Their time of eating together reflected InterVarsity's aim of emphasizing small group community not only when it comes to getting food for the soul but food for the body. 

As a former alum and former staff of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, it was so exciting for me to see the members of Pitt-Asian InterVarsity bonding together as they had a community meal together for the nourishment of the body and then anticipating an inductive Bible study for the soul from the Gospel of Luke.

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

Seeing the members of the group eating together in fellowship reminded me of my favorite passage in Scripture involving a community of believers. It is from Acts 2:42-47 which says,  "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

After their meal time was over that nourished their body, they went on to a place in Posvar Hall 5400 to nourish their souls with the Word of God. There the students were led through a Bible discussion by Jason and Andrea from the Gospel of Luke 8:40-56 regarding a 'dead girl and a sick woman'.

I really enjoyed the brief moment I was there during my break from work because of the nuggets of truth that Jason and Andrea helped the students discover through the joy of Bible discovery.

Asian students enjoying a time of Bible study in Luke 8:40-56 as they make OBSERVATIONS.

Andrea reminded the students of how much Jesus loves us and cares for us that He gives us much more than we ask of Him. Both the sick woman and the synagogue ruler got more than they expected from Jesus who restored to them what they needed and gave them much more.

Students ponder the INTERPRETATION discussion questions posed by staff worker Andrea Huang

Friends, that is how the Lord works because He loves us more than we can imagine. Hearing a discussion of this passage was very special to me because of how the Lord Jesus has used this similar passage from the Gospel of Mark 5:21-43 to bring restoration to different areas of my life.  For a couple of days, I went through all the verses from Mark 5:22-43 and was so blessed to be nourished by God's Word for my own restoration.

Whatever Jesus taught me, I had shared the implications of that with hundreds of my friends regarding the 'dead girl and the sick woman' from Gospel of Mark 5:22-43! They can be accessed below if you want to reflect on the passage throughout the week.

1. Mark 5:22-24a: "How is your P.R.A.Y.E.R life with Jesus this New Year of 2009?" (Jan 09, 09, 7:56 a.m.)

2. Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you feel U.N.C.L.E.A.N this New Year of 2009?" (Jan 10, 09, 9:49 a.m.)

3. Mark 5:30-34: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M this New Year of 2009?" (Jan 12, 09, 2:25 p.m.)

5. Mark 5:35-36: "Whose T.I.M.I.N.G are you following this New Year of 2009?" (Jan 13, 09, 11:49 a.m.)

6. Mark 5:36-42: "What place do you give G.O.D.S W.I.L.L in your life?" (Jan 15, 09, 8:26 a.m.)

Friends, the Lord reminded me through my own devotional times in Mark 5:22-43 and through Jason and Andrea's Bible discussion that He does not want us to be stuck where we are but wants to move us to higher ground!

Students have a table discussion regarding the IMPLICATIONS of Luke 8:40-46

If you are stuck any where, Jesus wants you to move on instead of living in the past. The woman did not let the 12 years of her past stop her from seeking Jesus and moving on. She was able to move on because Jesus freed her from her suffering. You too can be freed in the Lord.

The Synagogue ruler did not let the death of his 12-year old daughter stop him from letting Jesus see them even when the speech of 'Do not disturb, the child is dead' was echoing.

You too should not let despondency, despair, and depression keep you from what the Lord Jesus wants to do in your life. He has a wonderful plan for your life!

I speak from experience because the past has hurt me a lot especially when it involves ministry but I thank the Lord Jesus for my meeting with Edwin Chan, one of our church leaders of Oakland International Fellowship. He reminded me that God is a God of restoration no matter what we lost as He prunes us for our good. His discipline is for our benefit.

As I write this, the song, "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns just came on and is blessing me so much.

Edwin used a football analogy to make me realize even though I feel benched in different areas of my life that does not mean I do not do anything. I still need to train as hard as those who are playing as starters on the football field so the Lord Jesus can use me when my time comes in His perfect timing.  For now, I need to still go through the same training and drills involving ministry. More than anything I have heard, that analogy by Edwin touched me and motivated me to keep moving on in ministry without being discouraged, believing that the Lord's restoration in my life regarding what I am passionate about will happen in His perfect timing.

It reminded me of the woman  and Jairus daughter who were healed on the same day bringing restoration to their own lives from the dead situations they faced. While writing this I became teary because of experiencing the magnitude of God's love especially when we are discouraged and down.

Edwin's analogy reminded me of what Abdou Cole, my mentor at Sodexo impressed upon me even as I served the Lord! He told me never to forget: "Ramesh it is better to be prepared and not have an opportunity than have an opportunity and not be prepared!"

I took that to heart, preparing myself and am so blessed to have the job I have now as the floor zone manager for Market Central Dining, assessed as one of the best dining halls in the nation. Edwin reminded me never to forget all the lives that I can touch by being a floor manager.

 I know for an application, I need to remember that God can always restore us in our weaknesses as we rely upon Him and His strength even though it may seem painful for days, months, or even years but His timing will always be perfect.

Students ponder APPLICATION of Luke 8:40-46 for their own lives!

Friend, there maybe areas in your life that may seem to you as dead, causing you despair, despondency, and depression but I want you to know that the God who healed the woman who was bleeding for 12 years and Jairus daughter is the same God that can bring restoration in areas of your life that seem dead to you. Yes, He can friend. If it involves loved ones who have died, only Christ the Lord can bring restoration and comfort in your life. Wait on Him and let Him help you through your grief as He carries you.

We pray this for our own family as we lost our beloved dad two years ago but it seems like yesterday at times. We know that one day we will see our dad again in God's Kingdom. Thank you Jesus.

I am listening to the song, 'Shadowfeet' by Brooke Fraser that talks about how Christ makes all things new. Yes, He does friend!

We live in a world of brokenness caused by our own sins or the sins of others in our lives but Jesus never wants us to remain in our brokenness but wants to give us hope to move on.  He gives us hope to pursue dreams and relationships for His honor and glory. But most of all, Jesus restores each one of us through the community He places in our lives so we need to seek that community out.

We should not go on feelings because there are a lot of things we won't feel like doing but if we lived on feelings alone then we will live miserable lives because sometimes we may not even feel like being part of God's community but that does not mean we ignore community. Most of all we never let feelings decide whether or not we will spend time with God in His Word. His Word will change and transform our lives by His grace as we allow Him too. He will take the dead things of our lives and bring life to them for He is the Resurrection and the Life.

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Jesus who spoke words of encouragement to Martha is the same Jesus who spoke words of encouragement to Jairus by saying: "Don't be afraid, just believe!" He speaks these words to you too! This applies to us too. In both situations, a resurrection occurred. Jesus can resurrect our own lives, relationships and dreams that are dead to us. Yes, He can. Do not give up! What I learned was Jesus gives much more than we want. Praise the Lord!

Jesus is all about restoration and it usually starts in community. As I reflected on this passage again, I was reminded how the Lord Jesus brought the community of Oakland International Fellowship into my life and how the church has been instrumental in my own growth and restoration in different areas.

But for me it started with a small group community which was the size of Pitt-Asian InterVarsity. It is there I was loved in my weaknesses and deeply loved, cared, and prayed for as they shared their own lives with me. It was called Potter's Clay at the time but now has it's members split into Living Acts and Adoye as they care, share, and pray with one another.

What I found there is what gave me a church life after so many years. It is that small group that impacted me in so many ways. I would go to Oakland International Fellowship just to see all of them more than for the worship and sermons. This is how I got involved in OIF and eventually became a small group leader in the past, unofficial librarian, and currently a Bible game leader for 1st - 3rd grade Sunday School children.

I share this with you to let you see how the Lord Jesus restores us. He meets us where we are at and uses where we are at to encourage, empower, and equip us for His eternal purposes. He will never force us into situations we cannot handle but gently by His grace, He will reveal His power to impact our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Counselor. Many times Jesus restores us publicly from issues of shame as Jesus did for the sick woman because Jesus is all about restorative community through His grace.

If you are an Asian-American college student looking for a Bible study and community to grow in where you are accepted as you are in your weaknesses, I highly encourage you to think about joining Pitt-Asian InterVarsity and allow the Lord Jesus to use those He puts in your path to PRAY, CARE, and SHARE their lives with you.

More than anything, it is so that you can be restored by God's awesome Word that has power to transform and change lives. Students currently at Pitt-Asian InterVarsity can experience this and so can you!

If you are looking for a church to be part of, come to Oakland International Fellowship in the heart of the Oakland community between Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. Oakland International Fellowship is the English congregation of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland.

I would also recommend you to join one of our church small groups called Abundant Life, Adoye, or Living Acts that meet on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. I am part of Living Acts and love it there when I am able to go :) You can contact me at 412-641-9426 and I can connect you with the small group leaders.

May you experience the love of Jesus that was experienced by Jairus' family and the sick woman and may you find it in a community beyond feelings but walking in faith and not sight. Allow the Lord Jesus to work in you. He will friend.  I see the Lord working in my own life through my terrible weaknesses. No matter how many years have gone by, with Jesus nothing is too late. When Jesus restores, there is no crumbling! Praise the Lord!

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)

You don't have to be locked away anymore for Christ is here to free you and give you peace to LIVE out your actions.

How do you look at GODISNOWHERE?

One of my pastors, Pastor Hugo SHARED this example one Sunday at the RESURRECTION DAY SERVICE in the combined worship service of Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland & Oakland International Fellowship:

If you look at it as GOD IS NO WHERE, you will still be lost in your sin and be in bondage locked away in your sins and problems finding no peace.

But  as my pastor spoke to the congregation and spoke to me, I am here to tell you that GOD IS NOW HERE.

Yes, friend God is aLIVE and wants to bring a transformation in your life through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ for He paid the penalty on the cross to rescue you and me and came back to life to save us and LIVE with us.

Yes, friend that is exciting to know that we can experience HIS SAVING GRACE & LIVING GRACE.

When we mess up, we can go to Jesus with our shortcomings and He will forgive us and RESTORE us to Him and we will find peace in Him.

^"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23, NIV)

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, NIV)

Friend, we need Jesus because we have been separated from God due to our sin. Because of our sin, Jesus had to pay the price to become our bridge so we can reach God now not of our own good works but because of the finished work of Christ, the Lord on the cross.

"For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV)

Come to Jesus as you are and pray this prayer to accept Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior. He will transform your life around! Praise the Lord! You don't have to have all the answers! You can come as you are!

If you want to be a soldier in the Lord's army, you can become it right now. Now is the time of Salvation! You do not have to wait but can pray this prayer and give your life to Christ to serve Him daily! There is no draft but coming to Christ is voluntary. He loves you so much and wants you to come to Him! He will take care of you, guiding you and leading you!

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me. You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway. So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank you for all that you have done for me. "The cross is the place, a wonderful place where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank you Jesus, it is at the cross where the wrongs we have done and the wrongs done to us were nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the cross you died for our sins and at the cross you gave your life for us." I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to life to save us. Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something that you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to live for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I can never repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me Jesus please. I thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen!