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# Phil Chan

A Powerful Inner Life Can Move Mountains

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## Posts

- [Anticipating AI: 4 Predictions and How Christians Should Prepare](https://phillipchan.org/anticipating-ai-4-predictions-and-how-christians-should-prepare/) - Will AI make the world a better or worse place? And how should Christians prepare for it? Chat GPT took the world by storm in November when it was released to the public. It captured the world’s imagination as to what a machine could now do. Little do people, know the early version of AI
- [Crush busyness with this game changing habit](https://phillipchan.org/real-advice-on-thriving-in-busyness/) - You’re busy. I’m busy. Everyone’s busy. I’m sure you’ve felt days where life has caught up to you and you’re just drowning. You’re falling behind. You’re emotionally not well. How do you not drown in busyness? Well, I’ve been reading about and hanging around spiritual giants around me for years. I feel like I figured
- [People who are teachable reach their call in God](https://phillipchan.org/people-who-are-teachable-reach-their-call-in-god/) - Let me ask you a question that is so important to your calling that maybe someone hasn’t asked you in a long time: How teachable are you? This is such an important question. And I’ll tell you why it’s so important with a real story from my life. “Here, let me help you. This resource will really
- [Say Goodbye to Phone Addiction: 3 Faith Practices to Relax and Destress](https://phillipchan.org/say-goodbye-to-phone-addiction-3-faith-practices-to-relax-and-destress/) - In today's fast-paced digital world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed out. One of the biggest culprits of this stress is our constant use of smartphones and other digital devices. From checking our emails and social media to scrolling through the news, it's hard to put our phones down and relax. Trust me, I’ve
- [Traditional Church versus Disciple Making Movements](https://phillipchan.org/traditional-church-versus-disciple-making-movements/) - I came across an incredible resource which highlights the difference between traditional church models of church planting versus disciple making movement model of church planting. Not to say one is wrong, but in my life, I definitely want to see the latter happen. I personally find this list amazing. Photo Credit: Jimmy Nelson Contrast
- [How to Know What God is Doing in Your life](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-know-what-god-is-doing-in-your-life/) - It can feel like God is far from our lives. Sometimes it feels like we’re just living life on our own. We can find ourselves asking, “I thought that Christianity was a relationship… If so, then what is God doing in my life?” It can feel lonely. It can feel disorienting. In the maturing of
- [Life Discernment: How Do I Know What God Wants Me To Do?](https://phillipchan.org/how-do-i-know-what-god-wants-me-to-do/) - I was wrestling with a major decision this last year that would have major impact on my life as well as my family, wondering "what does God want me to do?" Perhaps you're in a similar situation where you trying to make a major decision, deciding between a career, and you feel lost, confused, or
- [It’s official! Dec 17 is the release of my book Rhythms of Resilience!](https://phillipchan.org/its-official-dec-17-is-the-release-of-my-book-rhythms-of-resilience/) - This one has been cooking in the oven for about two years now. I’m really happy to report that my book will officially be on the market December 17. In case you haven’t seen, here is the official book cover! This book has been on my heart for years. I believe the last few years have precipitated
- [Good Grief: Why Everyone is Angry in 2020](https://phillipchan.org/why-everyone-is-angry-in-2020/) - People are not afraid of change; people are afraid of loss. Here's how grief has contributed to our national rage.
- [Our Phones Blow Up in Crisis–Why That Is and How it May Come to Haunt Us](https://phillipchan.org/why-we-use-our-phones-in-crisis-and-why-it-may-come-to-haunt-us/) - Why am I doing this? In a week of national turmoil, I noticed something about myself. I cannot stop looking at my phone. I am scrolling, looking, and observing what other people are saying about the crisis. I am reading opinions, and arguments, and watching people’s reactions to everything. All of it is interesting, fascinating,
- [To Hear God’s Voice We Must Use Our Eyes](https://phillipchan.org/to-hear-gods-voice-we-must-use-our-eyes/) - Psalm 29 reveals a powerful way we can hear God’s voice. It has been stirring my imagination of what it means to hear him. Follow along with me :) It begins with a very typical introduction to God’s voice by saying: The voice of the LORD is powerful;the voice of the LORD is full of
- [Irresistible Jesus in the Gospels](https://phillipchan.org/irresistible-jesus-in-the-gospels/) - I’m reading through the gospels again and knowing Jesus through reading it has been a rich experience. One of the things I notice Mark noticing about the ministry of Jesus is how quickly people follow him. There is a briefness in the text that is unmistakable. 1:18 records Simon and Andrew “immediately leaving their nets
- [Our Phones as Competition as Frontlets](https://phillipchan.org/our-phones-as-competition-as-frontlets/) - In Deuteronomy 6, Moses is instructing Israel to keep and to adore the word of God. He says: “They shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” He is imagining that the word of God has such dominance over the hearts and minds of the people that it is as if there is an apparatus stuck on
- [Afraid of Growing Older If It Means Dying](https://phillipchan.org/afraid-of-growing-older-if-it-means-dying/) - I’m afraid to grow old. But not for the reasons one might think. I don’t care about getting gray hair. I don’t care about degrading physically. I don’t care about being out of touch with culture. I don’t care about driving slowly. I don’t care about terminal sickness. I don’t even care about death. What
- [Jaded Christians (and the Disease We All Carry)](https://phillipchan.org/jaded-christians-and-the-disease-we-all-carry/) - “Wait 10 years, life will happen, and we’ll see where your fire is” …said an older Christian to me. After a day of talking with several non Christians about Jesus, and experiencing such joy from their attitudes about life and their search for God, I had the unfortunate (or fortunate) opportunity of talking with an
- [2 Keys on Having a Great Time with God These Days](https://phillipchan.org/2-keys-on-having-a-great-time-with-god-these-days/) - I recently came back from Kansas City for my spiritual retreat and gained some insight into how I can sustain a level of spirituality that is consistently connected with God. I felt the Lord say two things to me to really improve my time with him. They’re semi related: Remove distractions and press into his
- [When God Doesn't Love Us](https://phillipchan.org/when-god-doesnt-love-us/) - In the Christian life, there is often a wrestle with the feelings of whether God loves us or not. There are times when we are in God’s presence, in worship, in prayer, and our hearts are elated as we not only know that God loves us but we feel his love towards us. His presence
- [The Breakthrough of Being Loved at 30](https://phillipchan.org/the-breakthrough-of-being-loved-at-30/) - Well, I did it. I turned 3 decades old. Someone last week asked me how I felt about three decades old. I told them, “I feel fat. I feel slow…” But then the truth came out: “I have never felt more joyful in my life.” This year (29), I learned some amazing lessons that contribute
- [Living From Pleasure, Not Just Conviction](https://phillipchan.org/living-from-pleasure-not-just-conviction/) - This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17 Call Him Father. One of Jesus’ main revelations that he revealed to people was that God was Father. That God was not just powerful and distant, but close and intimate. That you could begin talking to him not just as “Lord”, but
- [1 Simple Answer to "Why Did Jesus Teach in Parables?"](https://phillipchan.org/why-did-jesus-teach-in-parables/) - Believe it or not, the presence of parables says more about us than it does about Jesus
- [3 Surprising Reasons Why the Jesus Wept Verse is Significant](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-wept-verse/) - Learn the inspiring significance of the famous Jesus wept verse.
- [Where is God When it Hurts? A Tearful Guide for Those In Pain](https://phillipchan.org/where-is-god-when-it-hurts/) - Intro Sometimes life throws sticks. Othertimes, daggers. If you are reading this, I'm guessing you or someone you love is probably in a place of pain. Just like real injury, the pain is real. Sometimes it manifests physically. There are many questions one asks when they are going through pain. Why? Why does this happen
- [Why Did Jesus Perform Miracles? Here's 4 Amazing Reasons](https://phillipchan.org/why-did-jesus-perform-miracles/) - You're reading the gospels and you're amazed at the things Jesus does. Have you ever thought about the question "Why did Jesus perform miracles?" Why did he make miracles such a central part of his ministry? To the question "Why did Jesus perform miracles," here are 4 amazing reasons: First, it gave authority to his
- [Joyfully Surrendered: What It Means To Put God First](https://phillipchan.org/what-does-it-mean-to-put-god-first/) - You are walking the Christian life and you are realizing that this religion thing is consuming more of your life than you imagined. You never expected it to come this far but at the same time you can't turn away. There is a phrase on your heart: Put God First. What does it mean to
- [A fresh outpouring for our pluralistic world](https://phillipchan.org/a-fresh-outpouring-for-our-pluralistic-world/) - Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word…And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.The prayer of the early
- [Jesus Prepared Us to Depend on the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-prepared-us-to-depend-on-the-holy-spirit/) - But while they were marveling at everything Jesus was doing, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” Luke 9:43-44 Stop your marveling. Here in Luke, just after he transfigures before his disciples and after he
- [The Presumptiveness of Sundays](https://phillipchan.org/the-presumptiveness-of-sundays/) - Sunday service for our community starts at 9:30am. 9:30a – 11:30a is the block of time we plan all our elements of worship. This past Sunday as we were gathering for our pre-service meeting and asking God’s presence to come, the presumptiveness of it all dawned upon me. What makes us think that God would come?
- [The Spirit Brings Us to Daddy](https://phillipchan.org/the-spirit-brings-us-to-daddy/) - Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; Galatians 4 We were meant for intimacy. At the apex of Galatians, where Paul is fighting to define the essence of Christianity amidst attempts
- [We Can't Be Selfish Charismatics](https://phillipchan.org/we-cant-be-selfish-charismatics/) - A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. Galatians 5:17 Feeling dry is a feeling I have to typically manueaver as a Christian. No one likes to be spiritually dry. I know the feeling of being alive, of being blessed with God’s presence, blessing, and
- [Mystical Experiences and the Hands that Hold Them](https://phillipchan.org/mystical-experiences-and-the-hands-that-hold-them/) - “…they go onto detail about what they have seen in visions and have become unjustifiably arrogant by their selfish way of thinking..” Colossians 2:18 I’m a fan of Christian mystical experiences. I feel that they, in their various shapes and forms, reveal a God who is full of wonder, mystery, and who is in the
- [Our Ever-Present Friend: Why You Should Pray to the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/pray-to-the-holy-spirit/) - Intro There are times in which you wonder "Can I pray to the Holy Spirit?" Yes you can pray to the Holy Spirit. This is based on the fact that 1) the Holy Spirit is God 2) The Holy Spirit was meant to serve as an experiential substitute for interacting with Jesus and that 3)
- [Holy Intoxication - What It Means to be Drunk in the Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/holy-intoxication-what-it-means-to-be-drunk-in-the-spirit/) - This post has been updated again in 2020 to provide better and more up to date information. Enjoy! Introduction I’m writing this post to explain a phenomenon that I used to detest as a younger Christian, yet strangely enough, am personally experiencing myself more and more of. As I am growing in my faith, I
- [2nd Pentecost? Why Jesus breathed on them](https://phillipchan.org/why-jesus-breathed-on-them/) - You are reading through the gospels of John and you come across a curious passage in John 20 where it says that Jesus breathed on them (his disciples). Ever wonder what it means? Ever wonder also how this relates with how most Christians understand Acts 2 as the pouring out of God's Spirit? To understand
- [The Surprise of What Washing Each Other’s Feet Really Means](https://phillipchan.org/what-washing-each-others-feet-really-means/) - “Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:5 It’s not as romantic as you think. In John’s beloved account of Jesus’ last moments with his disciples, he records the famous passage where Jesus shows his humility
- [Complete Summary of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount](https://phillipchan.org/summary-of-jesus-sermon-on-the-mount/) - High Level Sermon on the Mount Summary The sermon on the mount is a famous section in Jesus' ministry in Matthew 5-7 where his teachings are consolidated into one sermon. It is one of my favorite things to read over and over again. What is the message and summary of the sermon on the mount?
- [When Your Pastor Hurts You: 4 Great Lifesavers to Bring Healing](https://phillipchan.org/when-your-pastor-hurts-you/) - She didn't look the same. What was once a person beaming with joy was now a shell of who she was. I was talking with a friend who had shared a very challenging time in her life where she felt that her pastor had emotionally and spiritually abused her. What do you do when your
- [Explaining "the Sabbath was made for man": 3 Massive Implications](https://phillipchan.org/the-sabbath-was-made-for-man/) - What does "the Sabbath was made for man" mean?
- [Are the Sabbath laws binding on New Testament Christians?](https://phillipchan.org/sabbath-day-in-the-new-testament/) - You're probably reading through the Bible and wondering what is the Sabbath day in the New Testament. Some questions come to mind: Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians? If so or not, how are we to practice Sabbath? What is the Sabbath day in the New Testament?How do we as followers of Jesus practice
- [Did Jesus Rise on the Sabbath? Answered & Explained](https://phillipchan.org/did-jesus-rise-on-the-sabbath/) - We all want to connect with the historical Jesus a bit more. Concerning the resurrection of Jesus, several questions come to mind: What day did Jesus rise?Did Jesus rise on the Sabbath?If it was on the Sabbath, what significance does it bear? What if I told you it depends? Jesus ultimately rose on Sunday. But
- [It Doesn't Matter What Day the Sabbath Is. Here's Why](https://phillipchan.org/what-day-is-the-sabbath/) - Common in different religious circles is the concern of "can the Sabbath be any day of the week?" and "What day is the Sabbath?" Depending on people's traditions, people are impassioned on many sides about this topic. I'm sure for many of you, we go through different seasons in our lives and our schedules and
- [Talent and Giftedness are Way Overrated](https://phillipchan.org/talent-and-giftedness-are-way-overrated/) - It is a human tendency to value talent and giftedness. It is really natural to look at someone and go “Wow, he or she is really impressive!” It is equally tempting, in our human nature, to begin crowning giftedness. We can say things to these people like: “You should be, like, in charge of things.” “You
- [Age & Its Certain Humility](https://phillipchan.org/age-its-certain-humility/) - I had a humbling moment this week. What had happened was this skill that I thought I was good at was revealed to be not very good at all anymore. The skills fell victim to the old adage of “if you’re not growing, you’re dying.” It was…quite a humbling moment. It was a humbling moment for
- [What the Poor Man Taught Me](https://phillipchan.org/what-the-poor-man-taught-me/) - My friend Bob usually sits on Raymond Ave in Pasadena asking passerbyers for change. We have a pretty good relationship-we’ve gone out to eat a few times; I share with him my life; he shares with me his life stories and often gives me marriage advice; and we have plenty to talk about as we
- [Who We Are in Success and Failure](https://phillipchan.org/who-we-are-in-success-and-failure/) - How you can learn a lot about a person: …by either giving them immense success or great failure. When people are comfortable, we know not what lies below the surface. The comfortable life provides ample time to decorate our facades, to mask our pains, and to keep the inner demons at bay. I do not trust
- [We Are Frail and Dying](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-frail-and-dying/) - There he sat before me, fragile and incoherent. I was sharing a meal with a friend who in recent years has demonstrated signs of mental health issues negatively affecting his life. Even after years of therapy, health choice changes, and psychiatric treatment, the respected and gifted friend I knew was visibly and increasingly falling victim to
- [Displacing the Normalcy of Who We Can Become](https://phillipchan.org/displacing-the-normalcy-of-who-we-can-become/) - In the movie Queen of Katwe (2016) (one of my favorite movies this year), it details the real story of a girl by the name of Phiona, a Ugandan slum girl who discovers she has a prodigious talent in chess. So much so that she is launched onto the national stage as one of Uganda’s best chess players.
- [God Adds Permanence to Our Work](https://phillipchan.org/god-adds-permanence-to-our-work/) - I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him. Ecclesiastes 3:14 The thing you learn about life as you grow older is that it only gets faster. And with its pace comes the senses of
- [Sexual Wholeness and Our Authority Over the Nations](https://phillipchan.org/sexual-wholeness-and-our-authority-over-the-nations/) - The one who conquers…to him I will give authority over the nations. Revelation 2:27 Twice Twice out of seven is the number of times Jesus, in his letters to the churches, mentions sexual immorality as the subject of correction for the churches. In the letter to Perganum, he warns them that they have people who
- [Why God Lets You Fail](https://phillipchan.org/why-god-lets-you-fail/) - There are times in our lives where God lets us miserably fail. Learn from the life of Peter what was gained from the loss.
- [Why Depth Matters](https://phillipchan.org/why-depth-matters/) - We couldn't believe our eyes. The night before strong winds had taken Los Angeles by surprise. In what is a normally around-the-year blissful weather conditions, strong wind conditions rattled windows, cars, and people all over the city. My friends and I were standing in the downtown district of my city and we were beholding a
- [I'm Paying for This Meal! A Commentary on an Asian Honor Practice](https://phillipchan.org/im-paying-for-this-meal-a-commentary-on-an-asian-honor-practice/) - Assessing this common Asian practice may seem like taking things too seriously, but there is an opportunity for us to clarify the dynamics at play and promote the values which represent Kingdom values. You eat with a group of people and towards the end of the meal, someone or a group of people fight for
- [Respect Me: Asian Men and the Pain of Not Knowing Who We Are](https://phillipchan.org/respect-me-asian-men-and-the-pain-of-not-knowing-who-we-are/) - All men are broken Broken men break their children. Who grow up to be broken. Misty Edwards – All Men Are Broken What do Asian men need most? If you are anyway acquainted with Asian culture, then you already know the answer–respect. Above love, above success, riches or fame, Asian men crave respect. Perhaps as some of
- [Asian American Privilege and Our Sacred Opportunity](https://phillipchan.org/asian-american-privilege-and-our-sacred-opportunity/) - Privilege is like wood. In a country rife with conflict centered around violence, race, and wealth, the underlying operant which dictates so much of what is going is privilege. Yes, the reality of privilege and underprivilegeness is like wood to the foundation of what we see as the structure of our racial tension and conflict. Where do
- [The Power of Disengagement in an Unrelenting World](https://phillipchan.org/the-power-of-disengagement-in-an-unrelenting-world/) - I am not a monk. But based on how much I am a fan of solitude I may be mistaken for one. In one of my classes for grad school, we were to explore the spiritual rhythm of extended solitude. Seeing that I had to figure out babysitting, amidst all the other things that could
- [The Pace of Modernity Will Waste Your Life](https://phillipchan.org/the-pace-of-modernity-will-waste-your-life/) - With almost tears in his eyes he pleaded with me. I don't remember whether this is a dream I had or real conversation. But it was with an older gentleman in his late 50's. I had just asked him what recommendations he would give to someone like me in his 30's. And this is what
- [When Enneagram 3's Embrace Solitude](https://phillipchan.org/when-enneagram-3s-embrace-solitude/) - For those of us who have used productivity for self-worth, solitude is radical Jan Johnson When I take silent retreats, two things always happen First, something is deconstructed. A mark of being an enneagram 3 is our insatiable ability to produce, create, and conquer. My goals have goals and my schedule is packed with tasks
- [So... I'm Writing a Book on Sabbath.](https://phillipchan.org/so-im-writing-a-book/) - To be honest, it is pretty daunting Recently I’ve been announcing privately and more publicly to people that I’ll be endeavoring to write my first book. It’s a daunting announcement. Because I’m claiming that I’ll do something that I’ve never done before. The question is–why? There are several reasons why I’m writing my first book.
- [You Need a Sabbath From Politics](https://phillipchan.org/a-sabbath-from-politics/) - America has felt like being on a shaky boat these days. You don't get to choose who's on the boat but these are your neighbors. People were once content with their side of the ship because it sailed peaceably. But now the storm of 2020 is here. With the global pandemic, social unrest, natural disasters,
- [The Power of Sabbath for Weary Parents](https://phillipchan.org/sabbath-for-parents/) - A lot of things change when you become a parent. One of the main things I’ve noticed when I become one is the amount of resources I have available to give shrink considerably. I am constantly tired, weary, exhausted from keeping little ones alive, let alone happy. For many parents, and perhaps you’re one, you’ve
- [3 Critical Questions Christians Need to Ask to Read the News With a Discerning mind](https://phillipchan.org/3-critical-questions-christians-need-to-ask-to-read-the-news-with-a-discerning-mind/) - The news is hardly about giving information anymore. It is about selling clicks.
- [Play is Spiritual - My Journey of Becoming a Child Again](https://phillipchan.org/play-is-spiritual-my-journey-of-becoming-a-child-again/) - Play is spiritual. That seems like such an uncanny thing for Christians to say. But something that God has been teaching me is: Play reveals what world you believe you live in.
- [I am a Caffeine-Free Christian and Here's Why](https://phillipchan.org/i-am-a-caffeine-free-christian-and-heres-why/) - Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Cor 6 Caffeine drinking to many Christians is a normal habit as it was mine. This year,
- [How to Not Be a Blind Christian](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-not-be-a-blind-christian/) - How do we not act like fools as Christians? Have you ever observed the lives of other Christians, what they stand for, what they believe in, how they conduct themselves and go "Man, that doesn't represent Jesus at all?" I for sure have. Sure, part of that is pride judgment. But part of it also
- [The Storyline of 2022 You Don’t Want to Miss](https://phillipchan.org/the-storyline-of-2022-you-dont-want-to-miss/) - Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19 In Isaiah the prophet is trying to clue people that God was about to do something amazing and powerful. They are in the middle of exile and God was readying his people. Yet he asks an important
- [No, I'm Not Afraid of 2020](https://phillipchan.org/no-im-not-afraid-of-2020/) - The shaking was violent Our family was woken up abruptly near 12am to a 4.8 magnitude earthquake. Faster than the earthquake itself, fear had invaded our hearts. In a matter of seconds, my thoughts darted between "Are we ok?", "How do we get the kids?", to "What should we do?". As the moment passed and
- [Why Everyone is Angry with Everyone: A Christian Response](https://phillipchan.org/why-everyone-is-angry-with-everyone-a-christian-response/) - Why are people so angry at each other? Why are there such tendencies to form factions and sides? It is because, with the stirring pot of 2020, people began to distrust and feel unsafe in our world. Whether it's politics, red, blue, vaccines, masks, etc, people are not just opinionated about issues, people are angry about issues.
- [How to Have a Great Devotion Every Time](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-have-a-great-devotion-every-time/) - How many of you watch cooking shows? Whether on TV or YouTube, so many of them advertise how something is 5min or 10min. And then they actually do it! But you know they always, always, always omit the one thing people don't understand about cooking: Most of the work is the prep, not the cooking
- [The Worst Way To Come to God](https://phillipchan.org/the-worst-way-to-come-to-god/) - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 Depending on how long you've been a Christian, it is tempting to come before God in the way that we are used. Like going to church on Sunday's, most of us are quite used to donning our Christian masks with a semblance
- [Asleep: The Woke and Neutered Church](https://phillipchan.org/asleep-the-woke-and-neutered-church/) - "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Matthew 16:6 While Jesus was on the boat with his disciples, he warns them to “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees,” to which the disciples show their perplexion by asking if they had brought bread with
- [I Don’t Want Things to Go Back to Normal](https://phillipchan.org/i-dont-want-things-to-go-back-to-normal/) - In most states, lockdowns and COVID restrictions are easing up. Something that I’ve been hearing much for the last year and a half has been a desire from people for things to “go back to normal”. They want things to go back to what things were pre-2020. Let me tell you something: I don’t want
- [Why I Don’t Study the Bible That Much Anymore (And Neither Should You)](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-dont-study-the-bible-that-much-anymore/) - I used to spend a lot of time and money studying the Bible. I have professional Bible study software with thousands of dollars of resources, I can parse biblical languages, I can look up historical and cultural contexts for passages. I am a graduate from an internationally renown seminary. Yet these days, I don’t really
- [How To Do the Will of God 101](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-do-the-will-of-god-101/) - And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49-50 Perhaps it's not as hard as it seems. As someone who loved God, growing up, I always struggled with
- [The Most Important Post-Pandemic Question](https://phillipchan.org/the-most-important-post-pandemic-question/) - 2020 was a tough year. Let's just start off with the pandemic. Then being quarantined at home for extended time changed a lot of what normalcy meant for a lot of people as well as the fabric society. In addition, we saw social unrest after social unrest, political turmoil after turmoil, controversy after controversy. Trying
- [Navigating a World That Doesn't Make Sense](https://phillipchan.org/navigating-a-world-that-doesnt-make-sense/) - Making sense of our world these days is a challenging and confusing task. Often times, I look at our world, how it's being run, and am often thinking to myself how it can be run so poorly. When I see policies, bills, statements being passed or not, a perplexed look, a grimace flashes across my
- [Introducing: God Moments](https://phillipchan.org/introducing-god-moments/) - I'm very pleased to announce that I just created a brand new resource available for you guys. It's called God Moments. This project was birthed out of a desire to help normal people experience God's presence more and more yet don't have the skills on how to invite God's presence in their daily lives. Learn
- [The Best Message You'll Listen To in a While](https://phillipchan.org/the-best-message-youll-listen-to-in-a-while/) - If there was a message that defined some of the greatest passions of my heart, I believe Mike Bickle’s classic message here really challenges me and defines me the most. I urge you to listen to it, it’s really good: [audio:https://phillipchan.org/files/mary.mp3] Download Link
- [Population Dynamics and the World's Spiritual Atmosphere](https://phillipchan.org/population-dynamics-and-the-worlds-spiritual-atmosphere/) - Here’s an article that I found fascinating: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/189522/20110729/population-growth-billion-developing-2050.htm Some highlights: The global population is expected to top seven billion in 2011. By 2050, it’s expected to exceed nine billion. By 2100, it’s expected to rise to 10 billion. This grown is expected to be highly uneven geographically. In developing countries, populations are expected to explode. In
- [An Excellent Resource: FREE ESV Audio Bible](https://phillipchan.org/an-excellent-resource-free-esv-audio-bible/) - Interesting fact: because the printing press, relative to human history, is more of a recent discovery. Did you know that God’s word has been mostly transmitted audibly? Here is an excellent free resource for anyone interested.. it is the ESV Audio Bible. This is not the first time I’ve actually used it, I’ve been using
- [Asian American and Conflict Research Paper](https://phillipchan.org/asian-american-and-conflict-research-paper/) - I recently finished a research paper concerning Asian American leadership and conflicts. It is titled “Cultural Hindrances Asian American Leaders Face in Growing Through Conflicts”. It is really similar to one of my posts, but I wanted to share it with anyone who may want to read a more academic, researched, and thorough version. Here
- [Tim Be Told on Sex Trafficking and Military Child Abduction](https://phillipchan.org/tim-be-told-on-sex-trafficking-and-military-child-abduction/) - Tim Be Told wrote this amazing song about two hugely important injustices present in our world today. I think it’s beautifully written, and I highly encourage a listen: [audio:https://phillipchan.org/files/anotherman.mp3] Tim Be Told – Just Another Man She’s only twelve and sells for thirty dollarsAnd that man is old enough to be her fatherHe holds her
- [Rwandan Restoration](https://phillipchan.org/rwandan-restoration/)
- [Repost: Understanding Minority and Majority Culture](https://phillipchan.org/repost-understanding-minority-and-majority-culture/) - Campus Crusade for Christ came out with an excellent article about minority groups and their relation to majority groups in the context of faith. I am an Asian American, and I have some Asian American readers, so this is an important and excellent article: They propose that there are 6 responses of minority groups towards
- [Retreating In Kansas City](https://phillipchan.org/retreating-in-kansas-city/) - As is my tradition, I am spending some time in Kansas City, MO at the International House of Prayer for personal spiritual restoration and development. I have always found it helpful to come to this place. Some of the most significant and formative times in my life have been a result of IHOP’s ministry.
- [Merry Christmas!](https://phillipchan.org/merry-christmas-2/) - Christmas… Christmas… I’m always humbled by the story behind this picture. It’s the story of the great and awesome God, who created the heavens and the earth, being shown to be so humble and contrite that he comes to save the world in the form of a helpless babe, in an obscure town. He’s so worthy
- [What I Think About the American Dream](https://phillipchan.org/what-i-think-about-the-american-dream/) - The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 The treasures of giving up one’s life to follow Jesus make the American dream look like a cart selling cheap fake
- [A Wrecking Picture of Correct Values](https://phillipchan.org/a-wrecking-picture-of-correct-values/) - I was reading the news in the morning and ran across article showing pictures of the slow life of recovery after the Haitian earthquake. There was one particular picture which, when I saw it, completely wrecked me. This is the picture: < p style="text-align: center;"> The caption reads: Darlene Claircin, 28, displaced by the 2010
- [Recommended Resource: Operation World](https://phillipchan.org/recommended-resource-operation-world/) - Preface: I have no agenda of promoting resources other than to see the body of Christ blessed (e.g. I get no endorsements, affiliates, etc…) With that being said, here’s a resource I think every Christian in America should have (yes, I really do believe that every Christian should have this). Operation World is a powerful, comprehensive,
- [What Have I Been Up To?](https://phillipchan.org/what-have-i-been-up-to/) - I recognize that it’s been some time since I’ve written and in case you are wondering why I am on hiatus, refer to here. For those who care, you may be wondering, “What have I been up to?” Well, here’s a quick snapshot of what my life has been filled with instead of writing: Clearing
- [Convergence of Prayer and Missions](https://phillipchan.org/convergence-of-prayer-and-missions/) - As I am maturing in wanting to see missions take place, I am seeing the trend of Missions and Prayer being converged into a single powerful movement happening on the earth today. I think Mike Bickle’s observations are dead on and his encouragements are very timely. https://phillipchan.org/videos/convergence.mp4
- [Bethel - Our Father](https://phillipchan.org/bethel-our-father/) - I love this worship song… https://phillipchan.org/videos/Bethel%20Live-%20Our%20Father%20ft.%20Jenn%20Johnson.mp4 Bethel Live – Our Father Our Father in HeavenHallowed be Your nameYour Kingdom come quicklyYour will be done the same Chorus:On Earth as it is in HeavenLet Heaven come toEarth as it is in HeavenLet Heaven come Bridge:Let Heaven come, let Heaven come Bridge 2:Yours is the Kingdom, Yours
- [Repost: The Struggle to Hear From a Global Church](https://phillipchan.org/repost-the-struggle-to-hear-from-a-global-church/) - Fuller Theological Seminary came out with a great magazine issue in Fall 2011 about global issues in Christianity today. I thought this one article was really good. It’s written by William A. Dyrness, and he deliberates on some great points about why the Christian world outside of America has a hard time hearing from the many
- [Scared to be a Famous Christian in America [Driscoll / Macdonald]](https://phillipchan.org/scared-to-be-a-famous-christian-in-america-driscoll-macdonald/) - Often in my life, believe it or not, my understanding of leadership has been shaped a lot by leaders who I never want to be like. I think part of it is pride; but I think part of it is an inner brokenness about the type of leaders that we choose to be. Recently, an
- [Happy Birthday to Me - What Went Down When I Was 26](https://phillipchan.org/happy-birthday-to-me-what-went-down-when-i-was-26/) - It’s my birthday today! While this blog is generally pretty serious stuff, here’s some random reflections on what year 26 was for me and some reflections moving forward. What Went Down When I Was 26 Significant Life Events at 26:Getting engaged. Only to be eclipsed by getting married 6 months later. Yeah, those are pretty
- [Avoiding Conflict By Communicating Clearly](https://phillipchan.org/avoiding-conflict-by-communicating-clearly/) - One of the things I’ve been learning in conflict resolution in significant relationships (especially between spouses) is that the reason why people have over-the-top conflicts is significantly due to the fact that there was poor communication between the people leading up to that fight. We all know that big fights do not occur out of
- [A Brokenness That Matches the Condition](https://phillipchan.org/a-brokenness-that-matches-the-condition/) - Nehemiah is a book whose major theme is revival, and it describes the schematics of a person who God instrumentally used to bring that about. Any person seriously seeking to bring revival in their context needs to read the truths of this book. Part 1 As soon as I heard these words I sat down
- [Prayer Will Shake Kings and Kingdoms](https://phillipchan.org/prayer-will-shake-kings-and-kingdoms/) - Nehemiah is a book whose major theme is revival, and it describes the schematics of a person who God instrumentally used to bring that about. Any person seriously seeking to bring revival in their context needs to read the truths of this book. Part 2 Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?”
- [Receiving The Vision for Revival](https://phillipchan.org/receiving-the-vision-for-revival/) - Nehemiah is a book whose major theme is revival, and it describes the schematics of a person who God instrumentally used to bring that about. Any person seriously seeking to bring revival in their context needs to read the truths of this book. Part 3 I told no one what my God had put into
- [All Together Now](https://phillipchan.org/all-together-now/) - Nehemiah is a book whose major theme is revival, and it describes the schematics of a person who God instrumentally used to bring that about. Any person seriously seeking to bring revival in their context needs to read the truths of this book. Part 3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers
- [Releasing the Kingdom of God Through Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/releasing-the-kingdom-of-god-through-prayer/) - This is the message I preached over the winter to a college fellowship in Chicago. It is about our responsibility as Christians to be releasers of God’s kingdom in the world. However, the only way we can do that is through persistent, powerful prayer. Are you living a life of prayer? [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/praise night 12.27.10.mp3] Click
- [Quote of the Moment - MLK Day](https://phillipchan.org/quote-of-the-moment-mlk-day/) - “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr.
- [If Everything is Yours...](https://phillipchan.org/if-everything-is-yours/) - If everything is Yours, GodThen I’m letting go of everything I thought belonged to me.
- [The Azusa Street Revival and Racism](https://phillipchan.org/the-azusa-street-revival-and-racism/) - I recently wrote a paper reflecting on the Azusa Street Revival in 1906 as it relates to racism. This was in many ways one of the most important events in American Christianity as it spawned the beginnings of American Pentecostalism, of which I am beneficiary of today. Historians rave about the significance and how awesome
- [Repost: This is the Cost](https://phillipchan.org/repost-this-is-the-cost/) - An excellent, heart-provoking article on the cost of overseas mission: —- This is the Cost by a Pioneer in Europe “This is the cost,” she says to me with tears brimming. Sitting on my couch, with legs curled under her…coffee in hand, she says confidently, “…and this is part of the cost, isn’t it?” The
- [Repost: The Tiger of Lust](https://phillipchan.org/repost-the-tiger-of-lust/) - I stumbled upon this article while researching some missionary data, and it was like a godsend, giving some unbelievably clear insight into the plans of the enemy for God’s trained ministers. Mind you, this is not available online. I took the liberty of typing out every single word because I thought it was that worth
- [Let's Break Down Church PLEASE!](https://phillipchan.org/lets-break-down-church-please/) - “Alternative forms of fellowship (including house churches/simple churches and postmodern churches) that are currently home for 5 percent of American Christians will grow to make up 30 to 35 percent.” George Barna, foremost church research and statistics expert This prediction highlights one of the big movements occuring in the Church today. There is a shift
- [Are We As Christians Islamophobic?](https://phillipchan.org/are-we-as-christians-islamophobic/) - In TIME Magazine’s most recent article “Is America Islamophobic?”, the writer highlights that deep seeded hatred and antagonism towards the Muslim people and their religion is prevalent and growing in America, as witnessed by the protest and outrages in lieu of the proposed plan to build a mosque near the site of where the Twin
- [Leaving for Evangelism "Retreat"](https://phillipchan.org/leaving-for-evangelism-retreat/) - Well I’m just writing to let ya’ll know that I’ll be gone this weekend to join Epicentre Church in our “Advance”. We call it an Advance because, instead of ‘retreating’ this time of year, we’ll be spending these next days going out and sharing the gospel with LA. We’ll be doing planned events, we’ll be
- [My Everything](https://phillipchan.org/my-everything/) - This is a song I wrote some time ago that was inspired from the Psalms. In reading the Psalms, I love the rawness of emotions in relating to God. Words of desperation, words of humility, words of ecstatic praise all urge me to cry out, “God, You are my everything!” And so that’s what this
- [My Heart for Agape Christian Fellowship + College Campuses](https://phillipchan.org/my-heart-for-agape-christian-fellowship-college-campuses/) - Back in college, I was the head of the Christian ministry called Agape Christian Fellowship. Through those years I have seen so much fruit for the Lord and I personally grew so much during those years. Since leaving, I have seen how God’s faithfulness is still working in this group. And even though I am
- [This is Success in God's Eyes](https://phillipchan.org/this-is-success-in-gods-eyes/) - The world’s trajectory for success is constantly upward, seeking to rise above others. Jesus’ trajectory, on the other hand, is perpetually downward, in serving others and in being the least. For Him, that’s success. Being the least is the most successful thing you can accomplish.
- [Why You Shouldn't Take the Gospel of Thomas Seriously](https://phillipchan.org/why-you-shouldnt-take-the-gospel-of-thomas-seriously/) - Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of life.” Jesus said, “I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven.” An
- [The Folly of Idolatry](https://phillipchan.org/the-folly-of-idolatry/) - They make a god and worship it; they make an idol and falls down before it. Isaiah 44:15 The folly of making your own god is that because it is the result of your hands and your intellect, it will never be greater than you. In fact, it is not worthy of your worship.
- [What We Can Learn About Evangelism from Jonah](https://phillipchan.org/what-we-can-learn-about-evangelism-from-jonah/) - The short and beloved book of Jonah teaches a lot of things. It teaches us about rebellion, it teaches us about God’s pursuing heart, it teaches about the power of God, but perhaps overlooked is how Jonah teaches us about evangelism for today. Never heard of it? Try these on for size! Now the word
- [Things Jesus Has Taught Me About Seminary](https://phillipchan.org/things-jesus-has-taught-me-about-seminary/) - So in case you’re wondering, I’ve learned quite a lot since I’ve arrived here at Fuller Theological Seminary. But along with the lectures, the books, the papers, and whatnot, Jesus is still my teacher. I have found that there are some super significant things that he has taught me concerning a mindset that I should
- [What A Humble Savior, That Guy Is!](https://phillipchan.org/what-a-humble-savior-that-guy-is/) - Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!Behold, your king is coming to you;righteous and having salvation is he,humble and mounted on a donkey,on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah:9:9-10
- [Why Do Asian American Churches Keep Self Destructing?](https://phillipchan.org/why-do-asian-american-churches-keep-self-destructing/) - Update 2015: For a more academic version of this article which includes citations and new insights, please refer to this research paper submitted to Fuller Theological seminary. Introduction If you have ever gone to or been a member of a multi-congregational Asian American church, and you wonder why these types of churches face so
- [What Does A Theological Education Actually Do?](https://phillipchan.org/what-does-a-theological-education-actually-do/) - Make every effort to supplement your faith with [a list of awesome things]… for if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5,8 Be doers of the word, not just hearers, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 I remember hearing a
- [What a Great Picture](https://phillipchan.org/what-a-great-picture/) - Chilean Miner Omar Araya reunited with his wife in the moment. Oct 25
- [When Love Overcame Me](https://phillipchan.org/when-love-overcame-me/) - This is a song that I feel extremely blessed to have finally written. It’s because it’s written from one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It is the story of sinful woman in Luke 7. She is described as breaking an alabaster flask of ointment over Jesus’ feet, wiping her tears and her hair
- [Lessons from the Testing of Abraham](https://phillipchan.org/lessons-from-the-testing-of-abraham/) - And God said to Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”Genesis 22 God here asks Isaac to kill his one and only son to test him.
- [Accepted into Fuller Seminary!](https://phillipchan.org/accepted-into-fuller-seminary/) - Praise the Lord! I got into Fuller Theological Seminary! One step down! If you are reading this, please pray for me. I covet them most dearly.
- [Experiencing the Manifestations of the Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/experiencing-the-manifestations-of-the-spirit/) - So not too long ago I was praying and meditation on the manifestations of the Spirit, which I chronicled in my first day at the OneThing conference. In short, I was uncertain about the reality of people ‘manifesting’ the Holy Spirit in ways that I didn’t see justified or useful. When people would “get filled
- [Isaiah 44:5](https://phillipchan.org/isaiah-445/) - This one will say, I am the Lord’sanother will call on the name of the Lordand another will write on his hand, “The Lord’s”… Isaiah 44:5 < p style="text-align: center;"> —
- [Islam's Weakness and Christianity's Strength](https://phillipchan.org/islams-weakness-and-christianitys-strength/) - “The Quran is the theophany of Islam, the verbatim Word of God revealed to the Prophet by the archangel Gabriel and transmitted by him in turn to his companions, who both memorized and recorded it.” Islam: Religion, History, and Civilization < p style="text-align: center;"> — These are some preliminary thoughts I’ve been having thinking about
- [The Alabaster Jar of Ourselves](https://phillipchan.org/the-alabaster-jar-of-ourselves/) - “A woman came up to Jesus with an alabaster flash of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table…Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her. Matthew 26:7,13
- [I Guess That's What Gospel Preachers Do](https://phillipchan.org/i-guess-thats-what-gospel-preachers-do/) - “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also!” Acts 17:6
- [Read THIS Book](https://phillipchan.org/read-this-book/) - All Scripture is breathed out by God… 2 Timothy 3:16 I was having a semi-mental breakdown today. This was my third week in a row of having intensive classes for four hours a day. Lectures and lectures and pages and pages of Bible-like material have consumed my days. And frankly, today it was hard for
- [Kingdom of Heaven](https://phillipchan.org/kingdom-of-heaven/) - After getting my recording equipment from Chicago recently, I finally got the chance to lay down this song that I’ve been meaning to share. This song is based off of Jesus’ description of what the kingdom of heaven was like, particularly this one: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a
- [Growing in the Prophetic](https://phillipchan.org/growing-in-the-prophetic/) - Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 These past couple of weeks, the Lord has been teaching me some super cool things about operating in the prophetic gift. I was telling my friend Han Man the other day,” I felt like if life was like Super Mario Bro,
- [How To Be A Book of Acts Christian (ie How to Be a Normal)](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-be-a-book-of-acts-christian-ie-how-to-be-a-normal/) - There is a lot of talk of amongst Christians about wanting to walk out the books of Acts as a normal way of life and I believe that it is a really good thing. The book of Acts showcases God’s original purposes and pattern for those who would believe in Jesus Christ for all generations
- [Phillip Chan - So I Sing](https://phillipchan.org/phillip-chan-so-i-sing/) - [audio:http://www.phillipchan1.com/audio/So I Sing.mp3] Here’s a song I wrote and roughly recorded. This song is based on the passage from Lamentations 3, where Jeremiah writes, “The steadfast love of the never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;” So I Sing Every day I know I’m undeservingand every breath I
- [It's Not About Me](https://phillipchan.org/its-not-about-me/) - Dear American Dream, I wrote this song in response to you and your teachings. Phil [audio:http://www.phillipchan1.com/audio/It’s Not About Me.mp3] ————— It’s Not About Me It’s not about methis life is not about meAnd it’s not about youthis life is not about you I am sure you have heardall the voices in the worldThey keep telling
- [Sending Phil To California](https://phillipchan.org/sending-phil-to-california/) - Well Dear Friends, The time is drawing near for me to go to leave Chicago and onto assignments and seasons the Lord has appointed for me. I’m very thankful for the support and the excitement of many beloved friends in these past few months praying and talking about going to seminary. While I understand that
- [The Gospel and Jin the Rapper](https://phillipchan.org/the-gospel-and-jin-the-rapper/) - Not sure if you remember Jin but he was this Chinese rapper that made a pretty good name for himself on BET’s Freestyle Friday. < p style="text-align: center;"> Apparently, the Lord got a hold of his life and now he’s doing some cool things for the Lord… This is him being interviewed for the 1040
- [My Favorite Place in the World](https://phillipchan.org/my-favorite-place-in-the-world/)
- [The Anatomy of a Christian](https://phillipchan.org/the-anatomy-of-a-christian/) - My brother Leslie, who I met at the gym, drew this and sent it to me. He said this is what a Christian looks like on the inside. I liked it so much I uploaded it and wanted to explain what this picture was about. < p style="text-align: center;"> Notice… The Fire of the Holy Spirit
- [Dear Brethren, Never Lose the Wonder!](https://phillipchan.org/dear-brethren-never-lose-the-wonder/) - Love is an action. A husband who beats his wife and tells her “I love you” suddenly eradicates the meaning thereof. That’s because love is something you do. It’s not just something you say. It’s not just something you feel. Love fleshes itself out in what we do. People often ask the question- How does
- [Goodbye Chicago!](https://phillipchan.org/goodbye-chicago/) - God Bless you guys!
- [Blessed Lord's Day + New Church!](https://phillipchan.org/blessed-lords-day-new-church/) - I visited another church today. I just want to say that I’ve had four people who don’t know each other on four separate occasions for the past several weeks instruct me to come and visit this church. So I gave up and said, ‘Okay, Lord, I’m going to check it out!’ The church is called Epicentre Church.
- [What’s So Great About Being Single](https://phillipchan.org/whats-so-great-about-being-single/) - This post is a follow-up to a post called “On Being Single” which, by the way, is the most read, most revisited, most popular, most people-coming-up-to-me-talking-about-it post on this entire blog by far. The point of saying that is not to boast in that post, or this blog, or God-forbid, me. But I think it
- [How To Not Get Burnt Out In Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-not-get-burnt-out-in-ministry/) - I was having dinner with some friends I just met the other night and we began talking about my ministry and some of the assignments the Lord has given me in the past. I guess something about the nature of what I was doing elicited this question from them: “Did you ever get burnt out at all?” I
- [OneThing '09 – Day 3](https://phillipchan.org/onething-09-day-3/) - Well day 3 is come and gone and I can only say that the Lord has been really touching me in so many ways. I feel like I’ve been delivered from many sins, changed, my eyes of faith are growing, the anointing of the Lord on me is growing, and much much more. One of
- [Observing a Terrorist and Scripture](https://phillipchan.org/observing-a-terrorist-and-scripture/) - Concerning this past week’s event of an attempted terrorist attack on Flight 253, TIME records the following: “Passengers later said there was something curious about the spare young manwho had tried to bring down their plane: he was silent throughout the attack.He didn’t panic. He didn’t yell any last-second religious slogans. He was calmand methodical
- [Signs from the Heavens](https://phillipchan.org/signs-from-the-heavens/) - And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separatethe day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons…”Genesis 1:14 In the beginning, God purposed the stars in the heavens to be used for both seasons and signs. I understood that the Sun was to be
- [OneThing '09 – Final Thoughts](https://phillipchan.org/onething-09-final-thoughts/) - Well, it’s all over. I’m back from OneThing ’09. It’s been said that conferences are minimal in their actual transformational work of an individual. Yes it’s true- when we encounter God, we change. But that change is minimal in comparison to what that individual chooses to do afterwards. Conferences get us excited for Jesus, and
- [Welcome!](https://phillipchan.org/welcome/) - Welcome to the new Black Box! I’ve moved from wordpress.com’s servers to my own (phillipchan1.com) to allow for more functionality and flexibility. I hope you’ll enjoy some of the new features on the side. It took a looong time to set this thing up. In addition, it was fitting for me to get a new
- [RESOLVED: Personal Mandates in Serving Christ](https://phillipchan.org/resolved-personal-mandates-in-serving-christ/) - As I think about serving Christ with my whole life, there are many questions to be answered and there is, without doubt, much to be learned. However, in my stage of faith, I’ve already come to some conclusions about some principles that I will live and die by no matter how old I become. These
- [The God of Abraham Loves Me](https://phillipchan.org/the-god-of-abraham-loves-me/) - “And God brought Abraham outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘so shall your offspring be.'”Genesis 15:5 God may not give us the same promise or blessings as He did Abraham, but you can be sure that His love for
- [Simon Peter, You are Wrong, for I Love Her](https://phillipchan.org/simon-peter-you-are-wrong-for-i-love-her/) - And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, brought an alabaster flash of ointment and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and kissed his feet…Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? …I tell you, her
- [Current Recommended Resource](https://phillipchan.org/current-recommended-resource/) - When Jesus Returns by David Pawson not only one of the greatest books on the end-times I have put my hands on, but one of the most edifying and blessed books in my entire Christian library. For anyone looking to get a complete, thorough, and Biblical primer on the second coming of Christ, this is
- [Earthquake Frequency in Our Time](https://phillipchan.org/earthquake-frequency-in-our-time/) - I just thought this image was very interesting. This along with other statistics done on earthquakes would confirm this passage by Jesus concerning the time we live in: “and there will be famine and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”Matthew 24:7-8
- [John the Baptist's Sustenance was the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/john-the-baptists-sustenance-was-the-holy-spirit/) - “For [John the Baptist] is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness; Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.”Matthew 3:2-3 To many, John the Baptist is an enigmatic figure. He was one who was completely consecrated to the Lord
- [A New Me: Looking Back a Year's Worth of Journaling](https://phillipchan.org/a-new-me-looking-back-a-years-worth-of-journaling/) - Journaling was something I picked up last year as a tool for spiritual growth. I found that because the human memory is so forgetful, it’s hard to know who you are when you don’t know where you come from. As a matter of fact, a big reason why Israel backslid so much was because they
- [Why I Worship the Way I Worship](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-worship-the-way-i-worship/) - Sometimes it’s a strange feeling to look at myself worshipping these days compared with how I used to worship God. It’s definitely changed to say the least! The most obvious differences I see are that I am more in love with God than I was before I know God more fully now than I did
- [Blogging Live from OneThing 09](https://phillipchan.org/blogging-live-from-onething-09/) - I’m in my room, going to wake up in 4 hours to drive 8 hours to Kansas City, MO to OneThing. What am I feeling? I’m feeling like the Lord is going to speak powerfully and clearly to my life and to my generation at this appointed time. Stay tuned for these newest revelations. Grace
- [OneThing '09 – Day 1](https://phillipchan.org/onething-09-day-1/) - So here we are on the first day of the conference. This is my fourth time here and I am quickly reminded of the things that I like about this conference, the things I don’t like about this conference, and ultimately why I keep coming back. For starters, what I like a lot about this
- [OneThing '09 – Day 2](https://phillipchan.org/onething-09-day-2/) - My time here in Kansas City has been going great so far. I feel the work of the Spirit softening and opening my heart to a lot of things. One of the things the Lord spoke to me about was the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Desiring The Gifts In the afternoon session, Mike Bickle
- [Article: The Top Ten Myths of Divorce](https://phillipchan.org/article-the-top-ten-myths-of-divorce/) - This article is taken from the National Marriage Project: The Top Ten Myths of Divorce Discussion of the most common misinformation about divorce David Popenoe Because people learn from their bad experiences, second marriages tend to be more successful than first marriages Although many people who divorce have successful subsequent marriages, the divorce rate of
- [Prayer That Pleases God pt.1](https://phillipchan.org/prayer-that-pleases-god-pt-1/) - Introduction This guide is meant to guide the Christian in the grace of praying. The rewards of a life of prayer are vast. For those who take hold of what the Bible speaks about prayer will find a remarkable blessedness in their life and in the lives of those around them. Prayer is often described
- [The Gospel and the Luxury of Never Fearing Death](https://phillipchan.org/the-gospel-and-the-luxury-of-never-fearing-death/) - However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Acts 20:24 I was reflecting on the Apostle Paul’s life and trying to imagine how he might approach
- [Worship as An Alternate Universe](https://phillipchan.org/worship-as-an-alternate-universe/) - About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them Acts 16:25 Wherever Jesus is worshiped, there you will find the truth. As Paul and Silas are in dank prison, they live in what everybody would agree is a horrible place. It is dark, it is
- [following Jesus and thoughts on future](https://phillipchan.org/following-jesus-and-thoughts-on-future/) - As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew
- [A List of Things Phil Knows About Marriage](https://phillipchan.org/a-list-of-things-phil-knows-about-marriage/) - Male-Female relationships, in my opinion, are hard to pin down and to put together in a neat package because people and their relationships are so diverse. I find myself having trouble encouraging believers with a concise viewpoint on them. Nonetheless, I have always managed a way to say tidbits of information that have help them
- [Marriage License: A Learner's Permit](https://phillipchan.org/marriage-license-a-learners-permit/) - Written by Michael P. Horban “It’s a wise groom who has to be dragged to the altar. He knows what love is. It’s death! If the lovers don’t know this, they’re headed for trouble. Never will you have your way again. You can’t be happy if the other person isn’t. No matter who wins the
- [An Earnest Plea to Believers Concerning The Coming Storm](https://phillipchan.org/an-earnest-plea-to-believers-concerning-the-coming-storm/) - “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” – Jesus in Revelations 2:10 As the number of countries where Christian believers are not persecuted is growing less and less each decade, it should be no surprise when it reaches our shores one day as well. The
- [As Lockdowns Continue, Here's What to Do Instead of Social Media](https://phillipchan.org/as-lockdowns-continue-heres-what-to-do-instead-of-social-media/) - Let's be honest: being on social media in 2020 is depressing. We have less in-person interactions and now we are drawn to our phones more and more (much to the social media giants' delight…) It's depressing because that facade of people's glorious lives often stands in complete opposition to the internal angst brewing and exploding
- [You Don't Have To Have Your Life Together To Encounter God This Season](https://phillipchan.org/you-dont-have-to-have-your-life-together-to-encounter-god-this-season/) - 2020 has been messy for everyone. Based on your cultural background, you may feel pressure to still appear like your life is together. Yet this isn't something God requires to experience him at all. I am always impressed and inspired by the brutal honesty of the Psalms. A cry is honestA cry is rawA cry
- [Where Was God in 2020?](https://phillipchan.org/where-was-god-in-2020/) - There are many answers to this question depending on who you were. But those who ask that question are probably speaking from a position of pain and loss. As we enter into another brutal week of 2020, and ironically, the week of Christmas, I was reminded of the God who would enter the manger and
- [Parable of the Wheat and Weeds: What Does It Mean?](https://phillipchan.org/parable-of-the-wheat-and-weeds/) - You're reading through the gospels and you come across the parable of the wheat and weeds and you're wondering what it means. Look no further! I will walk you through my take on this passage to answer the question: "What is the meaning of the parable of the wheat and the weeds?" The meaning of
- [Why Christmas 2020 Is Going To Be The BEST](https://phillipchan.org/christmas-2020-is-going-to-be-the-best/) - Spare the gifts. Long has the dilution of Christmas under the weight of America's capitalism dulled the joy of what should've always been a worshipful holiday. This year, there is no gift that awaits me, no toys, no family time that is stirring my anticipation. Like many here in America, with the pandemic rising on
- [How to Not Waste 2020](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-not-waste-2020/) - Check out my thoughts on how to not waste 2020
- [How God Uses Your Upbringing](https://phillipchan.org/how-god-uses-your-upbringing/) - Moses was Born free so he could lead a people towards freedom. Unlike the rest of the Israelites, Moses wasn’t born into slavery. He was born into royalty. This tension is best seen when, during the journey towards the promised land, and when the Israelites are met with resistance, their first thought is: “Let’s go
- [It Doesn’t Matter How Old you are](https://phillipchan.org/it-doesnt-matter-how-old-you-are/) - I hear it all the time. Perhaps people don't say it out loud but there is a negative connotation to growing older. There's something about the effects of age which fools us into thinking that we become less fruitful or that the latter years of our lives are less meaningful. The truth is–nobody controls how
- [Election 2020: A Call for Peacemakers](https://phillipchan.org/election-2020-a-call-for-peacemakers/) - Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 It is clear that no matter who wins the election, no one is going to win. It is clear to me, and I think it is becoming clear to many that we have come to a place in American society where the
- [Jesus Isn't Afraid to Offend Us](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-isnt-afraid-to-offend-us/) - Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? Mark 12:24 Yup he really just did that. With one question, Jesus just invalidated an entire Jewish sect. The Sadducees came to Jesus asking a hypothetical theological question about the resurrection. The Sadducees, if you don't
- [Close Enough To be Burned](https://phillipchan.org/close-enough-to-be-burned/) - And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” Mark 5:30 Are you in or out? There is a crowd
- [The Glaring Problem With Every Christian Position in Politics](https://phillipchan.org/christian-position-in-politics/) - We are loud to proclaim that our positions are correct until we see the elephant in the room.
- [Recapturing the Wonder: A Nicodemus Moment for Bored Souls](https://phillipchan.org/recapturing-the-wonder-a-nicodemus-moment-for-bored-souls/) - “How can one be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? – Nicodemus Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus is a pretty classic passage, especially in regards to introducing to non-spiritual people what kind of relationship God wants with people. This week, however, God dropped
- [I Don't Have Information, I Just Have Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/i-dont-have-information-i-just-have-jesus/) - Now we are cursed Part of what it means to live in the information age is that the operating philosophy is that we can make informed, rational decisions based on collecting information and make logical choices based on that information. Yet we are cursed now because even after months of the pandemic, there exists no
- [What Hell Are You Called To?](https://phillipchan.org/what-hell-are-you-called-to/) - It was Hell I remember a story from one of my favorite pastors Philip Mantofa. He tells a story of how his church was planted. During that time, there was mass unrest and riots in the area. The city was literally burning on fire with no end in sight. As a result people were leaving
- [The Foundation of Christian Living is...Obedience](https://phillipchan.org/the-foundation-of-christian-living-is-obedience/) - The experiential difference between the one who hears God versus the one who hears God and obeys is absurdly monumental. Jesus, after preaching two straight chapters on the sermon on the mount, says his final words by basically saying, “The difference between those of you here who heard and those who heard and will obey is
- [Freedom From Sexual Immorality](https://phillipchan.org/freedom-from-sexual-immorality/) - This post is written to address the pervasiveness and the depth of perversion to which sexual immorality has and is increasingly corrupting our culture. At this, I have men in mind, especially Christian men. The topics of sex, sexual desires, sexual accomplishments, sexual material, and objectification of women are not uncommon in everyday conversations I
- [8 Life-Changing Discipleship Books You Should Read Now](https://phillipchan.org/discipleship-books/) - Intro Any person serious about their relationship with God is also serious about the topic of discipleship. I still remember the first time I got my taste of reading discipleship books when I read The Cost of Discipleship as a high schooler. My heart was absolutely on fire as I finally understood the gravity of
- [Another In the Fire of Parenting](https://phillipchan.org/never-parent-alone/) - Her hands were raised. I was in the car driving somewhere and I had my kids in the back. Typical to what I usually listen to, I was playing worship music. I play worship music because I want to create an environment of worship in my life and in my family. As I'm driving it
- [Not Being Racist Is a Process](https://phillipchan.org/not-being-racist-is-a-process/) - There are many discussions about race that are being flung around. Some are thrown hard and fast. This is not one of them. This is a slow reflection on my own journey as a minority, as an American, as a Christian, as a human being, and what I think it means as our society is
- [Parenting that Matters for All Eternity](https://phillipchan.org/parenting-that-matters-for-all-eternity/) - The best thing we can offer our kids is a vibrant relationship with God. Everything else is moth and dust. Toys, a great school, a great social life, classes, swim lessons, etc are all moth and dust compared giving our kids a burning heart for Jesus. It’s the only thing that counts at the end
- [Small Church, Large Church Ain't a Thing](https://phillipchan.org/small-church-large-church-aint-a-thing/) - Small organic church vs large organized church-which is right? This is a question that has been on my mind and heart for the last few years. As of late, I’ve honed my theological and ecclesial reflections on the beauty and simplicity of small church, preferring smaller gatherings that have exponentially smaller overhead and, to me,
- [The Book of Acts Church's Material Poverty and Spiritual Richness](https://phillipchan.org/the-book-of-acts-churchs-material-poverty-and-spiritual-richness/) - I’ve been reading the book of Acts, and trying to study what the church in the beginning was like to see if we are up to par. One of the more convicting things that I’ve noticed is the relationship between establish-ness of the church and its effectiveness for ministry. Allow me to explain… I don’t
- [The Church as the Hope of the World](https://phillipchan.org/the-church-as-the-hope-of-the-world/) - You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:16 The church’s mission is to go into the darkness with the light. It is unfortunate, then, that many Christians live with the mentality of staying as far away from the darkness as possible. This is especially exemplified among American Christians who live in a culture where
- [The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me and the Church](https://phillipchan.org/the-spirit-of-the-lord-is-upon-me-and-the-church/) - The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captivesand recovering of sight to the blind,to set at liberty those
- [What's the Difference Between a House of Prayer and a Church?](https://phillipchan.org/whats-the-difference-between-a-house-of-prayer-and-a-church/) - The fervor, passion, zeal, and anointings generated from the prayer movement starting and stirring around America and around the globe has been an immense blessing to the body of Christ, and to me personally. However, it has also produced a interesting questions for churches who understand the body of Christ in the more traditional sense.
- [Michael Green on Evangelism in the Early Church](https://phillipchan.org/michael-green-on-evangelism-in-the-early-church/) - I am reading a book called Evangelism in the Early Church, and Michael Green makes a great observation about the passion of the early Christians which I think we should pay heed to: “One of the most notable impressions the literature of the first and second century made upon me as I wrote this book was
- [A Lament for Church Worship](https://phillipchan.org/a-lament-for-church-worship/) - It is sad that the call to worship today is reduced to a time on Sundays, to a stage, and to certain music. It is sad, as I think about the complexity of the world, the dramas that appear before our eyes, there are few worshiping groups whose vision of worship extends beyond their own small
- [What Real Manhood Is](https://phillipchan.org/what-real-manhood-is/) - I remember once being a subscriber to a few “men’s” magazine. After a while of reading that in conjunction with many of the messages the media wants to tell us, I have learned that we are in a crisis of knowing what real manhood is. And so begins my preaching tirade: Real manhood is not
- [Growing Up: 5 Great Ways to Mature into Manhood](https://phillipchan.org/growing-up-5-great-ways-to-mature-into-manhood/) - What does it take to become a man? I think this is an important question as I’m thinking how our (American) culture is experiencing greater extensions of extended adolescence. Things that people in their 30’s do today, people did in their 20’s a generation ago. And things that people in their 20’s do today, people
- [Disciple See, Disciple Do](https://phillipchan.org/disciple-see-disciple-do/) - I’m reading Acts right now, and the lesson I’m learning is that sometimes, what the disciples do in Acts has great precedence. Let me explain… Flashback in Luke: While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on
- [Don't Go On Missions Overseas Unless You Have This](https://phillipchan.org/dont-go-on-missions-overseas-unless-you-have-this/) - Don’t go on missions overseas unless you have this: missions DNA. In a missions-minded churches, (in my experience), I have found the temptation of enamoring or romanticizing the idea of going overseas for missions at the cost of what really matters which is the lifestyle. Unless we have the lifestyle here and now of evangelizing, discipling,
- [Marriage is Like Gummy Bear Vitamins](https://phillipchan.org/marriage-is-like-gummy-bear-vitamins/) - Gummy bear vitamins are delicious But on a dietary level, they serve as only a supplement for nutrition. If one’s diet consisted only of vitamin supplements, they would not live. In the same way, I feel that marriage serves only as a supplement for personal livelihood. The real meal of our lives is our personal
- [The Holy Spirit vs Events](https://phillipchan.org/the-holy-spirit-vs-events/) - What is the Christian experience? This is a question I’m raising because of how event-oriented church can be. Every Sunday we go to a location, we sit or stand in a chair, we listen to someone talk, we sing songs, etc. In addition, we go to regular conferences and events which, over time, have their
- [Love Has No Pride](https://phillipchan.org/love-has-no-pride/) - Standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. -The sinful woman in Luke Love has no pride. It has no shame. It is not ignorant–it is aware
- [God Likes Me!](https://phillipchan.org/god-likes-me/) - When I first believed in God, I learned that he loved me. It was really cool knowing that someone gave their entire life for me so that I could live. And so I began my journey of life. However, in the last several years, I am now learning that God not only loves me, but
- [Beautiful Women and the Men We Can Become](https://phillipchan.org/beautiful-women-and-the-men-we-can-become/) - She was beautiful. This was my thought as my male friend and I were talking. I was married already but I was giving counsel to a friend who was considering whether to pursue this single lady or not. Yet despite her great looks, and even better internal qualities, this friend of mine would decide that
- [The Joy of 2nd Place Parenting](https://phillipchan.org/the-joy-of-2nd-place-parenting/) - In case you missed it, my wife gave birth to our firstborn daughter a few weeks ago. This was an incredible event and ushered us into a season of celebration and joy. The reasons for such joy, however, may be different than what is expected. The season is joyful because I still feel connected to
- [I Am Donald Trump](https://phillipchan.org/i-am-donald-trump/) - On a very early flight back home, all I wanted to do was sleep. It seemed like everyone else on the plane had that intention as well. Unfortunately directly to my right was a row of girls that were intent on having a good time…the whole plane ride. Loud and boisterous, rocking their Starbucks drinks
- [When God Calls Our Children to War](https://phillipchan.org/when-god-calls-our-children-to-war/) - “Ah, Lord God,” Jeremiah said, “I don’t know how to speak because I’m only a child.” – Jeremiah 1 In the cornerstrone chapter of Jeremiah 1, God calls Jeremiah to be his prophet. To be sure, the job is dangerous. He sets Jeremiah’s expectations correctly as he intends to give him the responsibilites of words which are “over
- [Freedom is Overrated](https://phillipchan.org/freedom-is-overrated/) - The pain was real. After we gave birth to our first born, our lives were to say the least very busy. It turns out keeping another human being alive is more than a full-time job. To grant me a little solace of my old life, my wife let me go to the gym to play
- [Dear Priest, Who Are You Praying For?](https://phillipchan.org/dear-priest-who-are-you-praying-for/) - “…you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:6 You are a priest. As I’m reading through the Bible these days, I’m realizing that us recognizing that that is who we are seems to be pretty important in
- [Who Has Written On Your Heart?](https://phillipchan.org/who-has-written-on-your-heart/) - You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3 In Paul’s “letter of tears”, he is trying to again win the hearts of those he
- [The Middle Class Might Not Make it Heaven!](https://phillipchan.org/the-middle-class-might-not-make-it-heaven/) - “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Luke 14:18 Have you read something in the Bible and knew it was talking about you and the context that you are surrounded by? This is one of
- [The Death or Life of the Man in Marriage](https://phillipchan.org/the-death-or-life-of-the-man-in-marriage/) - "I am afraid" This is often the sentiment I hear when asked what men think of entering into marriage. Certainly there is joy and excitement, but present also is the fear of loss. Something about living with another person in perpetuity, even with someone we love, seems to threaten our independence and the time we
- [Being a Man in a Time of Tumult](https://phillipchan.org/being-a-man-in-a-time-of-tumult/) - What should’ve been a simple grocery trip for my wife and the kids turned out to be a nightmarish ordeal. People have been frantic over COVID-19 virus and decided that stockpiling their homes was the appropriate response. The result of that was an almost empty grocery store and my wife hauling two kids needing to
- [A Blessing For the Racist Man](https://phillipchan.org/a-blessing-for-the-racist-man/) - He held his squinty eyes up with his two fingers. On the way to work the other day, a white male driver on the highway made the squinty eye racist gesture towards me as he zoomed past me. Minorities in America understand the pain and frustration of being the recieving end of racist devaluing gestures
- [Don't Be Surprised By Who You Sit Next to In the Kingdom of God](https://phillipchan.org/dont-be-surprised-by-who-you-sit-next-to-in-the-kingdom-of-god/) - Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame. Luke 14:21 Bring them in! In the parable of the great banquet, Jesus said that a man invited wedding guests only for them to make excuse after excuse. As a result, the man
- [Healing Testimony! AKA The Freakout](https://phillipchan.org/healing-testimony-aka-the-freakout/) - This past week a really cool story happened. I was playing basketball in the evening at the local gym. I just happened to play against this one guy that was really annoying to me. He was loud, obnoxious, and would not stop talking. But as such it was the person that I felt most challenged to be
- [Eyes Off Our Destiny](https://phillipchan.org/eyes-off-our-destiny/) - The Lord said to Moses, “Go up this mountain, Abarim, and look at the land that I’ve given to the Israelites…Moses spoke to the Lord: “Let the Lord, the God of all living things, appoint someone over the community…” Numbers 27:12-17 His eyes were not on his destiny. In Numbers 27, this is beginning of
- [It's True–You're Not Great](https://phillipchan.org/its-true-youre-not-great/) - “What Should I Say To Them?” My wife was counseling a person who served on worship who was having lots of doubts about their abilities. They were stuck in a loop of comparing their skills and talents with others and despite God using them powerfully and consistently, they felt a lot of discouragement and began
- [The Pharaoh of America](https://phillipchan.org/the-pharaoh-of-america/) - How do we as Americans feel about the story of the Exodus? In my years of being a Christian, it is my experience that when we approach the story of Exodus, our interpretations of that all important Biblical story fall usually along the lines of either it being a foreshadow of what Jesus did (which
- [A Love Even Unto Death](https://phillipchan.org/a-love-even-unto-death/) - “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Paul, towards the end of his life in Acts 20 The mark of
- [I Think I'm Going To Start Writing Again](https://phillipchan.org/i-think-im-going-to-start-writing-again/) - God told me at the beginning of 2020 that I should start writing again. So…here I go.
- [What Every Great Parent Has in Common](https://phillipchan.org/what-every-great-parent-has-in-common/) - Every great parent has this one thing in common. I learned this in the most unusual of circumstances. While I was vacationing in Singapore, I was hanging out at the pool watching my friend (who is a dad) play with his kids in the pool. He was involved, present, and full of love. I admired
- [The Pandemic and the End of Times](https://phillipchan.org/the-pandemic-and-the-end-of-times/) - It feels like a funeral. If there was one event that this current pandemic feels like, I would say that it feels most like a funeral. Whenever I attend a funeral, I am first mourned by the death of the person and the impact of their death on the lives of those around them. But
- [The Difference Between the Molester and Me](https://phillipchan.org/the-difference-between-the-molester-and-me/) - “How do you feel?” My wife was asking for my input. We were both reflecting upon hearing news that one among our social circles that a pastor was recently arrested for several accounts of sexual abuse and molestation for people in his youth group years ago. Some at the church, and some even at the
- [The Only Reason To Have Hope](https://phillipchan.org/the-only-reason-to-have-hope/) - “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 2:36 He had every reason to not hope. The ruler of the synagogue had asked an on-the-rise prophet by the name Jesus as his last hope to save the life of his daughter. Before Jesus could make his way over to his house, the life of his daughter faded
- [Quote of the Moment](https://phillipchan.org/quote-of-the-moment/) - Before God gives a breakthrough in our circumstances, he gives a breakthrough in our spirit. Before God changes what’s around us, he’s going to change what’s in us. He’s never into giving get out of jail free cards; he’s into making people of gold.
- [Prophetic Healing Testimony](https://phillipchan.org/prophetic-healing-testimony/) - I want to share a story to encourage you. I was in my place of prayer today, and I was praying for a bunch of random things. The Spirit of God was moving and revelation was flowing freely between me and the Holy Spirit. In the midst of our conversation, I see a picture of
- [Humility is...](https://phillipchan.org/humility-is/) - Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14 Humility is being willing to be ministered by those whom you are minister over. When Jesus asks John the
- [Lose My Soul](https://phillipchan.org/lose-my-soul/) - I love this song.. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Orwhat shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:25-26
- [Don't Waste Your Life](https://phillipchan.org/dont-waste-your-life/) - I watched this four times today, and great conviction hit me every time I watched. And as I became more and more gripped, Isaiah 26:8 kept gripping me. It writes, “In the paths of your judgments, Oh Lord, we wait for you. Your name and your remembrance are the desire of our soul.” It is
- [(no title)](https://phillipchan.org/no-title/) - Jesus bought the church with his blood. But she is not willing to give herself to Him. She is idolatrous and adulterous. And He will not return until she has dressed herself and made herself ready for the wedding.
- [The Highly Creative UI/UX Workflow from a Silicon Valley.](https://phillipchan.org/the-highly-creative-ui-ux-workflow-from-a-silicon-valley/) - Using a Query A CSS pseudo-class is a keyword added to a selector that specifies a special state of the selected element(s). For example, :hover can be used to change a button's color when the user's pointer hovers over it. From the business, until be once yet pouring got it duckthemed phase in the creative
- [Creativo Jóvenes: a Lead Designer's UI/UX Core Checklist.](https://phillipchan.org/creativo-jovenes-a-lead-designers-ui-ux-core-checklist/) - Using a Query A CSS pseudo-class is a keyword added to a selector that specifies a special state of the selected element(s). For example, :hover can be used to change a button's color when the user's pointer hovers over it. From the business, until be once yet pouring got it duckthemed phase in the creative
- [Definitive Guide to Make a Daily More Productive Working Flow.](https://phillipchan.org/definitive-guide-to-make-a-daily-more-productive-working-flow/) - Using a Query A CSS pseudo-class is a keyword added to a selector that specifies a special state of the selected element(s). For example, :hover can be used to change a button's color when the user's pointer hovers over it. From the business, until be once yet pouring got it duckthemed phase in the creative
- [A Truly Christian Funeral by Monty Williams](https://phillipchan.org/a-truly-christian-funeral-by-monty-williams/) - Monty Williams, former NBA player, now coaching for the Oklahoma City Thunder lost his wife due to a car accident with another car. His response, as exhibited by the eulogy given at his late wife’s funeral, is so inspirationally Christian. The way he responds with acceptance, love, proclamation of truth, eternal perspective, and commitment to
- [2 Encouragements from the Fatal Trump Movement](https://phillipchan.org/2-encouragements-from-the-fatal-trump-movement/) - Suffice to say, the Trump campaign has evolved to become the level of appalling, representing some of the worst I have seen in American politics. From declaring Mexicans to be rapists, to villainizing Muslims, it is a campaign that intends to evolve people’s insecurities into hate as some vain approach for political points. And as others
- [Discipleship is Not a Place](https://phillipchan.org/discipleship-is-not-a-place/) - Discipleship is not a place; it’s a pace. This is a message for Christians, like myself, who can feel that ‘discipleship’ is a term that’s distant from our hearts, excused by the years of service under our belt. What I’ve been learning is that there is no age a Christian can be which precludes us from
- [Why I (Still) Love IHOP-KC](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-still-love-ihop-kc/) - There is nothing to do in Kansas City. It is definitely one of the most boring places I’ve ever been to. The city is small and dirty; the weather is often terrible; there is no vibrancy that compares with the big cities I’ve lived in e.g. Chicago and Los Angeles. Yet strangely enough, I found
- [Parenting With One Goal in Mind](https://phillipchan.org/parenting-with-one-goal-in-mind/) - There are many things to be said about parenting philosophies. As a Christian, recently I came across this revelation about the goal of parenting that just set the whole thing in perspective: The goal of parenting is to raise up children who love Jesus with all their hearts, minds, and souls. Above careers, comfort, destiny, fun,
- [Why Does Jesus Teach?](https://phillipchan.org/why-does-jesus-teach/) - Let’s ask a question about Jesus’ life that may be taken for granted: Why does Jesus teach? Why does anyone teach for that matter? Teachers, mentors, leaders, etc.. what is the motivation and impetus to impart knowledge to others? We know that one of Jesus’ main ministries was the ministry of teaching. From his mouth
- [Hunger for God Will Always Trascend Class](https://phillipchan.org/hunger-for-god-will-always-trascend-class/) - There was a ruler named Jairus. Falling at Jesus’ feet he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about 12 years of age, and she was dying. And there was a woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years…who came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe
- [The War for Christmas](https://phillipchan.org/the-war-for-christmas/) - Truly He taught us to love one anotherHis law is love and His gospel is peaceChains shall He break for the slave is our brotherAnd in His name all oppression shall cease Third Verse to “O Holy Night” On this Christmas morning, my wife and I were gleefully enjoying breakfast while singing a few Christmas
- [God of Money-We Give You Our Praise!](https://phillipchan.org/god-of-money-we-give-you-our-praise/) - So watch this video of Black Friday 2015 (at least parts of it) and tell me if you feel these thoughts: https://youtu.be/UpZWml4LGAM We know that the gods Americans worship are POWER, MONEY, and SEX. The love and obsession of those things drive our lives, our economy, our entertainment, and our interests as a nation. This
- [Thankfulness Keeps Me Alive](https://phillipchan.org/thankfulness-keeps-me-alive/) - I don’t often write seasonally-appropriate posts. But I’m finding that thankfulness is a practice that I’ve been trying to get better at and some revelations about it are worth sharing about at a time when we should be practicing it. To be frank, thankfulness keeps me alive as a person. It is because… Thankfulness helps
- [To Know Thyself in An Age of Information](https://phillipchan.org/to-know-thyself-in-an-age-of-information/) - We truly live in an exciting time. Ever since the internet was launched, Google revolutionized search, users aggregated reference data (e.g. Wikipedia), and visionaries created their own content (e.g. Youtube), technology in our day and age has radically transformed the way people access, consume, and propagate information. How this ability to access information at such ease and depth will
- [Christianity in Its Purest Form](https://phillipchan.org/christianity-in-its-purest-form/) - I’ve been recently struggling in my relationship with God. I feel like I’m running in place. But God spoke amazing revelation to me during work about what Christianity really is about. — Christianity in its purest form is all action being done out of God’s love. And everything done outside of the revelation and power of God’s
- [Learning about Church Planting from Paul...The Employee](https://phillipchan.org/learning-about-church-planting-from-paul-the-employee/) - Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila…Because they practiced the same trade, he worked with them. They all worked with leather. Every Sabbath he interacted with people in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks. Once Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul devoted himself fully to the
- [I Like to Think the Apostles Aren't Anything Special](https://phillipchan.org/i-like-to-think-the-apostles-arent-anything-special/) - The council was caught by surprise by the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. After all, they understood that these apostles were uneducated and inexperienced. They also recognized that they had been followers of Jesus. Acts 4:13 I love reading about the apostles in the book of Acts these days because I’m seeing that
- [Intimacy is Everything](https://phillipchan.org/intimacy-is-everything/) - God does not call us to tasks, but to be with Him and do tasks. Godly tasks are not the ends of the Christian life. I had a revelation this weekend that for my version of faithful Christianity is so works-oriented. As if obedience is something Jesus sends us off and to do by ourselves. No,
- [Testimony: God the Protector of My Scooter and Me](https://phillipchan.org/testimony-god-the-protector-of-my-scooter-and-me/) - Here’s a pretty sweet God story of God watching over my scooter and me. Last week Wednesday, we did a Bible study at work of Psalm 91, and the takeaway from that was that “I need to ask God for protection when I ride my scooter.” So I begin doing so that day. Thursday, I’m
- [The Bible's Mandate Interpreted](https://phillipchan.org/the-bibles-mandate-interpreted/) - Bible: Take care of orphans, widows, poor, and the fatherless. Interpretation: Take care of people with great brokenness, with great pain, with great abandonment, and whose hearts are just broken from relational or systemic injustices. These people, by virtue of having such brokenness, will take an extraordinary amount of time, energy, patience, love, and money
- [Puppy Love Faith](https://phillipchan.org/puppy-love-faith/) - Last night I had a really sweet time of worship with Jesus. It was reminscent of how first grew in my faith when I first asked Jesus to come into my heart. Back in the day, I cultivated a relationship with God in the secret place of my room where I just sang worship songs
- [In the Desert and Lovin' It](https://phillipchan.org/in-the-desert-and-lovin-it/) - I haven’t really done any official ministry for two years now. In the early part of this time, I hated it. I resented it. I wanted to do what God made me to do and I felt robbed of the opportunity to fulfill my God-given mandates. Like a brat, I pouted. Now that I’m in
- [Why Coach Tom Thibodeau Reminds Me of Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/why-coach-tom-thibodeau-reminds-me-of-jesus/) - In case you didn’t know, I am a pretty enthusiastic Chicago Bulls fan. When I’m not doing something important, I am busily keeping up with my beloved Bulls from California. As most Bulls fans know, one of the staples of Chicago basketball of the last few years has been our fearless coach. Battling injury after injury, Coach
- [I'll Always Stand for You Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/ill-always-stand-for-you-jesus/) - Jesus, I stand for YouNo matter what You lead me throughTree63 – Stand for You I used to listen to this song in high school (that was years ago by the way). Back then it was a very meaningful song to my young faith because the lines of following Jesus were clear amidst the
- [Not Supporting Israel: Rethinking Our Theology Amidst War](https://phillipchan.org/not-supporting-israel-rethinking-our-theology-amidst-war/) - The recent current events of the Israeli-Gaza conflict have stirred up quite a bit of emotions on all sides of the conflict, reinvigorating dormant sentiments and strong opinions. More particularly, to my dismay, certain Christian groups (IHOP community, pro-Zionist groups) who support Israel are jumping at the opportunity to voice their support for this conflicted nation.
- [The Sound of Worship vs The Spirit of Worship](https://phillipchan.org/the-sound-of-worship-vs-the-spirit-of-worship/) - It is more important to cultivate the spirit of worship than the sound of worship. The sound of worship is cultivated with our heads and our hands. The gifted, the trained, and the talented, regardless of the composition of character, can always excel in the sound of worship. The spirit of worship, on the other
- [Character and Power](https://phillipchan.org/character-and-power/) - We should not be impressed with people who have strong anointings or power who do not have a life of character. On the other hand, we cannot think a person with moral excellence is all that a Christian should be. Jesus was neither a monk nor a showman. Jesus was a miracle worker who operated with great
- [In Jesus' Name](https://phillipchan.org/in-jesus-name/) - ‘In Jesus’ name’ means more than an ending to a prayer. It is in fact the attempt to do and be what He would do and be in that given situation. To gather in His name means that our gathering should look like it did when Jesus met with people two thousand years ago. If
- [Listening Well: Short Tips On This All-Important Practice](https://phillipchan.org/listening-well-short-tips-on-this-all-important-practice/) - Being understood is a deeply spiritual and emotional need all human beings crave for. Isn’t it amazing that God understands us perfectly? That he knows our thoughts, our feelings, and our desires in perfect understanding? Yet in our human relationships, I see more often than not, people are bad at understanding other people, thereby depriving
- [Holy Spirit Helps us To Love God](https://phillipchan.org/holy-spirit-helps-us-to-love-god/) - Yesterday, the Holy Spirit convicted me real hard as I was about to go to bed. It happened as I was opening my Bible, and there fell upon me a strange unfamiliarity. The unfamiliarity, coupled with the Holy Spirit, communicated, “You really haven’t been in the Word this season that much.” God was gripping me
- [Job Opening: Prophets in Our Time of Sexual Confuscation](https://phillipchan.org/job-opening-prophets-in-our-time-of-sexual-confuscation/) - American media and culture are on record pace for pushing agendas for diverse sexualities on all sides. The response, both from secular and religious sources (most notably on Facebook these days) can be characterized as incendiary, hostile, fear-mongering, and silence-inducing. To be honest, amidst such negative noise, I’m noticing something within me occurring–a wanting to
- [What's Wrong with, "What's Wrong With It?"](https://phillipchan.org/whats-wrong-with-whats-wrong-with-it/) - When you have vision for your life, you don’t ask, regarding your questionable behavior, “What’s wrong with it??”. You ask “What’s right with it?” The core of true spirituality is not legalism. It is not “do this”, “don’t do this”. The mature will see that those questions are surface level attempts of asking, “Is this good
- [Tips on Correcting People and Helping Them Walk Into Their Destiny](https://phillipchan.org/tips-on-correcting-people-and-helping-them-walk-into-their-destiny/) - Here are five tips that can be helpful in the event that we need to correct someone to benefit both them and us. Working with people is not always easy. All of us encounter situations where someone else’s behavior be it a singular occasion or a habit is detrimental to that person, to you, or
- [Full-time and On Fire: Strategies for Having Passion for God While Working](https://phillipchan.org/full-time-and-on-fire-strategies-for-having-passion-for-god-while-working/) - Keeping my Heart Alive Working full-time has its difficulties. One of the bigger challenges I constantly face is being an on-fire believer of Jesus while working full-time. I think people are aware of the challenges.. The amount of time you actually have to do things is limited, not to mention you’re constantly tired, work is mentally
- [You Know You're a Good Christian but a Bad Jesus-Follower When...](https://phillipchan.org/you-know-youre-a-good-christian-but-a-bad-jesus-follower-when/) - What a strange title huh? What exactly is the difference between being a Christian and a Jesus follower? Well I think the difference is spawned out of the realization of how it easy it is to get lost in the Christian world without engaging in what it means to be a Christian in its purity,
- [Another Milestone for the Black Box - 10 Years](https://phillipchan.org/another-milestone-for-the-black-box-10-years/) - Welcome to the new version of The Black Box. Believe it or not, I have been writing in the blog entity known as “The Black Box” for about 10 years now. It’s been pretty cool knowing that tens of thousands of people have visited and have interacted on this site, watching me chronicle my relationship
- [A New Black Box 2014](https://phillipchan.org/a-new-black-box-2014/) - As you can tell, we’re getting ready for a new Black Box. Stay Tuned,
- [Samuel, a Warrior in the Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/samuel-a-warrior-in-the-spirit/) - And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah 1 Samuel 7:6 Samuel is unique in the sense that he is of a different mold than those who led Israel prior to him. As you recall, Samuel follows the time of the judges. Judges were more or less mighty warriors of Israel who were filled
- [Psalm 132 - Praying for God to Dwell In Our Hearts](https://phillipchan.org/psalm-132-praying-for-god-to-dwell-in-our-hearts/) - Psalm 132, at first glance, is about Zion and temple theology. The psalmist talks about how David worked really hard to build God a temple in Jerusalem(v1-5), the community’s excitement over the temple (v6-7), an invocation for God to come and rest in his dwelling place (7-10), the promise of God for Davidic kingship (v11-12),
- [Known as Being Led by the Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/known-as-being-led-by-the-spirit/) - For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.Romans 8:4 What sets us apart as Christian? Paul says here that it is those who are led by the Holy Spirit. That word led really stuck out to me this morning. To be led is meant to be going somewhere. It is to be
- [The Happiest Day of My Life is Not Coming Up](https://phillipchan.org/the-happiest-day-of-my-life-is-not-coming-up/) - In a little over a week, I’m going to be married. And that’s really friggin’ awesome. Many people drool over this moment, and many people will reflect back on their lives saying that the happiest day of their lives was their wedding. And I can imagine why–it’s really fun, it’s a really significant life event,
- [Being Led by a Strong Hand](https://phillipchan.org/being-led-by-a-strong-hand/) - Reading through Joshua provokes deep craving within me. One of the things I crave is the strong leading of God in my life. In Joshua 3-4, there is a crazy story where Joshua is elected new leader and God is demonstrating his authority before Israel by performing a great and miraculous sign. He instructs the priests
- [If God Doesn't Move In My Life, I'm a Dead Man](https://phillipchan.org/if-god-doesnt-move-in-my-life-im-a-dead-man/) - Moses in Exodus 33 cries out to God: “If your presence doesn’t go with us, do not bring us up fro here.” He recognized that if God did not move in his midst, he and the entire people that he was leading was as good as dead. I have that recognition this morning in my
- [The God of Justice in the Law](https://phillipchan.org/the-god-of-justice-in-the-law/) - Cursed be anyone who perverts the justice due to the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. And all the people shall say, ‘Amen’. Deuteronomy 27:19 I’m reading through the Mosaic law lately, trudging through these statues and commandments that would define Israel as the people of God. While there are a number of things that
- [When God Moves, Don't Have Spiritual Pride](https://phillipchan.org/when-god-moves-dont-have-spiritual-pride/) - Deuteronomy can be described as Moses’ sermon to the Israelites before he passes. In Deut 7-9, he gives them three distinct warnings about the implications of moving into the promised land. First, he tells them that it’s not because they were the greatest that God chose them. Moses: “It was not because you were more
- [Depositing the Fear of the Lord In Me](https://phillipchan.org/depositing-the-fear-of-the-lord-in-me/) - More recently in my times of intercession, I have been praying Jeremiah 32:40-41 over my heart over and over again. This is Jeremiah 32:40-41 “I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this
- [A Heart to Obey Always](https://phillipchan.org/a-heart-to-obey-always/) - They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever! Deuteronomy 5:28-29 After the giving of the law, Moses acknowledges to the people of Israel:
- [Missed Opportunities – I Must Be Ready..](https://phillipchan.org/missed-opportunities-i-must-be-ready/) - Here’s a story from my life. I was about to play basketball at a league I usually play at this weekend. And I felt like God hinted to me that he’s going to give an opportunity for me to be a witness through the game somehow. I didn’t think much about it but just kept
- [It's Not Just About Your Ministry Says Balaam](https://phillipchan.org/its-not-just-about-your-ministry-says-balaam/) - I’m really fascinated by the story of Balaam and Balak in Numbers. At this point, Israel is coming from Sinai is moving towards the promised land. And there’s a side story that happens in Numbers 22-24 that Israel is wholly unaware of, making this account so fascinating. If you remember, basically the king of Moab
- [Leviticus and Intimacy with God](https://phillipchan.org/leviticus-and-intimacy-with-god/) - Through trudging through Leviticus, believe it or not, there are important lessons to be learned about the character of God and our relationship to him. Here’s what I believe to be the thesis verse of the book: “for I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your
- [The Worship of God is a Blessing to Us](https://phillipchan.org/the-worship-of-god-is-a-blessing-to-us/) - In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. Exodus 20:24 In every place where God is worshiped, God blesses. Worship forms a two way road between heaven and earth. Incense goes up and God’s pleasure, manifested in the form of his blessings, come down.
- [No Peace in this Life–Get Over It!](https://phillipchan.org/no-peace-in-this-life-get-over-it/) - In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world! John 16:33 So my fiancé and I are going through some trials in our own lives as we are preparing for marriage. And there’s a real temptation to think “just after this season, we’ll be smooth coasting.” As a matter
- [The Family of God as a Family of Justice](https://phillipchan.org/the-family-of-god-as-a-family-of-justice/) - For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice. Genesis 18:19 In Genesis chapters 12-18, the very first portions of our scriptures, you see how God is laying sovereign foundations for the rest of the Bible.
- [Fearing and Loving the God of Job](https://phillipchan.org/fearing-and-loving-the-god-of-job/) - I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:6 I love the presence of God. I love him so much and often I love songs and prayers which cry out “Let me see your face!
- [Job Rebukes the Conditional American Christian](https://phillipchan.org/job-rebukes-the-conditional-american-christian/) - Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”Job 1:20 I am reading Job as
- [How Great is Our God - World Edition](https://phillipchan.org/how-great-is-our-god-world-edition/) - Wow this really blessed my heart. So cool to hear this song in so many different languages.
- [What God Finds Beautiful](https://phillipchan.org/what-god-finds-beautiful/) - But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Mark 14:6 Have you ever seen something just so beautiful it takes your breath away? Some jaw-dropping landscape, a member of the other sex, some art piece, etc.. Ever wonder what God finds beautiful? This passage
- [How Jesus Responds When We Suck at Loving Him](https://phillipchan.org/how-jesus-responds-when-we-suck-at-loving-him/) - Peter said to Jesus, “Even though they all fall away, I will not…” Mark 14:29 I think Peter gets too much criticism for his proclamation at the last supper to Jesus. As he boldly makes his claim for fidelity to Jesus before Jesus goes to the cross, we often mock his confidence, his pride, his
- [False Christs Today–And It's Not People](https://phillipchan.org/false-christs-today-and-its-not-people/) - See that no one lead you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, “I am he, and they will lead many astray.” Mark 13:5 Jesus is prophetically talking about the end times here, prophesying the increase of deception, and the amount of “false saviors” who will claim to be and to do what Jesus
- [To Hear the Voice of God And to Do Otherwise...](https://phillipchan.org/to-hear-the-voice-of-god-and-to-do-otherwise/) - “To hear the voice of God and to do otherwise…is idolatry.” That is what the Holy Spirit spoke to me three weeks ago. It was a hard message to take. When we hear God’s voice, and we choose to do different than what He says, we are essentially saying “there is another god we are
- [Being Righteous Before God Versus Righteous Before People](https://phillipchan.org/being-righteous-before-god-versus-righteous-before-people/) - The death of Jesus is set in a scene where he is hanging between two criminals and with a group of people watching him being crucified. All three of them are being condemned to death, punished by the law, determined by the authorities and now witnessed by the people. As I was reading this passage
- [Jesus, Our Cornerstone](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-our-cornerstone/) - This song has been really blessing me. I find myself in the kitchen cooking singing this song at the top of my lungs as a declaration of who God is..He is our cornerstone!! Hillsong Live – Cornerstone My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus blood and righteousnessI dare not trust the sweetest frameBut wholly
- [To Be Christian is To No Longer Love Oneself](https://phillipchan.org/to-be-christian-is-to-no-longer-love-oneself/) - If anyone would come after me, let him deny him, take up his cross, and follow me..Mark 8:34 This statement is found in three of the gospels. It is one of those iconic statements of Jesus, one of those very weighty ones, one of those where if you sit on it and do it, it
- [Resources for Men Struggling with Lust / Addiction](https://phillipchan.org/resources-for-men-struggling-with-lust-addiction/) - I am in my mid twenties and I honestly don’t know many men both my age, above, and below who do not struggle with combating lust (I am talking about Christian men, who would call that a “struggle” against sin), including myself. The last two years have been extremely healing for me in that area
- [I Refuse To Be a Jaded Christian](https://phillipchan.org/i-refuse-to-be-a-jaded-christian/) - Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.Matthew 11:6 As I get older, the older my friends and colleagues become. And with age comes experience. Yet I find that I find more and more often a phenomenon–jaded Christians. Christians who harbor in their hearts deep offense at something. They were hurt by the
- [Great Accountability / LTG Questions](https://phillipchan.org/great-accountability-ltg-questions/) - At my church, we set up accountability groups called Life Transformation Groups. The purpose of that is develop intentional and consistent relationships with people who can keep us accountable how God is leading us. These are people that will consistently push us in our relationship. Structurally, when we meet, there are some great questions that
- [Here's My Heart Lord](https://phillipchan.org/heres-my-heart-lord/) - This song has been rocking my times with God. There’s nothing like being on your knees before God crying out before him “Here’y my heart Lord!” Yes, Lord, here’s my heart!!!! David Crowder – Here’s My Heart (Chorus x2) Here’s my heart Lord,Here’s my heart LordHere’s my heart Lord,Speak what is true ‘Cause I am
- [Oh Gracious God](https://phillipchan.org/oh-gracious-god/) - I find that the older I get, the more often I call God by saying “oh Gracious God.” I think it’s because the older I get, the more mistakes I’ve made. And the more mistakes I’ve made, the I feel like God should be distanced from me. But, as it is, I am wrong–for in
- [A Cry from the Desert](https://phillipchan.org/a-cry-from-the-desert/) - “Just because your life doesn’t look conventional, it doesn’t mean you’re not walking with God.” I don’t know what it’s like to live a straight-forward life but, based on last season of my life, I can honestly say I’ll never live a straight-forward life. I’ve been in quite a desert season, quietly tucked away in
- [Oh God, Expand My Love [A Plea for Transformation]](https://phillipchan.org/oh-god-expand-my-love-a-plea-for-transformation/) - Let love be genuine…Love one another with brotherly affection…Outdo one another in showing honor…Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them…Live in harmony with one another…Do not be boastful, but associate with the lowly…live peaceably with all…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with God. Paul, instructing Romans the basics
- [Brokenness Leads to Revival](https://phillipchan.org/brokenness-leads-to-revival/) - [Joel Recounting all this destruction in Joel 1:1-12]…“Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests;wail O ministers of the altar.Go in, pass the night in sackcloth,O ministers of my God!Because grain offering and drink offeringare withheld from the house of your God. Joel 1:13 The spiritual secret of having a fiery spirit is embracing brokenness. In the
- [Pray About Everything Worry About Nothing](https://phillipchan.org/pray-about-everything-worry-about-nothing/) - null
- [How Does God Reveal Himself to You in Your Job?](https://phillipchan.org/how-does-god-reveal-himself-to-you-in-your-job/) - “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” Genesis 48:15 How does God reveal himself to you in your job? At the end of Jacob’s life here in Genesis 48, he is blessing the sons of his long-lost son Joseph. He begins his blessing by calling upon the God
- [It's Okay Not Getting My Life Together in my 20's](https://phillipchan.org/its-okay-not-getting-my-life-together-in-my-20s/) - My pastor was sharing something today that made me really think about the productiveness of my life. He was highlighting how many people feel that they need to accomplish something in their 20’s or 30’s. It reminded that America is a youth-centered culture, where older people are forgotten and less valuable. There’s a lot of
- [My Simple Reproducible Way of Doing Bible Study](https://phillipchan.org/my-simple-reproducible-way-of-doing-bible-study/) - I feel like a lot of people make Bible study very difficult and the task of a Bible study leader can be daunting. If you’re looking for a simple, reproducible format of engaging in Bible study, here’s a method I’ve used for a variety of people, for a variety of contexts, and for almost every
- [Genesis is Awesome](https://phillipchan.org/genesis-is-awesome/) - Yes I haven’t written in a while. I’ve been very busy and have felt more led to spend time with God and spend time being faithful in other areas of my life. I will say that I’ve been studying and meditating on Genesis for quite a while and it’s been quite a blessing. I’ve read
- [Weak and Fragile – A Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/weak-and-fragile-a-prayer/) - Weak and Fragile. I know God that your people are weak and fragile, and our fragile lives are in the palm of your hands. Our lives are daily a mess, our affections for you, and our love towards others are all one big precarious mess. God, why do you expect so much from fragile and
- [Being Blameless as Noah in Our Generation](https://phillipchan.org/being-blameless-as-noah-in-our-generation/) - Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:9 I’m reading Genesis now, and I am really moved by the description of Noah. He is called blameless. To be blameless is to live a life of righteousness by God’s standards. It’s doesn’t meant perfection from birth, it meant that he
- [What do Stars and John the Baptist Have in Common?](https://phillipchan.org/what-do-stars-and-john-the-baptist-have-in-common/) - “Let the stars in the heavens be for signs and for seasons…” Genesis 1:14 Reading Genesis 1 on a starry night is quite an experience. I was walking home from my car this night and I was looking upward at the beautiful array of stars. I came home and began meditating on Genesis 1. This
- [Changing Our Very Desires](https://phillipchan.org/changing-our-very-desires/) - One of the themes of 2 Peter is that he is writing against people who are “following their own sinful desires” (3:3). The contrary is what Peter sees as ideal. The Christian life is in many ways a way which we do not follow the desires within us that are sinful, but we are wanting
- [The Mark of a False Teacher According to Peter](https://phillipchan.org/the-mark-of-a-false-teacher-according-to-peter/) - But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1 2 Peter is a strange book to many. Most notably is because the entire chapter 2
- [It is Very Important to Grow as Christians](https://phillipchan.org/it-is-very-important-to-grow-as-christians/) - “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith…” 2 Peter 1:5 Many of the writers of the NT had their dying wishes and blessings to their readers. Jesus has his last words before he goes to the cross. Philippians and Timothy can be seen as Paul’s final words before his perceived upcoming
- [Happy Easter](https://phillipchan.org/happy-easter/) - Happy Easter Everyone! May Jesus’s resurrected presence in us be celebrated today!
- [Guarding Your Prayer Life](https://phillipchan.org/guarding-your-prayer-life/) - so that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 I think it’s cool that in two places of 1 Peter, he specifically talks about the prayer life of his audience. In both instances, he is exhorting that they take courses
- [A Quick Reflection Coming Back from India on Christian Fellowship](https://phillipchan.org/a-quick-reflection-coming-back-from-india-on-christian-fellowship/) - I find that there is something very special about Christian fellowship. As evinced by my recent trip to India, the connection we have with brothers and sisters is the strongest and most joy-giving connection one can have. I have never met these people in my life, yet within a day’s time we are sharing our
- [The Chosen Race – God's People](https://phillipchan.org/the-chosen-race-gods-people/) - But you are a chosen race… 1 Peter 2:9 How do we identify ourselves? If someone asked us “Who are you?” what factors do you think would contribute to your answer? It is true that the most common way that we respond is by designating our cultural heritage as explaining why we are the way
- [Jesus as the Foundation is Unpopular but Honorable](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-as-the-foundation-is-unpopular-but-honorable/) - For it stands in scripture: Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. 1 Peter 2:6 Jesus is clearly the foundation of our faith. But not all have chosen to base their lives on this God-man Jesus. He is,
- [A Sobering Missional Question](https://phillipchan.org/a-sobering-missional-question/) - ‎”After approximately 50 church-plants I am still most struck by the words of a Gabbra elder from Northern Kenya. After my husband asked permission to go into his village to bring the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, the village elder responded, ‘Yes, you may come, but may I ask you a question? If
- [Our Graciously Giving God](https://phillipchan.org/our-graciously-giving-god/) - I find it amazing that God blesses us not because we deserve it but in spite of it. He is surprisingly gracious.
- [Calling Demons By Name](https://phillipchan.org/calling-demons-by-name/) - Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Mark 9:25 Jesus here performs one of his many exorcisms in the gospels. This time it with a boy with a spirit who makes him mute and causes him to
- [Ministry and Time with God](https://phillipchan.org/ministry-and-time-with-god/) - I’ll consider this a prophetic post; I pray it lands someone who needs to hear it in a timely way: If your only time spent in God’s presence is in the context of ministry, then your relationship with God is most likely suffering.
- [The Speech and Sovereignty of God Over Creation](https://phillipchan.org/the-speech-and-sovereignty-of-god-over-creation/) - I’m reading a book on preaching, and Darrell Johnson said something so profound concerning the speech and sovereignty of God: —– The word of God creates what is announces and it is happening this very moment. Do you realize that? Do you realize that you and I, along with the whole universe, are being held together
- [True Worship Leaders](https://phillipchan.org/true-worship-leaders/) - True worship leaders lead by example. It is tempting to identify great worship leaders with what they do on stage in front of the congregation, but I now know better. Without a lifestyle which honors Jesus in every area of our lives, we are but mere music leaders, not worship leaders. Worship leading is about leading people
- [Picking Disciples](https://phillipchan.org/picking-disciples/) - In discipleship, I found that it is helpful not to pick who you want to disciple based on potential, but based on hunger. Find hungry people and disciple them to disciple others.
- [Divine Teaching Is Love](https://phillipchan.org/divine-teaching-is-love/) - When he went ashore he saw a great crowed, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 Jesus’ compassion, in this passage, yields a very direct response from him: He taught them. I thought it was interesting that out
- [Your Next Ministry Assignment: Rest](https://phillipchan.org/your-next-ministry-assignment-rest/) - The apostles returned the Jesus and told him all they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:30-31 Ministry can be very fun. I’m sure the
- [How Do I Get that Faith?](https://phillipchan.org/how-do-i-get-that-faith/) - For the woman said, “If I tough even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she was healed of her disease. Mark 5:28 Warning: I don’t have anything to teach or profound to say in this post. I’m just really curious how I can emulate the
- [A Psalm Prayer That Fits Me](https://phillipchan.org/a-psalm-prayer-that-fits-me/) - “Deliver me from all my transgressions…” Psalm 39:8 I find that it’s sometimes hard to connect to the Psalms not because my life doesn’t feel miserable sometimes like the Psalmist, but a lot of times he finds the source of his pain to be his enemies. More often than not, the misery of my life
- [Lecrae Freestyling the Gospel](https://phillipchan.org/lecrae-freestyling-the-gospel/) - Love it.
- [Knowing Our Limits in Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/knowing-our-limits-in-ministry/) - And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when
- [Faithful with Obedience](https://phillipchan.org/faithful-with-obedience/) - Jesus said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark
- [Desperate to Be Like Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/desperate-to-be-like-jesus/) - I want to be like Jesus so bad. These days I compare my life to the mirror of the Scriptures and to the character of our Lord and there’s a groaning about my brokenness–how I wish I lived more like Jesus. In ministry, it’s so easy to get things out of priority. It’s much easier
- [We Were Meant to See Jesus' Beauty](https://phillipchan.org/we-were-meant-to-see-jesus-beauty/) - How do you describe something that is beautiful? For me, when I see something beautiful, I remark the impact it has on my heart. It’s breathtakingly powerful often and evokes various emotions related to “awe.” I realize today that God intended us to behold beauty. Our hearts were designed to behold beauty. We were meant to
- [For the Sake of the World](https://phillipchan.org/for-the-sake-of-the-world/) - This is a POWERFUL song! — Bethel Live – For the Sake of the World I’m laying down my lifeI’m giving up controlI’m never looking backI surrender allI’m living for Your glory on the earth This passion in my heartThis stirring in my soulTo see the nations bowFor all the world to knowI’m living for
- [What is Passion?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-passion/) - null
- [The Work of Ministry is a Call to Suffering and Death](https://phillipchan.org/the-work-of-ministry-is-a-call-to-suffering-and-death/) - “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s affliction for the sake of his body, that is the church.” Colossians 1:24-25 Ministry is a call to suffering. Paul says that he makes it habit of “filling up what is lacking in
- [Our Rights to (Not) Privacy](https://phillipchan.org/our-rights-to-not-privacy/) - I was listening to Jim Yost a recent weekend and something he said really challenged me. He was talking about serving as a missionary in a tribal area of Indonesia, he had to give up his sense of privacy as everyone followed him and watched him. Activities like bathing, doing devotionals, sleeping were often done
- [When I Ask For Fire](https://phillipchan.org/when-i-ask-for-fire/) - I have always asked for fire to be found within my soul.A prayer and a plea for passion.But what I am realizing recently is that fire always hurts.Its flame burns away all which God sees as an enemy of divine love.His flame targets my idols; it targets those whom I love.In the beginning I am
- [Aspirations for Leadership](https://phillipchan.org/aspirations-for-leadership/) - I want to be the best, most gifted, most used leader servant/slave of all time. In God’s economy, leadership is servanthood.
- [Humility is Serving Others](https://phillipchan.org/humility-is-serving-others/) - The way of Jesus is the way of humility. I want to in every circumstance and for every person ask: “How can I serve this person in front of me?”“How can I honor this person above me?”“How can I see this person from heaven’s perspective?” In a cut throat world that is rife with competition,
- [Gratitude](https://phillipchan.org/gratitude/) - I’ve been listening to this song for about ten years now and it just convicts me a lot. The song is about having gratitude to God and it’s something every overly-provided-for American (like myself) needs to remember. Nichole Nordeman – Gratitude Send some rain, would You send some rain?‘Cause the earth is dry and needs
- [God Think About Us The Most in the Whole Universe](https://phillipchan.org/god-think-about-us-the-most-in-the-whole-universe/) - You have my multiplied, O Lord my God,…your thoughts towards us; none can compare with you! Psalm 40:5 David exalts the Lord by saying that God has multiplied His thoughts towards us. And then he says that “none can compare with you!” No one compares to God in the competition of who thinks about us
- [More Than a Wedding Ring](https://phillipchan.org/more-than-a-wedding-ring/) - What is the greatest thing a man can offer his wife? Besides an unfailing love, I believe the greatest gift a man of God can offer his wife is to lead her into a life of significance and meaning. A leadership that will allow them to stand before God one day and hear Him say,
- [Christian Persecution in the 10/40 Window [Map]](https://phillipchan.org/christian-persecution-in-the-10-40-window-map/) - This is an excellent depiction of where Christian persecution is in the 10/40 window. Pray for persecuted believers! — Source: GMI.org ©2006
- [Running with Imperfect People](https://phillipchan.org/running-with-imperfect-people/) - We often visualize ministry where Christians live the talk and do as Jesus would. But the reality is, Christians are frail, weak, and fickle, and God still uses them. Eugene Peterson says it extremely well: “The church is made up of sinners. The fleas come with the dog. We expect a disciplined army of committed men
- [Currently Reading & What I'm Learning](https://phillipchan.org/currently-reading-what-im-learning/) - Sorrow & Blood: Christian Mission in Contexts of Suffering, Persecution, and Martyrdom Editors: William D. Taylor, Antonia van der Meer, Reg Reimer I’m currently reading Sorrow & Blood: Christian Mission in Contexts of Suffering, Persecution, and Martyrdom and it is probably one of the best purchases I’ve made this year. Sorrow and Blood is a
- [Dream Accomplished: How People of Prayer Fulfill God's Heart](https://phillipchan.org/dream-accomplished-how-people-of-prayer-fulfill-gods-heart/) - I find that Christians either 1) do not have dreams from God for their life or 2) do not actual fulfill their dreams for God because of one single thing: they do not have a life of prayer. Without intimate dialogue with God, we’ll never find the purposes in his heart for our lives and
- [The Three Phases of Persecution](https://phillipchan.org/the-three-phases-of-persecution/) - How do Christians end up being persecuted in countries? There are generally three phases which lead to this. 1. Misinformation The first is misinformation about Christians. This occurs in media, government communication, and social stigma about who Christians are. For example, in the Middle East, Christians are commonly equated with American or Western ideals, a
- [When Muslims Renounce Islam](https://phillipchan.org/when-muslims-renounce-islam/) - In many countries, it is dangerous for Muslims to renounce Islam, no matter whether they become atheists, Baha’i, or whether they join a branch of Islam that is considered a sect by others. It just so happens that they most often become Christians. Christof Sauer and Thomas Schirrmacher
- [Being a Salty Christian](https://phillipchan.org/being-a-salty-christian/) - You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness by restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Matthew 5:13 One of the identity pieces as Christians, as Jesus highlights in the Sermon on the Mount,
- [Thoughts/Questions on American Syncretism and Paul's Gospel](https://phillipchan.org/thoughts-questions-on-american-syncretism-and-pauls-gospel/) - But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world? Galatians 4:9 It seems like Paul is talking now about syncretism in the Christian faith. Syncretism is the mixing in of religions, namely
- [The Gospel Against the Divided Church of America](https://phillipchan.org/the-gospel-against-the-divided-church-of-america/) - “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 In Galatians, Paul is battling opponents of the Galatian church in order for them to understand what the true good news is in both belief and
- [Giving to the Homeless by Grace](https://phillipchan.org/giving-to-the-homeless-by-grace/) - “I don’t give to homeless people because they don’t deserve it.” This is a common thought expressed by people who understand that the cause of homelessness is many times, not just because of societal woes, but because of personal irresponsibility e.g. drunkenness, drug addiction, financial mismanagement, etc. How we should give as Christians? I’ve been
- [The Typical Global Christian is Poor](https://phillipchan.org/the-typical-global-christian-is-poor/) - In Philip Jenkin’ The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, he does an unbelievable job of informing readers what the current scope of Christianity is in the world landscape. He builds on his previous work of suggesting that the Christian movement is moving from the North and West to the East and South. What
- [Light and Salt According to the Message](https://phillipchan.org/light-and-salt-according-to-the-message/) - I love The Message’s paraphrase of this passage: Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to
- [Philip Jenkins on Global Persecution](https://phillipchan.org/philip-jenkins-on-global-persecution/) - The parochialism fo the Western public opinion is striking. When a single racial or religious-motivated murder takes place in Europe or North America, the event occasions widespread soul-search, but when thousands are massacred on the grounds of their faith in Nigeria, Indonesia, or the Sudan, the story rarely registers. Some lives are worth more than
- [Our Bible Reading is Blinded By Our Lack of Suffering](https://phillipchan.org/our-bible-reading-is-blinded-by-our-lack-of-suffering/) - I was reflecting on what is happening in the world today, especially in contexts where religious conflicts are commonplace, and was sobered by the fact that Christians are still being brutally persecuted today. And then something dawned upon me concerning our experience of understanding the Bible. First, we must understand that our cultural experiences can
- [Rees Howell's Encounter of Surrendering to God](https://phillipchan.org/rees-howells-encounter-of-surrendering-to-god/) - This is an excerpt from Rees Howell: Intercessor, a very powerful book about a powerful servant of God. In one of his chapters “The Holy Spirit Takes Possession,” he chronicles what it’s like to surrender to God. I found his account very inspiring and challenging: —- “The Holy Spirit Takes Possession” …The Holy Spirit appeared
- [A Diagram of Lordship](https://phillipchan.org/a-diagram-of-lordship/) - For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
- [What is the Function of Scripture? (In My Words)](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-the-function-of-scripture-in-my-words/) - What is the function of scripture? I attempt to answer this by highlighting three areas I hope are conclusive in what the function of the scriptures should be for. (This is an excerpt from a paper I wrote for Fuller Theological Seminary). 1. The Scriptures Tells Stories About God First, the scriptures, as something that
- [Who are the Historians and the Prophets of Your Life?](https://phillipchan.org/who-are-the-historians-and-the-prophets-of-your-life/) - The feature event of the latter history of the Old Testament featured a tragic exile of the Israelite people to Babylon. It was their rebellion towards Yahweh, their moral corruption, and their social injustice which led to this cruel activity. And both the historical writers (Kings, Chronicles) as well as prophets cover this period. While
- [You Will Face Eternity Alone (Who Cares What People Think?)](https://phillipchan.org/you-will-face-eternity-alone-who-cares-what-people-think/) - You may live in a crowd, but you meet God and face eternity alone. Reese Howell Never measure your worth by what people say about you. Don’t even measure your worth by what you say about you. Don’t measure your worth but comparing yourself to the popular trends of the day. God will have no
- [God is Looking for Surrendered People](https://phillipchan.org/god-is-looking-for-surrendered-people/) - If we want to amount to anything great in the Lord we must be perfect in this–absolute surrender. There is a pattern among people who are doing amazing things for the Lord in our generation and in generations of old–lives of absolute surrender. Their soul was completely given to the will of God in heaven.
- [Oh Hand of God, Come and Grab Me!](https://phillipchan.org/oh-hand-of-god-come-and-grab-me/) - Normal pleasure of the world had no attraction for him…the Restraining Hand was upon him. Reese Howell: Intercessor In the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house, with the elders of Judah sitting before me, the hand of the Lord GOD fell
- [The Imperative of Learning from Those Before Us](https://phillipchan.org/the-imperative-of-learning-from-those-before-us/) - Thus says the Lord, “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. Jeremiah 6:16 If you know where you want to go in life but don’t know how to get there, you merely have to look around at those before you. That was
- [He Loves Me Mad](https://phillipchan.org/he-loves-me-mad/) - Saint Augustine on God’ mad love and his love for God: “Why do you mean so much to me? Help me to find words to explain. Why do I mean so much to you, that you should command me to love you? And if I fail to love you, you are angry and threaten me
- [Expect Constant Slippage](https://phillipchan.org/expect-constant-slippage/) - The thing you can expect from each other is not perfection, but constant slippage. We’re going towards perfection, but we’ll never get there. The thing is… you only learn is from constant failure.My Systematic Theology Professor lecturing on the doctrine of Original Sin I was listening to my professor’s lecture on original sin and this
- [Audrey Assad - The Way You Move](https://phillipchan.org/audrey-assad-the-way-you-move/) - This song is AMAZING. She is seriously one of my favorite Christian/Catholic artists Audrey Assad – The Way You Move I know that the hardestpart of love is not thethings I have to give, no… It’s what I give up I’m giving up groundI’m trading in my solitude for safety now. All my pride,it doesn’t
- [Repost: Women Bishops by Tom Wright](https://phillipchan.org/repost-women-bishops-by-tom-wright/) - Tom Wright is one of the most brilliant theologians of our generation. I thought his article on Women ordination was great. But I thought his reflections on the fallibility of leaning on the side of history was dead-on concerning issues that we are facing still today. Here it is: —— Women Bishops: It’s about the
- [Fill Me Up, God!](https://phillipchan.org/fill-me-up-god/) - I listen to this song in the mornings a lot. It’s a great prayer and worship song to start the day. My mornings sound like this: “FILL ME UP GOD!!!!” Will Reagan – Fill Me Up You provide the fireAnd I’ll provide the sacrificeYou provide the SpiritAnd I will open up inside Fill me up,
- [Asian American Religious Breakdown](https://phillipchan.org/asian-american-religious-breakdown/) - This is a great religious breakdown for those who are Asian American. Thanks to Pew Research Center for the graphic.
- [The Thesis of Galatians](https://phillipchan.org/the-thesis-of-galatians/) - I’ve been in extensive study of the book of Galatians for my personal life and I am pretty sure I figured out what it’s all about. If you ever read through Galatians, test me to see if this is what you gather as well. The Thesis of Galatians:The true gospel is to live by faith
- [God Marries Us By His Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/god-marries-us-by-his-spirit/) - It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 The reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a phenomenal reality. God’s Spirit is primarily not around us, or above us, or near us, but rather within us. God gave his Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts when
- [The Fallibility of Being Influential](https://phillipchan.org/the-fallibility-of-being-influential/) - those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. Gal 2:6 As Paul the Apostle was getting his grips on what it meant to be a Christian, he retells the story of presenting his ministry to ministry leaders in Jerusalem. He says this: “those who seemed influential added nothing to me.” Isn’t it easy
- [Social Media is a Faux of Real Relationships](https://phillipchan.org/social-media-is-a-faux-of-real-relationships/) - The point of social media is to craft an image of yourself and categorize it as “social” even though it is impersonal and usually deceptive. In the end, we create a celebrity culture even among friends, where our lives our glamorized and glorified, all at the touch of a click and a swipe, neglecting the reality that
- [Love is Like Hugging a Muddy Kid](https://phillipchan.org/love-is-like-hugging-a-muddy-kid/) - Love is like hugging a muddy kid. You embrace people for the mess that they are, but out of a revelation that they are a child of God and are still adorable in his sight. And then humility comes when you realize that you’re muddy too.
- [The Pride of Being on the Cutting-Edge](https://phillipchan.org/the-pride-of-being-on-the-cutting-edge/) - But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… Galatians 6:14 I remember sitting with a woman in Taiwan who explained to me how God was moving in Taiwan. She then told me that “Taiwan is going to be the nation by which Asia will experience revival.”
- [Miracles in Mozambique: How Mama Heidi Reaches the Abandoned](https://phillipchan.org/miracles-in-mozambique-how-mama-heidi-reaches-the-abandoned/) - This is an article from Christianity Today that I think needs to be read by a lot of people. It makes me very proud that a few people from our church have partnered with Heidi to see that part of the world transformed. Miracles in Mozambique: How Mama Heidi Reaches the AbandonedTim Stafford “I want
- [Not a Smaller Calling, But a Stronger Back](https://phillipchan.org/not-a-smaller-calling-but-a-stronger-back/) - “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’ for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord” Jeremiah 1:7-8 As God answers Jeremiah’s concerns of his youth, God
- [When God Calls He's Probably Correct](https://phillipchan.org/when-god-calls-hes-probably-correct/) - Then I [Jeremiah] said, “Ah Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say,’I am a youth,’ …for I am with you to deliver you” Jeremiah 1:7-8 Our opinion of ourselves often comes in conflict with the things God
- [The Military Christian–A Separate Demographic?](https://phillipchan.org/the-military-christian-a-separate-demographic/) - The following is a guest post by a blogging friend of mine. By: S. Daniel Smith (blog) www.navychristian.org (Author Website) www.sdanielsmith.com (Twitter) @navychristian The Military Christian…A Separate Demographic? The thing I like about Phillip’s blog is that he talks from his demographic while not using it as a crutch. He pointed out a pretty important
- [He Is the Life](https://phillipchan.org/he-is-the-life/) - Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12 In a compartmentalized world, faith is often relegated to something that is a part of our lives but not the core essence of our lives. I was reading this passage and was brought to
- [It Takes Strength to Know Love](https://phillipchan.org/it-takes-strength-to-know-love/) - “may you have strength to comprehend… and to know the love of Christ” Ephesians 3:18 Paul prays here that we would have strength to know God’s love. Why does he pray that we would have strength? I think for him, he has a revelation of the largeness of God’s love, which is why he goes on
- [When I Don't Understand Life...](https://phillipchan.org/when-i-dont-understand-life/) - null
- [Keeping God's Word](https://phillipchan.org/keeping-gods-word/) - And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.1 John 2:3 What does it mean to “keep” God’s commandments? I was meditating on that this morning and there’s something really particular about that word. The image I got was when someone reads the Bible and they instantly
- [There Is No Such Thing as White People](https://phillipchan.org/there-is-no-such-thing-as-white-people/) - Typically when we speak of American nationalities represented in America, there is a breakdown that goes something like this: White, African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc… The only problem is that “White” is not a nationality; it is a color. What I’ve been learning is the term “white” is a historically nuanced term. When America was
- [We are Not Prophets to Homosexuals](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-not-prophets-to-homosexuals/) - Christian protestors against gays. You know I had to mention them in writing about Christianity and homosexuality, so here it is. The most common reason for Christians who protest like such are that “gays would know the truth and now they stand condemned”. They often identify themselves as operating in a prophetic role. Just like
- [Where I Stand On Homosexuality Amongst My Readers and Why I Care](https://phillipchan.org/where-i-stand-on-homosexuality-amongst-my-readers-and-why-i-care/) - To be honest, I’m still wondering why I’m writing about homosexuality. After getting the initial feedback from a number of people (both online and in person) about the posts, I underestimated how weighty the issue was and how difficult it is to navigate such issues. I realized that I have many readers who are going
- [Homosexuality: Let's Do Some Judging First](https://phillipchan.org/homosexuality-lets-do-some-judging-first/) - If there’s one thing you pick up from all the chatter in the news and on the streets, there’s lots of judgment being thrown around around this issue. Christians judging gays, gays judging Christians, Americans judging Christians, etc… So I wanted to start off this series of articles on homosexuality by doing some judging too.
- [God Loves Gay People](https://phillipchan.org/god-loves-gay-people/) - Before I start with all my thoughts on the issues pressing American Christianity, about the gay agenda, sin, discipleship, etc, I felt like I just needed to make a strong statement first: God loves gay people. In fact, God has the heart to love Gay people more than anyone does in the universe, no matter
- [Gathering My Thoughts on Homosexuality](https://phillipchan.org/gathering-my-thoughts-on-homosexuality/) - Yes it’s been a week since I’ve written. I’ve been gathering my thoughts in terms of what I should write and I think I figured it out. I’ve decided that I’m going to write a series of posts next on the touchy subject of homosexuality, gay agenda, Christian response, and discipleship in those contexts. So
- [IHOP Prayer Room Goodness](https://phillipchan.org/ihop-prayer-room-goodness/) - This song has been ministering to me so much: My times are in your handsMy times are in your handsMy times are in your handsI trust you, I trust you..
- [Don't Be Little In Your Own Eyes](https://phillipchan.org/dont-be-little-in-your-own-eyes/) - Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel?”1 Samuel 15 Right when Saul disobeys God, Samuel approaches him with this probing question. In other words, Samuel is asking Saul, “Don’t you know who you are?” While Saul’s position changed from a nobody from
- [Even if It's a Good Idea...Wait for the Lord](https://phillipchan.org/even-if-its-a-good-idea-wait-for-the-lord/) - Saul said, “the people spared the best of the sheep and the of the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord Your God.”1 Samuel 15 Saul is given a simple commandment–go and obey God now by destroying the Amalekites completely. But Saul doesn’t–he compromises by preserving their king and the best of the sheep and oxen.
- [The Father of Lights](https://phillipchan.org/the-father-of-lights/) - I watched this movie last night at one of the pre-release tours and this movie completely rocked me as well as the other people grom Life Group. I highly highly recommend the watch. For more information go to their website. At the showing I was most impressed by how many young Christians were there. It
- [Comfort Zone Versus Conflict Zones in the World](https://phillipchan.org/comfort-zone-versus-conflict-zones-in-the-world/) - There are two zones in the world today–there is a conflict zone and a comfort zone. In the conflict zone, the church is persecuted, but the church is strong and united. But in the comfort zone, the church is divided and only thinks about themselves. Unknown
- [Actors in Ministry Versus True Warriors](https://phillipchan.org/actors-in-ministry-versus-true-warriors/) - There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. 1 Samuel 9:2 Candidating to become King was Saul. Scripture says the was “handsome” and “taller than anyone”. If there was going to someone who would be Israel’s first
- [Kraft on Demons in the West](https://phillipchan.org/kraft-on-demons-in-the-west/) - “Westerners who are demonized rarely suspect that this kind of interference can exist in their lives. This lack of awareness is aided by a worldview that discounts the reality of evil spirits. Western churches, thoroughly infected by the same worldview assumptions, seldom give more than lip service to the existence of Satan and demons. Thus, demonic
- [Revival and the Voice of God](https://phillipchan.org/revival-and-the-voice-of-god/) - And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.1 Samuel 3:1 You know you need revival, when “the word of the Lord is rare.” The nature of revival is intimately tied with the activity of God, most notably his hand and voice in and around our lives. Are
- [Sin is a Destiny Robber](https://phillipchan.org/sin-is-a-destiny-robber/) - And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. Why have you despised the word of the Lord to do what is evil in his sight? 2 Samuel 12:8-9 Sometimes the greatest thing which can keep us from walking in the fullness of our destiny is sin. King David is
- [Raw Like the Psalms](https://phillipchan.org/raw-like-the-psalms/) - Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1 I’ve always marveled at how intimate the Psalms are. I’ve always marveled at how emotionally ripe it is and how much emotion it expresses. What does it mean to be absolutely raw before God? I wish I
- [How God Uses Wicked Nations](https://phillipchan.org/how-god-uses-wicked-nations/) - I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it; and it shall be the wagers for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment because they worked for me, declares the Lord.Ezekiel 29:19-20 I’m reading through Ezekiel
- [Wanted: Intercessors](https://phillipchan.org/wanted-intercessors/) - “I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it.” Ezekiel 22:30 As God is pronouncing judgment on Israel, here he is making a great point: “Where are the intercessors?” Intercession is a ministry we take
- [Empowering the (Asian American) People of God for Justice](https://phillipchan.org/empowering-the-asian-american-people-of-god-for-justice/) - How do we empower Asian Americans to do acts of justice in the name of Jesus in this country and abroad? This issue was brought to my mind when I was sitting down with a pastor who was wondering why Chinese Americans are not involved in issues of inner-city justice issues, and not being moved
- [It's Still Rubbish](https://phillipchan.org/its-still-rubbish/) - But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
- [Come to Me](https://phillipchan.org/come-to-me/) - This song has been on repeat for me the whole day. Wow… I’m so touched by the Holy Spirit when I worship to this song. Bethel – Come to Me I am the Lord your God,I go before you now.I stand beside youI’m all around youAnd though you feel I’m far awayI’m closer than your
- [A Generation Which Will Do Something](https://phillipchan.org/a-generation-which-will-do-something/) - In a world of Wikipedia, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, where information about our world is quickly accessed, the next generation of youth will have the world’s most recent tragedies will be available more quickly. While awareness may be increasing, I propose that another issue is mounting at hand: the willingness to do something about it. World
- [Rhythms of Grace](https://phillipchan.org/rhythms-of-grace/) - This is by far my favorite worship song for last month. Hillsong United – Rhythms of Grace Verse 1My life is a light for Your causeMy will laid aside for Your callAnd reserved are the depths of my heartOnly for You Verse 2I’m caught in the rhythms of graceThey overcome all of my waysRealigning each
- [When God's Hand is On You](https://phillipchan.org/when-gods-hand-is-on-you/) - “…and the hand of the Lord was upon me there.” The Prophet Ezekiel (Eze 1:3) Those the Lord puts his hands on, their lives are radically different than their counterparts. Ezekiel was weird, maybe even classified as insane by our standards, he was ridiculed by his peers, but he saw the glory of the Lord,
- [You're All I'm Living For](https://phillipchan.org/youre-all-im-living-for/) - You’re all I’m living for. Test those words of mine “You’re all i’m living for”. Lord, in what ways am I not living for you? It’s too easy to say big bold statements of surrender without first analyzing what you’re asking me to surrender.
- [An Sad Reality in Discipleship](https://phillipchan.org/an-sad-reality-in-discipleship/) - Many people want God, but don’t want to be transformed by him. In the end, they didn’t get God.
- [Screen Addiction and the Beauty of Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/screen-addiction-and-the-beauty-of-jesus/) - I confessed something to Jesus the other day: I really love technology. I love beautiful screens, keyboards, apps, OS’s, all things which are becoming increasingly more elegant and pervasive in our culture. I noticed then how much of the function of my fascination in my spirit was geared towards technological wonders. I love new products
- [The Holy Spirit is Our Friend](https://phillipchan.org/the-holy-spirit-is-our-friend/) - The Holy Spirit is a person. And he longs to be our best friend. He’s so good at initiating things, but we’re so poor at hearing and responding to him. I think the Holy Spirit is grieved because when we hang out with him, all we want to do is whatever we want to do. We
- [I am Loved...](https://phillipchan.org/i-am-loved/) - To a world which values me based on my performance, To our parents who brokenly expect too much of us, To our peers who compete us for their security, To our Martha-based churches, This is the cry of my heart after meeting Jesus.
- [Love Looks Like Something](https://phillipchan.org/love-looks-like-something/) - Powerful words from Heidi Baker…
- [My Secrets to Life](https://phillipchan.org/my-secrets-to-life/) - The secret to intimacy with Jesus is abandonment. The secret to powerful ministry is brokenness. That’s all the secrets I have to share today.
- [Fighting for Sexual Purity in a Crooked Generation](https://phillipchan.org/fighting-for-sexual-purity-in-a-crooked-generation/) - Discipleship in regards to sexual purity has been an increasingly difficult task for me. I find that that the sexual degradation experienced in our American society increasing the gap between believers and biblical standard that God is calling us to. Kids are experimenting with sex at a younger and younger age; pornography is becoming more
- [Dead Man Writing - The New Blog for a New Journey](https://phillipchan.org/dead-man-writing-the-new-blog-for-a-new-journey/) - After a period of writing hiatus, it is time to return to writing. It feels really good to be back, and I’m glad to report that I have died quite a bit these past few months. I felt like part of the reason why I stopped writing was because I ceased to be inspired. My
- [VIDEO: How To Pray for Healing](https://phillipchan.org/video-how-to-pray-for-healing/) - These guys give some great points on the ministry of physical healing Go out and show the gospel!
- [A Timely Quote on Too Much Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/a-timely-quote-on-too-much-ministry/) - “Although the ministry of presence is undoubtedly very meaningful, it always needs to be balanced with a ministry of absence…If it is true that ministers are living memories of Jesus Christ, then they must search for ways in which not only their presence but also their absence reminds people of their Lord. It calls for
- [Love is the Answer to Unbelief (Vice versa is True Too)](https://phillipchan.org/love-is-the-answer-to-unbelief-vice-versa-is-true-too/) - Because the Lord hated us he brought us out of the land of Egypt. – the peopleYou have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son… – MosesDeut 1:27, 31 In Deut 1:26-33, in recounting the entrance in the land of Canaan, the people rebel. And the difference of
- [Iranian's Prayers](https://phillipchan.org/iranians-prayers/) - This is so beautiful…
- [Porn Generation](https://phillipchan.org/porn-generation/) - I disciple my guys about premarital sex, porn, and sexual temptation because if I don’t, the world will. And this is what world they are walking into:
- [When Writing Becomes Arduous: A Message to My Readers](https://phillipchan.org/when-writing-becomes-arduous-a-message-to-my-readers/) - I have some unfortunate news. I began writing in this blog some years ago. And as I have put more time into pushing inspirational posts, thousands of readers from around the world (literally) have visited, commented, and (hopefully) been blessed by my writing. However, it has come to my attention in the last few months
- [Don't Waste Your Life!](https://phillipchan.org/dont-waste-your-life-2/) - I’m not sure if I’ve posted this before, but I continually listen to this..
- [Digital Slavery: Confessions from An Internet Addict](https://phillipchan.org/digital-slavery-confessions-from-an-internet-addict/) - I took a personal retreat last winter to Kansas City where I got a lot of revelation about my life and my relationship with God. One of the things that he spoke really loudly to me, to my surprise was: “Fix your relationship with technology/internet”. Wow! You care about me and the internet God? It
- [Theology is Encountering God](https://phillipchan.org/theology-is-encountering-god/) - American Christianity faces unique challenges as it battles disinterest, relevance, and a fading religious generation. Yet with this decline, we don’t see much decline in the amount of Christian literature being published. It is as if the more we decline, the more books, studies, and sermon series we try to push. Yet I want to
- [Ministry Teamwork is a Grace of God](https://phillipchan.org/ministry-teamwork-is-a-grace-of-god/) - Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. Nehemiah 3:1 Nehemiah is definitely one of my favorite books. The themes of gaining a vision from God to work from him are so appealing. Chapter 3 of the book is considered his “shout-out” chapter–listing all who helped him
- [Thankfulness Makes Us Bright](https://phillipchan.org/thankfulness-makes-us-bright/) - Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world… Philippians 2:14-15 It seems strange to me that following Paul’s one commandment to not complain was a string of implications for obeying this command–that would
- [Jesus is There, Even in Traffic Court](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-is-there-even-in-traffic-court/) - So I got a ticket for having tinted windows and they require me to be at traffic court. Anyway, I’m there at 8a.m., and you walk in, and you know that nobody wants to be there. The makings for a terrible spiritual environment! I’m standing there in a line of about a 100 people that will
- [The Fivefold Ministry Trumped by This Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/the-fivefold-ministry-trumped-by-this-ministry/) - And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administering, and various kinds of tongues. 1 Cor 12:28 God has elected a hierarchy of leadership in the church which includes apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, miracle-workers, etc.. As people are moving away from pastor-centric or
- [The Battle for Successful Ministry is in the House](https://phillipchan.org/the-battle-for-successful-ministry-is-in-the-house/) - Sometimes the difficulties in serving in ministry is not the work itself, but the people who you are ministering with. I think one of the things I’m learning as a leader is that successful work in the kingdom of God is very much dependent on how well people can love and work with each other.
- [Gottuso on Next Generation of Pentecostals and Charismatics](https://phillipchan.org/gottuso-on-next-generation-of-pentecostals-and-charismatics/) - Justin Gottuso, a student of Pentecostalism studies and a scholars of sorts, recently spent a large time researching Society for Pentecostalism Studies, came up with some lasting thoughts and questions about Pentecostalism and Charismatics in our Day. Really thought provoking and key: — Next Generation Pentecostal’s and Charismatic’s Source Now that Pentecostalism is in its second
- [How to do Transformational Discipleship](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-do-transformational-discipleship/) - Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Cor 11:1 Discipleship is a modeling enterprise, not a teaching one. Transformational discipleship is not just teaching people a bunch of facts about Jesus, but it is showing and demonstrating how to follow Jesus. We as Americans have a mindset that we think that lots of good information will
- [Racial Unity is Part of God's Redemptive Plans](https://phillipchan.org/racial-unity-is-part-of-gods-redemptive-plans/) - J Daniel Hays, in his book “From Every People and Nation” expounds on the theological significance of race in the Bible. In one of his chapters he makes a remarkable observation about the movement of God’s salvation plan. In Gen 10, this is a basic list of nations based off of various cognate family lines
- [What it Means to be a True Apostle](https://phillipchan.org/what-it-means-to-be-a-true-apostle/) - I’m reading an excellent book called Understanding the Fivefold Ministry, and I really appreciate some things they said about what it means to be a true apostle. Here are some snippets: Apostles are not intent on building a personal empire, but on equipping and releasing others for effective ministry. Matthew Green “I’m not there to
- [Preparations for Place of Worship](https://phillipchan.org/preparations-for-place-of-worship/) - Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the Lord God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” 1 Chronicles 22:1 In chapters 22-28 of Chronicles, it records how King David, although he could not finish building the house of God in his lifetime by God’s command, made preparations before his successor
- [Will We Worship When It's is Not Free?](https://phillipchan.org/will-we-worship-when-its-is-not-free/) - I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.1 Chronicles 21:24 When David is asked to built an altar of worship to God, this is his response to the man who wants to offer it to him for free.. “I won’t offer burnt offers that cost
- [Why Pride in Leadership is Always a Bad Choice](https://phillipchan.org/why-pride-in-leadership-is-always-a-bad-choice/) - Since reading last post’s passage, the Lord has been convicting me on how important it is fend off pride and self-reliance as a leader for God. Here are some quick reasons why pride/self-reliance is always a bad choice as a leader: Because it steals glory from GodWhat pride and self-reliance does is that it shifts
- [David's Census is America's Problem](https://phillipchan.org/davids-census-is-americas-problem/) - Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel 1 Chronicles 21:1 One of King David’s main fallings as leader and king are highlighted in this chapter. Here he takes a census of his army to which God is really displeased. It’s less about the act as much as it is about the spirit
- [Waiting Here For You](https://phillipchan.org/waiting-here-for-you/) - Some people have been singing this at our church recently, and the song has been so worshipful for me: Christy Nockels – Waiting Here For You If faith can move the mountainsLet the mountains moveWe come with expectationWaiting here for you, I’m waiting here for you You’re the Lord of all creationAnd still you know
- [Repost: The Denial of the Spiritual Realm in Western Christianity](https://phillipchan.org/repost-the-denial-of-the-spiritual-realm-in-western-christianity/) - My seminarian colleague wrote an amazing article about spirituality, demonology, the Holy Spirit, and the church’s response to world problems in this article. It was featured in Fuller’s publication The SEMI. When I read it, I was struck with the precision of his language, the conviction from the issues, and challenged to live more faithfully. Here
- [Taking the Great-lessness of King David](https://phillipchan.org/taking-the-great-lessness-of-king-david/) - “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 1 Chronicles 17:16 David is most definitely one of my favorite characters in the Bible (also because I identify with him on a number of levels). But the more I read his life and pray through his
- [Recapping the Darfur Genocide](https://phillipchan.org/recapping-the-darfur-genocide/) - For those of us unaware of modern dray tragedies happening in our midst, here is one of them that stands out as a byword among them all: The Darfur Genocide
- [The Imbalance of American Spirituality](https://phillipchan.org/the-imbalance-of-american-spirituality/) - K.P. Yohannan, founder and international director of Gospel for Asia, has some strong and provoking words for American Christianity: Night after night I stood before audiences, trying my best to communicate the global realities of our planet. But somehow I was not getting through. I could see their unfilled destiny so clearly. Why couldn’t they?
- [A Precedence of Spiritual Discipline](https://phillipchan.org/a-precedence-of-spiritual-discipline/) - Per last post, here is a quote from D.M. McIntyre commenting on the life of Martin Boos: Before the great revival in Gallneukirchen broke out, Martin Boos spent hours and days and often nights in lonely agonies of intercession. Afterwards, when he preached, his words were as flame, and the hearts of the people as
- [Training for Kingdom Significance](https://phillipchan.org/training-for-kingdom-significance/) - Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control… 1 Cor 9:25-27 I am often inspired by watching athletes exercise and work
- [We Evangelize because Jesus Sees Harvest](https://phillipchan.org/we-evangelize-because-jesus-sees-harvest/) - Do not say, “There are yet four months, then comes the harvest.” Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:35 Why do we evangelize? What is the vision that we see when we speak with our neighbors, friends, strangers on the street? If we
- [Discipleship is Giving Vision](https://phillipchan.org/discipleship-is-giving-vision/) - And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church… Matthew 16:17 Discipleship first begins by seeing a vision for what someone can be and then calling them to it. Jesus here demonstrates that to Peter at the eclipse of his ministry to the twelve. At this point, being
- [Praying for the Harvest](https://phillipchan.org/praying-for-the-harvest/) - “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask, therefore…” Matthew 9 Jesus’ prescription for seeing the great harvest fields of souls that will enter his kingdom is first to pray. In prayer, we position ourselves to hear from Him and to know his heart for the harvest. In prayer, we get connected the
- [The Message of Galatians is.... the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/the-message-of-galatians-is-the-holy-spirit/) - But I say, walk by the Spirit… Galatians 5:16 I love reading scripture verse-by-verse daily, but I also love reading it in chunks to catch the broader strokes of what is going on. I’ve been just pouring over the book of Galatians in my times with Jesus this week and wanted to share something I’ve
- [The Whole Christian Life is Supernatural](https://phillipchan.org/the-whole-christian-life-is-supernatural/) - Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 I believe Paul asks a striking question to religion in America today. Having begun in the Spirit, are we now being perfected in the flesh? American Protestantism has a language of resistance towards a Christianity that is works-based and not
- [Lecrae on Fatherhood and Sonship](https://phillipchan.org/lecrae-on-fatherhood-and-sonship/) - I was listening to this song by one of my favorite artists and I really enjoyed his commentary on the importance of fatherhood and sonship. Before I share the song, I’ll highlight a few messages I identify with in his song. The importance of fatherhood in the impression on a young manEvery boy has an innate
- [The Battle of Keeping an Unoffended Heart](https://phillipchan.org/the-battle-of-keeping-an-unoffended-heart/) - After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. John 6:66 In this passage, I’m astounded and even perplexed by the actions of Jesus. He begins by teaching that he is the bread of life and that whoever comes to him will never be hungry or thirsty. Great stuff, right?
- [My New Year Ambitions Are Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/my-new-year-ambitions-are-jesus/) - New Years provides a great time to reflect on the journeys, challenges, joys, and struggles of the year before in hopes that this transitional day would be a point at which the next year would move us into greater fruitfulness in our lives. As for me, the Lord has been speaking and convicting me about
- [Bill Johnson on Being Aware of His Presence](https://phillipchan.org/bill-johnson-on-being-aware-of-his-presence/) - I’ve listened to this several times and I just love the wisdom that God has given Bill Johnson concerning bringing in a spiritual environment to places. Check it out:
- [When the Ministry of Other's are Soaring Over Yours](https://phillipchan.org/when-the-ministry-of-others-are-soaring-over-yours/) - There is a point in the book of John (chapter 3) where Jesus’ ministry was beginning to eclipse John’s. John’s disciples come to him and say “Jesus, look he is baptizing and all are going to him.” (implying that they’re leaving our ministry to go to his). It’s such an amazing thing what John says
- [Do Gadgets Affect Your Relationship with God?](https://phillipchan.org/do-gadgets-affect-your-relationship-with-god/) - Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37 Have you ever been at a social event, everyone’s talking and having a good time, and then suddenly someone turns on the big-screen TV and everyone’s eyes automatically shifts that way? Ever feel a shift in the social dynamics
- [Hungering for God's Word](https://phillipchan.org/hungering-for-gods-word/) - I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:31 Hunger for God’s word is a desire that we should all have as Christians–to hunger for the words of life, the transforming power that God has ordained we should daily meditate on. I second the prayer of the Psalmist
- [Recapping My Retreat](https://phillipchan.org/recapping-my-retreat/) - Last week I spent a few days to take a personal retreat in Kansas City, MO from the high-paced life in Los Angeles, CA. I made use of IHOP’s prayer room and spent hours there every day worshiping, praying, and journaling things the Lord was speaking to me about. I felt that it was a
- [Nathan, My Deaf Friend](https://phillipchan.org/nathan-my-deaf-friend/) - This is my friend Nathan; he is hearing impaired. He was sharing some powerful things with me recently that really touched me. He shared how he struggled so hard with being partially deaf in his ears and how it affected his life in significant ways. After incessant prayer and desiring only that God would allow
- [The African Revival & Reinhard Bonnke](https://phillipchan.org/the-african-revival-reinhard-bonnke/) - My last post highlighted Carlos Annoncondia, one of the major men of God who are moving in Latin America. This post is highlighting Reinhard Bonnke, another major figure that may be less known in American circles. This guy is a living legend. He has been used by God to bring over 52 million people to
- [The Argentinian Revival & Carlos Annacondia](https://phillipchan.org/the-argentinian-revival-carlos-annacondia/) - This post is trying to highlight a movement of God and a man of God that the church of America should know about. The Argentinian Revival is one of the many large movements of God happening in modern Christian history. This is a key contributing movement which suggests the movement of Christianity from the North
- [Men At War](https://phillipchan.org/men-at-war/) - I don’t know a single guy who does not struggle with sexual purity. As long as it stays a taboo subject in church, and as the age of sexual addition becomes younger, as long as the prevalence and accessibility of pornography on the internet increases, as long as sexual depravity continues to become normalized, we will see a generation
- [Worship is...](https://phillipchan.org/worship-is-2/) - …understanding you haven’t even come close to beholding the greatness of God. Check out this video and then this passage from Job: 7He stretches out the north over the voidand hangs the earth on nothing.8He binds up the waters in his thick clouds,and the cloud is not split open under them.9He covers the face of the full
- [Sexual Healing](https://phillipchan.org/sexual-healing/) - I dig this…
- [Amazing Shifts in World Christianity](https://phillipchan.org/amazing-shifts-in-world-christianity/) - Mark Noll, a premiere researcher and writer in global missions, in his book The New Shape of World Christianity, writes some amazing facts that everyone should know about the global Christian status: Active Christians adherence has become stronger in Africa than in Europe The number of practicing Christians in China may be approaching the number
- [Worship and Missions from John Piper](https://phillipchan.org/worship-and-missions-from-john-piper/) - I have heard this quote a while ago and it still remains true for me today: Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed
- [One Thirst](https://phillipchan.org/one-thirst/) - I get goosebumps and my heart is stirred every time this song is played: Bethel Live – One Thirst You say to us seek Your faceOur hearts reply Your face we seekCome teach us Lord reveal Your waysAnoint us for the greater things We have gathered with one thirst and hungerWe’re here to drink of
- [Derrick Rose's Bag](https://phillipchan.org/derrick-roses-bag/) - I am from Chicago and am a Bulls/D.Rose fan. This commercial features him showing what he brings with him in his bag. Check out 0:52 I believe that’s his Bible!
- [My Epidemic of Knowing More Than I am Doing](https://phillipchan.org/my-epidemic-of-knowing-more-than-i-am-doing/) - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 I wish my level of obedience to God was commensurate with my knowledge of the
- [Punishment, Suffering, and Forsaking the Lord](https://phillipchan.org/punishment-suffering-and-forsaking-the-lord/) - And when your people say, “Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us’ you shall say ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so that you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.” Jeremiah 5:19 One of the major themes in the major
- [An Invitation from the Consuming Fire Who We Call God](https://phillipchan.org/an-invitation-from-the-consuming-fire-who-we-call-god/) - 15 When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked
- [When Sin Meets God's Forgiveness](https://phillipchan.org/when-sin-meets-gods-forgiveness/) - “I have blotted our your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist” Isaiah 44:22 God’s faithfulness to his people is exhibited by him blotting out their transgressions. I find it so comforting to hear what he likens our sin to. He says that they are like a “cloud” and like a “mist”, both
- [What We Lack Most](https://phillipchan.org/what-we-lack-most/) - The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me. And I came to the exiles, and I sat where they were dwelling. And I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days. Ezekiel 3:15 The beginning
- [What the Devil Forgets to Mention](https://phillipchan.org/what-the-devil-forgets-to-mention/) - After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry and the tempter came… Matthew 4:2 Three times the Devil comes and tempts Jesus. His temptations always begin with “If you are the Son of God” and ensues with a challenge of what that was supposed to mean. Yet with each challenge notice that Satan
- [Exiled in America](https://phillipchan.org/exiled-in-america/) - Conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile… 1 Peter 1:17 It’s very interesting what Peter calls our time here on earth–he says that we are in exile. This is not a common way to describe the life that American Christians live. The reason that he says that our lives here on earth
- [Discipleship and The Unfantastic Twelve](https://phillipchan.org/discipleship-and-the-unfantastic-twelve/) - And he called to him his twelve disciples…The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
- [Reading 1 Peter as an American](https://phillipchan.org/reading-1-peter-as-an-american/) - For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 1 Peter 2:19 The theme of 1 Peter is encouraging and exhorting believers in the midst of sufferings. As an American, this is sometimes a forgettable book because I don’t know what it is like to live in a
- [Confronting the Challenges in our Callings](https://phillipchan.org/confronting-the-challenges-in-our-callings/) - When God called Moses at the burning bush. We can remember that Moses was not very willing to go at first. He had four reasons why he didn’t want to go: He was a nobody He didn’t know who God was The people wouldn’t believe him He wasn’t eloquent As you know, God would convince
- [A Look Inside Afghanistan](https://phillipchan.org/a-look-inside-afghanistan/) - For those who have never been to a part of the Muslim world, or carry American anti-muslim biases against that part of the world, I want to share a beautiful video of life inside Afghanistan. In lieu of the angry terrorist picture that much of the media portrays about these people, I hope that watching
- [This is My Passion](https://phillipchan.org/this-is-my-passion/) - People sometimes come up to me and remark how passionate I am. Yes, I have a value for passion. I have a value for passion for Jesus and for his purposes. It is a goal in life to grow all the more passionate until I die. I believe it is the lot of every believer
- [On Pain and Mission](https://phillipchan.org/on-pain-and-mission/) - Jimmy Seibert, the pastor of Antioch Community Church in Waco, TX, shares an amazing testimony from their church and some strong words of exhortation about a life of mission. I just want to share with you all. It reveals a heartbeat of the person that I want to be like and the heartbeat of the
- [Worshipping at Birthday Parties](https://phillipchan.org/worshipping-at-birthday-parties/) - When I see this, I just feel like this is what church should be like. Where passion for Jesus and love for his presence is such a part of our lives, we put it in…our birthday parties This is a video of a birthday party of a sister from our sister church Antioch in Waco,
- [No One Else!](https://phillipchan.org/no-one-else/) - This song gets me soooo hype. I love dancing and worshipping to this song: No one else can love You like I love You LordFor I was made unique in Your heartI was made to bring You joy Now I have a purposeNow I have a destinyYou made me for Your gloryYou made me
- [Rain Rain Go Away](https://phillipchan.org/rain-rain-go-away/) - He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ Job 37:6 I don’t like rain. I have to wear non-porous shoes, I have to get my umbrella, I have to watch which curbs I can park on lest my feet get drowned, I have to be
- [Paul, the Good Receiver](https://phillipchan.org/paul-the-good-receiver/) - “Jesus, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith.” Romans 1:4 For all our adoration and admiration of Paul’s life and fruit, I beg now the question: What’s so special about Paul? In his letters, he does not boast about himself (except sarcastically in 2 Cor 11 and Phil
- [Where I Stand on IHOP's View of End Times..and Where I Don't](https://phillipchan.org/where-i-stand-on-ihops-view-of-end-times-and-where-i-dont/) - A central part of my spiritual DNA can be contributed to what the Spirit is doing in and through IHOP in Kansas City, MO. They are known to focus on 1) move of prayer and intercession 2) intimacy with Jesus 3) eschatology. When I got totally rocked at a conference in 2005, I remembering receiving
- [I'm a Lover of Your Presence](https://phillipchan.org/im-a-lover-of-your-presence/) - This CD is on my most frequently played list on iTunes. The whole CD is so good.. Here is my favorite: Brian and Katie Torwalt – I’m a Lover of Your Presence Let this be a sacrifice. Let me dedicate my life, to worship You. (x2) I’m a lover of Your presence. I’m a lover
- [Fruit That Won't Last](https://phillipchan.org/fruit-that-wont-last/) - Some people think that they can succeed without God. Check out what Isaiah says: “You have forgotten the God of your salvation…therefore, though you plant pleasant plants…though you make them grow on the day that you plant them…the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain” Isaiah 16:10-11 Here, God is
- [God's Sense of Justice in Isaiah](https://phillipchan.org/gods-sense-of-justice-in-isaiah/) - I’m studying Isaiah now and found something really cool. In ch 13-27, Isaiah mostly prophesies about nations surrounding Israel. And most of the news is…well, not good. For example, God promises to break the pride of Moab (a common prophetic word among the nations): “We have heard of the pride of Moab–how proud he is–of
- [An Alliance with God's Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/an-alliance-with-gods-spirit/) - “Ah stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit..” Isaiah 30:1 Christianity was meant to be lived out in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. There’s a vision of dependence that God sets forth here in Isaiah that I crave for
- [God's Interruption from 30,000ft](https://phillipchan.org/gods-interruption-from-30000ft/) - I’m 30,000 feet in the air. I’m on my Kindle reading “The World is Flat”, a book on globalization and how present day technologies are changing the world scene at an unprecedented rate. The move of technology to allow huge shifts in humanity is a marvel. The fact that you can read this a minute
- [Are They Really Big Issues?](https://phillipchan.org/are-they-really-big-issues/) - Richard Hays, Christian ethicist and scholar writes something interesting about the issues homosexuality and abortion: The most passionate and rancorous moral debates in the church at present seem to focus on the issues of homosexuality and abortion—matters treated peripherally or not at all in the NT. Our feverish preoccupation with such questions is a sign
- [My Go-To Song in the Storm](https://phillipchan.org/my-go-to-song-in-the-storm/) - Do you guys have a go-to song whenever there are storms in your life? Man, some things have just been crazy in my personal life. But I just want to share a song that I always turn to: Hillsong United – Rest in You Your faithfulness endures alwaysWhere mountains fall and reason failsAnd You calm
- [When Did the Israelites Became Known as "the Jews"?](https://phillipchan.org/when-did-the-israelites-became-known-as-the-jews/) - Did you ever ask that question? We read the Old Testament and God’s people were known as the “Israelites”, but when you get to the New Testament, they are suddenly called “the Jews”. How did that come to be? Here’s the answer… The word “jew” is a shortened version of the word yehudi, which denotes
- [Repost: On the Historicity of the OT and Its Authority](https://phillipchan.org/repost-on-the-historicity-of-the-ot-and-its-authority/) - My professor John Goldingay, an excellent and well-known scholar on the Old Testament wrote something really profound which addressed some of the questions in my mind. He writes about the historicity of the Old Testament, how a Christian should view it, and how we can reconcile some the questions we have about its accuracy and
- [The Power to Living the Sermon on the Mount](https://phillipchan.org/the-power-to-living-the-sermon-on-the-mount/) - I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Galatians 2:20 Previously, I asked the question of how is a Christian possibly to live the high ethical and moral standards of the teachings found in Sermon on the Mount. Now I present my answer. Jesus
- [The Problem with Living the Sermon on the Mount](https://phillipchan.org/the-problem-with-living-the-sermon-on-the-mount/) - Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 The Sermon on the Mount is the longest and most recorded of Jesus’ teachings. It is of this teaching that Jesus said would not vanish until heaven and
- [Hypocrites Are Those Who Lack Love](https://phillipchan.org/hypocrites-are-those-who-lack-love/) - Do not pray like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Matthew 6:5 Sometimes you gotta pity the hypocrite. Jesus describes the hypcocrite as those who stand on the street corners and pray out loud so that they
- [The Sermon on the Mount: Where Are You?](https://phillipchan.org/the-sermon-on-the-mount-where-are-you/) - Christians should be recognized and distinguished from the rest of the world by the difference in their practice. Which practice are we referring to? My heart is always drawn to the specific teachings of Jesus on the sermon on the mount. That sermon is recorded in three of the four gospels, indicating that each of
- [The Fight of Fear is the Fight for Worship](https://phillipchan.org/the-fight-of-fear-is-the-fight-for-worship/) - Do not fear what all that this people fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear… Isaiah 8:13 In the Christian life, one of the most important things you can do in order to move forward in the mission of God is
- [Eating is a Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/eating-is-a-ministry/) - Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Luke 10:8 I know you may have never heard this as a missionary strategy, but believe me: eating is a ministry. You’ll never go to another nation for Jesus unless you eat and enjoy their food. One of the quickest ways to win the heart of
- [Repost: When Muslims See Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/repost-when-muslims-see-jesus/) - Although the Muslim world is portrayed and known as a hostile nation to the gospel, the Holy Spirit is still stirring and moving powerful among the Muslims. Here is an excellent article posted by Charisma Magazine documenting the phenomenon around the globe where Jesus is revealing himself to Muslims in dreams: When Muslims See Jesus Some
- [Jimmy Seibert Preaching on Reaching the World](https://phillipchan.org/jimmy-seibert-preaching-on-reaching-the-world/) - I am so thankful for the partnership our church has with Antioch Community Church. I think in my brief encounters with Jimmy, his heart, and the direction that he has his church in, I am blown away by the vision that God has given him and the simple yet powerful convictions they live and die
- [Nichole Nordeman on Leaving a Legacy](https://phillipchan.org/nichole-nordeman-on-leaving-a-legacy/) - When I was in high school, listening to this song really transformed my life. I did some throwback listening recently and realized that the themes in the song are still the desires of my heart. Here’s a listen: Nichole Nordeman – Legacy I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about meAnd I
- [The Shame is In the Asian Name](https://phillipchan.org/the-shame-is-in-the-asian-name/) - There’s a very interesting observation about naming children in the American culture vs Asian culture which reveals how we operate in our families. Asian names are generally three characters. The third character distinguishes us from our siblings and cousins, the second often marks which generation of the family we belong to, and the first is
- [A King/Kingdom Worth Fighting For](https://phillipchan.org/a-king-kingdom-worth-fighting-for/) - Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting.” John 18:36 What kind of kingdom is Jesus building? I’m thankful that “kingdom of God” is regularly working into my vocabulary as I see its importance streamed throughout the New Testament. It is
- [The Power to Love Your Enemies](https://phillipchan.org/the-power-to-love-your-enemies/) - But I say to you, Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44 In several times in the New Testament, the reality of the Christian life requires us to love our enemies. How does one actually do that? How do you bless someone who will not bless you back? How do
- [Loving with My Schedule](https://phillipchan.org/loving-with-my-schedule/) - I am continually challenged by the love exhibited by Jesus’ life. He shows how tender the heart of God is by the way he interacts with people. And when I read that, I am so convicted of my selfishness because I immediately remember how I spent my day-I spent it mostly for myself. Then I asked
- [Jesus, a Lover Until Death](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-a-lover-until-death/) - Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So if you seek me, let these men go” John 18:8 As the guards come to arrest Jesus, these are the words that he says to them. As I read it, I got a sudden revelation of Jesus’ love and it hit my heart. Here are
- [On Shame & Guilt](https://phillipchan.org/on-shame-guilt/) - Christian psychologist Lewis Smedes defines shame and guilt in this way: We feel guilty for what we do. We feel shame for we are…We may feel guilty because we lied to our mother. We may feel shame because we are not the persons our mother wanted us to be.” Profound. Love it.
- [Nobody's A Celebrity](https://phillipchan.org/nobodys-a-celebrity/) - Do not lift up your horn on high, or speak with a haughty neck Psalm 75:4 Sometimes I watch the television in amazement. Celebrity culture is fascinating in that, by means of media and production, it blows up normal people to appear as these larger than life characters to become people who others adore. The
- [Are You Honored By Jesus?](https://phillipchan.org/are-you-honored-by-jesus/) - Jesus saw Nathaneal coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” John 1:47 What Jesus says to Nathaneal should concern you. When Nathaneal approaches Jesus, Jesus takes precious time and precious words to draw the attention of those around to Nathaneal’s life. And there, what does
- [Jesus Thinks You Should Like the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-thinks-you-should-like-the-holy-spirit/) - Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7 Do you trust Jesus’ wisdom? Okay, if you do, follow this… Jesus said here that it’s better that he
- [Simple Training for Evangelism](https://phillipchan.org/simple-training-for-evangelism/) - I find that, sadly (really really really sadly), most Christians don’t evangelize because they don’t know how to share the gospel. Sharing the gospel should be such a basic thing to do that every and all Christians should be able to do it in their own words. For those that don’t, please watch this video
- [Growing Out of Fear in Evangelizing](https://phillipchan.org/growing-out-of-fear-in-evangelizing/) - But perfect love casts out fear 1 John 4:18 I used to really be afraid of evangelizing. I hated it. And sometimes I still hate it. I hate it because there’s a fear that arose when I walked up to strangers or even friends about Jesus. I don’t know where that fear comes from but
- [Have My Full Attention Jesus!!](https://phillipchan.org/have-my-full-attention-jesus/) - I’m so digging this song. Seriously, check it out: Jeremy Riddle – Full Attention May Your voice be louderMay Your voice be clearerThan all the others May Your face be dearerMay Your words be sweeterThan all the others in my life Please keep my eyes fixed on YouPlease root my heart so deep in YouKeep
- [My Daddy Don't Sleep](https://phillipchan.org/my-daddy-dont-sleep/) - he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121 One of the gladdes things I know about God is that he never sleeps. I think if he slept, we’d be in trouble. Can you imagine a prayer going up at 3am in the morning and God’s like “come back later.”? But thank God that he’s
- [Destined for Significance](https://phillipchan.org/destined-for-significance/) - I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide. John 15:16 Your life and your work matter. They really do. We often admire and are inspired by people in history books and in magazine and think they are the only ones who have made a
- [The Best Strategy for Reaching Muslims](https://phillipchan.org/the-best-strategy-for-reaching-muslims/) - Bruce Bronoske wrote an excellent dissertation researching Muslim converts to Christianity. I think what he said here was really fascinating: Not surprisingly, the personal communication of the Gospel message through a friend, a family member, or a trusted acquaintance was the most effective method of communicating the Gospel message. Nearly half of the converts evaluated
- [Growing the Heart for Evangelism](https://phillipchan.org/growing-the-heart-for-evangelism/) - Honest to God, I feel like since I’ve become a Christian, my weakness has always been evangelism. I understand the skills and the message, but I’ve always lacked the heart to do so. I feel like what drove the people in the New Testament was not excellent programs, but their hearts were on fire to
- [Bizzle on Jay-Z](https://phillipchan.org/bizzle-on-jay-z/) - I found this video very provoking, and perhaps serves as light exposing the darkness. This is Bizzle exposing the perhaps Satanic influences of hip hop artist Jay-Z. Check it and tell me what you think: (by the way, the song was very well written)
- [Humility Is Greatness](https://phillipchan.org/humility-is-greatness/) - If God, who sits in the highest position in the universe, came down and washed our feet… It shows us there is nothing too low for us to do as Christians, no matter our position/education/status/wealth. Do you believe this?
- [Jehovah Funny](https://phillipchan.org/jehovah-funny/) - So here’s a neat story. We have a girl who’s been coming to our church who isn’t a Christian, but the Lord has been really drawing her into knowing Him. Some friends were just hanging out one time getting frozen yogurt when one of the sisters just felt in her spirit that she had to
- [The Holy Spirit and the Bible](https://phillipchan.org/the-holy-spirit-and-the-bible/) - The Bible is not the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is. We cannot value and honor the Bible more than we honor the Spirit who inspired it. I understand that there are some circles which believe that the Holy Spirit’s only job is to illuminate the scriptures. But if we believe this,
- [What We Owe the World](https://phillipchan.org/what-we-owe-the-world/) - We owe the world a demonstration of love. Of all things, American Christianity has made it known that of all things, Christians are not known for their love. We’re known for our condemnations against others, our craving for political power, our wild characters which make it to the media, but we are not known for
- [Regarding Others Living Under Our Shadow](https://phillipchan.org/regarding-others-living-under-our-shadow/) - No one is worthy to live under our shadow because everyone is worthy of more. No matter our administrative position, we should always position ourselves where we are at the feet of each and every person, washing it, gazing up, and declaring to them that they are a son or daughter of God, and therefore,
- [We Are Kings, Therefore...](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-kings-therefore/) - “We are Kings and Priests unto God. Kings in God’s Kingdom do not rule to build personal empires. They rule so that the citizens fulfill their purpose in life, discovering the capacity to dream under their leadership. All who come under our influence should receive a greater capacity to dream because of us.” Bill Johnson
- [The Qur'an on the Injil](https://phillipchan.org/the-quran-on-the-injil/) - It is He Who sent down to you (step by step), in the truth, the Book, confirming what went before it; and He sent down the Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Surah 3:3
- [Exodus Cry on the Modern Sex Slave Epidemic](https://phillipchan.org/exodus-cry-on-the-modern-sex-slave-epidemic/) - Listen to what IHOP’s Exodus Cry has to say about the Modern Sex Slave epidemic:
- [Weight is Not Just Sin](https://phillipchan.org/weight-is-not-just-sin/) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… Hebrews 12:1 There are two prequesites for running the race: 1) laying weights aside 2) and laying sins aside. I found it
- [David, Leader of Integrity](https://phillipchan.org/david-leader-of-integrity/) - Yet David’s men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. 1 Samuel 25:15 This is the episode where David’s men are hanging out with this rich guy with thousands of sheep and goats.
- [Getting Over the Fact That Life Will Not Be Easy](https://phillipchan.org/getting-over-the-fact-that-life-will-not-be-easy/) - I have been reading and reflecting on the life of David recently and one of the things I reflected on was how hard his life was. I mean he had mad anointing, and God’s favor, but he was also chased by Saul most of his life, betrayed and lied to, been to the pits of
- [Get Some Stories](https://phillipchan.org/get-some-stories/) - Too many of us have a Christian vocabulary rather than a Christian experience.We think we are doing our duty when we’re only talking about it. Charles F. Banning I was having a conversation with a younger friend in high school the other day. She was sharing how she’s worried about not standing in God by herself. Then
- [Don't Share Your Food if You Have Nothing to Eat](https://phillipchan.org/dont-share-your-food-if-you-have-nothing-to-eat/) - Ministry is all about overflow. We can only minister out of a place of having been ministered ourselves. We can only release healing out of a place of having been healed ourselves. And so for anyone in ministry: Get ministered. Get healed. Get fed. We cannot share food with others if we have nothing to eat
- [The Greatest Battle I Fight](https://phillipchan.org/the-greatest-battle-i-fight/) - Keep a close watch on yourself… 1 Timothy 4:16 I find that the greatest battles I face in life are those internal, those regarding my character and my personal standing before Jesus. I find that I can have the greatest victories in ministry, but if I lose the battle of my character, I lose the
- [Freedom in the Will of God](https://phillipchan.org/freedom-in-the-will-of-god/) - “When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not rest…so I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.” 2 Corinthians 2:12 I used to think that the ideal of obeying the God meant having every decision
- [Cape Town 2010 Recap](https://phillipchan.org/cape-town-2010-recap/) - Check out this awesome recap of a very monumental conference this past year.
- [Shine 2011 Skit](https://phillipchan.org/shine-2011-skit/) - This is an awesome skit done by the Shine 2011 team while I was in Taiwan this summer. Check it out!
- [Knowing God's Delight is Powerful](https://phillipchan.org/knowing-gods-delight-is-powerful/) - If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land give it to us. Numbers 14:9 At this juncture, there are two camps in Israel–those who believe God will not deliver them into the promised land, and the few who will. In the verse above, that is Caleb speaking, one of the
- [Bill Johnson on Healing Out of Intimacy](https://phillipchan.org/bill-johnson-on-healing-out-of-intimacy/) - I really like what Bill Johnson says here. I am very thankful for his ministry in my life.
- [Quote the Moment](https://phillipchan.org/quote-the-moment/) - Christianity does not consist in any partial amendment of ourlives, any particular moral virtues, but in an entire change ofour natural temper, a life wholly devoted to God. William Law
- [What is Good For Me?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-good-for-me/) - And the people of Israel wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic…” Numbers 11:5 While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of
- [Cessationalism, a Dying Fashion](https://phillipchan.org/cessationalism-a-dying-fashion/) - Cessationalism, the belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, is quickly fading out of fashion. And for the sake of God’s kingdom, I am glad for it. The gifts of the Spirit were so that we could do God’s work. If you want to dig a hole without a shovel, be my
- [What Does it Mean to Be Biblical?](https://phillipchan.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-biblical/) - I remember when I was younger, to say things are “biblical” was a popular way to describe something the Bible either supported or doesn’t support. Yet I realize now how presumptious that statement is now. There are two assumptions about someone who uses that quite heavily which I have an uncomfortable time accepting: That the
- [Live by Faith, Not by Cloud](https://phillipchan.org/live-by-faith-not-by-cloud/) - And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out. Numbers 9:17 I used to read the Old Testament and think, “Man, if I saw what the Israelites saw, it would be so easy to follow God.” I mean a gigantic cloud hovering over the entire people of
- [The Spirit of Saul Today](https://phillipchan.org/the-spirit-of-saul-today/) - And Saul eyed David from that day on. 1 Samuel 18:9 Saul is recorded in the scriptures as one, who after the anointing had left him and passed onto David, turned and became a thorn to David’s side for years and years to come. As I observed Saul’s life, I observed that the spirit of
- [You Are So Dramatic, God!](https://phillipchan.org/you-are-so-dramatic-god/) - God was showing me how dramatic his love is for us recently. He highlighted to me his acts of power in the gospels. In there, he performs all these miracles, healings, teachings, and radical social interactions not just to demonstrate his power, but his love for his people. And so when Martha is received she
- [Giving Grace to Allegiance to Muhammad](https://phillipchan.org/giving-grace-to-allegiance-to-muhammad/) - We have a temptation as Christians to be black and white towards Muhammad and Muslims’ attitudes towards him. We can easily dismiss him as a false prophet, condemn him, lambast him, and criticize Muslim allegiance to him. I understand the inclinations to do so, but I think it’s wise to take care in how we
- [Christians and Attitudes Towards Muslims](https://phillipchan.org/christians-and-attitudes-towards-muslims/) - Having grown up in the generation of 9/11, I realized that my attitudes and sentiments towards Muslims have been largely shaped by those of Americans / American-Christians. And at some point, I had to repent of those things. I find that Christians in America are generally antagonistic towards Muslims (I know I was). But I
- [Mike Bickle on Christianity in Asia](https://phillipchan.org/mike-bickle-on-christianity-in-asia/) - I dig what this guy is saying (except perhaps some assumptions on Asia and eschatology):
- [Why I'm Not Into Apologetics Anymore](https://phillipchan.org/why-im-not-into-apologetics-anymore/) - When I was younger, I was a big proponent and reader of apologetics. Apologetics is the branch of Christianity which tries to defend the veracity of it through reason, data, science, etc.. The older I grew, however, the less important it became to me. I found that I was using apologetics to hide the holes
- [Bill Johnson on Personal History](https://phillipchan.org/bill-johnson-on-personal-history/) - Great elaboration of some of the things I’m talking about in my previous post:
- [Fighting Unbelief When Praying for the Miraculous](https://phillipchan.org/fighting-unbelief-when-praying-for-the-miraculous/) - I love praying and releasing physical healing. But to be honest, a lot of times the healing doesn’t seem to take place. What do I make of it when this happens? Well, I think there are two responses that I can take. I can either… a) resort to doubt and let the seeds of doubt cloud the
- [Godly/Spiritual Relationships](https://phillipchan.org/godly-spiritual-relationships/) - Just because two spiritual people come together, it doesn’t make their relationship spiritual. Just because two godly people come together, it doesn’t make their relationship godly. Godly and spiritual relationships take hard and intentional work. No matter how fast they’ve been riding in their pursuit of the Lord, it really takes effort to get them
- [A Resolve](https://phillipchan.org/a-resolve/) - My resolve in ministry: I will not partner with anyone long-term who does not maintain a lifestyle of prayer and intimacy with Jesus. Shall I ally myself with someone who brings a knife in a fight of nuclear weapons? So it is to partner with people who do not live and walk in prayer. If
- [Philip Goes to Hell](https://phillipchan.org/philip-goes-to-hell/) - I really am inspired by this guy.. listen to Philip Mantofa shares his experience in Indonesia.
- [Evangelism into Christianity or Jesus?](https://phillipchan.org/evangelism-into-christianity-or-jesus/) - Since being out America for a bit now, there’s something I’ve been learning about Christianity as it relates to Evangelism. One of the things I’ve been wrestling with is the question: What is Christianity? As much as I would like to say it is the faith of Christians, from a social perspective, Christianity is not
- [God's Initiative Against Injustice](https://phillipchan.org/gods-initiative-against-injustice/) - Who will rise up for me against the wicked?Who will take a stand against evildoers?Unless the Lord had given me help,I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death Psalm 94:16-17 God has invited his people to fight with him the wickedness and injustice in the world. And it is the beginning lines of
- [The Psalmist Preaching Submission](https://phillipchan.org/the-psalmist-preaching-submission/) - The Lord knows the thoughts of man;he knows that they are futileBlessed is the man you discipline O Lordthe man you teach from your law Ps 94:11-12 This psalm is about the proud and their ends. The psalmist’s indictment is against those whose arrogance elevates themselves above the reproof of others, and ultimately, above the
- [Punishment from God or Mercy from God?](https://phillipchan.org/punishment-from-god-or-mercy-from-god/) - Rise up, Judge of the earth;pay back to the proud what they deserve.How long, LORD, will the wicked,how long will the wicked be jubilant? Psalm 94:2-3 I was reading this passage in my face time with the Lord today and was really wrestling with it. The question that I was wrestling was… How do you
- [We Are Royal Servants](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-royal-servants/) - There are two identities in the Scriptures concerning God’s people which seem to be in tension with one another. The first is that we are royalty. God’s people are the sons and daughters of God, the King of Kings. We belong in the royal courts, the ruling party, the winning kingdom, the highest of all
- [Evangelism in America is Hard Because](https://phillipchan.org/evangelism-in-america-is-hard-because/) - Evangelism in America is hard because it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. And by every standard, America is “the rich” as described in the Bible. It is hard to tell people that they are broken, when they are so well put together physically. It is hard to tell people
- [I Choose Praise Music](https://phillipchan.org/i-choose-praise-music/) - We all select music which reflect the true expression of our hearts. If romance, then romantic music. If sadness, then sad music. If brokenness, then angry music. Everyone’s music collection is in fact a reflection of the position and health of their heart. Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, iPod, etc.. will tell a lot about
- [Before You Ask Her Out](https://phillipchan.org/before-you-ask-her-out/) - A wise man once told me that if you are going to pursue a girl seriously, you should ensure this: Ensure that you are the best possible, most godly, loving man for her. Because as God’s daughter, she’s a princess, and she deserves the absolute best. And if you are not the best, move on.
- [Operating Near Darkness](https://phillipchan.org/operating-near-darkness/) - Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell. C.T. Studd, Missionary to China, Africa, and India
- [Imparting Vision for Discipleship](https://phillipchan.org/imparting-vision-for-discipleship/) - A lot of times I get asked how we get young adults to be disciplined. How do we get them to pray for hours at a time? I say, “Give them a vision. You will never disciple them until their hearts are connected to a vision that has their name on it. That is how
- [Prayer Room as the Living Room](https://phillipchan.org/prayer-room-as-the-living-room/) - “A prayer room is not some giant spiritual vending machine: Just put enough money and you’re guaranteed a can of Coke. A Prayer room is first and foremost a living room–a place where the Father waits for His children to come and climb into His loving arms.” Pete Greig
- [We Are the Background!](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-the-background/) - So this one time, after a ministry event, I was really discouraged by what had gone down and in myself. I sat in the car and played this song over and over again, and it just ministered to me so much. The basic premise is that we play the background to God’s glory and work.
- [My Experience of Receiving Authentic Prophecy](https://phillipchan.org/my-experience-of-receiving-authentic-prophecy/) - Sometimes I feel like it’s really special to receive a prophetic word or prayer from some “famous Christian”. I had an experience this Sunday which totally changed my paradigms. After Sunday service, a middle aged woman approached me and engaged in conversation with me. I was feeling rather happy, finishing an awesome set of worship
- [Fighting the Temptation of Shrinking Back](https://phillipchan.org/fighting-the-temptation-of-shrinking-back/) - But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39 In being a Christian of courage in a world of darkness, doubt, and despair, it requires a certain intentionality in the fight. Of the many enemies in being courageous in our
- [Francis Chan on Courage](https://phillipchan.org/francis-chan-on-courage/) - Per my last post, here is an excellent description what I am speaking of by Francis Chan:
- [A Courageous Christian](https://phillipchan.org/a-courageous-christian/) - I recently came back from a church retreat in which we talked about the idea of living courageously. One of the things I learned that while courage is not an attribute explicitly listed as virtues in our pages of the New Testament, if read between the lines of what the Bible calls us to do,
- [God I Look to You](https://phillipchan.org/god-i-look-to-you/) - I am totally digging this song…
- [Jesus' Ethics](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-ethics/) - “love your enemies…and your reward will be great.” Luke 6:35 “Blessed are you when others revile you…rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great.” Matt 5:11 “When you pray, pray to your Father in secret…and your Father will reward you.” Matt 6:6 “When you fast, do it so your fasting is not
- [What if I Had More Time?](https://phillipchan.org/what-if-i-had-more-time/) - In case you didn’t know I need eight hours of sleep every night or else I’m a mess. If it’s seven it’s no good, I’ll be tired and unproductive. I often run into people who can survive and thrive on five, six hours and get jealous of them. I mean, one or two three extra
- [The Lord's Love for My Slipping Feet](https://phillipchan.org/the-lords-love-for-my-slipping-feet/) - When I said, “My foot is slipping”your love, O Lord, supported me Psalm 94:18 The most I can identify with the Psalmist in this passage is the fact that, like him, my feet also slip. My feet always slip. I always stumble. My knees often feel feeble. In the path of following Jesus and trying
- [Gifts Are For Loving Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/gifts-are-for-loving-jesus/) - But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. Ezekiel 16:15 In this allegory in Ezekiel, God compares Israel with a bride whom he lavishes his gifts and blessings upon. One of the more profound things
- [Better Than Angels](https://phillipchan.org/better-than-angels/) - Then God said, “Let us make man in our image..” Genesis 1:26 I was having a conversation with a friend over dinner and we were talking about angels and how cool they were. My other friend then said, “They’re alright, I just wrote a paper on them. They have all the power but none of
- [Worship Is..](https://phillipchan.org/worship-is/) - Worship is love responding to love. Jennifer Toledo I love this quote because it reminds me that worship to Jesus is not emotionless servitude. It is not on your face, never being able to see your maker. But rather, worship to Jesus is inseparable from love for Jesus. It is inseparable from befriending Jesus. Worship
- [Prayers for Healing–Keep it Short](https://phillipchan.org/prayers-for-healing-keep-it-short/) - Lately, I’ve been discovering and learning more about how to release healing in Jesus’ name. One of the things I’ve been learning is the spirit in which I conducted my prayers. I remember at one point, my prayers for healing were some combination of the following: intense, long, involving medical details (that I think God
- [He Leads Me... Thank You Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/he-leads-me-thank-you-jesus/) - This song has been really ministering to me, just wanted to share it with ya’ll. It’s an old hymn about Jesus leading us. Believe it or not, it was written by a blind person. I’m encouraged by their faith and how even in blindness, they can confess and see that Jesus is leading them. Here
- [The Black Code and Nebuchadnezzar](https://phillipchan.org/the-black-code-and-nebuchadnezzar/) - The 19th century in America was a time of unprecedented injustice, as racism and wrongdoing were represented by the racial enslavement of African people in our country. A series of unofficial laws known as “The Black Code” governed the way white slave owners related with their African slaves. The precepts of the codes would negate
- [What is Love?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-love/) - There is a statue in the middle of Fuller campus, our seminary. It is a statue of three men. Two of them are nailing the third on the cross. It is none other than a statue of the crucifixion of Jesus. Statues are made and displayed to show the things we honor and value. We
- [Get Ready Darkness, For I am Light](https://phillipchan.org/get-ready-darkness-for-i-am-light/) - “You are the light of the world..” Matthew 5:14 Darkness, in the scriptures, is often referred the work of the devil, sin, or demons. I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t describe the world as “dark”. I think of all the sickness, the wars, the diseases, the orphans, the forced prostitutions, the drunkenness, etc
- [Why I Call Jesus My Brother](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-call-jesus-my-brother/) - “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.” Hebrews 2:11 So I got totally rocked by this passage of scripture today. In this section, the writer is trying to explain to his audience an important question, “Why did Jesus have to be come human?” He
- [Room for Supernatural Healing In Romans? Yes.](https://phillipchan.org/room-for-supernatural-healing-in-romans-yes/) - And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:11 Romans is a book where reformed and conservative book hang most of their theology on.
- [It's Open for You](https://phillipchan.org/its-open-for-you/) - At his ascension our Lord entered heaven, and he keeps the door open for humanity to enter. Oswald Chambers
- [Making the Evangelistic Strategy of Paul My Own](https://phillipchan.org/making-the-evangelistic-strategy-of-paul-my-own/) - [I have accomplished in bringing] the Gentiles to obedience–by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. Romans 15:18-19 A few months ago, I got a chance to visit Bethel Church. It is a church known to be walking in the supernatural power of God,
- [The Daughters of Hope](https://phillipchan.org/the-daughters-of-hope/) - Hope has two daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and the Courage to see they do not remain as they are. St. Augustine
- [Empowering the Disempowered Asian American Church for Mission](https://phillipchan.org/empowering-the-disempowered-asian-american-church-for-mission/) - As I’ve mentioned before, I believe part of the problems that arise in Asian-American church leadership derives from the fact that church leadership / congregation relationship is viewed much the same way as parent / children relationship in the family. As there is a often a sharp distance between the parents and the children which
- [The (Super) Normal Christian Life](https://phillipchan.org/the-super-normal-christian-life/) - It is abnormal for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible. It has been written into our spiritual DNA to hunger for the impossibilities around us to bow at the name of Jesus. Bill Johnson —- One of the reasons why I enjoy what God is doing at Bethel Church in Redding,
- [Where Does Justice Ministry Fit for the Poor?](https://phillipchan.org/where-does-justice-ministry-fit-for-the-poor/) - The justice movement in American Christianity is a welcome change in my opinion. However, I want to raise just some thoughts and a few questions. It seems to me that the justice movement seems to fit within the context of those who are in power. Let me explain what I mean by that.. Most people
- [Love is the Loftiest of All](https://phillipchan.org/love-is-the-loftiest-of-all/) - I remember sitting in Sunday school at a church and the speaker was asking us what our goals in our faith were. I also remembered something he said that struck me the wrong way. He said, “And don’t say something generic like ‘loving God’ or anything like that.” For him, “loving God” became cliche and
- [The Danger of the Unsurrendered Heart](https://phillipchan.org/the-danger-of-the-unsurrendered-heart/) - “Therefore, I appeal to you brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..” Romans 12:1 We’re all quite familiar with this verse, but I want to highlight the “therefore” part of the verse. I’m not sure if I have heard a correct treatment of that “therefore” yet. Our attention
- [Having a No-Plan-B Heart](https://phillipchan.org/having-a-no-plan-b-heart/) - Acquire no gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. Matthew 10:9 In observing the attitude of my heart when I make life choices, I notice that I have a propensity to learn towards having a plan B
- [Who's Really the Sick One?](https://phillipchan.org/whos-really-the-sick-one/) - Heidi Baker, world famous evangelist, author, charismatic, currently serving in Mozanbique writes something phenomenal: You see, where I live, the poor know they are poor; they know they are sick and hurting; and so they come and give their lives to Jesus by the hundreds every week around the country. But in your nation, your
- [The Bible in Kimyal](https://phillipchan.org/the-bible-in-kimyal/) - This video brought great conviction in me as I saw these people receive the Word of God with such joy:
- [Why Asian Americans Make For Awesome Missionaries](https://phillipchan.org/why-asian-americans-make-for-awesome-missionaries/) - I believe that God is going to be stirring up the Asian Americans to rise up and to become a force in the missions movement. There are some very strategic reasons why I believe that AA’s make for great missionaries. Here they are: Asian Americans have American Status but not American Faces In a time
- [To Love Jesus' Presence is to Love Obedience](https://phillipchan.org/to-love-jesus-presence-is-to-love-obedience/) - Seek good, and not evil, that you may live, and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you. Amos 5:14 One of the things I love about charismatic culture is an obsession and longing for the presence of Jesus to be experienced in our midst. I believe their push for the experiential
- [Translation And Mission Work](https://phillipchan.org/translation-and-mission-work/) - And the Word became flesh. John 1:14 In missions work, translation is probably one of the most important things. Well of course we know that, but I want to draw our attention to the fact that translation was also the work of God. When God became incarnate, he didn’t do so in a vacuum, or
- [Is There Room for Asceticism Today?](https://phillipchan.org/is-there-room-for-asceticism-today/) - Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 From the fourth century on, monasteries, monks, ascetics were a normal part of Christian life within the church. As empires invaded, nations rose and fell, these monks were the agents
- [What is a False Prophet?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-a-false-prophet/) - American Christianity is not short of polemics and accusations of false gospels and false prophets. I, however, have major hesitations about using such language simply because I have more questions than answers in regards to them. And these are questions which I assume of those who make such accusations against other Christians would not be
- [I Will Exalt](https://phillipchan.org/i-will-exalt/) - Check out this awesome song by Bethel Live Bethel Live – I Will Exalt Your Presence is all I needIt’s all I want, all I seekWithout it, without it there’s no meaningYour Presence is the air I breathe The song I sing, the love I needWithout it, without it I’m not livingI will exalt You,
- [His Meekness Brings Me To The Stars](https://phillipchan.org/his-meekness-brings-me-to-the-stars/) - When I often take walks at night to pray and to praise Jesus, believe it or not, sometimes the appearance of the stars and moon become stumbling blocks to me. I look out at the vastness of the sky and see the great beauty of the night sky and there is always this sense of
- [To the Reformed Gospel](https://phillipchan.org/to-the-reformed-gospel/) - There’s been a big push among the Reformed circle about fighting for the message of the Gospel. I think this is in response to seeing the decline in Christianity and people who follow Jesus. I suppose a natural conclusion is that if people are not following Jesus, then the gospel we’re preaching is wrong or
- [The Mind of A Miracle Worker](https://phillipchan.org/the-mind-of-a-miracle-worker/) - Lately, I’ve been very interested in living a life of miracles, healings, and power encounters with the Holy Spirit. I value them because I believe they are a vital part of mission in the world today, accompanied by the message of the gospel, as Jesus’ life demonstrated. And in that journey, here’s something that I’ve
- [Abandonment is the Key to Intimacy](https://phillipchan.org/abandonment-is-the-key-to-intimacy/) - Forget your people and your father’s house,and the king will desire your beauty. Psalm 45:10 I believe the key to enjoying intimacy with God is a spirit of abandonment. I love this Psalm which evokes this desperateness. It is the spirit of ‘leaving all’ which allows us to ‘cling closely’ with Jesus. It is the
- [Don't Deny Them, and Don't Belittle Them Either](https://phillipchan.org/dont-deny-them-and-dont-belittle-them-either/) - But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Mark 10:14 I was at having dinner with some friends from church when two little girls came up to me and wanted to play doctor. I
- [The Poor and the Message of the Cross](https://phillipchan.org/the-poor-and-the-message-of-the-cross/) - Church historian Dale Irvin notes, The story of a powerless Jesus who was dishonored in his own land but was raised up by God resonates with people who faced similar challenges and conflicts in their own lives…The regularity with which the theme shows up in early Christian preaching is an indication of its effectiveness in
- [Do You Resist Me?](https://phillipchan.org/do-you-resist-me/) - God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 Here are my questions concerning this passage: God, if you resist the proud, how often have you resisted me? How often have my attitudes, my thoughts about others, my thoughts about myself have served as an impediment to being near You? If pride
- [Accepting Diversity in the New Testament](https://phillipchan.org/accepting-diversity-in-the-new-testament/) - Growing up, I think that i was taught with the assumption that there was “a New Testament Church”, as if we could lump all the churches described in the New Testament into a single category. And from that category we could make projections about what church should be like and what it shouldn’t be like.
- [A Note on the Miraculous and Evangelism](https://phillipchan.org/a-note-on-the-miraculous-and-evangelism/) - Throughout Christianity’s long history across many centuries and in many different cultures, signs and wonders would prove time and again to be the most effective means of drawing new members into the communion of Christian faith. Dale T. Irvin, Scott Sunquist, Church Historians, in History of the World Christian Movement —- I love miracles, healings,
- [The Lifestyle of Those Who Advance the Kingdom](https://phillipchan.org/the-lifestyle-of-those-who-advance-the-kingdom/) - Acquire no gold, nor silver, nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deservers his food. Matthew 10:9-10 Jesus sends out his disciples on a supernatural journey in which they would be using his authority to cast out demons, healing the sick,
- [What is the Beginning of Wisdom?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/) - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Proverbs 1:7 There’s a lot of emphasis placed in the church (from generally older people) about the importance of wisdom. I don’t think anyone doubts that wisdom is important, especially because God values it. However, we must always be reminded of Solomon’s statement about wisdom
- [Daniel's Reality of Spiritual Warfare](https://phillipchan.org/daniels-reality-of-spiritual-warfare/) - I [the angel] have come because of your prayers. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me,.. Daniel 10:12-13 So an angel comes to Daniel finally with an answer. But the message that the angel gives to Daniel may perhaps be
- [A Deliverer Chosen Wisely - The Free Man Moses](https://phillipchan.org/a-deliverer-chosen-wisely-the-free-man-moses/) - “When Moses grew up, the Pharaoh’s daughter brought him to Pharoah’s daughter, and he became her son.” Exodus 2:10 The beginning of Exodus reveals the Hebrew people being sold and worked under slavery. God promised that He would deliver them and so he sent them Moses. I was meditating last night on how awesome of a choice
- [If John Got it Wrong, So Will We (concerning Future Events)](https://phillipchan.org/if-john-got-it-wrong-so-will-we-concerning-future-events/) - Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Matthew 11:2-3 John the Baptist here is asking Jesus whether he was the Christ. The reason being was that
- [Take Heart!](https://phillipchan.org/take-heart/) - This is one of my favorite songs as of late and wanted to share it. The musicality is so epic and lyrics are hope-inspiring Hillsong United – Take Heart There is a lightIt burns brighter than the sunHe steals the nightAnd casts no shadowThere is hopeShould oceans rise and mountains fallHe never fails So take
- [The Timing of the Millennium](https://phillipchan.org/the-timing-of-the-millennium/) - The [believers] came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4 After finishing the section on eschatology in one of my systematics classes, I have found that much of the discussion in contemporary theology regarding the Millenium has been very trivial and oblique. Most of the debates regarding this topic center
- [Values of Discipleship That I Like: Life on Life](https://phillipchan.org/values-of-discipleship-that-i-like-life-on-life/) - Here are some values that I see fitting in the framework of thinking about discipleship: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 Discipleship that Is Life-on-Life I’m not a big fan of a programatic culture at church. I know Willow Creek were
- [Values of Discipleship That I Like: Reproducible](https://phillipchan.org/values-of-discipleship-that-i-like-reproducible/) - Here are some values that I see fitting in the framework of thinking about discipleship: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 Discipleship that Is ReproducibleInherent in Jesus’ command to make disciples is not just so that we would make disciples, but
- [Values of Discipleship That I Like: Dominant](https://phillipchan.org/values-of-discipleship-that-i-like-dominant/) - Here are some values that I see fitting in the framework of thinking about discipleship: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20 Discipleship that Is Dominant Here we see Jesus’ famous exhortation to his last disciples. It’s quite simple: Go and make
- [Being Formed For Ministry (2/2)](https://phillipchan.org/being-formed-for-ministry-2-2/) - You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”;or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:16 A second lesson to note is this: God is often more interested in what
- [Being Formed For Ministry (1/2)](https://phillipchan.org/being-formed-for-ministry-1-2/) - You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”;or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? Isaiah 29:16 This passage is a great model for what it means to be formed for
- [Is God for Blessing Or for Hardship?](https://phillipchan.org/is-god-for-blessing-or-for-hardship/) - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 I am sure that we have all heard this passage before. The premise is that God wants to bless us. And His blessing is very specific
- [More, Lord!](https://phillipchan.org/more-lord/) - Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain…and he will give them showers of rain. Zechariah 10:1 We are instructed here to ask for rain in the rain season. Is that odd or are we missing something? Why would we ask for rain when it’s raining already? I thought about that
- [Worthy In His Eyes](https://phillipchan.org/worthy-in-his-eyes/) - On that day the Lord their God will save them,as the flock of his people;for like the jewels of a crownthey shall shine on his hand. Zechariah 9:16 This passage in Zechariah highlights something beautiful of our salvation: that God saving us is not just predicated on His love, but our great worth. There’s a
- [Do We Really Want Jesus to Come Back?](https://phillipchan.org/do-we-really-want-jesus-to-come-back/) - Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light.. Amos 5:18 I was remarking the other day the profundity of this passage. Amos is saying to those who desire the day of the Lord: woe to them. This passage
- [What a Nigerian Pastor Told Me](https://phillipchan.org/what-a-nigerian-pastor-told-me/) - A nigerian pastor came over to my house and shared some mad wisdom to me. I want to highlight something that he shared with me that really convicted me. He said something along the lines of: American pastors do not go to Africa to preach. That is because the African church doesn’t need/want American/Western spirituality.
- [Why Journaling Is Important](https://phillipchan.org/why-journaling-is-important/) - Journaling is an important part of my spiritual growth because of a simple axiom: We do not grow from life’s experiences; we grow from reflection on life’s experiences. There’s a subtle difference in that axiom, but it has large implications. You have probably heard it being said that experience is a good teacher. I disagree.
- [Our Experiential Limitations In Reading the Bible](https://phillipchan.org/our-experiential-limitations-in-reading-the-bible/) - One of the more important things I’ve learned in seminary is that no one has an unbiased reading of the Bible. Our understanding of the text, whether we like it or not, is conditioned by our culture and upbringing. There is no perfectly universal theology. Our failures to understand this is displayed when we are
- [The Question of the Hour](https://phillipchan.org/the-question-of-the-hour/) - In studying the book of Acts, this is a list that has been compiled to describe the nature of the church as demonstrated by the early church. This is what the church looked like: Its mission was done every day Its mission involved an intimate relationship with Jesus who instructed them in all their ways
- [Strong Love!](https://phillipchan.org/strong-love/) - This is an awesome worship song by an incredible worship leader from IHOP: Jon Thurlow – Strong Love Death nor life nor angels nor powersPresent things nor things in the futureHeight nor depth nor any created thingCould separate me from Your love I know the end of the storyI come up from the wilderness, leaning
- [Sexual Sin and Our Hypocrisy](https://phillipchan.org/sexual-sin-and-our-hypocrisy/) - It is very obvious that the voices coming from the church to the world and to the church itself concerning sexual sins are very loud. We have a language that has almost equated sexual sin with sin itself, whether it be regarding homosexuality, gay marriage, premarital sex, pornography, etc.. Can I suggest something hypocritical about this?
- [Where Are the Prayer Meetings?](https://phillipchan.org/where-are-the-prayer-meetings/) - Prayer meetings need to be a regular part of the DNA of the church because it is a good idea to have a meeting without any agenda other than to seek God. — It is sad when prayer becomes only a means, or a formality, or a courtesy in God’s church. It is sad when
- [Another Year, Thank You Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/another-year-thank-you-jesus/) - Today is my birthday, and I turn another year older. It is American to celebrate me, but I am convicted to celebrate Jesus today. I will remember the deeds of the Lord;yes, I will remember your wonders of oldPsalm 77:11
- [Why Churches Must Change](https://phillipchan.org/why-churches-must-change/) - To those who are in leadership positions and are slow to change, allow me to share two reasons why God’s church must change: 1. Because God’s work in the world is changing A church whose function is only in preserving itself is a useless church. The church’s identity is largely structured by our mission. It
- [My Sad Confession](https://phillipchan.org/my-sad-confession/) - I am painfully aware that sometimes I like the idea of mission more than mission itself. One requires sacrifice, the other to just to sit behind a desk.
- [We Need a Movement](https://phillipchan.org/we-need-a-movement/) - For the past few months, my understanding of how the church should be is constantly changing. One of the convicting themes that I have am reminded is of is this: the church needs to be a movement. And by movement, I mean physically. I love old churches and good churches. I value what they do
- [The Offensive Nature of the Church](https://phillipchan.org/the-offensive-nature-of-the-church/) - And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 When Jesus told Peter that the gates of hell would not overcome the church, I forgot something very particular about gates– Gates are not for offensive purposes, but defensive. People set up gates
- [The Limitations of Contextualized Mission](https://phillipchan.org/the-limitations-of-contextualized-mission/) - As some of you have noticed, I write and think about Asian American churches because that is the background that I am from. This type of study is categorized under “Contextualized Mission”, which simply means understanding the application of the mission of God in light of different contexts (e.g. culture). I find myself in dialogue
- [What Praying For a Wife Looks Like](https://phillipchan.org/what-praying-for-a-wife-looks-like/) - Regularly on my prayer list is one marked and circled: “Pray for a wife.” I think this is a rather reasonable thing to be consistently praying for. After all, I don’t know if there will be a greater decision outside of one believing in Christ that will impact my life. I mean, I’ll be with
- [We Are Hope](https://phillipchan.org/we-are-hope/) - Mary Lou Redding on hope.. Our hope in God pulls us into the future. Hope allows us to affirm the reality of the abundant life that is ours in Christ. Hope allows us to stand with those in pain and to hold them until they are able to feel the love of God for themselves again. Hope allows
- [The Advantage of Perspective as an Asian American](https://phillipchan.org/the-advantage-of-perspective-as-an-asian-american/) - When I think about being a Christian as it relates to culture, I find that one of the things I didn’t realize was how advantageous it was to be an Asian American. There’s something about being both Asian and American that I have that people who are 100% American or 100% Asian don’t inherently have,
- [Being a Man of Journey](https://phillipchan.org/being-a-man-of-journey/) - One of things I learned about my relationship with God is that it is not based off of stale facts or doctrines. But rather, God is known to me in my life through the journey that He has taken in my life. In the low seasons of my life, the high seasons, the difficult ones,
- [Miracle in a Prison in Columbia](https://phillipchan.org/miracle-in-a-prison-in-columbia/) - I was praying for the Republic of Columbia and I ran into this super encouraging story. Columbia is known to be extremely violent and dangerous. As a testimony to God’s power, this is a story of how one of the most dangerous prisons in Columbia became completely transformed when the Holy Spirit came on it.
- [Salavat - The Story of a Persecuted Christian in Uzbekistan](https://phillipchan.org/salavat-the-story-of-a-persecuted-christian-in-uzbekistan/) - I think that this video is definitely worth watching. It will serve as an eye into a world that most of us do not live in–a world where Christians are really persecuted.
- [The Power of Mentoring](https://phillipchan.org/the-power-of-mentoring/) - It’s no question that Jesus completely changed the world. His style of doing so may come to us as a surprise in a culture of mass media. I find it really interesting how instead of moving the masses to do his kingdom work, Jesus instead spent his life investing into a handful of men. There’s
- [Are Bible Characters Great?](https://phillipchan.org/are-bible-characters-great/) - When you think of great characters in the Bible, who do you think of? For me, I think of Abraham, who was the father of Israel. I think of Gideon, who led a few to conquer the many. I think of David, who pleased the heart of God. I think of Peter who was the
- [Books Are Good For You Too](https://phillipchan.org/books-are-good-for-you-too/) - I’ve been finding myself in a season where, when people ask me how my weeks are going, I’m kind of hard pressed to find something exciting to share with them. I didn’t have this super crazy God encounter or someone was healed of cancer or something really dramatic like that. Then I remembered what I
- [Testimony of Friend Richmond](https://phillipchan.org/testimony-of-friend-richmond/) - Watch the testimony of my friend from Uganda, who was a Compassion child, and now is at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL. It’s very humbling and inspiring…
- [Trials](https://phillipchan.org/trials/) - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2 I think what James is trying to say is that, instead of despising trials, we should make trials our friend. They will help us grow and mature, just like
- [This Makes No Sense To Me](https://phillipchan.org/this-makes-no-sense-to-me/) - I think it is sin to bore people with God. I think that people are bored coming to church because we are bored coming to church. In fact, I think this is indicative of our depraved spirituality in America. It makes absolutely no sense to me why we are often more excited about a touchdown
- [Quote of the Moment + Going Deep](https://phillipchan.org/quote-of-the-moment-going-deep/) - Richard Foster, with an observation on the difficulties with American Christians going deep in God: “those who have heard the distant call [for intimacy with God] deep within and who desire to explore the world of the spiritual disciplines are immediately faced with two difficulties. The first is philosophic. The materialistic base of our age
- [An Observation on the Move of the Global Church](https://phillipchan.org/an-observation-on-the-move-of-the-global-church/) - Prominent theologians are noting that the two of the most defining themes for the global Church in the twenty first century will be ecumenicalism and the theology of religions. Ecumenicalism is the move of the global church to being one (Roman Catholics, Luterans, Eastern Orthodox, Protestants, etc..) Theology of Religions is understanding how we relate
- [Apple Computers and the Beauty of Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/apple-computers-and-the-beauty-of-jesus/) - I own an Apple computer. Actually, two. And in my honest assessment, they are probably the best purchases I have ever made in my life. And I think that a lot of people feel the same way. Apple has taken a quantum leap in terms of designing products that are highly desirable. It’s for this
- [The Caution for Growing in Spiritual Power](https://phillipchan.org/the-caution-for-growing-in-spiritual-power/) - And it shall come to pass afterward,that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,your old men shall dream dreams,and your young men shall see visions. Joel 2:28 I believe that God is going to pour out his Holy Spirit on his people in a profound and increased
- [Kamal Saleem: A Muslim Cries Out to Jesus](https://phillipchan.org/kamal-saleem-a-muslim-cries-out-to-jesus/) - Watch this forreal:
- [Why Multi-Congregational AA Churches Stunt Growth](https://phillipchan.org/why-multi-congregational-aa-churches-stunt-growth/) - The most common form of structure within Asian American Churches is the multi-congregational model. This is where they have an English service, a Chinese service, a Korean service, etc.. While I understand the initial move to have such structures, now that we’re several decades of seeing these churches exist, the problems that arise form these churches
- [Disciplines of a Lover](https://phillipchan.org/disciplines-of-a-lover/) - What people would call prayer, reading the Word, fasting, fellowship, worship, etc.. as “spiritual disciplines”, I do not. I do not think the goal of those were to make me more spiritual. Or more disciplined at that. I call those things “Love Disciplines” because I believe that those are the tools and disciplines that Jesus
- [Welcoming a Mid-Life Crisis](https://phillipchan.org/welcoming-a-mid-life-crisis/) - Teach me to number my days so that I may get a heart of wisdom Psalm 90:12 Many people, when they enter their 50’s, get into what we call a “Mid-life Crisis” because they realize they’ve gone through most of their life already and questions of their purpose in life begin coming up. This is
- [Myths and Facts About Domestic Violence](https://phillipchan.org/myths-and-facts-about-domestic-violence/) - Here are some facts about Domestic Violence in case you didn’t know:—————– MYTH #1: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AND IS RARE. FACT: National studies estimate that 3 to 4 million women are beaten each year in our country. A study conducted in 1995 found that 31% of women surveyed
- [Simple Ways to Jumpstart Your Prayer Life](https://phillipchan.org/simple-ways-to-jumpstart-your-prayer-life/) - Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Here are some helpful tips that I have come to learned that will perhaps jumpstart your prayer life: Schedule times of prayer in your dayIf your goal is to pray and intercede for an hour a day, you will have a much higher chance of doing that if you
- [How Will You Live Your Dash?](https://phillipchan.org/how-will-you-live-your-dash/) - Here’s a neat poem about not wasting your life: (Following up with the last post) —-How Will You Spend Your Dash? I read of a pastor who stood to speakAt the funeral of his friend.He referred to the dates on her tombstoneFrom the beginning to the end He noted that first came the date of
- [How To Not Waste Your Life (Practically Speaking)](https://phillipchan.org/how-to-not-waste-your-life-practically-speaking/) - All of us want to reach the end of our life one day and say that we did not waste it. None of us want that awful feeling of regret. Good. That’s a godly desire to have for a people who know they’ve been made for a purpose. I want to suggest to us that
- [What To Do With Your Spiritual High](https://phillipchan.org/what-to-do-with-your-spiritual-high/) - When I was younger, I remember the experience of going to an awesome retreat where we totally encountered the presence of God only to be in a complete spiritual rut a few weeks later. It’s an unfortunate experience that many people have. And if you are one of those people who have this experience, allow
- [Please Stop Praying Quietly](https://phillipchan.org/please-stop-praying-quietly/) - One of things that I grew up learning as a Christians was “praying quietly”. This is where you bow your head, close your eyes, and think your prayer to Jesus and expect him to read your mind. As a teenager, doing this was naturally pretty difficult. It was difficult because my mind is so filled
- [Oh, Jesus is Talking About Me Now](https://phillipchan.org/oh-jesus-is-talking-about-me-now/) - But woe to you Pharisees! Luke 11:42 I remember I used to read the gospels and remark at how upset Jesus generally was towards the “religious” of his day. According to him, they were those who shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces, who clean the outside of the cup but whose insides are
- [You Will Never See Unity Until You Have…](https://phillipchan.org/you-will-never-see-unity-until-you-have/) - Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 You will never see unity in any context until you have love. In fact you will find that the things that hinder us from seeing unity among diversity are all rooted in a shortage of love at operation within us.
- [Walking In the Paths of God](https://phillipchan.org/walking-in-the-paths-of-god/) - Make me to know your ways O Lord;teach me your paths.Lead me in your truth and teach me,for you are the God of my salvation;for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5 This prayer that David offers up to God challenged me in two ways that I would like to encourage you all
- [True Belief](https://phillipchan.org/true-belief/) - We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true. Dallas Willard — I remember a time I had a talk with my non-Christian dad to illustrate this very principle. I remember asking him whether
- [Embracing Spiritually Dry Seasons](https://phillipchan.org/embracing-spiritually-dry-seasons/) - Will the Lord spurn forever,and never again be favorable?Has his steadfast love forever ceased?Are his promises at an end for all time? Psalm 77:7-8 Christianity within an American culture sometimes has many side effects resulting in inauthentic Christianity. One of them is the illusion of consistent spiritual happiness. The American culture is very “smiley”. People
- [Merry Christmas](https://phillipchan.org/merry-christmas/) - Everyone child is born in hopes that that they might live. This child, however, was born to die. (Merry Christmas)
- [One Reason Why I Enjoy Living In California...](https://phillipchan.org/one-reason-why-i-enjoy-living-in-california/) - …As demonstrated by this 25 second clip: (vs. Chicago, that is)
- [CHARISMATIC HURT – How Charismatics Can to Hurt The Church](https://phillipchan.org/charismatic-hurt-how-charismatics-can-to-hurt-the-church/) - Since being exposed to the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement in the West coast, there has been a lot of joy seeing the greater extent of the work of God. However, these are not without some interesting blunders. I have noticed that of all the people I have talked to who have felt that they have been significantly
- [I Just Wanna Say That...](https://phillipchan.org/i-just-wanna-say-that/) - My oldest sister Diane just became a Christian!! [tears of joy here]
- [It is Sad Indeed](https://phillipchan.org/it-is-sad-indeed/) - Justin Gottuso and I run a prayer and worship meeting at Fuller that contends for revival on campus and revival in student’s lives. A couple of weeks ago, we had the leadership of IHOP come and visit our prayer meeting and we had a phenomenal time. I was telling Justin how Shelley Hundley had told her class
- [Things About Ministry They Don't Tell You In Seminary](https://phillipchan.org/things-about-ministry-they-dont-tell-you-in-seminary/) - Seminary is a place where people are being trained to go into ministry. Unfortunately, while they give you an excellent education, incredible intellectual workouts, and effective ministry skills, there are some things that I know from serving in God’s kingdom that they will almost never tell you in seminary. People are strange and difficultJesus picked
- [Christian Liberties and Eternal Pleasures](https://phillipchan.org/christian-liberties-and-eternal-pleasures/) - In response to American Christianity’s view of liberties as the reason in engaging in certain activities and pleasures, these are my pleads: Jesus asked a profound question when He asked, “What can we give in exchange for our souls?” There, he elevates the value of the human soul, highlights its eternality, and questions what we
- [Miracles Today?](https://phillipchan.org/miracles-today/) - A miracle is a supernatural event that occurs when the supernatural realm of God invades the natural realm of life. This is most often demonstrated in the Bible by the sick being healed instantaneously, the dead rising, bread multiplying, oil reproducing, virgins giving birth, lame walking, blind seeing, lepers cleansing, etc… And for us who
- [The Calling of Having an Extravagant Love](https://phillipchan.org/the-calling-of-having-an-extravagant-love/) - God has called his people to do many extravagant things. The Bible is filled of stories where God has raised up people to do great exploits for Him and to show His glory. Some of the names that inspire me the most would be Paul the Apostle, who turned the Greco-Roman world upside down, or
- [James MacDonald on Preaching with Perserverance](https://phillipchan.org/james-macdonald-on-preaching-with-perserverance/) - Hear what one of my favorite preachers has to say about preaching: This is very applicable for anyone thinking about preaching / teaching God’s Word in some extent in their ministry.
- [The Nature of Wickedness](https://phillipchan.org/the-nature-of-wickedness/) - And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the basket! And he said, “This is Wickedness” and he thrust her back into the basket, and thrust down the leaden weight on its opening. Zechariah 5:7-8 In this vivid vision that God gives Zechariah, he sees a basket with a
- [The Need For the Prophetic Voice Today](https://phillipchan.org/the-need-for-the-prophetic-voice-today/) - For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd. My anger is hot against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. Zechariah 10:2-3 In this passage, God reveals to Zechariah
- [Why I Believe the Gifts of the Holy Spirit Are For Today](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-believe-the-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit-are-for-today/) - Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 I come from a background that does not teach that the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit or is open
- [What is New and Old Wineskin?](https://phillipchan.org/what-is-new-and-old-wineskin/) - Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved. Matthew 9:17
- [Why I Like Being Charismatic](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-like-being-charismatic/) - Growing up from a conservative background, I find that some of the sentiments that some theologians have had about the charismatic movement are the very ones I cherish in my own journey growing in the Lord as well as in my new ministry applications. I particularly enjoyed what Veli-Matti Karkainnen said: It has been the
- [Where Are Your Laborers, America?](https://phillipchan.org/where-are-your-laborers-america/) - I was praying and interceding for America when the Lord started speaking to me about the lack of missional sense among American Christians. America has many “Christians”; but it does not have many laborers. There are many people who worship Him on Sundays, but not many who worship Him by their obedience. There are many
- [Repost: Sustaining Love](https://phillipchan.org/repost-sustaining-love/) - Sustaining Love Marriage is like cycling. In the first stage of marriage, the two are riding the same bike. Often one rides the handlebars while the other pedals. The dependent partner goes along while the dominant partner supplies the power. In the second stage of marriage, the pedaler drops the rider, or the rider kicks
- [You Need to Listen to This](https://phillipchan.org/you-need-to-listen-to-this/) - This is a 13 minute clip about a missionary from China who shares his experience about a woman who receives an unexpected gift! [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/chinamissionary.mp3] May we all see the folly of our abundance and desire that which she desires as well…God’s word!
- [A 3 Minute Primer on Mormonism (Latter Day Saints)](https://phillipchan.org/a-3-minute-primer-on-mormonism-latter-day-saints/) - Here are five quick beliefs that the Mormon religion upholds that you should probably know about, in case you wondering whether they are considered to be the church of God: The Bible is the Word of God insofar as it is correctly translated. There are three sacred books in addition to the Bible: The Book
- [How’s This For a Love Song?](https://phillipchan.org/hows-this-for-a-love-song/) - This is probably one of the best love songs I have ever heard. Not because it’s sweet or heart melting, but because it’s real. And redemptive, at that! Thank you Brooke Fraser for breathing a little reality into a society filled with fairy tales about relationships. —— [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/04 Who Are We Fooling_.mp3] Brooke Fraser –
- [A 10 Minute Primer on Sex Trafficking in the World](https://phillipchan.org/a-10-minute-primer-on-sex-trafficking-in-the-world/) - Watch this first, and then read the facts below for a 10 minute primer on the Sex Trafficking issue in the world. May these 10 minute investment turn into a lifetime of bringing justice through our lives. The following facts are pulled from Salvation Army’s website: —————————- Definition: Sexual Trafficking is a form of slavery.
- [Are You A Cheerful Giver?](https://phillipchan.org/are-you-a-cheerful-giver/) - “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather him let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28 Notice the three tiers of finances highlighted in this passage: (1) You can steal to get.(2) You can work to get(3) You can work
- [4 Books That Completely Changed My Life](https://phillipchan.org/4-books-that-completely-changed-my-life/) - You are what you read. In other words, you are what you decide to put in your system. And this is especially the case in my life in regards to what I choose to read. Let me share with you four books (outside the awesome, forever-lasting Word of God, that is) that completely changed my
- [Our Simple Calling (In Case You Also Forgot)](https://phillipchan.org/our-simple-calling-in-case-you-also-forgot/) - I keep reading the Bible and sometimes I really am awed by all the things that God has called us to be and to do as His people. He calls to be a holy people, to refrain from evil, to be partakers of his glory, to be citizens in his kingdom, to be mindful of
- [Healing Testimony from Fuller- Legs Growing!](https://phillipchan.org/healing-testimony-from-fuller-legs-growing/) - This marks the first official healing on Fuller campus and at our prayer group that we started that I have personally experienced. I’ll try to be brief in telling this story.. So this guy had a dream a couple of days ago. In the dream, all he saw were bones being pulled apart for some
- [The Limitations of Being a Young Pastor](https://phillipchan.org/the-limitations-of-being-a-young-pastor/) - As I consider God’s calling on my life to become a pastor, I realize that I have many weaknesses. But perhaps one of them I cannot help is being young. I understand that being young is not generally a problem for God. Timothy’s famous instructions for him, often cited in youth groups around the world,
- [What To Do When Nothing Makes Sense](https://phillipchan.org/what-to-do-when-nothing-makes-sense/) - Fuller Theological Seminary is famously known as a seminary that deconstructs students more than it builds them. Instead of instructing students what they should believe, the spirit of their education is intent on jostling what they believe. In some ways, this is great, as it diversifies the mental framework for students to be able to
- [A Thought On The Culturally Eclectic Church](https://phillipchan.org/a-thought-on-the-culturally-eclectic-church/) - The church is not a memorial for dead saints, or an institution that preserves tradition or of a singular culture. The church is the living and breathing embodiment of Jesus Christ to an ever changing world. And while we as the embodiment of Jesus impact our world and cultures with the culture of the kingdom
- [Tear, Sigh, Tear](https://phillipchan.org/tear-sigh-tear/) - If I have been embarrassed to associate myself with other Christians, it’s not in defending an allegiance to the person of Jesus, it’s reading stuff like this: ——- “There were seven protestors that Albert Synder had been warned about who were planning to picket his son’s funeral. They had never met Lance Corporal Matthew Synder.
- [Relationships that Cheapen Your Destiny](https://phillipchan.org/relationships-that-cheapen-your-destiny/) - I was hanging out my friend Jon Lee the other day and he said something, perhaps in passing, that really caught my attention. He was sharing how he was bothered by how some people change for the worse when they get into relationships. His examples were how guys get “whipped” and they’re no longer “fun”,
- [Malawians Rejoicing Over God's Word](https://phillipchan.org/malawians-rejoicing-over-gods-word/) - Awesome!
- [How's This For A Retirement Plan?](https://phillipchan.org/hows-this-for-a-retirement-plan/) - even to your old age I am he,and to gray hairs I will carry you.I have made, and I will bear;I will carry and will save Isaiah 46:4 When I think about investing into a retirement plan, aside from plans and policies, I always seem to forget this one important part: God I love this
- [One Way? You Bet](https://phillipchan.org/one-way-you-bet/) - I, I am the Lord and besides me there is no savior Isaiah 43:11 For those who think that when Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one cames to the Father except through me” was the first time God had that concept in mind, think again. Even centuries before
- [VIDEO: 2010 Epicentre's Advance: A Lookback!](https://phillipchan.org/video-2010-epicentres-advance-a-lookback/) - Two weeks ago, our church Epicentre hosted its Advance, where we learned about outreach and actually did some evangelism along the way. I know that lots of people were challenged, convicted, blessed, touched, and moved by what the Lord was doing in and through us that weekend. While I wasn’t able to capture everything that
- [Your Life is Not Insignificant](https://phillipchan.org/your-life-is-not-insignificant/) - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23 There are many things that we do in life on a daily basis that we may find mundane. Some of us work at mundane
- [What Long Term Relationships Take To Sustain](https://phillipchan.org/what-long-term-relationships-take-to-sustain/) - May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be live in such harmony with each other… Romans 15:5 I find it so interesting how Paul, in this passage, asks that the God of endurance would grant us to live peaceably with each other. This implies a certain fact that some of us may forget about
- [What Would Jesus Really Do Terry Jones?](https://phillipchan.org/what-would-jesus-really-do-terry-jones/) - In an interview with Pastor Terry Jones, the man who planned to burn copies of the Qur’an on 9/11 responds the reporter’s question with an astounding answer: Reporter: Do you really think that Jesus Christ would say, “Pastor, go burn the Qur’an”? Terry Jones: Absolutely. If you look at Jesus’ life, Jesus was as people
- [Healing Testimony in the ER](https://phillipchan.org/healing-testimony-in-the-er/) - This is a testimony story from the Epicentre Advance this past weekend. There are two prefaces before hearing this story: Please hear me when I say that this is not a testimony to how cool Phil is, or how bold Phil is. This is totally not about that. This is a story for the glory
- [Reflections on Epicentre Advance / Evangelism](https://phillipchan.org/reflections-on-epicentre-advance-evangelism/) - So I’m officially back from Epicentre’s evangelism retreat and I am thoroughly rocked, encouraged, blessed, challenged, changed, and transformed. There was sooo much that went on that I’ll just start spewing out points that the Lord has been showing/teaching me and then I’ll cap it off with a really cool story! This retreat totally transformed
- [Day 1 (So Far) (Updated 5pm)](https://phillipchan.org/day-1-so-far-updated-5pm/) - Last night, after service was done at the retreat, we began praying for people for healing. God led me to pray for this woman who was suffering from a lung infection that could’ve killed her. She had intense inflammation, causing great pain in her upper back and in her breathing. After praying in Jesus’ name,
- [Awesome Things I Learned From Reading Leviticus](https://phillipchan.org/awesome-things-i-learned-from-reading-leviticus/) - I’ve been reading Leviticus for the past couple of days, and let me just say that it is no easier to read it now than when I first read it. It’s just a tough book, with a culture that’s totally foreign to us. But thankfully, the Holy Spirit still teaches me some cool insights about
- [Ben's Testimony](https://phillipchan.org/bens-testimony/) - Yesterday I was hanging out with a new guy at church named Ben. Ben just came out of prison. He had spent some time doing lots of drugs and got locked up for some time (I’m not sure why). He told me how someone shared Christ with him while he was in prison and he
- [Naked Christians](https://phillipchan.org/naked-christians/) - And Moses said to God, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here…For is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15-16 While I was in service on
- [Don't Waste Your Life Brought to You by LeCrae](https://phillipchan.org/dont-waste-your-life-brought-to-you-by-lecrae/) - If you haven’t heard how powerful Christian Hip Hop is yet… here’s your chance: This song gets me so HYPE. Lecrae wrote this song based on John Piper’s book Don’t Waste Your Life LeCrae – Don’t Waste Your Life Don’t wanna waste my life [Verse 1: LeCrae]I know a lot of people out there scared
- [Evangelism to a Muslim on a Friday Night](https://phillipchan.org/evangelism-to-a-muslim-on-a-friday-night/) - So sometimes on Friday nights, when I don’t have anything to do, I hang out with Jesus and try to be a witness for Him. That was exactly the case today. I was bored and didn’t have anything to do. I told Jesus, unsure of whether he would answer, “Lord, if there’s anything you want
- [Is This Convicting or What?](https://phillipchan.org/is-this-convicting-or-what/) - When Muslims meet born-again Christians, they are often repulsed by “Christian culture.” They are impressed with the person of Jesus, but totally unimpressed with Christianity. Joshua Massey, in “The Amazing Diversity of God in Drawing Muslims to Jesus”
- [Oh God, You Are My God](https://phillipchan.org/oh-god-you-are-my-god/) - This is probably the most beautiful worship song I have heard in a long while… Hillsong – Like Incense / Sometimes by Step May my prayer like incense rise before YouThe lifting of my hands as sacrificeOh Lord Jesus turn Your eyes upon meFor I know there is mercy in Your sight Your statutes are
- [There Are No Guarantees For Muslims](https://phillipchan.org/there-are-no-guarantees-for-muslims/) - “With or without many Muslims knowing, Islam’s prescription of salvation for humanity, while stated in the Qur’an as being motivated by God’s kindness, is really undergirded by man’s continual state of fear, knowing not whether his or her life will weigh well in the balance of God’s judgment.” A COMPARISON OF CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC SOTERIOLOGY
- [I Love Love Love Love Love Your Presence](https://phillipchan.org/i-love-love-love-love-love-your-presence/) - This song drives me to such deeper hunger for Jesus:
- [With Faith We Are Everything](https://phillipchan.org/with-faith-we-are-everything/) - For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 Faith is the most powerful thing in the world. God has called us Christians to do great exploits for
- [An Excerpt from My Paper](https://phillipchan.org/an-excerpt-from-my-paper/) - Man’s sinfulness is a matter of a person’s heart and mind, both of which are internal. Therefore, God’s salvation plan must go beyond the Islamic solution of outward behavioral corrections. It requires a complete rebirth of humanity, the cost at which only an infinite God on a cross could pay, the life of which only
- [Report: Flood LA 2010!](https://phillipchan.org/report-flood-la-2010/) - ————- So I’ve been at this Korean youth conference called Flood LA these past 3 days and I am so grateful to have gone. My good friend Hannah Lee invited my friend Han Man and I just to come and support them in prayer and in intercession, but boy, I am left with having done
- [I Am a Jesus Freak](https://phillipchan.org/i-am-a-jesus-freak/) - After 10 years of following Jesus, this song affirms how I still feel: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbB0QrBIs9k] What will people thinkWhen they hear that I’m a Jesus freak?What will people do when they find that it’s true?I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freakThere ain’t no disguising the truth!
- [God is Love](https://phillipchan.org/god-is-love/) - God is love 1 John 4:8 God’s agape love does not seek value, it creates value or gives value; it does not desire to get but to give; it is not attracted by some lovable quality but it is poured out on those who are worthless and degraded.
- [Exciting Next Summer!](https://phillipchan.org/exciting-next-summer/) - I think I might go to Indonesia for missions.
- [Whom Shall I Send?](https://phillipchan.org/whom-shall-i-send/) - “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me!” Isaiah 6:8
- [Rising Above the Mountain of Religions](https://phillipchan.org/rising-above-the-mountain-of-religions/) - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 Without a demonstration of power, all ‘religions’ in the world have equal footing. Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age religion, whatever you call it; when religions are compared to each other by their words, you really can just
- [Exorcisms - 3 Points](https://phillipchan.org/exorcisms-3-points/) - And Jesus said to the demons, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs. Matthew 8:31 Three things I just want to say about this: The existence and influence of demons was a very tangible reality in the lives of people in the gospels, responsible for oppressing people, binding them in sickness, possessing
- [Cry This, Isaiah](https://phillipchan.org/cry-this-isaiah/) - A voice says, “Cry!”And I said, “What shall I cry?”“All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. Isaiah 40:6 Isaiah, the prophet of God, is instructed to raise a shout to God’s people. Isaiah follows by asking what the content of this shouting should be. And God tells
- [The Holy Spirit and Our Churches](https://phillipchan.org/the-holy-spirit-and-our-churches/) - One of the things I am continually drawn to, in my current reading of the book of Acts, is how the scriptures consistently highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in the activities of the apostles. They are always “filled with the Spirit” when they speak to someone, or when they heal someone, or when
- [A Vision of Our Inheritance](https://phillipchan.org/a-vision-of-our-inheritance/) - Just. Listen.
- [Studying At Seminary](https://phillipchan.org/studying-at-seminary/) - It’s 11pm. And I have a midterm tomorrow morning at 8am. And let me just say that I am not worried about it all. You know, my attitudes about studying in seminary are quite different than in undergrad. I think one of the most striking ways my attitudes have changed is how I’ve dropped the
- [May Your Kingdom Come](https://phillipchan.org/may-your-kingdom-come/) - “May your kingdom come, and may your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven! Matthew 6:10 Jesus did not pray that his followers quit earth and then go to heaven, but that they bring heaven to earth. Jesus did not proclaim the end of the world, but the world’s redemption and renewal. This
- [You Need a Ride?](https://phillipchan.org/you-need-a-ride/) - 8am Sunday morning. My friend Morgan, who was my ride to church on Sunday, texted me and told me she wasn’t feeling well so she couldn’t drive me. Mind you, I’m still in bed. I’m just rolling around, still half asleep. I’ll figure out how to get to church somehow… 5 minutes later, my friend
- [Behold, I Sent the Holy Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/behold-i-sent-the-holy-spirit/) - “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”John 15:4 Jesus, in John 13-17, speaks from what we know as his farewell discourse. This is his parting words to his beloved disciples who he spent
- [Being in the Family of God](https://phillipchan.org/being-in-the-family-of-god/) - “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”John 1:12-13 Not everyone is your “bro.” Or your “sis.” That’s because not
- [No Honor For the Prophets](https://phillipchan.org/no-honor-for-the-prophets/) - “Herod sent and had John the Baptist beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter…”Matthew 14:10 There is no honor for those who serve in the kingdom of God. Those who say “Yes” to Jesus and his purposes ought to know what they are getting into. Ministry is not a claim
- [Bringing the Kingdom - Real Evangelism Is Really Proactive](https://phillipchan.org/bringing-the-kingdom-real-evangelism-is-really-proactive/) - “And Jesus went throughout all cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.”Matthew 9:35 There are two assumptions we must believe before I continue: What Jesus did in his earthly days is to be exactly what we are supposed to do as
- [Henry Tsui's Testimony](https://phillipchan.org/henry-tsuis-testimony/) - Hey- check out this testimony of this brother of mine in my Life Group at Epicentre Church! God is crazy good!! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbRXiskagYg&feature=player_embedded]
- [Here is Wisdom](https://phillipchan.org/here-is-wisdom/) - “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”Jeremiah 33:3 The mind of God contains all knowledge of all things. Things that are most assuredly hidden to our finite frame and fragile minds. But the Lord, here, shows that he is willing to
- [Seek Them Not](https://phillipchan.org/seek-them-not/) - “And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…”Jeremiah 45:5 That verse is probably one of the great antithetical verses to the American dream, which I hate.
- [Questions About Fearing the Word of God](https://phillipchan.org/questions-about-fearing-the-word-of-god/) - “When the king heard the words of the Book of Law, he tore his clothes.”2 Kings 22:11 Something tells me that it is non-normative to see this type of response to the preaching of the Word of God in our churches today. Why are we so indifferent? Do we have preachers who preach with this
- [Convicted from a Classic](https://phillipchan.org/convicted-from-a-classic/) - This is probably the most convicting thing I’ve read all week. In Justin Foxe’s Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World, he recounts the life of the apostle Andrew after the resurrection of Jesus… — “The proconsul order Andrew not to preach these things any more or he would face a speedy crucifixion. Whereupon Andrew replied, “I
- [Healing Testimony from IHOP](https://phillipchan.org/healing-testimony-from-ihop/) - This is why, whenever people talk about IHOP, I always boast of what the Lord is doing there: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQUZe94BnBk]
- [Praying the Apostolic Prayers](https://phillipchan.org/praying-the-apostolic-prayers/) - If you want to jump start your prayer life, you should definitely try praying through Paul’s apostolic prayers in his letters. You will be diving straight into the heart of God for your life. Here’s an example of how you can get started: — Ephesians 3:14-20 14For this reason I bow my knees before the
- [I Put On Christ!](https://phillipchan.org/i-put-on-christ/) - I love love love this song. This girl is seriously anointed. [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/01 I Put On Christ.mp3] Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sinsThat he might deliver us from this present evil age… For the battle is ragingThe devil is ragingAnd I don’t want to be sleepingWhile the battle is ragingFor my spirit is willingBut
- [This is Who We Are](https://phillipchan.org/this-is-who-we-are/) - “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”Matthew 5:14 Jesus didn’t say you must be the light of the world. Or you are called to be the light of the world. He said you are the light of the world. We don’t get to pick when we
- [Excerpt from a Classic](https://phillipchan.org/excerpt-from-a-classic/) - Taken from the first chapter of Foxe’s Christian Martyrs of the World: — “In the gospel of Matthew we read that Simon Peter was the first person to openly acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God and that Jesus, seeing God’s hand in this acknowledgment, called Peter a rock on which He would build His
- [Jesus Christ, God Most High](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-christ-god-most-high/) - “to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and set over it the lowliest of men.”Daniel 4:17 His name is the Most High God. Compared with the kings of the earth, he has no equal. From age to age,
- [When a King Meets the God of the Universe](https://phillipchan.org/when-a-king-meets-the-god-of-the-universe/) - “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel…”Daniel 2:46 He did what? The king of their time, Nebuchadnezzar, who had power, might, and glory over the nations of the earth, just fell upon his face before Daniel. As you remember, Daniel had just completed the impossible task of both revealing the
- [Adventures in California So Far!](https://phillipchan.org/adventures-in-california-so-far/) - Enjoy a small snapshot of my first week here in California! [nggallery id=movingin2] And us eating Fried Green Tea Ice Cream:
- [A Tour of My New Home in California!](https://phillipchan.org/a-tour-of-my-new-home-in-california/) - Welcome to my modest living at Fuller Theological Seminary!
- [What the Younger Generation Needs to See from the Older Generation](https://phillipchan.org/what-the-younger-generation-needs-to-see-from-the-older-generation/) - After attending a quick one-day conference, in which one of the questions that was fielded to a group of older (40+ year olds) Christian pastors and leaders in Southern California, was about what the older generation wanted see raised from the younger generation of believers, thoughts raced in my mind about what the younger generation
- [Blessed Holy Spirit Hydrant Sunday](https://phillipchan.org/blessed-holy-spirit-hydrant-sunday/) - Well, I’m finally home after a marathon run at church today. My friend Han Man took me to my first church visit in LA. All I want to say is that I was totally blessed by the hand of the Lord today. It was like a Holy Spirit hydrant! It was literally blessing after blessing.
- [Thoughts From the Kings of Israel 3](https://phillipchan.org/thoughts-from-the-kings-of-israel-3/) - “Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah assembled to seek help from the Lord; from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.”2 Chronicles 20:3-4 This, by the way, is probably my favorite chapter from 2 Chronicles. The
- [Thoughts from the Kings of Israel 2](https://phillipchan.org/thoughts-from-the-kings-of-israel-2/) - “the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”2 Chronicles 5:13 When was the last time you attended a service like that? When God’s glory flooded the sanctuary of his
- [Thoughts from the Kings of Israel 1](https://phillipchan.org/thoughts-from-the-kings-of-israel-1/) - “Grant to Solomon my son a whole heart that he may keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, performing all…”1 Chronicles 29:19 What a wise prayer to pray for ones son! David prays that Solomon would keep God’s commandments with his whole heart. Not half-heartedly, not compromisingly, not lip-service-like.. David understood the prosperity of
- [Finally Settling](https://phillipchan.org/finally-settling/) - I moved to California on Monday and after 3 days of endless cleaning, moving, unpacking, buying, and driving, I finally have more time to sit down and spend time with the Lord and his Word. Yes, more than anything in the world, this is what I desire: His very presence. More than buying a bunch of
- [Pray For My Mother](https://phillipchan.org/pray-for-my-mother/) - I have been praying for my mother for 10 years. Well, my whole family really. Since I became a Christian, only my little sister has come to faith in Jesus. But my mother, my father, and my two older sisters remained unsaved (not including my extended family). After numerous attempts of gospel-sharing throughout the years,
- [Repost: Here’s the Bottom Line on Forgiveness](https://phillipchan.org/repost-heres-the-bottom-line-on-forgiveness/) - Taken from James Macdonald’s blog. I thought he had some really cool insight on forgiveness. ————————— There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness. I’m sure that you have a lot of dreams for your family. You will never see those dreams realized without forgiveness. There’s no way around it. If you want to make it
- [They Can Wait](https://phillipchan.org/they-can-wait/) - “Simon and those who were with him searched for Jesus, and they found him and said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.'”Mark 1:26 As Jesus’ custom, he rises early in the morning to pray and to be one with his Father alone. Of first importance, meeting with his Father precedes everything else. This precedes
- [Prophetic Evangelism](https://phillipchan.org/prophetic-evangelism/) - Man, the Lord’s been really blessing me with the anointing on Jaeson Ma. Here’s a clip of prophetic evangelism that really blessed me and encouraged me to walk in the Spirit: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsNHTdLSrfk] “eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”1 Corinthians 14:1
- [Jaeson Ma's Testimony on GoodTV](https://phillipchan.org/jaeson-mas-testimony-on-goodtv/) - Jaeson Ma, youth pastor, rapper, gospel-preacher, film-maker, is definitely someone I respect and see the hand of the living God on. He shares his powerful testimony of God on GoodTV, a Christian network from Taiwan. This video, if you have time, is definitely encouraging, and makes me marvel again at the grace and the power
- [Why I am Charismatic](https://phillipchan.org/why-i-am-charismatic/) - The Bible, Old Testament and New, is filled with examples of the Lord speaking to His people through dreams, visions, prophecies, angelic visitations, and audible voices of the Lord. Why when these things happen, Evangelical Western Christians are quick to dismiss them as non-normative, unnatural, and worse still, un-Biblical in a spirit of disbelief is
- [We Don't Need Cellphones, We Need the Lord](https://phillipchan.org/we-dont-need-cellphones-we-need-the-lord/) - I was meeting up with a dear friend of mine for the last time before I left for California yesterday. Unfortunately, my friend doesn’t have a cell phone, and I suddenly realized how I had taken calling people instantaneously for granted. So we resolved to archaic ways to find each other. Me: I’m leaving 1p.m.
- [My Uprootment](https://phillipchan.org/my-uprootment/) - “The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.”Genesis 12:1 I feel like Abraham tonight. The realities of leaving Chicago and moving to California are sinking in. My foundations are being shaken and stirred. I can only rest upon Christ, the
- [Hong Kong in Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/hong-kong-in-prayer/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTU7JKMFSb0] “The major leaders of the world believe that Asia is the key to finishing the Great Commission.” I surrender to your work in the world, Lord.
- [The Best Engagement Proposal Ever](https://phillipchan.org/the-best-engagement-proposal-ever/) - Brother Yun, from the book The Heavenly Man proposing to his wife: “God has chosen me to be his witness and to follow him through great hardships and the way of the cross. I don’t have any money and am always being pursued by the authorities. Do you really want to marry me?” She answered,
- [The Kingdom Invasion](https://phillipchan.org/the-kingdom-invasion/) - “And Jesus said to [Simon and Andrew], ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.'”Mark 1:17 Just like that. Jesus walked up to them and asked them to follow him and they did, immediately. I didn’t notice the disturbance of the call that
- [Empowered by God's Pleasure](https://phillipchan.org/empowered-by-gods-pleasure/) - “Jesus came up out of the water,…he saw the heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”Mark 1:10-11 This is occurring when Jesus gets baptized prior to beginning his earthly ministry. A voice
- [Gaining Jesus, Losing the World](https://phillipchan.org/gaining-jesus-losing-the-world/) - Courtesy of the worship team at CCUC, they allowed this recording of one of my favorite songs (I didn’t write it). Enjoy! [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/CCUC Worship Team – A Work In Progress – 17 – Untitled.mp3] I was in search for treasure searching in fields of pleasure sifting through gold and silver Oh what I found is
- [Living a Focused Life](https://phillipchan.org/living-a-focused-life/) - “…whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”Galatians 6:7 The Lord has been convicting me about living a focused life. I took a look at my daily, weekly, and monthly schedule and asked myself the question- “Does what I do on a daily basis help me accomplish the greatest goals of my life?” My greatest
- [Absolutely In Love With You](https://phillipchan.org/absolutely-in-love-with-you/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZH06hW6psA] Starfield – Absolutely Lover of my soul I want to tell you Only you have all of me I cannot contain my adoration I’m in love so desperately No one is as lovely as you are There is no one else who has my heart Jesus you have me completely Every breath I breathe
- [Power Without Eloquence](https://phillipchan.org/power-without-eloquence/) - “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”1 Corinthians 2:4 So I was leading Bible study tonight for small group and honestly felt a little unprepared. I had all
- [Counting The Costs](https://phillipchan.org/counting-the-costs/) - [And Jesus said,] “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow
- [Earnest to Give or to Keep?](https://phillipchan.org/earnest-to-give-or-to-keep/) - “For they [were] begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.”2 Corinthians 7:4 In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul is addressing giving amongst the churches and he highlights the heart of the church in Macedonia. What he says here may be quite surprising to us- he says that they
- [Exodus Cry](https://phillipchan.org/exodus-cry/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEBbYhqKLKk] Last post I was highlighting what the Lord was doing. This, I guess, is highlighting what Satan is doing.
- [Rocked by 1040 + Personal Revival](https://phillipchan.org/rocked-by-1040-personal-revival/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkQVzkpJbF8&feature=related] Yesterday I went to see this movie called the 1040 movie by Jeason Ma in Rockford, IL. All I can say is that I was sufficiently rocked. I witnessed with my eyes the move of the Holy Spirit in Asia and for an hour an a half I was flooded by the Holy Spirit
- [The Martyrs Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/the-martyrs-prayer/) - The Holy Spirit really lit me with this: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95QKvkw4Hb8&feature=player_embedded]
- [Getting a Spirit of Brokenness](https://phillipchan.org/getting-a-spirit-of-brokenness/) - What this guy says is profound: [audio:https://phillipchan.org/audio/Ambassador_11_Theology of Brokenness (Interlude).mp3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Matthew 5:3
- [Return to Me, Phil](https://phillipchan.org/return-to-me-phil/) - Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart,with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heartand not your garments.Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,slow to anger and abounding in love,and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13
- [A Sobering 4 Minute Good Friday Message](https://phillipchan.org/a-sobering-4-minute-good-friday-message/) - [audio:http://www.phillipchan1.com/audio/Willie Mullan – Without the Shedding of Blood edited.mp3] “and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Hebrews 9:22
- [The Power of the Cross!](https://phillipchan.org/the-power-of-the-cross/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg] Verse 1Oh to see the dawn of the darkest dayChrist on the road to calvaryTried by sinful men, torn and beaten thenNailed to a cross of wood Chorus 1This the pow’r of the crossChrist became sin for usTook the blame, bore the wrathWe stand forgiven at the cross Verse 2Oh to see the pain
- [A Mind for Scholarship](https://phillipchan.org/a-mind-for-scholarship/) - In the field I am going to (full time ministry), there seems to be a high respect and regards for a “mind of scholarship.” I don’t want a mind of scholarship. I want a mind that loves God. And there’s a difference.
- [Don't Work On Nothing!](https://phillipchan.org/dont-work-on-nothing/) - “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…”Colossians 3:12 A common thing I hear among believers in response to sin being revealed in their lives is “I gotta work on that…” They get real impatient, and they say “I gotta work on that” or really
- [This is Jesus' Computer](https://phillipchan.org/this-is-jesus-computer/) - Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God1 Corinthians 10:31 I was hit with a disturbing fact today: I spend on average 9 hours a day on my computer. Granted, my job requires me to be on it 8 hours a day. But seriously, that’s a lot of hours! That’s more than a
- [This is My King!](https://phillipchan.org/this-is-my-king/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z15FlTONVo] THIS IS MY KING!!!
- [Stephen's Success](https://phillipchan.org/stephens-success/) - “Then they cast [Stephen] out of the city and stoned him.”Acts 7:58 I am reading this passage in Acts and realize that God’s definition of success for his church astoundingly differs than what I am used to. Stephen succeeded as a Christian and then he got stoned. He got stoned!
- [Governed by Selfless Love](https://phillipchan.org/governed-by-selfless-love/) - “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”1 Corinthians 8:13 Paul says that if eating meat makes his brother stumble, he would never do it. This reveals to us the priorities established in Paul’s life. On one side of the scale, we have his preferences.
- [Deliver Me from California](https://phillipchan.org/deliver-me-from-california/) - “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.”Daniel 1:8 Since telling people that I am moving soon to California, people have been really excited for me and I’m very thankful for all the support. However, almost every person adds the fact with a
- [Regard Me As Such](https://phillipchan.org/regard-me-as-such/) - “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ, and stewards…”1 Corinthians 4:1 This is Paul speaking. The apostle Paul. The writer of the the majority of the New Testament Paul. The bold preacher of the gospel Paul. The man who could prophecy, speak in tongues, heal the sick, and love deeply. He
- [Desiring to Be Nothing](https://phillipchan.org/desiring-to-be-nothing/) - One of greatest fears in serving the Lord full time is becoming a man of pride and self-sufficiency. It is so tempting, even today, to be something, versus being nothing. God likes only using one of those and it is certainly not the former. What can God do with a person who has made up in
- [Probably the Latter](https://phillipchan.org/probably-the-latter/) - I’ve been studying and reading the end times in the Scriptures these past few weeks and so I’ve nothing but end of the age thoughts and feelings in my hearts. Sometimes I wonder if I’m going crazy… or whether the response is natural for someone who is coming to grips about the reality of the
- [Perceiving Satan's Craftiness](https://phillipchan.org/perceiving-satans-craftiness/) - “‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly…but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not?” But he perceived their craftiness and said to them…”Luke 20:21 These people were roused up by the Pharisees to somehow thwart Jesus’ ministry and to catch him in
- [Having Heaven's Authority](https://phillipchan.org/having-heavens-authority/) - “One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up and said to him, ‘Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’”Luke 20:1-2 The pharisees asked Jesus by what
- [Back to Basics: Love + Serving](https://phillipchan.org/back-to-basics-love-serving/) - I like the days when God breaks in on your life and shows you how much you don’t know. When he breaks your perception of reality and of yourself. Today is one of those days. It was just a simple day at church, worshiping and fellowship. During Horizon’s ABF, Dr. Dan Green shared a passage
- [The God of Justice and Haiti](https://phillipchan.org/the-god-of-justice-and-haiti/) - And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”Revelation 16:7 In light of the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, I have come to learn that what is lacking in the body of Christ is not a new perspective on the matter, but a call for an
- [Spiritual Warfare in the End Times and Christians Who Will Stand](https://phillipchan.org/spiritual-warfare-in-the-end-times-and-christians-who-will-stand/) - “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him…woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath,
- [Being Great](https://phillipchan.org/being-great/) - Not so with you, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.Matthew 20:26 In the midst of the disciples arguing over who is the greatest, Jesus instructs them about a principle of the kingdom of God. And what does he tell them? Does he tell them not to be great? No, he
- [My Passion in Teaching on the End Times](https://phillipchan.org/my-passion-in-teaching-on-the-end-times/) - This season of life is so strange. I’m leaving in a few months and I’m wondering what the Lord would have me do in the few months I have left here. It just happens that I’m teaching about the End Times in two separate places at church, one for Sunday School and two for small
- [Real Christians](https://phillipchan.org/real-christians/) - “”So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”Luke 14:33 I read this passage and was struck by the absoluteness of Jesus’ definition of those who truly follow him. I thought further about living in a nation full of Christians who prefer Jesus as their homeboy
- [These Are Your Brothers and Sisters](https://phillipchan.org/these-are-your-brothers-and-sisters/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D82yj30jsw] Two Points: These are our brothers and our sisters This is what we signed up for when we believed (America, wait 10 years and you will see) EDIT- Okay sorry but ever since this was posted it has been removed all over the internet. I smell fish… It’s basically a video showcasing persecution in
- [A Dream I Had - An Open Door](https://phillipchan.org/a-dream-i-had-an-open-door/) - Following the events of last night (outlined in the post before this), the Lord gave me a dream. In the dream, I had arrived in California at Fuller. Time had moved really fast and I found myself there without having finished any of my preparations! I had flown in, had my stuff with me, but
- [Only One Father Is Disappointed](https://phillipchan.org/only-one-father-is-disappointed/) - Tonight marked the night when I finally told my dad that I was going to seminary. To be short, he was not happy. After I explained to him my plans and my intentions, it was clear that he wasn’t going to support me in that decision and urged me to reconsider. He went on about his
- [Wanting Out of Joyless Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/wanting-out-of-joyless-ministry/) - I’m reading this book called Practical Wisdom for Pastors I bought maybe a year ago to gain some insight into the life of a servant of God, and let me just tell you something: Every time I read this book, I get really depressed. It is the most life-sucking book I have ever read. I
- [Freedom from the Religious Spirit](https://phillipchan.org/freedom-from-the-religious-spirit/) - As I think about going to seminary, the Lord has been teaching me the deep things of His heart concerning what it means to be an anointed servant of the Lord. One of the things He’s been showing me how religious pride trips up his servants today and how it trips me now. Religious pride
- [If You Say Go, I Will Go](https://phillipchan.org/if-you-say-go-i-will-go/) - Receiving the actual letter of acceptance into Fuller Theological has finally started certain mental realizations. The most pressing one is the fact that I am going to be moving to California and away from Chicago, the city I’ve grown up in for 22 years of my life. I’ve never lived anywhere else; I don’t like to
- [My Church Should Be a House of Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/my-church-should-be-a-house-of-prayer/) - “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”Matthew 21:13 I read this passage and asked myself these questions: If this is the activity which Jesus associates his house with, would Jesus recognize our church? Would he be able to discern based on the incense of prayer rising up to the heavens where his churches
- [Delivered from a Good Message](https://phillipchan.org/delivered-from-a-good-message/) - As I think about going into full-time ministry, the Lord has been teaching me about what it means to be a messenger of God. One of the things that the Lord has been showing me is for me to give up the need of delivering a “great message.” It grieves me when I hear sermons
- [Jesus Made This](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-made-this/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiWKHsgJ8uw] This is video I saw when I was a junior taking Cellular Biology. It is a 3D rendering of the thousands of processes and elements that happen in a single cell of your body. Mind you, you have billions of them. I cannot help after watching this, worship God. It is He who made
- [My Foolish Soup](https://phillipchan.org/my-foolish-soup/) - “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”Revelations 1:3 I was reading the book of Revelation last night and was thinking about this: if God’s people understood an inch of the promises
- [Just a Thought.](https://phillipchan.org/just-a-thought/) - “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”Hebrews 3:13 Have you encouraged someone today in
- [A Deliverance Testimony](https://phillipchan.org/a-deliverance-testimony/)
- [Not Extending the Mercy of God](https://phillipchan.org/not-extending-the-mercy-of-god/) - The height of injustice is receiving the mercy of God and not extending it to others. To get a brand new start, to be lovingly reminded that we are first class citizens in the kingdom of God, to be affirmed we are his sons and daughters, to be crowned and blessed with additional grace, to
- [Cash and Prayers](https://phillipchan.org/cash-and-prayers/) - Prayers are more precious than cash. If only we were as zealous praying for the kingdom of God as we are for earning a buck. One will fade, one will not.
- [A Matthew 25 Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/a-matthew-25-prayer/) - ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was
- [Why You Should/Shouldn't Date Phillip Chan](https://phillipchan.org/why-you-should-shouldnt-date-phillip-chan/) - A list of why you should consider dating Phillip Chan: My greatest love is Jesus; you come second. The kids are third. I will not have a great stable income; I’m going to serve Jesus We will not have the nicest things; birds have nests, and foxes have holes, but the Son of man does
- [A Blossoming Life Verse](https://phillipchan.org/a-blossoming-life-verse/) - This verse has been growing on me a lot these days and is quickly moving up in my list of most important verses in my life. “One thing I have asked of the Lordthat will I seek after;that I may dwell in the house of the Lordall the days of my life,to gaze upon the
- [Blessings in Disguise](https://phillipchan.org/blessings-in-disguise/) - “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”Joseph, in Genesis 50:20 Someone has said that you know that you are blessed when everything you touch is blessed. This was particularly true in Joseph’s case. However, it was not as though Joseph had lived a care-free life- his life was
- [Where are the Men of God?](https://phillipchan.org/where-are-the-men-of-god/) - Listen to this if you have 5 minutes.
- [Expect Afflictions!](https://phillipchan.org/expect-afflictions/) - “For when we were with you, we kept telling you before hand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.”1 Thessalonians 3:4 One of the things we must face and own up to is the fact that Christians who desire to love and serve Jesus
- [People I Don't Like](https://phillipchan.org/people-i-dont-like/) - Do you ever run into people that you just flat out don’t like? Something about their personality or the way they present themselves or the way the talk, whatever it is, something inside you is just offended at them. You feel the hesitancy inside you to reach out to them and to serve them. It
- [Why We Are Called to Live by Faith](https://phillipchan.org/why-we-are-called-to-live-by-faith/) - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.Hebrews 11:6 We were reading this passage in Bible Study tonight and it raised a question I’ve always been wondering about. Why has God ordained that the
- [Desiring An Authentic Public Ministry](https://phillipchan.org/desiring-an-authentic-public-ministry/) - “we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed- God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others.”1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 In a time where much the
- [A Bible Question](https://phillipchan.org/a-bible-question/) - This category addresses questions that I have about the Bible that I am unsure of and welcome any comments. “Why does God allow (or does not condemn) polygamy in the Old Testament?”
- [Jesus, Lover of My Soul](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-lover-of-my-soul/) - This song has touched my heart in so many ways tonight… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY] Jesus, Lover of My Soul (It’s All About You) It’s all about You, JesusAnd all this is for YouFor Your glory and your fameIt’s not about meAs if You should do things my wayYou alone are GodAnd I surrender to your ways Jesus,
- [Paul, the Faithful Witness](https://phillipchan.org/paul-the-faithful-witness/) - But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.Acts 20:24 Read this verse carefully. I wonder how many of us could say
- [Two Minutes of Conviction](https://phillipchan.org/two-minutes-of-conviction/) - If you have two minutes, listen to this short exhortation for us to give our all to Jesus. [audio:http://www.phillipchan1.com/audio/muslim.mp3] *Taken from “Why Care About Muslims” by Joshua Lingel
- [Contact Me](https://phillipchan.org/contact-me/) - I appreciate any feedback. Send some love if you get a chance! (This message will be sent directly to me) Error: Contact form not found.
- [Self-Deluded Humility](https://phillipchan.org/self-deluded-humility/) - I was having a casual conversation with a friend and we were talking about my plans to go to seminary next fall. I told him I wanted to go to this well-established seminary and in return he asked me “whether or not I wanted to be a big shot.” I told him no. I lied.
- [Repost: Five Moral Fences](https://phillipchan.org/repost-five-moral-fences/) - Reposted from Pastor James Macdonald’s Blog: This is by far the greatest wisdom I have gained in these past few months after much praying and mourning about living a life of ministry. It is Amazingly Insightful… ——————————– Five Moral Fences I was a pastor in seminary when the moral failures of the late ’80’s hit
- [The Wisdom of Mourning](https://phillipchan.org/the-wisdom-of-mourning/) - It is better to go to the house of mourningthan to go to the house of feasting,for this is the end of all mankind,and the living will lay it to heart.Ecclesiastes 7:2 It is better to mourn because it is the person who mourns who will act thoughtfully to spend his or her days wisely. Escape the
- [God of My Salvation, Answer Me part2](https://phillipchan.org/god-of-my-salvation-answer-me-part2/) - A portion from the Eighty Eighth Psalm Do you work wonders for the dead?Do the departed rise up to praise you?Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,or your faithfulness in Abaddon? …But I, O Lord, cry to you!in the morning my prayer comes before you.O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?Why do
- [God of My Salvation, Answer Me](https://phillipchan.org/god-of-my-salvation-answer-me/) - A portion from the Eighty Eighth Psalm O Lord, God of my salvationI cry out day and night before you.Let my prayer come before you;incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles,and my life draws near to Sheol…
- [I Want to be Antipas](https://phillipchan.org/i-want-to-be-antipas/) - “you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.”Revelations 2:13 In Revelations, while Jesus is speaking to the churches concerning their spiritual welfare, he briefly alludes to this character Antipas and gives him commendation and praise. On three accounts do I
- [We Can Outlive Adam](https://phillipchan.org/we-can-outlive-adam/) - “The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.”Genesis 5:4-5 Adam lived 930 years. If I live to be 90, he would have 10 of my lives to live. It stirred my imagination
- [A Dream I Had - On the Verge of Violence](https://phillipchan.org/a-dream-i-had-on-the-verge-of-violence/) - Last night I had a dream and am unsure of its meaning. There was a huge car accident. It was night in an unknown city, but it was not in America. A car with a drunk driver had crashed into a building. It was all the way in and other cars crashed into it as
- [Romans 7 in my Face](https://phillipchan.org/romans-7-in-my-face/) - I am sure nothing good lives inside of me, apart from the life of Christ within me. Sigh… so much growing to do…
- [Elijah-Jezebel Showdown](https://phillipchan.org/elijah-jezebel-showdown/) - If you have an hour or so, I pray you listen to this. This is a real prophetic message about the signs of our times. [googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1290842731133226060&hl=en#]
- [How He Loves Us!!!!](https://phillipchan.org/how-he-loves-us/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps] This song makes me want to weep. He is jealous for me,Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.When all of a sudden,I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,And I realise just how beautiful You are,And how great Your affections are for me. And
- [Far From Pristine](https://phillipchan.org/far-from-pristine/) - “And they heard the sound of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” Genesis 3:8 Things are not as they used to be. We are so far off that we don’t know what normal life is supposed to be like. Normal life is man walking hand in hand with
- [Material Idolatry](https://phillipchan.org/material-idolatry/) - I fear we have no clue how great is our love for material things. How much it infects our minds, and hearts, and our every decision. How we treasure it and covet those things which we don’t have. And how much we therefore neglect love-stricken relationships. And how we think that these things are actually
- [Remedying Faithlessness](https://phillipchan.org/remedying-faithlessness/) - “I will heal their apostacyI will love them freely,for my anger has turned from them.”Hosea 14:4-5 Who can rid us of our faithlessness? Who can break the power of habitual sin? Who can completely turn the wayward around? It is the Lord. And he will do so, according to this passage, with His love. He
- [Why God Destroys](https://phillipchan.org/why-god-destroys/) - “For Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces,and Judah has multiplied fortified cities;so I will send a fire upon his cities,and it shall devour her strongholds.”Hosea 8:14 How can we explain the acts done by the Lord in response to Israel’s wickedness? He says here that he will send fire upon their cities and
- [Prosperity and Poverty](https://phillipchan.org/prosperity-and-poverty/) - “but when they had grazed, they became full,they were filled, and their heart was lifted up;therefore they forgot me.”Hosea 13:6 Material prosperity is often the catalyst for spiritual poverty. Too much food, too much money, too much fun, too much pleasure, too much sex, too much of anything dulls our hunger for Jesus. Let us
- [Wrongful Complaints](https://phillipchan.org/wrongful-complaints/) - “They do not cry to me from the heart,but they wail upon their beds;for grain and wine they gash themselves;Hosea 7:14 The Lord condemns them because they cry out more about their circumstances than their current standing before God. Their relationship with Jesus is broken yet they are crying more because He tore down the
- [Coming After Me](https://phillipchan.org/coming-after-me/) - “Ephraim is like a dove,silly and without sense,calling to Egypt, going to Assyria.As they go, I will spread over them my net;I will bring them down like birds of the heavens;”Hosea 7:1-12 This is such a heart warming passage. What I learned about Jesus from this is that our backsliding and straying initiates His pursuit
- [A Morning Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/a-morning-prayer/) - “The more they were called,the more they went away:”Hosea 11:2 Call me, Oh Lord, and I will comeSpeak to me, Jesus, and I will listenI will not harden my heart asdid the Israelites;For I desire your nearnessand the goodness of your fellowship.
- [Woe To Us If We Do Not Preach the Gospel](https://phillipchan.org/woe-to-us-if-we-do-not-preach-the-gospel/) - Read this and understand why we must be faithful in sharing the Gospel at all times: “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them,
- [Lukewarm and Loving It](https://phillipchan.org/lukewarm-and-loving-it/) - This is so convicting… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBhqrtMqrv8&hl=en&fs=1&]
- [Just Come](https://phillipchan.org/just-come/) - “As you come to him,…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house…”1 Peter 2:4-5 The process of Christian growth, as said in this passage, is not as complicated as we make it out to be. Despite all of our programs and endeavors, Peter lays out the simple pre-requisite for growing
- [Watchfulness in Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/watchfulness-in-prayer/) - “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”Colossians 4:2 I like this passage a lot. Many people get the first part, not many are good at the second. Many people can come into prayer, but many aren’t willing to stick around afterwards. The Lord wants to extend our faith past the point at
- [Habits of a True Believer](https://phillipchan.org/habits-of-a-true-believer/) - “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.”1 John 3:10 That one word is underlined has been the cause of great conviction in these last
- [Confidence at His Coming](https://phillipchan.org/confidence-at-his-coming/) - “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears,we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.”1 John 2:28 I wanted to read this verse briefly last night, like I sometimes do with God’s Word- just move on and hope everything is okay between the Lord and
- [Soon and Very Soon..](https://phillipchan.org/soon-and-very-soon/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGAHgwMtrWM&hl=en&fs=1&] Oh come back Lord Jesus come. Do whatever it takes, just come!
- [What a foolish prayer...](https://phillipchan.org/what-a-foolish-prayer/) - I was praying the other day a prayer that many Americans pray- for personal success. To do earn well at work, to have a flourishing personal business, etc… Then I realized the folly of my prayer. The Holy Spirit broke in and said, “Why should you pray for personal success, when you are so rich
- [The Third Psalm](https://phillipchan.org/the-third-psalm/) - O Lord, how many are my foes!Many are rising against me;many are saying of my soul,there is no salvation for him in God. But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,my glory, and the lifter of my head.I cried aloud to the Lord,and he answer me from his holy hill. ~ Psalm 3
- [Humility](https://phillipchan.org/humility/) - Humility is not concerned with how I appear among people. It’s not concerned about whether people respect me or not. Humility does not stand upright and sticks out its chest to demand public approval. But humility instructs me to instead, in every social context, to say, “How can I serve you?”, “How can I love
- [An End Times Dream - The Great Deception](https://phillipchan.org/an-end-times-dream-the-great-deception/) - Last night I had a dream that I was at a retreat and as a guest, the pope came. The pope was a new one, not our current one. People all over the world were ecstatic about him. He was kind, winsome, and he knew the scriptures. Unfortunately, the world began to hail and embrace
- [On Being Single](https://phillipchan.org/on-being-single/) - Here are some quick facts about me and relationships before I begin to write: The first girlfriend I had was in 7th grade. Since then, I’ve had approximately 6 girlfriends. Matthew Leung’s nickname for me in high school was “The Island Hopper”. The last girlfriend I had was freshman year of college Therefore, I have
- [To Adulthood: Reflections on a New Season of Life](https://phillipchan.org/to-adulthood-reflections-on-a-new-season-of-life/) - I’ve been meaning to sit down and write this entry for a while now only to have the busyness of life leave me no time to do so. So here it is: I am now a graduate from Loyola University. Praise Jesus! What am I doing now? I work as a Web and Graphic Designer
- [Come Reign In Us!](https://phillipchan.org/come-reign-in-us/) - Oh Great and Mighty One, with one desire we comeThat you would reign, that you would reign in usWe’re offering up our lives, a living sacrificeThat you would reign, that you would reign in us! Starfield – Reign In Us Lord, this is the cry of my heart.
- [John the Baptist, the Man from Heaven](https://phillipchan.org/john-the-baptist-the-man-from-heaven/) - As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What
- [True Life](https://phillipchan.org/true-life/) - For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.Jesus in Matthew 16:25 Those who want to save their lives will lose it because true life cannot be gained by the sum of ones efforts. But those who lose those desires, and go through the
- [On Being an Asian-American Christian](https://phillipchan.org/on-being-an-asian-american-christian/) - As I continue to follow Jesus, I am realizing more and more how radical that journey is. An old hymn said, “The Cross before me, the world behind.” Today I bring to light the things taught within my culture as an Asian American which hinder me from following Jesus completely. Being Asian is not sinful,
- [A Dream I Had - Silenced](https://phillipchan.org/a-dream-i-had-silenced/) - Last night I had another dream. In the dream, I was in a classroom. It was an upper level Biology classroom in Loyola. We deviated from a serious discussion on Biology to start speaking about a new philosophy booming. The teacher was unusually adament and excited about it. The whole classroom stirred up into a
- [A Dream I Had - The Spirit in China](https://phillipchan.org/a-dream-i-had-the-spirit-in-china/) - Last night I had a dream and I want to write it down before I forget. The dream was long, and most of it was insignificant. It only became really interesting at the end of the dream. In the dream, I was leaving my condo to go to work. Some people were there and they were
- [Counting the Costs of Discipleship according to Luke 9](https://phillipchan.org/counting-the-costs-of-discipleship-according-to-luke-9/) - I want to draw our attention to a passage in Luke 9 that the Lord was speaking to me about concerning what it means to follow Him. Here is the passage: “As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes
- [Jesus, the Man of Sorrows](https://phillipchan.org/jesus-the-man-of-sorrows/) - “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces.” Isaiah 53:3 This passage in Isaiah is describing what Jesus would be like 600 years after it was written. It says here that Jesus was “a man of sorrows.” What an
- [Embracing The God Who Pursues](https://phillipchan.org/embracing-the-god-who-pursues/) - I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name,I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’Isaiah 65:1 What an awesome thing Jesus promised to human beings when he said, “Seek and you will find, knock
- [Lessons in Love](https://phillipchan.org/lessons-in-love/) - “Love… does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful”1 Corinthians 13:5 Lately, I’ve been learning about how easily annoyed I get. More often, I find this to happen around people I’ve known for a long time or with deep friends. It happens when friendships go deep; when the barriers come
- [The Prosperity Gospel](https://phillipchan.org/the-prosperity-gospel/) - Yes and Amen to what this man is saying. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukcV-xtU3hc] Refine us, Lord!
- [A Dream I Had](https://phillipchan.org/a-dream-i-had/) - Last night I had a dream from the Lord. In the dream, I was in a hallway and I picked up a piece of paper. As I picked it up, I felt an evil spirit coming to oppress me in my sleep. Reality and my dream came together in that moment. I picked up the
- [He Speaks a Better Word](https://phillipchan.org/he-speaks-a-better-word/) - “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable,and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”-Jesus, talking with the Jews in John 8 Christ certainly had much to say in judgment of the Jews. God had entered the world and His very people had rejected Him
- [Lovers Versus Workers](https://phillipchan.org/lovers-versus-workers/) - Lovers outwork workers. Those who are motivated to work out of the overflow of love work much better than those who are merely motived by obligation. And so, lovers of Jesus outwork workers of Jesus. They outwork those who serve Him only out of duty. They work with more perserverance. They do the menial things
- [Home is Heaven!](https://phillipchan.org/home-is-heaven/) - [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3uiC4YHSDE] Into Your courts I run with praises flowing from my heart Everyday I wake I sing Your song; It’s the anthem of my life I wanna spend my days in Your presence, Lord Bowed before Your throne In the house of God is where I find my peace It’s where I find my… Home is HeavenOne day Lord I
- [The Necessity of Prayer](https://phillipchan.org/the-necessity-of-prayer/) - You do not have because you do not ask God.James 4:2 Here is a statement that will summarize the remainder of this post: If unrelenting prayer is not central in ministry, it will fail. There are many questions we ask concerning the work of the Lord. Why are churches struggling to grow members? Why are
- [Use Me](https://phillipchan.org/use-me/) - Dear Lord, For the unbelievers you’ve place in my life, use me.For the worst sinner I know, use me.For the places I will be at today, use me.For the people I will speak with today, use me.For the people who teeter on the fence of true faith, use me.For those in need of encouragement, use
- [The Necessity of Absolute Surrender](https://phillipchan.org/the-necessity-of-absolute-surrender/) - “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”At once they left their nets and followed him.Matthew 4:19-20 The most important word in this passage is the word “and.” It is important because it serves to unites these two things together- the following of Jesus and the serving of Jesus. This
- [In The Arms of a Jealous God](https://phillipchan.org/in-the-arms-of-a-jealous-god/) - “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God”Exodus 20:5 The jealousy of God is a marvelous thing. Being a Christian for about nine years now, I can honestly say that I would not be where I am at in my faith if it were not
- [Losing the World](https://phillipchan.org/losing-the-world/) - [youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=ACJ5xENe7bs] This is a great unreleased song by Shane & Shane I was in search for treasureSearching the fields of pleasureSifting through gold ands silverOh what I found is better I was in search for fine pearlsI was in search for gaining the worldDrinking from cisterns broken I saw you and sold it all…
- [Cheap Love](https://phillipchan.org/cheap-love/) - While picking up random books and magazines and observing the great secular humanatarian efforts, I became increasingly startled at our culture’s cheapening definition of love. A book I found in my sister’s room contains an introduction which writes, “There is no true religion, … there is no one right way to heaven,…there is just love.”
- [Rescue is Coming](https://phillipchan.org/rescue-is-coming/) - “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.” Isaiah 57 As I meditated on this passage, there was such an inner longing for the hope offered
- [Great is Thy Faithfulness!](https://phillipchan.org/great-is-thy-faithfulness/) - “As surely as the sun rises,he will appearhe will come to us like the winter rains,like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6 God’s faithfulness is an amazing thing. It is often overlooked in all our religious runabouts, but ponder here for a second- it is by sheer grace and faithfulness alone that

## Pages

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- [God Moments](https://phillipchan.org/project/god-moments/) - FREE Download Below God moments can happen anytime and anywhere. Here’s a powerful guide on how to experience them. Get Your Copy I get it. You’re busy and you feel like you never have time to experience God. For those of you who who feel going a normal school, get a normal job, and
- [Journaling for Spiritual Transformation](https://phillipchan.org/project/journaling-for-spiritual-transformation/) - The premiere guide on effective spiritual journaling Get Your Copy Today COMING SOON 2021 Accelerate your spiritual growth. I believe that there is not a more important spiritual discipline for today than spiritual journaling. In a world constantly in chaos, journaling before God is an entirely integrative practice that anchors the heart and soul. So
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