The Good Life

Read Luke 12:13-21

"Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." — Luke 12:15

Reflection of Tommy:

Today's passage reminded us of the danger to rely and trust solely on worldly possessions for security and happiness. It is shortsighted for us to concentrate only in seeking to be rich and fulfilled by more and more of these perishable things, while neglecting our focus in finding the richness of God that lasts forever.

Dear Father, thank You that I can trust in You to provide for all that I need. Teach me to be content with what I have and be grateful for all that You’ve blessed me with. I pray that I’ll be generous and compassionate in giving back to others who are in needs in return. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Freedom from Idols

Read Isaiah 31

"Return to him you have so greatly revolted against, O Israelites. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made." - Isaiah 31:6-7

Reflection of Tommy:
If we were to examine our lives closely, chances are we will find ourselves ‘enslaved’ in one way or another to some form of idols, that seem exciting and can fulfill us much. Idols like money, fame and success often rob us of our time, energy and devotion that ought to be directed to God and our freedom to be who God wanted us to be.

We should ask God to help us reexamine our lives, identifying areas and things that consume a lot of our time and energy, not contributing to our spiritual development and constantly hindering our closer walk with God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we’ll be able to break free from the grip of these worthless idols and begin realigning our lives to where God wanted us to be.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me the worthlessness of those idols in my life. Teach me to use my time and energy wisely for things that matters most. Teach me also not to repeat the same mistake of bypassing You or Your previous directions to me when searching for help to problems in my life (v1).

Lord, in all things, lead me not to serve only my own interest but Yours. Make me genuine in devoting my all to You and to grow each day to be more like Christ. 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!

Money Talks

Luke 12:13-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bee's Thoughts:

As I search for the meaning on "greed" I came across the following Definition Of Greed
- Obsessed With Abundance Over God
- Never Satisfied
- Wants Everything For Free
- Greed Always Works Under False Pretenses

The above passage links "all kinds of greed" to "abundance... possessions" (v14). Greed causes us to want more than we need and causes us to have wrong priorities in life. We may work so hard for the extra money that we don't need and thereby give no time to God or to people who need our time.

Like what a speaker said yesterday, we need to learn to simplify things in our life. Some of the things to simplify are:
- our purpose
- our priority
When we can do this, greed will not be able to control our life.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me not to be greedy in any way but to show love for others. Help me do what's right in Your sight, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Tommy's Thoughts:

Today, we face constant pressure to buy and own the best and the latest products in the market. Most of the times, these expensive enticements are neither important nor something we truly need. We fool our selves by thinking they will make us happier, more fulfilled, and more comfortable? It doesn’t takes long before we get tired and bored with these ‘toys’, dumping them and seek out new replacement to fill our emptiness.

Jesus in today passage says a truly good life has nothing to do with worldly possessions and wealth. He also warns us to be on guard against greed because of our desire for what we don’t have. Although, there is nothing wrong to have money or to work hard for it, but we need to be aware of not focusing solely in accumulating earthly, perishable wealth and disastrously neglecting things with eternal value.

We need to start tuning out unnecessary spending or short-sighted planning. Instead, we should make good use of what God has given us for His kingdom. Our mind and heart should always concentrate on living in a close relationship with God, doing His work and to have goals beyond our short life here on earth.

Dear Father, thank You for Your clear and precise lesson today. Thank You for showing to me about having true values and priorities and that faith, service and obedience are the way to become rich toward You. Lord, I pray that You will continue to guide and strengthen me to wisely use what I have been given to promote Your glory and aid in the extension of your kingdom here on earth. In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Something Money Can't Buy

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.

Bee's Thoughts:

Money is important, yet it can't buy certain things in life. It can't buy...
true love and friendship
happiness
health
salvation, etc

Today, I heard a speaker shared a little about end-time. He said that we are born to die, so when the end of the earth comes, it doesn't matter to those who are in Christ. But what matters is how we live now. Do we waste away our lives in earning more money or perishable pursuit? Or do we spend time sowing seeds that will last for eternity?

In the above passage, God invites us to go and receive from Him the best gift for free. He wants to give us living water, which after drinking we will not thirst again. We need to always go to God for this refreshing water.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your living water that You freely give. May I drink and share it with others around me too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s true a lot of us focus solely daily in pursuing earthly treasures and goals that we starve our selves spiritually by hardly nourish our souls with our Daily Bread. God offers us free, lasting nourishment that satisfy our deepest need. All we have to do is to go to Him (v1), listen to Him (v2), seeking and call on Him (v6).

Dear Father, thank You for Your patience and faithfulness. Teach me not to forget or neglect my time with You; to come to You with a listening ears and heart and to put You first above all other things. Keep me close to You and renew me each day with joyful obedience. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.