Just Like Comparing Acorn Sizes

[S] Genesis 31:6-7 --
 ⁶"You know that I have served your father with all my strength. ⁷"Yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times; however, God did not allow him to hurt me.

[O] This statement from Jacob is almost funny because he himself ended up where he is now because of his cheating his brother Esau.  And later we find out Rachel cheats her own father by hiding the stolen household idol (of all things) right before her father.  So, what's the big deal about Laban's cheating Jacob?  Everyone's doing the same and all goes around.  This was a good reminder for me to know that ways of men are so limited and we end up short-changing ourselves because of our shortfalls.  And just like how Jacob concluded that without God we would all be hurting each other more.

[A] Whenever I am irritated by someone else, put that thought on hold and examine my own life to see how much of the same issue I hold.  And based on that confess my own shortcomings before God and be sanctified myself.  By then I should be more forgiving of the other person.

[P] Dear Father, thank You for teaching me how to re-examine my own life for the exact same issues other people have who offend me.  After all, I am born attached with sin, so more than judging others, I myself need more of Your grace and mercy.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Sign of Your Pleasure

[S] Psalm 41:11-12 --

¹¹By this I know that You are pleased with me,
         Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me. 
¹²As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,
         And You set me in Your presence forever. 

[O] Many times, I wonder whether God is pleased with what I do for Him or not.  I feel defeated many times and seek for His sign of approval.  Today's passage provided me a new perspective to hear God in these situations -- even though my enemy may have scored some points against me, as long as the enemy does not shout triumph over me, I should know that God is pleased with me.  He is the one who will uphold me and embrace me into His presence.  In fact, the game score is already settled to be a victory for God's Team so I should not fall for the trap of discouragement in these situations.

[A] Unfortunately, I am going to face setbacks as I do God's work.  So, this will be another weapon under my belt for times of discouragments.

[P] Thank You, God, for being victorious PERIOD.  Even though I may fall here and there sustain my mind to retain the fact that You will prevail.  And may that knowledge affirm my heart to know that you are pleased with me.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Let Me Hear Your Personal Story?

[S] Mark 5:32-34 --
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.  Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.  He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

[O] Did Jesus had to look for this woman, really?  He could've easily identified her, right?  This scene reminds me of Genesis 3:9 -- But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" -- because in both instances the almighty God of universe is pursuing us not because he lacked power but because He wanted to allow us the chance to make a choice to approach Him as He desires a personal relationship from each one of us (not a group deal).  The woman from this passage actually had not done anything wrong other than how she might've felt like she "stole" Jesus' power to heal herself.  But nevertheless Jesus wanted to affirm her experience in public and so she would begin to build her life on a firm foundation going forward.

Additionally, here was a person who had spent all of her resources and energy without successfully healing her disease and her condition was getting worse.  As a last resort she approaches Jesus and actually receives the miraculous healing.  The woman who appeared to be one of the many in the crowd was not lost in eyes of Jesus.  Today, we have many people who's lost all of what they had and economy is still going downhill.  I hope that these people will give Jesus a try and not only will they be welcomed with a warm personal outreach from Him, they will begin to experience the miraculous healing in their lives.

[A] Whenever God works in my life, I should approach Him to confess my joy, fear, excitement, forgiveness, etc. because He cares about me -- the one out of 6 billion people on this planet.

[P] Dear God, Your personal touch I see in this passage warmed my heart so much, I had to restrain myself from writing too much here.  Thank You for always allowing me a chance to step forward instead of strong-arm'ing me to do/be your ways.  May I soften my neck and heart to be more intimate with You out of my own will.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.