A Good Stretch

Read Romans 8:26-28

"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 8:26

Reflection of Tommy:

In Romans 8:28, Paul clearly stated that God works for our good not only in certain circumstances or incidents in our lives but in “all things”. This means both good and bad things that happened to us.

To fulfill His purpose, God can turn something seemingly bad at the moment to good eventually. This gives us the courage, hope and encouragement to persevere in times of hardship; trusting and relying on God more.

Note also that this eventual good is only for those who truly love and faithful to God; called according to His purpose. These people trust fully in God, knowing their security is in heaven and God is always present with them.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me how the Spirit can pray with and for me even when I do not know the right words and things to pray. Guide me Lord, never to be anxious of anything, but in everything, by prayers with thanksgiving, presenting my request to You. And Your peace that transcends all understandings will continue guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, Amen.

The Peace-Of-Mind Game

Psalm 23

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.

Reflection of Bee:

Tonight's devotional passage is a very familiar one.... "The Lord is MY Shepherd". Yes, He is mine and I can feel secured in Him in all circumstances. He can restore all my brokenness, and give me victory over my physical and spiritual enemies.


Dear Shepherd,
Thank You for restoring my soul
and for making me whole;
For the table You spread for me
in the presence of my enemies;
For Your goodness and great love
that follow me till I leave this earth.
May Your peace reigns tonight
even though sometimes I may cry.

In Your wonderful name I thank You. Amen.


Reflection of Tommy:

We can get so worried over things that we forgot who our Shepherd is. We somehow are able to separate what God can do and what He can’t in our lives. We tend to seek our own ways to calm ourselves and to get back in control of the situation.

But as Christian, we don’t have to rely entirely on our own strength to carry all our burdens and worries. God is always there with us (v4) and He will give us His peace, guidance, comfort and sustaining grace to face the challenges in life.

All we need to do is to first seek Him, pray to Him and then to trust Him fully to do what is best. As what the Scripture says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”.

Dear Father, thank You again for reminding me to pray and to trust You to do what is right. Thank You also for reminding me that there’s nothing so complicated or difficult that You can’t handle it for me. Forgive me of my lack of faith and underestimating what You can do and what You’ve planned for me even before I was born.

Lord, I pray that You will continue to lead me to You, obeying Your commands and relying always on the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all my ways. 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.

Help!

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.

Reflection of Bee:

"Be still and know that I AM GOD." (v10)

Verse 10 has a different meaning for me tonight. I always read this verse in the context of busyness but tonight I see it more in the context of troubles, calamities, storms and mountains that come my way. In times like these, God wants me to "be still"... don't do anything, don't say anything, just listen, and know God. Only then will I know this mighty God of mine who can calm the storms, and flatten the mountains that come my way. He will be with me in all these troubles.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching me to be still before You when things happen in my life. I should not do anything but just let You be God.
Thank You for answering my prayer for my colleague yesterday and today. Thank You that he is feeling better now and You have assured him that all will be well. Praise You that he has the confidence now to take up the challenges in his work.
I also want to pray for another brother-in-Christ, Tommy, that You will continue to be his guide as he seeks Your face everyday. Show him your plan for him and let him trust in You more each day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

Without knowing God’s promises for us in the Bible, we will be easily swept away by fear and worry over circumstances in life. For true seekers, the Bible becomes alive when they can find true, lasting solutions for all their problems and also the purpose for their lives.

When we are lost and afraid, read Psalm 46. It offers great assurance that God will not only helps us but will be with us through our trials. He will provide true refuge, security and peace. He will not fail to rescue those who love and seek Him.

Dear Father, thank You and I praise You for who You are, my almighty and loving God. Forgive me at times for my little faith, being easily troubled and discouraged by the wind and waves around me. Help me to not be worry but to come to You in prayer and trust You to do what You think best 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.