What is Wrong with a Clean Manger?

[S] Proverbs 14:4 --
4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,
But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.

[O] A clean manger without oxen defeats the purpose of its existence.  It is supposed to house animals like oxen which will work to produce revenue.  That means the manger is supposed to be smelly, dirty, worn out, and messy.  As no one expects the mangers with animals to be clean, no one's Bible who expects to find hidden gems through consistent working of digging into His word should be clean either.  It should bear the signs of being worn out, with constant efforts of wrestling with God.

[A] Ever since I got my new Bible this year, I've not used it much mainly because I've been reading the online Bible and because it's been convenient to turn to today's Life Journal reading and to journal into my blog, I want to start reading using my new Bible (book) to write into it and to use it so it won't stay like a clean manger without oxen.

[P] Dear Father, it is such a blessing to live in a place so full of abundance and convenient tools such as having the Bible right on my smart phone.  There's nothing wrong about reading Your word that way but please protect my heart so it won't become lazy or convenience-seeking when it comes to reading and "chewing" on Your word.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Shepherding My Heart

[S] Proverbs 4:23 --
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

[O] This verse summarizes all of today's reading because it covers what's at the core of it all.  What type of heart I foster will define who I am.  Instead of worrying about this area and that area of my life I need to keep my heart saturated in His wisdom such that His wisdom will overflow out of all I do and my decisions also be in sync.  The rest of Proverb chapters touch on how I need to live a morally upright life as well as to be an upright parent to my children.  Then Romans 8 covers how Jesus had to deliver us from the bondage of our own sin leading us into victory that we do not deserve.  It's all about my heart's condition.

[A] Especially applying this to my parenting these days, I believe the following sequence of events much take place in order to have the heart mentioned in this passage: 1) get my heart in order by immersing into God's word daily; 2) get my children's hearts into God's word daily so if their hearts are "squeezed" nothing but His word will spill out; 3) victory in Christ.

[P] Dear Father, please continue to shepherd my heart so it will be molded into the shape of Your love and grace.  May my life be a reflection of who You are for our fallen world.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Circumcision of My Heart 2011

[S] Romans 2:29 --
29  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
NLT: 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praises from God, not from people.

[O] Circumcision is a painful process of cutting away the flesh, shedding blood and under the Mosaic Law this was the mark of being the Jew (or people of God).  Now under the Law of Jesus Christ, our circumcision is of our inward hearts.  In some ways cutting away the physical flesh is easier than trying to remove a part of the heart which once completed by the Holy Spirit produces humility and purity to please God and not other men.

[A] Originally, the circumcision was a sign of being set apart to be God's people; but it became a mere ritual as if circumcision made them godly.  As much as a wedding ceremony is a mere public confession of man and woman's commitment of marriage, circumcision should be a confession of my own commitment to living out a godly life.  For me, this should continuously change as I grow spiritually.  At the moment, ingraining a habit to start the day with devotion and prayer for my family should be the sign of my heart's circumcision.

[P] Dear Father, it's been many years of my trying so hard to achieve this milestone and it hasn't been too successful.  May I not see it as another spiritual milestone but a circumcision of my heart to display my love for You.  May 2011 be the year that You may praise me through my heart's circumcision.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

King's Mule is More Than a Mule

[S] 1 Kings 1:43-44 --
43 But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, "No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 "The king has also sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule.

[O] The power of King's throne is displayed here when King David anoints his son Solomon as the king while Adoniajah was scheming to make himself the king.  When the people heard this news, they were fearful to associate with Adoniajah because the new king has been announced by King David and even Adoniajah himself was afraid of Solomon.  In this display of the royal power I can't help but to notice the mention of king's mule because it signified the approval of the king.  When did mules used for such a prestigious position?  For me the image of mules is about carrying heavy load up the mountain or to a distant location.  Although they strong, they are not fast or good looking like horses.  Nevertheless, when such an animal is known as the king's mule, it carries the king's authority.  As I was reflecting on this, I associated with the mule merely because it's not what I do for God that is so fabulous but rather God's amazing strength and authority abiding in my life shining through me will put me in a position of strength and authority.

[A] As even a mule is used to display the power and authority of a king, not what I do but how the Heavenly King labeling me as His own should be sufficient for me to take part in His ministry.  Nothing of my doing but all of His doing will shine through.

[P] Dear Father, it's so good to know that I carry Your Name by receiving what Jesus did at Calvary.  Even though I seek other people's recognition, I'm no better than a mule.  However because of Your Name engraved in my life, I am significant.  Thank You for making my life significant in this world.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Can You Hear Me, Now?

[S] 2 Samuel 24:3,14 --
3  But Joab said to the king, "Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king still see; but why does my lord the king delight in this thing?" 14 Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the Lord for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man."

[O] David responds two different ways to two different counsels he receives from Joab and Gad.  At first, Joab's insightful and wise counsel was overruled by David which leads to God's anger against Israelites to whcih David pays his price for his own sin.  After his repentence, the counsel of Gad was received with humility and submission before God.  When his eyes were blinded by his own greed and pride of counting how many people was under him he was unable to hear the counselor's wisdom and care for him but when his heart was aligned back to God's own heart he was quick to hear God's voice and follow His instructions.

[A] In order to see how our ministry is doing, I am quick to see the headcount and offering amount from previous Sunday.  While this is one of the good metrics to examine, I need to be cautious not to look at it as a way of measuring the success (or not) of our ministry by these numbers.  God is much bigger than the numbers, and I need to trust that for His ministry to flourish.  Additionally, when my focus is on wrong things I will miss all the wise counsels coming from those who care for me.

[P] Dear Father, please keep my mind sharp in order not to fall into the traps of giving credit to what I or we did rather than staying low on my knees because I have not and cannot do anything to please You.  This is why Jesus had to come.  May Your name be the banner over me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Back-end Support of Ministry

[S] 2 Samuel 17:27-29 --
27  Now when David had come to Mahanaim, Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the sons of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim,28  brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils, parched seeds, 29  honey, curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd, for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said,  "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."

[O] There are times of war and there are times of rest and re-energizing because we cannot go full force at all times.  David and his men were running on empty in more of a survival mode until they arrived here at the place of Mahanaim and Shobi where they were provided with food to rest and recuperate from the weariness.  It must have been like an oasis in the desert for these men.  At times of war we may only focus on the fighting front while the back-end support is as important and critical.  In the spiritual battle we're surrounded by, we can easily fall into the same mindset of busily fighting away the enemy's attacks while somewhat neglecting to suppor those in the battle front.

[A] In our church community, we need to be sensitive to all the servants, despite their titles or roles, taking the beating from the spiritual battle and how much support they need.  The support of encouragement, "food" to replenish their strengths, and a place of rest.  Building up a community of believers isn't always about moving forward & forward, but at times that time of rest in the presence of like-minded caretakers is as critical.

[P] Dear Jesus, please send Your Holy Spirit in the midst of our community to gain the wisdom of providing the right support to each other in order we not grow weary in the fighting our enemy. Let us encourage and re-energize each other to go forward in unity.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Battle-conscience Attitude

[S] 2 Samuel 11:11 --
11  Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing."

[O] Uriah's dedication and loyalty to his country and other co-laborers is astounding.  Something very rare to see today.  He was fully aware of the on-going war and how many others are risking their own lives to fight and in his clear conscience he could not see himself simply ignoring that to enjoy himself, not that it was a sin to enjoy but he discerned when is the right time to enjoy or not.  I see a leader in him who genuinely cares for others to position himself in the most proper fashion.  I believe God honored that because even though we don't know much more than his death here, his name is part of the "great" lineage of Jesus Christ as referenced as in Matthew 1:6.

[A] The take away from Uirah's awareness of the "red alert" battle situation which directed his actions instead of going with his desires.  The spiritual battle is very much active and my actions must be fully in accord with such an urgent situation we live in.  This doesn't mean removing all "fun" out life, but being fully aware and prepared not to let the enemy gain any more grounds by my ignorant actions.

[P] Dear Father, thank You for refreshing in my mind through Uriah's dedication how urgent our spiritual battle against our enemy is and how I need to not loosen up with my attitude of serving others with a clear purpose of standing our battle positions wherever we are.  Please continue to use me and our church to stand up for You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Response to Mistakes

[S] 2 Samuel 10:6 --
6  Now when the sons of Ammon saw that they had become odious to David, the sons of Ammon sent and hired the Arameans of Beth-rehob and the Arameans of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob with 12,000 men.

[O] We all make mistakes so my reaction to my mistake has greater significance than what the mistake was.  Here we see that the sons of Ammon realized they messed up and made King David angry toward them.  They had an option of seeking forgiveness from David or to prepare themselves to fight against David.  As they chose the latter, they were subdued by David's army.  Their surrendering and seeking forgiveness would have been a wiser choice for them.

[A] Whenever I make a mistake, I must learn to admit my faults and find favor of others whom I might have offended to allow God's grace to permeate through.  Otherwise, I default to defending my mistakes which may even lead to greater mistakes or sin.  This applies to small things at times with my own children.  My pride gets in the way but I must lead by example of letting them know that when I make mistakes I will also seek their forgiveness.

[P] Dear Father, continue to humble my heart so that I will always be seeking refuge under Your wings of grace because I know I will be falling short of my own (let alone others) expectations and instead of trying to reinforce it with my own might like the sons of Ammon, I need to seek grace.  Thank You for the great reminder.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Faith is Not Factual Observation

[S] Psalm 106:12-14 --
12 Then they believed His words;
They sang His praise.
13 They quickly forgot His works;
They did not wait for His counsel,
14 But craved intensely in the wilderness,
And tempted God in the desert.

[O] This passage refers to the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea. The people believed in God after witnessing the miraculous saving from the chasing Egyptians.  They were so excited and surprised that they sang praise songs in great celebration.  However, they quickly forgot and ignored God as if nothing had happened.  This displays the pitfall of faith based on events or miracles -- they are not long lasting.  In this world of "show me and I'll believe," we are so easily trapped by that same concept of show me in order to believe when believing in God is based on faith (of things unseen).

[A] I keep hearing myself saying, "God show Yourself in this and that area in such and such a way" so I may know that You're with me.  Instead, I must believe in His promises from the Word and in order to do that I must continue to abide in His word by reading, journaling, memorizing, and meditating.  Catch myself asking for signs instead of relying on my faith in Him.

[P] Dear Father, I want my faith to be faith, not factual observations.  Please allow my heart to grasp Your wonderful promises writtend in Your word and stay true to them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.