The Only Way

John 14:6

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Tommy's Thoughts:

The world today is filled with spiritual hungers. People always long for something more in their life; the truth, the meaning and the purpose for life. Deep down inside there are things that never seem to be satisfied. People at times hope and hunger for things they don’t even know or understand.

Some dream of an ideal world where people will never disappoint them, never let them down. While others, indulge themselves to materials things for satisfaction. There are also others who tried their best effort to attain and accomplish all kinds of achievements, successes and fulfillments. There are also those who don’t see a need for God. Their life solely depends and revolves around themselves, people and things. After each round of unsuccessful attempt and disappointment, the cycle repeats again and again in a never-ending loop. In the end, the hunger and emptiness remains.

Although temporal possessions and achievements are not wrong in themselves, temporal life goals are contrary to God’s plan for all Christians. We need to have an eternal perspective in our life with a single-minded commitment to God’s purpose.
Following Christ may involve some changes in our present plans. But no matter how much we “give up” for Christ, He will fill all our spiritual hungers and lift us out from the darkness. Jesus is the gate to a satisfying life. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life!



.......the devotion of Tommy

I Will Come Back For You

John 14:1-6

Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Bee's Thoughts:
The title of Today's Daily Bread, "I Will Come Back For You", 'jumped' at me when I first opened its page. This statement has never mean so much to me as much as it is now. The reason is that someone dear has said that to me last week. I felt very troubled when he suddenly said he needed to be away for an indefinite time. The only assurance given to me was "I will be back for you".

Jesus knew very well how His disciples would feel when He leaves this world (John 13:1). They would feel very sad and troubled. So He comforted them in the following ways:
1. gave hopes for the future... many rooms in His Father's house
2. showed where He was going... prepare a place for them
3. showed the way to reach Him... Jesus is the away
4. promised to come back for them... will be permanent

Dear Lord, thank You for taking care of how we feel when You have to leave us on earth. You are so comforting, assuring, and You showed us how we still may reach You now while You are preparing the best for us. Thank You that You will be back for us soon.

In You is the Way, the Truth and Life. I know You are near me in my spirit. I love You, Lord. Amen

.......the devotion of Bee

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

New Neighbors

Luke 10:29-37

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Bee's Thoughts:

Going fort the Charity Mission trip to help the needy, with the love and compassion of God, is a real eye opener for me to see what it really means by loving my "neighbours". It's only by the grace of God that I could do such a thing. God let me see that without Him, I might be just like these little children and adults whom I was helping. My love went out to them and I decided to go as often as my time permit.

Another "neighbour" we often forget is our loved ones. Many times we take them for granted, and forget that they are our immediate "neighbours" and we are to love them as ourselves too.

Dear Lord, please give me more love and grace to love my "neighbours" just as you have commnaded, to firstly love you, followed by our neighbours as ourselves.

Tommy's Thoughts:

It's very true at times, we are like the priest, ignoring and ‘blind’ to the needs of others around us. We are so preoccupied with our own concerns, problems, fears, hurts and happiness that we overlooked those ‘neighbors’ we came across everyday. Our self-pitying nature hinders us from showing genuine sympathy for others.

If we were to take time and be constantly reminded of the teaching by Jesus; we will start to see there’re many who need our help, attention and care. Jesus wanted us, like the Samaritan, to go all the way in length when helping others. Not half-hearted or just fake, superficial politeness as a show in front of others.

.......the devotion of Bee and Tommy

No Fast Food In The Bible

Psalm 119:9-24

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

g Gimel
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
and who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.

23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

Bee's Thoughts:

I like this Psalms very much, not because it has my name in it, but because they appropriately speak of the longing in my heart. The secret to living a pure life and keeping pure love for someone is "By living according to your word" (v. 9).

The secret to avoiding sins is to hide (memorizing) God's word in our heart (v. 11).

I started to memorize scripture verses when I was in the Sunday School. They have truly kept me from many sins and temptations, and also encouraged me in my Christian walks. They would always come to my mind just at the right time, when I am down or when being tempted. They saved me!

Yes, I want to "meditate" on God's word everyday. I want God to "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (verse 18)

The writer of Psalm 119 obviously did a lot of mental chewing as he read God's Word. No fast food for him! If we follow his example of careful and prayerful Scripture reading, we will:

Be strengthened against sin (v.11).

Find delight in learning more about God (vv.15-16).

Discover wonderful spiritual truths (v.18).

Find wise counsel for daily living (v.24).

Meditation is more than reading the Bible and believing it. It's applying Scripture to everyday life.

Dear Lord, the above Psalms are my prayer to You too. I want to get back to basic... to read and keep Your word in my heart "that I might not sin against you".

.......the devotion of Bee

The Servants Knew

John 2:1-11

Jesus Changes Water to Wine

1 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."

4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."

5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[a]

7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.

8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.E

Bee's Thoughts:
A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion... yet when the "wine" runs out it can be very distressing for the wedding couple. The tendency is for them to worry and jump into action.

However, Jesus said, "My time has not yet come." Jesus knows what he is doing and he has his perfect timing in providing solutions for everything that happens.

In the same way, even any beautiful relationship can have hiccups and unexpected problems that cause the couple to feel distress. The solution is still "Do whatever he tells you." and trust Jesus for his perfect timing to perform his miracle.

Dear Lord, please calm my soul and spirit, grant me peace when things happened unexpectedly. Thank you for the assurance that your timing is always perfect, and in the midst of our problems you are always there to show your power and miracle. Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee

My Wounded Healer

Isaiah 53:3-5

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Deep down inside, I realized that I am still afraid and not confident to start a new relationship; though I wanted so much to share my love and life with someone. But I know I’m not ready and I don’t know when I’ll be able to open my heart for someone. The pain and hurt from my past still haunts me now and then. Though, some may think I’m trying to look for someone that is perfect and ideal; but I’m not. I know clearly it’s a fantasy to find a companion that will never fail you; a person would have to be God to meet those criteria.

After years of losing my sense of self; I know I need more time to be by myself. Thanks to God, I’ve learnt to always come and submit myself to Him; to allow Jesus to help me in the healing and to be the right person: to serve and give myself more to someone in friendship; to learn how to love faithfully, to learn about the opposite sex thinks and feels and to learn how to communicate our heart to others.

Lord, I need to trust You to take care of changing my heart and to completely heal me; to really open it to the person you'll bring to me according to Your timing and purpose for my life. I know Lord, she will still have imperfections and failings, just as I do myself. But she will complement me to build a happier and a more fruitful life together for Christ in the future. Amen.

.......the devotion of Tommy

Yoke Mate

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Over the years, I realized that the most obvious change in my life is the weight of the load I used to carry on my shoulder. I was at the lowest point in my life with enormous weight and burden of sorrow, worry, anger, hopelessness, depression, guilt and stress.

I had put upon these weights myself. I attempted to carry too much stuff, brought along too many things, excess emotional, mental and physical baggage stooping my every posture. I robbed joy from my life, that fatigued my journey and I’d lost a clear view of life's beauty along the way. My future and goal seemed bleak, far off and nearly unreachable; and there was no hope.

And then, Jesus came, with His gentle and humble heart, invited me to trade with Him the load. Jesus offers “You take mine and I'll take yours”. The verse says His yoke is “easy” (Greek word means “well-fitting”); a good yoke that will be kind to the shoulders, carefully shaped for us; enabling us to carry the load more easily. I believe Jesus is also inviting us to be His yoke mate; to learn how to pull the load by working beside Him and watching how He do it. The heavy load will seem lighter when we allow Him to help us lifting it up together.

Thank you Jesus for your gentle and humble heart; to carry for us our burden, lift and lightens them along our life’s journey with a promise of hope for the future and joy for today. Amen.

.......the devotion of Tommy

Hiding From God

Genesis 3:7-13

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Bee's Thoughts:

Reading the above passage brings sadness to my heart again. :(

Why?

I see the weakness and the fall of man.

1. The man (Adam) blaming his woman (Eve), the only one closest to him, when he is being questioned for his sin... though he had the full knowledge of what he should or shouldn't do, not the woman (Genesis 2: 16-17).


2. He not only blamed the woman, but also blame God for bringing the woman into is life (Genesis 3:12). So it's God's fault, to him. Gosh!


3. True, the woman was very naive and vulnerable, easily deceived (Genesis 3:1). But the man should have guided his woman into the right path instead of following her blindly (Genesis 3: 6).


4. The man didn't take up his responsibility as a man, to face the consequences of his sin and also to protect his woman.

I see the weakness of woman and her influence.

1. The woman amplified and added to what God has said (Genesis 3:2-3). Did God say "must not touch it"? No! She didn't even know the name of that "tree". *sigh*


2. The woman was too greedy and ambitious (Genesis 3:6).


3. The woman was very influential to the man.


4. The woman also tried to blame the serpent for her sin (Genesis 3:13).

Dear Lord, please help me not to be deceived by the devil, to be a woman who could influence the 'man in my life' in the right way, and to be bold enough to confess my sins instead of hiding from You.

.......the devotion of Bee

The Ultimate Physician

Luke 19:1-10

1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Bee's Thoughts:

What makes a person change from 'bad' to 'good'?

An impulsive change can only last for a short while and one's old self will emerge again when the 'motivating factor' is gone. Example: when a man tries to court a gal, he might have a temporal change in order to impress and 'conquer'. However, once he managed to win her heart his true self would surface.

The change Jesus is talking about here is the transformational change, like the ugly caterpillar being transformed into a beautiful butterfly after going through a process. This change has no reversal effect... it's permanent. Only Jesus can perform such a change in a person.

How can one be transformed?

1. Be in Jesus Christ, accept Him into our life and claim this promise...
   

   "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

   2 Corinthians 5:17



2. Give ourselves to God, let our mind be renewed, think differently from the worldview...
   

   "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual(reasonable) act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

   Romans 12: 1-2



3. Stay close to, and be in, Jesus all the time... then we shall see the "fruit" of transformation...
   

   "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

   John 15:4

Yes, I find the above verses working in my life as I learnt to claim them as promises from God. If God says so, it must be so! True enough, I see transformation in my life over the years, unknowingly. What I am today is different from what I was before I accepted Jesus Christ into my life.

Thank You, Lord, for transforming my life. I know there are many areas in me that need more polishing till the day I meet you face to face. I long to see you soon. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

Come!

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Whenever I read these comforting verses, I felt a special invitation from Christ. I can hear Jesus calling me to surrender my wills to Him for rest. Often times, I felt drained of all my strength and weigh down to the ground whenever faced with problems, fear, failure and disappointment. I am so anxious to manage matters myself and not wearing Christ's yoke and surrender everything to Him. I’ve learned that there is no rest but rest only in Christ: rest of conscience; rest of hope; rest of comfort and peace.

Lord, help me to always come to You with the heart by simple faith. Teach me to cast myself wholly unto You and never need “suppose” anything anymore. Help me to not worry about what my circumstances are but knowing Jesus is amply sufficient for me. Thank you Lord for giving me rest in Your loving presence with promise of comfort, restoration, healing and relief. You will forever be my source of hope, strength and peace.

....the devotion of tommy

Joy Over One

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin:
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Footnotes:
Luke 15:8 [a] Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day's wages

Bee's Thoughts:
As mentioned in my other blog, stories always bring home the truth we usually missed by mere reasoning. I like these two parables (stories) since young. Reading it again now shows me another new revelation. That's the wonderful thing about the Bible, each time we read the same passage we feel different because the Holy Spirit will reveal certain truth to us depending on our needs of that moment. I see the following truth for myself:

1. Jesus loves me so much - even if I am the only one that strayed He will go out to seek me "until he finds" me.


2. Jesus rejoices over finding one "lost sheep" - I am so precious to Him.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much. When I am "lost" You will go out to bring me back. I know you are doing it now, showing me I need to stay with You to be safe instead of detouring into the "wilderness" and be hurt. I want to love You Lord.

P/S: Yes, Fin and Ken, if you are reading this "devotion" I hope you will realize that you are so precious to God too. He is looking for you both now... so come close to Him to be embraced by His love too.

....the devotion of Bee

Spurring one another

Hebrews 10:24

24 And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds.

Tommy's Thoughts:
I was reminded to the truth of the verse above again during one of my readings of the scriptures today. I know God has placed us, His people, as a community that encourages one another every now and again unto love and to good works; which will grant others to know God and His love for people. We tend to overlook that we can start doing this easily with those that are already close and near to us: our family members, close friends, colleagues and relatives.

Lord, guide me to seek for opportunity to encourage and to “touch” the lives of others. Especially those that is isolated, living alone or grieving. Teach me the importance of simple word or note of encouragement to those lonely souls; how they refreshes them in ways beyond imagination.

....the devotion of tommy

The Pumpkin Man

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Bee's Thoughts:
The above verses have become part of my life since I became a Christian. I believe that when I give to God cheerfully, He will give me in return many times more (not necessary in monetary term). This belief enables me to tithe regularly to my Church.

Yes, sometimes the devil would tell me not to give by giving me all kinds of reasons to justify it. Yet, I firmly claim on the promises of God and believe I should give the little that I have, just like the woman with the 2 cents coin who gave her all to Jesus. Truly, I have reaped the promises of God many times in my life... I may not be rich financially, but I have no lack.

Now is the time for me to trust God in His providence since I am not working full time. God would not let His children go round begging. I won't. Perhaps God is testing my now. I am still giving my monthly "faith pledge", but I think I will give the full amount instead so that the devil can't tempt me to stop giving.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of your promises. Your grace is sufficient for me. With You nothing is impossible. Let me not lose faith in You. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

Let's Take A Break

Luke 9:1-10

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.

Mark 6:31

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Bee's Thoughts:
It'a so true that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". That's what happened to most of us if we work so hard and never take any break... we become over stressed, and then become an ineffective worker. This will also be translated into our relationship with people around us... we might become quick temper and impatient, hurting others without knowing.

It's also true that we need to take daily breaks to spend time with God, to let Him give us the spiritual 'charge' to face the challenges of the world. If we don't do that, we will also ended up become what we don't wish to be.

Dear Lord, help me to always remember to take retreat to spend time with you. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

What Did You Say?

Psalm 15

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

Bee's Thoughts:

Verse 1

That’s a million dollar question, isn’t it? Who can qualify to go to heaven? Only those mentioned from verse 2 to 5.

Oh no, can anyone really qualify then? It’s tough and impossible, isn’t it?

Well, that’s why Jesus has to die on the cross for us, to redeem us from all sins and unrighteousness, and then start doing the transformation work in our life to make us righteousness in His sight to be there one day.

Yes, I can see that transformation in my life from the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior since the age of 12, The work of God in me isn’t finished yet… there are more things to be done in me. By giving me the free will to choose means I can rebel against God and make His designing work harder. But I guess that’s the beauty of it. Just like, I would want someone to love me willingly rather than to love me by force. Example, some people marry out of compulsion or guilt or fear. But here, God does not want a robot; He wants us to choose to love and follow Him.

Verse 2 to 5

Characteristics of the one who qualifies for the "holy hill":

1. blameless
2. righteous,
3. truth from his heart

4. no slander
5. does neighbor no wrong
6. no slur

7. despises a vile man
8. honors those who fear the LORD,
9. keeps his oath even when it hurts,

10. lends his money without usury
11. does not accept a bribe

I guess I am able to do point 4 to 11; but as for point 1 to 3, I still have need lots of moulding from God, lots of learning. The promise for those who do the above points is that he/she “will never be shaken”.

Dear God, help me to be more like you each day as I let you mould my life, though it may be painful at times. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

The Whys

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this - Psalm 37:3-5

As I looked back to all those “whys” I muttered and sighed in the past; I slowly begin to understand the reasons and significances for each of them; revealed by the Spirit in me. Now, I know how precise and perfect God’s timings and plans are. I saw clearly how my life differs now than before knowing Christ. How simple, certain, stable, peaceful, hopeful, clear and wonderful it is with God beside me everyday.

Today, I still have my ‘whys’, many burning questions that I don’t have answers yet. But, I will always cling to a promise in His Word above. It gives me the strength and assurance as I sail through life knowing He always wanted the best for me.

Lord, You know all the whys in my life. You are sovereign. My responsibility now is to trust and be faithful to You. Teach me also to ask more of "whats" you want to be instead of "whys". Lord, I will learn to relax more and enjoy life Your way - because You are always in control. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Redemptive Revenge

Romans 12:17-21

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Bee's Thoughts:
This is not just a passive advice… it is active. It calls for more than just forgiveness for my “enemy”… it requires me to do something “good”.

Keeping this passage in mind has helped me practice more self-control and to manage my emotion of hurt and anger better when being provoked. It’s a human tendency to hit back whenever we are hurt or angry. However, by using this wise advice from the Bible, it has helped me made peace with my “enemies” very quickly most time. I would keep quiet instead of hitting back. I would try to listen to the other party, try to figure out what I have done or say wrongly that has provoked the other to person anger, and I would say “Sorry” for my part of the fault. I would usually initiate the reconciliation process, but it’s up to the other party to accept or to reject it.

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me how to handle my “enemy”.

...the devotion of Bee

Toddler's Creed

Acts 20:32-38

32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Bee's Thoughts:
The Apostle Paul is my example for living. As he advocated, I like to live within my means and I don't like to owe anybody anything (especially money) except for big item such as loan for house or car. A few friends did ask me to take up a study loan since I am thinking of stopping my study as a result of not working full time to finance it. But I don't feel comfortable doing it... I rather stop studying instead of being in debt. Jesus has always supplied my needs. So even though things look a little bleak for me at the moment, I want to trust that God knows what's best for me and that He will always provide.

Yes, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". I give to others because Jesus has first given His life for me freely. So freely rceive, freely give. Thank You Jesus!

....the devotion by Bee

Bee's Morning Devotion

Hello Tommy, here I am at your blog. :)

Since you have ‘abandoned’ your blog for awhile, I thought I could use it for my "Morning Devotion" to jot down my thoughts of the day and at the same time 'save’ this blog from being so ‘cold’... hehe. Thanks for letting me use it.

Yes, I have decided to reorder my life and set my priority right (starting today) so I could start to dream new dreams. So for that, I know I have to spend my time with God, reading His word first, before I spend time with anybody or anything else. In this way I will be able to focus in what’s important in life and to know the way I should go.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! — Psalm 119:103

....the thoughts of Bee