[S] Deuteronomy 3:21-22 --
"I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so the Lord shall do to all the kingdoms into which you are about to cross. ‘Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.’
[O] God prepares our hearts for the challenges we're about to face and that's what He did for Joshua before he was to enter the land of Canaan because it wasn't going to be walk in a park but instead facing the "giants" of that land which would have easily scared Joshua. God sets an example that Joshua should remember by defeating the two Kings Bashan and Og. "Do not fear them" is what God tells Joshua and that's the same message for me now because as His ministers we're to embark on un-chartered territories filled with unknown fear and challenges but as long as I'm with God He will fight for me again and again.
[A] Right now my fear is how I'm going to handle my work, ministry, and family time especially when I need to cover all of my department's task because the other employee left the company. I only have 24 hours a day but seems like what I need to do is much more than that. I'm going to claim the message, "Do not fear" and take each day to live out a victorious life because not I but He will fight ahead of me.
[P] Dear Father, thank You for desiring to shower my life with victories, not fear. I am going to claim that in my life and live it out starting now. In Jesus' name. Amen.
From my Life devotional journaling and more (Read Today's Passage)
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
Showing posts with label Fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fear. Show all posts
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Keeps On Going Again and Again
[S] John 10:7-8,11 --
7Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
8The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
11This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."
[O] If the disciples knew about the danger of going back to Judea, I'd think Jesus was aware of this also. However, He decided to go there again fully knowing the risk and yet he was fully driven by His purpose mentioned in verse 11. Of course that was the practical reason with the ultimate reason of glorifying God through that miracle. Many times I discredit Jesus' actions like these because He was God -- much like how I'd expect the Superman to fly over a building without any problems, I expect Jesus to make this type of a decision because He knows the future and He is above the earthly circumstances. But today, God whispered to me about how He was a full man and how He was fully bound to the earthly limitations too which means, He was fully capable of averting the risks He may be walking into. He did have an edge being the Son of God but in the end His human side had to be led by His spiritual side. This is one way to define ministry: Overcoming the earthly limitations with Heavenly purposes.
[A] How many times, have I weighed the risks of venturing into the "ministry zone" and decided to stay safe within the boundaries of the "safe zone" (or perhaps the "twilight zone")? I find myself doing this whenever I am unclear of God's purpose which increases the fear factor. So, I must ask God to make the purpose of my ministry clear at all times such that I, too, may say, "Let us go to the 'ministry zone' again, and again."
[P] Dear God, please continue to sustain your vision and purpose of doing ministry for You. This is more than simply participating in a ministry program but for my inner heart to be pumping His vision all the time in order to constantly pursue the avenues to reveal God's wonderful presence without caving into the fear of unknowns to leave myself in my own safety zone. Please grant such an assurance in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
7Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."
8The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone You, and are You going there again?"
11This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep."
[O] If the disciples knew about the danger of going back to Judea, I'd think Jesus was aware of this also. However, He decided to go there again fully knowing the risk and yet he was fully driven by His purpose mentioned in verse 11. Of course that was the practical reason with the ultimate reason of glorifying God through that miracle. Many times I discredit Jesus' actions like these because He was God -- much like how I'd expect the Superman to fly over a building without any problems, I expect Jesus to make this type of a decision because He knows the future and He is above the earthly circumstances. But today, God whispered to me about how He was a full man and how He was fully bound to the earthly limitations too which means, He was fully capable of averting the risks He may be walking into. He did have an edge being the Son of God but in the end His human side had to be led by His spiritual side. This is one way to define ministry: Overcoming the earthly limitations with Heavenly purposes.
[A] How many times, have I weighed the risks of venturing into the "ministry zone" and decided to stay safe within the boundaries of the "safe zone" (or perhaps the "twilight zone")? I find myself doing this whenever I am unclear of God's purpose which increases the fear factor. So, I must ask God to make the purpose of my ministry clear at all times such that I, too, may say, "Let us go to the 'ministry zone' again, and again."
[P] Dear God, please continue to sustain your vision and purpose of doing ministry for You. This is more than simply participating in a ministry program but for my inner heart to be pumping His vision all the time in order to constantly pursue the avenues to reveal God's wonderful presence without caving into the fear of unknowns to leave myself in my own safety zone. Please grant such an assurance in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Dwell and Cultivate Faithfulness
[S] Joshua 2:24; Psalm 37:3-5 --
24They said to Joshua, "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.
3Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
[O] The message of going into Canaan and conquer that land continues as Joshua now assumes the commander in chief position after Moses passed away. The two spies he sent into Canaan (Jericho) returned with a convicted message of "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands." The Jericho fortress may seemed mighty but the hearts of the people living in it have already melted without any hope. As I think about that scene I'm almost thinking the walls of Jericho falling down after the Israelites circled for seven days may even symbolically display the hearts of the Canaanites living in there. I find myself doing the same thing -- the condition of my heart really displays through whatever I try to cover up on the outside. The melted hearts of the people were like the crumbling down walls of Jericho. So, the Israelites gained full confidence as they crossed the Jordan River to conquer Jericho.
Towards the end of Moses' life, the Israelites the new generation have learned to trust in God to obey and move forward into Canaan. Psalm 37:3 echoes the same sequence of Israelites: 1) Trust in the LORD; 2) Do good; 3) Dwell in the land; 4) Cultivate faithfulness; 5) Delight in the LORD; 6) He will give desires of the heart. The part that grabbed me was "dwell in in the land and cultivate faithfulness" because it seems like I'm at a crossroads about to enter and dwell in the land God has promised me; and then what comes after that is cultivating faithfulness of me and my family. Oh how I desire to do that!
[A] Today, Psalm 37:4 is seen with the backdrop of conquering Canaan and that's where I seem to be at also, just on this side of Jordan about to encounter it split up for me to enter that land. It is during the rainy season flooding the Jordan with rough currents. My mind is rushing through to find a way to cross at least a million people not to mention the mighty fortress of Jericho. Yes, the two spies reported a very positive outlook but what's seen ahead sure looks difficult if not too risky to fail. That is what my mind processes these days as I look beyond where our small group ministry is at. I want to apply Psalm 37:4 in light of my current situation. I want to delight in You God so You will mysteriously and miraculously provide the desires of my heart. Come Lord, Jesus, send Your Spirit to guide us and to fight ahead of us.
[P] Dear God, I delight in Your wonderful power and strength. I trust in Your leadership of my life, my family's lives, the small group ministry You put me in charge of. I give You all the glory and may what I do reflect Your wondrous beauty. In Jesus' name. Amen.
24They said to Joshua, "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.
3Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
5Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
[O] The message of going into Canaan and conquer that land continues as Joshua now assumes the commander in chief position after Moses passed away. The two spies he sent into Canaan (Jericho) returned with a convicted message of "Surely the LORD has given all the land into our hands." The Jericho fortress may seemed mighty but the hearts of the people living in it have already melted without any hope. As I think about that scene I'm almost thinking the walls of Jericho falling down after the Israelites circled for seven days may even symbolically display the hearts of the Canaanites living in there. I find myself doing the same thing -- the condition of my heart really displays through whatever I try to cover up on the outside. The melted hearts of the people were like the crumbling down walls of Jericho. So, the Israelites gained full confidence as they crossed the Jordan River to conquer Jericho.
Towards the end of Moses' life, the Israelites the new generation have learned to trust in God to obey and move forward into Canaan. Psalm 37:3 echoes the same sequence of Israelites: 1) Trust in the LORD; 2) Do good; 3) Dwell in the land; 4) Cultivate faithfulness; 5) Delight in the LORD; 6) He will give desires of the heart. The part that grabbed me was "dwell in in the land and cultivate faithfulness" because it seems like I'm at a crossroads about to enter and dwell in the land God has promised me; and then what comes after that is cultivating faithfulness of me and my family. Oh how I desire to do that!
[A] Today, Psalm 37:4 is seen with the backdrop of conquering Canaan and that's where I seem to be at also, just on this side of Jordan about to encounter it split up for me to enter that land. It is during the rainy season flooding the Jordan with rough currents. My mind is rushing through to find a way to cross at least a million people not to mention the mighty fortress of Jericho. Yes, the two spies reported a very positive outlook but what's seen ahead sure looks difficult if not too risky to fail. That is what my mind processes these days as I look beyond where our small group ministry is at. I want to apply Psalm 37:4 in light of my current situation. I want to delight in You God so You will mysteriously and miraculously provide the desires of my heart. Come Lord, Jesus, send Your Spirit to guide us and to fight ahead of us.
[P] Dear God, I delight in Your wonderful power and strength. I trust in Your leadership of my life, my family's lives, the small group ministry You put me in charge of. I give You all the glory and may what I do reflect Your wondrous beauty. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Many People in the City
[S] Acts 18:9-10 --9And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;
10for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
[O] I'm reminded of how God sends many of His people to collaborate in speaking the truth to the society we live in. At times even though it feels like I'm all alone, I need to trust that God had bestowed many of His people around to carry out His purposes. Spiritual enemy's always lurking around and through others around me to drag me down and to put fear in me. God told Paul not to be afraid any longer but go on speaking. God is speaking to me also to not be afraid of some of the situations I'm facing in ministry He placed me but go on speaking. There will be some attacks but none will be strong enough to harm me. God's placed many people around me to work together to strengthen up and encourage one another.
[A] Need to rise above some of the discouragements and challenges ahead with the small group ministry by trusting God's promise for my life and the ministry He placed me. He's going to send co-laborers to work together in this effort.
[P] Dear God, I'm surrendering before You to lay my meager efforts into Your hands such that I will be relying 100% on Your power and workings through my life than trying to achieve things on my own. Let me not seek my own crown. In Jesus' name. Amen.
10for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
[O] I'm reminded of how God sends many of His people to collaborate in speaking the truth to the society we live in. At times even though it feels like I'm all alone, I need to trust that God had bestowed many of His people around to carry out His purposes. Spiritual enemy's always lurking around and through others around me to drag me down and to put fear in me. God told Paul not to be afraid any longer but go on speaking. God is speaking to me also to not be afraid of some of the situations I'm facing in ministry He placed me but go on speaking. There will be some attacks but none will be strong enough to harm me. God's placed many people around me to work together to strengthen up and encourage one another.
[A] Need to rise above some of the discouragements and challenges ahead with the small group ministry by trusting God's promise for my life and the ministry He placed me. He's going to send co-laborers to work together in this effort.
[P] Dear God, I'm surrendering before You to lay my meager efforts into Your hands such that I will be relying 100% on Your power and workings through my life than trying to achieve things on my own. Let me not seek my own crown. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Surely There Is No Fear Of God
[S] Genesis 20:11 --
11Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.
[O] Contrary to Abraham's presumption, there was a clear fear of God in that place. He lack of trust caused him to deceive other people whom he should've actually be influencing toward God by setting a good example. His mindset of, "There's no way God can work in such place like this," was where the flaw began. How many times do I have the same flawed thinking when I see things with my own eyes and come to my own conclusions? Is anything too difficult for God (from yesterday's devo)? No. But why do I act like it too many times? God is at work in all places despite the condition. All types of people matter to God; so I shouldn't label anyone to be "impossible." I have to remember He hung that cross and died for all types of people here on earth.
[A] In a quiet place identify any areas in my brain where I've wrote off to be impossible place for God to work. And surrender them to God so He could (and He will) show His mighty power there as well.
[P] Dear God, may there be no areas in my mind to presume You're powerless because nothing is too difficult (let alone impossible) for You. May I trust in You to be working in any and all places You send me to go. In Jesus' name. Amen.
11Abraham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.
[O] Contrary to Abraham's presumption, there was a clear fear of God in that place. He lack of trust caused him to deceive other people whom he should've actually be influencing toward God by setting a good example. His mindset of, "There's no way God can work in such place like this," was where the flaw began. How many times do I have the same flawed thinking when I see things with my own eyes and come to my own conclusions? Is anything too difficult for God (from yesterday's devo)? No. But why do I act like it too many times? God is at work in all places despite the condition. All types of people matter to God; so I shouldn't label anyone to be "impossible." I have to remember He hung that cross and died for all types of people here on earth.
[A] In a quiet place identify any areas in my brain where I've wrote off to be impossible place for God to work. And surrender them to God so He could (and He will) show His mighty power there as well.
[P] Dear God, may there be no areas in my mind to presume You're powerless because nothing is too difficult (let alone impossible) for You. May I trust in You to be working in any and all places You send me to go. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Give Me an Undivided Heart
[S] Psalm 86:11 --
11Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
(In NIV) 11 Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
[O] Generally speaking, we are taught to display (or in some cases, show off) what we learn. For example, when I'm learning a musical instrument, I perform in front of others in concerts and competitions to display how much I learned and am good at playing the instrument. Rarely am I taught to fear how to play or just to appreciate the instrument (and not perform on it). Here in this passage, however, the result of teaching is fearing God's name wholeheartedly. I liked the more descriptiveness in NIV translation of "undivided heart" because God does not want part-time commitment but a 100% commitment from me as I learn His ways through His Words.
[A] As the new small group ministry is being formed at my church, I pray that we would all develop the undivided heart of fearing His name because only through that name our ministry will strengthen and grown as we all learn His Ways. As the structure is being developed, never lose focus of this principle.
[P] Dear God, Your name is awesome and I pray that our church will come to grips with acknowledging that in all aspects of our ministry, especially in the new small group ministry about to take off in about three months. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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