Doing What’s Right

Read Psalm 15

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5

Reflection of Tommy:

Very often, the decisions and choices that we need to make are not as clear as black and white. We face difficulty to truly discern and know the right thing to do in a situation. To make matter worst, we receive all kinds of contradicting opinions and thoughts from others.

But, as we look up to God's Word in James 1:5, God has promised to help us in this aspect of life. Books like Proverbs, for example, are packed with wisdom from God to guide and lead us to make wiser decisions in life. It was written in such a simple but powerful way that anyone who truly seeks the counsel from God will understand it.

So, whenever we are troubled by not knowing what to do, spend time reading His Word slowly and prayerfully, He will generously show you the way.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me that knowledge without wisdom is folly. Thank You that Your Word is the lamp to my feet and the light for my path. Thank You for the guidance it gives when decisions have to be made and also the strength and encouragement when times are hard.

Lord, I pray that I will continue to be diligent in seeking Your Word, applying them to my life and sharing them to those around me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Tree of Life

Read Proverbs 15:1-4

There are nothing more horrible than the feeling of regret for saying something wrong to someone. Verse 2 says that the mouth of the fool gushes folly. How true that often we speak before we think, and making a fool of ourselves later.

We need to examine our words before we burst them out to others. We need to ask whether they bring healing (v4) and build others up or crushing and tearing them apart. Are we expressing them with gentleness (v1) or heartless sarcasm and criticism that hurt and bring others down.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to watch my words in speech and also in writing. Guide me to think about how others may feel and respond to the things I say. May my tongue be a tree of life bringing healing and comfort to others. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Imitate Me

Read 1 Corinthians 4:9-17

Reflection of Tommy:

In today’s passage, Paul reminded the Corinthians that no preacher of God has higher status or greater than another. This is because they focused entirely onto individual leaders (Paul, Apolloes, Peter, etc.) instead of emulating their Christlike qualities. Thus, they created division and became spiritually proud; feeling themselves more superior to others.

Similarly, we can learn to imitate the Christlike qualities from our leaders or mentors. It will help us tremendously if we are willing to learn those aspects of their beliefs and conduct that were modeling Christ’s way of living. But, we should be aware of not in any way ‘glorifying’ these leaders and boast about being tied to them because they are simply a humble servant of God.

Dear Father, thank You for all those faithful servant of Yours that have provided so much guidance and example of what and how to be a true disciple of Christ. Teach me to be open to advice and leading of these ‘mentors’ and be in check always to focus on imitating their Christlike qualities. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Hard Truth

1 Kings 22:1-8

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
1 For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. 2 But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel. 3 The king of Israel had said to his officials, "Don't you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?"

4 So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?"
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." 5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."

6 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."

7 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?"

8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."
"The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.

Reflection of Tommy:

Things in life often do not come in black and white, where it’s hard to distinguish clearly what we should do in a situation. Like Ahab, we tend to choose answer that is easy and comforting though it’s possibly not the truth. But, we know later how Ahab paid a costly price for his ignorance towards Micaiah and believing in those false prophets.

When we are confused, seek God and His Word to guide us. His Word will always be the truth and light that shines our path brightly when we are in darkness. Be aware of ‘false prophets’ and get counsel only from those who believe that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to refer back to Your Word when I’m perplexed by things around me. Keep my way right by leading me to apply what I’ve learnt from You Word into my life. Give me a good listening ear that I may be open to advice from others and also the discernment and wisdom to tell what is right from wrong. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.