Steps to Gaining Spiritual Strength

Paul describes the dangers of not growing spiritually by making a comparison with “milk” for a baby and “solid food” for a full age. When Paul refers to being “unskilled in the word of righteousness”, he does not mean a lack of information, but rather a lack of practice. By saying “full age of those who by reason of use”, he means to those who practice their faith and apply the principles of God’s word to their lives, and can distinguish between good and evil at any time. (Hebrews 5:12-14)


Keeping your mind and heart pure and sensitive is essential to good spiritual health; an ill-preventive measure is a vital part. Paul’s steps to gaining spiritual strength are:

1. Reduce weight (Hebrews 12:1-2)

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Overweight could not endure to race for the prize.

2. Be at peace with others (James 3, Philippians 2:1-4)

Apply Paul and James criteria to conflict to see whether or not we were involved in human wisdom or divine wisdom. Most conflicts are about ego, pride and control; no matter how hard you try, you can’t make those spiritual, those are not what Paul defines as works of the flesh and they are destructive. What started as a bitter seed reaps a bitter harvest.

3. Pursue holiness (Hebrews 10:10, 10:14, 12:14, Ephesians 4:22-24)

Christian holiness is described “as consecrate to God’s service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God. Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance”. Sanctification is a state of being perfect, though not yet attained.

4. Listen to God (I Thessalonians 1:4-6, 4:1-7)

Spend time on the word of God and let it challenge you and keep you accountable. Spend time with God in prayer and allow God to speak to your heart.

5. Live in grace (I Thessalonians 2:10-13, 3:11-13, 4:9)

Grow with reverence and respect to God in our appreciation for God and His salvation, and grow in appreciation of other believers.


God wants us to have a spiritually healthy life; it comes from fully committing ourselves to Him and allowing Him to show bad things in our lives, but be eager to get rid of them and stay clean so that we can experience and adopt all God has for us and thus influence others for Christ. The key is practice and sustainable practice with hope. (I Thessalonians 4:1-8)



Written on September 15, 2009

C'est Si Bon, Paris!

C'est Si Bon, it's so good to have a journey to Paris. My wife and second daughter are the first-time travelers touring in Paris now. My daughter will study at La Sorbonne University for the next three months after her educational Japan trip funded by her college. I could imagine the happy hours and romantic snapshots they have around the City of Love, at Chateau wineries, and along the River Seine. There comes so many art pieces in sight I would dream of. Hello my dear there!


In a moment, I realized how God has planned for our family to experience His grace. The miracle started from the story of our trying crepes at a French restaurant in Burlingame near where we live, and my son was chosen to work with his French supervisor, a bio-scientist, and experienced more French food during his summer internship at the Stroud Lab of UC San Francisco (Dr. Stroud, UCSF). With God, all things are possible; God can put all together for good.


Walking in the fullness of God's blessings is so real, so natural, and so wonderful. Their joy in Paris is mixed with my favorite French songs delivered by Janet Seidel (JanetSeidel.com), and the wow truly thrills my soul.


Cheers, Paris, with Chateau red wine!


"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)



Written on September 6, 2009