Daniel's blog

Daniel Kao - Saturday, July 17, 2010 11:52:39 PM

amazed at His work this summer. that though there were no real plans, this is one I'll prob end up cherishing most.

ready to move onto a new chapter. as there's much to invest in others instead of being only consumed in His word. And still hopes and desires in aspirations & dreams.

May what we do, what we achieve, the beauty of life, the little things...remind us of His grace. That what we have and what is truly important was given by Him alone.

The perfect work of the cross...may we always be reminded of the gospel and what it means for us.

Tenth Avenue North - Healing Begins with lyrics

 

Daniel Kao - Friday, June 18, 2010 12:02:39 AM

Exhausting...spiritually, mentally, physically...at times I wonder how the burden can be so great. Why I am so consumed in this.. But just to have those opportunities, to be a vessel of His divine grace, is like perhaps a glimpse...a mere glimpse into the beauty of the attribute of love.

I guess I pray now for rest...at times I feel as if life should be restless. That indeed the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few. That there's much to be corrected - perhaps first the absoluteness of truth, and from there doctrines that are not biblical, ideologies & philosophy that don't hold a place in theology.. And yet in the midst of all this, I forget the most fundamental truth...that it's still the work of God and Him alone. And that indeed He desires for us to desire Him first. That in His grace and His Sovereign will...fully trusting in His infinite wisdom and decree is what makes waking up each morning all the more beautiful.

And yet I still ask myself from time to time, why must it be so hard?

God, help me. sustain me, mold me, use me for your glory and for your glory alone. help me to love you.

Brandon Heath: What If We - Trust You

Daniel Kao - Friday, June 04, 2010 11:41:34 PM

"This was Paul's point in writing to the Thessalonians, for he well knew the role of hope in the Christian life. It is the power that keeps one going, the fuel that runs the engine of the soul, the medicine that brings healing to a wounded heart. It gives strength to face an uncertain future, for it looks not to its own resources, but to Christ."

Psalms 30:5

"For His anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime; weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning."

Strip me of my pride..bring me to my knees, God I surrender ... use me according to your will and to your good pleasure. Your wisdom > mine

Daniel Kao - Wednesday, June 02, 2010 12:28:01 AM

at times I wonder the Sovereignty in the burden He's placed in me. Life seems...increasingly difficult. And it's in those times I can only cry for mercy. That in my weakness, He will be glorified. How I've so often seen the joy He's set before me at the end of these toils. But I feel as if new struggles seemingly pinpoint the very heart of new worldviews. So as to make living with it difficult. But what joy it is that He would mold and shape us and use us. To say that now is so hard...but may He be exulted. May we give Him glory, may we love...even when love is never easy. 

Daniel Kao - Monday, May 17, 2010 9:17:08 AM

God's Sovereignty...living in it, coming to a point in your life where it really has completely & radically changed your worldviews...and yet it still seems new to me. But I feel like it's still slowly becoming this new reality and at the same time this new-found love for Him.

Looking back at my life, I can only praise Him for all that has happened. More and more I see His goodness in everything.

In studying theology the question always seem to keep coming back...how can God love us the way He does? And though really I have not be able to fully answer this, God's decree & Sovereignty...just understanding perhaps the surface of it brings me to my knees every day to know and to live under the grace He's given us. To fall in love with Him again every morning, sounds so cheesy but so much a reality.

This summer is almost completely led by faith in Him leading me according to His will. All that I've been compelled to do thus far is to take that trip...specifically to take time away with Him, studying...reading...pursuing my convictions further alone with Him. Maybe to travel with Gloria and spend time with her.

Summer school, growing the biz, relationships, everything else might come here and there but we'll see.

Cannons-Phil Wickham

You're Beautiful by Phil Wickham

Daniel Kao - Saturday, April 17, 2010 11:49:21 PM

been on a writing spree. i hope this is not insanity but rather everything letting loose!!! haha i'm actually okay.

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What’s probably been most emotional in me is seeing how destructive the Armenian/synergists worldviews have been. The belief that God & man work together for salvation and for the glory of Him. And though some may quickly deny that…it’s been increasingly evident and I believe carrying into our churches, our small groups, our minds… What has become of Christianity in America? That our first and foremost objective is no longer to love Him but rather to do more. I say this for myself…because I spent so much of my life trying to use what was intended for good for my own glory. The idea of planting a seed, being intentional in our relationships with people, loving people…all meant to be for good. But how often do we get so caught up in our efforts that we forget our first and foremost love should be for Him. Only then, can there be an outflow of love to people. Because indeed the only way we might ever know how to love man is through our love for Him.

Church leaders…I beg you to teach more the attributes of God…help us gain a better understanding of who God is rather than giving us advice on how to live a better life. How can small group leaders ever teach if they themselves don’t even understand much of who God is?

How often I myself forget salvation comes through Christ alone. And us...me…thinking that He would even need my abilities/talents. How I’ve spent so much of my life engulfed in entrepreneurship hoping to please Him with the monetary contributions I can give to the church when it was never about what we can do. Because how much more He is glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.

Brothers & Sisters, I’m convinced that apart from Him…we are nothing and we can do NOTHING. I’m convinced that the only way we’ll ever be satisfied in Him is if we’re willing to surrender everything! To never let pride get in the way of how God may use us. Because how UGLY!!! pride is… I’m convinced that the gospel is sufficient for all we’ll ever need – not philosophy, not self-help books, not man’s ideologies.

Second, my heart is heavy…because of all that I see from decisionism. How an idea that salvation comes purely from a decision and from a prayer. How we dare CHEAPEN grace…thinking that grace was given on the basis of what we do or the condition of our hearts.

And how of the 70% of those who say they’re Christians…how many will never even think about examining themselves, testing themselves… that they would not even think about John 15, Romans 8 & 9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 7:16…an old creation being made new, knowing them by their fruits. And though we know works will NEVER earn salvation, I believe it is a beautiful indication of regeneration.

My heart breaks because of Matthew 7:15

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on ^(T)that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; ^(U)DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Seeing many still living in carnality, complacency, no desires whatsoever for God…thinking they’re saved. And though we may never be completely certain, we have reason to believe and to have concern if an old creation was never made new. If there never was a true desire for Him.

From just these two things, I ask…do we realize how amazing grace really means? That if not for grace, we would still be under His wrath. God’s love was NEVER an obligation to man. But in his amazing love, He would send His son as a substitute to atone for our filth – everything that’s NOT holy. That to satisfy his JUST attributes, He MUST send a Son to atone for our sins.

How many times I’ve wept over and over and over hearing the gospel again... How can God ever love us the way He does?

To all of you, Brothers & sisters, surrender yourselves to Him….let go of your PRIDE…the unsurpassing joy of knowing Christ and being satisfied in Him. How much I don’t understand…how little I know…but cling onto faith, have hope, persevere & rejoice in your tribulations, have the audacity to carry each others’ burdens, put your trust in Him who in His Sovereign grace paid a debt that would mean everything.

 

What's recurring in my life...

What's recurring in my life is coming to an intersection where the weight of my work, projects, relationships, theology, worldview, and struggles just seem to collapse on me. And it's only then do I realize even more how helpless I am.

Often, this leads to the question of would I trade it all in for an easy & complacent life? No. On top of that though, I'm thankful that grace was indeed made irresistible. For I believe our flesh would always desire evil if not for grace. 

The Sovereign will of Him is not for us to know, nor necessary for Him to reveal. But how often do I think about His will...and living in it. Sometimes I ask myself am I thinking too much to where it becomes almost pondering in vain? And indeed, theology should only cause us to love Him more.

In the end, the privilege I've had and really what I continue to hang onto most is seeing His faithfulness throughout my life. Enough to where I have no other desire but to surrender it all to Him. To begin thinking about the weight of the trials & tribulations ahead though, and about how difficult life is, becomes that roller coaster ride. When we're reminded He is Sovereign (and when it becomes real to us) we find peace, when we start living in the flesh, the burden becomes heavy again.

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I think the last thing I'll say in this post is just how emotional it's been...seeing the damage caused by Armenian/Synergism worldviews. Seeings brothers & sisters around me growing up living in this environment of false doctrine and teachings. It's taken me a long time to be able to say that with confidence. And ultimately I realize it's because there is one truth - for the Bible cannot contradict itself or be separated in truths. Beneath theology & worldviews though is love. For knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. And I believe doctrinal beliefs are only a representation of biblical truths. To know what election, irresistible grace, etc. is is not necessary for salvation. But because many are separated in worldviews, and worldviews are so critical in shaping how one views God & life, there should be no fear in speaking truths. It is because we love those around us, we have the boldness to speak. Without a love for Him, we would never know how to love man.

Something I've felt God leading me to is helping those around me realize the need to surrender it all to Him. I find His Sovereignty has been so diluted and misunderstood by us that sometimes we don't even realize what Sovereignty means and is only a word we use because others around us are using it. That or we lessen His Sovereignty with the God we, as man, make Him to be or want Him to be. I pray, though, that I would just be faithful in everything opportunity He gives and that truth would be made known to all of us.

As John Piper would say, "He is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied with Him."

Brothers & Sisters, surrender yourselves to Him.

I pray we will not only remember the weight of our sins but also the weight of what the cross meant for us. That we would never cheapen Grace. And that we would only fall on our knees each time to think of how He could ever love us as He does.

Sanctus Real - Forgiven w/ Lyrics

  

What is Salvation? (In 2 Minutes) - Paul Washer

 

Daniel Kao - Saturday, March 20, 2010 10:54:59 PM

Indeed our lives were created for His glory.
May grace never be looked upon lightly
May we never forget what was paid for on that cross

Looking back, I can only fall on my knees to see where He's brought me
Looking ahead, I can only give who I am.

God, I surrender all
thank you for loving me

Daniel Kao - Sunday, March 07, 2010 11:42:40 PM

It’s been harder to find time to really sit down and blog. Work, projects, competitions, life.. But I think I’m beginning to realize again how precious it is being able to look back, if even just to catch a glimpse of those once innermost thoughts. Time flies, things fade, life changes. Oh, but the joy of looking back at the journey and perhaps those events most cherished.

Many a times I can’t help but think about China. Of all the places, of all the other trips, this one stands above all. Perhaps because my journey with Him began there and much of grace was made known during some of those most difficult moments. Sometimes I wonder if this is really my calling. And though my concern is foremost for His will, I pray He does allow me to pursue my heart there.

Til then though, He’s placed me where I am now. Though constantly, I feel old. Maybe because I’m constantly with people twice my age. But more so, I think it’s just been too long since I’ve felt that crazy passion of a once young naive boy. The kind of passion that looks past fear of failure or embarrassment if only for a chance to chase after what’s right. The kind of passion that demands reason for thinking we had something to lose. And though my world views are different from what it was years ago, I believe passion is still a result of what grace is made known to us.

One of the most amazing words man may ever hear – grace. The grace that brings us to our knees and tears each time we hear again what we’ve heard so many times. How can grace be so amazing? How can God love us as He does? Why me? Why us?

Matt Redman - You Never Let Go (Passion '06)

Daniel Kao - Tuesday, February 23, 2010 10:47:30 PM

Always reminded of how much hurt is out there.
Life isn't always easy

Don't give up though, keep running.

Before The Morning ~ Josh Wilson