With All My Art

Read Exodus 35:30-35

Reflection of Tommy:

We tend to separate our spiritual life with our work life. But, in today’s passage we see how our work and talent-whatever it may be- can becomes an act of worship when they are enlivened by the Spirit of God. As we make good use of our God-given talent, our works display the glory of God and become a good witness for Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for all Your gift of talent and skill for me. Thank You for reminding me to make good use of them and to treat all my works as an act of worship to You. Lord, teach me to be always diligent, attentive and responsible at work. May all the glory and praise be Yours. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Dial 9 For Worship

Psalm 9:1-14

For the director of music. To the tune of "The Death of the Son." A psalm of David.
1 [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.

2 I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies turn back;
they stumble and perish before you.

4 For you have upheld my right and my cause;
you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6 Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy,
you have uprooted their cities;
even the memory of them has perished.

7 The LORD reigns forever;
he has established his throne for judgment.

8 He will judge the world in righteousness;
he will govern the peoples with justice.

9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.

12 For he who avenges blood remembers;
he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

13 O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!
Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,

14 that I may declare your praises
in the gates of the Daughter of Zion
and there rejoice in your salvation.

Reflection of Bee:

The above Psalmist praised God even in the midst of troubles. We can learn from him to do likewise when we feel dry or don't feel like worshipping God:

Open your heart (v.1). Let praise roll forth!
Review all the things He has done for you (v.1).
Rejoice! Be glad! Sing! (v.2)
Acknowledge that He defends you (vv.3-5).
Go to Him for refuge (v.9).
Talk about what He’s done for you (v.11).
Receive His mercy and rejoice in His salvation (vv.13-14).

Dear Lord,
Teach me to open my mouth to praise You in in all circumstances.
Even when things don't go my way, I will praise You.
When people misunderstood me, I will praise you.
When I lose the people I loved, I will praise You,
When I am sick and feeling weak, I will praise You.
When it's time I leave this earth, I will praise You.
For You are worthy to be praised in all circumstances.
Amen.



Reflection of Tommy:

If we do take the time to think about each aspect of God’s divine nature, we will understand, greatly appreciate and be grateful of whom He is. Although our lives may not be free from injustices, rejection, loss, pain or suffering; but God’s presence, promises and attributes enable us to trust and surrender to Him like a child. He provides us the strength, peace, hope and confidence to hang on and move on when we feel like quitting the race.

Dear Father, I thank You and praise You for who You are. I thank You that because of You I have the peace and be free from unnecessary worry of how others perceive or treat me. Thank You also that You will never forsake me if I earnestly seek You and Your kingdom first. Guide me to have the right motive always when praying to You, that they will always be to bring You glory and honor. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

A Fitting Present

Matthew 2:11-15

11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Bee's Thoughts

When I told a friend that I was supposed to volunteer for the Church Christmas events at Orchard Road today as "Road Blocker" he jokingly remarked, "That's cheap labour". I replied, "No, that's expensive labour, 'cos my time is expensive. I will not give to God what is cheap la." Unfortunately, I am sick with very bad cough today and is not able to help out.

Tonight we learned that the wise men gave to Jesus their "treasures" which are gold, incense and myrrh. Yes, we should not give to God only what we do not want, but give Him our best, which is our "body" that is "holy and acceptable" to God (Romans 12:1).

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to give You what I treasured most and even myself, and not things that I don't want. Tonight, my hands are open to You and I want to give You the thing/person that I treasured most and surrender myself to You. Take me, cleanse me and use me for Your glory Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Like the Magi who brought valuable gifts to Jesus, we too should be willing to give Him what is most valuable to us when we are worshipping Him. He is worthy of the best we have to give and we should honor Him for who He is – perfect, just and almighty Creator of the universe.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me the essence of true worship. Lord, teach me also to be like Joseph, to always have a ready heart and be receptive to Your every guidance. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.