DEEP Student Ministries

Hey everyone,

Ni Hao and Sawat Di Ka. It’s Kuya Godfrey from Bangkok today. I tried doing a video thing, but  the internet connection here at the hotel is so old that I don’t think it worked. But, I just wanted to let you know what’s going on this week.

First of all, a late happy birthday to TJ Yarcia. He celebrated his birthday last Monday, so hit him up. And Leslie Onia’s birthday is this Sunday. So, drop them a note for their big days  - or treat them to a movie…

Speaking of movies, don’t forget about Narnia’s opening night this weekend. I don’t know how many tickets are available at our discounted price. But, if you got them, make sure you get to the movie theaters at the Tustin District early enough to get a seat for the 7:45PM showing.

I think that’s all for the announcements for this week. Oh yeah, don’t forget to sign up for 1) Regeneration (www.regenministries.com) and 2) our talent show on Friday, May 30. But, I’ll be back next Friday to fill you all in on the details.

Lastly, thanks for all of you who have been praying for our safety. We had a great time in Beijing, seeing the sights and also talking to many Christians there. There are so many people who are hungry to know more about Jesus. We met some people whose churches are reaching out to people by teaching English. And we met some others who are part of the underground church. We were so encouraged by what God is doing.

I know that most of you probably know about the big earthquake that hit Western China. We were very far away from that earthquake. Some people in Beijing said that they felt it (there was a small 3.0 earthquake there). But, we didn’t notice anything. Still, pray for all of the people who are suffering from the damage. Many children died; and because of China’s 1-child/family policy, many parents are mourning the death of their only child. They need the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Now, we are in Bangkok. And I’m getting ready to preach three times over the next three days. We are very fatigued right now and we need our strength to hold up. Pray that we recover well and that we don’t get sick for the rest of our time here.  But, we know that God is going to use us. And He is already teaching Ate Corinth and me so much.

That’s all for now. Blessings and we’ll see you soon. Hit up my facebook or myspace to let me know what’s up with you guys.

KG

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Ni Hao everyone. I’m doing these devotions from our hotel room in Beijing, China. It’s kind of interesting because this Psalm is all about missions. So, with that, enjoy the devotions for this week.
KG

MONDAY: v1
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
                    Selah

This Psalm reminds us of God’s goodness to us. It reminds us that we have been blessed in so many ways. It’s a prayer to God to continue to bless us.

This is a good place to start any week. There’s an old song that used to tell us to “Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And, it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” So, go ahead and do that. Make a list if you need to.

TUESDAY: v2-4
2 that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah

The Psalmist just doesn’t stay on the warm fuzzy feelings because God has blessed Him so much. Instead, he is reminded that God blesses us so that other people will know His saving power. God blesses us because He wants us to be a blessing to others – especially those in other places of the earth.

We sing that song, Mighty to Save, and we are reminded about God’s saving power. But, then the bridge reminds us that we are to shine our light so that the whole world would see the glory of God. How can you shine this week so that people around you can see and know that God loves to save people from their troubles?

WEDNESDAY: v5-7
5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

The Psalmist makes a great statement here. As we bring other people all over the world to praise God, then God will bless us. As we fulfill God’s desire for the world, God will give us the desires of our hearts. And then the circle of blessing will start again until the whole world fears Him.

So many times, Christians do not reach out to others because they are afraid of what they might lose. If they share the gospel at school, they might lose their popularity. If they go on a mission trip, they might lose money and time. If they stand up for what’s right, they may be ridiculed or made fun of. But, unless we fulfill God’s purpose for the whole world, we will never really have what God wants to give us.

What are some ways that you can begin to reach out to those around you? We will talk about the whole world tomorrow. But, what are some ways you can reach out to people in your family or classes. The school year is almost over, and your chance to really shine your light for them may not come again.

THURSDAY: PRAY DAY
We moved pray day to Thursday this week because I think that the Psalm tells us to pray for the whole world to know God’s Salvation. While it is good and important to also share the gospel with those near us, God has a heart for the whole world. And, when people are dying and going to hell, He doesn’t want Christians to just sit there and do nothing.

So, today we will pray for the nations of the world. Here are a few that you can pray for specifically:
-    Pray for Sudan and their Civil War that is causing so much death and devastation
-    Pray for the people of Myanmar. A recent cyclone has ruined their whole country. And their proud government is not helping the people as much as they can. Pray that God sends His people to help in this time.
-    Pray for the people of China. A recent earthquake killed thousands of people, including hundreds of children at one school. Pray that this would be an opportunities for Christians to show the Chinese people the true love of God.
There are many more countries and people that we can pray for. Call someone up today and pray with them.

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I hope that you are enjoying these devotionals. It’s been so good for me to just walk through some of these Psalms. For devotions this week, we will be looking at Psalm 63.

If some of you have devotions with your family, maybe you can choose this Psalm and study it with them. I think that the people in your house will be very blessed to hear you open up God’s word with them. Who knows? Go ahead and give it a try.
Monday: (vv1-2)
 1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

As David writes this Psalm, he is again in desperate need for God. He uses the image of a desert as a way of describing his life. There is no life and there is no growth – there is no reason for hope. That’s what a desert is.

Therefore, David calls upon the power of his memories of God to sustain Him through this time. He knows that his present situation is difficult. But, there have been good times with God in His life – especially worshipping with God’s people.

Have you ever felt the way that David feels – tired and lonely, weary and just hopeless? We all feel like this at times. And in those times, it is good to think back and remember where it was that you saw God in his awesome power and glory.

Tuesday: (vv 3-5)
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Verse three is one of my favorite verses. David realizes that God’s love for him is always going to be better than even his best day. And God’s love for him is both infinite and unchanging. Remembering this causes David to worship God and remember the hope that he has because of God’s love.

God’s love has the power to turn the deserts of our lives into delicious buffets of the best foods. Knowing how much God loves you can change weariness and worry into worship. Take a moment and remind yourself how much God loves you.

Here are some verses you can look up if you want to go deeper in this truth:
Jeremiah 31:3                    Hosea 2:19-20                    Romans 8:38-39                    1 John 4:9-10

Wednesday: (vv 6-8) Pray Day
 6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

David moves from a very outward expression of praise to a quieter one. Rather than singing at a party, he is now meditating on God’s love in quietness, stillness and darkness. And he remembers that it is God who holds him up through everything.

While it is good to sing songs and shout to God, it is also good to just be still and think about how much He loves you. Maybe you can try this for our prayer day. Rather than praying and bringing your requests to God (which He loves for us to do), try being still and quiet. Rather than talking to God, try listening to Him. (Zepheniah 3:17 – “… He will quiet you with his love.”

Thursday: (vv9-11)
 9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God’s name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

David closes this Psalm, not with happy warm fuzzies for everybody because God loves him so much. Rather, David closes this Psalm with some harsh, even violent language. David asks God to destroy the people who harass him. What’s going on?

I think that David is so confident that God loves him, he expects God to fight for him. As Romans 8 says, “If God is for us, who would be against us?” The answer is this: NOBODY!

While God wants us to forgive our enemies and those people who talk about us, He also wants us to know that He will fight for us, protect us at all costs. After all, this is why He sent His son, Jesus. Jesus came to show us God’s love by fighting and defeating sin, Satan and death.

What is the big battle in your life? Is it temptation? Is it an unforgiving heart? Is it laziness? Is it pride? Or maybe it’s other people? God is a God who loves you so much, that He will fight for His glory through your love. Sometimes all we have to do is ask and wait.

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1. Jam Session this Friday at it’s regular time. Worship team is leading next week.
2. Sign up for Prince Caspian ths week. It opens on Friday, May 16 and we are going to the 7:45 show at the District in Tustin. It’s $10/ticket so be sure to invite your parents, family and friends.
3. Sign up for Regeneration. The early registration deadline has been extended to May 15. It’s $105 if you sign up before then. For all the info you need, go to their website.
4. Mothers’ Day Gift Baskets are on sale for $20. Each basket comes filled with goodies and treats for your mom, grandma, or anyone else you think deserve one. All proceeds benefit the Summer Mission Trip.
5. Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer.

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