Our Days Are Numbered

Psalm 39

Psalm 39
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.
1 I said, "I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2 But when I was silent and still,
not even saying anything good,
my anguish increased.

3 My heart grew hot within me,
and as I meditated, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.

5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Selah

6 Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro:
He bustles about, but only in vain;
he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7 "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

8 Save me from all my transgressions;
do not make me the scorn of fools.

9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
for you are the one who has done this.

10 Remove your scourge from me;
I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin;
you consume their wealth like a moth—
each man is but a breath.
Selah

12 "Hear my prayer, O LORD,
listen to my cry for help;
be not deaf to my weeping.
For I dwell with you as an alien,
a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13 Look away from me, that I may rejoice again
before I depart and am no more."

Bee's Thoughts:

Recently, a very successful man was sharing about how much wealth he has accumulated over the years. He owned 7 properties and many busineses at the age of only 52. But one thing he shared was that he has no time for his wife and 4 children. He never get to see his children during the weekdays becuase he went home late when they were sleeping. By the time he woke up, his children would have left for schools. He said that was his choice in life. To him, wealth is peace. What about to his family? Has he ever considered their feelings? How much does he love them?

The above passage reminds us that our life is "fleeting" (v4) and "Each man's life is but a breath"(v5). God can easily take away the wealth of a man overnight (v11). So where is our boasting?

If life is so short, wouldn't every minute of our life counts? We need to number our days like what the Psalmist requested from God.

Dear Lord,
Teach me to number my days and know how short it is. Therefore I need to use my time properly for things that are meaningful, and for the people that I love, and that includes You.

Now I want to pray for my friend who is feeling troubled, that Your peace will be with him, that he will know that his time is in Your hand. Let him give his trouble to You.

I also want to pray for another friend who needs Your journey mercy as he makes his way home from his trip tomorrow. Give him good sleep so that he may be fresh as he drives back.

In Your loving name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Life is short and it goes by in a flash. It is also a test, a test to see how well and responsible we are in using the short and priceless time we have. Are we using them wisely or are we unknowingly wasting hours daily with unimportant, meaningless things or pursuits?

Some said we have to live everyday like it's our last; to begin with the end in mind. If we were to sit down and think with this frame of reference, we’ll see many important things we want and need to do: Changes we would like to make? Habits we need to end? Plans we need to make? Words we want to say? Things we need to let go? People we need to love? A God we need to tell others? Life is short; there is never a second to lose. We need to start right now—this very minute to do what truly important; what matters most.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching how important to use my time wisely, to do what truly important and not wasting times irresponsibly. Lord, I pray for Your wisdom to be with me while I’m preparing for my test in the coming week. Guide me to have the discipline to use my time effectively between my study and projects. I pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Hope In the Spirit

Romans 8:16-30

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

More Than Conquerors
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Bee's Thoughts:

I am actually feeling very tired and I am having headache too tonight. My human tendency is to skip tonight's devotion and go to sleep. But thank God that He gave me the strength to persist in spending this time with Him to read His words.

There are a number of things I personally learnt from the above passage:

1. When we are born-again in the Spirit, we will have a strong conviction that we are children of God. This is something we are very sure of b'cos the Spirit of God bears witness in our spirit (v16).

2. As children of God, we have an unseen hope that our decaying human bodies will ultimately be redeemed for something that is unperishable and glorious (v23, 24).

3. As children of God, we can pray in the Spirit who will help us pray according to God's will (v26, 27). This can be felt when we pray in the Spirit through tongue when we are baptised by the Holy Spirit.

4. We can be sure that if we love God and want to do His will, then no matter what happen they are for our good (v28).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your strength tonight through You Spirit's enabling. Thank You for Your reminder of the hope and glory I shall receive when I see You. Thank You that all things work together for my good, for I love You love. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Things can get pretty tough and frustrating in life, things that sometimes happened not by our own choice or fault. We might also have to live and deal with difficult people, misunderstandings and conflicts with someone close, stressed by works and people, disappointments of others and ourselves. At times, we feel like giving up, thinking nothing matters anymore.

But as Christian, we can find hope and comfort despite our helplessness living in this fallen world. Hope for a glorious freedom through redemption of our bodies. Until that day comes, we can live our lives differently, not conforming to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2) but making positive changes and attitude in every situation we might be facing. We need to see every situation as a test of our love, humility, and trust; to advance toward the virtues of Jesus.

The good news is our loving God didn't leave us alone to deal with this. He has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us, to guide us, giving us strength, patience and endurance along the way; to learn to genuinely love and serve others, to see every moment, good or bad, as an opportunity to glorify God, shining brightly as His children of light (John 12:36) in a world that filled with darkness today.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your comforting words that my sufferings today are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to me. Thank You also for assuring me that in all things You works for the good of those who love You, who have been called according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

A Bold Entrance

Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Bee's Thoughts:

Sometimes we might feel guilty to come to God when we know we have sinned against God over and over again. The devil may accuse us and tell us that we are unworthy to ask God for forgiveness. This is a devil's lie.

Jesus has been "tempted in every way" just like us, therefore, He can "sympathize with our weaknesses" (v15). Jesus will never despise us when we go to Him to tell Him what we'd been through and seek His help. Isn't that comforting to be able to talk to Someone who has gone through smiliar temptations like ours and yet is an overcomer? With this in mind, we can boldly and confidently approach Him "in our time of need" (v15).


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your comforting words today that we can come before You in time of need. You promised us that Your grace and mercy will be with us.
Now I want to pray for my friend, who is having a special problem, and is in need of Your grace and mercy to see him through. I pray that he will have the courage to apprach Your throne of grace instead of feeling condemned by the devil. Grant him wisdom to handle his situation as he learns to commit himself and his problem to You.
Thank You for hearing my prayers. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

God truly understands and sympathizes with us when we have to face with all kinds of temptations in life. It’s because Jesus Himself had experienced a full range of temptations throughout His life as human. We can be comforted and encouraged knowing as children of God we do not have to sin when we face with temptation.

Through Christ also, we are assured of God’s forgiveness for all our sins. He provided a way for us to reconcile with God; giving us the assurance that God will always available to hear our prayers. With reverence, we approach God as our King but at the same time we can come with confidence and bold assurance as He is also our Friend and Counselor.

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me a way to come to You; not with my head hung low or a heart filled with fear and condemnation, but, with true confidence and assurance. Thank You Jesus that through You, I received and found God’s mercy and grace to help me in time of need and struggles. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Close friend of Faith

Psalm 92

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
1 It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,

2 to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,

3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

5 How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!

6 The senseless man does not know,
fools do not understand,

7 that though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they will be forever destroyed.

8 But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.

9 For surely your enemies, O LORD,
surely your enemies will perish;
all evildoers will be scattered.

10 You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox;
fine oils have been poured upon me.

11 My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

12 >The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;

13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,

15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

Bee's Thoughts:

All I want to do tonight is to praise the Lord, for it is good to praise Him (v1).

Dear Lord,

thank you for your love in the morning
for your faithfulness in the evening
for the songs you put in my heart
for the joy that never depart

praise you for the works of your hands
for your plans that're higher than my plans
for your thoughts that're higher than my thoughts
for your ways that're better than what i sought

thank you that those who trust in you
will have their strength renewed
will bear fruits even when they're old
will stay fresh and green even though

amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes, it’s really beyond me how certain people can ridicules and laughs at how Christians give thanks, honor and praise to God; saying how silly it is to acknowledge that God owns everything we have. Sadly, this seems to be a common thing we hear today. It's true what the Psalmist said about how silly man and fools would not see, know or understand what God has done (v6).

As believer, we know that the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1). How can we not thanks and praise a God who has given us "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4) that are "more to be desired than gold."(Psalm 19:10). Faith and thanksgiving are close friends. If we have faith in God, we will be thankful to all that He has done for us. Our attitude toward life will change as a result; we’ll become a more helpful, gracious, loving and humble person.

Dear Lord, thank You for providing all my needs with Your hands always upon me. Teach me to always place my faith firmly in You despite whatever the circumstances might be. I ask all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Bee's 5th Month of Devotion

I have been at this blog for the last 5 months. Doing my devotion here has helped me cultivate a consistent habit of spending time to reflect on God's word, and at the same time to apply them in my daily situations. Each time I read the bible passages for the day in Our Daily Bread I could feel God speaking to me about my daily experiences.

God's words are full of life when I read it prayerfully. They are very comforting, giving me new strength and courage to go on for another day, just like what food does for my physical body. However, if I were to read the bible just as head knowledge, it will be very dry and I will not benefit much from it. Thank God for His amazing words of life!

Sometimes, Tommy and I do have some slight disagreement on the titles of certain passages or on the presentation of a certain posts. Sometimes, these trivial matters may cause us to loose focus on what is important in the eyes of God -- His truths. These are subtle things the devil try to use to divide and conquer. But thank God that each time we could come to an agreement as we let God speaks to our hearts.

I am very thankful to Tommy, not only for letting me use his blog to do my online devotion, but also for his graciousness, care and concern for me. It's very encouraging to see that he has also been doing it regularly, despite his busy work schedule.

So, keep it up Tommy! Let's cheer each other on, ok? May our Lord bless you richly as you give Him your time. :)


.......the thoughts of Bee

Wrong Assumptions

Job 4:1-11

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

2 "If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?

3 Think how you have instructed many,
how you have strengthened feeble hands.

4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;
you have strengthened faltering knees.

5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
it strikes you, and you are dismayed.

6 Should not your piety be your confidence
and your blameless ways your hope?

7 "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
Where were the upright ever destroyed?

8 As I have observed, those who plow evil
and those who sow trouble reap it.

9 At the breath of God they are destroyed;
at the blast of his anger they perish.

10 The lions may roar and growl,
yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.

11 The lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Once, there was a pastor from a neighbor church came to give a healing service at my church. There were people with all kinds of problem and illness attended the service after hearing how gifted he is in healing. I was there with my friend who is suffering from OCD. Everything went well with the message on Jesus and the healing powers from God until we heard the advice from him to ask my friend to stop taking her medication, have faith and believe in God that he will heal her from her disorder. She took his advice and stops the medication. Things turned badly later as her condition deteriorated tremendously. She then felt so distanced from God, thinking He must be punishing her by not healing her for whatever wrongs she might have committed in the past.

But thanks to God, He came to help and lift her up in her depression through other Christians and our church’s pastors, who understand the teachings of God. They brought her back to know that God is the same faithful and loving God ever since she’s small. Her illness is not because of any punishment but a biological and medical condition that needs proper treatment. Medications and doctors are also God’s ways to help to cure and heal people.

There are times when a good and well-being people can give us wrong advices. Like Job’s friend, Eliphaz who based his advice on his confident, firsthand knowledge and experience; claiming he has figured out God and how He works (4:12-16) has made 3 critically wrong assumptions in today’s passage:

1. Good, innocent people never suffers.


2. We suffer because we’re being punished by our past sins. Suffering is a direct result of sin.


3. Job suffers because he did something wrong in God’s eyes.

Dear Lord, thank You for giving me the wisdom, teachings and examples to know what I should do and what I shouldn’t. Help me also not to be like Eliphaz who limit You to his own perspective and finite understanding. Instead, guide me to allow Your truths flow into my heart through daily reading of Your words and prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.



Bee's Thoughts:

Many people seem to think that 'heroes' or leaders will not, or should not, have any down moment. They are being lookup to by others for comforts, advices, encouragements, guidances, etc. But when they are down and need these things themselves, they seem to be left alone. They are not allowed to feel weak. Any sign of weakness would be frowned upon as in the case of Job above, where his friends weren't sympathetic toward's his distress. As such, heroes tend to feel lonely. *sigh*

Very often I felt the same way too.Sometimes I wonder if I am born to bear other's burdens and mine by myself. Once an offline friend told me after I shared about my discouragement: "You always look cheerful and confident, always providing solutions for others who need help, and I really respect you. I never expect you to feel discouraged." Yes, it's hard for people to know my actual feelings... I have to be strong all the time, I have to hold back my tears from others. What Job's friend, Eliphaz, said to him in verses 3 to 5 sounded familiar:

"Think how you have instructed many,
how you have strengthened feeble hands.

Your words have supported those who stumbled;
you have strengthened faltering knees.

But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
it strikes you, and you are dismayed."

Many people, like Job's friend, wrongly assumed that an usually strong person who helps others should neither feel weak nor be in need of a helping hand. They become very critical when it happens and start assuming wrongly.

The story of Job has been a great couragement for me whenever I feel wronged, especially by people close to me. For I know that God sees the true condition in my heart. Just like in the case of Job, despite being accused wrongly by his 3 close friends, Job didn't curse God. His response to God was highly commended by God, whereas God was angry with his friends' wrong assumption of his suffering:

"After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:1-7)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the lessons I can learn from the story of Job. Teach me not to be too quick to wrongly assume things when my leaders are in distress. Instead, let me be understanding, be encouraging, and be a support to them. Thank You for being my support and strength whenever I feel discouraged. Praise You, Lord! Amen.



.......the devotion of Tommy & Bee

A Personal Letter

Psalm 119:97-104

97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Today, where everyone corresponds through email everyday, receiving a snail mail from a friend or a loved one is so much more personal and romantic. Simple hand-written letters can be so meaningful and touch our hearts that we'll keep them like treasures. The Bible is like those letters and more. It’s a personal love letter from God to us His loving children.

Like a parent who care and wanted to give true wisdom to their children, God’s words make us wise- wiser than our enemies and any teachers who ignore it (v98-99). Intelligent or experienced people are not necessary wise. True wisdom comes not from amassing knowledge but through our willingness to allow His words to guide us and applying them in a life-changing way.

Dear Lord, thank You and I praise You for Your Word. Thank You for giving me the wisdom that I can’t find anywhere else. Wisdom that changes me to be a right person; to be more like Christ each day. Guide me to read prayerfully Your words and listening to what You wanted to say to me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

I was very touched when I read the article, Penning a Marriage: the power of interactive journaling, by Becky Zerbe. She said:

"Several years ago, my husband was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. Our journals are now a cherished record of thoughts and fears during the progress of a life consuming illness.

Now Roger's letters are filled with misspellings, grammatical mistakes, and lapses of meaning, but each one is an irreplaceable jewel. At this point, every precious word he puts on paper is a blessing. As physicians marvel at how well he's doing, I give credit to God for the gift of journaling. We believe Roger's dedication to writing a daily letter is an important contribution to slowing the progress of his disease."

"God in his wisdom knew we need the written word—after all, he wrote the Ten Commandments in stone. The Scriptures are filled with epistles that were so needed by the early Christians. They were precious letters that still guide us today. How blessed we are to be able to look at our Father and learn the importance of words written to each other."

Yes, certain special letters, cards, emails and ecards are very valuable to me. I kept them for a long, long time. Once in awhile I may retrieve them to read whenever I feel like it. They always warm my heart when I read them for they bring back many fond memories. They also make me feel close to the writers who unreservedly shared their thoughts.

If such written texts can give me so much pleasure in reading them over and over again, how much more will the texts written by my God who loves me so much. Like what the above Psalm says in v103, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"


Dear God,
Thank You for the special letters, cards, emails and ecards that people who care for me wrote... they mean a lot to me. Thank You even more for Your written words that can guide my whole life. May I never get sick of reading the bible, but to read them over and over again like treasure. Open my spiritual eyes to behold the wonders You want to reveal to me each time.
In Jesus' name I ask. Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Snub it Out!

Proverbs 26:17-28

17 Like one who seizes a dog by the ears
is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

18 Like a madman shooting
firebrands or deadly arrows

19 is a man who deceives his neighbor
and says, "I was only joking!"

20 Without wood a fire goes out;
without gossip a quarrel dies down.

21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
they go down to a man's inmost parts.

23 Like a coating of glaze over earthenware
are fervent lips with an evil heart.

24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips,
but in his heart he harbors deceit.

25 Though his speech is charming, do not believe him,
for seven abominations fill his heart.

26 His malice may be concealed by deception,
but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

27 If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it;
if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.

28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Tommy's Thoughts:

The old saying is very true, if we can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all! Gossip is one of the most unkind and damaging thing a person can silently do behind another. It’s a cruel weapon that serves no other purpose than a selfish way for one to look good by putting others down.

The real problem is not because we do not know gossip is bad, but because we are not aware how easy we ourselves can ‘transmit’ it along sometimes. We need to train our tongue and be careful with our words so that it won’t be used to spread the gossip. When we stop ‘contributing’, the gossip will be able to be snub-out.

Dear Lord, forgive me that at times I also involved in criticizing and ridiculing the flaws and habits of others behind their back. Help me Lord to never do them again knowing how damaging they are to others, doing injustice to a person. As You have said:

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless - James. 1:26

Thank You Lord. I pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.



Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, our tongues are the most difficult organ to be tamed.

I guess most people use gossip as a way of connecting with others, a common interest in a way. They may or not intentionally try to harm the one whom they gossiped about. Nevertheless, harms can be done, be it to that person's reputation or leaking out secrets.

Another way we might harm others with our tongues is "joking" insensitively. Certain jokes can actually be "Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows" (v18) and hurt someone deeply. It might be too late to say, "I was only joking!" (v19).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminder that I should learn to control my tongue that I will use it to edify and encourage someone, and to praise Your name, instead gossipping or say any insensitive words. Forgive me if I have offended anyone with what I said. Cleanse my lips Lord, right now.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Right Way to Share

Acts 17:22-31

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

29 "Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Bee's Thoughts:

Paul had modelled how we may share the gospel without offending others.

1. Firstly, he acknowledged the people for being very "religious" (v22).
2. Secondly, he pointed out his observation that the people worshipped the "UNKNOWN GOD", one which they have no personal relationship with (v23).
3. Thirdly, he shared with them who God is (v24-27):

• God made heaven and earth, so He doesn't need to live in man-made temples.
• God made men, so He doesn't need to be served by human hands.
• God multiplied men, He determined when and where they live.
• God desires that men should seek Him, He is near to men

Dear Lord,
Thank You for today's passage that I can learn from Paul how I may share the gospel to others without offending. May You open the eyes of those who do not know You to see Your greatness. That they may know that You are the Lord of the universe, yet You want to have a special relationship with them, Your creation.
Thank You for opening my eyes to see You. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I’ve met many people, some who are very close to me, that admitted that they did believe in an unknown god but do not trust him entirely. They feel that at the end all depend on themselves as there’s no assurance or clarity in what they believe in. Nevertheless, they still do and follow all kind of rituals and rules with the fear of missing any blessings or receiving punishments from god.

Paul’s address in today passage is a good example and approach of how we should communicate the gospel to these people. Instead of shooting down people with our knowledge, Paul began by using examples they understood (v22-23) as entry point for his witness. Then, he established a common ground by emphasizing what they agreed about God (v24-29). Finally, he moved people toward a decision about Jesus Christ (v30-31).

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me to be like Paul, always want to seek and know more about Your teachings; to be prepared to present the gospel whenever we can, not only when we feel adequately equipped but working with what we already know. Thank You also for teaching me not to hold back the truth or changing my basic message because of what other might think of them.

Ya Lord, one more thing, I pray that You will heal the excruciating pain of my tooth now so that I’ll have a goodnight sleep tonight…and do give my dentist the wisdom to treat it properly and effectively tomorrow. And thanks Bee for your forever caring prayers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

No Need Is Too Trivial

Isaiah 49:13-18

13 Shout for joy, O heavens;
rejoice, O earth;
burst into song, O mountains!
For the LORD comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me."

15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!

16 See (Bee), I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.

17 Your sons hasten back,
and those who laid you waste depart from you.

18 Lift up your eyes and look around;
all your sons gather and come to you.
As surely as I live," declares the LORD,
"you will wear them all as ornaments;
you will put them on, like a bride.

Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s hard sometimes when God seems so distant and not answering our prayer during our time of distress. We pray so hard and earnest, hoping He will just somewhat answer and deliver us instantly from our unbearable pain and struggle. We become frustrated when we are still stuck in our situation despite all our honest effort. Like the people in Israel from today’s passage, they felt God had denied and forsaken them in Babylon. But, Isaiah reminded them that God, like a loving parent, would never leave or forget them.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you - Deuteronomy 31:6

When we feel discouraged and think that God is too busy or doesn’t seems to care much about our 'small' and 'trivial' needs and problems, we need to ask ourselves if we have forsaken and forgotten Him in the first place. Is it only when we are facing a problem that we seek Him? God sometimes might also use and allow certain situation to happen in our lives, in order to teach, build, and bring us to a greater truth and understanding of our problem.

Dear Lord, thank You for being there with me through thick and thin. Lord, only You know what is best and good for me. In this season of Lent, teach me especially to be patient and tolerant when at times You might answer my prayer by asking me to wait. There are also times You’ll use situations to show and teach me something important from them. Lord, I’ll trust and obey You in every situation as I know all things will work together for good to those who love and obey You (Romans 8:28). In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.



Bee's Thoughts:

Reading the above passage brings back some unpleasant memories. Each time I thought of it I still feel teary. It's sad that some mothers can really "forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne" (v15). I can't understand why they can do that. Perhaps because they themselves have been abandoned before? Perhaps they have never experienced a mother's love? Even then, why didnt they have their own 'mother's instinct'?

Thank God that even though some mothers will have "no compassion" for their child, He always has. If not, I won't be here today.

When I was reading v16, momentarily I read it as..

"Bee, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."

I was so comforted and excited to read that. It's like God telling me, "Bee, though your mother can forget and have no compassion for you, I have; I will not forget you!; I have engraved you on my palms, and my presence will go with you wherever you go."


Thank You Lord! Praise You for this assurance! Yes, You have never left me nor forsaken me. You have always been with me even when I was in my mother's womb. You saw me through my life. You loved me even before I knew You. Thank You so much. Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Pride

Isaiah 14:12-15

12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!

13 You said in your heart,
"I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.

14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High."

15 But you are brought down to the grave,
to the depths of the pit.

Bee's Thoughts:


The above passage shows how satan fell from grace. He was too proud, thinking he could be like God (v14). The bible says, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18). Pride will eventually destroy us if we let it take root in our hearts.

That's why we are constantly reminded to be humble like Christ. He is the best model of humility for us to follow... a mighty God came down to earth to become a man, and to die for sinners on the cross. He went through so much humiliation just because of us. We owe our life and devotion to Him.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for humbling Yourself for our sake. Thank You for the reminder that pride can cause us to fall. May we be humble just like You, to serve others because of love too. In Your holy name I ask. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Pride springs from an exaggerated self-centeredness; making oneself absolute and central, isolating from God and others. Pride can be considered the greatest sin of all and the root of all sins. It strongly influences, leads and propels a person to sin in pursuit of his own good and selfish achievements.

As Christian, though we may not consider ourselves equal to God, but often time we may think we’re better or holier than other Christians or non-believers. We can even make our Christianity into a prideful thing like what Matthew said in Matthew 6:5-6.

Humility is what cures us from the cancer of pride. It’s about seeing ourselves as who we really are and not comparing ourselves to others. Among the ways to put on humility in our daily lives are:

1. Humble and submit ourselves to God by worshipping Him and obeying His word.


2. Never look down but consider others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:2-4).


3. Turn our eyes to Jesus and follow in His steps to true humility, understanding how He humbled himself carrying the cross for our sins.


4. Repent of our sin (2 Chronicles 34:27).

Dear Lord, forgive me for any pride that I have harbored in my life. Guide me to live everyday with humility and compassion, to be real with people in my life by laying down my pride. Thank you, Lord. I ask all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Divine Interruptions

Luke 10:29-37

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Bee's Thoughts:

Just when I was thinking that life is quite smooth-sailing (or plain) for me lately and glad to receive a surprised poem yesterday, an incidence caused me to be affected today... an injustice done to me, I felt bullied. I was very emotional when I tried to argue for my right over the phone. I ended up crying.... I badly wished I could talk about it to somebody right there and then. Yes, I did... after some time.

Not only that, I received a forwarded video from an ex-colleague today that made me laughed again... it was so funny! Then when I visited another friend's blog, what he wrote today also made my day. Aren't God wonderful? He used friends to cheer me up when I am down (without them even knowing sometimes).

Why did the incidence happen? A divine interruption? Perhaps God allowed it to take place to remind me not to be complacent when life is ok for me. Or perhaps God was reminding me the joy others will have when I am like the Good Samaritan to them, offering help to those who cross my path. Just like what Jean-Pierre de Caussade, said, "Love is the duty of the present moment." Can we drop what we have to do in order to help someone in need, or offer a listening ear when someone is in pain?

Dear Lord,
I thank You for your divine interruption today to teach me these lessons. Thank You for friends who could be used by You to cheer me up today too. Help me to be like the good Samaritan to help those that need me too. May Your love be felt always.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Be Prepare for the Meal

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

The Lord's Supper

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21 for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22 Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33 So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.And when I come I will give further directions.

Tommy's Thoughts:

It is easy for familiarity to blind us from something as profound and important as the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. We might have participated in it weeks after weeks without truly understand its purpose and significance. Like the Passover which celebrated the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the Lord’s Supper celebrates our deliverance from sin by Christ’s death. It’s a visible representation of the Good News, strengthening our faith through fellowship with Christ and other believers.

In today’s passage, we learn that we should not take the sacrament lightly, making it a meaningless ritual or a pious habit. Instead, we should with due reverence and respect, to take it thoughtfully, worthily and orderly, as this new covenant cost Jesus His life. We are also called to be properly prepared for Communion through healthy introspection, examining ourselves for any unconfessed sin or resentful attitude (v11:28) and resolution of differences with other believers.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me to be thankful for what Christ has done for me on the Cross. Thank You for making me aware each time I have sinned, driving me to participate in the Communion, remembering His death and renewing my commitment to obey and serve Him again with love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

What is so different between our supper time and "The Lord's Supper"?

We take our supper either because we are hungry or we are greedy. ;) But when we take "The Lord's Supper" (Holy Communion) during the Church Service, we do it "in remembrance" of Jesus' death (v24-26). We need to do it in seriousness by examing/judging ourselves first (v28). We need to confess our sins to God and ask for His forgivness, at the same time we need to forgive those who have hurt us too. It's a time for us to get right with God and men.

In the past, I used to let the bread and cup passed me if I felt guilty of any unconfessed sin. But I have learnt that instead of doing that, I should immediately confess and get right with God. I always find Communion time a good time to search my heart. In such quietness, God would reveal certain things to me.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the previlege in partaking "The Lord's Supper" weekly. Thank You for Your body that is broken and Your blood that is shed for me. Thank You for Your forgiveness and love.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Unity In The Faith

Ephesians 4:1-6

Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Bee's Thoughts:

I was talking to someone few days ago about why the bible told Christians,

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
(2 Corinthians 6:14)

I also came across an interesting forum "Dating a non-Christian", where members share their thoughts and experiences on the topic.

Reading the above verses reinforces the reason why the "yoke" must be "equal". We are called "to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (v3). If we are "yoked" to another with different faith (non-Christians), how can there ever be "unity of the Spirit" or "bond of peace"? Oneness is so important in a life partnership...

• one body
• one Spirit
• one hope
• one Lord
• one faith
• one baptism
• one God and Father

I believe God wants to spare us the heartaches that unequally-yoked couples have when He instructed us in 2 Corinthians 6:14... He is not out to 'torture' us.


Dear God,
Thank You for the above passage today that shows the importance of unity and peace in You. I pray that You will help us understand Your heart when You give us an instruction through the bible. May we obey Your word, which is always in our interests.
Thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

As believer, we are called to represent Christ to the world; to be the light and salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). Do our daily attitudes and behaviors reflect and worthy of this calling we received from God? Can others see Christ in us?

A life worthy of God’s calling can be seen in how we treat others in relationships. This include being humble, gentle, patient, understanding and peaceful. As God has accepted us though we are not perfect, we need to accept one another with love. To bear one another in love means to be patient, loving, gentle and accepting to other Christians in spite of their faults. Instead of dwelling on their weaknesses or pinpointing their faults, we need keep them in our prayer. To take a step further, we can spend time with them and see if we can learn to like them more.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me to learn and appreciate others who are different from me with love, patient and gentleness. Thank You for reminding me despite all the differences we may have as believers, we can still enjoy the complimentary nature as Christ’s members, united in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

What Is Man

Psalm 8

A psalm of David.
1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Bee's Thoughts:

Tired as I am now, just returning from my MY trip... yet I find reading the bible gives me strength. That's why the bible says "they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:30-31).

The above Psalm is so comforting. It makes me just want to worship God in awe. It reminds me of the hymn (another of my favorite):

Oh Lord our Lord,
How excellent Your name is;
How excellent Your name in all the earth.
Your glory fills the heavens,
Beyond the farthest stars,
How excellent Your name in all the earth.
When I think about the heavens,
The moon and all the stars,
I wonder what You've ever saw in me...
But You took me and You loved me,
And You've given me a crown.
And now I praise Your name eternally.

The contrast between the almight God and me/you is so vast, yet God is "mindful" of us and "care" for us (v3, 4). How can I not love him and worship this God?

Dear almighty and loving Lord,
I want to worship You in awe.... for the greatness You are and the love You have for us. I am always amazed by why You loved us so much... it's beyond my comprehension, yet the fact remains. May all the earth also see and experience You too.

Now I want to pray for the few friends I have spoken to today. I pray You continue to work in their hearts and give them spiritual understanding of Your words and truth. Please keep them from the evil one. Let them seek Your face, read Your word, and know your ways. May Your name be glorified.

Thank You for hearing my prayers in Jesus' name. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I’m always fascinated by how trusting, honest and expressive children are when we ask them to share something with us. They’ll start talking without any hesitations, reservations or fear what other might think of them. We need to be more like children, to have this childlike quality, to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations. We need to remove any barriers to develop a true and close relationship with God in our daily walk with Him.

Like a child, we will be fascinated by the greatness and wonder of God’s creations. Intuitively, once awhile something deep within us cries out, “There must be a God” when we look at the vast expanse of His creations. We realized how small we are by comparison and begin to respect God’s majesty with true humility.

Dear Lord, I trust and praise Your majesty and greatness in all the earth (v9). Thank You for teaching me that being humble is not about self-depreciation but as a way to show proper respect for You as my Creator. I know that although I am ‘small’ but I’m not worthless in Your eyes. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

There When You Need It

Hebrews 9:11-22

The Blood of Christ
11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Bee's Thoughts:

It's your blood that cleanses me,
It's your blood that gives me life,
It's your blood that took my place
With redeeming sacrifice,
And washes me whiter that the snow... than the snow
My Jesus, my precious sacrifice.

I love the above song very much. Each time I sing it, it touches my heart so deeply that tears will flow. For "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" (v20).

The blood of Christ always remind me of how sinful and hopeless I will be if not for Him who died in my place. How could I be so ungrateful towards One who gave me His life? How could I not love Him in return? "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." ( John 15:13). He is worthy of my love and worship.

I am just a simple gal, a normal human being, a normal Christian, where the law of of love operates in me. To the one who loves me much truly, I love truly... that's me... isn't that a normal response? Yet not many will respond in this way. *sigh* I guess the child in me is pretty strong... simple faith, simple love, simple trust, simple hope. Yet sometimes my experiences with people tend to rob me of all my simplicity. I need to relearn to be childlike again.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your blood that is there for me anytime. I want to come to You for daily cleansing from my silly thoughts, words and actions. Keep me pure in my ways and cover me from sins. Thank You for loving me. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Next week I need to help out my family to do something I hope one day they know they don’t need to do them. Rules and rituals. They have been so ingrained in the mind of many that seldom one will ask or think how they’ll never cleanse or changed the heart. There’s no certainty or assurance for all the good works one try to do, is enough for God. It’s a frustration to guess the mind of an unseen God or trying to earn His favor.

But, if one believes in a personal, good, loving and all-powerful God, they will see life can be clearly simplified and assured. As believer, we will have a certainty that God will accept us just the way we are. By Jesus’ blood alone it is sufficient to cleanse our consciences and free us from the power of sin; giving us a way to reconcile back with God.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

So, instead of us first trying to be good all by ourselves, our faith in Christ will effectively transform our lives and hearts and make us clean on the inside, giving us the opportunity to join God in His good work with joy and zeal.

Dear Lord, thank You for what Christ has done for me on the Cross. I know I do not deserve Your amazing grace and can do nothing to ever deserve it. But because You are loving and good, You’ve forgive and given me true freedom and an eternal salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

True Sacrifice

Philippians 2:17-30

Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

Bee's Thoughts:

I was just talking to a friend today and ended up talking about people who joined the militay force. This friend jokingly (I hope) said that those people who joined the military force are "insane". Hmmn... I am not sure about other countries, but as for SG I am proud of those who are serving in the military. For without them SG wouldn't be as safe as it has been.

Like Timothy and Epaphroditus, such people have sacrifice their lives to do the works that others don't want to do in order that many can have something better. The bible teaches us to "honor" such men (v29). In fact, we should pray for them that they would persevere in what they are doing. I thank God for these people.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for people who are willing to do the 'dirty works' and to sacrifice their life in order to make life better for others. Thank You for the missionaries who have risked their lives in order that others can hear the gospel and be saved. May You continue to strengthen them and give them grace each day. Let me be willing when you call me to do likewise one day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes we think that it’s a tall order for us as mere human to be selfless and sacrificial for others. We regard our own lives so important and precious that risking it for others is insane and unthinkable. We believe only God is able to do that, not us. But as we look at today’s passage, Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus are three good human examples of godly selfless men, who sacrificed their lives to meet the needs of others. As Thomas Brooks once said “example is the most powerful rhetoric”. These men are good examples for us to learn from and follow in how to give our lives in service to Christ.

We don’t need to have an impressive credentials or accomplishments or talents to shine as lights in the world. God always uses regular people like us to accomplish His goal to touch lives and meeting those in needs. If we have trusted Jesus as our Savior and surrendered our lives to Him, He will guide and provide us with strength and resources to reach out to others. Like Timothy, his zeal for Christ has equipped him to minister to the Philippians. He was a living example of the commandments found in Matthew 22:37-39.

'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.

Dear Lord, Thank You for teaching me to quit selfishly guarding my life all the times without going beyond that and use what I have and can to serve others and in service to Christ. Help me not just to tell what I’ve learnt from You but to practice and show it in my life; to be a true and faithful servants of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

A Transformed Mind

Romans 12:1-8

Living Sacrifices
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Bee's Thoughts:

God has slowly transformed my mind over the years. Each time I come to Him in prayer and reading His words, He will gradually renew my mind that has been tainted by any worldly thinking. In this way I would know what is the will of God for me and how He wants me to serve Him.

I was listening to a friend's work problem today, and tried to offer the little help I could think off. I was very glad to see my friend lightened up from his initial sad countenance. As I was reading the above passage, I suddenly realised that God has given me the gift of "encouraging" (v8). So there's nothing for me to be proud off ... otherwise I wouldn't have so much patience to listen and to encourage others that effectively. Thank God.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for renewing my mind daily. Thank You for Your gift of "encouraging" too. Let me use it to encourage those who need encouragment. May I always make a difference to those that come my way.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

We live in a world today where we like to take more than we give; complain more than we thank; envious and unsatisfied than being grateful for what we have; being selfish and self-absorbed than other and God-centered; manipulative than being honest and truthful; putting others down to build ourselves up rather than being fair and respecting others; quick to judge and criticize than first looking at ourselves; talk more than we listen; indulge in what we know is wrong than doing what is right; impatient and restless than being calm and trusting in God; repay evil with evil than living at peace with others; agitated and annoyed when others seek our kindness, time and help than being compassionate to those in needs; proud and conceited than willing to associate with people of ‘low’ position; emphasis solely on things that will not lasts than those that are eternal; pretense and deceit than being genuine and sincere in our words and actions; trying to be good ourselves than submitting to God seeking Him to change us from the inside out;

Dear lord, I acknowledge that I myself exhibit many of those traits listed above. Help me to be aware of this, open my heart to You, allowing You to change me from within. Thank You and I ask all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Promise Of Peace

Luke 2:8-15

The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Bee's Thoughts:

Peace is something that eludes most people more and more these days.... be they kids, teens, youths, adults, elderly, etc..

Yet peace is something God wants to give to mankind (v14). Jesus also said:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

This peace is different from the peace the world has, which can only happen when things look good and in times of trouble the peace disappears. The peace Jesus is talking about is "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding" (Philippians 4:7)... peace in the midst of storm.

The way to receive such amazing peace is found in Philippians 4:6:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

It's really amazing how I could have peace in my heart even when I have troubles in my life, whenever I sought God. What He promised in these verses came true for me many times over.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You very much for the peace You put into my heart even in times of chaos. Thank You that You are the God who calms the 'stormy sea' of my life all these while.
Now I want to pray for my friends who may be experiencing 'storms' in their life too. I pray that they too will turn to You for Your peace that surpasses all understanding. May Your peace resides in their hearts today.
In Your most wonderful name I pray. Amen

Tommy's Thoughts:

Tension and stress. Most of us experience and sigh over them at some time or other. It might come from the current events in our lives, responsibilities we may have, decisions we want or need to make, expectations we sense others have of us or deadlines and time crunches we so often felt. All these stress wrap around us tightly, forces tremendous pressure inside us. We feel trapped, troubled, perplexed, exhausted and drained physically and emotionally. There is no peace in our heart.

In times of tension, we need to remind ourselves of the story of Jesus’ birth, the Prince of Peace. He came and opened the way for us to peace with God. He also offers us, His followers, a lasting peace that transcends all human understanding; guarding our hearts and minds in times of pain and distress. (Philip. 4:7)

Dear Lord, thank You again for the good news of Jesus’ birth; He who came to all, giving us relieve and true, everlasting peace. Thank You for accepting me as I am, having You in my life. Teach me to set aside time daily to pray and converse with You honestly, sharing all my thoughts, feelings, and emotions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Stay In The Sunshine

John 15:5-17

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Even Jesus Himself often took time to withdraw to lonely places, mountain and wilderness to pray and stay connected with the Father. Through this communion, Jesus’ soul reservoirs were continuously filled from the fountains that were on high. More so for us, like branches to the Vine, we need continually connected with Him, to be nourished, refreshed and fortified; to be fruitful. Staying close with Him give us the way to live a truly good life than we can on our own.

True and complete joy comes when we stay close and consistently with God, remaining in Christ and obeying His commands. A joy that transcends no matter how high or low our circumstances might be, keeping us level-headed. God’s command for us is to love others as He has loved us. There’re many ways we can express sacrificial love to others without expecting anything in return: like listening, caring, helping, comforting, encouraging, giving.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my friend; I owe You my unqualified obedience. Lord, to obey and remain in You is to love You; apart from You I can do nothing. Make me be aware of the constant distractions and noises that might separate me from You. Teach me to know, do and practice everything that I’ve learnt from You; to bear fruit—fruit that will last. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

The promise: "ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you" (v7).
The condition: obey Jesus to "love each other" (v10, 12, 17)
The way: willness to "lay down his life for his friends" (v13)
The reason: apart from Jesus we can do nothing (v5)

Sometimes we think we love others, yet when the real test comes for us to lay down our life or to sacrifice for our friends, we might not be able to do it. We can't, if we try to do it by our own strength. We need to remain in Jesus in order to let His love flows through us to love another (even for people very close to our heart).

Loving someone is suppose to be a joyful thing, yet very often loving is something very painful. I guess the reason is we tend to expect reciprocality in love, and when we don't get it we feel hurt. Thank God for His promise that when we remain in Jesus, He will give us whatever we ask or pray... for we will pray for things from a heart of love and not for selfish gain.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Let me draw strength from You as my "vine". Let me not be torn apart from You that I may love others the way You do. Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

God's Great Harvest of Joy

Psalm 126

1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.

2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."

3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.

4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.

5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.

Tommy's Thoughts:

The series of sermon in my church the last few weeks has taught me to be patient, rejoice (1 Peter 4:13) and committed to follow God and His commands when burdened by stress, sorrow and grief. God being the ultimate restorer can bring good out of whatever hardship and tragedy. He will ensure those who loves Him to find and reap true joy and happiness at the end (Romans 8:28).

I can rejoice in suffering, because I know He is dealing with areas of my life that needs to be thoroughly and radically corrected and changed. It is only through this, my faith and obedience to Christ can be tested to be true and genuine.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. - 1 Peter 1:6-7

Dear Lord, thank You for molding me, ensuring nothing left untested; like the fire that refines gold from all its impurities. Thank you for redeeming me, cleansing me, justifying me and sanctifying me in Your blood. Lord, help me to be willing to submit to You fully, drawing Your strength to persevere and rejoice in every situations. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Serving my God is meaningful and can be fun too. Yes, "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (v5, 6)

I have experienced the joy of serving the Lord, e.g. all the Charity Mission Trips I went to had been filled with lots of fun even though tiring. Each time after we had completed our missions, we would do some light shopping and go for some massaging for our aching bodies on our way home. Another example is the fun we had during our choir practices for the "Celebrate Christmas in Singapore" event last year. Not only did we feel happy during our services to God as we labour together, when we saw the "harvest" we had reaped, we rejoice in the Lord even more.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the privilege of servicing You. Thank You that serving You can be fun too as I focus on doing Your will rather than on the work itself. I pray that I will continue to have the energy to serve You all my life. Renew my spirit when I feel weary in serving You at times. Let me serve You my fellow Christians in unity of heart and spirit always.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

How To Face Another Day

James 4:13-17

Boasting About Tomorrow
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Bee's Thoughts:

Sometimes we pride ourselves for all our work accomplishments, all the plans we have for our career and future. Then we give many excuses for not doing what is of eternal value and instead concentrate our energy in doing things that will fade away. But the above passage clearly shows us that our life is like a mist... so what we planned to have might be gone when we are gone too.

I have heard that the only thing we can bring along with us when we go to heaven (for born-again Christians) is "relationship". For our God is a God of relationship too... the Trinity is the first relationship God has, then His relationship with us, and our relationship with each other. Therefore, we should not neglect the building of good relationship in the midst of our busyness.

A poem I like very much is If Tomorrow Never Come...

And if tomorrow never come,
You'll have no regrets about today.
These thoughts went through my mind,
We'll never know what will happen the next day.
- Bee

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that life is more than food and drink, and more than my career too. Let me build a close relationship with You and with those whom You brought into my life. May Your love be felt among us and may I live in Your will. May You be the Lord of my work and my relationship with others.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

There is nothing wrong with planning ahead for things; in fact, it’s good to have a clear goal for our lives. But often, we tend to forget and exclude God entirely in our planning. We are so ingrained with our self-sufficiency that we confidently think we can determine and shape our future without the need of God. We put ourselves at the center of our plans.

The truth is, no matter how intelligent we may be, we’ll never be able to know what our tomorrow will bring. How things and situations might easily change everything we thought we have total control of. It is foolish to not turn to our God who holds the future securely in His hands. We need to put His desire at the center of whatever we plan for and decisions that we’ll make.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me of how much I need You. There are no other people or things can give me the assurance and hope like Yours. With You I have the certainty for tomorrow, the certainty of never to be disappointed. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

A Great Coach

Philippians 2:12-24

Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

Bee's Thoughts:

That's a good testimonial for Timothy, one who genuinely cared for others and for the interests of Jesus Christ. He has been proven as he served together with Paul, his great coach.

This reminds me of my 'personal coach' (a friend who is trying out her coaching skill on me). My last few sessions with her did give me a kind of 'booster shot' to my at times unfocused goals.

Well, it's good to have a coach to guide us in life. But the best coach is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Dear Lord,
Let me be like Timothy and care for Your interests and to love others as You have taught me. In whatever I do, in work or play, let me a good model and make a difference in the life of those around me.

Thank You for being my coach in how I should live my life and how I should handle life's trials. Thank You for my devotion partner who is running this spiritual journey with me.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Daily, I spend most of my time with non-believers. It’s so important to remind ourselves daily about what we believe and how we live, when we are on our ‘own’ out there. Without a close and growing relationship with Christ, we might easily sidetrack, give up and lost the desire to do His will.

The good news is our loving God has not left us alone in this type of struggle in our lives. As Christian, with the power of the indwelling Spirit in us, God helps us ‘want’ to do His will and obey His words. Our lives and desires are changed in the process. Instead of arguing and complaining about people, situations and conditions, our transformed lives with its true moral purity, patience and peacefulness became an effective witness to the world around us. We will “shine like stars” in a dark world we live in today for God.

Dear Lord, thank You for training me to be more like Christ each day. Help me Lord not to be too preoccupied with my own needs, schedules and concerns. But to take time daily to focus my attention and devotion to You and also for others; serving, encouraging and comforting those in needs with genuine love, care and concern. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Good That Pain Can Do

1 Peter 4:1-3

Living for God
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. —Psalm 119:71

Bee's Thoughts:

My reflection on the simplicity of life for those I helped in my recent One-Day Charity Trip has helped me relate to the above passage better. If not for the experiences of pains in my life before, I might not be able to empathize with the pains others have. Even Jesus himself suffered much pain in order that we can be saved. This is something the Psalmist acknowledged too (Psalm 119:71).

So what good does pain bring? The answer is found in one of my favorite songs, especially during my times of suffering:

I thank You Lord, for the trials that come my way;
In the way I can grow each day, as I let You lead.
And I thank You Lord, for the patience that trials bring,
In surrender of everything, I can learn to give.
But it goes against the way I am,
To put my human nature down,
And let God's Spirit take control of all I am...
(can't remember the rest of the lyric)

Dear Lord,
Once again, thank You for the pain You suffered to save me.
Thank You for the pains I experienced to help me care and give.
Thank You for Your moulding process to make me what You want me to be.
In everything I want to give thanks to You, for You know what's best for me.
Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

I like the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus very much. It’s a simple, easy to remember hymn that bring so much meaning and comfort to me when the going gets tough and things become unbearably overwhelming in my life. It reminds me to focus on Jesus, His suffering and His future glory for us as believer. Through this, I began to understand sometimes as Christian, we need to be willing and prepared to do God’s will and to suffer for it if necessary, like Jesus Himself.

A person real value will be revealed clearly during suffering. As followers of Christ, when we hold on and faithfully obey God despite our suffering, we’ll grow much stronger, building and repairing our character and changing our perception radically (James 1:2-8); wrongful pleasures, ambition and desires soon become less important and we’ll be able to truly break free from them.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me to turn to Jesus everytime I’m feeling down and out, when things doesn’t go the way I hope for. Help me Lord, not to be tempted to take the shortcuts but to diligently seek Your words to understand Your will for my life; doing what You wants me to do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy