Unchanging Love

Read James 1:12-20

Reflection of Tommy:

Today passage has many good reminders for us; things we often forget as we are too busy with our works and other commitments in life. Firstly, the crown of life in verse 12 is our reward of an eternal life living with God forever. God is reminding us to get ourselves ready, persevere, and staying faithful to Him for all the trial, temptations and hardship lying ahead of us.

Secondly, the reason God allow Satan to tempt us is to refine our faith and to help us grow in dependence on Christ. And, God has promised not to allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is teaching us to resist by turning to Him for strength and make the choice to obey His Word.

We are also reminded not to blame others for the wrong decisions we’ve made instead to accept responsible and ask for God forgiveness.

Finally, QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY (v19).

Dear Father, thank You for leading me in a better path to seek You. Teach me to spend more time reading Your Word, remembering them well and applying them in every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Source Of Gladness

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Paul's Hardships
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Reflection of Tommy:

We do think at times as Christian, we will be at least have an easier life compares to others. But in today’s passage, we learn how severe the things Paul have to gone through in his life, even though he is a very faithful servant of God. True joy depends not on the circumstances but the calm assurance of all the promises and hope we have with God. So, if we encounter any hardship, do remember God is beside us, giving us His sustaining grace, and be firm to stand true to Him to the end.

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and promises I have in You that keep me away from discontentment and worries. Forgive me of sometimes turning away from You when hardship overwhelmed my every ways. Teach me to seek You, drawing from Your strength and the guidance of the Spirit and experience Your presence with me through the thick and thin in my life. Keep me remain firm and faithful to You to the end. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Unlikely Heroes

Judges 2:7-19

7 The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.

8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres [a] in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They provoked the LORD to anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. 14 In his anger against Israel the LORD handed them over to raiders who plundered them. He sold them to their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. 15 Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the LORD was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.

16 Then the LORD raised up judges, [b] who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the LORD's commands. 18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

Reflection of Bee:

History repeats itself, so is our generation of people as stiff-necked as the people of the Old Testament's generation. There is nothing new under the sun, just a different expression of sins. Yet those who continued to seek God despite of these sinful environments are 'heroes' through the grace of God. We need to stay strong in our faith and resist the temptations that surround us daily.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for keeping me despite being in such environments. Thank You for Your grace the saw me through my life's journey. Even as I continue to travel without my special companion now, I pray that You will keep me strong. I pray for my new career venture that You will guide me as I have to make many new decisions. May each decision I make brings glory to You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:
Throughout Bible, we can see those who worshipped idols receive the harshest punishment from God. It is very bad in God’s sight and it violates the first 2 Commandments He gave to us. But even today, many Christians are still indulging in worshipping all kinds of idols. They created their own gods to satisfy their selfish and sinful nature.

As Christian, we need to be aware that there are many things that can tempt us to compromise and abandon our faith. We need to always be on guard and seek the guidance of God to help us live in His way and not be pressured into disobedience in order to be accepted by others.

Dear Father, thank You for the message today and how You can see there might be things ahead that may lead me astray. Forgive me if I have not put You first in my life or ignoring Your clear commands to me. Keep my feet firm to walk obediently in Your way and protect my heart and mind from things that are unacceptable to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Forgetting God

Matthew 13:3-8; Matthew 13:18-23

Matthew 13:3-8

3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.


Matthew 13:18-23

18"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Reflection of Bee:

Frequently we use the above parable to emphasize that non-believers are not able to receive the gospel because of hard grounds (hearts). Though that is true, I feel the saddest truth is those who gave up their faith because of the cares of this life... either too poor or too rich. Only few are able to make it and bear fruits.

Since the day I gave my heart to Jesus, I face many trials to test my faith. At times I fell like giving up, yet God's word kept ringing in my mind that He will carry me through. Yes, He had carried me through all my trials of life. Even now, He is with me in my confusions and lost in direction.

Through all these trails God strengthens my faith and trust in Him, and help me bear fruits.

Dear Lord,
I pray that You will continue to preserve my faith in You despite the trials in my life. Keep me in Your mighty arms.
I am so sleepy now... let me have a good sleep tonight.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

What kind of soil are we? Are we the type on rocky places that welcome God’s message when things are all nice and easy? Or are we the type among the thorns who constantly bogged down and distracted by worries and enticements of the world; never ready to have His Word taken root in our lives?

We need to set our priorities right, by turning off and away from the attractions of this world that keep us from reading and meditating on God’s Word. We need to take time to listen to God and feed on His Word. We need to pray to be strong and receptive to God’s guidance and leading in our spiritual journey, bearing good fruits for His kingdom.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me again what is more important in this life. Teach me to always have the right perspective on things and putting first thing first. Give me strength, wisdom and peace when dealing with difficulties and confusions. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Persecution

Acts 8:1-8

1And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria
4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ[a]there. 6When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7With shrieks, evil[b] spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8So there was great joy in that city.

Bee's Thoughts:

In every circumstances, God will make a way for Christians even when there seems no way. Even in adversity, God can use us to share the good news.

Yes, God makes all things work out together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So even if we lose a loved one, God has a plan for us to fulfill His purpose. We need to trust Him.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminder that You will always be with us and use us in all circumstances when we let You lead. Thank You that we can share about You and Your deliverance even when we face hardship and hurts.
Thank You in Your precious name. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Nobody likes to take those bitter medicines when sick, but in order to be cured we take them. Likewise, God sometimes allows certain uncomfortable experiences or circumstances in our lives to mold and prepare us for a special task. Those discomforts may be the best thing for us because God may be working through our hurts.

Like the persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem that moved them to Judea and Samaria, spreading the gospel in the process; God can bring great results both to us and others when we trust in Him and endure our current suffering and hardship.

Dear Father, thank You for Your message today at the church about not to worry (Matthew 6:25-34). Thank You for teaching me instead to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness.

I pray for Your strength and grace to keep me going in joyful obedience and may Your light shine ever more brightly through me. Lord, use me that others might know Your truth and that the Gospel might be brought to them. In Jesus’ wonderful and mighty name I pray, Amen.

Rosebud Potential

Mark 3:13-19

The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles
13Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14He appointed twelve—designating them apostles[a]—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons. 16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Bee's Thoughts:

I am such an imperfect being, even after so many years of moulding by the Lord. Because I am living, not dead, I may resist the Potter's moulding process. I crumbled down many times and the Potter has to remould me over and over again, just like tonight. *sigh*

To me, I am such a wretched soul indeed... nothing good in me... nothing, absolutely nothing. Yet Jesus sees something I or others couldn't see. He sees the "rosebud potential" in me.

So what did Jesus sees in me?
Perhaps my persistency?
I may be down, but not out.
I may not see, but I believe.
I may lose hope, but I never give up.
I may feel hurt, but I never revenge.
I may be fragile, but I can be strong.
I may be naive, but I can be wise in God.

Dear Lord, Jesus,
Thank You for choosing me to be your disciple though I am so weak many times. I pray that this 'rosebud' in me will blossom into a beautiful rose soon. Hold my hands when I am down, like now. Let me not be drowned by sorrows and forget my crown. Lead me moment by moment and day by day.
In Your blessed name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

I have been offered a position in my church committees for the coming year. I was wondering whether I’m capable to accept this offer as I felt I’m not very good in that area of ministry. Furthermore, I think with the current tiring and hectic schedule I have everyday, I may not have enough time for the responsibilities in the committee.

Jesus selected imperfect men (Mark 3:13-19) to be His apostles. He has chosen them not because of their faith, as their faith often faltered. It is also not because of their talent, ability or leadership.

The only similarity between the 12 apostles is their willingness to obey Christ. And Jesus looked not at their imperfections but at their potential for extension of God’s kingdom.

As I read today’s passage, I realized that we shouldn’t disqualify ourselves from service to Christ because we think we don’t have the expected credentials. Instead, we should know being a good disciple of Christ simply a matter of following Jesus with a willing heart.

Dear Father, thank you for using me to further your kingdom work. Thank you for using me even though I often fail you. Help me to be a beacon of light in this world clothed with your power from on high.

Lord, lead me to seek you first and obey your every command. I pray for Your guidance in every decision I’m going to make, that they may glorify Your Name. Thank you for your love and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Bee's 6th Month of Devotion

Little did I realize that I have already done 6 months of devotion here with Tommy. It's interesting to note that though we both read the same passages, yet God speaks to us differently concerning our personal life many times. But there are times that we do hear the same message from God though. :)

Due to my busyness at work last week, I did my devotion very late at night, at a time when my brain almost shut off. Thank God that this devotional habit has been formed for some time, so even though I was tired, I could still spend some time to let God speak to me or at least pray.

The Apostle Paul said we need to do godly exercise (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Devotional time is one of them. Thank God for His enabling power to keep this time with Him.

Thanks, Tommy, for doing this spiritual exercise with me. Let's keep going. Cheers!



... the thoughts of Bee

Bee's 2nd Month of Devotion

Thank God for helping me spend quality time with Him by pondering on His Words and let Him speak to my heart daily. If not for His grace, I would have been inconsistent with my Devotions.

Though it's only 2 months, yet it seems like 2 years already. :) I guess when one spends quality time with a person daily, one will know that person much faster than if one were to spend time infrequently, say, maybe only once or twice a week or even less.

There were times I felt discouraged that I have to do the Devotions alone, which is different from my original intention for doing it here. There were times I felt there's no purpose for me to post my Devotions here too and I should post them elsewhere... yet I stayed on. I don't know why...

Yet I am glad that I can be an encouragement to those who have read my Devotions and are encouraged by them. Praise God!

I pray that I will have the perseverence to go on for the next one month. I also pray that Tommy, my co-devotional partner, will continue to devote this special time to God and not miss a single day with Him. May we grow to know Christ more and be transformed by His word as we seek Him daily.


Haze, if you are reading this, thanks for your encouraing comment at my blog:
"enjoyed reading your blog. most especially whileamist. Merry Christmas!"


.......the thoughts of Bee