[S] Romans 10:8 --
8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"-that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
[O] When my loud kids quieted down while they are eating, I used to thank God for making just one mouth so that kids could not talk (a lot anyways) and eat at the same time because that's only chance to get a break from the noisiness. In light of this, having just one mouth to preach the word of faith is also another reason to thank God because He wanted us to preach from a single source to make it very clear when we do preach what God plants in our hearts.
[A] God has been depositing many of His grace into my heart over the years. Now I must preach His goodness through my mouth clearly and loudly.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for giving me the mouth to breath, eat, and speak. While breathing and eating are requirements to live on, speaking is an option so may I use that option (opportunity) to preach the wonderful message of Your grace and love. In Jesus' name. Amen.
From my Life devotional journaling and more (Read Today's Passage)
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Seek Mercy before Running Hard
[S] Romans 9:16 --
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
[O] In the end, God has the last saying. This is a universal truth which is not always accepted by man, including myself. I can try to do it all but without God's mercy they will only lead to vanity.
[A] In everything I do, I need to seek His mercy first and put my actions into the right perspective before His throne. That's what I have to remember in my workplace, the current crisis our family is facing, and how I want to live the rest of my life.
[P] Dear God, before I make the plans to run toward my goals may my heart reach for Your wonderful mercy and first soak it up fully so that all that I do will be under Your mercy -- my attitude, my energy, and my purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.
16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
[O] In the end, God has the last saying. This is a universal truth which is not always accepted by man, including myself. I can try to do it all but without God's mercy they will only lead to vanity.
[A] In everything I do, I need to seek His mercy first and put my actions into the right perspective before His throne. That's what I have to remember in my workplace, the current crisis our family is facing, and how I want to live the rest of my life.
[P] Dear God, before I make the plans to run toward my goals may my heart reach for Your wonderful mercy and first soak it up fully so that all that I do will be under Your mercy -- my attitude, my energy, and my purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
There Are More Unknowns than Knowns
[S] For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:24, 25 NASB)
[O] Hope is to wait for the future that is unseen because it doesn't mean much to hope for outcome that is already known. There are a lot of unknowns in our lives and that is why having hope is important so that we would have a healthy perspective of what is to come.
[A] I need to have hope in the crisis I face now because I cannot see how it will resolve itself in the future. I need to wait eagerly for it with perseverance as I put my trust in God.
[P] Dear God, there is so much unknown than known in my life I have to trust in You in order to have the right outlook in life because otherwise I'll be so entrenched in my own ways to make things work, I will spend all of my energy doing that just for the short span of life I live here in respect to the eternity You have for me. May my heart be filled with Your hope and may it carry me through the life I live here on earth to glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
[O] Hope is to wait for the future that is unseen because it doesn't mean much to hope for outcome that is already known. There are a lot of unknowns in our lives and that is why having hope is important so that we would have a healthy perspective of what is to come.
[A] I need to have hope in the crisis I face now because I cannot see how it will resolve itself in the future. I need to wait eagerly for it with perseverance as I put my trust in God.
[P] Dear God, there is so much unknown than known in my life I have to trust in You in order to have the right outlook in life because otherwise I'll be so entrenched in my own ways to make things work, I will spend all of my energy doing that just for the short span of life I live here in respect to the eternity You have for me. May my heart be filled with Your hope and may it carry me through the life I live here on earth to glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Path of Righteous Will Shine
[S] Proverbs 4:18 --
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
[O] Some people say this world is getting darker and darker and I somewhat agree but when I read this passage I realized that the root cause may be due to diminishing sources of light stemming from righteous people. If you think about it, the human society is lit up by those who radiate the positive changes to others and it's not done through a system.
[A] Gather more and more people desiring to walk righteous lives so the community we live in will become brighter and brighter.
[P] Dear Father, please send more of those who are sold out for You so that how we desire to live will rise like morning sun. In Jesus' name. Amen
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
[O] Some people say this world is getting darker and darker and I somewhat agree but when I read this passage I realized that the root cause may be due to diminishing sources of light stemming from righteous people. If you think about it, the human society is lit up by those who radiate the positive changes to others and it's not done through a system.
[A] Gather more and more people desiring to walk righteous lives so the community we live in will become brighter and brighter.
[P] Dear Father, please send more of those who are sold out for You so that how we desire to live will rise like morning sun. In Jesus' name. Amen
Friday, May 25, 2012
Nevertheless Faith
[S] 1 Kings 11:2 --
2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.
[O] The word "nevertheless" in faith can have two different effects -- nevertheless pursue or ignore God. Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego "nevertheless" the circumstance of being thrown into the fiery furnace they would not turn away from God. But here Solomon "nevertheless" God warned him he could not let go of his desires to turn to God.
[A] If to believe in God or not is a 100m dash, then to "nevertheless" trust and turning to God despite all sorts of situations (Daniel's friends crisis was to choose death or trusting God while Solomon's crisis was his own indulgence in his own life) is like the marathon. I may have to make some dashes but the whole journey of my faith in God is a marathon of not giving up in God's hope for my life and keep on pursuing after His heart.
[P] Dear Father, I want to run the marathon with and for You, not giving up but to seek after Your heart despite the bumps in my life. I want to model after Daniel's three friends who nevertheless held on to You, not concerned with the outcome in their circumstance but totally trusting in Your love for them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.
[O] The word "nevertheless" in faith can have two different effects -- nevertheless pursue or ignore God. Daniel's friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego "nevertheless" the circumstance of being thrown into the fiery furnace they would not turn away from God. But here Solomon "nevertheless" God warned him he could not let go of his desires to turn to God.
[A] If to believe in God or not is a 100m dash, then to "nevertheless" trust and turning to God despite all sorts of situations (Daniel's friends crisis was to choose death or trusting God while Solomon's crisis was his own indulgence in his own life) is like the marathon. I may have to make some dashes but the whole journey of my faith in God is a marathon of not giving up in God's hope for my life and keep on pursuing after His heart.
[P] Dear Father, I want to run the marathon with and for You, not giving up but to seek after Your heart despite the bumps in my life. I want to model after Daniel's three friends who nevertheless held on to You, not concerned with the outcome in their circumstance but totally trusting in Your love for them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Prayer of Anticipation
[S] 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 --
1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.
[O] What a scene this must have been. I was impressed by Solomon's prayer and how he praised God sincerely and as soon as he finished his prayer, God's glory filled the temple. This overwhelming presence of God prohibited the priests from entering the temple. Most likely it was clear for everyone there that God was present.
[A] When I pray, I should expect the "fire" from heaven come down to consume my prayer offering and the glory of God fill my surroundings like a thick fog welling up. When I worship on Sundays I should expect God's glory to pack into our sanctuary so everyone will know that God is there with us.
[P] Dear Father, may my prayer lifted up to You be not just mere words but an anticipation of Your presence being clearly displayed in our midst. In Jesus' name. Amen.
1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.2 The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it.
[O] What a scene this must have been. I was impressed by Solomon's prayer and how he praised God sincerely and as soon as he finished his prayer, God's glory filled the temple. This overwhelming presence of God prohibited the priests from entering the temple. Most likely it was clear for everyone there that God was present.
[A] When I pray, I should expect the "fire" from heaven come down to consume my prayer offering and the glory of God fill my surroundings like a thick fog welling up. When I worship on Sundays I should expect God's glory to pack into our sanctuary so everyone will know that God is there with us.
[P] Dear Father, may my prayer lifted up to You be not just mere words but an anticipation of Your presence being clearly displayed in our midst. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Greater than Highest Heavens
[S] 1 Kings 8:27-30 (NIV) --
27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!28 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
[O] Solomon's perspective of comparing the temple he built to the highest heaven gave me a reality check. So many times, what I do or "built" seems so "majestic" that I feel like nothing can top it. But I'm sure Solomon's temple was by far greater than anything I've done (so far) and his confession of how greater the highest heaven must be and yet it cannot contain God's presence because He goes beyond that put what I did so infinitesimally small it's not even funny. He goes on to claim that even that insignificant we may be, the vast God still gives attention to our prayers.
[A] Personally, I will continue to cry out to God of the greatest heavens who still listens to my cries to Him to shower down his mercy and grace. I will claim His promises to be with me for eternity. For our church, I am going to also claim that our church's sanctuary will be the place where people gather to cry out our hearts to the God of this universe and then some because You will give attention to each of our cries.
[P] Dear Father, Your name is far above all and to You we surrender our cries of joy as well as crisis. May Your Spirit's unending ministry dwell in our hearts and our sanctuary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
27 "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!28 Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, 'My Name shall be there,' so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place.30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
[O] Solomon's perspective of comparing the temple he built to the highest heaven gave me a reality check. So many times, what I do or "built" seems so "majestic" that I feel like nothing can top it. But I'm sure Solomon's temple was by far greater than anything I've done (so far) and his confession of how greater the highest heaven must be and yet it cannot contain God's presence because He goes beyond that put what I did so infinitesimally small it's not even funny. He goes on to claim that even that insignificant we may be, the vast God still gives attention to our prayers.
[A] Personally, I will continue to cry out to God of the greatest heavens who still listens to my cries to Him to shower down his mercy and grace. I will claim His promises to be with me for eternity. For our church, I am going to also claim that our church's sanctuary will be the place where people gather to cry out our hearts to the God of this universe and then some because You will give attention to each of our cries.
[P] Dear Father, Your name is far above all and to You we surrender our cries of joy as well as crisis. May Your Spirit's unending ministry dwell in our hearts and our sanctuary. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Walk Before Buildling
[S] 1 Kings 6:11-13 --
11 Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon saying,12 " Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father.13 I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."
[O] Creating the right environment to induce drawing closer to God is very important because without that we may be distracted to hear and follow Him. However, unless my heart's desire to abide by God's ways 24x7 in all that I do in all places foremost, the right environment alone is not enough to dwell in God's presence and can easily create an empty environment simply covered by a shell or a facade.
[A] When I go to church to worship on Sundays, don't just settle for the act of going and participating in the program but first practice God's ways during the rest of the week (Monday through Saturday) starting with a daily devotion in God's word.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my heart to be soaked up with Your ways as I meditate on Your word every day. I want to draw closer to You Monday through Saturday and not just on Sundays and lead my family to dwell in Your presence every moment. In Jesus' name. Amen.
11 Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon saying,12 " Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in My statutes and execute My ordinances and keep all My commandments by walking in them, then I will carry out My word with you which I spoke to David your father.13 I will dwell among the sons of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."
[O] Creating the right environment to induce drawing closer to God is very important because without that we may be distracted to hear and follow Him. However, unless my heart's desire to abide by God's ways 24x7 in all that I do in all places foremost, the right environment alone is not enough to dwell in God's presence and can easily create an empty environment simply covered by a shell or a facade.
[A] When I go to church to worship on Sundays, don't just settle for the act of going and participating in the program but first practice God's ways during the rest of the week (Monday through Saturday) starting with a daily devotion in God's word.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my heart to be soaked up with Your ways as I meditate on Your word every day. I want to draw closer to You Monday through Saturday and not just on Sundays and lead my family to dwell in Your presence every moment. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Grace at the Core
[S] 2 Thessalonians 2:16 --
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
[O] At the core of this statement is God's grace because without it there is nothing that can bring comfort and hope. Out of that grace came His love for us foremost not just temporarily but for eternity. Having this eternal perspective both before and after my present time gives my heart a lot of strength verse 17 mentions about. That is to say that His eternal love spans from all the way from eternal past to my present time and then goes into the eternal future -- the same grace and love of God for me.
[A] Lately, many things have been weighing down my heart but in light of this passage's power, they have lightened up. My perspective and focus determines how I feel for the most part so I need to do all I can to keep my eyes on His grace and hope.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my eyes to be locked in to Your word where I can draw the hope and strengths based on Your grace. I want my heart to be filled with Your promises lifting my spirit up high. In Jesus' name. Amen.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
[O] At the core of this statement is God's grace because without it there is nothing that can bring comfort and hope. Out of that grace came His love for us foremost not just temporarily but for eternity. Having this eternal perspective both before and after my present time gives my heart a lot of strength verse 17 mentions about. That is to say that His eternal love spans from all the way from eternal past to my present time and then goes into the eternal future -- the same grace and love of God for me.
[A] Lately, many things have been weighing down my heart but in light of this passage's power, they have lightened up. My perspective and focus determines how I feel for the most part so I need to do all I can to keep my eyes on His grace and hope.
[P] Dear Father, please allow my eyes to be locked in to Your word where I can draw the hope and strengths based on Your grace. I want my heart to be filled with Your promises lifting my spirit up high. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
My Last Prayer
[S] 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 --
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
[O] This prayer comes from David near his death, after announcing his Solomon as the next king. He has prepared a ton of materials enough for Solomon to build the temple and yet he gives all the glory to God here and that's really amazing. I wonder how I would be after living my life to the full -- would I be so satisfied with my own achievements or would I be like David here to recognize the hand of God in and through my life and then to pass that on to my children's generation?
[A] Everything comes from God -- wealth and honor and he rules over all things. This is a refreshing and powerful truth quenching my dried up soul especially as I struggle with a tough work situation. I need not question but to acknowledge Him as my soul provider of all my needs. I claim that my wealth (not that I need to be rich) and honor (from my workplace) come from You!
[P] Dear God, I honor You and You alone who owns everything in this world and in heaven. You deserve my praise despite all my (unfavorable) circumstances. Please take joy with my praising You in Your Son's name. Amen.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
[A] Everything comes from God -- wealth and honor and he rules over all things. This is a refreshing and powerful truth quenching my dried up soul especially as I struggle with a tough work situation. I need not question but to acknowledge Him as my soul provider of all my needs. I claim that my wealth (not that I need to be rich) and honor (from my workplace) come from You!
[P] Dear God, I honor You and You alone who owns everything in this world and in heaven. You deserve my praise despite all my (unfavorable) circumstances. Please take joy with my praising You in Your Son's name. Amen.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Seeking the Face of the Lord
[S] 2 Samuel 21:1 --
During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death."
[O] When the land was hit with famine for three successive years, David sought the face of the Lord and He identified the reason. David's desire to follow God's heart shows again from his course of action. He was as imperfect as any one of us is, but he always turned to God with his pure heart.
[A] I need to constantly look into my spiritual mirror to make necessary adjustments in my spiritual walk. I may not be sensitive to the circumstances (such as continual famine) but when I see in the mirror frequently I should be able to identify the areas in need of cleaning up. I must seek humility in all situations and have my heart right with God at all times. I have to figure out what is means for me to "seeking the face of the Lord."
[P] Dear Father, how I long to seek Your face and to hear Your voice for my life's situations. I desire to be in tuned with Your voice and so please allow me the insight to do that in order for me to check in with You frequently to put things in order for me to follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name. Amen.
During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death."
[O] When the land was hit with famine for three successive years, David sought the face of the Lord and He identified the reason. David's desire to follow God's heart shows again from his course of action. He was as imperfect as any one of us is, but he always turned to God with his pure heart.
[A] I need to constantly look into my spiritual mirror to make necessary adjustments in my spiritual walk. I may not be sensitive to the circumstances (such as continual famine) but when I see in the mirror frequently I should be able to identify the areas in need of cleaning up. I must seek humility in all situations and have my heart right with God at all times. I have to figure out what is means for me to "seeking the face of the Lord."
[P] Dear Father, how I long to seek Your face and to hear Your voice for my life's situations. I desire to be in tuned with Your voice and so please allow me the insight to do that in order for me to check in with You frequently to put things in order for me to follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Secret of Having God With Me Always
[S] Matthew 28:19-20 --
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
[O] Here is a secret of inviting God to be with me always to the very end of the age, which is to "go" and make His disciples. As long as I do this, God promises to be with me. Many times, I want Him to be with me so I can do His will (or at least to live a trouble-free life), but the order is for me to, first, take the initiative to go and make disciples (not a simple task).
[A] There are many form of "going" to do this but I should continue to search ways to go and make disciples so God would be with me all the time.
[P] Dear Jesus, please guide me through Holy Spirit so I would be wise in going to make Your disciples in my own setting so that I would use my time wisely and not lose focus of making Your disciples. Please be with me all the time. In Your name. Amen.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
[O] Here is a secret of inviting God to be with me always to the very end of the age, which is to "go" and make His disciples. As long as I do this, God promises to be with me. Many times, I want Him to be with me so I can do His will (or at least to live a trouble-free life), but the order is for me to, first, take the initiative to go and make disciples (not a simple task).
[A] There are many form of "going" to do this but I should continue to search ways to go and make disciples so God would be with me all the time.
[P] Dear Jesus, please guide me through Holy Spirit so I would be wise in going to make Your disciples in my own setting so that I would use my time wisely and not lose focus of making Your disciples. Please be with me all the time. In Your name. Amen.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Time Warp Vision
[S] Matthew 26:64; Daniel 7:13 --
64 "You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
[O] I don't know the exact number of years apart these two verses were recorded but it was a very long time (did research to find this to be about 500 years) and for Jesus to reference what Daniel had seen so many years ago is mind boggling for sure. Daniel's vision was not fulfilled during his life time and he may have felt like he only saw a mirage but it is quite assuring to see that vision indeed came true when Jesus ascended after His death on the Cross. When the high priest put Jesus under oath by the living God, Jesus replied by quoting Daniel. This time warp is simply amazing to me.
[A] Jesus crosses all time boundaries I live under here on earth. When He shows me a vision, then I must be faithful to hold on to it even if no progress is made in my life time. I must pass on the baton of the spiritual legacy to my children's generation so they may see the fulfillment.
[P] Dear Father, please grant my children to see the vision that You have placed in my heart. May Your name be glorified throughout the ages. In Jesus' name. Amen.
64 "You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
[O] I don't know the exact number of years apart these two verses were recorded but it was a very long time (did research to find this to be about 500 years) and for Jesus to reference what Daniel had seen so many years ago is mind boggling for sure. Daniel's vision was not fulfilled during his life time and he may have felt like he only saw a mirage but it is quite assuring to see that vision indeed came true when Jesus ascended after His death on the Cross. When the high priest put Jesus under oath by the living God, Jesus replied by quoting Daniel. This time warp is simply amazing to me.
[A] Jesus crosses all time boundaries I live under here on earth. When He shows me a vision, then I must be faithful to hold on to it even if no progress is made in my life time. I must pass on the baton of the spiritual legacy to my children's generation so they may see the fulfillment.
[P] Dear Father, please grant my children to see the vision that You have placed in my heart. May Your name be glorified throughout the ages. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Fight Bravely for Our People
[S] 2 Samuel 10:12 --
12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight."
[O] When David's right-hand and left-hand generals of his army is up against the strong fortified Ammonites (with Arnameans), the statement they made here displays their total commitment to each other and their people based on the complete trust in God's impartial judgment for faithful people. Notice that their statement was not about "winning" the battle but giving all they got bravely for their people and leave the outcome to God.
[A] As I face challenges in life that are much greater than what I can handle, don't focus on the challenge itself completely but focus on giving my best for the people I have committed to care with faith in God and let Him do what is good in His sight.
[P] Dear Father, it is all about You and less about me and I ask that You show Your grace upon my family as we are fighting against a huge challenge. Please do what is good in Your eyes as we give our best to bring out Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight."
[O] When David's right-hand and left-hand generals of his army is up against the strong fortified Ammonites (with Arnameans), the statement they made here displays their total commitment to each other and their people based on the complete trust in God's impartial judgment for faithful people. Notice that their statement was not about "winning" the battle but giving all they got bravely for their people and leave the outcome to God.
[A] As I face challenges in life that are much greater than what I can handle, don't focus on the challenge itself completely but focus on giving my best for the people I have committed to care with faith in God and let Him do what is good in His sight.
[P] Dear Father, it is all about You and less about me and I ask that You show Your grace upon my family as we are fighting against a huge challenge. Please do what is good in Your eyes as we give our best to bring out Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, May 04, 2012
If You Never Read the Scriptures
[S] Matthew 21:42-43 --
42 Jesus *said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,
'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;
THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? 43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.
[O] The consequence of not reading (and treasuring the gem in our hearts) is in verse 43 -- God's blessings will be removed from us and added to those who are reading it and being fruitful. No ands or buts. If there is no seed then there is no substance to grow anything. Likewise, if there is no word in my heart, there is nothing to produce the fruit God desires.
[A] Soak up God's word, apply to my life humbly, and then water my life with His Spirit such that my life will bear fruit of Jesus for this barren world.
[P] Dear Jesus, please send Your Holy Spirit to minister to my heart as I read God's word and do my best to humbly apply it to my life's circumstances. I love You. In Your name. Amen.
42 Jesus *said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures,
'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED,
THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone;
THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD,
AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? 43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.
[O] The consequence of not reading (and treasuring the gem in our hearts) is in verse 43 -- God's blessings will be removed from us and added to those who are reading it and being fruitful. No ands or buts. If there is no seed then there is no substance to grow anything. Likewise, if there is no word in my heart, there is nothing to produce the fruit God desires.
[A] Soak up God's word, apply to my life humbly, and then water my life with His Spirit such that my life will bear fruit of Jesus for this barren world.
[P] Dear Jesus, please send Your Holy Spirit to minister to my heart as I read God's word and do my best to humbly apply it to my life's circumstances. I love You. In Your name. Amen.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Raise Up Descendants to Raise Up His House
[S] 2 Samuel 7:12-13 --
12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
[O] God stopped David from building the temple for God and instead makes a promise that his descendants will build a house for His name and will prosper their generation. There is a a limit on how much my generation can complete so God shows how important it is to pass on the baton to my children's generation to carry on the ministry for God.
[A] I am rededicating myself to this principle of building up my children's spiritual discipline to hold on to God no matter what type of journey they will be trekking through in life.
[P] Dear Father, please bless my children and their generation by raising up leaders who are sold out for You as I commit to rededicate my life to pass on the passion of loving You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
12 When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
[O] God stopped David from building the temple for God and instead makes a promise that his descendants will build a house for His name and will prosper their generation. There is a a limit on how much my generation can complete so God shows how important it is to pass on the baton to my children's generation to carry on the ministry for God.
[A] I am rededicating myself to this principle of building up my children's spiritual discipline to hold on to God no matter what type of journey they will be trekking through in life.
[P] Dear Father, please bless my children and their generation by raising up leaders who are sold out for You as I commit to rededicate my life to pass on the passion of loving You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Innocent Ignorace is Still Ignorance
[S] Matthew 18:26 --
26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
[O] Doing the math of how much this slave owed his master, the amount comes out to be around 150,000 years of wage, or an amount which is impossible to pay back. However, this slave's plea implies that he will repay everything. One could say this was just a way of expressing his desire to be pardoned but seeing his actions afterwards toward someone who owes him 3 months' wage I am inclined to think that he really was trying to pay back everything (by collecting all the money he can). Innocent ignorance perhaps, but it nevertheless dictated how he lived out his life by pretty much seeing everyone as owing him money.
[A] Even though God has blessed me with much resources, I must first realize God's grace for me is way greater than my abilities and unless I tap into His wonderful provision, there is just no way for me to live out my life according to His pleasure because I will be so pre-occupied with trying to pay Him back.
[P] Dear Father, may I calibrate my understanding of receiving the infinitely large amount of Your grace for my life and may I live out my life for You by being free from trying to pay You back. In Jesus' name. Amen.
26 So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, 'Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.'
[O] Doing the math of how much this slave owed his master, the amount comes out to be around 150,000 years of wage, or an amount which is impossible to pay back. However, this slave's plea implies that he will repay everything. One could say this was just a way of expressing his desire to be pardoned but seeing his actions afterwards toward someone who owes him 3 months' wage I am inclined to think that he really was trying to pay back everything (by collecting all the money he can). Innocent ignorance perhaps, but it nevertheless dictated how he lived out his life by pretty much seeing everyone as owing him money.
[A] Even though God has blessed me with much resources, I must first realize God's grace for me is way greater than my abilities and unless I tap into His wonderful provision, there is just no way for me to live out my life according to His pleasure because I will be so pre-occupied with trying to pay Him back.
[P] Dear Father, may I calibrate my understanding of receiving the infinitely large amount of Your grace for my life and may I live out my life for You by being free from trying to pay You back. In Jesus' name. Amen.
To All Generations Forever
[S] Psalm 106:30-31 --
30 Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
31 And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever.
[O] Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron, and son of Eleazar the High Priest (Exodus 6:25). He was righteous for God and his actions to stop the plague by killing a couple carrying out defiling act is recorded here in the history of Israelites journey with God.
[A] Passing on the baton of spiritual righteousness for God to the next generation is no simple matter, but to see this baton being handed down two generations in this case with Phinehas is simply amazing. As I see so much corruption and spiritual adultery in those days sustaining the passion for God and be upright must have been based on some firm foundation. I am faced with the same as I am raising my own children. I, too, want to pass on my passion for God to them such that it will get amplified as the subsequent generation is raised up.
[P] Dear Father, please grant my prayer for my children to carry on the torch of the Holy Spirit in our household so that they will reckoned to be righteous to all generations forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.
30 Then Phinehas stood up and interposed,
And so the plague was stayed.
31 And it was reckoned to him for righteousness,
To all generations forever.
[O] Phinehas was the grandson of Aaron, and son of Eleazar the High Priest (Exodus 6:25). He was righteous for God and his actions to stop the plague by killing a couple carrying out defiling act is recorded here in the history of Israelites journey with God.
[A] Passing on the baton of spiritual righteousness for God to the next generation is no simple matter, but to see this baton being handed down two generations in this case with Phinehas is simply amazing. As I see so much corruption and spiritual adultery in those days sustaining the passion for God and be upright must have been based on some firm foundation. I am faced with the same as I am raising my own children. I, too, want to pass on my passion for God to them such that it will get amplified as the subsequent generation is raised up.
[P] Dear Father, please grant my prayer for my children to carry on the torch of the Holy Spirit in our household so that they will reckoned to be righteous to all generations forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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