City Life Starter

Reflection on the Previous Week

Last week, our contributors emphasized the importance of godly relationships in the life of a believer.  I hope you were not only enlightened but equally challenged to examine who is in your circle of friends.  This is not to say we disconnect ourselves from the world or cut ties with every relationship we have, but to examine who influences our lives.  At City Life Church, we value relationships through communities.  There are City Life Group who gather each week to study God’s Word and fellowship with one another.  Please be sure to join one of our groups near you (Click Here for More Information).

This Week on Starter

Since we will be celebrating our campus ministry this Sunday, I have asked our contributors to take you back to their college days.  Personally, I know many of these men and women were impacted through the Gospel while they were attending college, myself being one of them.

My Story

I was raised in a Buddhist home and was told to keep a distance from Christians for the majority of my childhood.  In my teenage years, I viewed Christianity and the church as a cultural thing Americans do, but what was taught was not something taken outside of church walls.  It was not until I arrived at the University of Houston that I first encountered Christians who were entirely different than the ones I knew before.  What was different from the previous Christians I knew and those who I encountered in college?

Obedience

I attended a few Bible Studies in High School and heard the Good News, but what I did not understand was why those who professed to be Christians did not live by the book they read.  I thought to myself many times that Christianity was powerless and a useless religion, in that since I possessed far superior morality and self-control than Christians, my belief is better than Christianity.  It was not until I arrived at the University of Houston, and heard the Gospel for the first time, and more importantly saw the Gospel being lived out by those who confessed and professed Christ, this led me to God.

The Dark Side

Though you might be wondering, what happened next?  I have many great memories as a newborn Christian, but also have plenty of stories that still brings me tears to this very day.  I have seen friends come and go, seen people leave faith due to a variety of reasons, have seen plenty of moral failures among leaders, and heard enough lousy doctrines and theology that might resurrect the Protestant reformers. Then why am I still here?

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrew 13:8

It is because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,” I am still here today.  This is the sad reality I have faced as a Christian throughout the years that some people will someday change for the worst, those who you call a friend today might betray and hurt you, and even church leaders will fall.  Here is our hope: though people fail, hurt and betray you, our faith is not in imperfect and fallible human beings, but in our loving Savior, who graciously extended His grace towards us who remains the same forever!  May this eternal truth strengthen your faith and help you to persevere whatever you face in life.

Our Contributors

Our contributors come from various professions and stages in life. Their unique experiences in their fields will help you relate to many of the everyday issues of today. Most importantly the contributions shared from these men and women are their passion for God’s Word. It is their commitment to Christ and the church, to exemplify through their actions that allow them to bring God’s Word to readers. I hope you will find yourself “In the Word” this week. JY