Whirlwind of Life

[S] Proverbs 10:25 -- When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more,
But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

[O] Whirlwind passes through life at all time in all situations and there really is nothing to prevent it so the best way is to learn how to withstand it.  According to this verse, being righteous in the Lord is the way to set the foundation to withstand such whirlwinds in life.  We think we can build up something on our own such as money and role in society but those can crumble down at any time but there is nothing that can take away the righteousness in God.

[A] This verse is a compass for setting life's course because while it's so easy to build the foundation of life as power and prestige in society, I need to set it as righteousness in God by being faithful to Him.

[P] Dear God, I would like to lay the foundation of my life to be the righteous person mentioned in this verse.  I want to withstand various whirlwinds that I will face in my life.  Please guide me to be such a man.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

For My Sake

[S] 1 Kings 11:13 --  ¹³"However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."

[O] Solomon had veered away from following God's ways in his latter days and God was angry with Solomon (v. 9) and is going to tear away the kingdom Solomon had built up.  "However," for the sake of David, God's servant, one tribe will be given to Solomon's son; and as we know now through that lineage, God brought forth Jesus to provide the way out of our eternal separation from God.  As human beings, failures are inevitable and even Solomon who had the wisdom of God failed to uphold God's righteousness and holiness to the end of his life.  But it's so good to know that God honors and remembers his faithful servants and for their sakes He will carry on His promises.  Just as God confirmed to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of 10 righteous people (Genesis 16:32) when Abraham asked, God seeks for those faithful servants who will stand in place of the wicked of this world.

[A] Humility comes to my mind as I reflect on this passage because that was one thing I can see David did not forgo throughout his life.  No matter what size of work I may do for God, I need to hold tight to the humility before God.

[P] Dear God, I totally desire to live a life to my last breath to uphold Your holiness and righteousness on top of a servant's humility.  Please grant me this desire.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Light Sown Heart

[S] Psalm 97:11 --

      ¹¹Light is sown like seed for the righteous

         And gladness for the upright in heart.

[O] Sowing a seed is more than just throwing some seeds into the soil and hoping for the best.  The sower finds the most optimal location and then prepares the soil (soften it up and water) before planting the seed into the soil down to a certain depth.  I'm seeing that same picture of Jesus planting that see of Light to the righteous people.  Righteousness is the good soil He seeks to plant the seed.  And the fruit is the gladness in the heart.

From this I am envisioning the life a righteous man where his life is sown with seeds of Light and bears the fruit of gladness.

[A] There are so much things going on especially during this part of the year, even though I am trying to keep up with all the chores of being a follower of Christ, I must not neglect to soften my heart with His word so that Jesus may sow the seeds of Light into my life and that my life, regardless of the circumstances I'm facing every day, will overflow with gladness which springs out of my heart.

[P] Dear God, Your timing is always perfect to remind me about not losing focus of the core aspect of following You in the hustle and bustle of life I'm going through these days.  Please allow my heart to be overflowing with the gladness coming from You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

In God's Radar

[S] 1 Peter 3:12 --
¹²"FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

[O] What a comforting reminder because as I stand to be righteous in God's eyes, He says He will watch over me and to hear my prayers. Extending it further, this also means that once I have lifted up my prayers to Him, I should believe that He had heard my prayers and will answer them in due time. I want to be "in His radar" by sustaining my own attitude toward Him. I will do all I can to understand His love deeper to stay righteous in Him (not in my own self). Especially these days I feel like I'm beating the empty air trying to initiate the small group ministry but I am now much more comforted to know that God is watching over me.

[A] Do not get discouraged at all. In fact be confident in Him not based on the circumstances or results but based on my attitude toward God.

[P] Dear God, please "look at me" as I stand in front of You covered in the blood of Jesus Christ. As the one claimed by You to be righteous, I am so thankful for giving me the confidence to move forward knowing that You are watching me and hearing my prayers. I move onward with strength that come from You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Just Like Airport X-Ray Machine

[S] Hosea 14:9b --
For the ways of the LORD are right,
And the righteous will walk in them,
But transgressors will stumble in them.

[O] When going through the airport security x-ray machine, I've had instances where I forgot to take off my mobile phone into the x-ray tray and as I walk pass the metal detector, alarm would go off and the TSA agent would ask me to re-enter. So then I realize I still have the phone on me and take it off, pass it through the x-ray machine and I walk through clean. This passage gave that picture in my mind because the ways of the Lord will pick out the transgressors while the righteous will walk in them. His ways will clearly distinguish those who are in Him or not. So look around when you're walking in His ways because those walking along you are those in the same Spirit.

[A] When I stumble, re-check my motives and heart for any transgressions. This may not be the cause in all cases, but it's a good habit to get into.

[P] Dear God, I truly desire to walk in Your ways without stumbling. In the beginning of this verse, You pre-qualified the righteous by those who understand Your wisdom and having discernments. I desire that. Please blot out all of my imperfections in order for me to be abiding in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.