Authentic Christian Living

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Living to Please God
1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Tommy's Thoughts:
The apostle Paul reminds us to change our attitude; a right and authentic attitude that please God. Paul pleas to the believer to continuously do what they already know to be the right thing to do. To be more like Christ everyday until we become complete when He returns.

Thank you Lord for giving me the strength to abstain and cut away anything that leads to sexual immorality. Thank you for providing me the spiritual emergency exit signs whenever I wanted so much to take control of my body and mind; to keep it pure and to bring honor and glory to You. Thank you Lord also for reminding me to show genuine “brotherly love” to other believers. I will also not to be an idler, but to do my work diligently with integrity; as a witness of Christ in homes, workplace and wherever I go.

.......the devotion of Tommy

Don't Make News!

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Living to Please God

1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.

11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

(read commentary here)

Bee's Thoughts:

How may I please God?

1. "avoid sexual immorality" -- a serious reminder to be "pure" in our life, respecting our own bodies and that of others

2. "love each other" -- to love more and more, we can never love too much

3. "lead a quiet life" -- be restful and peaceful with God and others

4. "mind your own business" -- do what we have to do, to make sure we are right with God first so we can help others later

5. "work with your hands" -- don't be lazy, work for our living


Thank you, Lord, for showing me how I may please you in my life. I know I am not perfect, but I am willing to learn to be more like Jesus day by day. Help me to be holy as you are holy. Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee

A Childlike Heart

Mark 10:13-16

The Little Children and Jesus
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Children never fail to fascinate me and seriously make me laugh whenever I’m with them. They are so funny with their honesty and forthrightness. They are simple in everyway; words and actions. Their mind is always curious and filled with wonders and imagination. They will ask many, many funny questions about all kind of things they come across; and they will always remember your answers!

Children also tend to believe that anything just might be possible. They’ll also frankly say out how they feel or what they want without manipulation or beating around the bush. They can be incredibly easy to forgive and forget; never hold grudges. They will never forget or feel ashamed to show their love and affection for others, like this kid I know who always run up to me and give me a hug every time he sees me.

As I looked back at myself, I realized how cluttered my life has become over the years; how I have forget to share my needs and feelings with others; how I become less and less receptive and no longer teachable with the pride I have; how my heart grown cold to show genuine affection and love to others; how my life has been filled with disbelieve and mistrust; how I have lost all those uncomplicated, childlike simplicity in everything.

Jesus said “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it”. Lord, help me to know this well and to always come to You with a simple, childlike and teachable heart, be able to forgive and also show genuine affection and love for others; trusting You in everything and responding to Your invitation. Amen.


.......the devotion of Tommy

Reach Out To The Young

Mark 10:13-16

The Little Children and Jesus
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Bee's Thoughts:

These verses have influenced me somewhat in taking up early childhood education as my profession... for children are precious to Jesus.

Thank God that I came to know Jesus and His love when I was 12 year-old, still a child. He welcomed me into His arms, giving me the love and strength which I missed so much from home. He gave me meaning in life, made me know that He will never leave me nor forsake me, and will be with me till the end of the world. I accepted Him in child-like faith.

As I grew older, I experienced God in my ups and downs of life. Sometimes I forgot that I need to "receive the kingdom of God like a little child", trusting Him always to know what is best for me. Though things look impossible or bleak, but to my BIG God nothing is impossible.



Dear Lord, thank you for your reminder this morning that I need to trust you again just like a child... that "all things work together for good to those who love God"... that you allow everything to happen to us for a purpose and for our good. Amen



.......the devotion of Bee

Patience, the fruit of Hope

Romans 8:18-25

Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Tommy's Thoughts:
In these paragraphs, Paul assured us that all our current suffering will seem as nothing when compared with the glory we will experience in the age to come. All these hardship we are going through are temporarily. We need to wait patiently like a bare, leafless and gnarled tree waiting for the warmth and brightness of spring. The full redemption of our bodies, like an eternal spring, will come one day.

Patience is the fruit of the Spirit and also the fruit of hope. Despite all my current frustration, disappointment, pain and struggle, I would like to thank you Lord for continuously inspiring me through the Spirit with hope. Thank you too for giving me the strength and patience to endure them everyday.

.......the devotion of Tommy

A World In Labor

Romans 8:18-25

Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Father, thank you for reminding me to be patient while waiting for the hope of glory you have promised us. Sometimes I do wonder when you will be coming back, and don't you see the sufferings we have now.... yet I know, you will never break your promise of coming back for us... a promise is a promise to you. What a blessed assurance and hope. Amen



.......the devotion of Bee

Seven "Ones"

Ephesians 4:1-7

Unity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Bee's Thoughts:

One body—we are a single family unified for one purpose
One Spirit—we all have the Spirit as our power source
One hope—we all look forward to the same future
One Lord—we all trust the same Person in charge
One faith—we all trust Jesus' sacrifice for our salvation
One baptism—we all have a single identity
One God and Father—we all share the same source of our existence

"Followers of Christ should focus on what unites them, not on what divides them."

Thank you, my Father, for reminding us that we are ONE in Christ Jesus. We should emphasize on the oneness that unites us instead of the differences that divide us. Help us be "completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love", that the world may know that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen

.......the devotion of Bee

The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Relationships

James 3:13-18

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Every action and decision we made everyday has eternal consequences. When we are faced with decisions, we need to first check our source of wisdom. Is it the wisdom from below (devil/world) or the wisdom from above (God)?

There are many times that I have acted selfishly in things without even knowing it until it’s too late. Little did I know I was basing my motive and wisdom from below; resulting in foolishness, pride, envy, self-seeking and evil. As I come before God, the Spirit nudges me to realize how ‘fatal’ this attitude is in affecting my life and to those who are close to me.

But, thank you Lord for answering my prayer when I needed Your wisdoms so badly. Few ‘wisdoms’ I have learnt from You so far:

1. I know now without a trust-love relationship with You, I will never be successful in any relationship with others. It is only through this right relationship and the complete trust in You, that I can relate to others in a healthy way.


2. The importance to acknowledge the truth about my earthly attitude and motivation and to turn away from them with Your help.


3. To focus on how to love others rather than on how they should love me.


4. To know that I’m responsible for my own happiness and not to blame others for my life or use their treatment on me as an excuse.


5. To practice the 7 qualities in James 3:17 in all my relationships.

The 7 Habits for Highly Effective Relationships (James 3:17)

1. Pure – no selfish, wrongful desires or hidden agendas in our every words and actions.


2. Peace-loving – seek peace above everything whenever conflict arise with others; learn to listen; avoid argument.


3. Considerate – gentle; showing true patient and unruffled self-control and restraint; slow to express resentment.


4. Submissive – sensible, reasonable and able to defer; avoid stubbornly insisting on our own way.


5. Full of mercy and good fruit – kindness, compassion for those who are suffering through comforting words and actions.


6. Impartial – treating everyone equal without showing favor to some while ignoring others or mistreating them.


7. Sincere – straightforward, act openly and honestly; not double-minded or full of pretense and hidden agendas.

.......the devotion of Tommy

Speak And Do

James 3:13-18 (Contemporary English Version)

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do. 14 But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don't brag or lie to cover up the truth. 15 That kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. 16 Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.

Bee's Thoughts:
This morning Daily Bread again speaks to me as a confirmation of certain things that has troubled me lately. I know something is very wrong when a close friend of mine has changed overnight... from a very confident, positive and loving person to one that is so insecure, negative, self condemned, and has a total change of heart. It just doesn't seem right or normal to me. Then it dawned upon me last night that he has been attacked by the devil and is engaged in a spiritual warfare as he wishes to seek God more lately.

The above verses show that there are two kinds of "wisdom"; one from God and one from the devil.

The devil is able to put thoughts into our mind to cause us to do and say things that are harmful to ourselves and to others if we are not careful. He will attack us most when we are tired or stressed out and therefore have no defense against him.

How can we recognize which "wisdom" we are using then? Thank God that the Bible clearly shows us how to test that "wisdom" or actions.

Wisdom that is “earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself” will show up in…
bitter jealousy
selfishness
brag or lie to cover up the truth
cause trouble
do all sorts of cruel things

Wisdom that comes from above (God) leads us to be…
pure
friendly
gentle
sensible
kind
helpful
genuine
sincere

Dear Lord, thank you for your word today. Please help me and also my close friend to be vigilant against the devil’s attack, especially when we are tired and stressed out. Help us to discern rightly the thoughts that come into our minds and to test them against your words, so that we can reject those thoughts coming from the devil and allow pure thoughts from you that lead to life.

.......the devotion of Bee

The Right Focus

Psalm 90

3 You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, life is like a vapour... or just like wind. I may be here today, but you might not hear from me again the next day.

Many times I wished God will take me away from this earth. I wished I am just like the grass that will wither in the morning. For I see too much evil on earth since my childhood days. I grew up not trusting any man. Some men in my life did help me rebuild that trust, yet they were the same ones that put back the phobia in me.

Now all I ask from God is to teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom, to discern right and wrong, to distinguish truth and lies.

I need God to satisfy my heart with His unfailing love, so I may be glad and sing a new song to Him again. This I humbly pray.

.......the devotion of Bee

God Will Take Care of You

Hebrews 13:5

He Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support.

May your troubled heart
find peace and comfort in the knowledge
that you are never alone.
May God's presence ease
your trembling spirit and give you rest.
He knows how you feel.
He is ever aware of your circumstances
and ready to be your strength,
your grace, and your peace.
He is there to cast sunlight
into all of your darkened shadows,
to send encouragement through the love
of friends and family, and
to replace your weariness with new hope.

God is your stronghold,
and with Him as your guide,
you need never be afraid.
No circumstances can block His love.
No grief is too hard for Him to bear.
No task is too difficult
for Him to complete.
When what you are feeling
is simply too deep for words
and nothing anyone does or says
can provide you with the relief you need,
God understands.
He is your provider -
today, tomorrow, and always.
And He loves you.
Cast all of your cares on Him...
and believe.

- Linda E. Knight

A Past Long Gone

Acts 13:36-41

38 "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses..."

Romans 8:1-4

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Bee's Thoughts:

"The law condemned us (Romans 7:10-11), but Jesus offers deliverance and new life (8:1).

Are you worried about what you've done in the past? Rejoice! God has "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). Are you still concerned about your sins? Rejoice! "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17). And "I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions" (Isaiah 44:22).

If you have put your faith in Jesus and asked Him to forgive you, the past is truly forgotten. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12). Trust and rejoice! —Vernon Grounds"

—Vernon Grounds

Thank God for Today's Daily Bread... it seems to be a direct speaking from God about the problem of someone close to me which also affects me. I pray that God will reveal to him this spiritual truth; that he need not carry the burden and guilt of his past anymore because of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, he is a new creature who can love purely and not selfishly as in the past.

Dear Lord, thank you for your assurance and reassurance that in you, there is no more condemnation.

.......the devotion of Bee

Making the Choice

Romans 13:12

12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Tommy's Thoughts:
Jesus who died on the cross has already paid the penalty of all our sins. We can be forgiven and cleansed if we were to believe in Him. We may have things in the past that needed to be laid aside – memories, guilt, pains and regrets; but they shouldn’t and never determine our future.

Oh Lord, as I come before you now, help to me to see the reality - a reality that I have a choice now about how I’ll live. Guide me Lord to set my heart on You and to walk the right path. Let me know that Christ has put to death all my wrongful desire and self-centeredness. Lead me Lord to work with You in everything and to clothe myself with Christ’s righteousness. Teach me to turn away and stop replaying my past and to move on with a life in truth, purity and sincerity.

.......the devotion of Tommy

Try A Little Kindness

Acts 10:1-8

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

Bee's Thoughts:
What is love? We can do something or give to someone without loving, but we can't love without giving. So is kindness alone love? May not be. Kindness is only one of the components of love, just like patience.

In true love we not only give in material things but also in the intangible things, such as those mentioned in 1 Corinthains 13. When we say we love someone, the test will always come to see if we really love. Once the romantic feeling for someone is gone, can we still say that we love someone?

I have lost faith in the human love and found it back, and lost it again. :(

I have learnt that I should love someone in God's way, but never expect to be loved in return.

I believe in the sun
even when it isn't shining.
I believe in love
even when I am alone.
I believe in God
even when he is silent.

- author unknown

Dear God, I may not have found true love for myself but I still want to believe that there is true love for others. For when two people are loving each other in Christ, true love abounds.

.......the devotion of Bee

Our Father's Love

Hosea 11

God's Love for Israel
1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 But the more I called Israel,
the further they went from me. [b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.

5 "Will they not return to Egypt
and will not Assyria rule over them
because they refuse to repent?

6 Swords will flash in their cities,
will destroy the bars of their gates
and put an end to their plans.

7 My people are determined to turn from me.
Even if they call to the Most High,
he will by no means exalt them.

8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.

9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath.

Bee's Thoughts:
Why do You love me so much, dear Lord?

I really don't deserve Your love.

How can I say "Thanks" for the things You've done for me;
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude,
All that I am, and all I hope to be, I give them all to You.

Amen

.......the devotion of Bee

Ordinary People

Acts 4:1-21

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name."

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Bee's Thoughts:

Being "with Jesus" can make so much difference to a person's life... something undeniable, just like in the case of Peter and John. They were "unschooled" and "ordinary men", yet they could speak with so much confidence, boldness, and eloquence when it comes to talking about Jesus and performing miracles.

Some people did asked me, "Why must you always talk about Jesus or quote from the Bible in your replies?"

Hmmn... good question. I didn't even realize that tendency in me. But I guess it has become part of me after I have been "with Jesus" since age 12... read through the whole Bible many times, memorizing verses. questioning and searching for answers, experiencing Jesus in my ups and downs of life. So just like what Peter and John said, "we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (v 19). I speak from my heart, my conviction, not merely 'throwing scriptures' at others to show how knowledgeable I am, or how 'holy' I am. In fact, I am just as "ordinary" as Peter and John.

So friends, if I have offended you with my bible quotations, please pardon me. I quote what I believe. :)

Just what do Christians look like?
What sets their lives apart?
They're ordinary people
Who love God from the heart.
—D. De Haan

.......the devotion of Bee

Golden Gods

"You shall have no other gods before me."

- Exodus 20:3






Bee's Thoughts:
God delivered the Israelites from the tyranny of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:29-42) and gave them the "Ten Commandments". Yet soon they forgot about God and started to make golden gods for themselves (Exodus 32:1-4).

Aren't we also like the Israelites many times? When we were down and out, we cried before God and He delivered us. But after a while we forgot Him and made other things our 'gods'. *sigh*

Dear Lord, please help me to always put you first before anybody or anything... for you love me more than anyone else can. Thank you.

.......the devotion of Bee

Who Then Is Beautiful?

Genesis 24:12-21

12 Then he prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."...

..... 21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful.

Bee's Thoughts:
Whenever I read the above story, it reminds me of Proverbs 31:30 (Contemporary English Version):

Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the LORD
deserves to be praised.

Being beautiful in look is not enough to be choosen as the wife of Isaac. She has to have a heart of love and care... not only for the people around her, but also for strangers and life stocks.

Isn't such a woman too hard to find these days, though not impossible? Yes! People are getting more self-centered and selfish, and too busy to even care for the person close to them, much less a stranger. Yet the biblical principle of finding a wife with such virtues stays. Anything less means more heartaches down the road. We have already seen too many to need more evidence.

To have such virtue, the woman has to be "a woman who honors the LORD". For only the Lord can teach one to truly love.

Another biblical principle I see is to be specific in our prayer when seeking a partner. The chief servant of Abraham prayed to God specifically and God showed him Rebekah. He is very sure that she is THE ONE.

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that you look at my heart rather than my outward appearance. Thank you for reminding me to be specific in my prayers so I may know your will and to do it.

Tommy's Thoughts:
From Rebekah’s attitude and actions, we can learn a lot about how to redeem the time by faithfully fulfilling our current obligations. Our daily life is filled with mundane and repetitive tasks like Rebekah’s trip to the well and watering the camels. Yet, she performed her tasks diligently and willingly. Her qualities put her in the right place, at the right time with the right attitude when God matches her with Isaac.

As I reflect on this, I know I have various tasks and responsibilities at hand. Though I may not know God’s plan for my future, but I do know things I need to act upon today. Things like focusing my energy toward maturity and Christlikeness. Making most of each moment I have now and preparing myself for the next season in my life. Thank you Lord again for this wonderful lesson I received from Your Word. Amen.

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

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