Boundaries

Read Jeremiah 5:20-29

"Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good." - Jeremiah 5:25

Reflection of Tommy:

There are many time that I've seen people ridicule, criticize and even scorn certain teachings in Christianity. 'Boundaries' revealed by God in issues like idol worship, profanity, homosexuality, extramarital affair, premarital sex and abortion are often wrongly seen as unnecessary man-made rules that block, hinder and restrict the human freedom to enjoy what they want and when they want them.

But in Jeremiah 5:25, we see how God warns that when we ignore and violate these boundaries by sinning, we will withhold good from ourselves. As we are free-will beings, God allows us the freedom to choose between right and wrong. Because He loves us so much, He shows those boundaries to guide and lead us away from things that may bring harm and negative consequences into our lives. It is our responsibility to make the right choice based on these boundaries that God has lovingly and kindly set before us.

Dear Father, thank You for Your grace, mercy and love to reveal all the wonderful truths in Your Word to me - truths that protects and saves me from unnecessary headache, trouble and given me true freedom to be who You intended me to be.

Lord, thank You for constantly reminding me of my wrong ways and leading me back to You and Your righteousness. Forgive me for being a slow learner of Your Word, my lack of faith in what You and the power of the Spirit can do in changing me to be more like Christ each day.

Abba Father, I pray that You will draw me nearer and closer to You daily with reading and meditating of Your Word, listening to Your soft voices through my quiet time and praying to You in all things, presenting all my requests to You with thanksgiving. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Training for Life

Read 1 Timothy 4:1-11

"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8

Reflection of Tommy:

There are many skills, like in sports, that need proper, rigorous and constant training. One will not excel unless they invest time, energy and full concentration in it. It requires also discipline and commitment from the person.

As physical training is important in helping us to be good in certain sports, our training in righteousness deserves our utmost attention and priority as it helps us in every aspects of our lives (v8).

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to work out my salvation (Phil. 2:12-13) as the Day is approaching. Thank you for the freedom in all that I received from You with thanksgiving (v4). I pray that You will renew my faith and enable me through the Holy Spirit to diligently seek You and Your righteousness. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Living For God Today

Read James 4:13-17

Reflection of Tommy:

As I was sharing with some friends about how busy I was lately with plans and works, I realized, as what James said in today’s passage, I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. I asked whether I am living each day for God or only for myself. Will I fulfill God’s plan for me if I were to leave this world tomorrow?

Life is short and fragile. Like a mist in the morning that appears for a little while and vanishes into the air (v14). Let not live our life thinking we have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy our loved ones or to do what we know we should. Instead, live for God today; living and doing everything in His will, not ours (v15).

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me once more to seek You and Your righteousness first before everything else as the Day is approaching. Thank You for the guidance from the Spirit, leading me in fulfilling Your plan for me; doing everything for Your honor and glory. I pray that I will continue to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, for You are faithful, and considering how I may spur my brothers on towards love and every good deeds.

Quiet, Please

Read 1 Kings 19:1-12

Reflection of Tommy:

Our impatience and lack of trust in God, often push our time with God below other to-do items in our days. Coupled with the constant noises and distractions that we allowed to surround us, we'll eventually find ourselves drifted so far from God that we hardly remember who He is and how much we need Him.

If we said we are willing to be an obedient follower of Christ, we need to make the decision to stop ourselves from being constantly preoccupied by the noise of the crowd. By taking time for God, we will soon understand the important truth and meaning of communicating with the God who cares for us.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to tone down the noises around me and begin giving main priority for my quiet time with You. Lead me to have an open heart, to listen, learn and accept the truth and teachings of Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Visible Reminders

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Reflection of Tommy:

There are few verses I memorized by hard in the Bible. There are not some magical mantra but they help me in remembering God's promises and His encouragement for my steps of obedience to Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your Word that guide and lead my ways. Forgive me of not being diligent and obedient in seeking Your Word closely. Lord, lead me to take time each day to read, study and meditate on Your Word. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Putting it into Action

Read James 1:19-27

Reflection of Tommy:

Although reading, studying and listening to God’s Word is important, but it is far more important to really obey it and to do what it says. We put into action what we have learned from God by displaying them in our behavior and attitudes. James also said that when we truly obey and continues to do what God has taught us in His Word, we will be blessed in all that we do (v25).

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to put into action all that I’ve learned from Your Word. Guide me also to be always in control of my speech (v26), slow to speak but quick to listen (v19). Keep me away from being polluted by the world’s corrupted values but instead to commit myself fully to Christ’s ethical and moral system. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Getting Free

Read Mark 10:17-27

Reflection of Tommy:

To be honest, many of us can associate ourselves to this young man. We believe in Christ and know well we wanted to follow Him but there are things we are unable to let go in our lives. Although the story is not about asking us to give away all our possessions but instead it shows to us that we must not allow anything we have or desire (people, money or things) keep us from following Jesus.

Another interesting thing about this story is how Jesus showed genuine love for this man despite knowing he might not follow Him (v21). His love for Him is not superficial; He lovingly but straightforwardly broke through the young man’s pride of accomplishment and self-effort through a life-changing challenge.

This question was important to this young man as it is to us today - Are we able to love God more than anything else (Exodus 20:3) in our lives and turning our lives entirely over to Christ?

Dear Father, teach and show to me what it means by giving my all to You. I will never know this truth and continue living in my wretched ways if not through the work of the Spirit in me. So Father, here I am, giving myself as an empty vessel to be filled with Your Spirit.

Lord, change my heart and open my eyes to see what a heavenly blessedness, riches and glory it is to be filled with the Spirit out of the heart of Jesus. I give myself up once for all and forever. Guide me and lead me from this day onwards. In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen!

God's Refining Discipline

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" - 1 Peter 4:17-18

Reflection of Tommy:

Verse 17 talks not about God’s final judgment but His refining discipline with us in the family of God. He allows us to experience the pain and consequences or our action in order to:

1. Show our potential to sin
2. Encourage us to turn from sin
3. To keep us faithful, always trusting and depend on Him
4. To prepare us to face even greater temptations in the future

Dear Father, forgive me of my often wrong perception towards how You work to refine me, and constantly disappointing You with my actions. Forgive me of all the things that I’ve sinned against You despite knowing clear Your commands for me.

O Lord, search deep into my heart and reveal to me through the Holy Spirit any of my ways that are still going against You and Your will for me. Guide me to turn away from them and be truly repented from them. Lead me to be a more joyful and obedient follower of Christ, allowing You to work effectively in me, molding me to be a true disciple of Christ. I ask all this n Jesus’ Name, Amen.

A Boost Of Courage

Hebrews 12:1-11

God Disciplines His Sons
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Reflection of Tommy:

Today’s passage shows as Christian we are not exempted from hardship and difficulties. There are times where we feel like giving up our relationship with God when we see no clear help or solution in our problem.

But, we should know that many have remained faithful to God until the end, even though they have to endure far more difficult circumstances than we have ever experienced. God who loves us deeply may use our trials as a way to develop our patience and character, equipping us for our final victory.

Dear Father, thank You for Your discipline sometimes when I’m ignoring Your teachings. Forgive me of doing things my way without seeking Your guidance and leading. Keep my sight always in Jesus while running this race and trusting You to look after me and giving me the best. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Nourishment

Isaiah 55:1-7

Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Reflection of Tommy:

Our bodies turn weak when we stop eating proper meal when we’re sick. How much more critical it is for our soul if we are constantly skipping our spiritual meal? We starve ourselves spiritually when we seldom listen, seek and call on God. There are nothing more important than being eagerly and constantly receiving the free nourishment from God that feeds our soul.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to not skip my spiritual meal daily. Help me to prioritize my time well that I will make the effort each day to receive the nourishment from Your Word and teachings. Guide my ways always and I trust Your continual work in me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Care Of The Heart

Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;

31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.

32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Reflection of Bee:

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

That means even we may not understand our own heart and can be deceived by it. Our feelings are so fickle and and can change quickly even for no good reasons. If we allow our feelings to control us, our heart may become like what is described in v31 (thorns, weeds and stones).

Thank God that He said, "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10) The only one who can truly understand our heart is God. We need Him to search and examine us daily and show us what the condition of our heart is and repent if necessary.

As Christians, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (including ours), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:7) Yes, when we are confused by our deceitful heart, we can rely on the peace of God to guide us to do the right things despite of our feelings. That's the only way to prevent "poverty" (v34) of our heart.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me how deceitful my heart can be. It may think deceive me in thinking I need more than what I really need and seek after the wrong things. May Your peace guard and keep my mind in You whenever I get confused.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Reflection of Tommy:

We can spend so much time on trivial pursuits and worldly pleasure that we neglect and even forget those truly important things in life. Important things like spending time with God and to be renewed by Him each day or nurturing relationship with our loved ones.

We fool ourselves by thinking we’ll able to get back to them once we are done with our indulgence or when we are really free one day. But most of the times, this will never happen and often it takes something bad to happen before we finally wake us up from our ignorance and turn away from our thoughtlessness.

Dear Father, thank You for making me aware of the importance to prioritize right both my energy and time on things that matters. Forgive my ignorance and carelessness at times for not being wise and diligent with my heart, letting it wanders aimlessly.

Lord, if I have run afar from You and Your ways, lead me back and align me again with You. Help me to center my heart on You and the things above and eternal, that I may be an effective witness for Christ in this world. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Lessons from Moses

Deuteronomy 34

The Death of Moses
1 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, [a] 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."

5 And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. 6 He buried him [b] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit [c] of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Reflection of Bee:

The story of Moses was the story that brought awe into my young life when I was attending the Sunday School then. Each Sunday I learned something new about the God of Moses. By the time the story ended, I told my Sunday School Teacher that I wanted the God of Moses to be mine too. Many years later when I watched the movie on the life of Moses, "The Prince of Egypt", awe still held my life. Yes, what a mighty God I have!

Who was this Moses that God could use so mightily and was able to talk to God face to face (v12)?

He was a man whom God raised from being a servant's son to someone of high position (as the prince of Egypt), to learn all about leadership, and then to humble him again in order to use him to lead the Israelites out of bondage. Moses made many mistakes but his heart was genuine towards God. Some of those mistakes may have consequences at the end of the day, such as Moses not being able to enter the promised land. Yet Moses was one of the great man of faith commended in Hebrews 11:23-29.

As I once again reflect on the life of Moses I could see something similar God had been doing in my life from my childhood days. He had been moulding my life, teaching me, exposing me to leadership roles and humbling me to prepare me for some special works He wants me to do in the near future. I could feel it coming but I need to obey. Like Moses, I may tend to give excuse and say like what he did in Exodus 4:10,

"O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

Dear Lord,
Thinking about Moses brings back many memories of how I came to know You. His life is also an encouragement for me to know that all I have gone through in my life have their special purposes. You have a special calling for my life which I need to obey. Give me strength and courage to accept what You have prepared for me to do. Let me not give excuses but to fully rely on You and not on my own abilities. May Your peace reigns in my heart tonight. Speak to me during the Sunday Worship tomorrow.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

Although Moses is a great prophet and a great man, He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because he has disobeyed God (Numbers 20:12). He never felt angry with God, in fact he still called Him his friend. Likewise, we too will be disciplined by God when we sometimes disobey Him. But instead of responding with resentment or embarrassment, we should turn towards Him with love, openness and the desire to do better.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to be responsible for my action. Thank You for teaching me not to turn away from You when I experience the sting of Your discipline, but to come to You humbly, seeking Your forgiveness and trusting You to change me and not giving up to do better next time. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.