Clinging to the Core

[S] Ruth 2:11-12 --
11  Boaz replied to her, "All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know.  12  "May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge."

[O] Ruth followed after Naomi's God and followed through physically by leaving her homeland and coming to Bethlehem.  Originally, Naomi's family left Bethlehem due to famine and settled in the land of Moab where a different kind of famine struck her family and even in the midst of such a famine Ruth's dedication, commitment, and service to her in-laws were exceptional in most people's eyes which Boaz referred to here.  He praises Ruth for seeking refuge under God's wings. In the most unfavorable condition, where she had other options as a way out of there Ruth chose to stick with God because that's what was at her core.

[A] It seems I am faced with lots of turbulent times going through the stage of my life and I do have some options to alleviate myself from this condition to ease a little but I need to examine what's at my core and need to cling on to that belief.  It is what I do now which will mold and prepare for what's coming ahead and it is what I do now which will let God know where my heart is at to trust in Him.  What good would it be if I am conditionally trusting in Him (only when things going well)?

[P] Dear God, give me a heart like Ruth who clung on to Your faithfulness and promise in the most unfavorable situation she found herself in.  I want to find refuge under Your wings.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Bull's Eye Promises

[S] Joshua 21:45 --
45  Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

[O] This statement coming from Joshua has a special emphasis for me because he was the one who fearfully started to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan to conquer that land according to the promise came from God.  Not only that his clinching on to the promise started 40 years prior and still going strong and then some.  His saying of God's delivering on all of his promises is a true and genuine testimony coming from a man after God's own heart.  Can I give such a confident testimony about how none of God's promises failed in my household?

[A] Simplifying to the irreducible minimum, my daily life should be about knowing what God's promise for me is and then claiming it to see it come true every time; and compilation of these will become my life's testimony which when I pass from this world will display my aim in life.

[P] Dear Father, may You seal in me the same spirit that drove Joshua to conquer the land that You promised for him to rule over (not without challenges) so my life will fight the challenges ahead and yet claim the lost grounds for You and Your people.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Side Effects of Standing Up For God's Promises

[S] Numbers 14:8-10,19 --
 ⁸"If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey. ⁹"Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." ¹⁰But all the congregation said to stone them with stones Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel.
 ¹⁹"Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

[O] Joshua and Caleb were the only two out of twelve spies who were standing up for God's promises and tried to convince the people to embrace His ways and not fear the people of Canaan.  But the people wanted to stone these two valiant warriors.  This scene is so much like what Jesus did for us where He came to us to tell us the promise of God to lead us into Heaven despite all the difficulties we face in this world.  His intentions were to save us, but the people responded by crucifying Him on the cross.  In light of this, Moses in verse 19 intercedes for the people because God's anger is about to wipe out these grumblers and what I noticed in both situations is that Joshua, Caleb, and Moses all focused on God's greatness rather than people's wretchedness.  They all were so sure of God's promises based on what He had already shown them from the exodus from Egypt.

[A] My life is going to face a whole bunch of difficult situations especially when my service for His ministry will be misunderstood by others and let alone God's wrath, my own disappointment desires to show them who is right.  However, I need to focus and re-focus my mind on God's greatness and not people's imperfectness and continue to put my hope in Him and not get discouraged.

[P] Dear Father, it's so wonderfully assuring to know that You always keep Your promises because by Your promise, I can stand through the ordeals I need to face in this world.  There are so many things to worry about in this world it's not even funny.  And I can get so wrapped up in all those things losing sight of Your promises for me.  I want to be filled with Your Spirit so that I will never lose focus of Your promises especially during the times of walking through some dark moments in life.  I ask that You will never let me go.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Just Like a Jigsaw Puzzle

[S] Hebrews 11:39-40 --
 ³⁹And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, ⁴⁰because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. 
(NIV) ³⁹ These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, ⁴⁰ since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

[O] One of the requirements of completing God's promises in the midst of our community is for us to unite and collaborate to connect our own pieces with one another.  Individually, I am unable to see or receive the promise because I will only retain a portion of that.  It is like each of us holding on to a piece of the jigsaw puzzle where with that piece alone (or even with a few more pieces next to it, until all pieces are placed in their proper positions) I will not see what the whole picture looks like.  There will be a lot of trial-and-errors, efforts of changing approaches to find that perfect spot for that unique piece of the puzzle, and frustrations at times to persevere on one piece at a time.  God's "better" plan is to get us working together in harmony for the purpose of seeing His promise come to its perfect fruition.

[A] Just like all jigsaw puzzle pieces are equally critical and significant in completing the puzzle, each one of us is equally precious to bringing forth God's promise of His saving grace and I need not forget that especially when involved in ministry at church.  We're all doing this as a same team to bring out His plan and this is a good principle I need to keep reminding myself.

[P] Dear Father, Your secret sauce of completing Your wonderful promise only when we unite is so simple and yet effective because that "forces" us to collaborate.  Please forgive my forgetfulness of this simple principle when I'm caught up with so many things going on causing me to think I can do it all or at least think I'm more important.  I humbly bow before You to take reign in my life so as I collaborate with other saints in the Lord, Your promise will bear much fruit.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Unbelief is Deciced by My Mind

[S] Hebrews 3:19 --
 ¹⁹So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

[O] This particular verse refers to the Israelites who could not enter Canaan due to their unbelief but it very well extends anything that I do which will rob me from receiving God's promise.  Whether I believe or not, God will continue with His miraculous wonders here on earth -- the key is whether I believe and take part in them or disbelieve and be left out from experiencing His strength and power.  The difference between believing and unbelieving is really just a click in my heart and so it really depends on what my mind wills vs. having to do research for years and reading a ton of books, per se.  So believing is really setting my mind to have faith in God to deliver what He already promised and from which the linkage from my heart to His is established.

[A] It seems like every challenge in my life is really an opportunity to believe in God which leads to experiencing the awesome power of Him.  I have a few challenges I'm facing now and so instead of being stressed out, I WILL turn them around to experiencing God right in my life so I may testify of His awesomeness.

[P] Dear Jesus, thank You for allowing these challenges in my life, at home, in ministry, at workplace because You are providing me to experience You through them all.  I am going to set my mind to transform these challenges into moments for You to define my life's purpose.  I want to yield to Your shepherding heart.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Seeking for a Promotion Lately?

[S] Daniel 2:46-48 --
 ⁴⁶Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and did homage to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and fragrant incense.
 ⁴⁷The king answered Daniel and said, "Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery."
 ⁴⁸Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

[O] A scene worth witnessing I'm sure.  The King of the mighty nation bowing down before Daniel is an awesome situation here probably all around him were awestruck.  How did this come about?  The word "Then" starting this verse was the reason.  In verses 1:17, 28 explains how God had granted ability to understand dreams and visions and he was bold enough to exercise that gift when he was called for.  As he did this he gave all credit to God and after "then" the King Nebuchadnezzar recognized the greatness of God and promoted Daniel to rule over the whole province of Babylon.  Truly a wonderful example of how God will promote us even in our workplaces rather than relying on our own efforts of trying to look good.

[A] While I believe in this principle of God promoting me into positions that He will use me even in the "secular" world situations, at times my mind wonders if He had forgotten about me.  I need to realize He does not forget and makes mistakes and stay on this path of relying this principle.

[P] Dear God, may I trust in You without wavering in any circumstance even when things don't look that bright for me.  May Your name be lifted up even through those situations in my life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

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.

Not even one failed

[S] Joshua 21:45 --
⁴⁵Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

[O] I'm so used to striving for almost perfect (e.g., 99.99999%) that a concept of 100% perfection is a foreign concept to me so when I read this verse which happens to be on my memory verses list, strikes a special chord in me.  Not even one of many promises God made failed.  This means when He speaks He really means it.  As simple as this may sound, I don't always mean what I say and that's the root of the problem here.  In James 1:19 it says to be slow to speak and that's because choosing the right or good words to speak requires time; time to think about do I really mean what I'm about to say?

[A] When I compose an email make sure I mean every word I type as it can get real easy just to type things up and click the send button.

[P] Dear God, Your perfectness just amazes me even though I knew that.  I want to walk my life such that I mean what I say and walk my talk.  Please work in the areas of my life to build me up.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

I Am Still As Strong Today

[S] Joshua 14:11-12; 15:14 --

¹¹"I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.  ¹²"Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."

¹⁴Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak.

[O] Caleb professes to be as strong as 38 years ago when he was sent to spy out the Promised Land with 11 others.  He was filled with the conviction of God allowing them to conquer the land even though it was occupied by huge and strong people.  His zeal for living a victorious life persisted through all the years of wandering the wilderness and then conquering the land of Canaan.  He was ready to finish the job that he was unable to complete 38 years ago and to do that, he was as strong today as he was back the.  What is driving my life; and what is providing the strength for me to carry on my life for God's glory?  In 15:14 we see that he indeed defeated the sons of Anak and took over that region to accomplish the task for God.

[A] What is the area in my life that needs to be followed through according to God's promise?  Am I as strong as before to accomplish this task with flying colors?  If my desire has decreased along the way, this is the time to refresh my commitment and charge forward.

[P] Heavenly Father, please allow me to carry on the full strength even though I age every year in physical sense to carry out the ministry at Pathway for expanding and equipping the second generation Asian American Brothers and Sisters.  You've given me this purpose 25 years ago and I, too, wanna say to You that I am still as strong today as then.  Thank You for sustaining this zeal.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Result of Ordinary vs. Promise

[S] Galatians 4:23 --
²³His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

[O] The comparison between Hagar and Sarah is made in this section and I'm reflecting on the thought of how much of my actions and involvement in ministry are done as a result of ordinary ways vs. a result of a promise from God.  As we see the constrating outcome of these two descendants my life's outcome based on my own ordinary human ways vs. what I will do because of the promise God has put in my heart will bear totally different fruits.

[A] I need to examine very carefully before carrying out any of my plans what the source of motivation is behind them.  I need to think of how God gave Isaac through Sarah as the result of a promise because the fruits bore from my life should be like Isaac which will be everlastingly scalable for His Kingdom's sake.

[P] Dear Lord, grant me a heart to desire to bear fruits based on your promise.  Even though at times I feel I am lost or trapped with no way out, I ask You to remind me how Isaac was born as a result of your promise and how I also need to go back to Your promise/purpose for my life instead of getting discouraged.  I will claim the same God who provided Isaac as the promised child to display the same miraculous power in my life.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.