More Than We Imagine

Read 1 John 2:28–3:3

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" - 1 John 3:1

Reflection of Tommy:

Many today, including Christians, being deceived by Satan into believing that the basis of their worth is their performance and their ability to please others. We seek ways to be masters at “playing the game” to be successful, to win approval of others and to get what we want.

Failing to do so, we experience the pain of disapproval and withdraw into a shell of hurt, misery, numbness or depression. Nothing is clearer than the equation below that reflects Satan’s lie to many of us today:

Self-worth = Performance + Others’ Opinions

But, as we read in 1 John 3:1, we can trust God’s complete acceptance of us as His children (v1), allowing Him to truly free us from our dependency on success and the approval of others. We’ll realize that having a healthy sense of self-esteem and worth doesn’t rely being successful or good at pleasing others.

We know our self-worth has freely and conclusively given to us by God, not men. Therefore, we will have the attitude saying “It would be nice to be approved by so and so, but if they don’t, it’s alrite, I’m still loved and accepted by God!”

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that the life of a follower of Christ is a process to be more and more like Him (Romans 8:29). Thank You for showing to me that true faith always result in good deeds – consistently do what is right (v28-29).

Father, remind me always that my ultimate destiny is to be like Christ completely when I see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12); motivating me to purify myself to be free from the corruption of sin. Jesus, lead me to Your way, a way to a renewed hope, joy and purpose in my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

The Sure Way!

Read John 14:1-6

Reflection of Tommy:

As our group was having a discussion the other day, a member raised the question of whether this well-known religious leader who is not a believer will enter heaven. But as we refer back to the Bible and particularly verse 6 in today’s passage, we know good work and being good on our own alone will never bring us to God the Father.

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

This is why Christianity is different from all the religions of the world because we believe salvation is through faith and not through good works. And when we do good works, they are results of our faith in Jesus as we allow the Spirit to work in us.

Dear Father, thank You for providing me a sure and clear Way to get to You. Thank You for Your love and grace by offering this gift to me though I do not deserve it from You. Teach me to appropriate this gift by living my life serving You and others with true love like Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Prayers of Jesus

Read Psalm 23

Reflection of Tommy:

We see how even Jesus himself spend times praying for all the concerns around Him, in fact, the entire chapter 17 of the gospel of John is on His prayer to the Father. This is because we are living in a tremendous battleground, where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war.

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-17). But, we can take comfort knowing that as Jesus has prayed for His disciples, He still intercede for us all who follow Him today. He assured us to always keep us safe from Satan’s power or being snatched out from His hand (John 10:27-29); preparing us to be pure, holy and united through His truth.

Dear Father, thank You for the assurance and protection I have in Jesus, my Good Shepherd. Thank You for teaching me not to feel discouraged when trials and obstacles assails, but to rest all my cares and worries in Your mighty hand and trusting You to lead my ways. Lord, guide me also to first build a right relationship with You in joy, faithfulness and genuine commitment. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

He Is There

Psalm 139:1-12

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Reflection of Bee:

Who will be there for me
when I need words of comfort?
Who will be there for me
when I need a shoulder to cry?
Who will be there for me
when I need to pour my sorrows?

Who will be there for me
if I were to lose my vision?
Who will be there for me
if I were to lose my voice?
Who will be there for me
if I were to die tonight?


Dear Lord,
As I look back to my past I see Your hands upon me keeping me all the way. Sometimes You used people to help me along the way. Sometimes You hide Yourself from me so I will learn to live by faith and not by sight.
But now You hide others from me so that I will know that You are the only one for me when others go their ways.
In my sickness, I want to praise you still. For my life is in Your hand. Guide me in the path that I should go.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:
Often we feel the presence of God only during prayer or in church, but the truth is He is always with us, every second in a day, whether we are awake or asleep (v8). How comforting it is to always keep this in our mind during the good and the bad times.

When we know God is presence with us, it helps to change our perception on things and refocus our mind on Him. His presence gives us the courage when we are afraid, confidence when we are in doubt, strength when we are weak and hope when we are discouraged.

Dear Father, thank You for Your presence with me, helping me to see You in everything I’m going through. Teach me to follow You ever closely, keeping all Your commands, obeying You joyfully and trusting You for everything. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Cast Your Cares

Philippians 4:4-9

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Reflection of Bee:

Thank God for the above assurances that I need not worry about anything, be it my career or my future. All I need to do is to give all my cares to Him and let Him care for me. I need this assurance especially now.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for caring for me. Thank You that in the midst of uncertainties I can be certain that all my needs will be taken care of. Praise You for being my Redeemer in every aspects of my life. May You make my life counts.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Reflection of Tommy:
We sure do worry about a lot of things in our every day life – our work, career, money, people etc. Can we really never being anxious about anything like what Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:6? Worrying not only waste our time and energy but shows our lack of trust in God.

Paul advices us that whenever we start to worry over something, we need to just stop and pray to God instead. Prayer helps to shift our focus on our problem to God, trusting Him to take care of us and acknowledging He is always in control. Although, our problem may still be there but through prayer, God gives us the peace that guards our hearts and minds against anxiety.

Dear Father, thank You for Your peace that is always available for me. Teach me not to be always weighed down by earthly cares and anxieties but instead to meet them with an active and experimental attitude of surrender and trust to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Power Of Influence

Matthew 5:1-16

The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Reflection of Bee:

The above Beatitudes are so comforting to me as I am feeling quite tired with office politics that are going on. Tonight's devotion reminds me that I don't have to worry too much about what others do or say but just remain faithful to God's words, be the light and salt of the world (v13 & 14). Even if people try to say say all kinds of evil against me because I hold fast to God's word, I will be "blessed".

Yes, "blessed are those who mourn" (v4) for God will always comfort our heart when we cry out to Him. Thank God for always hearing my cry to Him.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your words of comfort and assurance. I pray that Your words will remain in my heart as I go about doing my work in my office. I pray that I will be Your light and salt all the time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Reflection of Tommy:

What are the traits we need to cultivate as a disciple of Jesus Christ? In Jesus’ longest recorded sermon, He described a list of beatitudes that tell us how to be blessed; the experience of hope and joy that are independent of our outward circumstances. We can see how directly contradictory each beatitude is to the worldly values of selfishness, pride and lust. It challenges the way we live each day to willingly follow Jesus with true humility and obedience, no matter what the cost may be.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me the clashing values of society typical way of life to a life of true discipleship. Guard my heart and mind always from the influences and temptation of this world that are in conflict with the traits and attitude You wanted me to have. Lord, continue to lead and change me daily to be Your salt and light to the world. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Claiming Responsibility

Isaiah 53:1-10

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

Reflection of Bee:

Dear Lord Jesus,
All I can say is THANK YOU for willingly taking over my punishment. For this I owe You my life. Take me and let my life be Yours. In all I do, may Your name be glorified.
Amen

Reflection of Tommy:
Whenever we have opportunities for sharing, we need to focus on what Christ has done on the Cross for us. It is easy to center everything on what we have achieved or gain, rather on the importance of God’s great gift of salvation for us all. This Good News is so important that God claimed responsibility for it in the prophecy of Isaiah, seven centuries before it happened.

Dear Father, thank You for your great gift of salvation for me. Thank You that when Jesus died upon the cross, He took away my sin, grief, sorrow, suffering and shame and offered me His righteousness. Teach me to share this to others by focusing on who He is and what He has done for us. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Existing Or Truly Living?

John 10:1-11

The Shepherd and His Flock
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Reflection of Bee:

There is a vast difference between the thieves/robbers and the shepherd:
enter by the other ways Vs enter by the gate (v1 & 2)
voice is strange to the sheep Vs voice that is familiar (v3-5)
steal/kill/destroy Vs giving life that is full (v10)
steal/kill/destroy Vs laying down his life for the sheep (v11)

When we are over-stressed by our work or the cares of life, we may feel like just "existing" and not living. I feel that way in may occassions too. To know who is speaking or working in our life, we need to listen to our Shepherd's voice. He promised to give us life that is full, not empty, or half-filled. He loves us even unto death.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your promise of life that is full. Though at times I feel like 'zombie', or 'robot', or have lost my meaning in life during my down moments, You always 'breathe' Your 'breath of life' into me to 'resuscitate' me.
I pray that I will always recognise Your voice speaking to me and follow Your leading.I pray for my 'bf' too that You will lead him to Your 'green pasture' wherever he is.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

How comforting to know that as believer, Christ came to gives us a new life. Because of His overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance, it is possible for us to live a life of true joy and hope even in our broken world today. This life that is abundantly richer, fuller and it begins right now and lasts eternally!

Dear Father, thank You that my life is hidden with Christ (Col 3:3). Thank You for showing me when I’m wrong, and leading me to change; living the life as You intended it to be. Guide me daily to live for Christ, to love You with my whole being, and to serve Your people. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

Running From God

Jonah 1:1-10

Jonah Flees From the LORD
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. 6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."

7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"

9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."

10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)

Reflection of Bee:

A question I asked God frequently is, "Why did God allowed me to be born?" I wished I were never never born, like what I wrote in my poem in 2005. When I am in great distress I asked God:

How I wish I were never born
or my first cry were soon gone
or I were given to a good family
then I don't have to suffer this misery

I want to run away from this harsh and loveless world. People only want to receive but not give. People just want to make use of others and discard them when they are no longer useful to them. Even close ones can betray us and drain us totally. I feel so tired. *sigh*

Perhaps I can run away from people but I can't run away from God. Just like what Psalms 139: 7-12 says:

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Dear Lord,
I know I can't run away from You. Please help me to find meaning of my existence in this sinful world.
Amen.




Reflection of Tommy:

Like Jonah, sometimes we clearly know what God wanted us to do but we didn’t do them. Instead, we run away because of stubbornness or ignorance, claiming that God is asking too much from us or thinking we are in control and knows what best for us. But often running from Him brings us worse trouble.

Not only that, Jonah’s disobedience also endangered the lives of the ship’s crew. Our deliberate act of disobedience can hurt others around us. So, we need to always obey and do what God asks in the first place instead of paying the unnecessary and costly price of running away in the end.

Dear father, thank You for making known to me everyday the things You wanted me to do. Teach me to have a receptive heart to follow them obediently; trusting You knows what best for me. Help me not to be distracted by the ‘noises’ around me but to seriously take time each day to listen and understand Your plan for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Eternal Protection

John 10:22-30

The Unbelief of the Jews
22Then came the Feast of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ,[b] tell us plainly."

25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."

Bee's Thoughts:

When I was a young Christian, the above passage was one which my bible study leaders and also the pastors kept mentioning. The emphasis was on being the "sheep" that "listen" and "follow" Jesus Christ. That is, when we listen and obey Christ, we can have the assurance that "no one" (including Satan), except ourselves, can snatch us from Him.

Is this about "eternal security"? In a sense yes, but with conditions (i.e. to listen and follow). For those who professed to be Christians but not listening or following Christ, then this promise may not apply. As in Philippians 2:12-18, we are to "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" where our lives reflect Christ likeness.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your secured arms that hold me tight each time the evil one tries to snatch me away from You through all means. Sometimes the devil uses people to hurt me, sometimes he sows discord between friends, sometimes he makes me feel discouraged, etc. But thank You that his mission always fail, 'cos You are always there to bring me back to where I should be and not fall into his tricks.
Tonight, I want to pray that You will continue to keep me from falling. Help me to listen to Your small still voice and follow Your word.
I pray that we, Your children, may be one as You and the Father are one. I pray for unity amongst us and that Your love will flow in our hearts and in our actions.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Whenever I think of how God came into my life, no words can explain the joy, gratitude and sense of wonder of His great Gift for me. As believers, we are not only given a new life but an everlasting safety and protection from eternal harm when we choose to follow Jesus. Nothing can ever separate us from the hand of God (v29).

Dear Father, thank You again for coming into my life, saving me from ‘blindness’ and ‘recklessness’. Nothing can describe how amazing Your love and grace for me, though I do not deserve this Gift of yours. Lord, keep me standing firm in my faith and humbly submit to You in total obedience. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Coping While Caring

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Bee's Thoughts:

When we are in trouble, we know that we have a God who "is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." He is always there for us.

Yet in our busyness with work and personal pursuit, we have no time to "be still and know" our God. Even in our 'quiet time' we may just hurriedly go through the passages without allowing God to speak to us. I am also guilty of that and need God to change my lifestyle. I need to be less workaholic so I can have more time for God and people close to me. After all, life is short and people whom we loved may not be with us forever on earth.

Yes, giving time = giving life = giving love.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that I need to be still before You, to let You speak to my heart. Sorry that I have been too busy with things I need to do and have given You too little time. I pray that I will be more discipline to stop work when time is up so I could devote more time for You and for those who need me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

There is this quiet confidence in every true believer that God is always there to help, providing refuge, strength and peace in any circumstances. We know God is sovereign and His power is complete; and His ultimate and final victory is certain. This assurance gives us the courage and hope of an eternal refuge even if the world ends one day.

Dear Father, thank You for all the protections, promises and hope I have in You. Teach me to take time each day to be still and exalt You; reverently honoring You and Your power and majesty. I’ll worship You and give You praise for all time. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Change Of Address

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Our Heavenly Dwelling
1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Bee's Thoughts:

"What kind of relationships will we have in heaven with the people we knew and loved on earth?" That's the title of an interesting article. It goes on to say...

What about our marriage relationships? While the Bible teaches that the marriage relationship will change after the resurrection ( Matthew 22:23-33 ), it is safe to assume that because of the very nature of heaven, the quality of the relationship between a man and a woman will be better in heaven than it was on earth -- even if they are no longer husband and wife. Certainly the joys of heaven will far exceed the pleasures of marital intimacy.

Scripture leads us to believe that we will enjoy such a state of wonderful intimacy with our glorified brothers and sisters that there will no longer be a need for the exclusive relationships that protect us from loneliness and despair in a fallen world.

My "bf" (Tommy) suddenly told me that he think I don't like to get married... wondering why he said so.

Hmmn... maybe because I always look forward to heaven, where everything perfect. That's going to be my eternal address...the thought of it always made me wish I go to heaven faster. But I know that I can't go there yet till God calls me. But God may not call me if my job on earth is not fully done.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your assurance of salvation and for the wonderful place You have prepared for those who love and trust in You. I do not know what else You want me to do on earth. But I pray that when I see You one day, I will hear You say, "You good and faithful servant". May I do all that You want me to do here on earth.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Many of us think that when we die, our spirit and soul will be released and separated from our bodies; evaporating into thin air and entering a heavenly eternal state. But in today’s passage, Paul wrote that we will be resurrected to have new and perfect bodies for our everlasting life.

Our body and soul will never be separated when we die. Not only that, we will still have our unique personalities and recognizable characteristics in our resurrected bodies. They will even be much better and perfect by Christ’s work in us.

Dear Father, thank You for Your promises to make us perfect one day, when Christ’s return and give us a new soul and body. Teach me to remember this always, giving me the hope, confidence, courage and patience to endure anything I might experience and be inspired to faithful service to You and Your people. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Difficult Days

Psalm 23:1-6

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

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

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

Bee's Thoughts:


"The sweetest experience of God's love can be found in times of sorrow." - Daily Bread

So true... in times of despondency we suddenly feel God so near us. Many people give their life to God only when they give up trying on their own... there's nothing to lose.

However, why should we wait till then to realize that the Lord can be our "Shepherd" of life?

We can actually enjoy these benefits right now. When we allow Him to be our "Shepherd" we practically have all that we "want", for He loves us so much to the point of laying down His life for us. He will supply all our needs for HIs glory... for He is the great God.


Thank you, Lord, for this Psalm.
Thank you for restoring my soul in times of despondency.
Thank you for being with me even in the "valley of the shadow of death".
Thank you for the assurance that "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life".
Thank you!


.......the devotion of Bee

Patience, the fruit of Hope

Romans 8:18-25

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

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

Tommy's Thoughts:
In these paragraphs, Paul assured us that all our current suffering will seem as nothing when compared with the glory we will experience in the age to come. All these hardship we are going through are temporarily. We need to wait patiently like a bare, leafless and gnarled tree waiting for the warmth and brightness of spring. The full redemption of our bodies, like an eternal spring, will come one day.

Patience is the fruit of the Spirit and also the fruit of hope. Despite all my current frustration, disappointment, pain and struggle, I would like to thank you Lord for continuously inspiring me through the Spirit with hope. Thank you too for giving me the strength and patience to endure them everyday.

.......the devotion of Tommy

I Will Come Back For You

John 14:1-6

Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Bee's Thoughts:
The title of Today's Daily Bread, "I Will Come Back For You", 'jumped' at me when I first opened its page. This statement has never mean so much to me as much as it is now. The reason is that someone dear has said that to me last week. I felt very troubled when he suddenly said he needed to be away for an indefinite time. The only assurance given to me was "I will be back for you".

Jesus knew very well how His disciples would feel when He leaves this world (John 13:1). They would feel very sad and troubled. So He comforted them in the following ways:
1. gave hopes for the future... many rooms in His Father's house
2. showed where He was going... prepare a place for them
3. showed the way to reach Him... Jesus is the away
4. promised to come back for them... will be permanent

Dear Lord, thank You for taking care of how we feel when You have to leave us on earth. You are so comforting, assuring, and You showed us how we still may reach You now while You are preparing the best for us. Thank You that You will be back for us soon.

In You is the Way, the Truth and Life. I know You are near me in my spirit. I love You, Lord. Amen

.......the devotion of Bee