[S] Psalm 50:15 --
15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
[O] In light of this passage, the cycles Israelites go through in Book of Judges where they live peacefully by the protection of God and then they fall away to worship idols which leads to harsh times under the enemy's rule and then they cry out to God again when they cannot bear it anymore; and the cycle continues seven times in that book. Will God stop coming to the rescue at a certain point because His people just don't get it? According to this Psalmist, God will rescue us every time. Furthermore, His purpose for rescuing us is not for us to live peacefully but for us to honor Him.
[A] Life seems to busy and packed with so much stuff to take care I do not honor God as much as He deserves. As the air I breathe, I should honor Him every moment, consistently.
[P] Dear God, thank You for rescuing me every time I cry out to you whenever I am in trouble even when I dug my own grave. But I am so thrilled to know that as a sign of Your covenant to hear my cry and rescue me through Your Son's death and resurrection, I will honor You as I breathe the air. May You sustain me and my family members' spiritual and physical strength as we pass through this journey on earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
From my Life devotional journaling and more (Read Today's Passage)
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Making Sure I Am Minimized
[S] Judges 7:2 --
2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'
[O] God minimized the capacity of men in order they would not deceive themselves to trust in their own power of defeating the Midianites. God made sure the people would trust in Him alone to be delivered from the enemy. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, when we are weak that's when He will be strong in my life. It's almost like trying to push my car with my own strength -- it'll be very slow and I won't make it too far -- but when I rely on the power of the engine then I just have to sit in the car and let the engine's power take me to places quickly. When I try to push things through on my own, it may work a little, but why do that when I just have to abide in God's strong power to carry me through?
[A] God will go the extra mile to make sure I am minimized in order for His power to be displayed and for people to glorify Him. I cannot explain why, but my heart is filled with assurance of God working through our family crisis and He is making sure to minimize my own efforts so that I will not boast of His strength working through our family. The toughest part is to truly rely on His power which is bigger than any obstacle our family will ever face -- and just abide in Him.
[P] Dear Father, it is very difficult to be abased in order You will be magnified in the current circumstance we are in. My head understands this but my heart is still lagging behind so I ask that You will shower down Your grace in this family to be leaning on You 100%. Please continue to uphold all the family members and forge us into a stronger family who can stand up for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
2 The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'
[O] God minimized the capacity of men in order they would not deceive themselves to trust in their own power of defeating the Midianites. God made sure the people would trust in Him alone to be delivered from the enemy. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, when we are weak that's when He will be strong in my life. It's almost like trying to push my car with my own strength -- it'll be very slow and I won't make it too far -- but when I rely on the power of the engine then I just have to sit in the car and let the engine's power take me to places quickly. When I try to push things through on my own, it may work a little, but why do that when I just have to abide in God's strong power to carry me through?
[A] God will go the extra mile to make sure I am minimized in order for His power to be displayed and for people to glorify Him. I cannot explain why, but my heart is filled with assurance of God working through our family crisis and He is making sure to minimize my own efforts so that I will not boast of His strength working through our family. The toughest part is to truly rely on His power which is bigger than any obstacle our family will ever face -- and just abide in Him.
[P] Dear Father, it is very difficult to be abased in order You will be magnified in the current circumstance we are in. My head understands this but my heart is still lagging behind so I ask that You will shower down Your grace in this family to be leaning on You 100%. Please continue to uphold all the family members and forge us into a stronger family who can stand up for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Two Way Street Love
[S] 1 Corinthians 13:13 --
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
[O] Faith, Hope, and Love are three ingredients necessary for anyone to follow after Christ; yet, Paul distinguishes love to be the greatest of these. I can see that the same love of God is what sacrificed Jesus on the cross for us, and on the receiving end, it's that same love that transforms our hearts in order to believe in the Way Jesus paved for us. Faith and hope naturally follows once the love has been registered in one's life.
[A] In trying to cope with the family crisis at hand, I've tried to hold on to hope of God through my faith. I should continue to do that without giving up, however, God wants me to love Him more and to reflect on His love more especially meditating on the suffering, death, and resurrection in this season of Easter. I must exercise the greatest attribute Paul wrote about here.
[P] Dear Father, I love You with all my heart. May my love for You outweigh all of other attitudes especially during this time of Lent. I give You my heart. Take it, Lord, and mold it and use it for Your kingdom's glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
[O] Faith, Hope, and Love are three ingredients necessary for anyone to follow after Christ; yet, Paul distinguishes love to be the greatest of these. I can see that the same love of God is what sacrificed Jesus on the cross for us, and on the receiving end, it's that same love that transforms our hearts in order to believe in the Way Jesus paved for us. Faith and hope naturally follows once the love has been registered in one's life.
[A] In trying to cope with the family crisis at hand, I've tried to hold on to hope of God through my faith. I should continue to do that without giving up, however, God wants me to love Him more and to reflect on His love more especially meditating on the suffering, death, and resurrection in this season of Easter. I must exercise the greatest attribute Paul wrote about here.
[P] Dear Father, I love You with all my heart. May my love for You outweigh all of other attitudes especially during this time of Lent. I give You my heart. Take it, Lord, and mold it and use it for Your kingdom's glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, March 26, 2012
When to Pray Desperately
[S] Judges 3:9 --
9 When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
[O] God hears our cries. Well, He hears even our whispers but the point is that He hears with empathy when I cry out to Him which is a wonderful fact to treasure in my heart. Even when the Israelites found themselves in deep trouble due to their own sinfulness of rejecting God, God's love for them overpowers everything to raise up a deliverer for them. God's power working in the midst of us are not with respect to how good a person I am but how desperately I lean on Him and His power.
[A] Whether my situation is desperate or not, I need to lean on God with total desperation because anything less than that means I am relying on my own strengths.
[P] Dear Father, what a relief and power this passage infuses in my heart because I am realizing more and more I cannot do a whole lot on my own especially with the family crisis at hand which even the best doctors have more unknowns than assurances of the situation in front of us. I desperately ask Your intervention out of Your great mercy and grace in our family so that we may reflect the wonders of Your mighty power. In Jesus' name. Amen.
9 When the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for the sons of Israel to deliver them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
[O] God hears our cries. Well, He hears even our whispers but the point is that He hears with empathy when I cry out to Him which is a wonderful fact to treasure in my heart. Even when the Israelites found themselves in deep trouble due to their own sinfulness of rejecting God, God's love for them overpowers everything to raise up a deliverer for them. God's power working in the midst of us are not with respect to how good a person I am but how desperately I lean on Him and His power.
[A] Whether my situation is desperate or not, I need to lean on God with total desperation because anything less than that means I am relying on my own strengths.
[P] Dear Father, what a relief and power this passage infuses in my heart because I am realizing more and more I cannot do a whole lot on my own especially with the family crisis at hand which even the best doctors have more unknowns than assurances of the situation in front of us. I desperately ask Your intervention out of Your great mercy and grace in our family so that we may reflect the wonders of Your mighty power. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
His Strong Right Hand
[S] Psalm 44:2-3 --
2 You with Your own hand drove out the nations;
Then You planted them;
You afflicted the peoples,
Then You spread them abroad.
3 For by their own sword they did not possess the land,
And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence,
For You favored them.
[O] The story told about how the forefathers experienced God's power and victory as He led them through to conquer the land focused on how it was not men's efforts but God's right hand and His arm, and His presence delivered them. I could picture a very strong arm pouncing down at the enemies and driving them out. And it must've been some serious sight to witness that because over the years, that had been passed down to generations.
[A] As our family is faced with a heavy burden right now, this passage brought a fresh wind of strength, hope, and desire to lean on God more. This is the God whom I trust -- the one with strong right arm who will save us in the end.
[P] Dear Father, we trust in Your mighty arm and presence in our lives despite the circumstance we are faced with as a family. We are anchoring our faith and life in Your hope and Your power shining through our family. May Your name be glorified. In Jesus' name. Amen.
2 You with Your own hand drove out the nations;
Then You planted them;
You afflicted the peoples,
Then You spread them abroad.
3 For by their own sword they did not possess the land,
And their own arm did not save them,
But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence,
For You favored them.
[O] The story told about how the forefathers experienced God's power and victory as He led them through to conquer the land focused on how it was not men's efforts but God's right hand and His arm, and His presence delivered them. I could picture a very strong arm pouncing down at the enemies and driving them out. And it must've been some serious sight to witness that because over the years, that had been passed down to generations.
[A] As our family is faced with a heavy burden right now, this passage brought a fresh wind of strength, hope, and desire to lean on God more. This is the God whom I trust -- the one with strong right arm who will save us in the end.
[P] Dear Father, we trust in Your mighty arm and presence in our lives despite the circumstance we are faced with as a family. We are anchoring our faith and life in Your hope and Your power shining through our family. May Your name be glorified. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Send the Leaders First
[S] Joshua 22:13-14 --
13 Then the sons of Israel sent to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,14 and with him ten chiefs, one chief for each father's household from each of the tribes of Israel; and each one of them was the head of his father's household among the thousands of Israel.
[O] I see here a beautiful and godly way of seeking reconciliation (or clarification of understanding before taking any action against wrong doing). The Israelite sent key leaders to seek out the situation which seemed as though sons of Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh were committing sin against the Lord. Once they arrived an inquired of the situation they cleared the misunderstanding and sustained the harmonious relationship with them. Proverbs 18:17 -- The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. -- comes to mind which emphasizes the criticality of hearing both sides of the story before making up any decisions on a person.
[A] Before making any haste judgment against anyone, make sure to verify the facts and their intentions first. This is the graceful method.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my heart to be large enough to embrace different situations with Your grace. I've learned the beautiful way of settling the dispute here from the Jewish leaders and I hope to be a leader like them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
13 Then the sons of Israel sent to the sons of Reuben and to the sons of Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,14 and with him ten chiefs, one chief for each father's household from each of the tribes of Israel; and each one of them was the head of his father's household among the thousands of Israel.
[O] I see here a beautiful and godly way of seeking reconciliation (or clarification of understanding before taking any action against wrong doing). The Israelite sent key leaders to seek out the situation which seemed as though sons of Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh were committing sin against the Lord. Once they arrived an inquired of the situation they cleared the misunderstanding and sustained the harmonious relationship with them. Proverbs 18:17 -- The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. -- comes to mind which emphasizes the criticality of hearing both sides of the story before making up any decisions on a person.
[A] Before making any haste judgment against anyone, make sure to verify the facts and their intentions first. This is the graceful method.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my heart to be large enough to embrace different situations with Your grace. I've learned the beautiful way of settling the dispute here from the Jewish leaders and I hope to be a leader like them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, March 23, 2012
TMI, TMK, but TML is the Greatest
[S] 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 --
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
[O] The terminology TMI stands for "too much information" used to describe that there are too much unnecessary information crowding up the essential information. In light of that TMK leads to arrogance because it makes one forget about the most essential fact of even if we add up all the knowledge of man together it will still be a drop in a bucket of how this universe is made up of and functions. Therefore no TMK is really TMK. The only way to top TMK is with TML and TML is what God is pleased with.
[A] Our family's just going through a health crisis and after applying all the latest medical knowledge has discovered, there are still more unknowns than what is known which leaves us in a waiting state not knowing the root cause of this health issue. Waiting for more information day by day is not only makes us anxious but also desires us to dig more for more knowledge as if that's going to clear things up -- thus can be a vicious cycle. This passage teaches us to be content with our ability to love others and God, and foremost being known by God which we are sure of.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for a timely message for us to cling on to. We love You and that's what You're most pleased about, so instead of trying to take on this world by digging into more knowledge, we humbly bow down before You to acknowledge that You are the mighty and grandiose God who knows this family's deep desire to honor and glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.2 If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;3 but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.
[O] The terminology TMI stands for "too much information" used to describe that there are too much unnecessary information crowding up the essential information. In light of that TMK leads to arrogance because it makes one forget about the most essential fact of even if we add up all the knowledge of man together it will still be a drop in a bucket of how this universe is made up of and functions. Therefore no TMK is really TMK. The only way to top TMK is with TML and TML is what God is pleased with.
[A] Our family's just going through a health crisis and after applying all the latest medical knowledge has discovered, there are still more unknowns than what is known which leaves us in a waiting state not knowing the root cause of this health issue. Waiting for more information day by day is not only makes us anxious but also desires us to dig more for more knowledge as if that's going to clear things up -- thus can be a vicious cycle. This passage teaches us to be content with our ability to love others and God, and foremost being known by God which we are sure of.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for a timely message for us to cling on to. We love You and that's what You're most pleased about, so instead of trying to take on this world by digging into more knowledge, we humbly bow down before You to acknowledge that You are the mighty and grandiose God who knows this family's deep desire to honor and glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
No Retirement, but Retire Them
Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak. (Joshua 15:14 NASB)
[O] Caleb fulfilled his dream and calling from 40 years ago without losing a but of his passion. Remember that he is one of the two who did not die in wilderness but to enter Canaan in his old age. However, he was as strong as any young men fighting this war to drive out the enemies from their land.
[A] Instead of thinking about I am going to retire at my older age I desire to art the goals in life to be victorious for God until He calls me home.
[P] Dear God, I want to have the passion and zeal for Your mission for my life here on earth just like Caleb. Please allow my earthly life to be files with fervor and strength to do just that for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
[O] Caleb fulfilled his dream and calling from 40 years ago without losing a but of his passion. Remember that he is one of the two who did not die in wilderness but to enter Canaan in his old age. However, he was as strong as any young men fighting this war to drive out the enemies from their land.
[A] Instead of thinking about I am going to retire at my older age I desire to art the goals in life to be victorious for God until He calls me home.
[P] Dear God, I want to have the passion and zeal for Your mission for my life here on earth just like Caleb. Please allow my earthly life to be files with fervor and strength to do just that for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Fully Following God
[S] Joshua 14:9 --
9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.'
[O] Following God fully is an intangible concept which seems very difficult to quantify. But as seen in Mark 12:41-44, giving all I have is the follow God fully. As one of the pastor said, on his tombstone he wants to have a picture of a gasoline gauge pointing to "E" signifying how he had given all he's got during his life, that is the way to live fully for God.
[A] Joshua's unwillingness to give into the pressure from majority of the society just to live fully for God was the key to how he was used by God to lead His people into Canaan to drive out the enemies in return for claiming the inheritance from God. I also believe God has an inheritance for me to claim and I must not waver into this society's ways so that I will inherit His blessings.
[P] Dear Father, I commit to live my life fully for You and You alone following the footsteps of Joshua. In Jesus' name. Amen.
9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.'
[O] Following God fully is an intangible concept which seems very difficult to quantify. But as seen in Mark 12:41-44, giving all I have is the follow God fully. As one of the pastor said, on his tombstone he wants to have a picture of a gasoline gauge pointing to "E" signifying how he had given all he's got during his life, that is the way to live fully for God.
[A] Joshua's unwillingness to give into the pressure from majority of the society just to live fully for God was the key to how he was used by God to lead His people into Canaan to drive out the enemies in return for claiming the inheritance from God. I also believe God has an inheritance for me to claim and I must not waver into this society's ways so that I will inherit His blessings.
[P] Dear Father, I commit to live my life fully for You and You alone following the footsteps of Joshua. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
From Words to Power
[S] For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20 NASB)
[O] To me the "words" refer to the knowledge of the kingdom of God but that doesn't necessarily include the visibility of God's presence of power. It's sort of like no matter how well I can describe about my knowledge in an area of expertise if I cannot display by actually performing my duties, my claim is in vain.
[A] How is God's power displayed in and through my life? If this is negligible then I need to re-examine my walk with God because I would be the one with lots of word but no power. In last few days, however, I was given God's grace to experience such power when I reached out to my spiritual community of believers to lift us up during a family crisis. His presence was definitely felt, and His caring hands carried us through. This precious time will leave a life-long impression to know what it's like to feel His power.
[P] Dear Father, we totally praise You for carrying us through in Your bosom during this difficult time for our family. The sensation of Your power living right in the midst of us will re-fuel our faith in You throughout our lives because what You revealed to us in last few days will be so fresh in our minds. Take joy, Father, through this family's dedication to reciprocate that power to many others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
[O] To me the "words" refer to the knowledge of the kingdom of God but that doesn't necessarily include the visibility of God's presence of power. It's sort of like no matter how well I can describe about my knowledge in an area of expertise if I cannot display by actually performing my duties, my claim is in vain.
[A] How is God's power displayed in and through my life? If this is negligible then I need to re-examine my walk with God because I would be the one with lots of word but no power. In last few days, however, I was given God's grace to experience such power when I reached out to my spiritual community of believers to lift us up during a family crisis. His presence was definitely felt, and His caring hands carried us through. This precious time will leave a life-long impression to know what it's like to feel His power.
[P] Dear Father, we totally praise You for carrying us through in Your bosom during this difficult time for our family. The sensation of Your power living right in the midst of us will re-fuel our faith in You throughout our lives because what You revealed to us in last few days will be so fresh in our minds. Take joy, Father, through this family's dedication to reciprocate that power to many others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Anchoring Faith on the Power, Not Wisdom
and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4, 5 NASB)
[O] The phrase, "but in the power of God" spoke loudly today because no matter what happens in my life my faith must not deviate from becoming the billboard for God's power (and not about my own performance).
[A] Wow. As our family is currently faced with a crisis I'm struggling to understand how I can still do this when I'm easily focused on finding a solution first. My mind agrees here but following through is challenging.
[P] Dear God of the universe, teach me to surrender my circumstances into Your hands so that Your power of resurrection is the only one projecting out of our family. Sprinkle a bit of Your strengths for us while you're at it, too, as I cry out to in Your Son's name.
[O] The phrase, "but in the power of God" spoke loudly today because no matter what happens in my life my faith must not deviate from becoming the billboard for God's power (and not about my own performance).
[A] Wow. As our family is currently faced with a crisis I'm struggling to understand how I can still do this when I'm easily focused on finding a solution first. My mind agrees here but following through is challenging.
[P] Dear God of the universe, teach me to surrender my circumstances into Your hands so that Your power of resurrection is the only one projecting out of our family. Sprinkle a bit of Your strengths for us while you're at it, too, as I cry out to in Your Son's name.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
One Who Hears My Cries
[S] Psalm 40:1 --
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
[O] At first, I'm thinking: Who is patiently waiting for who here? Isn't God the one waiting patiently for us to return to Him? But the writer of this passage in his infinitesimally small perspective of life, only focused on his own tough situation and is crying out to God for help and was comforted by the God of this universe that He had heard the cry. Is the One who created this world (and me) really inclines to my own selfish cries? According to this verse, that is a resounding yes!
[A] Today started off with a strange string of events and this verse became the cornerstone of my day, trusting in His power and strength in the midst of the challenging situation.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for preparing my heart for what I was about to face today through this verse. Your personal care for me (one out 7 billion people) is simply an amazing love. I love You, too. In Your Son's name. Amen.
1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
[O] At first, I'm thinking: Who is patiently waiting for who here? Isn't God the one waiting patiently for us to return to Him? But the writer of this passage in his infinitesimally small perspective of life, only focused on his own tough situation and is crying out to God for help and was comforted by the God of this universe that He had heard the cry. Is the One who created this world (and me) really inclines to my own selfish cries? According to this verse, that is a resounding yes!
[A] Today started off with a strange string of events and this verse became the cornerstone of my day, trusting in His power and strength in the midst of the challenging situation.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for preparing my heart for what I was about to face today through this verse. Your personal care for me (one out 7 billion people) is simply an amazing love. I love You, too. In Your Son's name. Amen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Rather to be Known by God
[S] Galatians 4:9 --
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
[O] This passage reminds me of how walking with God starts with God's reaching out to me to invite me into the wonderful relationship. He did this not because I deserve it -- in fact, I'm far from deserving it -- but because His love for me is far greater than all of my stupidity to the max. Reminding myself of this greater magnitude of His love for me is quite essential on daily basis because when I don't I do turn back again to the worthless things and away from God.
[A] I even need to watch myself saying things like, "When I do God's ministry" where the focus is the big "I". I need to start thinking in terms of, "When God calls me into His ministry."
[P] Dear Father, thank You for inviting me into Your ministry for me to take part in Your wonderful plan unfolding here in this world. Please continue to fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I won't lose site of You in this busy and crowded world I live in. In Jesus' name. Amen.
9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?
[O] This passage reminds me of how walking with God starts with God's reaching out to me to invite me into the wonderful relationship. He did this not because I deserve it -- in fact, I'm far from deserving it -- but because His love for me is far greater than all of my stupidity to the max. Reminding myself of this greater magnitude of His love for me is quite essential on daily basis because when I don't I do turn back again to the worthless things and away from God.
[A] I even need to watch myself saying things like, "When I do God's ministry" where the focus is the big "I". I need to start thinking in terms of, "When God calls me into His ministry."
[P] Dear Father, thank You for inviting me into Your ministry for me to take part in Your wonderful plan unfolding here in this world. Please continue to fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I won't lose site of You in this busy and crowded world I live in. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, March 09, 2012
Not an Apostle of Agency of Man
[S] Galatians 1:1 --
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
[O] Paul's clear standing in God's ministry encourages very much as well as humbling me tremendously. If there was anyone, Paul, with his powerful ministry could have put forth his own experiences and achievements all for Jesus' sake, but he starts off this letter to Galatians by saying that he is sent only through Jesus Christ and God the Father, as He raised Jesus from the dead, had sent him also from the death of his previous lifestyle.
[A] As we're going through Lent now, the power of God's raising Jesus from the dead hits home stronger and stronger and I am convicted more and more about how I must submit and slip into that power of resurrection because I seem to be surrounded by the smell of death as I am drowning in the stress and overload of everything going on in my life.
[P] Dear Father, may Your victorious power of resurrection be more evident in my life which resembles nothing but the smell of death in this world. Please give me the strength to springboard out of that into Your refreshing smell of life everlasting in Jesus' resurrection as I pray in His name. Amen.
1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
[O] Paul's clear standing in God's ministry encourages very much as well as humbling me tremendously. If there was anyone, Paul, with his powerful ministry could have put forth his own experiences and achievements all for Jesus' sake, but he starts off this letter to Galatians by saying that he is sent only through Jesus Christ and God the Father, as He raised Jesus from the dead, had sent him also from the death of his previous lifestyle.
[A] As we're going through Lent now, the power of God's raising Jesus from the dead hits home stronger and stronger and I am convicted more and more about how I must submit and slip into that power of resurrection because I seem to be surrounded by the smell of death as I am drowning in the stress and overload of everything going on in my life.
[P] Dear Father, may Your victorious power of resurrection be more evident in my life which resembles nothing but the smell of death in this world. Please give me the strength to springboard out of that into Your refreshing smell of life everlasting in Jesus' resurrection as I pray in His name. Amen.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Gathering Up Courage
[S] Mark 15:43 --
43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
[O] Joseph had to gather up his courage to ask for the body of Jesus from Pilate. As far as I know he was not that visible during the ministry of Jesus, in fact, he may have been converted while he was still a council member and it's more difficult for him to stand up for his faith all of a sudden. On the flip side, because he was involved in the social leadership he was able to approach Pilate and ask for the body. It seems that standing up for Jesus is always a challenging thing and I appreciate reading how Joseph had to muster up his courage to do what he did.
[A] Joseph was used to fulfill the plan of God but that didn't come without a price. Likewise, I need to pay the price to be used by God to fulfill His plans through my life. That is to say, not that I need to make more monetary contributions, but in order to be used as His instrument, I must endure through a process difficult or challenging for me to bear. I seem to be going through one of them now and I only pray that I would make it through to see His big plan for me.
[P] Dear Father, grant me Your endurance to pass through this heat in order that Your plan will work through my life and that You will be glorified. In Jesus' name. Amen.
43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
[O] Joseph had to gather up his courage to ask for the body of Jesus from Pilate. As far as I know he was not that visible during the ministry of Jesus, in fact, he may have been converted while he was still a council member and it's more difficult for him to stand up for his faith all of a sudden. On the flip side, because he was involved in the social leadership he was able to approach Pilate and ask for the body. It seems that standing up for Jesus is always a challenging thing and I appreciate reading how Joseph had to muster up his courage to do what he did.
[A] Joseph was used to fulfill the plan of God but that didn't come without a price. Likewise, I need to pay the price to be used by God to fulfill His plans through my life. That is to say, not that I need to make more monetary contributions, but in order to be used as His instrument, I must endure through a process difficult or challenging for me to bear. I seem to be going through one of them now and I only pray that I would make it through to see His big plan for me.
[P] Dear Father, grant me Your endurance to pass through this heat in order that Your plan will work through my life and that You will be glorified. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Watch and Catch It
[S] Mark 13:37 --
37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”(NIV)
37 What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" (NASB)
[O] These days I absorb so much information from all over the place including my smart phone, SMS message, email, blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc., etc. At the end of the day, I'm totally overloaded and can't even process all the information coming at me. And any sort of crisis on top of that will bring an earthquake jitters, crumbling down everything into shambles. Jesus says, to "Watch!" This verb portrays a very active concept of watching, searching for certain objects. It's not a passive just happen to be catching a glimpse.
[A] My life shouldn't rely on some happenstances but I must watch for the right things and expect the right things from God as these things come without any pre-warning but if prepared I will watch and catch it.
[P] Dear Father, please train my eyes and mind to watch You attentively every day. I don't want to miss anything from You especially the message that You intend for me to hear and apply to my own life for You glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”(NIV)
37 What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'" (NASB)
[O] These days I absorb so much information from all over the place including my smart phone, SMS message, email, blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc., etc. At the end of the day, I'm totally overloaded and can't even process all the information coming at me. And any sort of crisis on top of that will bring an earthquake jitters, crumbling down everything into shambles. Jesus says, to "Watch!" This verb portrays a very active concept of watching, searching for certain objects. It's not a passive just happen to be catching a glimpse.
[A] My life shouldn't rely on some happenstances but I must watch for the right things and expect the right things from God as these things come without any pre-warning but if prepared I will watch and catch it.
[P] Dear Father, please train my eyes and mind to watch You attentively every day. I don't want to miss anything from You especially the message that You intend for me to hear and apply to my own life for You glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Running to Jesus, and to Continue Running with Him
[S] Mark 10:17,22,50-52 --
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.51 And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "tRabboni, I want to regain my sight!"52 And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
[O] A simple comparison of the Rich Young Ruler (whose name we do not know) and Bartimeus the blind man revealed to me about how it's not just about how I run to Jesus with excitement but how i stay on the journey with Him for the rest of my life is important. The RYR walkd away grieving because he could not follow on with Jesus while Bartimeus gladly trusted in Jesus to heal his blindness and then once he regained his sight he followed Jesus along.
[A] I can easily ignore the process of following Jesus when I focus too much on the outcome (or the results) of what I do (even in God's ministry settings). Jesus' arms are always wide open to receive me at any time, but am I ready to give all of my trust to Him to follow along every day? I need to and I want to.
[P] Dear Father, make me like Bartimeus who, although, could not see, wanted Jesus to open his eyes so not only he may see where he's going but to see where Jesus is to flank Him closely. I run to You and I want to continuously run with You for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.
50 Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.51 And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "tRabboni, I want to regain my sight!"52 And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
[O] A simple comparison of the Rich Young Ruler (whose name we do not know) and Bartimeus the blind man revealed to me about how it's not just about how I run to Jesus with excitement but how i stay on the journey with Him for the rest of my life is important. The RYR walkd away grieving because he could not follow on with Jesus while Bartimeus gladly trusted in Jesus to heal his blindness and then once he regained his sight he followed Jesus along.
[A] I can easily ignore the process of following Jesus when I focus too much on the outcome (or the results) of what I do (even in God's ministry settings). Jesus' arms are always wide open to receive me at any time, but am I ready to give all of my trust to Him to follow along every day? I need to and I want to.
[P] Dear Father, make me like Bartimeus who, although, could not see, wanted Jesus to open his eyes so not only he may see where he's going but to see where Jesus is to flank Him closely. I run to You and I want to continuously run with You for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Labels:
Bartimeus,
Devotion,
Following Jesus,
Process of Following God
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