Rev. Katherine's Thanksgiving Notes-2024

 Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce (M.Div. & M.A.) Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music                       Email: Christianartsministry@ymail.com or KatherineLiuBruce2014@gmail.com            www.biblicalprecepts.blog.spot.com     www.youtube.com/c/KatherineLiuBruce    www.pinterest.com/KatherineLiuBruce

 

                                                   Rev. Katherine's Thanksgiving Notes-2024                                                     Nov.1,2024

 

                 Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts. Glory in His holy name, let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced. (Psalm 105:1-5). It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts. (Psalm 92:1-5)

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever. He sent forth His word and healed them. He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. (Psalm 107:1, 20-21). He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3). Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147:7, 11).The fear of the Lord is the begging of wisdom, all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. (Psalm 111:10). Those who fear the Lord shall lack nothing. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 146:2).

        My husband Robert had chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling legs and Hemoglobin is low due to the side effects of medicine “Farxiga”. He entered ER Advent Health Hospital East and was hospitalized on July 26, 2024. Cardiology Dr. Martinez discovered his right heart artery had 99% blockage and 70% blockage in the middle artery because of former stents had done in 2005. On August 1, he had angioplasty surgery and put two new stents in his right artery. On September 4 he entered the ER again at Advent Health Hospital East. Due to unstable angina; Cardiology did a second angioplasty and put one more stent in his middle artery on September 5, 2024. Unfortunately, the nurse injected him with a medicine named “Benzodiazepines”, he was allergic, it resulted in respiratory arrest. Robert had Cardiac arrest at 5 pm, and then entered ICU4111. ICU doctor Martin Cearras used a temperature pad to keep his body low temperature in order to protect his brain, however, it caused him to have a seizure and had Cardiac arrest a second time at 8 pm. Due to twice Cardiac arrest resulted in the fracture of multiple rids of both sides, and fracture of sternum. Doctor put him in Medical Induced Coma and observed him for 5 days and put a ventilator and feeding tube into his mouth to support him.  

ICU Dr. Cearras said, “During these 5 days, keep talking to him, wake him up, and if there are any families or friends who want to see him, this is the time to come and visit him.” My heart was so anxious about his life, in the sleepless nights I fasted and prayed to lift him up. In my distress, the Word of God comforted me, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:10,13).  I started to call and texted my former church pastors, church friends, and Robert’s siblings, and his friends to pray for him. I also called CBN Israel (700 club) twice to pray for a healing miracle. For I have been supporting CBN Israel. On September 8, 2024, Sabbath day, while I worshipped, sang out “Faith”, “Yahweh”, “Jehovah Jireh” and served our weekly Holy Communion, Robert was awake, opened his eyes, and looked at me, I was so amazed that God’s healing miracle. On September 11, 2024, Respiratory Doctor removed the ventilator and feeding tube from his month, however, on September 12 reinstalled it again, for his breathing was too fast and failed to pass the respiratory test. Doctors put him in Medical Induced Coma again until September 18, 2024, removed the ventilator and feeding tube. Robert passed the feeding test and started to drink liquid. He was discharged from ICU to regular patient room on September 21 and September 27, 2024, he was discharged from Advent Hospital East.   

      During his hospitalization in the ICU4111 Advent Hospital East, he was treated chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, kidney injury superimposed on CKD, Chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, anemia of chronic disease, Aspiration pneumonia, benign hypertensive kidney disease w/ chronic kidney disease, mixed hypertension. He had been hospitalized 23 days resulting in a wound in his perineum area. He was continually treated by a Nebulizer compressor breathing treatment and Oxygen compressor to keep his SpO₂ normal at home. Home Care came to do wound care, physical therapy and O.T. from Sept 28, 2024, to Oct. 4, 2024.   

         On Oct 4, 2024, at midnight Robert was having difficulty breathing while he lay down on the bed, so he sat up, fell to sleep, and fell from the bed, and injured his face. On Oct 5, 2024, I called 911 and sent him to the ER at Orlando Health –ORMC (Orlando Regional Medical Center). In the ER doctor discovered the fluid in his lungs and heart, and Pneumonia MRSA tested positive. Thank God, he had no injuries on his head. From Oct 5 to Oct 19, 2024, Robert received BIPAP treatment, Bumex and Lasix (Water pills) to drain the fluid out of his lungs and heart and Antibiotics –Vancomycin and Cefepime to defeat MRSA in the ICU. There was a time, Robert had no appetite to neither eat nor drink, and his blood pressure was down to 75/30 -71/ 29, he was sent to CCU on October 13, 2024. I couldn’t hold my tears when I called CBN (700 Club) a third time to pray for a healing miracle. Meanwhile, I texted my former pastors, church friends, Robert’s siblings and church friends to pray for Robert.     

       Thank God for miraculously answered the prayers, the fluid had drained out of his lungs and heart. And his blood pressure had been controlled well by Norepinephrine (NE). Robert regained his appetite, respiratory rate remained normal, and he was discharged from Orlando Health (ORMC) at 5pm, Saturday on October 19, 2024. Thank God for ORMC and Freedom health insurance supported Robert with a medical bed and a noninvasive ventilator in order to help him breathe and sleep better at night, for he had sleep apnea and an Oxygen compressor kept his SpO₂    in normal level. After being discharged during these weeks, Robert has been regaining appetite and strength. With physical therapy helped, he was able to stand up, sat on the recliner on Oct 28, 2024. Today, Nov.1, he is able to stand up, sit on the wheelchair, visit the primary doctor in order to do the Lab.  We are so thankful and look forward to celebrating Robert’s 67^th birthday on November 6, 2024. 

We give thanks to the Lord for He is good. Let those who fear the Lord say: “His love endures forever.” O Lord, I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation and my song.  The Lord confirmed His words, “Blessed is he who has regarded for the weak, the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” (Psalm 41:1-3).  Every day early morning, I humbly bowed down to pray for Robert, anointed his head with fine oil, played guitar, keyboard and worshipped the Lord in ICU and each patient room that he was hospitalized, lifted him up to the Lord and declared Psalm 118:17 upon him, “I (he) will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.” For the Word of God says, “Everything is possible to those who believe”. Jesus’ healing miracle to Lazarus in the book of John 11 is the same yesterday, today, forevermore.  Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) and “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4). The word of God is trustworthy. The Lord affirmed, “I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” (Jeremiah 33:6) And Jeremiah 30:17 & 19 says, “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds. Declares the Lord... From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing.

As Thanksgiving is approaching, with a thanksgiving heart, I write this letter in order to give thanks to all of you who have been faithful to pray for Robert and I. We give thanks from the bottom of our hearts, thanks for your sincere love, care, concerns, prayers, comfort, and encouragement.  

1) Giving thanks to CBN (700 club) for the prayers support.

2) Giving thanks to my former pastors of Taipei International Church- Pastor Beyer and Martha couple; Pastor Kim & Stephanie Cruchfild couple and his church; Pastor Mike and Pam couple and his church; Paula and David Perkins couple; Fred & Paula couple; and Brother David Chou and his church for the prayers support.

3) Giving thanks to my ministry’s supporters - Brother Han, Gem Juo & Erica family came to visit Robert; Mrs. Lin (Wang Xin); Mr. & Mrs. Wang Wu & Fung-Ping couple ; Tina Chen family; Mr. & Mrs. Chen couple; Kiki (Kuei- Xin) Liu family; Lena & Alfred Prekaj couple;  for y’all financial support and added gas on my tank.

4) Giving thanks to Robert’s siblings- Julia & Chuck couple and Terry & Amelia couple came to hospital to visit Robert and prayed for Robert, Clack Bruce, cousin Bonnie Bruce, cousin Larry & Sylvia Lunsford couple and cousin Ben Waller for the prayers support.

5) Giving thanks to our friends – Bill & Candy and her church, Property management specialists- Debbie Alder, Terri, Carlo, Rebecca, and landlord Evelyn Bush. Carlyn, Jason Smith for the prayers support.

6) Giving thanks to Robert’s friends and RMA classmates - Chip & Pam David couple came to hospital to pray for Robert and thanks for his church prayers support.  Jon & Christie Dunwell couple; Glenn Stepp II; Jeff Harper; David Myer; Mark & Katy Lunetta; Chris Doss; Alan Christopher; Woody Cartis; Robbie Patterson; Gerald Glynn William; Eric Webb; Mike Wyatt; Chuck Fields; Harry Austin; Bill Shillington; Doug Sulivan; and Jim Zirkel for the prayers support.

7) Giving thanks to all the physicians and nurses who were assigned to take care of Robert during his hospitalization.

Thank God for prolonging Robert’s life, rescued him, delivered him, healed him and saved him. This circumstance draws us closer to God, humbly lean on His divine resurrection power, and surrender our life to His sovereignty. We acknowledge God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness endures forever. Most importantly, God changes our hearts to love deeply and cherish life, for each breath is the gift of God. He delights us to love each other and puts our hope in His unfailing love.

My friends and families, by y’all faithful prayers support and financial support which enabled us to grasp the grace of God, and His loving-kindness.  Today, we are home to celebrate Robert’s birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our hearts fill with joy and thanksgiving. As Psalm 103 says, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits who forgiving all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (Ps. 103:1-5). Thank God for His compassion, unfailing love, healing, mercy and faithfulness. His words are trustworthy as Psalm 91: 9-16 says,

“If you make the Most high your dwelling even the Lord, who is my refuge. Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:9-16).

  May the Lord bless y’all with a peaceful, delightful, and bountiful thanksgiving and Christmas!   May the Lord bless you and increase you so that you can bless more people. To God be the glory in all He has done.  

 

Prayerfully Yours!

The Bruce Family,        

 Robert and Katherine    

 

My condolences for the loss of Dr. Doris Brougham, a message to ORTV's friends and families

Dear ORTV sisters and brothers in Christ, friends and families                               August 16, 2024 

                                      

          Peace be with you all! Greetings from Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce and Robert W. Bruce in Orlando Florida, USA. We have heard the story of Doris Brougham who passed away on August 6, 2024, one day after her 98^th birthday due to multiple organ failure. We are grieving for the loss of Doris, yet inwardly we believe that she is with the Lord. Her soul is entering into heavenly Jerusalem, the city of living God, the thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. (Heb.12:22). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26). It indicates that although she dies physically, yet, she shall live spiritually and eternally. Whoever lives physically and believes in Jesus will never die spiritually and eternally. Therefore, we are rejoicing that she has clothed with her heavenly dwelling and at home with the Lord without pains.  

Apostle Paul also encouraged the church, “we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1Thessalonians4:13-18).  God has made everything beautiful in His time. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…(Ecclesiastes 3:11:1-4).

                I thank God for her love and passion for Christ, and the great impact on the people in Taiwan. I praise God for her commitment and persistence to serve the Lord. The last conversation we had through the Facebook messages, she texted, “I just want to go out to be strong for the Lord.” Today, she rests in the arms of the Lord, my prayers and thoughts go out to her – a great spiritual mother, a passionate missionary and minister. It is Taiwan’s blessing to have her part of historical events and heroes spiritually, economically, educationally, and politically. More than 70 years, Doris devoted wholeheartedly to the Lord, worked unto the Lord and officially recognized as a citizen of Taiwan and received a passport of Taiwan from Taiwan's president Tsai En-Wen. As servants of God and Children of God, we rejoice that we are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. (Eph.2:19) In Christ, we are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.      

                  I personally adore her, love her and thank her for her love, encouragement, and blessing to me. When I shared with her that “I am going to get married.” She responded, “It’s time to give God glory.” She came with Daniel Hsieh and Paula Perkins; she planned my wedding ceremony, music, reception and had a heavenly melody team and TIC elders to participate in the wedding. That was my greatest honor and blessings that she gave me. I am thankful that God led Doris into my life. It’s my honor to serve the Lord together with Doris at Taipei International church from Dec. 1999 to March 2004 as Stephen minister, also praising & worshiping leaders’ team. Her trumpet sounds had led us to triumph all the procession through Christ strengthened us.  "The Journey of love" each page illustrates her commitment to serve the Lord, obedience to God’s call, the legacy of faith, hope and love will remain in many people’s hearts in Taiwan.  

Today, she received her crown of life as reward, and Jesus’ final acknowledges, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.  Let us sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, make music to our God, and praise the Lord for her sacrificial love and life. Surely, she had fought a good fight of faith. May her legacy continually impact Taiwan’s young generations to come! May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

           Please accept my condolences and a check of USD $100 for Doris’s memorial fund. I am sad and feel sorry that I cannot be there to participate in Doris' final memorial concert on Sept.20, because my husband just discharged from hospital on August 3rd, and he had done angioplasty surgery on August 1st, and Cardiology will do second angioplasty surgery on September for him. And follow up the appointment with Cardiology, Nephrology, GI doctors, and Cardiac Rehab. Therefore, we are unable to attend, because my husband’s medically unable to travel.         

             However, God is “Immanuel”. He is with us, and His promise is “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) and Jesus said, “I will not leave you as orphans: I will come to you.” (John 14:18). The peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John4:18-19). Please be strong for the Lord! Be strong!

 

Weekly Message: Is not religion but Jesus Christ

 Ø  The mystery of believing 

            When Saul of Tarsus met Jesus “And he said, who are Thou, Lord?” (Acts.9:6)

 By the powerful light of Christ and miracle of Redemption Saul of Tarsus was turned in one second from a strong-willed, intense Pharisee, persecutor into a humble, devoted slave of the Lord Jesus.

 There is nothing miraculous about the things we can explain. We command what we are able to explain. It is not natural to obey; nor is it necessarily sinful to disobey. There is no moral virtue in obedience unless there is a recognition of a higher authority in the one who dictates, (or orders, rules).

 It is possibly an emancipation, liberation to the other person if he does not obey. If one man says to another “you must” or " you shall”, he breaks the human spirit and unfits it for God. A man is a slave for obeying unless behind his obedience there is a recognition of a holy God. Many souls begin to come to God when he flings off or throws away being religious, because there is only one Master of the human heart, and that is not religion but Jesus Christ.  

But woe be to me if when I see Him I say – I will not. He will never insist that I do, but I have begun to sign the death warrant of the Son of God in my soul. When I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say- I will not, He will never insist; but I am backing away from the recreating power of His redemption. It is a matter of indifference to God’s grace how abominable I am if I come to the light; but woe be to me if I refuse the light (John 3:19-21).

Ø  Mastery over the believer—

Jesus said, “Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I AM.” (John 13:13)

 Our Lord never insists on having authority; He never says- Thou shalt.  He leaves us perfectly free- so free that we can spit in His face, as men did; so free that we can put Him to death, as men did; and He will never say a word. But when His life has been created in me by His Redemption, I instantly recognize His right to absolute authority over me. It is a moral domination –“Thou art worthy…” . It is only the unworthy in me that refuses to bow down to the worthy.

If when I meet a man who is more holy than myself, I do not recognize his worthiness and obey what comes through him, it is a revelation of the unworthy in me. God educates us by means of people who are a little better than we are, not intellectually but “Holily,” until we get under the domination of the Lord Himself, and then the whole attitude of life is one of obedience to Him.

If our Lord insisted upon obedience He would become a taskmaster, and He would cease to have any authority. He never insists on obedience, but when we do see Him we obey Him instantly, He is easily Lord, and we live in adoration of Him from morning till night. The revelation of my growth in grace is the way in which I look upon obedience. We have to rescue the word “Obedience” from the mire.

 Obedience is only possible between equals; it is the relationship between Father and Son, not between master and servant. “ I and My Father are one.” “Though He was a Son, yet, learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” The Son’s obedience was as Redeemer, because He was Son, not in order to be Son.  

Bibliography,           

 Chambers, Oswald. My utmost for His highest, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. 1935.   

             King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

Weekly message: Change your ideology by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Weekly message: Change your ideology                                              

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling 

 Date July 11, 2024

 

Faith realization in Christ Jesus is “My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.” This realization is pretty absurd in some sense even in Christians’ field.             Being Christian minister, so often, I prayed for myself and followed members, friends to receive joy, love, blessing, and peace to be filled in their hearts, home and working place. And Jesus will be the answer for an individual's life. Today’s vision and scripture awakens me to change my ideology. The scripture says, “till we all come… unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph.4:13). 

God delights a child of God to grow in Him as a full-grown man mature in life. To arrive at a measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ he or she must live in oneness with God as the Body of Christ. That Christ Himself will manifest in him (or her), and he (or she) will reflect God’s glorious image, and marvelous light, and live God’s life eternal. God wants us to be His possession and acknowledge “There is none, but Thee” as God says, “I AM your God, you are my people.” We, as His possession will affirm that “He is mine, I am His”. Facing every scenario we can totally submit to Him confidently and say, “O God Father, and my Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that you are mighty enough to control this; you are strong enough to carry these burdens that I concerns and bring healing to this; you are big enough to handle all that I concern; you are powerful enough to do this. I can just cast all my burdens and concerns to Thee, and submit myself to Thee, for Thou are the God Almighty who is able, more than able to do much more than I can ever imagine and ask.” Oswald Chambers said, “The essential thing is my personal relationship to Jesus Christ that I may know Him. To fulfill God’s design means entire abandonment to Him. Whenever I want things for myself, the relationship is distorted.” Resting in the Lord does not depend on external circumstances, but on your relationship to God Himself. It is easy to talk about “resting in the Lord” and “waiting patiently for Him”, but without oneness with God as full-grown man and the measure of the statutes of the fullness of Christ, our soul life will keep fretting, fearing, worrying and anxious about all things. Oswald’s thoughts are right that “Fussing (or complaining, protesting, grumbling, griping) always ends in sin” and “fretting is wicked if you are a child of God.”

All the fret and worry occurred because without oneness with God. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Or “Commit your way to the Lord trust in Him and He will do this.” (NIV). “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you, I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4). When we live in oneness with God, His way will be our way, His thoughts will be our thoughts, and His truth will be our reality. You will be developed as a full-grown man as the body of Christ to reach out to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. And your inner man will say “I am His, He is mine”, your soul will remind you that “My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.” Your soul will rest in God, for His promise is “I will never leave you, nor will I forsake you.” “Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” (Isaiah 54:10). Then, you will boldly declare “For my Maker is my husband the Lord Almighty is His name.” (Isaiah 54:5)

        My friends, do you need to change your ideology? Let go of your fussing, fretting, fear, worry, and anxiety about life, families, relatives, friends, society values, and people’s thinking. Replace God in your mind, and heart, let Jesus be your life, your way, your truth and your reality. Anything you ask Him for is not better than God Himself. God wants to give you - God Himself.

How to let God dwell in you? As a traditional hymn named, “Take the Name of Jesus with you” it says,

1)      Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe;

It will joy and comfort give you take it, then, wherever you go.

2)      Take the name of Jesus ever, as a shield from every snare;

It temptations round you gather, breathe that holy name in prayer.

3)      O the precious name of Jesus! How it thrills our souls with joy;

When His loving arms receive us and His songs our tongues employ!

4)      At the name of Jesus bowing, falling prostrate at His feet,

King of kings in heaven we’ll crown Him when our journey is complete. 

Refrain     

        Precious name, o how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven

         Precious name, O how sweet! Hope of earth and joy of heaven

 Is it that simple? “Whatever you do...do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Col.3:17).

  

Bibliography,           

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3^rd Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 2000.

Brown, Robert, Philip W. Comfort and J.D. Douglas, ed. The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1990.

 

Chambers, Oswald. My utmost for His highest, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. 1935.   

Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.

            King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

            Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 Strong, James. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010. 

 

 

 

Weekly Message: I saw the Lord, did you? By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Weekly Message:  I saw the Lord, did you?

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                      Date: June 29, 2024

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music

Our soul’s history with God and inner man relationship with Christ is frequently the history of the passing of the hero, someone who acts as a mentor to grow us and cultivate our faith in Christ. Over and over again God has to remove our mentors (or friends or loved one) in order to bring Himself in their place, and that is where we faint and fail and get discouraged. Take it personally: In the year that the one who stood to me for all that God was, died- I gave up everything? Or I became ill? Or I got disheartened? Or I saw the Lord?    

           When Elijah was taken away from Elisha, Elisha was grieving the loss of his master. But God replaced Elijah by Himself in Elisha’s life. (2kings2:12-25). God’s divine life manifested in him and let him build up personal relationship with God directly, tasted the sweetness of the Lord Himself and embraced the divine power of God’s sovereignty to fulfill his calling as a Prophet, to heal the sickness, to restore the life, to perform the miracles (2king 4:1-37; 5: 1-27), and saved his people from enemy. (2king 6:8-8:6) In Isaiah’s time, in the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah expressed that he also saw the Lord. (Isaiah 6:1). When Moses died, Joshua also saw the Lord (Joshua 1:1-3). When Jesus died, Mary Magdalene, Peter and all the disciples also saw the Lord. (John 20:10-21:25)

          My friends, When God removed your mentor, or your loved one or friends passed away, did you dwell on the disheartened and gave-up everything? Became ill? Or you also saw the Lord as Isaiah, Elisha, Joshua and disciples of Jesus? When my mother passed away, I also saw Jesus, tasted God’s love, and the Holy Spirit’s comforting, When my mother in-law passed away, I also saw the Lord Jesus’ image appeared on the sky assured me that His presence is there with me each step of my life, His blessed assurance is “I will never leave you nor forsake you” and “I will not leave you as orphans, and I will come to you”. (John 14:18)

        Today in the world, unless you are born again Christian and begin to see the Kingdom of God, you may see along the line of your prejudices only, see no God. You need an internal purification and the surgical operation of external events. Put God first, second, third…until the life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account whatsoever. And your inner man will resound, “In all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but thee.”

          My friends, in the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw also the Lord (Isaiah 6:1), in the year that Elijah was taken away, Elisha saw also the Lord. In Moses’ time, when Moses died, Joshua also saw the Lord. In Jesus’ time, when Jesus died, disciples saw also the Lord. Did you see the Lord when your mentor or friend or loved one died?  But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4). To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne. (Revelations3:21). Therefore, keep loyalty to Jesus Christ even God removes your friend, or mentor away from you.    

 Bibliography,           

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3^rd Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 2000.

Brown, Robert, Philip W. Comfort and J.D. Douglas, ed. The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1990.

Chambers, Oswald. My utmost for His highest, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. 1935.   

Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.

            King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

            Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 Strong, James. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010. 

         

Weekly message: Judge not! By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Weekly message: Judge not!

 By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce                                                           Date: June 21,2024

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling

  Ø  Jesus says regarding judging – Don’t.

Matthew 7:1-3 says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. and why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ” Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things (Romans 2:1)

       The average Christian is the most penetratingly critical individual. Criticism is a part of the ordinary faculty of man; but in the spiritual domain nothing is accomplished by criticism. The effect of criticism is a dividing up of the powers of the one criticized; the Holy Ghost is the only One in the true position of criticize, He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding. It is impossible to enter into communion with God when you are in a critical temper; it makes you hard and vindictive and cruel, and leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person.  Jesus says, as a disciple cultivates the uncritical temper. It is not done once and for all. Beware of anything that puts you in the superior person’s place. There is no getting away from the penetration of Jesus. If I see the mote in your eye, it means I have a beam in my own. Every wrong thing that I see in you, God locates in me. Every time I judge, I condemn myself (Romans2:17-24). Stop having a measuring rod for other people. There is always one fact more in every man’s case about which we know nothing. The first thing God does is to give us a spiritual spring-cleaning; there is no possibility of pride left in a man after that. I have never met the man I could despair of after discerning what lies in me apart from the grace of God.  

Ø  God judges us through the marvelous Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall measured to you again (Matthew 7:2) This statement is not a haphazard guess, it is an eternal law of God. Whatever judgment you give, it is measured to you again. There is a difference between retaliation and retribution. Jesus says that the basis of life is retribution-“with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” If you have been shrewd in finding out the defects in others, remember that will be exactly the measure given to you. Life serves back in the coin you pay. This law works from God’s throne downwards. “ To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. (Psalm 18: 25-26)

 Romans chapter 2 applies it in a still more definite way, and says that the one who criticizes another is guilty of the very same thing. God looks not only at the act, He looks at the possibility. We do not believe the statements of the Bible to begin with. For instance, do we believe this statement, that the things we criticize in others we are guilty of ourselves? The reason we see hypocrisy and fraud and unreality in others is because they are all in our own hearts.  The great characteristic of a saint is humility—Yes, all those things and other evils would have been manifested in me but for the grace of God, therefore I have no right to judge.

  Jesus says, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”; if you do judge, it will be measured to you exactly as you have judged.” Who of us would dare to stand before God and say-- “My god, judge me as I have judged my fellow men? ” We have judged our fellow men as sinners; if God should judge us like that we would be in hell. God judges us through the marvelous Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Ø  Sin cannot be the master rules over me

Someone posted on Facebook timeline says, “Don’t tell me about your religion, but tell me how you treat others? Don’t tell your faith... but tell me how you treat your neighbors? ” This is what I think, and I must point out that “No matter what religion you are practicing? Without Jesus and the Spirit of Christ, you are an atheist; your soul will end up in hell, suffering for the second dead in the lake of burning sulfur. (Rev. 20:10). No matter how good or bad you treat others? Without Jesus’ atonement and Spirit of Christ in your life, you are a socialist as socialism; the group will be identified as a social club. Not the Christians church. Jesus said to Satan, “Away from me, Satan, for it is written, worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” (John 15:12). Jesus didn’t submit to Satan, He refused to be contaminated by sin and temptation. Sin has made the basis of things wild and not rational. We have to recognize that sin is a fact, not a defect; sin is a red-handed mutiny against God. Either God or sin must die in my life. The New Testament brings us right down to this one issue. If sin rules in me, God’s life in me will be killed; if God rules in me, sin in me will be killed. There is no possible ultimate but that. The climax of sin is that it crucified Jesus Christ, and what was true in the history of God on earth will be true in your history and in mine. In our mental outlook we have to reconcile ourselves to the fact of sin as the only explanation as to why Jesus Christ came, and as the explanation of the grief and sorrow in life. 

Ø  Don’t rob the truth and think that godliness is a means to financial gain

   If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching he is conceited and understand nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (1Timothy 6:3-5) But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.( 1 Timothy 6: 6-10).  

 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:15-16)  For the grace of God that bring salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “NO” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. While we wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. (Titus2:11-15).

                        Conclusion - In relation to judging and relation to others

  Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Mattew7:3-5 NIV). So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12 NIV).  In King James Version says, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye; but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye… Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:3-5; 7:12KJV). 

 Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong, let him who is vile continue to be vile, let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22: 11-13).

 

  Bibliography,           

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3^rd Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 2000.

Brown, Robert, Philip W. Comfort and J.D. Douglas, ed. The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1990.

Chambers, Oswald. My utmost for His highest, NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. 1935.   

Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.

            King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

                     

            Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 Strong, James. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.