (I suspect the ice cream sandwiches). At the half time, the GGC EM group found closer seats because a lot of the seats were open (what do you expect? it's a Clippers game!). The second half of the game was a little better, but overall it was a slow game. LA Clippers won the game with the score of 105-95 over the Trail Blazers.

The GGC EM group had a lot of fun over all, however, the group hopes to come back to the Staples Center for Lakers game next time. Thanks to Chris Kim for tickets and opportunity to hang out together as a group. If you missed this fellowship, don't worry; there are plenty more chances to come; please join us next time!

From a member of GGC EM

EM Group Photo

Photo shoot out takes

Jay, Jay and Jay!!!

Ben, Shawn and Jay!

Picture #1: James, Sunny and Jay.

Picture #2: Wonhee and Jay.

Picture #3: Ben, Jay and Shawn.

Picture #4: I don't know who this is, but I think I might have seen him somewhere before!

New Year's greeting!

Greetings to the GGCEM members,

Hi, I wish everyone a happy new year.

In year 2010, let us remember that our God is God of faithfulness.

And, may we also be found faithful in His sight!

May the Lord bless you richly in 2010!

Julian