“Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures”—Luke 24:32 (ESV)
The Synopsis:
The Campus for Christ Winter Conference (Encounter) is a five-day annual event that allows students from across Eastern Canada to gather and give glory to God in an intense way. Throughout the Conference, there were multiple seminars and sessions that intend to strengthen a newer generation of Christians in their faith. Moreover, students had an opportunity to devote an entire day to evangelism in the city of Toronto.
The Impact:
Encounter gave me an opportunity to devote all my efforts towards God. Like most people, I have distractions in my life like problems at home, friends or worrying about school (or the lack there of for York University students) that prevent me from adequately worshiping God. Encounter simply provided an atmosphere free from distractions, allowing me to continually worship God (Hebrews 13:15) in a way that is pleasing to Him (John 4:24).
Also incredible, was witnessing the power of prayer in a hall with 600 university students from across Eastern Canada as we prayed to live a life more like Christ, as people prayed for boldness to speak the word of God to the nations— and things were shaken (Acts 4:31).
Apart from all the intense large-scale sessions, God was also present in the quiet times as we broke into fellowship to have fun, pray, and build up one another in our faith (Hebrews 10:25).
There was an encounter.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Christ loved the Outcasts
Mark 2: 13-17:
Jesus Calls Levi
13He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
15And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat[b] with tax collectors and sinners?" 17And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
The preceding is a compelling passage in Mark where Jesus carries out a seemingly ordinary task that has powerful implications regarding how to live as followers of Christ. In this passage, Jesus shares a meal with the outcasts of society (the tax collectors and sinners), surprising the holy people, who couldn’t believe that Jesus was in their company.
In this society, sharing a meal was how people welcomed guests into their homes, allowing one another to engage in conversation—or that’s what I’m assuming. In fact, Jesus commands his disciples to eat with those who receive them (Luke 10:7-8). Considering this, Jesus is stating that he shows no partiality as he shares a meal with the outcasts of this society, and others reiterate His impartiality in perusing a relationship with those who seek him throughout scripture (Acts 10: 34-35, Romans 2:11 and James 2:9).
The passage about the Levi highlights the importance of reaching the outcast, broken and lost people in our society and loving them as ourselves. Because it is impossible to love God and not people because these commandments go hand in hand (1 John 4:7), and this is true in my life because my compassion for those lost in darkness grows as I fall more in love with Jesus.
I am greatly humbled knowing that we have the privilege of being instruments of righteousness in the darkness that the Holy Spirit can use to draw those searching for the knowledge of truth.
Also, I feel great love from a savior who is preparing us in our short time in this world so that we may live eternally with Him (Matthew 25:31-46).
Tears of the Saints- A song by Leeland:
Jesus Calls Levi
13He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
15And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat[b] with tax collectors and sinners?" 17And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
The preceding is a compelling passage in Mark where Jesus carries out a seemingly ordinary task that has powerful implications regarding how to live as followers of Christ. In this passage, Jesus shares a meal with the outcasts of society (the tax collectors and sinners), surprising the holy people, who couldn’t believe that Jesus was in their company.
In this society, sharing a meal was how people welcomed guests into their homes, allowing one another to engage in conversation—or that’s what I’m assuming. In fact, Jesus commands his disciples to eat with those who receive them (Luke 10:7-8). Considering this, Jesus is stating that he shows no partiality as he shares a meal with the outcasts of this society, and others reiterate His impartiality in perusing a relationship with those who seek him throughout scripture (Acts 10: 34-35, Romans 2:11 and James 2:9).
The passage about the Levi highlights the importance of reaching the outcast, broken and lost people in our society and loving them as ourselves. Because it is impossible to love God and not people because these commandments go hand in hand (1 John 4:7), and this is true in my life because my compassion for those lost in darkness grows as I fall more in love with Jesus.
I am greatly humbled knowing that we have the privilege of being instruments of righteousness in the darkness that the Holy Spirit can use to draw those searching for the knowledge of truth.
Also, I feel great love from a savior who is preparing us in our short time in this world so that we may live eternally with Him (Matthew 25:31-46).
Tears of the Saints- A song by Leeland:
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