[S]
Luke 5:3,6 --
And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the people from the boat.
When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break;
[O] The boat was Simon's valuable tool he uses in his workplace to catch fish but Jesus got in there to use it for teaching the people. Not what it is mainly created for but whatever we use to make our living, Jesus can use it as a platform to teach His Ways He demonstrated here. In verse 6, we can also see that when Jesus uses our tools (or workplaces) to teach His Ways, He will also bless it to multiply over and beyond our expectations revealing His power to my neighbors and co-workers also.
[A] I need to surrender my workplace and my tools of trade to Jesus so that He would channel His teachings through it. I should also see His multiplication at my workplace as He uses it to spread His teachings. If I lack these things I need to bring it to Him and ask for His clear guidance whether I need to change my place or to stay one.
[P] Dear Jesus, while I don't want to trivialize finding Your guidance for my life to a few signs but I do want to walk closely to You and look for ways Your ministry is expanded through my workplace. So please speak to my heart directly and clearly as I surrender my "boat" to You. In Your name. Amen
From my Life devotional journaling and more (Read Today's Passage)
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Voice from Banks of Ulai
[S] Daniel 8:16 --
16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."
[O] God reveals His deeper plans to those who seek Him with all His might. However, with that comes a price of carrying the load/burden of His ministry as well (see verse 27 -- Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.).
[A] There's so much going on in all aspects of life right now, I am very overwhelmed and in the midst of all this I desire to hear the "voice from the banks of Ulai" calling Gabriel to give Yoon an understanding His plans in light of everything that's going on so that I can have some clarity of charting my critical path. Having said that the book of Daniel has been an inspiration for me to draw closer to Him despite the circumstance I am in.
[P] Dear Father, as Your wonderful plan for us here continue to proceed to reveal Your glory please use my meager life's contribution to expand that ministry here on earth. Please continue to build up my family with You in the center while sending Your angels to protect each of the members. In Jesus' name. Amen.
16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."
[O] God reveals His deeper plans to those who seek Him with all His might. However, with that comes a price of carrying the load/burden of His ministry as well (see verse 27 -- Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.).
[A] There's so much going on in all aspects of life right now, I am very overwhelmed and in the midst of all this I desire to hear the "voice from the banks of Ulai" calling Gabriel to give Yoon an understanding His plans in light of everything that's going on so that I can have some clarity of charting my critical path. Having said that the book of Daniel has been an inspiration for me to draw closer to Him despite the circumstance I am in.
[P] Dear Father, as Your wonderful plan for us here continue to proceed to reveal Your glory please use my meager life's contribution to expand that ministry here on earth. Please continue to build up my family with You in the center while sending Your angels to protect each of the members. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Where To Go with the Spirit of God
[S] Ezekiel 37:1-2 --
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.
[O] At first I was thinking that if the hand of God was upon me, shouldn't He bring me to a fertile land for me to dwell in? At least that's the outcome I'd expect from being in His presence. But Ezekiel certainly did not experience that as he ended up in the middle of the valley where it was full of "dry" bones. Not quite a rewarding place to be. However as God tells Ezekiel in verse 14 -- I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD. -- God's purpose was to use Ezekiel to bring life to that death valley. In many ways, when God is with me, I should be in places where God is most needed, or where He lacks the most so that His life and light may be given out.
[A] I need to re-examine my heart so that I am not expecting God to put me in a "palace" when His Spirit is working in my life because on the contrary, He would send me to places where God is most needed which translates to places I prefer wouldn't want to be where He desires to pour out His life upon. This is a scary proposition but the one that will mightily display His power and glory.
[P] Dear Father, as I ask Your wonderful plans to be unfolded in and through my life, I am also most scared because it would mean to be in the middle of the valley filled with dry bones so I ask You to give me eyes to see what is beyond as Your Spirit transports life there, using my life as a conduit, to overcome death into a living and breathing life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones.2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry.
[O] At first I was thinking that if the hand of God was upon me, shouldn't He bring me to a fertile land for me to dwell in? At least that's the outcome I'd expect from being in His presence. But Ezekiel certainly did not experience that as he ended up in the middle of the valley where it was full of "dry" bones. Not quite a rewarding place to be. However as God tells Ezekiel in verse 14 -- I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD. -- God's purpose was to use Ezekiel to bring life to that death valley. In many ways, when God is with me, I should be in places where God is most needed, or where He lacks the most so that His life and light may be given out.
[A] I need to re-examine my heart so that I am not expecting God to put me in a "palace" when His Spirit is working in my life because on the contrary, He would send me to places where God is most needed which translates to places I prefer wouldn't want to be where He desires to pour out His life upon. This is a scary proposition but the one that will mightily display His power and glory.
[P] Dear Father, as I ask Your wonderful plans to be unfolded in and through my life, I am also most scared because it would mean to be in the middle of the valley filled with dry bones so I ask You to give me eyes to see what is beyond as Your Spirit transports life there, using my life as a conduit, to overcome death into a living and breathing life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Labels:
Devotion,
Dry Bones,
Ezekiel 37,
Life,
Spirit-Filled
Monday, September 10, 2012
Reset (not rest) in God Every Morning
[S] Lamentations 3:23-26 --
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
[O] Some key words from this passage just jumps out and comforts me and strengthens me:
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
[O] Some key words from this passage just jumps out and comforts me and strengthens me:
- New every morning: God's loving and gracious faithfulness is new every morning for me.
- My portion: God is enough for me PERIOD.
- Will wait for Him: Since He is enough for me, I can wait for Him without being anxious.
- Good to those whose hope is in Him: Where I put my future is important.
- Wait quietly: Waiting itself is based on trust and hope, so there is no reason to make noise (or grumble).
- Renew my love for Him every morning as I start the new day He's given me.
- Be gratefully satisfied to know that God will be enough for me.
- Wait on Him to reveal Himself throughout the day.
- Do not lose any hope by aim at the wrong things.
- Pray quietly for His ears only.
Labels:
Devotion,
Hope,
Lamentations 3,
New Day,
Trust,
Wait for God
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Humbly Practice Hearing God
[S] Jeremiah 42:4,7 --
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you."
7 Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
[O] When the people approached Jeremiah to inquire God about what they should do, he responded to them with confidence that he "will tell them the whole message." This implies that he is very much used to inquiring God and hearing from Him the answers and that is something attained over time and intimate relationship with God. Even then, as seen in verse 7, the process requires a significant amount of time. As with any good things, seeking God's will is an involved process that requires perseverance.
[A] I need to increase my prayer time with God to "practice" more of hearing His voice. In my excuse of being busy, I want instant prayer results and I need to repent from having such an arrogant attitude of demanding God to meet my needs under the umbrella of prayer.
[P] Dear Father, please grant me humble heart before You especially when I approach You with my circumstantial needs. I want to keep practicing my ability to hear Your word and to obey them with humble heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.
4 Then Jeremiah the prophet said to them, "I have heard you. Behold, I am going to pray to the LORD your God in accordance with your words; and I will tell you the whole message which the LORD will answer you. I will not keep back a word from you."
7 Now at the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.
[O] When the people approached Jeremiah to inquire God about what they should do, he responded to them with confidence that he "will tell them the whole message." This implies that he is very much used to inquiring God and hearing from Him the answers and that is something attained over time and intimate relationship with God. Even then, as seen in verse 7, the process requires a significant amount of time. As with any good things, seeking God's will is an involved process that requires perseverance.
[A] I need to increase my prayer time with God to "practice" more of hearing His voice. In my excuse of being busy, I want instant prayer results and I need to repent from having such an arrogant attitude of demanding God to meet my needs under the umbrella of prayer.
[P] Dear Father, please grant me humble heart before You especially when I approach You with my circumstantial needs. I want to keep practicing my ability to hear Your word and to obey them with humble heart. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, September 03, 2012
Fear Before Wisdom
[S] Psalm 111:10 --
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
[O] I've been seeking wisdom in a couple of areas in my life but it really meant that I was searching for solutions to the issues I'm facing so I may move on with my life. The psalmist reminded me through this passage, however, that I first have to place God at the throne where He belongs and only with such a heart God will grant wisdom in my life. Because I've been trained all my life to seek solutions when faced with issues, this principle always catches me off guard as He doesn't want me to go looking for solutions but to seek Him first as my God and King, and once I follow His principles, then He will put praise in me forever which ultimately is where I want to be.
[A] Have I pushed out Jesus from the lordship of my life and have I taken over to find "my ways?" I need to be careful whenever I am faced with challenges in my life not to shift into working things out on my own. I need to fear God and commit myself to follow His principles.
[P] Dear Father, please sustain in me the praises toward You as I commit to follow Your ways and to seek Your wisdom before I take things into my own hands. Please restore in my heart the rejoicing for who You are and what You have done and will do for me.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
[O] I've been seeking wisdom in a couple of areas in my life but it really meant that I was searching for solutions to the issues I'm facing so I may move on with my life. The psalmist reminded me through this passage, however, that I first have to place God at the throne where He belongs and only with such a heart God will grant wisdom in my life. Because I've been trained all my life to seek solutions when faced with issues, this principle always catches me off guard as He doesn't want me to go looking for solutions but to seek Him first as my God and King, and once I follow His principles, then He will put praise in me forever which ultimately is where I want to be.
[A] Have I pushed out Jesus from the lordship of my life and have I taken over to find "my ways?" I need to be careful whenever I am faced with challenges in my life not to shift into working things out on my own. I need to fear God and commit myself to follow His principles.
[P] Dear Father, please sustain in me the praises toward You as I commit to follow Your ways and to seek Your wisdom before I take things into my own hands. Please restore in my heart the rejoicing for who You are and what You have done and will do for me.
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