Safe Forever

Read Psalm 34:8-22

We know as Christian we still have to undergo all kinds of pain and suffering in this fallen world, but God has promised that He will look after us and hear all our cries (v15). He has also said to save, protect and deliver us from all our troubles (v17-20) if we were to take refuge in Him (v22).

But, how do we exactly do that? We take refuge in God when we seek Him (v10) and be willing to learn the fear of the Lord (v11) and keeping His commands (v13-14).

Dear Father, thank You for Your comforting promises for me when I take refuge in You. As I submit humbly to Your care, teach me to fear You and to obey Your commands. Show and reveal to me any of my ways that are wrong and against Your will for me and lead me back to Your way everlasting. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Prayers of Jesus

Read Psalm 23

Reflection of Tommy:

We see how even Jesus himself spend times praying for all the concerns around Him, in fact, the entire chapter 17 of the gospel of John is on His prayer to the Father. This is because we are living in a tremendous battleground, where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war.

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-17). But, we can take comfort knowing that as Jesus has prayed for His disciples, He still intercede for us all who follow Him today. He assured us to always keep us safe from Satan’s power or being snatched out from His hand (John 10:27-29); preparing us to be pure, holy and united through His truth.

Dear Father, thank You for the assurance and protection I have in Jesus, my Good Shepherd. Thank You for teaching me not to feel discouraged when trials and obstacles assails, but to rest all my cares and worries in Your mighty hand and trusting You to lead my ways. Lord, guide me also to first build a right relationship with You in joy, faithfulness and genuine commitment. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Existing Or Truly Living?

John 10:1-11

The Shepherd and His Flock
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Reflection of Bee:

There is a vast difference between the thieves/robbers and the shepherd:
enter by the other ways Vs enter by the gate (v1 & 2)
voice is strange to the sheep Vs voice that is familiar (v3-5)
steal/kill/destroy Vs giving life that is full (v10)
steal/kill/destroy Vs laying down his life for the sheep (v11)

When we are over-stressed by our work or the cares of life, we may feel like just "existing" and not living. I feel that way in may occassions too. To know who is speaking or working in our life, we need to listen to our Shepherd's voice. He promised to give us life that is full, not empty, or half-filled. He loves us even unto death.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your promise of life that is full. Though at times I feel like 'zombie', or 'robot', or have lost my meaning in life during my down moments, You always 'breathe' Your 'breath of life' into me to 'resuscitate' me.
I pray that I will always recognise Your voice speaking to me and follow Your leading.I pray for my 'bf' too that You will lead him to Your 'green pasture' wherever he is.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

How comforting to know that as believer, Christ came to gives us a new life. Because of His overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance, it is possible for us to live a life of true joy and hope even in our broken world today. This life that is abundantly richer, fuller and it begins right now and lasts eternally!

Dear Father, thank You that my life is hidden with Christ (Col 3:3). Thank You for showing me when I’m wrong, and leading me to change; living the life as You intended it to be. Guide me daily to live for Christ, to love You with my whole being, and to serve Your people. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

The Lord Is My Rock

Psalm 18:1-3
For the director of music. Of David the servant of the LORD. He sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold.

3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and I am saved from my enemies.

Footnotes: Psalm 18:2 Horn here symbolizes strength.

Bee's Thoughts:

"The heart has reasons that reason does not know."
- Blaise Pascal, French mathematician and theologian

"A picture is worth a thousand words." Images remain in our minds when all else is forgotten - Today's Daily Bread

I always love to read Psalms. They could describe my feelings very well... feelings of joy or sadness, victory or defeat, gladness or distress, comfort or loneliness, and more.

I could identify myself with the feeling of David in the above Psalms. Every word speaks of what I want to tell God.

Why do I love the Lord?

For He is my...
strength - when I am weak,
rock - when I have sinking feeling,
fortress - when I need a place to hide,
deliverer - when I am down and out,
shield - when I need protection.

Yes, when "I call to the LORD... I am saved from my enemies".

.......the devotion of Bee