The Test

Genesis 22

Abraham Tested
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

2 Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

Tommy's Thoughts:

Without trials in our lives, we’ll never have a chance to grow in our character and be tested in our commitment to God. God refines us through difficult circumstances. These circumstances are often similar to those of Abraham, a struggle to give up something we truly want, to let go what we deeply love or to sacrifice our times for God and to trust His ability to provide.

It’s when we are willing to give to God what He asks and entrust Him of everything, that we receive spiritual gain far more outweigh our sacrifices.

Dear Lord, forgive me of not trusting You enough to submit all my wants to You, trusting You to provide what I need. Thank You for Your ‘tests’ that deepen my capacity to obey You more. Teach me to seek You first above all things, committing myself to You daily and be thankful of all the blessings You have brought into my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Abraham's love, faith and obedience to God were tested. He was asked to scarifice someone very dear to him. He had to decide if he should obey and trust that God will provide a way out.

Abraham passed the test! He obeyed and was willing to give his only son whom he loved so much to God. His faith in God proved right... God provided at the last hour.

Yes, I have given whom I loved to God too. I trust that God knows best and will make all things beautiful in His time.

Dear Lord,
I have given You whom I loved. At times I may question why, but I know that obedience is better than sacrifice. Thank You that You will always provide the best, even at the last moment.
Praise You, Lord. Amen,

Warnings In The Word

Proverbs 13:1-14

1 A wise son heeds his father's instruction,
but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,
but the unfaithful have a craving for violence.

3 He who guards his lips guards his life,
but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.

6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8 A man's riches may ransom his life,
but a poor man hears no threat.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 He who scorns instruction will pay for it,
but he who respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.

Tommy's Thoughts:

If not because of You,
I would have not known many great things,
About self-control,
About how words can cut, slice and destroy,
To stop and think before I speak and react.

If not because of You,
I would have not learn about humility,
How it heals and changes me,
Open to advice, admitting my wrongs,
Guard myself from pride and in peace with others.

If not because of You,
I would have never think about living right,
Knowing each choice of good leads to another,
And each bad one entails more to come,
Listening to You make me run my race right.


Dear Father, thank You for the many teachings found in Your Word that has truly changed me. Without them I would not have known how much I need Your molding. Thank You for Your grace, peace and love that gives me the power to live and obey You. Keep me close to You, guiding me to seek You and Your kingdom first before everything. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (v12)



I wondered why the above verse is amongst the rest of the wisdom. What is God trying to say? Then I found the above image which explains the verse very well. Thank God for His inspiring the artist.

I also found "Studying Proverbs by Topic" a good topical study to understand God's wisdom for us.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for sharing Your wisdom with us. Let us not be like the fools who do not heed Your Words of wisdom. Let us be wise in You though at times we look fooolish to the world.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Rule of Peace

Colossians 3:12-17

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Dilemma.

It begins in our hearts; the center of our conflicts. It is where all our desires and feelings constantly clash. At one hand, we sincerely want to live as God wants, but on the other we feel it’s hard to trust and obey Him. We are presented with uneasy and conflicting choices that need to be dealt with and to decide.

In verse 15 in today’s passage, Paul explains that there is a way to discern and guide us to make right choices in our lives. Whenever we must decide between conflicting elements, we should choose the one that promotes peace in our souls. When we allow the peace from Christ rule in our hearts and being thankful to God, we will gain a much clearer perspective to our situation and be able to make a better decision.

Dear Lord, forgive me that at times I do things despite knowing they promote no peace in my heart. Forgive me also for not trusting You to know better, going against Your plan for me, choosing shortcuts that lead to nowhere. But, thank You Lord for showing and leading me back to Your right way even when I stubbornly went my way.

Teach me Lord to focus on and being thankful for all the blessings You've brought into my life and learn letting Your peace rule in my heart and guide my every thought and action. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Love binds all all virtues together in perfect unity (v14). Peace is the ruler of our heart (v15). So when we do what is right we will have the peace of God. When we do all things in deeds or words in the name of Jesus Christ, we will surely have to them right (v17).

Even Christians who work together also do have different opinions about the same thing. In such situation, the peace of God show be the guide in decision making rather personal feelings.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that in spite of our differences in opions and views at our work place or personal life, as Your children, we can seek Your peace and love to unite us. You will bind us together in the bond of love when we submit to You.
Amen.

Bee's 8th Month of Devotion

Thank You Lord,
for those time spent here
for Your words so dear
for Your presence so near

Thank You Lord,
for Tommy my best friend
for being heaven-sent
for lending me his hands

Thank You Lord,
for making things beautiful
for making life wonderful
for making us grateful

Amen



... the thoughts of Bee

Take Captive!

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I was watching a program that day about a drug addict in prison who confessed how much he wanted to quit drug. He knows, understands and listed clearly all the disastrous effects of taking drug. He has tried hundreds of time and with all kinds of method to force himself to stop but still failed. Despite all his knowledge, plans and strong desire to quit, he still lost and defeated each time in his battle. He felt total hopelessness and powerless against a force beyond his control.

The fiercest battle takes place in our mind. It’s warfare against sin and the forces of Satan. When we are not prepared and equipped by God’s mighty weapon, we will lose the battle even before we begin the fight. It’s futile to fight against Satan strongholds using our world’s methods and techniques.

As Christian, we have God’s powerful and effective weapons (prayer, faith, hope, love, His Word, Holy Spirit) ready and available for us to fight these battles. They help and keep us from being constantly stumbled and defeated, making us a victor in Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me to be constantly on guard and aware of the wrong influences and distractions affecting my thoughts and action. Guide me to always choose Your weapons, obeying Your words and take captive of my every thoughts and make them obedient to Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

It's a spiritual warfare, so we need to fight it with the Holy Spirt, who will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Since God is love, our minds and hearts will be filled with love when we allow God to fill us.

Dear Lord,
May my heart and mind be filled with Your love and compassion always, that it will not become the devil's 'workshop'. Thank You that I could share Christ with a few people yesterday and today. I pray that You will continue to work in their hearts so that they may give themselves to You one day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Trust in His Guidance

Psalm 107:23-32

23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits' end.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.

29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
and praise him in the council of the elders.

Tommy's Thoughts:

As I was reading a book the other day, I saw this though-provoking question in it– Can you list 3 to 5 things you would love to see happen in your life in the next 10 years?

Sometimes, our present circumstances may cast a thick cloud of uncertainty and bleakness to our future. We questioned how long we need to bear and endure our current situation. We may even doubt God, thinking He doesn’t care and aware of our plight, that He is not doing anything to lift us out from the pit.

Whenever we are discouraged and tempted to think that way, we need to remember that our loving God has seen our future (Revelation 22:13), and He knows everything it holds for us. Nothing we could face that He hasn’t already anticipated. All we have to do is to trust Him and spend each day asking for His guidance and leading.

Most of all, we need to always choose faith over worry (Matthew 6:27).

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me that You are always in control, both my present and future. Guide me always to know and follow your direction through reading of Your Word, prayers and devotion. Teach me also to learn live in the present, one day at a time and looking forward to all the things You has in store for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” – Proverbs 4:25-27


Bee's Thoughts:

The above passage is so visual and dramatic...
I could 'see' the waves rising high then splashes down from above.
I could 'hear' people screaming out of fear.
I could "feel' the calmness that came as God lays His hand on the waves.

Sometimes our lives go through the fierce 'storm' and 'waves' too. In those moments, the only one who could still our heart is God. I thank God that He has done that in my life a number of times. Without Him, I would have been 'drowned' by those 'storms' of life.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your unfailing love for me.
Thank You for always calming my troubled heart and bringing peace into my life.
Thank You that my trust in You is not in vain.
Thank You in Your lovely name. Amen.

Unity & Humility

Philippians 2:1-4

Imitating Christ's Humility
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Bee's Thoughts:

In this world where power is what most people want, Christians have to stand out and be different. Yet sadly, some Christians are also being sucked into the world system of wanting power and control in what they call 'service to God'. We shall know them by their fruits as we check against God's word.

Unity is strength. Again we are reminded to be "like-minded", have the "same love", and "one in spirit and purpose". To do this we have to be humble and not thinking highly of ourselves. We have to consider others and not be self-centered.


Dear Lord,
I pray now for all Christian leaders that they may serve You and others in humility. I pray that all Christians will have the same mind, same love, same spirit and purpose of serving You in unity. I pray that the devil will not be able to divide Christians, that You will bind them together in the bond of love.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Selfish ambition and vain conceit. There are those who live only to serve and please their own selves. They are very concern with how others may see or think about them. Making a good impression on others and fulfilling their own desire are always more important than caring and treating others with respect, humility and common courtesy. This attitude seriously ruin and strain the unity and relationships of God’s family.

Dear Lord, teach me to show genuine love, interest and concern of others. Guide me always to be humble, sensitive and aware of the needs of those around me. Teach me also on spiritual unity with other believers, loving one another and be one in spirit and purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Affecting Lives

Colossians 1:24-29

Paul's Labor for the Church
24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Bee's Thoughts:

Love conquers all isn't it? Paul had persevered and worked hard (v29) to help the Colossae Christians grow spiritually because he loved them and hope to present them "perfect in Christ" (v27). That's Paul's calling.

I have been pondering about my calling too yesterday. I asked God why He allowed me to be in ceratin people's life even if it is not going to be forever. I am reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Yes, God has put me there for a purpose... to touch someone's life and mine too. I used to feel sad whenever I felt that my relationship with someone close won't last. But with this new understanding that certain people are in my life for a "season" to serve God's purpose for me and them, I begin to accept the fact that someone close to me may have to leave me one day when the "season" ends.


Dear Lord,

You have created seasons, not only in our environment but also in our life on earth. Thank You that seasons make life less boring and they help us adapt to changes. Thank You for helping me understand my "season" in work and in relationship. Thank You that You have put certain people in my life for a reason and for a "season".

Most importantly I know that even when the "season" ends here on earth, I will still see these loved ones when we go and be with You in heaven one day. There shall be no more season, no more parting, no more tear, no more pain.

Let me treasure what I have and who I have while I am in the "season" of Your plan. And when the "season" ends, I will have no regret that I have fully enjoy that season of life with people close to me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Joy and happiness, though we may think they are the same but they are not. Joy relates more closely with spirit and soul than with our mind and body. We may be happy today and unhappy tomorrow, but our sense of joy remains constant throughout. This is because happiness fluctuates and depends on outward circumstances while joy is never affected or subject to them.

When we realize or sense that joy no longer flow freely within us, it is most probably we have turn our eyes away from God and to things that are temporarily and fleeting. It may also be we have forgotten about being eternally secure in the arms of our heavenly Father as a Christian.

So, we need to open our heart to God, allowing Him to stay inside us always through thick and thin, good and bad, asking Him to show us how to experience the joy of our salvation once again.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy that comforts me all the time in the midst of every difficult and trying circumstances. Guide me to always focus on those things that are permanent and lasting. Teach me to allow Your joy to give me strength and flow through me to others too. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Right Starting Point

Job 41:1-11

1 "Can you pull in the leviathan [a] with a fishhook
or tie down his tongue with a rope?

2 Can you put a cord through his nose
or pierce his jaw with a hook?

3 Will he keep begging you for mercy?
Will he speak to you with gentle words?

4 Will he make an agreement with you
for you to take him as your slave for life?

5 Can you make a pet of him like a bird
or put him on a leash for your girls?

6 Will traders barter for him?
Will they divide him up among the merchants?

7 Can you fill his hide with harpoons
or his head with fishing spears?

8 If you lay a hand on him,
you will remember the struggle and never do it again!

9 Any hope of subduing him is false;
the mere sight of him is overpowering.

10 No one is fierce enough to rouse him.
Who then is able to stand against me?

11 Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.

Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s not about you.

This first sentence in Rick Warren’s best-selling Purpose Driven Life book slap right at the face to most of us who constantly ask self-centered questions like what do I want to be? What should I do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future? Not to say these thoughts are wrong, but to begin everything by focusing on ourselves will never reveal the true purpose of our lives.

Whenever we are puzzled, dishearten and troubled by any situation in our lives, we must begin and start with God. As we humbly submit to His loving authority and care, we will begin to understand we were born by his purpose and for his purpose. Our perspective and priorities in things will change and we will discover our true origin, identity, meaning, purpose, significance, and destiny. Then life will start to make sense.

Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the right starting point (again!) when I was so focus on things to have and achieve. Teach me always to begin everything by seeking Your kingdom and obeying Your words and not worry and wasting time or energy about things beyond my control.

Ya, thanks also for the wonderful day today, met up and chatted with few very interesting friends. Teach me how to be a better and sincere friend; more loyal and giving. I pray that You will guide me never to let my works, deadlines and schedules keep me from being a true friend. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

In my current job I see a growing ministry for me to the people around me. Yesterday, one of my colleague said God has sent me there to help the schools. Today, a new staff who joined one day after me, from another department, came to share with me about some of his personal issues. I was surprised that he could confide in me though I don't really know him that well. I had the opportunity to encourage him to seek God. As I spoke to him I also reminded myself that this world is not my home... I'm just passing through.

Yes, everything we see, touch, hear or love belong to God. If that is the case there is no point worrying as God knows what's best. All we need to do is do what we can and leave the rest to God's plan. It's all about God.

Dear Lord,
If it's all about You, life's disappointments and trials become nothing anymore. When You all happy, I will be happy too. Teach me to do things that will please You. May my life brings glory and honor to Your name.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

Seek His Kingdom First

Luke 12:13-34

The Parable of the Rich Fool
13Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."

14Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

16And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Do Not Worry
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I didn’t really think much about those unanswered prayers I uttered to God over the years. The worst I felt was disappointment, not of God, but myself. I always thought it’s me, there must be something I did wrong or that I do not deserve things I prayed for.

As soon as I live my life seeking His kingdom first; making Jesus the center of my life and surrendering control of every areas- my work, play, plans, relationships to Him; that I began to see all along God has been planning and providing the best for me, what I need most and teaching me to use them in a responsible and accountable manner.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing, planning and providing all my needs. Guide me to continue to seek You first above all things, becoming rich toward You (v21) through faith, service and obedience. Teach me also to learn to give more generously, serve and love others faithfully. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

I have been working very hard at work since last week, leaving my office at about 8 or 9 p.m. at night without dinner. I am feeling very tired but I still find my work challenging, for I know I am dealing with lives, hopefully touching and changing lives too.

Yes, as I consider the birds and the lilies, I feel so fresh again in my spirit. I should learn not to worry too much about my tasks but to trust in God to do His work. All I need is to seek His kingdom first and His righteousness.


Dear Lord,
Though I am physically tired, but I know that You will sustain me to do Your work. I pray for a good night rest and a fresh morning and Your wisdom in dealing with the my colleagues and to make the right decisions at work. Help me be able to encourage my colleagues to go on to do their best. I commit everyone in my office into Your mighty hand, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13

Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Tommy's Thoughts:

As we grow in our faith and closer to God, we realized there are things we are yet to see clearly or completely; like squinting in a fog or peering through a mist (v12). But, we were given a hope for completeness one day when we face God face to face. While our faith is the foundation and content of God’s message, the hope we have gives us the strength, focus and reason to trust steadily in God. So, when both of these are in line, we’re free to love completely because we understand how God loves.

Faith, Hope and Love - there are nothing more important than to remember and practice these three things often; to be ready when the Complete arrives.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me the importance of Your kind of love above everything. Thank you for reminding me again that true love never gives up, cares more for others than for myself, doesn't want what it doesn't have, doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always "me first," doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts You always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Help me to love in this way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bee's Thoughts:

When all else fails, "love never fails" (v8). Sometimes we feel tired of doing certain things we used to enjoy before. But when there is love it will not fail. Love will sustains and drives us to continue doing the same thing.

When all things passed away, love will not pass away. When we go to heaven one day, love will still be there. Isn't it wonderful?

Dear Lord,
Love is the reason for Your creating us. That's why You want us to love You with all our heart and love our neighbours as ourselves. Thank You for Your love for us. May Your love continue to be seen in our life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Courage and Confidence

Acts 5:17-29

The Apostles Persecuted
17Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life."

21At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported, 23"We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside." 24On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were puzzled, wondering what would come of this.

25Then someone came and said, "Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people." 26At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.

27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood."

29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

Tommy's Thoughts:

Being a Christian and having faith in God doesn’t guarantee us a life free from problems and hardship. Instead, it makes our troubles seem less intimidating by putting them into the right perspective. The hope we have in God gives us the courage and confidence to continue serving and obeying Him despite the obstacles and uncertainties we are facing.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are my hope and strength, a very present help in trouble. Thank You for Jesus who willingly endured the agony and shame of the cross, giving me hope and redemption. Give me courage to take up my cross and follow Him; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. In His name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

What is the difference between doing what is "legal" and doing what is "right"?

Being "legal" is doing what is accepted by men, while doing what is "right" is doing what is accepted by God. Peter and the other apostles chose to do what is right to what is legal (v29).

We are constantly faced with choices in life especially in our working world. Many practices many be legal yet not right in the eyes of God. As Christians we have to be careful not to be conformed to the world's practices but to be bold to do what is right.


Dear Lord,

I pray that You will give me strength to obey You rather than men, especially in my work places. In all my decisions making and handling of situations may I do what is right in Your sight and not just what is permissible by the world.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fixed Heart

Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "[a]

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"[c]
"Hosanna[d] in the highest!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Tommy's Thoughts:

The crowd who welcomed Jesus’ triumphant entry in Jerusalem, are the same people who deserted Him in just few more days. It’s easy sometimes for us to joyfully and publicly proclaim our faith and belief in Christ as our Lord of lords and King of kings when things are fine and smooth-going. Like the crowd, our joyful hope and anticipation may abruptly come to an end when we are pressured by people and situation.

We need to guard ourselves from shallow and superficial acclaim for Christ. To abide in Christ means to persistently choose to trust Him and live by Him despite our circumstances. It’s a definite act of will, and of real, fixed, steadfast trust in Christ. David says, "My heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:7). We begin by determining, choosing and fixing our hearts to obey Him no matter what it costs.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that eternally secure me in Your loving arms. From You alone, I receive true joy, flowing up from deep within, nourishing and sustaining me through thick and thin, good and bad. Turn my eyes back to You whenever I am being distracted by those things that are temporary and fleeting. As I open my heart to You Lord, come in and stay forever with me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bee's Thoughts:

To me, a donkey signifies stubbornness. So Jesus was sitting on a 'stubborn' animal. It also means that even though a donkey may be stubborn it still can be used by Jesus.

I think sometimes I am as stubborn as a donkey. But somehow when it comes to Jesus, all my stubborness seems melting away.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You that love melts away my stubborness. Help me to always obey Your will and do the things that will bring glory to You just like when You were riding on the donkey.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Bee's Favourite Posts

2006 JAN

• The Greatness Of Gratitude


• The Difference Faith Makes


• Drawn By The Cross


• Our Eternal God


• The Perfect Timing & Our Influence


• A Three-Step Conversion

2006 FEB

• A Servant's Heart


• Love Enough To Confront


• What Is The Bible For?


• The Greatest Thing In The World


• Be Still And Know


• God the Seeker


• Desires

2006 MAR

• On Eagles' Wings


• No Need Is Too Trivial


• Divine Interruptions


• A Personal Letter

2006 APR

• Death Cannot Divide Us


• Always Awake


• Amazing Love


• He'll Never Forsake Us


• When The Pressure Is On


• Winds Of Love


• Genuine Caring


• Be True To Your Word


• Aliens and Strangers


• Surrendered Crowns

2006 MAY

• Amazing Friend


• Spiritual Training


• "Follow Me."


• A Mother's Love


• Close Encounter with Jesus


• Unchained By The Cross


• Can We Rejoice?


• Words That Defile

About Bee's Devotion

• Bee's Morning Devotion


• 1st Month


• 2nd Month


• 3rd Month


• 4th Month


• 5th Month


• 6th Month


• 7th Month


• 8th Month


• 9th Month


• 11th Month


• Our First Anniversary

Give Voice To Your Love

1 John 4:12-19

12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us.

Tommy's Thoughts:

"There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear" – 1 John 4:17 (The Message)

The pain and heartache we undergone in our past may sometimes make us afraid and difficult to love and be loved by others. It may be the fear that we will be rejected or that we will hurt others again. We may also fear to commit ourselves to others, fearing we might not live up to our promises. Or, we may be trying hard to safeguard our heart from being hurt again and finding ourselves hard to trust again in others.

From today passage, God shows to us that we don’t need to be afraid of the love commandment by holding tightly to our own self-made security and control over our situation. Instead, He wanted us to trust in Him to provide us with the strength and courage to do what He asks; to love faithfully the people He has given us to love. When He knows we are ready to love others without fear, He will bring them to us at His time.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your answering my prayers so instantly! Things unfolded in front of me as what I’ve prayed for. Thank You for teaching me to trust You more in all areas of my life. Help me always to focus unto You, to free myself from the distractions and fear that has kept me from truly experiencing Your love and peace for my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

In part he said, “If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.”

Reading those words in tonight's "Daily Bread" touched me so much... I felt like crying. It makes me ponder...
"Who will say this to me?"
"Who will I say this to?"
"Who will appreciate it?"

I like the title of tonight's devotion, "Give Voice To Your Love". Yes, when I breathe my last breath someone's name will be my last whisper too.

God's love is complete when we love one another (v12). That means God's intention in creating us is not just for love to exist only between Him and us. He desires that we also "love one another".

"One another" is a "reciprocal pronoun", meaning between two persons or two-way. Therefore the love that John mentioned above is a mutual love, not a one-way love. When mutual love exists between two belivers in Christ, God's love is made "complete" and it's a testimony to others who can't see God (v12).

John emphasized that such love has no fear (v18). This confirms that the love he talked about is a mutual love between two believers in Christ that completes God's love.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your love. Not only You have loved us, but You desire that we also love one another so that others may know You through such love. I pray that all born-again Christians will experience loving one another. Teach us to give voice to our love.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Little Perspective

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Tommy's Thoughts:

A disappointed friend recently questioned me why God didn’t interfere and help her in her problem. She felt angry and troubled by why her sincere prayers were not answered. She said God doesn’t really care and that He hasn’t bring any good before in her life. She asked what good is a God when He can’t do anything for me? She doubts that this whole God-thing is merely an illusion.

I’ve tried my best to tactfully explain but I don’t think she is accepting it right now. I know I’ve no right to invalidate the sufferings she’s going through. It is real and painful. I understand well that it’s easy to lose heart and quit when things just go wrong all the time.

But, we shouldn’t let troubles fill us with bitterness and resentment until it diminishes our faith and disillusions us entirely. Although it’s hard sometimes to think that there is a divine purpose, it’s when we need to humbly seek God daily for His grace to help us gain a proper perspective to our sufferings. That this sufferings will reminds us of Christ’s own suffering for us, keeping us from pride, refocuses our thoughts on great things beyond this life and gives God opportunity to mold and build our character.

Dear Lord, I would like to pray for my dear friend to be able to see and know Your love and care for her one day. That You will teach her to concentrate on experiencing the inner strength from the Holy Spirit when the going get tough. Teach her to be ready and willing to renew her commitment to serve Christ daily, allowing the resurrection power of Christ to strengthen her moment by moment. Thank You and I pray all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Tonight's devotion is a good reminder on thinking long term instead of short term gain. Even people in the business world also know that "no pain, no gain" and they have long term plans.

As Christians, sometimes we too may get discouraged when things happen in ways that are unfair to us. Yet Paul is encouraging us that we should be steadfast in our Christian values and attitude, knowing that our rewards are in heaven. The "unseen" has far greater value and with "eternal glory" than what can be seen (v18). This is also true for things with commercial values.


Dear Lord,

Help me to always have the right perspective in life. Though sometimes things look discouraging to my naked eyes, help me not to lose hope in Your eternal glory. Teach me to value what is "unseen" in life too, such as, a person's character and virtues and not the external look.

Yes, I like to join in prayer for Tommy's dear friend that she will experience and understand Your interventions in her life. That at times things happen to her to show that she can't do anything without Christ. And perhaps things happened so that she can get to know another wonderful person in her life who can be her best friend. May she experience Your peace as she cry to You.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

God Reigns

Psalm 93

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days, O LORD.

Tommy's Thoughts:

At times, we may find ourselves so perplexed and troubled with a situation or problem. We may be angered or annoyed by how others have taken advantage or treated us unfairly. Uncertainties and frustration loomed in our mind all day until we can’t concentrate on the things in front of us. We may ask ourselves will God ever going to do anything about our problems. We may even question where’s God when we needed Him to bring an end to our predicament.

I often found myself struggling with this when problems seemed so big and overwhelming. It was hard to honestly put everything in God's hands, trusting Him to know what’s best for me and that He will achieves all His good purposes despite my situation. But, I’ve learned that the more we can see and know how He is in control of everything and in every situation, His sovereignty, the less troubled and perplexed we are by our calamities. I begin to trust Him more and understand how He will always love and care for me regardless of the outcome from a situation.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me to give words of Your assurance to a friend in need today. Thank You that my friend received Your peace; giving rest to all the worries and frustration. Teach me also Lord to always keep calm and confidence in You during difficult and trying situations; turning my eyes to You and trusting Your sovereignty over all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Tonight's passage is exactly what I needed. It is a confirmation to what has happened to me and my friend when we felt taken advantage off and unfairly treated.

We ended up encouraging one another that "the Lord reigns" and that "all things work together for good to those who love God". Also God says, "vengence is mine, I will repay." If the non-believers try to bully God's children, our Heavenly Father will know what to do.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your comforting words that You reigned. We will reign with You too one day when You come back for us, Your children. Thank You that inspite of what has happened to me and my friend, we have Your peace that surpasses all understanding. I pray for my friend that she too will receive your peace as she sleeps tonight. I pray that You will show her a better way for her soon. May she trust in You for her future.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Your Death

Romans 6:1-14

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Bee's Thoughts:

To offer is to give willingly. Here Paul reminds us to offer or give oursleves to God willingly as He is the One Who gave us a second chance of life(v13).

Dear Lord,
There is nothing I can give to You except myself. For that is my reasonable service for all that You have done for me.
Make me an instrument of righteousness for Your glory at my place of work. That through me, others may know You and accept You as their Saviour too. I pray for my colleagues who are not save that they may come to You one day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

We may be unaware sometimes that we take advantage of God’s forgiveness to continue indulging in sin. In our mind, we know and certain that God will forgive us no matter what. We told ourselves its ok, this one last time won’t hurt, He’ll forgive me anyway.

Paul forceful answer to this is By no means! We have such an attitude when we do not understand or forget the dreadful seriousness of sin. Jesus paid with His life so we could be forgiven.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness and the wonderful new life I now have with Jesus. Teach me to always consciously choose to treat all wrongful desires and temptations as if they were dead and buried; thus giving me a powerful motive and strength to resist sin.

Thank You for your guidance that has helped me to pass my examination. Thank you also to all my friends, especially my best friend, who has always been there to encourage, assure and pray for me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Who Are You?

1 John 2:1-11

1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world.

3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love[b] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[c] to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Identity theft is a big problem in the age of credit cards and the Internet. It’s not hard for someone to retrieve your vital information and pose as you. If that were to happen, however, it would not change the essence of who you are. The thief would not steal your true identity—just some superficial information about you.

Your identity goes much deeper than your ID numbers. In reality, you are who God says you are."

- The Daily Bread

"Who are you in reality?", some people might ask me. Well, my identity truly goes much deeper than what people can see of me outwardly. There are many things about me that are hidden that only some selected few people will know.

But most of all my eternal identity is, I am a child of God... how comforting! As a child of God, I inherited God's nature to want to do what is right, though sometimes doing the right thing might means a disadvantage to myself in this world, like in my recent work experience. Yet, the Holy Spirit in me would prompt me to do the right thing.


Dear Lord,
At times I may feel that if I am not a Christian I wouldn't have been taken advantage of. But yet I know that whatever I lost in this world I will gain them in many portions when I am with You one day. Let me stand firm in doing what's right rather than copy what the world will do.
As I start my new work tomorrow, grant me wisdom to do the tasks given to me. Let me speak and do the right things always.
In Jesus' name I pary. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Today’s passage tells us that we will not grow spiritually while we continue hating, ignoring or despising others like irritants, annoyances or adversaries. Our growing relationship with God will result in a growing, genuine and loving relationship with others.

By understanding and respecting each other’s unique differences and agreeing on the disagreeables agreeably, we can change our attitude towards others. Instead of constantly focusing on their flaws, lackings or annoyances, we can choose to be concerned with their well-being or situation, being grateful and thankful for them. If we choose to love others, God will help us to express that love to them.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me that Christian love is not a feeling but a choice; a choice to show true concern and respect to others, whether or not I feel affection towards them. I trust that You will help me to always express true and genuine love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Worry Immobilizes

Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Tommy's Thoughts:

My friend explained how God knows what is best for me when I was worrying about something recently. How much that assurance alleviates my fear and give me the peace of mind! No matter what the outcome maybe, God is in control and He knows it will be the best for us. This sometimes might not be the outcome we wanted or has hoped for.

It’s often easy to be consumed with our thoughts when we forget about God’s Word and His promises to supply all our needs. We can be assured in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Roman 8:28). When we worry about things we know we can’t do much or beyond our control, it reduces our ability to trust in God; interfering our relationships with Him. We may also be wasting our time, disrupting our productivity and even negatively affecting others.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your peace, promises and assurance that help me not to waste time worrying about unnecessary things. Teach me instead to carefully plan for the important matters - to think ahead of my goals, choices, and schedules and always trusting in Your guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

I was feeling very anxious months ago regarding my career. For I have lost my focus in work last year after a series of things that happened in my life... I felt lost and aimless. Yet God has provided for me in His time. He knows when to put me at the position He wants me to be in. This year, I have been enjoying the various works I am entrusted with so far even though I felt exhausted by them.

I will be starting my new work this Thur and is looking forward to it eagerly. I pray that the transition will be a smooth one.

It's a good reminder that we need not worry but to trust in God's providence. All we need to do is to seek God first... His kingdom and righteousness.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for all You have provided for me. In my time of desperation and anxiety, You came to rescue me from my fear. You taught me faith and faithfulness, You taught me trust and patience.
Thank You for the amicable closure of my current job and the smooth transition into my new job soon. I see Your hands in them. Yes, I pray that Your peace that surpasses understanding will rule my heart and mind. I pray this for my best friend too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Tender And Mighty God

Psalm 147:1-5

1 Praise the LORD.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.

4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.

5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes we are troubled and frustrated when we don’t understand even our own selves. We don’t quite know what we really wanted, why we do certain things, how we feel or what’s wrong with us. We feel helpless and lost, worrying about the uncertainties lying ahead in our lives. We think hard about our situation and try our best to focus our mind on our problems and ourselves – to solve the dilemma.

God knows and understands us fully and perfectly. He knows our hearts; all our pain, struggles and longings. Like a loving father, He speaks to us tenderly, showing us His way, the best way for us, when we are lost, fail or discouraged. Not a single thing in our lives happened without Him knowing it. His understanding has no limit (v5). We should focus on God rather than on ourselves because the more we learn about Him and His ways, the more we will understand about ourselves.

Dear Lord, thank You for the peace You has given me when I’m troubled and worried by situations in my life. Thank You for speaking to me through the people I met, Your Word and during my daily prayers. Teach me to focus my mind onto You and to know that You care and concern a lot for me. Guide me to continue striving to become more and more like Christ each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

God knows exactly how I am feeling now although I don't know how to express what is in my heart. But I know He will heal my broken heart and bind my wounds (v3).

I have many questions in my mind and many things I don't understand. But I know He knows the answers and He knows my name (v4).

I remember God, through the Apostle Paul, says in 1 Corinthians 13:

4Love is patient, love is kind.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.

Sometimes when our mind don't understand something, or another person's actions/decisions, it is when we need to apply the principle of love...

Can we still be "patient and kind" towards the other person?
Can we seek the goodness for the other person instead of our own? So what if we are right and the other person is wrong in a certain view, can we still accept him/her in love?
Can we still "protect, trust, hope and persevere" with that person?


Dear Lord,
I pray that when my mind is crowded with questions and things I don't understand, Your love will come into my heart to stablize me.
I pray that when my heart is broken You will come and mend it.
I pray you will do the same for my best friend too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Reflector of the Light

John 1:1-14

The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.[b]

10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Today’s sermon at church talked about how as Christian we are the epistle of Christ, constantly ‘read’ by people around us (2 Cor 3:2) and affecting the lives of others in many ways. God has chosen us to imitate and become the witness of Jesus Christ to others in the world.

We are here not as the source of light but as reflectors of Christ’s light to the dark and unbelieving world. As His light shine into our lives, guiding our path, God also uses us to reflect this light to those who are lost and stumbled in the darkness.

Dear Almighty God, thank You for the life of Jesus that brings true, glorious, light into my life, showing me Your way when I was walking blindly and aimlessly into the darkness. Teach me to grow to be more like Christ each day, to walk my talk and also to walk my talk by pointing others to Christ, the Light. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.



Bee's Thoughts:

In the business world, marketing is very important even if one has the best product in the world. Without marketing and branding, all the goodness and benefits of a certain product would be hiddened, nobody will know or be able to enjoy the benefits of this product. Therefore, there is a need for a Marketing person to bring out the greatness of the product.

Similarly, after we have accepted Christ and experienced His goodness, we must 'market' or share what we know and experienced. Yes, we are living testimonies of who our God is.


Dear Lord,
May my life reflects Your glory. May my life make a difference to the life of those around me.
In Your holy name I ask. Amen.

Who Knows Best?

2 Chronicles 36:15-21

The Fall of Jerusalem
15 The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. 17 He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, [a] who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the LORD's temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

20 He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah.

Tommy's Thoughts:

God’s mercy is ever available and He patiently waits for those who live in sin to turn to Him. Sadly, many take this mercy for granted, using it as an excuse to continue sinning. There are even those who blame the situation they are in for sinning; thinking it’s a normal and fair human reaction during trying and difficult situation.

This is a lie, we can choose not to sin by obeying God’s clear commands and trusting Him knows what’s best for us and He will deliver us. But, most of the times, our impatience and ignorance of the consequences lead us to continue dabbling with sin and harboring it in our heart.

Sin is a monster and tremendously progressive in its nature. When we continue to sin, we fool ourselves by giving evil an incontrovertible momentum to destroy us from within. We’re feeding the evil until it takes over everything and very soon it’s too late for us to retaliate or even to stop ourselves, we are doomed!

Its true God’s mercy can rescue and remedy us from this, but we need to know also there is a limit to His patience in mercy. Like in today’s passage, there will come a time when things no longer remediable or reversible. In His perfect knowledge and wisdom, He concludes that there is no more waiting for the stubbornness of mankind to repent. His mercy will soon be replaced by judgment.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You again for Your crystal clear teaching. Thank You for removing all the confusion and delusion; showing me that I have the choice to do what is right. Teach me to truly repent from all my past wrongs and begin living obediently to You, remembering there is a limit to Your patience in mercy. Lord, lead me to Your path and keep me close to You always.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
- Psalm 23

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's thoughts:

God is very merciful and patient. Yet if we again and again take His mercy and patience for granted, it will come a time that there is "no remedy", like in the case of the Israelites in the above passage. So sometimes we need the wake up call from God before we start to listen to Him again.

Dear Lord,
Help me to hear Your voice when You speak to me. Let my heart not be hardened, let me obey Your word.
Right now, I want to pray that my best friend will not be disappointed by my action and the decision I have chosen. I pray that he will accept that it's not time yet for me to act as he expected. I pray that You will console his heart even right now. I pray You will grant him a good and peaceful sleep tonight and wake up fresh feeling Your unfailing love, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Living Peaceably with Others

Romans 12:9-21

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I remember many times where I shocked others and myself with the temper I had. Whenever I was provoked or wrongfully accused, I tend to get really upset and angry. I tried ways to manage and by keeping calm but often fail. After the great rush of anger was over, I always regretted to have reacted in such a way.

Today passage is a good reminder from God to help me realizes the danger of being such a reactive person. If I’m not careful, I might end up putting myself in a serious and difficult situation or conflict with others. Paul said “Bless those who persecute you”. Instead of repaying evil with evil, we’ll make great, positive changes by overcoming evil with good, tact and kindness.

Dear Lord, thank You for making me aware to be careful by controlling my anger, to overcome any evil with good, instead of taking matters into our own hands. Teach me to live at peace with everyone and to trust You more. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

What is love? In grammar, love is a "verb" or "action" word.

How do we love? 1 Corinthians 13 describes love.

Now in this passage it shows us the practical aspects of love. Love...
is "sincere (v9) -- genuine, truthful
is "devoted" (v10) -- dedicated, committed
"honor" (v10) -- respect, hold in high regards
is "faithful in prayer" (v12) -- steadfast, regularly praying for
"share" (v13) -- partake, use jointly
"practice hospitality" (v13) -- cordial reception, generous
"bless" (v14) -- well wishes
"rejoice" or "mourn" with others (v15) -- shows empathy
"live in harmony" (v16) -- compatible in opinion and action
"do what is right" (v17) -- what is proper

Who have we loved (base on the above aspects)? I guess not many if we were to answer truthfully. We are limited by our human capacity and find it hard to love everybody equally. But for those whom we claim to love, the above passage is a test of how much we love them.


Dear Lord,

You are Love. Come into my heart that Your love may overwhelm me and overflow to others. I acknowledge that I can't love so many people in the way You want me to at one go. But for those that I do love, let me love them in Your way. Let this love grow stronger each day as I grow in You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Heart Knowledge

Mark 10:13-16

The Little Children and Jesus
13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes we are like the disciples, ignore, overlook or even look down on those who are not as knowledgeable or ‘equipped’ as we are. We are proud of possessing years of head knowledge and experience in knowing God and His Word.

But in today passage, Jesus rebuked and warned the disciples that complete intellectual understanding is not as important as going to God with a simple and childlike heart; trusting Him as a loving parent. God’s unconditional love and forgiveness provide a way for everyone, regardless of how ‘knowledgeable’ or ‘experienced’ the person is, to be accepted by God.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me to come to You with a childlike faith, trusting You in everything in my lives. Lord, guide me to witness to the lost and spread the good news about You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, dear Lord, blessed are those who trust in you" (Ps 84:12); who trust with child-like faith. Thank You for reminding me that I need to be like a child when it comes to trusting You. Let me not doubt Your providence, Your timing or Your love for me. I put my hope in You Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Daily Beauty

Acts 6:9-15

9Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

11Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God."

12So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us."

15All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Bee's Thoughts:

We can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we react to what happens to us? True, yet not so true.

The fallen human race has lost control over sins and our reactions from our sinful nature, although many would have tried hard to live rightly. But when we search deep in our hearts we would find that in certain things we just couldn't overcome what's our human nature.

But thank be to God that through Jesus Christ we are able to let His Holy Spirit help us live a victorious life. We no longer need to obey the law of sin but to submit to the law of the Spirit.

For born-again Christians, the glory of God will shine through even when we go through hardship like anybody else (provided we submit to God), like in the case of Stephen in the above passage. That marks the difference between believers and non-believers.

Dear Lord,
When in distress and heartaches, thank You for your strength and love to help me go through those period. I want to praise You that Your countenance shines on me as I let You lead. Thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I know very well that internal characteristics and attitudes of a person are more important and lasting than physical appearance. But, I still find it difficult to get past those superficial, surface issues of looks and performance in front of others. We’re too easily impressed or affected by image but God wants us to value qualities that last.

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30

When we get right down to it, we’ll realized it’s not the outside that ultimately important but the heart, personality and character. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we’ll be able to build our inner characteristics that are lasting, magnetic, that appeal not to just to the opposite sex but to people in general.

Dear Heavenly Father, all beauty and perfection originates in You and You are the most attractive of all. Thank You for showing me the importance of characteristics and attitudes than merely focusing on physical appearance and image. Teach me to trust You by faith to produce all the beautiful characteristics of Lord Jesus in me, reflecting His character to the world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

A Welcoming Love

Luke 15:11-32

The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]'

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Tommy's Thoughts:

Despite His omnipotence, God will never force us to go to Him. He gives us human being a will of our own, to be able to make our own choices. Through free will, God allow us to choose between good and evil. He searches our heart and constantly gives us opportunities to respond to Him and His ways.

But many misuse this free will by living life on our own way instead of His, selfishly pushing aside any responsibility or commitment getting in our ways. Like the younger son, we disobeyed and ‘ran’ away from God, wanted to be free to live as we pleased. Eventually, consequences of our irresponsible action and attitude bring us to our senses to acknowledge that we need God’s help and guidance.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your amazing love that is always constant, patient and welcoming. Thank You for the many times that You told me to stop and look, saving myself from grief, sorrow and disappointment. Teach me not to take Your patience for granted and to go my own way, not heeding Your commands.

Dear Lord, again thank You for the blessing You brings into my life each day; that teaches and changes me into a better person. I pray that You will keep me close to You and Your ways, not to be lead astray by the many distractions in my mind. I ask all these in Jesus’ name, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Very often we too forget our position in Christ, just like the elder son in the above passage. We forget that our rich heavenly Father is more than willing to bless us with all His riches if only we ask from Him. We live like a 'beggar' even though we are rich in Christ.

This passage coincides with the message at my church retreat today on "receiving the blessing of God". The speaker said that if we truly love God, He will bless us and we just need to ask from Him. If we love God we will ask for the right thing... things that will honour God and not ourselves. God wants to bless us so that we can also bless others.


Dear Lord,
Forgive me for the times when I have forgotten my position in Christ and that You want to bless me richly.
Thank You that whenever I have learnt my lesson and obey You, You bless me. Thank You for the new work I will be starting next week. I believe You have a great plan in placing me in that position which I did not ask for. You want to use me to bless others just as You have blessed me. I pray for wisdom and strength to lead others to do what is right that Your name may be glorified.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.