Learning To Walk

Hosea 11:1-4

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 [a] 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.

Bee's Thoughts:

As I read the above verses, I felt God telling me,

"When Bee was a child, I loved her...
It was I who taught her to walk, taking her by the arms...
it was I who healed her.
I led her with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from her neck
and bent down to feed her."

I felt so touched. Yes, God did all those for me. Without Him, I don't know what I would have become. Praise be to God.

There are still many things God wants to show me and wants me to trust and obey... be it at work, home, or relationship with others. I shouldn't take things in my own hands, but to pray and let Him lead me.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for all You have done in my life. I can't thank You enough. I pray You will give me strength to do what is right in Your sight. Help me when I am weak, pick me up when I fall. Teach me what it means to love You with all my heart, with my soul, and with all my might. Teach me also to know the full meaning of Agape love, that I may learn to love in that way.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

There are times we have problem knowing why we are sad and down; finding it hard to have any reason to be happy. Somehow, we can’t pinpoint the causes, we feel trapped in an endless loop of pain and sorrow. God sometimes does allow us to go through these difficult situations to open our eyes on our ‘sicknesses’; to be able to know and discern our condition and which area of our lives that need the healing from Jesus, our greatest physician.

Like a caring parent, God guide us through these situations and teach us along the way so we will not repeat the same mistake again or being blocked to receive the full blessings God intended for us. Only God is able to show to us this ‘sickness’ deep within us, that at times we do not even realize it our selves. And He has promised to restore and heal those who come and submit to Him humbly, acknowledging that they need God for their healing.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for answering my prayers and healed me when I cried out to You. Thank You that You show me the way through people and the things they said. I’ll praise You and remember Your wonderful work in me through everyday of my life here. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Common Ground

Acts 17:22-31

22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

29"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Bee's Thoughts:

• The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
• You have power over your mind—not outside events.
• Your life is what your thoughts make it.
- Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome from AD 161 to 180.

I have been pretty happy the last few months... I was carefree, just enjoying my work and don't think too much about other things, including relationship. However, I felt very disturbed this morning when I thought about what happened last night. I lost my joy. :(

The above quotations are so true. They echoe what Proverbs 23:7 says, “As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Tonight's devotion reminds us how we may use something common in our daily life to share the gospel or encourage fellow believers. This is the principle of using simple or common analogies to bring about understanding in abstract concepts, e.g. the explanation of the Trinity. That's why Jesus like to use parables.


Dear Lord,
I pray tonight that you will teach me to think of "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Philippians 4:8).
Let me be able to share all these things with others.
Let me not be a stumbling block to anyone. If I have please forgive me.

I also pray that my "bf" will feel free to receive and give love to his soulmate whom you have prepared for him. I pray you will open his eyes to see and to know it when You have sent her to him or him to her. May Your peace rules his heart even now.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

As Christians, we all love and desire to share the Good News to others we know but often find it hard to figure out a good way point of entry to share the message. We fear others might not understand what we say, reject and even criticize us in return.

In today’s passage, Paul who was well-known for his skill in communicating and presenting his beliefs clearly and effectively, begin sharing the gospel by first using examples others understood, and then establishing a common ground to what others agreed on about God, and finally move others toward a clear decision about Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me a better way to share the Good News to others. Give me the desire to seek and to know more of Your Word each day, how they can be applied in life; so that I may be prepared to share the gospel more effectively to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

“There’s Heaven”

Revelation 22:1-5

The River of Life
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Bee's Thoughts:

I always feel comforted whenever I read the Book of Revelation. It spells hope, eternal happiness and joy... no more tear or sorrow. Whenever I think about heaven, I wish I am there instantly and all my negative feelings seem to matter nothing to me anymore. Some call this negative, but I feel it's positive, 'cos I am 'ready' to go to my eternal home. On the contrary, most people don't wish to leave their earthly home and cling on to their earthly possessions instead.

In tonight's passage, we see that for Christians, God's life will flow to us and He will be our Light. We shall have everything that we need. Even though I may not fully understand the meaning of the passage but I know it's something very good God wants us to have.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your salvation and our future hope of glory, and life with You. Whenever I think about it I just want to be there. I pray that You will give me strength to accomplish Your purpose while I am still on earth. Help me to continue to spread the good news to those I come into contact with. May these come to know and accept You soon.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes, through conversations with people and also observing the world around me, I catch a glimpse of how heaven will be like. There’re things we do today that reflects the imperfections of some of the man-made system in this fallen world.

Deep inside, we long for a place that can provides us something better; with true and lasting love, peace and joy; no more sin, sorrows and tears or the fear of being hurt, going through pain, suffering, and worries. And, everyone live in perfect harmony; no lies, mistrust, or hatred. Heaven.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me glimpses of heaven through things I see in this world. Teach me to see my life as a test and also an opportunity to prepare me for something better, with eternal blessings and a fullness of life when I believe and submit my life to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Something Money Can't Buy

Isaiah 55:1-7

Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Bee's Thoughts:

Money is important, yet it can't buy certain things in life. It can't buy...
true love and friendship
happiness
health
salvation, etc

Today, I heard a speaker shared a little about end-time. He said that we are born to die, so when the end of the earth comes, it doesn't matter to those who are in Christ. But what matters is how we live now. Do we waste away our lives in earning more money or perishable pursuit? Or do we spend time sowing seeds that will last for eternity?

In the above passage, God invites us to go and receive from Him the best gift for free. He wants to give us living water, which after drinking we will not thirst again. We need to always go to God for this refreshing water.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your living water that You freely give. May I drink and share it with others around me too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s true a lot of us focus solely daily in pursuing earthly treasures and goals that we starve our selves spiritually by hardly nourish our souls with our Daily Bread. God offers us free, lasting nourishment that satisfy our deepest need. All we have to do is to go to Him (v1), listen to Him (v2), seeking and call on Him (v6).

Dear Father, thank You for Your patience and faithfulness. Teach me not to forget or neglect my time with You; to come to You with a listening ears and heart and to put You first above all other things. Keep me close to You and renew me each day with joyful obedience. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Behave Appropriately

Ephesians 6:1-9

Children and Parents
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a] 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Bee's Thoughts:

We are told to behave appropriately to the people we are dealing with, be it children and parents or bosses and subordinates. We are to treat each other fairly and in the love of God. Having a right and good relationship with each other is very important in the Christians' lives.

My boss always says that he may not respect his boss for his inability, but he will respect him for his position. This sounds right and inline with tonight's devotion. I need to learn to do likewise.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me how I should behave with my bosses and my junior colleagues. May You teach me to accord respect to those in authority even if I don't find them competent in those positions. Grant me Your grace to obey Your teaching.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

In every forms of relationship; either between parent and children, husband and wife, friends etc, it will only work if both party submit to another with thoughtfulness and love; putting the others’ interests above our own. We have a responsibility to each other, like how children should honour their parent and how parents should care gently for their children.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me the importance of a caring and loving relationship with those I know. Teach me to be less self-centered and self-serving in any relationships that I may have, but sincerely honors, respects, and serving each other; showing my true faith in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Between Sundays

Colossians 3:22-25

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Bee's Thoughts:

Blogger seems to have some problems.... a number of times, after I saved my drafts, they were no where to be found when I checked them and I have retype everything. :(

Anyway, tonight's devotion is a reminder that I have do as unto God in everyting, obeying authorities at my working place and speak with wisdom with them. Matthew 5:16 says we are to let our light shines before men, that they may know our father in Heaven.

Dear Lord,
I pray that You will guide me in dealing with my colleagues and the parents in our centres. May my light shines so that others may know You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

I used to wonder why God has planned it in such a way that most of us spend big portion of our times daily on works and other mundane and repetitive activities. In his book “The Will of God as a Way of Life” author Jerry Sittser explained that God is concerned more with the dailyness of our lives, the ordinary concerns that come at us every day than with those big ‘events’ or even the future.

No matter how mundane and ordinary we think our lives and vocations may be, we’ll discover that we are given similar, if not, more opportunities than those working in full-time ministry to share and spread the good news of salvation to others.

In today’s passage, similarly to 1 Peter 2:18, we were asked to submit, obey and serve those who rule over us (employer) by working diligently with and all our heart (v22); in reverence for the Lord. Through this, we’ll able to see the purpose for our vocations; we’ll know by serving our “earthly master”, we are in fact serving our Lord.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to work diligently at my workplace all the time. Teach me to be trustworthy, responsible, reliable and dependable with all those I work or in contact with daily, that I may be a good witness for Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

First Things First

Luke 10:38-42

At the Home of Martha and Mary
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Bee's Thoughts:

"Bee, Bee," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

It seems the Lord is saying that to me. *sigh*

I have been so distracted by the problems with my computers that I delayed doing my devotion tonight. I forgot to ask Him to resolve the problems with me. :(

I need to come before the Lord, like Mary did, asking Him to speak to my heart and teach me how to do things His ways.


Dear Lord,
I thank You again for reminding me to be still and know that You are the Lord. Forgive me for being so ditracted by the tasks at hand that I give You last priority. Help me to always do the first thing first... to seek You above other things.
Thank You for helping me restore my computers even though I have forgotten about You. Thank You for being faithful even when I am not.
Praise You! Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

It’s possible for us to shove our time for God to the very last thing we do daily when we are busy with our works and schedules. Our worship degenerates from being a time to listen to God into mere ‘chore’ or ‘routine’ to be completed daily. Worst, we can even become indifferent to God and turn deaf to His calling and spiritual instruction to us.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to prioritize my time well; to set what most important first. Thank You for Your strength and presence when things are tough and difficult at times; that I have to do so much in so little time. Nevertheless, guide me to not fail in spending time with You through devotion and prayers daily, listening closely to You and Your calling. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Peaceful Anxiety

Philippians 4:4-13 3

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Bee's Thoughts:

Tonight's devotion is a very good reminder to me. Not only there has been some obstacles I am facing at my work, but my laptops also have been giving me problems since last Sat.

During times like these I may forget to bring my concerns to God, instead try very hard to solve them by myself. I may forget to give thanks in everything, including things that bother me.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me not to be anxious in anything but to pray and give thanks to You always. For You are greater than my problems.
Now I commit my work and my computers to Your hand. I pray You will guide me to do what is right to accomplish the works I need to do. Yes, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. May Your name be glorified.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Our failures to obey God and continue living in sin are normally caused by an empty and discontented heart within us. We find life is so unfair and there’s no reason for rejoicing. When overwhelmed by our unpleasant circumstances, we’ll find it hard to trust and rely on God’s promises to supply all our needs.

We can learn a lot from Paul, on how he told the church to rejoice even when he himself was in prison. Our true joy in Christ doesn’t depends on our outward circumstances, but based on the right perspective that God is in control and that He knows what best for us. We are assured that He will always be with us; giving us strength to endure and true lasting joy one day.

Dear Father, thank You for Your words that remind me of the joy I should have in You. Teach me to be contented; whether living in plenty or in want (v12). Lord, I pray that You’ll guide me to practice filling my mind always with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy to You (v8) and staying away from any unwholesome thoughts or materials that I may have. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

The Last Word

John 11:17-27

Jesus Comforts the Sisters
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Bee's Thoughts:

Martha seems to be the more "talkative" one and is always ready to give answers to the questions asked. Yet her answers seems to be off track from the question. Is that a sign of inability to listen carefully?

James 1: 19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry". When we don't listen carefully there is a tendency to speak to fast or get angry too fast. WE need to learn from Mary's example of listening to Jesus, instead of speaking too fast like Martha.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder again that I have to learn to listen more than I speak. In my working place, help me to also listen carefully before I give my answers so I won't say the wrong thing.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen




Tommy's Thoughts:

When we’ve truly realize how powerful Jesus really is, the Creator of Life (John 14:6) and how wonderful His offer of an eternal life for us, we will surely have no hesitation to commit everything to Him!

Jesus wants us to be like Martha, with her deep and unwavering faith, that supplies her with hope, assurance and certainty during difficult time.

Dear Father, thank You for keeping my eyes focuses unto Jesus when life is hard for me to bear. Thank You for Jesus that I do have to journey through this life alone, or to carry my burdens alone.

Lord, I pray for your guidance and leading in tomorrow prayer session in my church. Prepare my heart ready to serve Your people. Protect and safeguard me from all distraction and hindrances. In Jesus’ precious Name I pray, Amen.

Persecution That Backfired

1 Peter 2:18-25

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Bee's Thoughts:

It is normal for us to respect and submit to our bosses who are good and considerate. But to do so to those who are harsh is not an easy thing to do.

I have learnt something my boss' philosophy in office politics. He may respect his boss or a person in senior position for his position in the organization but not his person or qualification. That's something I find hard to do, as I can't respect if that person is not fitted to be in or earn his right to a certain position. But now the bible says I have to submit regardless.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for tonight's devotion that remind me to submit to authority. Help me to obey You Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen



Tommy's Thoughts:

God put us in certain place at certain time for a purpose. It can be in our workplace where we are working for an employer. Like what described by Peter in today’s passage, we are encouraged to be loyal by submitting to our employers, whether they are considerate or harsh.

This doesn’t mean we should be door mat to be exploited by others, but to handle each situation with patience, calmness and prayers to God for wisdom; having confidence that God is in control of our situations. By doing so, not only we can save our selves from unnecessary conflict but also may win others to Christ by our good example.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me again that You have called me to be the light and salt of the world. Teach me to be a good witness of Christ through all my words and action, that I may fulfill the responsibility You’ve entrusted me in this world In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Refuge Needed

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Bee's Thoughts:

Keeping away from sinning requires personal will (v3). We need to be conscious about it through the help of the Holy Spirit. With that comes the assurance of answered prayers (v6). Then can we request "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." (v8). This is the secret of Christian living.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to becareful with the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, that they may be acceptable in Your sight. That You may answer my prayers and keep me as the apple of Your eyes.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

We can get so troubled with our problem that we become restless and unable to concentrate in listening to others and to God. Instead of planning our ways and clever ideas to tackle our problems, we need to pray to God first.

By praying to God, He will not only supply us with His wisdom, protection and solution, but also ensures things happen accordingly, even unexpectedly at times, for good. Like David, his certainty that God will answer His prayer is solely based on his continual seeking after God and the close relationship he has with Him.

Dear Father, thank You for knowing what I need most and answering my prayers today. Thank You for Your guidance that has led me to do what is right. Teach me to continue seeking You even more each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Righteousness

Isaiah 61:10-11

10 I delight greatly in the LORD;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

Bee's Thoughts:

Only the Lord can help us grow spiritually when we allow His Holy Spirit to fill us, read His word and pray daily. This can only happen when we learn to "delight greatly in the Lord" (v10).

Dear Lord,
I pray that I will truly delight in You and love You with all my heart. I pray that my devotion time with You will not become a mere routine. I pray that my prayer sessions are my true desire to commune with You. May I be a blessing to the one You sent to me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Whenever we are tempted to feel how much lacking our righteousness compares to other believers and how ashamed we are about our inclination toward sinful thoughts, words, and deeds, God asks us to go to Him first. If we are sincere, God will change our heart if we allow Him to. He’ll make us anew in our walk again and restore us back into joyful obedience

After making the first step to God, we need the constant rejuvenation and growth by seeking Him daily through His Word, devotion, worship, quiet times, fellowship with other believers and most importantly prayers. So, start walking with Him now and we’ll soon see that righteousness is not such a hard thing to be attained and maintained after all.

Dear Father, thank You again for your reminder to walk my talk. Teach and guide my every way to be blameless and pleasing to You, glorifying Your name in this world. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Is He Listening?

Matthew 26:39-42; 27:45-46

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."


The Death of Jesus
45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[

Bee's Thoughts:

It is never easy to say, "not as I will, but as you will" (v39) or "if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (v42).

Even though the Lord Jesus prayed that prayer, but when He was finally separated from His Father He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We can feel His agony of having to be separated from the One He loved.

Can we imagine the pain of having to leave someone we love very much? It's a very difficult decision to make, indeed. Yet Jesus did that. He did that for two reasons:
1. to obey the One He loved
2. because He loved us and that's the only way to save us

Dear Lord,
Thank You for loving us so much that while we were yet sinners You died for us. Thank You for teaching me the lesson on obedience and love. When I know what You want me to do let me be willing to say, "not as I will, but as you will" eve if it is painful. For You know what's best for me and for our eternal purpose.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen



Tommy's Thoughts:

Peter’s drowsiness gives us a good example of why God want us to be always watchful for the possibilities of temptation. Our failures to heed and defend ourselves from temptation attack, is often caused by our lack of alertness and prayers, allowing the enemy to seep in when we least expected. Temptation strikes where and when we are most vulnerable.

Prayer is our single most powerful weapon to fight temptation. It fortifies our defenses and gives us to discernment on the subtleties of our enemy tactics and be spiritually equipped to fight them effectively.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me to pay more attention to prayer. Thank You for teaching me to spend quiet times with You daily; to receive Your strength to help me defeat Satan’s power.

Though I do not yet know all the good plans You has set before me, teach me to trust You on that and always willing to submit to You. Lord, change me to be like Jesus and be able to learn to say “Yet not as I will, but as You will” in times of struggle and difficulties. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray, Amen.

Bee's 10th Month of Devotion

This is a very special month. It seems our nightly devotions together help brings forth fruit. The fruit of commitment to run the race together, to love and to hold. I wish it will last...


.......the thoughts of Bee

Sacrifice

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Bee's Thoughts:
I do not know what to say to the Lord when I read tonight's passage. It's the pray of King David, which is also my prayer too.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

That's exactly how I prayed one year ago during my times of distress. I asked the Lord to give me a new heart. I knew that He will not forsake me as I cried out to Him.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for delivering me from my distress. Tonight I still want to pray the same prayer to You. I asked that You hear me one more time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

We sometimes feel stagnant in our faith, we feel weary and discouraged over our constant struggle to stay away from sin but fail. We shy away from God because of our iniquity (v2) and the hopelessness we see in our selves; we may even doubt whether God will ever be able to continue forgiving us again and again. We feel we are so distant from God.

Instead of distancing ourselves further, we need to be like David who cried out to God in true repentance and asking God to restore the joy of his salvation (v12). God do not want us to sin because He knows all sins bring hurt and pain to us and also others. It is impossible to have a close and intimate relationship with God if we still have sin that remains unconfessed.

Although God does not always erase the consequences of our sin but He will restore us to a relationship to Him, cleansing us from within (v7) and filling our hearts and spirits for new thoughts and desires.

Dear Father, forgive me for not keeping to Your commands and often pay more attention to please myself rather than You. Teach me not to take Your forgiveness for granted knowing sinning is against You and Your way of living.

Lord, I pray You will guide me to walk ever closely with You daily, treasuring the joy of my relationship with You and sharing them to those who need Your forgiveness and reconciliation. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Love & Respect

Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[b] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Bee's Thoughts:

Wives are to"submit" (v22) and "respect" (v33) their husbands. Submission is non-voluntary action while respect is voluntary action. Submission is based on authority bestowed while respect has to be earned.

When husbands truly love their wives, it's natural for their wives to respect them. Love involves the husbands' willingness to give themselves or their rights to their wives (v25).

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-17

When we compare verses in Ephesians 5 and John 15, we can see that husbands and wives should be the best of friends after all. True friendship and love are non separable.


Dear Lord,
You desire that friendship, love and respect be found not only between husbands and wives but also between true friends. For relationship, friendship and love will not past away when we meet You one day. Help me to cultivate such things that will last. May my life be a blessing to someone today.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Nothing makes children sadder than seeing their own parent quarreling, yelling at each others with harsh and abusive words. It takes both husband and wife to have a strong relationship with Christ, which this will not happen in a family.

As explained by Paul in today’s passage, the Biblical ideal for marriage is when both partners submit to each others by choice and with love, care and respect. Instead of always pointing at the flaws and weaknesses of our partners and being envious of others, Paul teaches us to make every effort to protect and preserve the precious relationship and harmony in our family, through love and self-sacrificing care.

Dear Father, thank You Father for teaching me the meaning of having a servant’s heart, caring and show respect for others. Thank You for molding me to be a better person, an other-centered person that concerns for the happiness of others instead of only my own.

Lord, I pray that You will guide me to be more willing in putting aside my own interests in order to truly love, serve and care for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

God had planned something better

Hebrews 11:32-40

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[a]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Bee's Thoughts:

Sometimes Christians who serve God whole heartedly may also face calamity and suffer just like non-believers do. In times like these, there is a tendency to complain or even to give up one's faith in Christ. However, we are told tonight that "God had planned something better for us" (v40). "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Today, I had 2 chances to share God's word and purpose with 2 candidates for our Teacher position. I explained the way to Christ's salvation to one of them who was so moved that her eyes were brimming with tears. I shared with another about how God will open a way for him to find job when he honour God and trust in Him. Thank God that I can be a blessing to others in the course of my work. Perhaps that's the reason why God put me in where I am.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your word that reminds me of Your plan even when I don't understand Your plan.
Thank You that I could encourage others in the course of my work.
I pray for the candidates whom I had shared with that You will guide and lead them to experience more of You and Your purpose in their lives.
I pray You will help me find the right people to fill those job vacancies soon.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen,


Tommy's Thoughts:

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we will be exempted from any pain and suffering. As sin is intertwined in the reality of our lives and others, we should expect to face obstacles and mishaps resulted from it. But the different is that we know that God is in control and He has promised never to leave us but to always be with us, giving us strength and power to endure and be renewed each day (Matthew 28:18-20).

We can also take comfort in knowing that Jesus Himself has suffered and that He will intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7:24-25). Though our circumstances may not be improving or change for better at the moment, we still can trust and be assured confidently in God’s promises to make things right in His time and way.

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and promises You’ve given to me. Thank You for Your strength and grace that has been keeping me going. Teach me to submit and surrender my all to You, listening and obeying Your commands and continue walking in Your path. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

God Fights Against Us

Joel 2:12-17

Rend Your Heart
12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

13 Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the LORD your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.

16 Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.

17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD,
weep between the temple porch and the altar.
Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?' "

Bee's Thoughts:

"return to me with all your heart" (v13).

The Lord demands ALL our heart, not just a portion of it....

As I look into my heart,
I saw a number of things:
People I love so much
And all my heart's longings.

Where is my dear Lord?
Are You even here?
He is by the wall
Waiting for me to come near.

I am sorry my dear Lord,
Now take all my heart.
Take all I have got
Let me have a new start.

- Your child Bee

Tommy's Thoughts:

My church’s speaker told a story about a Christian who complained to God for not punishing those unbelieving bad people swiftly but allowing them to flourish and prosper. He argued how unfair for God to bring hardship and suffering to him instead.

Then, God answered him by saying the suffering he’s going through now is like God gently and delicately pruning all those twigs in him with a sharp scissor. And He does that while holding him lovingly in His caring arm.

But for those disobeying bad people that does not remain in Him, He will be chopping off them like a dying branch with a big axe and thrown into the fire and be burned! (John 15:6)

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to remain in You even as the going get tough. Teach me not to hold back from turning to You completely. Guide me to surrender all my needs, worries and concerns to You, trusting You to take care of all of them.

Thank You O Wonderful and Loving God,
In You, I find true rest, peace and love,
Because of You I discover truths,
And You alone, I desire more than everything.

In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

Love In Action

1 John 3:10-24

10This 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
11This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do 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. 13Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

16This 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. 17If 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? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Bee's Thoughts:

A simple act of caring is a powerful expression of God’s compassion in our troubled world. The apostle John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Is there some “washing” you can do today? —David C. McCasland

Love is not just a feeling... it must be accompanied with actions (v17). For feeling fades but love stays even when feeling goes away.

Sometimes we may ask ourselves why we constantly do something nice only for a certain person which we don't do for others. We know that this person is special to us, but we don't know why he/she is so special. We may not have any romantic feeling for this person, but isn't that love in action? On the contrary, we may have strong feeling for another yet what we do to him/her may be only for our selfish desire.

The world's definition of love is very confusing. But God's definition of love is that we should be able to lay down our live for someone we claim to love (v16).


Dear Lord,
Teach me Your way of love. Teach me to be willing to lay down my life for the one I love, just like You did for me. Teach me to love in purity with actions. Teach me to love...
Amen.

Tommy's Thoughts:

Christian love is not only an action but a choice. We can choose to be concerned with other’s well-being, helping them in their needs and treating them with respect, whether or not we feel affection for them. We can choose to put other’s desires first rather than ours; serving them selflessly without expecting anything in return.

When we make the conscious effort to choose to love others, God will teach us in expressing that love.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me again about the meaning of your version of love and the sacrificial giving to those in need. Lead me always to set my heart on Your love and to learn loving others the right way. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tensile Strength

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Bee's Thoughts:

Each one of us have our own "thorn in the flesh", something that is there to keep us humble and relying on God.

I used to prayed a number of times for God to remove the "thorns in my flesh" like Paul did. However, each time I heard God speaking to my heart, "My grace is sufficient for you". That was very reassuring and comforting. Each time I thought I would give way, but each time God sustained me. His word is always true.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your grace is always sufficient for me. Thank You that at times I thought I couldn't bear anymore, yet You came to support me and see me through. Praise You for Your strength. In times of testing I pray that You will help me not to fall. Keep me pure in You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen


Tommy's Thoughts:

While at the prayer retreat, I saw many of my church’s members in tears during a prayer session. I can see there’re all kinds of hurt and pain beneath those friendly and cheerful faces I saw every Sunday. It’s humility to admit their weaknesses that made them to turn, submit and rely on God, affirming His strength, acknowledging only God can heals and comforts their pain and to provide all the deepest needs in their heart.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me of the need to be in constant contact with You, to seek and rely on You instead on my own energy and effort alone. I pray that You’ll fill me with Your strength and power when I’m weak, making me stronger than I could ever be on my own. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.