Luke 24:29

^“but they urged him [Jesus] strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he [Jesus] went in to stay with them.”

This blog is about my Christian walk with Jesus; or as some would say my spiritual journey. I am aware that the term “spiritual journey” conveys a vague and confusing connotation. After all, many people say they are on a spiritual journey; like the Tibetan or Buddhist monks, or even an average, everyday Joe. Some say their spiritual journey is unintentional. In other words, they learn from their mistakes. For me in my Christian perspective (my way of thinking) and framework (the set of rules I adhere to), I am chosen and called by God to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. A disciple is a follower, a student, or someone who is actively involved in learning from the master. God, in His wisdom and omnipotence, created within me a passion and a desire for learning Biblical truths. I can truthfully say, there is no good within me. Rather, if any good I have, it comes from my Lord God and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me, dying for me, saving me, making me your disciple, and giving me the abundant life as I abide in you.

In this work, my goal is to tell my life stories and draw applications from Bible truths that encouraged me to have hope, peace, and joy. Especially when going through very difficult and tough times. For example, as my wife Eulanda and I dealt with our battle against cancer, we prayed for healing every day. We knew, however, that our Lord God was sovereign and he was in control. His plan and His will for our lives were for our good and for his glory. As much as I truly miss my precious love, my Eulanda, I rest in peace and joy knowing she is in the loving arms of Jesus. Jesus did not promise Eulanda that he would heal her and extend her life here in Hawaii. No! Her Lord Jesus promised her, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5). My stories along with Eulanda’s stories are filled with suffering. My goal is to share our hope through Scripture in spite of, or in the midst of suffering because only in Christ, do I have joy.

The following Christian hymn by John Newton is meaningful to me, now more so than ever. It speaks of what may lay ahead for Christians who want to grow in grace, holiness, and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians, by God’s sovereign will and design, are chosen to share in the suffering of Christ (1 Peter 4:13). The Apostle Paul had reason to boast about his Jewish heritage, but he rather boast knowing that the Lord God Almighty thought him worthy to suffer for Christ (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). In another passage of Scripture, the Apostle Paul prayed three times for God to remove a thorn in his flesh, an affliction that Paul did not name (2 Corinthians 12:6-7). God did not do this because the thorn in the flesh, according to the Apostle Paul, was given to make him humble. In other words, our God is in control of our lives and we are to live to glorify and honor him. We may have to suffer. We may have to endure a thorn in the flesh to make us humble. In all things and in all ways, Christians are to glorify their Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

³¹ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow, by John Newton (Source: Sovereign Grace Music):

VERSE 1
I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

VERSE 2
‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

VERSE 3
 I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

VERSE 4
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part.

VERSE 5
Yea, more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart and laid me low.

VERSE 6
“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

VERSE 7
“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.

I am looking forward to sharing my stories about how I, like John Newton, wanted to grow to be more like Jesus. My God was pleased with my request and sent me on many occasions so I would also suffer for Him. We see this is true for all believers. Christ taught His disciples and the multitude about kingdom behavior in His “Sermon on the Mount.” A portion of His teaching has become most loved and is known as the Beatitudes, as recorded in Matthew 5:2-12, which says,

² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.