Seasons of Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

What is the season of my life now?
a time to uproot?
a time to tear down?
a time to weep?
a time to mourn?
a time to give up?
a time to throw away?
a time to tear?
a time to be silent?
a time to hate?

It seems to be 'autumn'... or even 'winter'... I am very tired.... I want to go home.

Take me home, Lord.




Tommy's Thoughts:
They said timing is everything. But, how do we know when to do what is right? How do we know when is the right time to embrace or when it is to refrain? When we should give up and throw away or when to keep and mend?

As Christian, we have God’s guidance to choose what is right at the right time. By having a close relationship with Him, praying to Him daily and reading His Word, we will receive the peace and be able to discover and discern His plan for us. Instead of doubting His timing, moving ahead on our own, we’ll learn to accept and appreciate His perfect timing for our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for the plan You have for my life. Teach me Lord to obey and follow Your leading, be patient and willing to accept all Your timing. Teach me also to pray and to always concentrate my thoughts on You. May my every deeds bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bee's 13th Month of Devotion

After having done my devotion together with my buddy for the last 13 months, I feel it's time for me to leave.

Perhaps God really wants to teach me to trust Him despite of my pains. He led me to read an article "Getting to Trust God" when I was searching for a verse. The following excerpt from the article helped me understand the difference between "faith" and "trust":

But trust, which must go hand in hand with faith, says, "Lord, I commit myself to Your care and keeping." That's trust. Faith is believing what God can do and what He is willing to do. But trust says, "I commit myself to Your care and keeping. Do with me, Lord, whatsoever You will." Faith is believing God can push a wheelbarrow on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls. Trust is getting on board that wheelbarrow. Faith is believing that William Tell is so skilled with a bow and arrow that he can shoot straight through an apple that's sitting on someone else's head. Trust is being that person with the apple on your head.

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because God is with me" (Ps. 23:4, paraphrase).

I was going through very difficult time and just want to be alone. However, my buddy's waiting for me to post here for the past few nights makes me do an U-turn... So here I am again.


Thanks for waiting, Tommy.



... the thoughts of Bee

Hopes of Tomorrow

Psalm 30:4-12

4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain [a] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [b]
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Life is bleak when you have nothing to look forward to." - Daily Bread

When I read the above statement, I asked myself: What or who is it that I am looking forward or hope to see?

I paused and think for a moment.... Of course, to see Christ is my main hope.
But one more person I like to see is the one who loves Jesus and me very much, the one whom I like to be with forever.

As 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres". When we love someone, we will always protect the person from harm, will always trust him/her, will always hope, and will always persevere to the end. So hope is the result of love.

Yes, love brings hope... something we can look forward to. It's like in verse 5, "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning". When our hope comes through it's like the morning joy.

Sometimes I felt as if God has hidden His face from me and I was really miserable (v7). Yet when I cried to Him for mercy, He "turned my wailing into dancing and "removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (v11). My recent experience testifies of this. To God be the glory!


Dear Lord,
Thank You again for removing my tears and give me peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. Thank You for the hope I can have in You. You know my longings and my hopes. I pray that soon my hopes will become a reality. Keep me faithful as I wait patiently.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Like the Psalmist, we need to approach God with an honest, humble and grateful heart. Though the current pain and ‘mourning’ are real and hard for us, we can still trust God and have the confidence that we are in His good hand.

When we stay close to God, we are also assured of Him knowing what’s best for us; freeing us from unnecessary worries and uncertainties. Instead of being silent with bitterness and self-pity, we need to cry out to God for mercy and grace (v8) to endure and to submit to His will for us. God, who is always faithful, will delivers and gives us true, everlasting joy.

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and certainty I found in You. Thank You for Your promises that provide the peace and strength for me to keep going despite the ‘hurdles’ and setbacks. Lord, I pray that You’ll continue to have mercy on me, guiding me to the right path in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Angry Floods

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,

You knew the struggle I've gone through to honor Your name.
You saw the "sea" that came upon me so fiercely.
You heard the "wave" that lifted its voice so loudly.
I felt like a living dead that walked without a soul.
I felt like a robot that acted just on command.

Thank You for lifting me up again through Your word tonight.
You are "mightier than thunder of the great waters".
You are "mightier than the breaker of the sea".
You can cause the dead to resurrect again.
You can cause the dry bones to be alive once more.

Give me strength to live day by day.
Give me the faith to believe You will never fail.
Give me the trust to follow Your ways always.
Give me the hope to never give up.
Give me the courage to rise and walk again.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Waves of trouble and grief in our lives can easily sweep us away if we do not have something firm and strong to hold and cling on to. As Christian, we not only have a strong and mighty God to hold and rely on, but a God that is morally perfect in character.

This reassures us that we can trust Him all the time, even though at times we do not quite understand things that have happened. As described in this great article on trusting God that “any testimony of a faithful Christian that does not have a happy ending has not yet ended.”

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and assurance I have in You. That I can trust You to know what’s best for me. Thank You also for Your peace and strength that keep me going despite the circumstances. Lord, I pray that You will teach me more about trusting You and submitting my all to You. May Your will be done. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Come Quickly!

Revelation 22:7-17 (click to read more)

Jesus Is Coming

7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Bee's Thoughts:

I can't held back my tears anymore when I read the title of the above devotion, "Come Quickly!"


Dear Lord,
Yes, please come quickly. I am suffering a lot! I pine after You. I have waited for a long time for You. Please come quickly, Lord. Do You hear my cry? Do You feel my pain? Hold me tight so I won't fall. :'(

I want to trust in You. I want to believe that You will come. I want to run the race with fellow believers. I want to deny myself and take up my cross to follow You. Please give me strength now and let me not be shaken. Let me be what You want me to be. Hear my plea, Lord.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

- Charlotte Elliott

Tommy's Thoughts:

God alone is worthy of our worship and adoration. We need to examine our lives whether there are other things that we worship, trust and rely on more than God. It may be people, ideas, goals or possessions that become the central place in our heart and mind; crowding God out from our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for Your grace that I can devote my life to You, praising and worshiping You all the time. Remind me O Lord of any distraction that pull me down and stop me from going to You daily. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Finish Line

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Bee's Thoughts:

This morning service message was very appropriate for me. It seemed God knew I need that message and spoke to me through the speaker.

The speaker shared on how we should react when God closes the doors we wish will be opened to us. He said we should not react negatively as God has a purpose when doors are closed to us, or when He delays the opening of certain doors. He is almighty and could see our future. So He may close some doors or delay opening them to protect us, or to wait till we are ready. When God closes a door, He will open another for us if we just come to Him in prayer and wait on Him.

On the one hand, I do believe God has a purpose for me when things don't go my way. But on the other hand I feel so much pain in having to accept what has happened recently. I cried to the Lord and told Him I feel painful for my recent loss. "Painful, Lord, painful, very painful...", I cried during my bath. God has closed the door!

In today's devotion is another encouragement for me to run the race without distraction. I must run and reach the finishing line even if people around me don't.


Dear Lord,
Surely You know the pain I have and You have heard my heart's cries.
You know what I am going through and the many tears I've shed.
I'm in agony one more time just like the last time.
It's my fault that I allowed my heart to be soft and landed myself in such stage.
Help me be strong once again, Lord, and bravely move on.
Help me finish this race and let me bring honor to Your name.

I prayer for my ex-buddy that You will keep him strong.
Protect him from all harms and keep him from falling into temptations.
Help him run the race and finish his course even if he has to run alone.
May Your mercy and grace be with him all the days of his life.
Let him know Your bigger plan for his life and help him comply.
May the people he loved be blessed because he honor Your name.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen



Tommy's Thoughts:

What is our finish line as Christian? Until we know and understand the great goal we will attain in the end, our lives in this side of eternity can be futile and meaningless. Discipline in following Christ can also be nothing but chores and self-punishment if we do not see our true finish line.

But, when we know our goal is to please God; the discipline, sacrifices and denial we must accept now seems like nothing compared to the eternal and imperishable reward we’ll gain in the end.

Dear Father, thank You for giving me a clear finish line to win the reward of being with You eternally. Guide me to train diligently, running towards my heavenly goal by continually studying Your Word, prayer, worship, praise and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Emptiness Without God

Haggai 1:1-11

A Call to Build the House of the LORD

7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

Bee's Thoughts:

Have we ever pause and think why sometimes the plans or things we wish to do fail? The above passage gives us the answer. We plan and we all the things to please ourselves rather than God. We keep all our money or time for ourselves and give little or none to God.

When we honor God, He will honor us. When we dishonor Him, He will dishonor us too. Therefore, we need to learn to give to Good what is due His.

Dear Lord,
Tonight I want to surrender the things and people I love to You. Take them all and make them Yours. I humbly bow myself before You and ask that You take my being with You too. May my life be a blessing to many when You have dealt thoroughly with me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Many of us today are living a life filled with pressures, demands, and expectations that push in from all sides and assault our schedules. We feel as though everyone wants a piece from us – family, friends, employer, church. Not long until we find our selves totally drained, exhausted and left little to give, we burn and run out of energy and time. And, though we can say God is number one, yet we often relegate Him to a lesser number in our long to-do list.

The book of Haggai is small and short, but it can be considered as the most relevant book for busy people like us today. It gives the solution for the madness in rushing through life, attending to so many tasks and demands daily. It also shows to us that our problem is not caused by the volume of demands or us not being good at managing our time, but it is our values – what is truly important to us (v5-6).

The book of Haggai teaches us to have the “right value and priorities” by first seeking God and His kingdom in order to have true joy in our lives. It is because God has promised to provide for our deepest needs if we were to put Him first in our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for speaking to me through the book of Haggai, reminding me of Your claim on my life and my priorities. Teach me not to put any wrong and selfish pleasures above You but instead obeying and seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness (Matt. 6:33). Thank You Almighty Jesus, In Your precious Name I pray, Amen.

Not “Why?” But “Who?”

Psalm 42

詩 篇 42 (Chinese Union Version (Simplified))

1 （ 可 拉 後 裔 的 训 诲 诗 ， 交 与 伶 长 。 ）

神 啊 ， 我 的 心 切 慕 你 ， 如 鹿 切 慕 溪 水 。

2 我 的 心 渴 想 　 神 ， 就 是 永 生 神 ； 我 几 时 得 朝 见 　 神 呢 ？

3 我 昼 夜 以 眼 泪 当 饮 食 ； 人 不 住 地 对 我 说 ： 你 的 　 神 在 哪 里 呢 ？

4 我 从 前 与 众 人 同 往 ， 用 欢 呼 称 赞 的 声 音 领 他 们 到 　 神 的 殿 里 ， 大 家 守 节 。 我 追 想 这 些 事 ， 我 的 心 极 其 悲 伤 。

5 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 为 何 忧 闷 ？ 为 何 在 我 里 面 烦 躁 ？ 应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 他 笑 脸 帮 助 我 ； 我 还 要 称 赞 他 。

6 我 的 　 神 啊 ， 我 的 心 在 我 里 面 忧 闷 ， 所 以 我 从 约 但 地 ， 从 黑 门 岭 ， 从 米 萨 山 记 念 你 。

7 你 的 瀑 布 发 声 ， 深 渊 就 与 深 渊 响 应 ； 你 的 波 浪 洪 涛 漫 过 我 身 。

8 白 昼 ， 耶 和 华 必 向 我 施 慈 爱 ； 黑 夜 ， 我 要 歌 颂 祷 告 赐 我 生 命 的 神 。

9 我 要 对 神 ─ 我 的 磐 石 说 ： 你 为 何 忘 记 我 呢 ？ 我 为 何 因 仇 敌 的 欺 压 时 常 哀 痛 呢 ？

10 我 的 敌 人 辱 骂 我 ， 好 像 打 碎 我 的 骨 头 ， 不 住 地 对 我 说 ： 你 的 　 神 在 哪 里 呢 ？

11 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 为 何 忧 闷 ？ 为 何 在 我 里 面 烦 躁 ？ 应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 我 还 要 称 赞 他 。 他 是 我 脸 上 的 光 荣 （ 原 文 是 帮 助 ） ， 是 我 的 　 神 。

Bee's Thoughts:

As I read the above passage and made them mine, I just felt so close to God. It seems that every word in the Psalm rings a bell in my experiences. I really love the Book of Psalms as it always help me express my deep seated feelings. They help me know my state of mind, to feel my inner self, and to pray to God in the right way. It helps me have the right attitude like King David in times of discouragement and stress.

I like the Chinese version for verse 1: "神 啊 ， 我 的 心 切 慕 你 ， 如 鹿 切 慕 溪 水 。" It's uses an exclamation mark when calling out to God (神 啊), which shows a deeper emotion. That's how I am feeling and I want to cry unto God.

Despite his deep emotional distress, the psalmist declared, "应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 他 笑 脸 帮 助 我 ； 我 还 要 称 赞 他" (v5). Yes, despite my feelings I still want to look to God and praise Him, for He is my help.


Dear Lord,
I long and thirst for You too like the psalmist. I wish I am with You physically now. But You say I must be patient and wait for that day to come. Meanwhile You are with me in Spirit and I can feel You whenever I be still before You.
I pray that You will give me strength to stay true in obedience to You. Let me rest well tonight as I need to work tomorrow and need Your wisdom to speak rightly.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Often we feel defeated and lost by our inability to help our selves in a situation. We became depressed when things don’t seem to improve or change to the better. But as Christian, we should instead meditate and focus our mind unto God and His goodness to His people.

Reading Psalm 42, is like taking antidepressant when we are feeling down and overwhelmed by our situation. We’ll learn that God will supply us with the strength, peace, and hope to endure and persevere. No matter how bleak the current situation may be, we’ll have the assurance that He will take good care of us and will works things out for good eventually if we were to obey and follow Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your love and peace that guards my heart when I felt helpless and lost. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness that allows me to start anew, lifting me up when I fall. Lord, I pray You’ll continue to guide my path, giving me the wisdom and patience to follow and obey You in love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

All About Gratitude

Colossians 2:6-7

Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

Hmmn... is "love" different from all those "virtues"? Otherwise, it shouldn't say "put on Love" after listing those "virtues".

As I searched the web for the answer, I came across the explanation for this passage. What I gathered is you can have these virtues without love, but you can't have love if you don't possess these virtues. Get it? I like it's explanation on "love", it helps me know why very often we have difficulty loving someone completely....

Secondly, in the love described, there was a desire to give to the object of one’s love rather than to possess the object of one’s desire. Therefore, when Jesus dies on the cross, it’s more the point that the Father was giving men and women the fulness of His resources (that is, giving them Himself) rather than He was bringing about the possibility that He might possess a people for His own purpose.

This latter concept is true, of course, but when it comes to the outworking of God’s love, we need to see God’s work as being performed to give Himself away.

We also saw on the web page that a man cannot react properly either in obeying what God wants him to do, in loving God or loving the brethren unless he is first transformed by the love of God in Christ. The work of the cross and its application to the believer is an important cornerstone in the believer’s life from which true love comes.

In Col 3:12,14, we see the source of love coming from the new nature - but it’s equally correct to see and maintain that, unless a man receives God’s love, he won’t be in a position to reflect that love towards his fellow man or woman.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your revelation tonight about love. I pray that I will grow to love You more each day, so that I can reflect Your love that gives, rather than receive. May You do a deeper work in my life.
Tonight, I also like to pray for my buddy that you will heal his headache and help him learn to balance his work life so that he can have time left for what is more meaningful and important in life. Give him a peaceful sleep and rise up feeling fresh in the morning.
I pray that I shall do likewise and refrain from staying in my office till so late. In all I do let me glorify Your name.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

As Christian, we represent Christ to the world. We give the impression to others about Christ by the things we say and do. Are we bringing glory and honor to Him in every aspect and activity of our daily living? What changes we should make today in our lives in order to honor Christ?

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to do all things in the name of Jesus (v17), that they will bring true glory and honor to You. Teach me to live in peace and love with others despite the differences we may have. Lord, guide me to live and practice a life of kindness, forgiveness, thankfulness, peace and compassion that bounded together with love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Heartprints

Acts 9:36-43

36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas[a]), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

39Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Bee's Thoughts:

Prayers can change things, yet we often forget to pray, instead try to solve issues with our own strength.

Yesterday, my colleagues told me he discovered that he lost his wallet when he reached home from work. It contents all his ID, driving license, his money, bank car, visa, and also the school fees he had collected from his students (more than $600). He was quite worried. I told him to pray and I assured him God would help him find it back, as I personally had such experience before. Indeed, he found his wallet in his office with all his things intact. Praise God!

Tonight, I feel very tired tonight and stressed by workload. On my way home I felt so sad as I recalled the things that happened to me lately... I felt very lonely and wish I can disappear immediately.

Tonight's devotion reminds me again that I should kneel down and pray and then wait to see miracles happen, just like in Paul's case.


Lord,
I am weak but You are strong.
Jesus, keep me from all wrongs.
I'll be satisfied as long,
as I walk, let me walk close to You.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Tommy's Thoughts:

We often admired people like Paul and Peter for their great gifts and faith in preaching God’s Word. We might be thinking God’s works are not for us and only for these truly gifted people of God.

From today’s passage, we learned that God also uses people like Dorcas who has the gifts of kindness to do His work. Instead of wishing we had other gifts, we should make good use of the gifts God has given us and allow God to use us in great ways.

Dear Father, thank You for the message today that reminds me to make good use of the gifts You has given to me. Teach me to be sensitive of the needs of others and always be ready to reach out and serve when You call me to. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Hearing Aid

1 Samuel 3:1-10

The LORD Calls Samuel
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple [a] of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Bee's Thoughts:

It takes sensitivity to God to know the implications of situations when they happened. In the case of Eli, he only knew that God had called Samuel after the third time God called him.

Many times, we too do not know why certain things happened to us till when we quieten our hearts to listen. We tend to react very quickly when unpleasant things happened to us. But when we learn to listen, we will begin to see God's purpose unfold in our lives. We need to learn to answer like Samuel by telling God, "Speak, for your servant is listening. Let me know your plan for me in all these situations."

Today, my morning devotion message was "Adversity and Perseverance". It was taken from the book of James 1: 1-12.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

It's so appropriate for me. It's like God is telling to persevere despite of all happenings.

Dear Lord,
I know I am so weak and at times feel like giving up on people I trusted, respected and loved. Yet Your words have reminded me to persevere on. I ask that You may grant me wisdom to handle situations and people in the way You want me to. Let me listen to Your small still voice in all situations. May I honour You in all I do and say.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

There are those who feel troubled and puzzled with what God wanted them to do. They questioned why God didn’t speak and show His way to them clearly. This problem happened not because God does not speak to us but because of all the non-stop “noises” and distraction from our daily activities.

We hardly take the time to stop and listen to His calling. He can speak to us through His Word, people, and circumstances. When we truly prepare our heart and humbly readied ourselves to listen, we’ll know God does speak to us in great clarity every time.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding to pause from my daily busyness and spend time listening to You. Like Samuel, teach me to be always ready to say “Here I am” when You call me to action. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

How to Love God?

Psalm 36:5-10

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [a] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Bee's Thoughts:

God's love is...
"reaches to the heavens" - can reach us wherever we are. (v5)
"unfailing" - forgive time and again, no matter how many times we sin against Him, He will forgive when we humbly come to Him and repent. (v7)

Yes, even though I have not seen God, I feel Him. Even though I cannot touch Him, I can feel him holding me securely. Perhaps that's why I can love someone even when I cannot see him. God teaches me to love even when I cannot see.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your great love. Thank You that Your love is unfailing and is over whelming in my life. How can I not be touched by You and not love You. I love You Lord.
Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Some struggle with how to love an unseen God. Although we know from the Bible that it is the greatest commandment of all, yet we do not know how to express our love for Him. One of the ways to learn loving God is to know how He wants to be loved.

1. The first way God wants to be loved is with intensity. To remind our selves always it is the greatest and most important commandment of all. To love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Lk 10:25-28) is to love God with the totality of our being, with the sum of our strength, with every ounce of our energy. We are to bring intensity to the loving of God.
   
   
2. Obey His commands. Jesus said that if we love God in our hearts, we will obey Him with our lives.
   “If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15)
   “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me". (John 14:21)
   
   
3. Spend time with Him. A life of devotion means to love Him more and more, and a life of study means to know Him more and more. These should become our chief pursuits, realizing that our relationship with Him must always be a higher priority than other things in our lives.
   
   
4. Always be thankful for His Gift and blessings for us.
   “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting." (1 Chronicles 16:34)
   “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)
   “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." (Romans 8:28)
   
   
5. To love and serve others.
   “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. "(Matthew 22:36-40)
   "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me how to love You deeper. Thank You for all the blessings You have given to me and Your light that constantly guide my path. Lord Jesus, my living water, I pray that You will continue to lead me to seek You to quench my spiritual thirst. In Your mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Overcoming Sins

James 1:13-21

13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Bee's Thoughts:

One speaker said that "Sins are fun, otherwise people won't sin. However, after the fun comes the miseries and even death." Just like what James above said.

Why did James suddenly change his topic from "sins" to "gift"? Perhaps to show that God gives us gifts so that we will use them wisely and not to sin?

How can we "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"? By "humbly accept the word planted" in us as we read it daily. That's why regular devotions are so important. They keep us away from sins, and lift us up just like my experience in "The New Me".

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your words that can help me overcome sins and all things not good for me. Thank You for lifting me up through Your precious words daily. I pray that I will continue to hide Your words in my heart that I may not sin against You.
In Jesus namr I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

It is easy to find excuses and blame others, things or situation for our wrongdoing. We think we’ve no choice, couldn’t help it and were pressured into it by our circumstances. In a way, we somehow shifted the blame from ourselves and continue to give in to temptations; never try to turn to God for strength to resist them.

Temptation comes from our own evil desires, not from God (v14). Sin grows destructively when we allow it to have its way by dwelling on and act upon any evil thought we may have. But as Christian, we need to accept the responsibility for all our wrongs, confess them and ask God for forgiveness. And, when we choose to obey God by resisting temptation, God has promised to give us the wisdom and strength to overcome and escape them (1 Corinthian 10:13).

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to be responsible for all my own action, never push blame to others or situations, but instead to seek Your forgiveness and to be repented. Lord, teach me to seek Your strength and guidance through Your Word and the Holy Spirit within me to overcome any temptation coming my way. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Cleaning Out The Files

Philippians 3:13-21

13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Bee's Thoughts:

Hmmn... God had been speaking to me consecutively every night when I did my devotions. When I read "Forgetting what is behind" in tonight's devotion, I just "wow!"... God knows exactly what I am going through! Amazing!

Then when I read the title "Cleaning Out The Files" and the article that followed I laughed. But it's actually no laughing matter. I laughed 'cos what the article said is really true. We tend to keep in our memories what we shouldn't remember, but what we should remember we tend to forget. *sigh*

When Paul said "forgetting the things behind" he was not only referring to unpleasant things but also pleasant things, such as our achievements. Why forget our achievements? If we don't, we would become proud and too confident in ourselves and not rely on God.

I need to forget what I should and move on (v13-14). I shouldn't let anything (my failures or successes) or anyone (who loved or hurt me) rob me of my joy and peace. I should live my life in accordance to God's purpose for me as an 'alien' on earth. For my "citizenship is in heaven" (v20).


Dear Lord,
Let me not forget what You have done for me on the cross.
But let me forget my past failures and successes.
Let me not forget the good that others have done for me.
But let me forget the hurts that others have inflicted on me.
Let me move on with your strength together with those who do likewise.
And encourage others who are weak to ran the race ahead.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Being a mature Christian, we must constantly act on what we already know and learned. It is easy to be sidetracked by thinking there are still so much to be learned, using it as an excuse to continue indulging in sin and wrongdoing; ignoring God’s clear commands to us.

Instead, we should press on toward the goal to win our eternal prize (v14), growing in the knowledge of God by living a life of faith and obedience. By choosing to follow God each time and asking Him to guide us in making right and responsible decisions, we can surely look forward for a fuller and more meaningful life here based on our hope in Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding these verses from Philippians, giving me the clarity on things when at times I think differently and in a negative way. Guide my every action and the decisions that I’ll make so that through them I may give glorify and honor to You to the world around me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Word Hunger

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Your words have kept me through all my ups and downs in life.
From the time I came to know You till even now, Your words have never failed to lift me up when I am down and kept me sane at times I almost lose my mind.
Your words have brought me hope and gave me joy and the strength to move on instead of indulging in self-pity.
All things shall pass away, including our possessions and the people we loved so much, but Your words will not pass away.
May You continue to give me hunger and thirst after Your words.

Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

As an ex-drug addict shares his testimony in today’s prayer meeting, I lost count of the number of verses he quoted from the Bible. The Bible basically contains every single answer, solution and guide to our struggles and the truth of God’s amazing love for each one of us.

God’s Word provides us with strength, peace, joy, comfort and hope to go through every life’s situation. It also gives us a clear purpose and goal in life; to love Him and serve others. Without knowing, trusting and relying on God’s Word, it is easy for us to make bad choices and live life recklessly and irresponsibly.

Father, thank You for showing to me the importance to saturate my mind with Your Word daily, allowing You to guide my path and protecting me from the attacks of the evil one. Safeguard my mind and heart from the ‘noises’ and distractions around me and keep me close to You, loving You and obeying all Your commands. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Life-oriented Faith

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Bee's Thoughts:

Recently, it seems God is telling me that I have placed my love at the wrong places -- my work and my best friend. I did prayed about my situation and asked God to intervene. He answered my prayers and things happened that made my love for these crushed. I was badly bruised.... :(

This afternoon, a verse came to me from Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." The Lord reminded me to trust in Him, for all things work together for good to those who love God. He wanted me to praise Him in every circumstances. With that in mind, I felt the inner strength to move on.... I am to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, not only when things go my way. I praised God for all He has done in my life, the good and the 'bad'.

Tonight, God is reminding me through the devotion that I need to love Him with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength. I shall be like Job and King David to continue to love God regardless of what may happen to me. My faith in God will not be crushed... I shall move on with God's strength.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for answering my prayers, though in ways that may be painful for me. Yet I know You do it because You know what is best for me. Thank You for putting Your joy in my heart despite the fact that Satan wanted to put me down. Let me love You with all my heart, soul and strength. (})
Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We can learn a lot from the Hebrews when comes to making religion an integral part of our lives. They saw God in all aspects of their lives and used the context of daily life to teach about God. Others will be able to see and learn about God when we make God part of our everyday experiences, living each day following and applying what we’ve learned from His Word.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me again about loving You with all my heart, soul and strength; obeying all Your commands. Guide me to seek Your Word daily and applying them in my daily life.

Lord, may Your will, not mine, be done. Teach me to trust that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will and that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Truth That Transforms

John 21:14-17

14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Bee's Thoughts:

The word "love" is still very mysterious to many people, including Christians. Sometimes we thought we loved someone, but in actual fact we only loved ourselves. The test comes when things don't go our ways, and we realized that what matters most to us is our own "happiness" rather than that of the other person.

Why did Jesus have to ask Peter, "Do you truly love me?" three times?

I guess it's because Peter did not fully understand what it takes to truly love Jesus. Notice that Jesus replied by asking Peter to do something about it, "Feed my lambs." (v15) and "Take care of my sheep." (v16).

Love is action, not just saying "I love you". 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

To love is to be concerned about what matters most to the person we loved. In this case, Jesus is concerned about His "lamb" (young Christians) and His "Sheep" (older Christians). So if Peter or us say we love Jesus, we should be concerned about what He is concerned about. That's why King David was called "the man after God's heart". For David truly wants to do things that pleases God.

To love is a non-negotiable command from God for Christians. 1 John 4:7-12 says:

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding what true love is all about. If I am born of You, then love becomes in-born nature in my life. I will have no more excuse to say I don't know what love is since Your definition of love is so clear (1 Cor 13) and also You have shown me Your examples of true love. May I love You for each day so that I also will love others more. Let me seek not to please myself but to please You and the people I love. I want to obey You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We are hypocrite when we profess our faith but do not live a changed life that put God first by loving Him and obeying all His commands. We put Jesus on hold and pour out our love only in our work, family, hobbies, etc.

Thus, Jesus’ question to Peter in today’s passage may just be the most important and profound question every Christian should honestly answer: Do we love Jesus Christ? It is because real love for Jesus Christ distinguishes true Christians from false Christians.

We love Jesus when we:

1. Put Him first. (You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind - Matt. 22:37)
2. Obey His commands (If you love me, keep my commandments - John 14:15).
3. Love and serve others (v15-17)

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me how to truly love Christ. I pray You will continue to guide me to understand this truth and putting them into action. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Instant Access

Hebrews 10:19-23

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Thank You for encouraging me through Your word these 2 nights.
Thank You for giving me strength to go on because my confidence is in You and not in my sinful self.
Thank You also for the message this morning that I can reach my potential that You have given to me when I trust in You and seek You like King David did.
Please help me not to be limited by fear or any negative feelings, but to boldly move on because You will never fail me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen


Tommy's Thoughts:

We long for someone who truly understands us and the problems we are going through. Someone who can always be there to listen, comfort and help when we’re troubled, lost and discouraged.

As believers, we have this special someone always close beside us. God lives within us (John 14:23), giving us instant access to Him whenever we need someone we can trust and rely on. Through Christ, we have this special privilege of a personal access to God that helps us to grow in faith, overcoming all trials and deepen our relationship with Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Christ for removing the curtain, allowing me to draw near to You and Your strength any time. Lord, guide me to seek You and Your kingdom first above everything. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

True Victory

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."[a]With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

Somehow every word written above in v8 & v9 seems to be describing my condition today. As I read them, I just want to cry...it's like someone correctly pinpoint what I have been going through.

"hard pressed on every side, but not crushed" - too much workload to handle and felt like giving way anytime... yet I know God's hands are supporting me

"persecuted, but not abandoned" - I felt wrongly accused at work recently... but I know God didn't abandon me

"perplexed, but not in despair" - what someone said to me last night made me very perplexed and confused, and I felt like crying but couldn't... yet God is in control

"struck down, but not destroyed" - the same words spoken to me were like thunder striking me down, I felt 'dead', and felt like a zombie today... yet I am not destroyed.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your encouraging words tonight. I sense You are telling me to be strong, for all these sufferings I have now are light compared to the glory I shall receive when I pass these tests. Thank You for You assurance tonight. Keep me trusting in You Lord. Hold me tight that I may not fall.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:
“Light and momentary troubles”. It’s hard to agree that whatsoever problems we are facing now is nothing and insignificant compares to some yet unseen glory in our future. But, if we were to put our selves into Paul’s shoes, we’ll see our problems are indeed nothing compares to the sufferings he had gone through while preaching the Good News.

Paul was able to make the statement because he focused not on his current trials but on his ultimate goal and hope of an eternal life with God, where all sorrow, pain and suffering ends and flee away. Instead of focusing on our trials, we should set our eyes on our ultimate goal and eternal reward and see our troubles as opportunities for God to demonstrate His power in our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for Your comforting words of strength, hope and direction. Lord, guide me to focus on the ultimate goal I have in You, renewing my commitment to serve You and obeying all Your commands. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

A Fortified House

Matthew 7:15-27

A Tree and Its Fruit

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The Wise and Foolish Builders

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Bee's Thoughts:

There are more and more false doctrines these days. Even in the churches or in Christian organizations, there are many who professed to be Christians, yet the things they do just do now show forth they are the disciples of Christ. It's very sad.

But who am I to judge others when I myself also at times do not behave like a child of the King. *sigh*

I am reminded tonight that I need to bear good fruits if I were to be able to say I am a good tree. Jesus said that the only way for me to do that is to abide in Him (John 15:4-5):

4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

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.

Foundation is important in every aspect of life, be it education, career, marriage, or even spiritual life. Without a good foundation everything that we build upon will crumble. Many things in life do not have short-cut, we need to take time and effort to nurture, to build and to grow. For Christians, we know that our foundation for everything in life is Jesus Christ.


Dear Lord,
Forgive me for the times I don't bear good testimony to Your name. Help me Lord, to build everything my hands get hold of in You and not build on my self-confidence. Tonight, I surrender my all to You, Lord. Please remove all things that are not glorifying to Your name in my life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Like the foolish builder, we build our lives on inferior foundation when we thoughtlessly making decisions by ignoring God’s clear command and teachings. We even fool our selves by thinking those consequences will never happen to us, that we have things under control with our strength and wisdom. But we learned from today’s passage that anything that built upon shaky ground will eventually fail and collapse.

Embarking on anything by ignoring God’s message for us, we are really denying that God knows best how to bring fulfillment into our lives, and that He is committed to our good. (Matthew 7:11 and Deuteronomy 10:13.) Such a denial constitutes a betrayal of what we say we believe about God: that He is our wise and loving heavenly Father who always seeks our good.

Although it’s not easy sometimes to practice and putting in place what we hear and know, but with God’s grace and our humility to obey, we can be sure God will help us weather all storms of life and giving nothing but the best to us.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to trust in You for everything in my life. Forgive me for having no confidence and faith in Your plan for me, setting myself up on false and weak foundation. Give me the eyes to see Your way and Your will for me, instead of my own foolish desire. Lord, it’s really hard sometimes for me but I pray You will provide me with the strength and patience to endure and follow in Your way. In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Remembrance Day

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

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

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

33So 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.

Bee's Thoughts:

There are so many things stored in my 'RAM'... my childhood days, my encounters with people who have impacted my life (those who hurt me & those who loved me), etc. Some bring forth warm feelings in me, some make me cry when I recall. Very often, I hope I can't remember anything, I hope to have a memory loss...

But one thing that I have to remember is that Jesus has died on the cross for me. He will wipe away all my tears and give me a new body and new life one day. I have to remember that all I have today, I owe them to Him. This is something that keeps me going, when everyone else fail me.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for all that You have done for me. Thank You that this hope I have in You will come true one day. When I am discouraged or lose hope, please let me remember that You are always here with me.
In Jesus' Your name I thank You. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

What does Paul meant when he said that no one should take the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner and that doing so will be sinning against the body and blood of the Lord (v27)? The Lord’s Supper can lose its significance and become merely a ritual when we take in an unworthy manner: rushing into it without thinking of its meaning.

Instead, we should be prepared properly based on our belief in and love for Christ, examining ourselves for any unconfessed sin. We should take it thoughtfully and worthily with due reverence and respect, remembering and proclaiming that Christ died for our sins.

Dear Father, thank You for the new covenant that I can approach and communicate to You personally. Teach me to always take the Lord’s Supper with a healthy introspection of what Christ has done for me and removing any barriers that might be affecting my relationship with You and other believers. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Debts

Romans 13:1-7

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

I don't like to live in debt and don't want to owe anyone anything as the above verse has been ingrained in my heart. That's good, I thought. Yet I do owe love, and I know I can't complete paying the debt of love.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for paying my debt of sins. Help me not to owe anyone anything. As for my debt of love to others, may Your love flow through me, that I may love others. I know I can't love enough, but help me to love as much. I need You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen


Tommy's Thoughts:

In verse 8, Paul mentioned that love for others is a debt. Why is it called a debt? Why we will always be obligated to love our neighbors? It is because loving others is the only way we can even begin to repay our debt to Christ, for His love for us.

Dear Father, thank You for Your lavish love poured out to me even as I am a sinner. Thank You for revealing Your way and truth to me, guiding my path when I am lost and troubled by uncertainties.

Lord, guard my heart and mind from the evil one and let me march forward, focusing firmly unto You. Finally, teach me to love others like how Christ has loved me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Life’s Storm-Tossed Sea

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Thank You for calming the 'stormy sea' in my life.
Thank You for the many blessings in disguise.
Thank You for Your love that never die.
Thank You for always hearing my heart's cry.
Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Like the disciples, we too experience ‘storms’ in our daily lives; situations that cause us great anxieties. In those situations, we can either choose: to be like the disciple, worrying and thinking Jesus no longer cares, or, resist the fear, confess our needs to God and trust Him to care for us.

But often, we choose instead to worry because we underestimated God and His power to handle our crises. Unlike the disciple who did not yet know enough about Jesus, we, who have been given the complete Word about Jesus, cannot make similar excuse.

Dear Father, thank You for Your care and love that I do not need to waste time worrying over things beyond my control. Lord, teach me to confess all my needs and fear to You, and trusting You to care for me. Lord, I know I can’t do it on my own and with my own strength, I pray that You will supply me with Your peace and wisdom to guide me in every situation. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

He Did It

2 Timothy 2:1-10

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Bee's Thoughts:

The word of God has again encouraged me tonight. I fell discouraged at work and is on the verge of giving up, and throw in my resignation letter.

Tonight, I am reminded to be strong in the grace of the Lord, be a reliable person who can endure hardship, follow the rules and is hardworking... like the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your grace is always sufficient for me. Thank You for Your reminders and encouragement. I need Your grace and wisdom each day to face the challenges of life. Without You I can do nothing. Be my shield and shelter Lord,
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We often make decision carelessly, going for easy shortcuts and ignoring God’s commands when our eyes are not set on the goal and purpose God has given us in this life. Without a goal in sight, we’ll wander aimlessly, living irresponsibly and finding our lives meaningless.

Paul gave a good comparison of our lives to the one of soldiers, athletes and farmer, each with discipline and willing to sacrifice to achieve the result they want. We too should see our current suffering, patience, obedience as worthwhile sacrifices to achieve our goal to glory God, winning people to Christ and ultimately living eternally with Him one day.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that my present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us when Christ returns (Romans 8:18). Lord, teach me to follow Your leading with joyful obedience and guide my every action and decision that they may bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Three Certainties

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Coming of the Lord
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Bee's Thoughts:

I always feel very comforted whenever I remember I will be with the Lord one day. Death is no longer a fearful thing to me. In fact, I look forward to it. Am I mad? I sounded like one, right?

Paul said that to die is gain because it is to "be with Christ" ( Philippians 1:21-23 ), and that to be away from the earthly body is to be "at home with the Lord" ( 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ). Another significant passage is Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross that when he died he would be with Him in "paradise" ( Luke 23:43 ).

The following song always come to my mind when I feel the stress of life, like now.

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
They're all expecting me from heaven's open door.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your comforting assurance tonight. Please take me home when the time comes. Help me do Your will while I am here on earth. May my life be pleasing to You in all I do.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Death is not the end of the story. Whether we believe in God or not, we will live for eternity. The only difference is where we will spend our eternity. For believers, we will be living with God forever, safe and secure, never to suffer or die again.

Not only that, we will be reunited with other believers when Christ returns. Because of this, we should comfort and reassure each other with this great hope.

Dear Father, thank You for Your promises and hope that I received from trusting and believing in You. Lord, teach me not to waste this gift or forget the glory and triumph me and my closed ones will have when Christ returns. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Choice

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Bee's Thoughts:

Yesterday, the sermon in our Church service was on "Decision Making". The pastor said,

• The wrong decision at the wrong time = disaster.
• The wrong decision at the right time = mistake.
• The right decision at the wrong time = rejection.
• The right decision at the right time = success.

Hmmn... very interesting statements. We need to make the right decision at the right time for success.

Tonight, again I am reminded to "choose" life. That is to choose to love God, listen to Him and hold fast to Him no matter what (v19, 20). Only then can we have life... "many years"

Everyday we have to make decisions. Our decisons may mean life or death in some cases. We need God's wisdom to guide us in these decisions making.


Dear Lord,
Please help me to choose wisely, to make the right decision at the right time. May all the decisions I make bring forth life and not death to me or to another. Lead me each day, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Yesterday, I pondered why God works in certain ways, and today He answered me with this passage from the Old Testaments. God gave His people a choice between life and death: either we choose to love Him and obey His commands v16), or we could worship and serve other gods (v.17).

As He created us as a being with free will, He never forces His will on us, but instead He let us to decide whether to follow or reject Him. He wanted us to realize this because He would like us all to choose life and be blessed by His love and care.

Dear Ftaher, thank You for Your love and grace that has given me a true meaning to this life. Lord, teach me to humble myself, trusting in Your sovereignty and submitting myself to You. Teach me to always choose life and reaffirm and reinforce this commitment daily. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Love in Actions

1 John 3:16-23

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Bee's Thoughts:

The word "love"brings a nice feeling but very often people have the wrong understanding of the meaning of love. In v16, we see that to love is to be willing to lay down one's life for the one we claim to love. Jesus is our model on love... loving with actions. When we can truly love, God promise to give us what we ask (v22), for we will ask for things that show our love for another and not for our selfish gain.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me the meaning of love again. If I love someone, I should do things that will edify the person and not for my own gratification. I ask for Your strength to practise love and not just give empty words.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

It is easy to get discouraged and stopping altogether in asking God for something when our prayers always left unanswered. We become unsure and skeptical of God’s promises that we shall receive whatever we ask for in prayer (Matthew 7:7, Matthew 21:22, John 9:31; 15:7).

We first need to ask our selves: Are we asking in line with God’s will for us? Are we truly seeking His will or our own selfish desire? Or are we persistently praying for “poisonous snakes” instead of bread and fish? When we learn to know God better as a loving Father through a right relationship with Him and obeying His commands, we will know and be able to ask for what is good for us. And when we do, God WILL grant our requests (often unexpectedly)!

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to ask for what is good for me, seeking Your will instead of mine. Lord, I pray that You will continue to supply me with more patience, wisdom, trust, love, and understanding in You and Your plan for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Multitude Of Counselors

Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 27:9

Proverbs 11:14

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.


Proverbs 12:15

15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.


Proverbs 27:9

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Bee's Thoughts:

Most people tend to call anyone they know "friends". Yet who is considered a friend? One who gives another "earnest counsel", says Proverbs 27:9. Based on this meaning of friendship, how many "friends"do we really have? Very few for me.

When I feel lonely and that no one understand me, I aways remember the hymn:

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being my friend who will never leave me not forsake me.Thank You for giving me Your Counsellor who will lead me to do the right path when I lost my way.

Thank You for giving me my best friend too, who can pray and share my burdens. Let me be a friend too,just like You do.
In Jesus' nameI pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Have we ever try solving a crisis or making a difficult decision all by our selves? Most of the times, it’s hard to see the clearer picture or solution to our problems. We find our selves at a dead end, stuck in our situation or worse making hasty, unwise decision when on our own.

But, we learned today that a wise man will humble himself and seek help and counsel from others. Problems that seem so difficult, impossible and confusing to us are easily solved and clarified when we share them with others. It is true that often others may have a much clearer or knowledgeable insights, experience or understanding of our problems than we actually do our selves.

Dear Father, thank You for bringing to me godly and wise ‘counselors’ when I was lost and felt hopeless in situations. Thank You that through them I’ve seen better paths and decisions that I would have never known by myself. Lord, teach me not to be proud of my own ability, trusting only on my own understanding, but always be open, humbly seek and wisely listen to the advice and help of others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Getting Even

Ephesians 4:25-5:1

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

Bee's Thoughts:

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," (v26).

Whenever I get angry with someone, the Lord's Spirit always remind me of the above verse, and I have to tell myself I need to settle whatever dispute before I go to sleep. Otherwise, the devil will accuse me and make me his victim of condemnation.

Tonight, I am also reminded that even if I am angry with someone, I should not let unwholesome words out of my mouth (v29).

Dear Lord,
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Let me speak words of encouragement and life in all situations.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

John Wesley said that as he studied the scriptures his “heart was strangely warmed”. As believers, we sometimes experience similar comforting and peaceful warmth sensation in our hearts during reading of God’s Word, prayers or worship. It is because the Holy Spirit is working within us, guiding our thoughts and minds through His gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12) and showing to us we belong to God (v30).

Since the Spirit is within us, we can grieve Him by the reckless way we live our lives. Paul teaches us to be watchful of any unwholesome thoughts and words, bitterness, improper use of anger, brawling, slander and bad attitudes towards others. Instead, we should always act in love with forgiving attitudes, caring words that build others up, benefiting them according to their needs (v29).

Dear Father, thank You for Your love and forgiveness by sending Jesus to die for my sins. Teach me Lord to act the same in love to others and not grieving the Holy Spirit with my bad and uncaring attitudes. Lord, make me aware always of every opportunity to show Your kind of love, kindness and gentleness to those in needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

When All Looks Bright

Deuteronomy 6:10-19

10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.

Bee's Thoughts:

When someone we loved is paying attention to another person more than us we tend to feel jealous. Likewise, God can be jealous when we worship anyone or anything other than Him. Sometimes, another person or our career may become our object of worship unconsciously. We need to be careful of this.

Testing God shows our disbelief in God, which displeases God. Satan also tried to test Jesus but failed.

Dear Lord,
I pray that I will not worship any other gods besides You. Help me to give my body as a living sacrifice, which is a reasonable worship to You. Let me trust You in my work and everything in my life.
In Jesus' name. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

In today’s Daily Bread, we learned that prosperity may be a greater test of character than poverty. It is true that prosperity, more than poverty, can dull our spiritual vision as we turn more self-sufficient and less sensitive to our need for God when everything is good and rosy. It’s easy to concentrate only on our own self-preservation and be tempted to acquire still more of everything – except God.

So, how do we keep our selves close to God when the lure of complacency and self-sufficiency drive us away from Him? We should always remember the source of all our current blessings (Deut. 6:12) and keep the followings in our heart and mind:

• Fear the Lord (v.13).
• Serve Him (v.13).
• Do not go after other gods (v.14).
• Do not tempt the Lord (v.16).
• Keep the commandments (v.17).
• Do what is right and good (v.18).

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me of this today. Forgive me Lord for not giving You the best of me, my time and energy, and not putting You first above other things. Lord, help me to repent on this I pray. Keep me close to You, knowing clearly You are my only God and the only Source of all my blessings. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.