Be Ready

Matthew 24:32-44

32 "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

The Day and Hour Unknown
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Bees's Thoughts:

Talking about readiness, I know of people who will work extra hard when they know their bosses are coming or is around. When the 'cat' goes away the 'mice' will come out to play. Hmmn... how many workers can really be ready for their bosses anytime?

As Christians we don't work just to please our bosses on earth, we work to please our heavenly 'Boss' who can see us anytime and anywhere. We are to be good steward in our time and work. We are be ready for His coming...

Dear Lord,
Let me be always ready for You when You come to bring me back home. Let me be a good steward of my time and energy to do the things that will please You. May I find favour in my bosses, being a good worker. I pray that You will continue to direct me in my search for a new job. May Your will be done. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I was at the newsstand that day and saw few tabloids with a front cover listing all kinds of predictions for 2006 that they claimed were found hidden in the Bible. I’ve seen these kinds of sensational news since day one I chanced upon a tabloid. All these false claims and predictions only proof one thing to us; that is, we don’t have a single clue on what will happen tomorrow, let alone predicting 100 years into the future.

Not knowing the future sometime can be a good thing. If we knew the precise date when Christ will return; we might be tempted to be lazy in our work for Him. I heard about a guy from my friend that he decided to temporarily ‘quit’ from Christianity to pursue and indulge himself with self-seeking pleasure in the “world”. He thinks God will accept Him back with an open arm when he decided to return later, a false sense of security based entirely out of context on the story of the prodigal son.

It’s true our loving God will still accept us when we’ve truly repented and returning back to Him, but that doesn’t mean we can use it as an excuse for being disobedient; asking God to follow our timetable instead of His. Sometime, we forget that Heaven is not our only goal; we have to treat our life now as a test; to work diligently for God here and now before Christ’s return.

It is said that Christ will be back when we do not expect him most; it will be swift and sudden, no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. We already have sufficient knowledge and warning to prepare, be ready, keeping watch and make the choice to obey and walk with Him today. Let’s not foolishly gamble with our eternal destiny that God has given us.

Dear Lord, thank You for motivating and teaching me to be prepared always for Christ’s return; to live responsibly, serving others in need and working diligently for the extension of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

As Stubborn As Mule

Psalm 32:8-11

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Bee's Thoughts:

I have only worked in my present preschool for about a month and is still trying to get use to the tons of daily paper works that seem to be endless. Other than this dislike I am quite happy working with the children and my teachers. I felt the school should hire a clerk to do those admin works instead of making me a highly paid 'clerk' and have less time for more critical works that require my kind training and qualification. For this reason I was actually looking around for job that doesn't require me to do all these time consuming admin works... so I am in the midst of attending interviews this week.

However, my boss' boss came to my office at about 5 p.m. and talked with me for about 3 hours today. She asked me to consider taking over my boss' position, which will be vacant before end of this month. Erm... I felt flattered but wasn't that keen to take it up, yet I felt bad to reject. *sigh*

Thank God that in today's devotion He is saying to me: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." (v8).

Actually I told my boss' boss that my weekly Friday evening Cell meetings are very important to me, which will clash with the weekly Friday management meeting should I take up that position. I will not compromise for the sake of a promotion.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for assuring me tonight that You will guide me in what I should do. I want to commit my work into Your hands. Lead me as I obey Your Spirit's prompting reagarding my career. I trust in Your providence Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

A lot people disobey God not because they don’t want to be controlled or directed; it’s more about the lack of understanding why God ask us to obey Him. Another reason is the lack of trust in believing God’s way. When we come to the point of true understanding and deeply believe in His teachings, we will find our self less prone to disobey and sin.

The truth is everything God asks of us, He does so out of unfailing love to keep us from harm, unnecessary conflicts; giving the best and good for us. Most who do not believe in this truth will tend to go for the quick fix, which often lead to sin and troubles. Like a father who teaches his sons; sometime our stubbornness leaves God with only one option that is to use discipline. But, God prefer to guide us with love and wisdom rather than punishment if we allow our self to listen and obey His teachings.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your unfailing love and patience to teach and guide me to the right and only path. Thank You for Your love that surrounds me when I trust and obey in You. Help me not only to be obedient but to be joyful, glad and rejoices in Your teachings. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

What Is The Bible For?

2 Timothy 3:14-17

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Bee's Thoughts:

There are many types of Christian denominations, therefore, also many types of Christians too. I often heard the comment: The Charismatic Christians have experiences but no depth in the Bible, while the non-Charismatic Christians have depth in the Bible but no experience or power to live a victorious life.

Why can't a Christian have both? I believe God wants Christians to have both the depth in the Bible as well as the experiences in the power of the Holy Spirit. Only in this way can one be strong to withstand all trials and temptations of life.

As a young Christian, I was taught that reading the Bible daily is very important for any serious Christian. For the Bible can make one "wise for salvation" (v15); it is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (v16). Without knowing the truth found in the Bible one would be led astray by all kinds of teaching and doctrines.

In my experience as Christian, the Holy Spirit always reminds me of the Bible verses I have read at the right time so that I may not fall away from God or sin against Him. His word is life actually... it is able to save me from many things in life. Thank God for the Bible!

Tommy's Thoughts:

Since small, I believe there is a God. But, being brought up from a non-Christian family, I do not know anything about the Bible or Jesus. My knowledge of who God was based solely on my observation and experience of His creations and my own conscience. It was also a one-way communication with the god I believe in at that time. I have totally no idea what He wanted or expected from us; aside from being generally good and performing rituals obediently to save myself from punishment and bad luck.

The first time I read the Bible was out of curiosity before I’m a Christian. I told myself it’s impossible for me to understand this “history” book and what those Christian believe in; it was utterly irrelevant and an unnecessary complication to life. Now, as I read 1 Corinthians 2:14, I understand why I felt that way, how I unable to grasp the spiritual treasures and truths of the Scripture back then:

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

After I’ve accepted Christ, I began to see how precious and valuable the Bible is. Every passage suddenly jumped to life when I read them. I used to be puzzled over this, but as I read 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, I understand how when we are born again, we will receive the illumining ministry of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to understand the Bible effectively.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Dear Lord, thank You for enabling me to understand Your words. Thank You that the Holy Spirit lives within me, illumining my mind, encouraging my heart, and strengthening my will and faith. Help me to use the knowledge I received to do good and Christ’s work in the world. Amen.

Also read our previous post on the Bible...

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Sensuous Christian

Exodus 37:1-9

The Ark
1 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold, both inside and out, and made a gold molding around it. 3 He cast four gold rings for it and fastened them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. 4 Then he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 And he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry it.

6 He made the atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. 7 Then he made two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. 8 He made one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; at the two ends he made them of one piece with the cover. 9 The cherubim had their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim faced each other, looking toward the cover.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I heard from a friend before that the reason he’s an atheist is because of how religions disrespect our current world, focusing only on heaven. He said most treat the world they live in now as an illusion, giving excuses for them to be a lousy and irresponsible person. He also added religions wrongly taught people not to enjoy their lives here, being insensible and abstaining from all kind of pleasures or enjoyments.

As a Christian, we see the world now as a reality, not an illusion. Although it will be short stay compared to the time we will spend with God later, Christians regard everything created by God and our attitude towards them as significant and have eternal consequences. God pronounces everything He created as "good” and He rejoices in them. This includes our senses which He approves the proper experience of pleasure through them. Using these senses, God wants us to enjoy and delight in His creations, leading us to be grateful and to worship Him.

Dear Lord, thank You for everything You has given to us. Teach me to be a responsible steward of Your creations, as an act of worship. Lord, help me not to worship them, but to know they are Your wonderful and perfect gifts for us to enjoy; bringing us to know You better and to glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.



Bee's Thoughts:

The title of today's devotion seems unusual. The word "sensual" seems 'worldly'. Yet God has created humans as sensual beings. Being sensual towards the right thing or person and at the right time is nothing wrong. But how we use our senses are of great consequences. Eve was being sensual towards the forbidden fruit and was led to sin by Satan, making us all sinners by birth..

I enjoy looking at beautiful people, pictures, songs, arts, nature, etc. Each time I look at them I praise God for His creations. A beautiful relationship with another fellow being is also something we can thank God for. Such relationship requires both to use their senses to the full.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for making me a very sensual person. I enjoy the things You have provided for me through the senses You gave me. Thank You for making all things beautiful in Your time. Amen.


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

Love Enough To Confront

Luke 7:36-50

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Tommy's Thoughts:

Before I’m a Christian, I paid little attention or totally unaware of how wrong some of my actions and attitude were. There was totally no sense of regret or detest or to change. This was partly due to my belief that it doesn’t matter what I’m doing, as what I did before already invalidate me from being saved by God. I soon settled on trying my best to just be conventionally good, but still indulged in all those ‘little sins’.

Little sins will soon be fully-grown and at the end will give birth to ‘death’ (James 1:15). Because of God’s mercy, He came to me before it was too late; convicting me and I began to realize how and why things turned out so badly; the person I had became. Later, I understand how much I need Him, to believe in Him and His redeeming power. He forgave me as I repented and He gave me a new start.

It’s true that only when one realizes the depth of their sin, can they appreciate the complete forgiveness of God. We should be grateful and appreciate the wideness of God’s mercy, giving us a way to reconcile with Him and allowing Him to change us. As Christian, we are saved by grace through faith. We need to be like the woman in today’s passage who was saved by her faith alone. Her overflowing love and generosity was the result of her faith in Christ.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me of how You have saved me and how much I need You to change me everyday. Lord, keep me beside You always so I won’t go astray. Makes me lie down in green pastures and lead me beside quiet waters, restoring my soul and guides me to Your paths of righteousness. In the Almighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

As I read the above passage I just felt like crying...

Jesus said, "her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much". Now I know why I can have such simple faith in Jesus and remain in this faith for so many years. Some people might think I am crazy to love an unseen Jesus so much. But what they don't know is that I love Jesus very much because He has forgiven me much too. Without Him I would have been gone long ago.

I have heard many who would say they rather love the one whom they loved but doesn't recipocate that love, to the one who loves them a lot but they don't love. I felt the reverse. I can be moved by true love and stay in that love forever till it is removed. So I love Jesus because He first loved me while I was still a sinner, not while I was good. He loved me just as I was and am now. How can I not love someone who loves me so much? I will love.

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for loving me so much...
You loved me right from the start
And that has touched my heart.

I love You very much too...
I can't resist Your love so true
That captures my heart in surrender to You.

I just love You...

- Bee

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

I Dare You!

Psalm 119:41-48

41 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;

42 then I will answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.

43 Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.

44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.

45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,

47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.

48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
and I meditate on your decrees.

Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, "May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD". May I love Your word and keep it in my heart always. How wonderful is Your word to me, that lifts me up all the time. I am but a frail gal who is easily broken, one whom men would despise. But in You I am made strong, for Your word encourages me to go on a little more whenever I want to give up. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

The problem with our struggle in keeping God’s commands is not that we do not understand them or we don’t want to keep them. It’s the way we see them; our perception of what God wanted us to follow. We often hear people say following God is complicated because of all the things we need to change, the “dos” and “don’ts”. We felt God’s commands inhibit and restrain us from doing what we want to do.

When faced with a situation, we tend to ignore His teachings and do exactly the opposite, without giving a single thought of the consequences of our actions to our self and others. There are also times; we take for granted of God’s forgiveness, using it as an excuse to do what we know is wrong. All these attitudes not only hinder us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives but also rob us from having true freedom in life.

The truth is, instead of restricting us; God’s commands actually free us to be what God designed us to be. When we accepted God’s gift of salvation and forgiveness, we gain true freedom from sin and guilt. We can make the choice not to sin again as Christ has already break us away from the grip of bondages.

To make it easier for us to understand this reality, we need to change our view on God’s commands for us. Like in verse 47 and 48 in today’s Psalm; we need to delight and love the commands God have given us. We need to know they are not to restrain us but to free us. They are given to us because He loves us and wanted the best for our lives.

Dear Lord, thank You for changing my perspective on why I should follow Your commands. Thank You for Your unfailing love for me, forgiving me and saving me from the trap and bondages of sin. I won’t be complacent of where I’m now but to move on and grow in maturity, lifting up my hands to Your commands, keeping them until You come again. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Best Question

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.
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:

A sanctuary is a shelter from danger or hardship... a place where one "will never be shaken" (v5). Whenever I am sad and in distress I will retreat into my 'sanctuary' (God). It's there where I rest my wounded soul, letting God heal my broken spirit.

Who can be in God's sanctuary? One who does all the above things. Hmmn... it seems it's a place for the 'perfect'?

Well, when one goes into the presence of God, all sins will have to be confessed as God reveals one's true self through His Holy Spirit. That's how God burnt away all that're wrong and purify one's heart.

Yes, the Lord did that to me whenever I ran into His sanctuary. He 'stripped' me to reveal what's in my heart and then began His purifying work in me so that I could be made whole again.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for being my sanctury each time I went into distress. Thank You for Your healing work as I surrender myself to You. Now I pray that You would remove what's not right in me and let me abide in You always. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I received a sms from an old friend today. She was surprised that I have submitted my life to God, asking me what made me to make that decision. She also asked me whether it’s because she doesn’t have a religion that made her feeling empty and lost. I prayed to God to help me with words when replying to her, sharing my faith to her. I told her God himself came to fill the same void inside my heart. When we open our heart to Him, He will change us from inside, guiding us to live a blameless life. It’s God working inside us and not through our own effort to be good.

In today’s Psalm, God gave us some guidelines to live a blameless life; to determine how we as Christian are doing in our walk:

1. Be truthful (v2): We live in a society today that is manipulative, self-centered, and heavy into techniques, hidden agendas and lies; to get what we want. Being truthful sometime becomes unnecessary. God calls us to speak the truth from our heart. He knows how lies can eventually bring troubles, fear and complications into our lives; robbing us from living the life He wanted us to have.


2. Control our speech (v3): We need to be careful with our words; to always speak the truth and refuse to slander others; how we use them reflects our relationship with God. Our tongue is one the most important things we need to control; like fire, that at the same time can bring light when it’s dark, it can also bring down a whole house when we are not careful.



“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”- James 3:6



3. Keeping promises (v4): We need to be aware of not promising something we won’t be able to keep. It’s easy to promise when we wanted something; but keeping them requires us to be truly faithful and committed. But, once we broke a promise, it’s very hard to earn back the trust others have put on us. Like our Heavenly Father who always keeps his promises, we too need to always keep our promises.

Dear Lord, thank You for today, how You’ve made everything goes so smoothly as I’ve prayed for. You are just wonderful and I can’t be more thankful! I take this time to pray for my friend and also to all those who yet to know You, that You will one day fill their heart, giving them what they need most and bringing meaning and purpose to their lives. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

A Servant's Heart

2 Timothy 2:19-26

19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Bee's Thoughts:

Today's devotion is the answer to a visitor's comment on yesterday's devotion. KristieSue said...

"One of the most common excuses I hear about people not wanting to go to church is because of so and so who is at the bar every weekend... or something similar to that. They say if they can live that way and get to heaven then so can I... It's a sad thing how Christians like to pretend. Go to church and act holy and spirit filled and then the rest of the week show no evidence of God."

Well, "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (v19). A true Christian is one who seeks to live a life that is pleasing to God. He/She may not be perfect yet, but nevertheless, he/she has the desire to learn and grow in Christ.

As a Christian tries to live a life that is righteous, he/she may looks foolish, funny, anti-social, stubborn, etc, to his/her non-Christian friends and the world. It's sad that sometimes a Christian may compromise in order to gain acceptance. Yet God says He knows those who are His... who will not compromise with the world.


Dear Lord.
Thank You for transforming me day by day so that I may be "an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work" (v21). It has been a painful process as You 'mould' and 'polish' me a little at a time in order to remove the worldly parts in me.

Sometimes, I thought I couldn't take the pain anymore, but You always give me strength to go on and not give up. Thank You that through that process I have grown to be stronger and is enjoying Your love more each day. Let me be a faithful servant to You as I live in this transient world.

I love You, Lord. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Once, I questioned God how He can use me for His purposes, as an instrument of His will. How should I change and live my life differently, to magnify His name to those who are still confused about the truth? What kind of person and attitude I should have in order to share the message effectively to others? What I should run away from to avoid myself to stumble and ended up being a bad example to others?

In today’s passage, Paul advised Timothy not to settle on anything less than God’s highest and best (v. 20-21); to wisely know when and how to run or stay away from situation that can easily lead him to sin (v. 22); to be kind, patience, gentle and tactful when explaining the truth to others; to be a good listener and avoid any foolish, prideful and pointless arguments and debates (v.23-26).

Dear Lord, thank You for Your words speaking to me today; making me aware of the importance as a Christian to pursue the right attitude in every situation; to be a servant and teacher for Your people, leading them to the truth. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Are You Free?

Galatians 4:21-31

Hagar and Sarah

28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Bee's Thoughts:

Initially when I read the above passage, I felt it was rather 'unfair' that "the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son" since both have the same father. Then as I pondered over it I realized that it was the "law" that made it so unfair. As long as the people are living under that law, it applies to them and they are bound by it. The only way to be freed from that law is when a person dies or when a new law is imposed.

The above principle also applies to our Christian living. Before we become Christians, we have been under the bondage of the law of sins. But when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, He set us free from that law and gave us a new law of freedom in the Spirit. "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Talking to my friend earlier about 'gambling' on CNY reminds me of what 1 Corinthians Chapters 8-10 teach concerning our new freedom. Example, we may know that we can eat anything, even food offered to idols (since idols is nothing), or we can play 'gambling' on CNY (since we are not addicted to gambling). Yet we have to note that those who are non-Christians or young in age or in spititual life might take these actions seriously and become stumbled.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13:

9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33:

23 "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the freedom I have in Christ Jesus. Thank You that because of Christ I can have Your promised eternal inheritance. Yet I pray that I will not take this freedom for granted or do things that will stumble my brothers or sisters in Christ, or people around me. May what I do give glory to You always.

I asked all these in Jeus' name. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I was unpacking some boxes from my old house today. I was planning to throw away whatever I no longer need; to tidy things up a little. Inside, I was surprised to see so many things that I have kept over the years, way back to 1989. It’s really interesting to read the things we wrote when we are young. As I was going though each of them, I was flooded with memories from my past, some good, some bad but mostly sad ones. Later, I throw most of them away, keeping only some books and photos of myself taken with classmates and friends.

As I sat down and think, one thing hit me hard; the thought of “If only I have accepted Christ earlier, I would have made so many positive changes in my life”.

Then, the comforting voice of the Holy Spirit assured me that everything that has happened is not mere accidents or mistakes made by God but were filled with purpose and significance; changing me into the person He wanted me to be today and showing me how much I need Him. I know God is so intimately involved with His creation, and so aware of every little incident, feeling and thought in our lives, that not even the humble sparrow escapes his gaze. He planned it all out before we even came into existence.

Because of what God has done on the Cross, I can now lift my head up and face today and tomorrow without trapping myself in my past; condemning myself with guilt and self-pity. Because of His grace, I can start making all the positive changes today. Because of His strength, I can be truly free from all the bondages that have tied me down for so long. Because of His faithfulness, I can be ensured always of having exactly what I need. Because of His peace, I can be bold to endure all the challenges in life knowing He will always be there for me. Because of His love, I can learn to love again and to serve others. And because of Him, I can finally grasped the true meaning and purpose of everything in my life.

Thank You my Almighty, Loving and Wonderful God. Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Lost Library

Isaiah 40:6-8

6 A voice says, "Cry out."
And I said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the LORD blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."

Bee's Thoughts:

I am like "grass", so is all mankind. Life is so fragile, we may "wither" and disappear from this earth any time. The bible compares men's glory/achievement to flowers which will fall easily too. Nothing is permanent... except one thing... "the word of our God". God's word never fail and it comes to past all the time.

Yesterday, I read that one of my friends' wish before she dies is to complete reading the whole bible. That's a very good thought! But to set her due date as before she dies is as good as no due date, since she won't know when she is going to die. By the time she knows, it will be too late to complete reading the whole bible. So I hope she will do it immediately and complete it within a year instead.

Yes. God's word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path always. It guides my life so that I may not walk in darkness.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your word which lives forever. Let me always keep Your word in my heart that I may do what is right in Your sight. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

I used to find it very hard to read the Bible; let alone applying it to my daily life. I admit I’d even forced myself to read it everyday just to make sure I’m doing the “right” thing. By constantly looking at the pages I need to finish and cover, I inadvertently turned it into a tiring chore I have to complete.

I think the problem mainly lies in the way I viewed the contents and value of the Bible. I found it more like an irrelevant historical accounts and stories for my life, rather than the words of God that is precious and alive. Instead, I found myself enjoying and absorbed so much more with all those best-selling self-help books on the shelf.

Although, God never against or forbids us from reading self-help books (some might even be a way for God to speak to us too), but they will never be as complete, resourceful, thorough, constant, accurate, reliable, in-depth, trustworthy and relevant to our lives than the Bible. In fact, most key points, explanations, tips, wisdom, techniques found in all those best-sellers can be found in the Bible, but in far greater truth, depth and substance.

There are others of those books which are unreliable and inconsistent as their contents changes and modified constantly to reflect recent understanding the author gained on the topic. There are also some which contain half the truth; contents that appear sensible and popular to readers on the surface but sandwiched with lies, false teachings and distorted truths.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me to read the Bible slowly, prayerfully and daily. Only through Your words, I’ll understand and know You better. I’ll always be able to find the truth I need as Your words will stands forever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The Greatness Of Gratitude

Luke 17:11-19

Ten Healed of Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

14 When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Bee's Thoughts:

Gratitude or thankfulness is is not just a thought, it is an action. When one is thankful, one will do something to express that gratitude. In the case of the only leper who thanked Jesus for healing him, his action was an expression of his "faith" (v19) in Jesus' total healing of his sickness. Jesus said that his "faith" has healed him. I wonder what will happen to the other 9 lepers... perhaps their leprosy might come back to them again?

That's why the bible says "in everything give thanks".... not only in some of the things. As I pondered over what I might give thanks for, some thoughts came to mind...

1. Thank God for setting me free from my distress in 2005 and give me something more meaningful in 2006.

2. Thank God for giving me a new job and a changed attitude... the ability to work well with my new bosses, colleagues, children, parents, and the vendors.

3. Thank God for removing the pain from my tooth, a speedy recovery and an early appointment for the new tooth crown.

4. Thank God for helping me keep my daily devotion time.

5. Last but not least, I want to thank Tommy for being my devotion partner, who is running this spiritual race with me. I also want to thank him for asking me to stay on this blog when I wanted to blog alone elsewhere, for letting me know that I have made a difference in his life and that he has been encouraged. This knowledge has encouraged me too.

Tommy's Thoughts:



Sometime when we are in crisis, we'll cry out loud to God, promising Him in things if He would help us. Although there are nothing wrong with our desperation and natural responses; but often time we think only about our self and totally forget to thank Him when we were delivered from our trials.

We need to be like the Samaritan, how instant and quick his response was when he saw himself healed. Without any delay, he ran back to Jesus, threw himself at His feet and thanked Him. That's how we should show our appreciation, gratitude and thankfulness to God; with instant praises and thanks. The moment you know it's God, thank Him straightaway with a grateful heart.

Dear Lord, thank You again for blessing me with so many great things, with some I have not even asked for. Lord, help me to remember always that they are all from You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Bee's 3rd Month of Devotion

Last week, a friend of mine, who is doing her coaching course, asked me a very thought-provoking question: "What is the difference that makes the difference?" (She was referring to the success in my change of attitude this year, that makes me feel peaceful and contented, that improves my career and financial health.)

I thought for a moment.... then I replied, "My 3-months of daily devotion time with God."

Yes, that's the difference that makes the difference to my life in 2006. Without spending time with God daily to let His words encourage me, and see what's more important in my life, I would have been as unmotivated and in distress as last year. My devotion time for the last 3 months is just like 'oxygen' to me now. It helps me 'breathe' properly in a spiritual sense, which also translates into my physical and emotional well being. It's so powerful... it transforms me for the better. :) Thank God!

Actually, I wanted to stop blogging my devotion at Tommy's blog and has started a new blog for myself, called "Time Alone", on 16 Jan 06. The reason was to remove some confusion/misconception about Tommy and me. However, Tommy has requested that I continue to do my devotion at his blog as an encouragement for him. I obliged... so now there is a duplication in a way. I told Tommy that my "Time Alone" blog would be my standby 'Resort', in case he tells me to 'get lost' from his blog one day... kiasu me. :P

For those who are still curious about Tommy and me, let me set the record straight once and for all... Tommy is not my bf. So if any of you gals are interested in Tommy, please feel free to approach him. (Tips: you must be a devoted Christian gal who loves God and is intelligent to interest him. =D )

All things said, blogging devotion with a fellow Christian can be quite fun as it helps us to encourage one another when the going gets tough.


So Tommy, when it's time for me to 'get lost' from your blog please let me know, ok? Thanks for running this spiritual 'race' with me. May the Lord bless you richly in all aspects of your life.

.......the thoughts of Bee

Tommy:
hey drama Bee, I'm not that bad la till ask you to get lost!
I appreciates you very much being here & encourages me yea...
btw, your tips there are not very accurate la...not sure about that "intelligent" part :P

Bee:
hard to say la... man changes very fast and can be very drastic at times... so better prepare for the worst. ;)
ok ok, correction.... 'stupid' also can apply... for more 'accurate conditions' please email Tommy directly. :P

The Choice Is Ours

Colossians 3:1-17

Rules for Holy Living
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Yesterday, I was reading something I wrote 5 years ago. They’re funny; it’s so different the ‘me’ now and then. In just few short years, my thoughts, perspectives and priorities has changed so much. I used to hear friends saying Christianity can brainwash us, turning us into weird religious fanatic and anti-socials. But, the truth is exactly the opposite. By letting Christ live within us, we’ll be able to find true freedom and our actual true self; who we suppose and should be.

It’s a continuing lifelong education program; our life will change positively day by day when Christ gives us the power and strength to live for Him; imitating His attitudes in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, thankfulness and patience; forgiving others; concentrating on things that lasts like relationships and character and letting love guide our life.

What makes a Christian fall back to sin and continually trapped in bondages is that they still try hard to put to death their helpless old self; using all kinds of techniques, diversions and efforts. We can’t put to death what it’s already dead! We need to realize and remember always that when we believe Christ has died for our sins, our old self already died together with Him. And when Christ rose from the grave, we too have been raised with Him with a new self and a new heart.

It's only when we come to this realization, we will start considering our self dead and unresponsive to all wrongful desires. Though temptations are still there, but we can make conscious, daily decision with the help of the Holy Spirit, to choose not to entertain or feed them.

Dear Lord, Thank You for drawing me near to You; teaching me to put on the new self. Remind me O Lord, to match my daily conduct with my faith in You, representing You at all times to the world. Lord, help me to be committed and remaining true to You always; taking the right actions in every situations and changing every areas of my life to bring glory and honor to Your name.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

I like the above hymn 'cos it reminds me to think of things above and not things on earth. Sometimes in the midst of my business I might forget that I am just a 'passerby' on earth and small problems look so big. But the moment I remember that my goal is heaven, everything seems trivial.

I wonder why the bible says "over all these virtues put on love" (v14). Doesn't "love" covers all these "virtues"? Perhaps a person can have these virtues without loving... for agape love is unconditional.


Dear Lord,
May You constantly remind me of where I am heading for eternaity. Let me choose to focus on You rather than on things around me so that Your peace can rule in my heart always. Let me love with Your unconditional love too. Give me grace to do everything for Your name's sake.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Fellow Workers

Exodus 17:1-6

Water From the Rock
1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?"

3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?"

4 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me."

5 The LORD answered Moses, "Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink." So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Bee's Thoughts:

Complaints and murmuring seem to be the nature of mankind. In order to counter this nature, God wants Christians to give thanks in everything. They can't complain and give thanks at the same time, right? God also wants Christians to rejoice in Him always. When that happens, there won't be any complaints and murmuring. :)

I was wondering what Moses might be thinking when told to "strike the rock"... how can the rock produce water? Yet Moses just obeyed without questioning. I guess Moses' obedience produces the miracle of water coming from the rock for so many Israelites to drink.

God will be there at the rock... what a great assurance! When God calls us to do something, He will be there with us... we won't be alone.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for always being with us whenever You want us to do something. You never leave us alone as we obey You by faith. Thank You that we can rejoice in You always instead of grumbling.

Let me not complaint when things look bleak at times but to trust in Your faithfulness always.

In Jesus' name I pray.


Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s startling to know that the Israelites can complain and putting God to test just shortly after God miraculously divided the Red Sea in chapter 14. Like the Israelites, we too tend to complain first when things doesn’t go well the way we wanted them to be. Over the years, I’ve learnt that certain problems clearly can be solved through discussion, careful thought, planning and prioritizing. But, there are some we know can only be solved by God himself by praying to Him.

When we are stressed by problems, the first thing to do is pray, which we often overlook. It’s only through few incidences I realized how effective and powerful they are if our heart is true to God. Prayer quiets our noisy thoughts and emotions and prepares us to obey and listen to Him. Like Moses who prayed to God when He has difficulty to calm his people down, God answered Him and helped him to solve his problem. Moses obeyed and did exactly what God has told him to do. And, God made the water flow.

Dear Lord, I heard You everyday on the many ways to “strike the rock” after I’ve prayed to You; to obey and follow Your every commands; doing my part in the works You’ve given me. Help me, O Lord, never to doubt or forget what You can do; how You can solve problems I alone can’t.

Thank You Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Magnifying Our Master

2 Corinthians 11:23-30

23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

Bee's Thoughts:

Apostle Paul's life seems to resemble that of moses, in that though he was a man of high regards and could boast of all his achievements, yet he distrgarded them and suffered for Christ.

"I will boast of the things that show my weakness." (v30)...

1. I find it hard to trust others -- but by trusting God I learnt to trust others as well.

2. I don't have faith in things/people I did not see, I need evidence -- yet I have simple faith in God, and I learnt to have faith in things/people even when I can't see them.

3. I can't forgive people who have hurt me deeply -- but with the power of the Holy Spirit I could forgive.

4. I don't believe in love, I see liars everywhere -- but by knowing God's love, I learnt to love with His agape love too.

5. I hated myself and wish I didn't born -- but God told me I am precious to Him, He bought me with His blood.


When I am weak, then the strength of God becomes more obvious to me and others. Then God will be magnified.


Dear Lord,
Let me magnify You in me. Let others see the changes in my life and glorify Your name.

I am very tired tonight... let me have a good peaceful sleep and wake up fresh in the morning.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's thoughts:

As we read about Paul’s sufferings and trials, we’ll see his amazing unfaltering commitment for the cause of Christ. He has no fear or second thought in sacrificing his own life for the gospel; magnifying God in the process.

Although we will not experience what Apostle Paul had, we can still treat every hardship or trials we faced for Christ’s sake as an opportunity to build our character, demonstrate our faith, prepare our self for further service to our Lord and to magnify and glorify our Lord.

Dear Lord, thank You again for teaching me to always look at the bright side of things; treating every situation as a opportunity for me to magnify Your name. The way I focus on the needs of others when all I want is selfishly care only for my comfort; being gentle in the way I speak when I don’t feel like talking; being calm and patient when I’m annoyed or troubled; being thoughtful of others when I have only myself to think about. I pray all this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

And It Was So

Genesis 1:1-13

The Beginning
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 Now the earth was [a] formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometime, we tend to forget or overlook the amazing list of God’s promises to us written in the Bible. Like the story of Creation, they all will be so as God has said them. So, let us take time to read the Bible and find out all the comforting promises God has made with us!

Here’re just a few:
Don’t worry, God knows and will provide all our needs. (Phillipians 4:19)

God has made provision for our salvation and eternal life by His grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8)

God promised we won’t be overtaken by temptation and He will always provide us with an exit sign. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

God has promised us victory over death. (I Corinthians 15:57)

God has promised that all things work together for good to those who love and serve Him faithfully. (Romans 8:28)

Forgiveness of sins. (Mark 16:16)

To give us peace that transcends all human understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me on something that I often forget: about how I can count on everything You have promised. Though it may be difficult at times for me to see or even understand how things are accomplished, but I will trust and believe in You Lord to make it so! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

God is a God of His word. Whatever He says, "it was so"... it comes to past. No wonder the bible tells us, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37).

I find it very difficult to accept uncertain answers from people too. When they are uncertain, I will rather treat their answer as 'No'. People who are vague in their answers seem to be thinking that they can have a 'back door' when they cannot fulfill their promise. What they don't know is that they are making the other person stressful. When they finally decide to say 'Yes', the other person might have already given up hope.


Dear Lord,
Thank You that You are always certain in Your answers and not vague. Let mine 'yes' be yes, and mine 'no' be no, just like Yours. Let me be known as someone who is reliable and keep her words, just like You do.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

A Bad Day?

Psalm 118:15-24

15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!

16 The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"

17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.

21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.

22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;

23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.


Bee's Thoughts:

I tend to be able to identify myself with King David's Psalms most of the time. The above Psalm sounds like my life. It speaks of King David's near death, and how God delivered him from it (v17). It also speaks of God's dealing with his life (v18) to mould him to become a man after God's heart. In spite of the things he had gone through he said, "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (v24)

I have so much to learn from King David's life... his heart toward's God, attitude, repenting spirit, justice, thankfulness, faith, joy, loyalty, forgiveness, love and many more.

Yes, I should rejoice in the Lord always... yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the days to come. For God makes the days new for me.


Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your loving kindness never cease and Your compassion never fail, they are new every morning. Therefore, I can rejoice in You daily no matter what suituation I encounter. May Your joy in me be contagious to those around me, that they may experience Your joy too.

In Jesus' name I ask these. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Whenever bad things happen, situations gone out of hand or didn’t go the way I have planned, I’m quick to complain, feeling uneasy and restless. With my impatient attitude, I will either move ahead knowing God has asked me to wait or fell into self-pity and condemnation. I questioned God with “whys” on all my unanswered prayers. I wondered why I’m in such a situation while others are not. Why can’t my problems be solved now? Why I have to wait? Why I have to go through all these?

There’s nothing wrong voicing our thoughts and feelings to God. In fact, we have to be honest and tell Him everything our hearts truly feel. God knows us very well and He can take all our grumblings. But, instead of falling into self-pity or condemnation, we need to be like the psalmists, ending their prayers in praise to God.

Dear Lord, I know a lot of times You are working in the background; preparing something better for me in the future. I confess that too often I took them in the negative way, thinking you’re stopping me from getting what I want and deserve now. Forgive me also Lord for being so discontented at times, not being glad and thankful for what You have already given to me.

Lord, I trust You to know what’s best for me and I will follow Your timing in everything I do. I’ll obey You Lord each and everyday I live. Thank You for giving me a reason to rejoice everyday; to live and to serve You. AMEN!

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

Lead Them To Jesus

1 Corinthians 3:4-8

4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men?

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

Bee's Thoughts:

Whatever we do will not be fruitful unless God causes it bear fruits. Time and again this message is repeated that without God being in it, whatever we strive to achieve (career, relationship, wealth, even spiritual works) will not prosper.

Dear Lord,
May Your name be exalted in whatever I do. I commit everything I do into Your hand... be it my work, relationship, service, etc. I know that unless You bless them, all these will go down the drain. Thank You for today's message, Lord.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

We are one body in Christ with Christ as our living Head. As a member of the body of Christ, each one of us has our own special gifts and abilities to perform specific roles, working hand in hand as a team member with other believers. We might be gifted with the ability to preach, to minister to others, to lead a congregation in worship, to work as missionary in other places, to run social concern initiatives etc. But in God’s eyes we are all equal; there is no one greater than the other; only God himself is greatest and all-powerful.

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me about my gift in serving Your people and to focus only on Christ and not people. Lord, I will give You my best these coming months in all the tasks given to me in the schedule. But Lord at the same time, help me not to seek praise and approval from others; having any wrong or worthless desires to receive glory for what I will do. Instead, help me to focus into guiding Your people towards You; bringing glory and honor to Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

In Defense Of Life

1 John 3:10-23

10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Love one another
11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer" (v15). That's serious! What did John mean by that?

John gave the example on how Cain hated his brother, Abel, and then ended up murdering him. The seeds of hatred and unforgivingness in our hearts are tools used my the devil to cause strife and even murders amongst fellow humans.

As children of God not only we shouldn't hate our brothers, instead, we should love to the extent of willing to "lay down our lives for our brothers". This is true love "with actions and in truth". This is a self-sacrificing love.

Isn't that a tall order? I think so, since it refers to "our brothers (all born-again Christians, not just our loved ones). If we can't even love to that extend for those close to us, how can we talk about loving just another Christian whom we don't know? Yet, that's a command from God.

We know that God will never ask us to do something we can't do. Therefore, when He commands us to love in that way, I believe He will give us that kind of agape love to do it when the time comes. On our part, perhaps we need to practice agape love on the few who are close to us first, and extend the love to more and more Christians each day as we allow God's love to fill our heart.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder today that agape love is what You require from me. You are love. By letting You live in me is by letting love dwells in me too. I have the power to love in the way You want me to because You lives in my heart.

Yes, "love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8). Thank You for helping me to forgive those who have hurt me and still love them with Your love, if they allow me to... I can't force anyone to accept such love. I pray that they too will let Your love flows thorugh.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love One Another


Tommy's Thoughts:

Christianity is a religion of the heart; it deals deep into the core and crust of a person. We can comply perfectly to set of rules of good, upright outward appearance and conducts; but inside we might be rotten to the core with hate, anger and bitterness against others. Those who hate his brothers are called the children of the devil, a ‘murderer’ at heart. It’s impossible to say we love God, claiming to be the children of God but yet hating others.

When we are born again, we receive a new minds and hearts. Our mind will also be renewed by the Holy Spirit when we submit our self to God everyday (Romans 12:2).
We can then love others not only through words or feeling, but in action. We can also change our attitude towards those we dislike by treating them with respect, sincerely concern of their well-being; whether or not we feel affection toward them.

I used to feel guilty of not doing enough to show proper love to God and not loving others as I should. My conscience constantly accuses and condemns me on things I might be doing wrongly or selfishly. Do I love Christ enough in the right way? Now, I know by obeying His commands, setting my heart on His love and loving others with actions and in truth, I will hear His voice of assurance whispering into my heart.

Dear Lord, thank You for teaching me again today on other-centeredness; loving and putting other first instead of myself. I confess that at time I forget to think of the needs and desires of others, like a brother in church today. Forgive me, Father that I didn’t think of their needs, which sometime I can easily give. Help me Lord in future to be aware of this and of Your words today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy

The World Without

Matthew 23:13-23

13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

15 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

16 "Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it.

23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former

Bee's Thoughts:

I have heard that Christianity is not a religion. Why isn't it so? A religion is men looking for God to find their way to heaven by doing good works. Whereas, in Christianity, it is God looking for men to bring them to heaven because no good work can save them; it's God becoming a man to die on behalf of men for their sins.

I won't debate on that term, but it's also true that some Christians do unconsciously treat their faith as a religion, thinking that all their services to God can bring about salvation. I guess the difference is whether in what we do brings life and growth to ourselves and others. Even reading the bible or doing devotion can become a routine with no life if one isn't careful.

My friend's question to me this afternoon made me pondered hard. She asked me, "What is the difference that makes the difference?" - referring to my change of attitude that leads to a more contented and happy me, and therefore enables me to make some progress in my career and financial health compared to how I felt last year.

My reply was, "My 3 months of devotion time with God, letting His words encourage and transform me."

Yes, when my inner world is transformed it will lead to the transformation of my outer world. I see that change in me very clearly... which can also be seen and felt in how I relate with my colleagues at my new work place... "justice, mercy and faithfulness". I surprised myself at my own change actually. I hope I can be a good change agent and manager at my place of work; I hope to see good progress in the change I intend to make for my school by end of next month.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for the change You have made in my inner world. Thank You that this change has resulted in the change in my outer world in how I relate with my colleagues and people I know. I pray that my devotion time with You will continue so You can transform me daily. Let it never ever become just a mere religious practice or routine.

I pray that I will be a shinning light at my work place, so that my colleagues will see the difference between me and my predecessors. May your justice, mercy and faithfulness be seen through me.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

The Purpose Driven Life, wrote: “The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship”.

Christianity is never about a self-centered goal to achieve personal enlightenment or perfection but about living with, ministering to and touching the lives of others; sometime even difficult peoples. Too often we look at the elements of the Christian life, like discipleship, as a journey primarily being concerned only with us, what we are “becoming".

Although it’s necessary for us to cultivate that inner life, our “becoming”, but it should never be the only important or significant part of our journey. We shouldn’t forget about those around us who needs our attention. We must also not lose sight of God and His true commands and teachings because of our overemphasis and focus on improving our own self and solving our personal problems. When we look at the Great Commission, we’ll understand clearly what our obligations are to others:

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Dear Lord, I confess that at times I have turned deaf and blind to those around me who needs my help and encouragement. My mind was so focused on solving my personal problems that I have neglected others. Help me O Lord to be always aware of this; to be other-centered like Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

.......the devotion of Bee & Tommy