Peace In The Storm

Isaiah 26:1-4

A Song of Praise
1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
God makes salvation
its walls and ramparts.

2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.

3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.

4 Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Bee's Thoughts:

Our mind determines many things. It determines our mood. When a person's mind is unstable, he/she is said to be of unsound mind and can do many things that are not normal.

In the above passage, we see that to have a peaceful mind, one needs to to be "steadfast" or firm in trusting God. In spite of our circumstances, we need to just trust God, and that's where His peace will reside in our hearts.

Dear Lord,
I pray that my mind will always be set on You, so that I can experience Your peace in all circumstances.
In Jesus' name I pray.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Problems, stress and anxieties in our everyday lives can easily overwhelm and pull us down; taking away both the peace and joy in our hearts. It may be a simple phone call or news we heard from someone, we become fearful, perplexed and troubled; we then find it hard to concentrate on other things.

If we were to constantly exhibit the above attitudes; easily affected and shaken by our surrounding chaos, we might have yet to devote and yield our selves entirely to God. For if we have devoted to Him, our whole attitude will be steady and stable because we know we are supported firmly by God’s peace, unchanging love and mighty power.

Remember this great promise God has made with us in Philippians 4:6-7:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dear Father, thank You for Your teaching and Your peace for me today. Teach me Lord to be stable and steady always in spite of the situation at hand. Lord, guide me to fix my mind on You and trusting You to help me with problems and worries through prayers. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Gratitude

Romans 16:1-16

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant[a] of the church in Cenchrea. 2I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

Bee's Thoughts:

I found some interesting explanations on "holy kiss" in wikipedia and in Bible Truth Outline #9. Whatever that meant to be, it conveys the message that Christians are to love one another in purity of heart. They are to show gratitude to those who have blessed or helped them in one way or another.

All the more we need to show our gratitude to the Lord for what He had done for us and still do.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for all You have done for me. Thank You for the people You placed in my life too. May You bless those who have shown kindness to me, Your child, and let me not take their kindness for granted.
In Jesus' name I give thanks. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

We can get rather unappreciative at times to those who has helped and made important differences in our lives. Not only we forget giving thanks to them, we forget altogether about them and even the things they have done for us.

We should be like Paul in today’s passage, to take time to think of and thank those people who helped and encouraged us through life. We should then go out and show our gratitude to them through words and action.

Dear Father, thank You for bringing so many wonderful people into my life; people that has made important changes and impact in my life. Without them, I would have not been the person I am today.

Lord, teach me to have a grateful heart always; to appreciate and remember what others had done for me and to reach out to them with similar kindness and compassion. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

God Put You In My Way

Luke 10:30-37

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

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

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

Bee's Thoughts:

I like the title of tonight's devotion, "God Put You In My Way". God has put so many people in my way since I made my first cry in the world. Just like what I wrote in my poem, "Memories":

I remember the people I met
Those who made me sad and those who made me glad
How should I feel or what shall I say
They have all played a part
In making what I am today

- Bee (13 November 2003)

Some people have sweetened my life
Some people have made me cry
Some do both till the day I die

God has put you in my way
Be it temporal or here to stay
You are still my neighbour today

- Bee


Dear Lord,
Thank You for those You have put in my way. You have Your reasons for them to cross my paths. Be it to teach me or them something, I pray I can bless them with Your love. Though I may not fully know Your purpose of letting us meet, I pray that I will be a good neighbour to them. Thank You once again.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.




Tommy's Thoughts:

If we were to look closely, we can often find similar ‘wounded man’ around us. In this story, Jesus not only teaches what attitude He wanted us to have when confronting the needs of others, but also the various unloving and unkind attitudes we often have.

Are we like the expert of law, who see those in needs merely as interesting subjects of discussion? Or, are we like the religious men, seeing the man as a problem to avoid? Or, are we like the robbers, who instead of helping, we use and exploit those in dire needs?

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to help, comfort, care and also to show Christ’s love to those in needs around me. Forgive me Lord for my self-centered and indifference attitude; focusing only on my own concerns. I pray You will guide and lead me to use every opportunities in the future to act with love to meet those in needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Tapping The Treasure

Psalm 119:14-24

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

15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bee's Thoughts:

King David is called the man after God's own heart. We can see from the above passage how he is so passionate about God's word. The the strong words used in describing how he felt about God's word.

rejoices (v14)
meditate (v15)
consider (v15)
delight (v16)
longing (v20)

To King David, God's word is like treasure which we can only see when God open our spiritual eyes to see.


Dear Lord,
May I have the same hunger and thirst for Your wordlike King David had. Open my eyesto see the wondrous things in Your word.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes, our lives here on earth can be quite intimidating when we have to make all kinds of decision, to discern all the rights from the wrongs and to know what is best for us. Things are not always clear, it’s easy to find our selves stumbled and caught in unnecessary problems through mistakes we made.

Like a traveler in a new town, we can get lost easily by wandering aimlessly without a good map or guide. The Bible is this map and guide while we are here on earth. It guides us to safe routes, obstacles to avoid, traps to evade; leading us safely to our final destination.

Every lesson we want to learn about life is IN the Bible! If we earnestly read and study God’s guides for us, we’ll know and understand the rich, abundant life God has promised to if we would to follow His path and avoiding those that lead to destruction.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me again to seek and understand You Word deeper. I pray You will guide me to spend more time to study Your Word with an open, teachable and expectant heart. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Empathy Factor

Hebrews 4:14-16

Jesus the Great High Priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Bee's Thoughts:

It is so comforting to know that the God we Christians believe in is one who can "sympathize" with our weaknesses. He knows all our needs, wants, desires, aspirations, hopes and dreams. Some are good for us but some aren't. He could empathize with us fully because He had been a man before, just like us. Yet, He did not sin though He was "tempted in every way".

Therefore, we are able to come to Him with confidence as we know His grace is sufficient for us. He understands us and is gracious to us when we call on Him for help in our times of weaknesses.

There were many times when unpleasant things happened to me and I asked God why. I would hear a small still voice in my heart telling me that He allows me to go through them for a purpose. That I may be able to empathize with someone else who might be going through the same experience.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your grace and mercy towards me. Thank You for understanding all my needs. Thank You for forgiving me when I go astray. Thank You for teaching me to emphatize with others through the things I been through with Your grace. Help me be an overcomer that I may help others too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We often associate temptation with lust and addiction. But, temptation also comes in other forms like the temptation to worry or to have self-pity. Despite what God has promised us and knowing clearly what we should do or feel, we still bogged down by our problems, never move on from our sadness; continuously dwelling in self-pity. We think nobody will understand us or what we’re going through and our problem is so unique that it happened only with us.

Today passage, we learned that Jesus has experienced every single form of temptations throughout his life as human on earth. When we know Jesus himself faced similar temptation, we can take comfort knowing He can sympathize with our struggle. He also gives us the courage the encouragement to not giving in to sin when tempted, just as what He did when facing the seductive lure of temptation.

Dear Father, thank You for the example I can learn from Christ when temptation comes my way. Thank You for always providing me the ‘exit sign’ to all the temptation I have to face, and You’ve promised for not allowing me to be tempted beyond what I can bear (1 Cor 10:13). Lord, I pray that You provide me the clarity, strength and wisdom to fight them victoriously. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Drink Up!

John 4:7-14

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

11"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"

13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,

I am 'thirsty' tonight. I ask for the living water which You promised to give to those who ask of You (v10). Let me 'drink' so that will not 'thirst' again.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart tonight. Come and fill my being that I may be 'drunk' with my Lord's love and never 'thirst' again for anything else. That I may have the power to do Your will. That Your stream of living water will flow from my life and bless those around.

Come, Lord Jesus, fill my heart with Your love and care. That whatever I do will bring honour to Your name. Let me not be a stumbling block to anyone, especially the one closest to me.

Come, my gracious Father, put Your arms around me. I need Your strong arms to carry me through when I am weak and helpless. Let me see just a pair of footprints and not two. Let me know that You are still here with me when others forsake me.

Thank You Lord, for hearing my prayers in Jesus' name. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

The life changing encounter with God often begins when we realize only Him can satisfies our souls’ desire. Not only has He satisfied our souls by giving us a new life but He has given us to have it more abundantly and eternally. This new abundant spiritual life is a life that empowered by the indwelling of Jesus Christ; a life lived on a higher plane because of His overflowing forgiveness, love and guidance.

Dear Father, thank You for Your precious offer of an abundant life in You. Teach me not to forget that this life has begun ever since I accepted Christ into my life. Teach me to understand and to live out this richer and fuller life in Christ daily. Lord, I pray You’ll guide me to continue quenching the thirst of my soul by seeking You and Your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Hypocrites

Matthew 23:1-12

Seven Woes
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Bee's Thoughts:

It is sad to know that many non-Christians have been stumbled because they have seen many hyocrites in the Church. It is not surprising as there are many church goers who go to church on Sunday but are not born-again in their hearts yet.. they may profess to be Christians just beacuse they go to church. This is nothing new as Jesus had warned us about these group of people in His parable of the weats and weeds Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43.

24Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The sadder thing is to see politics creeping into the Church as some Christians would try to gain power and fame for themselves in the Church. We have seen so many Christian leaders falling away because of this. "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (v12).

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminding that me to becareful not to let pride creep into my heart. I pray that I will do what I 'preach' and just say or promise something without doing. I pray I will not be like the hypocrites mentioned in the passage above. Let my "yes" be yes and "no" be no. I pray You will help me grow to be more like You each day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

Whenever we read about the Pharisee, we may feel disgusted by their hypocrisy. But often we display similar attitude unknowingly. If we examine any conflict we’ve gone through, we can see our harshness and uncaring attitude often due to our self-centeredness that doesn’t resembles any of the fruits of the Spirit we proclaimed.

Many people today claim they know the Bible and follow Jesus, but they don’t apply what they’ve learned into their lives or live by God’s standard of love. Instead of criticizing others for hypocrisy, we should ensure our words and actions match our beliefs.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to reexamine my attitudes and matching them with what I believe. Lord, I pray You will continue to mold me to grow in the fruits of the Spirit. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Universe Is God's

Psalm 104:31-35

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works-

32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.

35 But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD.

Bee's Thoughts:

It's been a long time since I went to the beach or park, hill or mountain. I always feel great, relaxed, and peaceful amongst nature. God's creation always brings me a sense of awe and security. For I know an almighty God is watching over me.

The buzyness of life has robbed me of my time in enjoying God's nature. I need to learn the art of doing nothing and relaxing. I need to hear the chirping of birds, the rustling of the leaves, and roaring of the sea.


Dear Lord,
You are so wonderful and marvelous in the world You have created. They are created for Your pleasure. You are worthly, oh Lord! When I look at Your nature, I just feel Your presence and Your wonder. Let me find time to go and enjoy Your creation again. That I may feel You close and hear Your voice.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes we may feel really down and discouraged that we think even God can’t help or sufficient to handle our life’s situations. It’s when we should gaze up at the heavens (Psalm 8:3-5) with a thankful heart to know we have a loving God with supreme, unlimited power over the entire universe that looks and cares after every aspects of our lives. So, whenever we are intimidated by people or dishearten by circumstances, look up and know we have a sovereign God standing right beside us, giving the best for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to me whenever I seek Your guidance. Lord, as I get anxious or troubled over things, teach me to turn to You and rest all my worries in You through my prayers. I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead me to do the right things in every situation, trusting in Your plans for me each day. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Promised Strength

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

Bee's Thoughts:

At my working place there are politics at management level. Sometimes, I feel weary having to be one of the 'pieces' in their 'chess game'. Even my immediate boss, a 'fighter', feels so weary that he might quit the 'game'.

At times, I wonder what God wants me to learn or do at my working place. But I can see how He places me in situations where I could share the gospel with people at my work place. His understanding is beyond my comprehension.

It's so sweet to trust in a God who does not grow weary (v28). Not only that, He gives me strength and help me persevere when I feel weary (v29). The secret lies in "those who hope in the Lord" (31).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your promised strength. Thank You for knowing You who do not sleep nor grow weary. Thank You for giving me the opportunities to share Your love with people around me. May these people accceptYou as their Saviour too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

We can get impatient with things in life when we can’t see our future. Our weariness and restlessness while waiting may even drive us to give up our hope in God’s promises for us. But, reading His Word, we know God is like a gentle and caring shepherd (Psalm 23, John 10:11, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 5:4) guiding each one of us personally in life. He has also promised to provide and renew our strength if we were to call upon Him when we are weary and down (Matthew 11:28-30)

Dear Father, thank You for Your care for me, never too tired or busy to help and listen. Forgive me that at times I lack the patient and trust to wait for You. Lord, restore and renew my confidence and faith in You to fulfill all the promises found in Your Word for those who follow and obey You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Pride

Daniel 4:28-37

The Dream Is Fulfilled
28 All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

31 The words were still on his lips when a voice came from heaven, "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes."

33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like cattle. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"

36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Bee's Thoughts:

Pride comes before a fall. This is true in the Old Teastament as well in today's modern world.

Sometimes we think we can do many things by ourselves without God's help. We try all means and ways to achieve our aims without prayers. When we failed, we just wonder why. But now we know it's because of our pride that we didn't acknowledge God or let God be our chief planner.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that I have to be humble and let You lead me in all my plans - big or small. I want to submit all my thoughts and feelings into Your hands too. Let me feel and think the way You do. May Your will be done in my life. Help me to do the right thing.
In Jesus' name I humbly pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Like King Nebuchadnezzar, we may not be able to see or remember how God is working when we focus all our attention only to our own lives. Our pride can makes us believe that we are in control of our lives, future and destiny; rejecting God as our Lord.

God often allow problems to come into our lives to humble our prideful self and to show who is really in control. At any moment, He can take away the most precious thing in our lives, or if He chooses, He can restore them back to us as before. Therefore, we should with humility acknowledges God’s power and sovereignty over all things; trusting and obeying all His commands.

Dear Father, I praise, exalt and glorify You for everything You do is right and all Your ways are just; that You are the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Make me always be aware of the danger of pride, recognizing all good things and blessings in my life came from You and not through my own effort. Lord, I pray You’ll teach me to trust and obey You more each day. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Suffering: How Do We Respond?

Job 16:6-17

6 "Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
and if I refrain, it does not go away.

7 Surely, O God, you have worn me out;
you have devastated my entire household.

16 My face is red with weeping,
deep shadows ring my eyes;

17 yet my hands have been free of violence
and my prayer is pure.

Bee's Thoughts:

The cry of Job had been mine too in the past. In my darkest moments, I too questioned God, "why me"? I felt life had not been fair to me... or rather why did God allow me to go through those sufferings? Somehow, I would hear the small still voice telling me that God had a purpose for me in my life. I didnt leave God. I found strength to move on.

I realized that in sufferings, God would mould our character and test our faith in Him. No pain no gain, as the saying goes.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for seeing me through all my sufferings. Thank You for giving me meaning in the things I went through. At times when I felt there is no meaning in livng, You gave me the reason to live. May my life continues to count and makes a difference to someone's life. Let me be a chaneel of blessing to someone today.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Like Elihu’s explanation to Job’s suffering in latter chapters, suffering is God’s way to teach, discipline, change and refine a person. Through suffering, one’s loyalty and faithfulness to God will be tested. Thus, suffering can either break or make us depends on our reaction towards it.

It breaks us when we see suffering as an unjust act of God based on our own law of fairness that is higher and more absolute than God. We become hardened and reject God altogether with this attitude, closing our selves for changes God wanted to bring into our lives.

It makes us when we acknowledge God himself is the standard of justice that whatever He does is fair according to His moral perfection, even if we don’t understand it. We should respond to suffering by trusting God for who He is, and not what He does.

Dear Father, thank You again for teaching me the right perspective on suffering in this fallen world. Teach me to trust in You knowing that You can bring good out of all calamity.

Lord, guide me also to turn to You for wisdom, understanding, endurance and deliverance. Also, I pray you will make me more aware for those who are suffering, that I’ll be a good comforter and cares for their needs. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Spiritual Understanding

Nehemiah 8:5-11

5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear [a] and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

Bee's Thoughts:

It seems like a"Praise & Worship" session in today's Church service above. Very similar isn't it? Ezra led the people to praise and worship God, followed by expounding the word of God.

It is important that Christians don't just read or hear the word of God but also to seek to understand what the Bible is trying to teach. Only in this way can they be strong and will not fall away or be misled by wrong doctrines.

Dear Lord,
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Whenever I feel lost I have to come to Your word to see Your light. Let my heart be a soft ground where Your word will bear fruits in my life. I commit myself to You tonight.
In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Like the people in today’s passage, when we truly grasped the meaning of God’s Word, we may have a deep sense of sorrow for our sins and failures. But, as Ezra told the people not to continue dwell in their sorrow, we too should move on and respond joyfully to God's grace and mercy for us.

God brings His powerful Word to us not only to convict us of our sin, but to lead us into repentance and to proclaim to us the Good News of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Dear Father, thank You today for teaching me to understand Your Word deeper and with obedience. Lord, strengthen me spiritually and fill me with joy while I give and serve those in needs. May my every word and action bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

When People Pray

Acts 4:23-31

The Believers' Prayer
23On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
26The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the Lord
and against his Anointed One.[a]'[b] 27Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people[c] of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Bee's Thoughts:

The power of prayers can be seen today as much as in the time of the Apostles. When believers prayed fervently in faith, things happened. When believers are filled with the Holy Spirit they become bold to share the gospel.

There were many times I experienced God's answers to my prayers almost instantly when I prayed earnestly and in faith. But in most cases, God's answers may not come so fast. When the answers come, they may be "yes", "no" or "wait". In times of waiting, faith, hope, love and obedience are what I need to see me though these periods of silence.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to "pray without ceasing".


Dear Lord,
Thank You for always answering my prayers, be they come instantly or after a long wait, be they "yes", "no" or "wait". Thank You that I am serving a living God whom I can communicate with any moment of my life.
Teach me to continue to pray in every situation and not to lean on my own understandings.
I pray that You grant me wisdom at work, in church and in speaking to people close to me. May I always speak with grace.
In Jesus' anme I pray, Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

What should we do if we sincerely prayed to God to remove our problem but the problem is still there? Do we just give up asking Him to help us by thinking that He’s unable to solve our problems or that He has ‘miscalculated’ things and accident happened to us?

Sometimes God does remove our problem when we ask Him, but we should also know that often He choose to leave those problems in place. Instead, He will supply us the strength and courage to deal with them when we earnestly pray for His help and guidance. We should trust Him that He has very good reason for them.

Dear Father, I praise You for the way You works things out for us, although at times I’m unable to grasp them well or that I’m worrying too much. Lord, I can trust You for I know that all things work together for good to those who love You. I pray You’ll give me the strength and courage to deal with each problem I’ll face and also give me the wisdom to guide my words when I share this truth to others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Our Sacrifices

Leviticus 23:37-43

37 (" 'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies for bringing offerings made to the LORD by fire—the burnt offerings and grain offerings, sacrifices and drink offerings required for each day. 38 These offerings are in addition to those for the LORD's Sabbaths and [a] in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD.)

39 " 'So beginning with the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the crops of the land, celebrate the festival to the LORD for seven days; the first day is a day of rest, and the eighth day also is a day of rest. 40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. 41 Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come; celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 Live in booths for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in booths 43 so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in booths when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.' "

Bee's Thoughts:

In the Old Testament, God required the Israelites to bring forth sacrifices of every sort. In the New Testament, God requires Christians to bring forth Living Sacrifices instead.

"1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
(Romans 12:1)

Someone wrote that to be a "Living Sacrifice" is "Dying to Self". The sacrifices that God wants from us are....

"The sacrifices of God are [a] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
(Psalm 51:17)


Dear Lord,
Let my heart not be hardened to Your words but let it be soft and opened to You. Let my heart be willing to do what You want me to do. Let my body be a living sacrifice for You that is holy and acceptable. Let me be like a young child that is pure and innocent in the things that are not right in Your sight.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

As Christian, we often see worship focus only on confession, meditation and introspection. Although our immediate confession of sin and serious reflection of our selves is essential, God also want us to take time to celebrate with joy for who He is and the good things He has brought into our lives. Celebration often bring along to us a renewed commitment to God.

Dear Father, thank You for all the goodness You’ve brought into my life. Teach me to have a balanced spiritual life, taking time for both deep reflection and also simple and joyful celebration anytime with other followers of Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

My True and Only Security

Deuteronomy 33:26-29

26 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
who rides on the heavens to help you
and on the clouds in his majesty.

27 The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemy before you,
saying, 'Destroy him!'

28 So Israel will live in safety alone;
Jacob's spring is secure
in a land of grain and new wine,
where the heavens drop dew.

29 Blessed are you, O Israel!
Who is like you,
a people saved by the LORD ?
He is your shield and helper
and your glorious sword.
Your enemies will cower before you,
and you will trample down their high places.

Bee's Thoughts:

In our cell group tonight we learnt about renewing our mind by putting on the mind of Christ. What does the mind of Christ look like? A mind of humility, sacrifice, purity, love, faith, obedience, and so on.

When we have the mind of Christ we can have faith like what the Psalmist said that God is our "refuge". When in any trouble or emrgency, we can have the assurance that God will rescue us. He is our true security or 'insurance'.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me tonight to have the mind of Christ and to trust You to be my refuge in times of trouble. Let me be more and more like You each day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

While we are so busy with our daily works and schedules, we often unknowingly entrust our lives on things like money, career, fame or even a lifelong dream. But we should remember these things can be easily taken away from us any day. In fact, we can lose everything we’ve gain and ‘stored’ in this world in less than a day.

For those without God and entrusted their lives on earthly things, there is a very good reason to be constantly worry and cautious over all the uncertainties in life. With merely one mistake or failure, they may be wiped out totally.

Like Moses and those who declare that God is their only refuge and true security, no storm in life can separate us away from His saving arms. God has promised to catch us when the shaky supports that we trust collapse and we fall.

Dear Father, forgive me that at times I trusted solely on my own abilities to secure my life and future. And I know that’s why I fell badly when bad things happen to me. Lord, teach me to remember this always and to live for You in this world. May my every works and dreams be about trusting You and to bring glory and honor to Your Name.

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholy lean on Jesus name

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord Jesus, my Rock and Redeemer. Amen.

Doing What We Can

1 Corinthians 3:5-15

5What, 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. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Bee's Thoughts:

For those who are architects, just like my 'bf' is, they will know how important the foundation is to a building. Without a good foundation,all building will topple no matter how good it may look.

For Christians, Christ should be their foundation in all the things they do. Otherwise, there will be no difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. Therefore, be it building a career for ourselves or a relationship with others, we need to be sure Jesus Christ is our foundation and basis. We are to do our part in sharing the good news or words of encouragement wherever God places us -- work or friendship.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for being my foundation in the things I build... my career and relationship. I pray that in all I do and with whome I commune with Your name will be glorified. May You grant growth to whatever I do, with the might You have given me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We can get so busy with our lives that we lost track of what matters most to us and our future. In today’s passage, Paul gave us a simple and clear way to know and evaluate whether the things we are so preoccupied are based on the right foundation. Are the things we do fit into the pattern provided by Jesus? Is He the foundation in our lives and the reason for being?

We need to reassess everything we pursue today and also the person we think we are to ensure they are based and modeled not on wealth, security, fame or success but on Jesus, the only real and lasting foundation in our lives.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to be here with me in guiding my every way. Forgive me that at times for being a slow and disobedient learner. But despite my flaws and failure, thank You that You never give up on me and continue to change and mold me to be more like Christ each day. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

The Heart Of Christ

Luke 19:37-44

37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"[a]
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you."

Bee's Thoughts:

Having gone through a rough childhood and many trials in life makes me very sensitive towards children or anyone who have been though similar experiences as I did.

Recently, someone shared with me her story on why she became so withdrawn and quiet. As she shared, I could understand every experience of hers very well. I had compassion on her.

When God allowed us to go through certain difficult experiences, they could be used to encourage someone else later on.

Dear Lord,
Though I am feeling very tired and sometimes wish I could disappeare from this earth quickly, I know my life is in Your hand. Your thoughts are always higher than my thoughts, and Your ways higher than my ways.
I pray that while I am still around on this earth, I will be able to lend good listening ears to those who are in needs. Help me not to be tired of helping others... though I may feel exhausted when this help seems one-way. May Your love abounds.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen,


Tommy's Thoughts:

Do we wept or feel deep sadness likes Jesus when we see those who living in sin, lost and helpless with life’s struggles and sufferings? Do we have true compassion towards these people when we say we want to reach out to them and to help them? Are we sincerely wanted to share the “Solution” with them, motivated by love and kindness?

Dear Father, forgive me that at times I selfishly cares and focus only about my own walk with Christ that I neglect opportunities to share the Good News with those around me. Forgive me also that even as I share, they were not motivated with love or led by You.

Lord, I pray that You’ll teach me the true meaning of love and compassion and how to be truly concern about others; being ready to share Your love and truth through caring words and action.

Humility

Ephesians 4:1-3

Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

Bee's Thoughts:

Paul is able to be humble, gentle, patient, love and stay in peace with others because he had considered himself the "prisoner for the Lord".

We need to learn from Paul to firstly commit ourselves to Christ and be submissive to Him, so that we could reflect Christ's attributes. The way we live shows what we believe.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder that I should stay humble and gentle despite of the situations. I pray that Your love will be shown when I deal with difficult people. May Your peace reigns.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

Sometimes, we can get easily troubled and annoyed by certain people in our lives. Despite trying hard to control our emotion, we tend to become very reactive towards everything the person says or does. It is hard to accept their shortcomings when we really dislike their attitude and behaviors. But, we know that our lives often involve dealing and even living with those difficult people.

As Christian, we should know that no one is ever going to be perfect on earth. We need to accept and love others in spite of their faults and failures just like God has loved us in the first place. Instead of constantly dwelling on the negative aspects of the person, we should pray for them. We also need God to teach us to be more patient, humble and gentle with them. They may even change their way when they see God’s glory reflecting from us through our words and action.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me once again to bear with one another in love. Instead of always looking for faults in others, teach me to be more patient and gentle in words and action. Lord, I also pray that You’ll give me the wisdom and peace when dealing with others that I may glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Our Guide

John 16:1-14

1"All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit
5"Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Bee's Thoughts:

When our loved ones go away we naturally feel sad, like the discipless felt when when Jesus told them He was going to His Father (v6). In our finite mind, we feel we the loss of someone. Yet in Jesus' perfect plan His departure means a blessing in disguise, for He will send the Comforter to be with us and guide us in our life (v7-11). We need to always trust that all things work together for good to those who love God,even if we can't understand.

We need to know that we have a Comforter who will comfort us in times of sorrow. He will show us the way when we feel lost. He will give us peace when we are troubled. He will set us free when we feel imprisoned by ourselves or others. All we need to do is let Him take control of our lives.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for sending the Comforter to be with me. When I was down, He was there to lift me up. Thank You for leading my life thus far.
I pray for my "bf" that the Comforter will lead and guide him into the truth about Your healing power, Your cleansing blood, and Your restoration power. May Your peace reigns in his heart and joy floods his soul.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We make so many decisions in a day and there are those that are not so easy and clear cut. We might have the difficulty to discern the right from wrong. There are also times when our minds so clouded by distractions, wandering thoughts, anxieties and confusion, that we are unable to see the clear solution in front of us.

But, as believers, God never leave us alone to deal with all these complications in our lives. He has given the Holy Spirit to indwell within us: to comfort, teach, guide, reveal and help us in the truth about Christ and discernment in all areas of our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for always being there, never leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5-6). Lord, I pray You’ll guide me to always be sensitive to the Holy Spirit promptings and leadings. Teach me to pray seeking His guidance in everything I do. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

''Measure Me''

Ephesians 4:11-16

11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Bee's Thoughts:

When a couple has a child, the sadest thing to know is that their child can't grow. God will be sad too if His spiritual children< Christians, can't grow spiritually.

Growth can't be hidden. It is obvious and measureable. Some of the measurements shown in the above passage are:
1. "works of service" (v12) -- to serve God in ministries in the church or elsewhere
2. "unity in the faith" (v13) -- not fighting with each other
3. "knowledge of the Son of God" (v13) -- through reading the bible and spending time with God
4. "mature" spiritually (v13) -- no longer like "infants" (v14)
5. "speaking the truth in love" (v15) -- truth must be said "in love" and not to hurt

Through such spiritual growth in the body of Christ, the end result is that the church will gow and be built in love (v16).

Dear Lord,
You desire that we grow spiritually.
Help us not to remain as spiritual babe.
Teach us how to be Your disciples.
You have commanded us to take up our crosses and follow You.
Grant us strength to do things Your ways.
In Jesus' name we pray.


Tommy's Thoughts:

The evening service in my church lacks people to lead the congregation. Every week same members take on the same duty during the service. Although most didn’t complain but I can see how tired they are and how they might burn out one day even for doing God’s works. Where and what are the rest of the 2000 church members doing?

In today’s passage, Paul talks about how God calls us to grow from being just infants in the church into serving and working together with other members in the church as the Body of Christ.

By working as members of Christ, we can obey God more fully and accomplish more and greater things for the church and ultimately express the fullness of Christ. And when one member stumbles, the rest of the group is there to pick him/her up and help him/her walk with God again.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me that I can do little if I were to do things all by myself. I pray for my church that more members will come forward to serve for the church, to grow as members of Christ and not to underestimate what we can do as a group.

Lord, I pray for those brothers and sisters in the church to receive help and also rest while they continue in serving Your people and glorifying Your name. In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen.