Devotional Time with God

a)peiqh/v (apeithes)

• impersuasible, not compliant, disobedient, contumacious

Sometimes I wonder why people tend to disrespect each other.  I don’t have to look far.  As a kid, I remember my common reaction to people was always rude, judgmental, contemptuous, or disrespectful.  It’s not natural for me to be loving, giving, obedient, and respectful.  Those qualities have to be taught.  Those qualities are given by God, because He’s the only one who’s eternally loving and giving.  If only I’m more respectful to others.  If only I’m more obedient to my parent’s teachings.  If only I’m more obedient to God’s commands.

If only everyone’s nicer.

Imagine what the world would be like?

For people … will be disobedient to their parents…

2 Timothy 3:2

bla/sfhmov (blasphemos)

• speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive

It’s sad to know that people are disrespectful to God these days.  When did it ok to make jokes about God?  One of the commandment is to not call God’s name in vain, yet people break it, out of spite, without fear of repurcussion.  It’s amazing that God gave us grace and salvation, but yet we can abuse His name and sometimes associate evil thoughts with it.

I look forward to one day be in heaven and worship God, always.  I’m practicing it right now, on this earth.  For His name is above all name.  Jesus’ name heals and drives off all evil.  For His name holds the power in my life.  In His name, I prayed.

For people … will be scoffing at God…

2 Timothy 3:2

u(perh/fanov (huperephanos)

1. showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent
2. with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

What I’ve noticed among the young people these days (20 something), is the amount of pride they have about themselves.  They haven’t done anything significant, yet they claim they’re on top of the world.  “Look what I’ve done!” they shouted.  They think they run this world.  They demand high salaries and want to work less hours.   They want recognition because they think they’re entitled to it.  They are young and beautiful, therefore they are the best.

The liberal media fans these “values” to them through their music, movies, and the internet.  They instilled ideas that doing whatever they want is the right way to do it.  The sad thing is, it’s also influencing the other generations, including the older ones.  Conform or be cast out.  Where have I heard that before?

Oh yeah… I’ve been there before.  I was young before.   I was a mean person before.  I claimed I was on top of this world before.

In fact, I wasn’t in control.  I wasn’t even on top of my own world!  I believed the lies of this world.  I had to be better than everyone else when in fact I wasn’t.  I tried to be, but failed miserably.

God showed me that I have to devote myself to Him.  The rest He’ll take care.  I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.  The only status I must  look for is being a friend of Jesus Christ.

For people will be… proud and arrogant…

2 Timothy 3:2

a)lazwñn (alazon)

• an empty pretender, a boaster

Living in this competitive world, especially in big cities, I am forced to be “better” than the next person, in terms of skill, number of friends, money, posession, etc.   Otherwise, how else would I get ahead in my career and recognition?  It’s a rat race that I’m beginning to get tired of.

I don’t want to pretend that I’m much better off than everyone else.  God put me in this world to help others and not to be a self promoter.  A sign of a good leader is not to take credit – let someone else gets the compliments.

God, please remind me to be humble.  Every day.  Amen.

For people will be … contemptuous boasters.

2 Timothy 3:2

fila/rgurov (philarguros)

• loving money, avarice

One thing this world teached me is that money is everything.  I’ll never have too much of it.   I must never have to little of it!  Money means security.  Money means comfort.  Money means status.

Money defines all aspects of my life.  It’s what I think about every day when I go to work.  How do I make more money?  What can I do to make my company more money?  Will my colleagues make enough money to make ends meet?

Money is in everyone’s mind these days too.  Will the economy improve so everyone has enough money to make ends meet?  Can the government cut spending so they’ll spend less of the people’s money?  When will Obama print more money to help us get out of debt?

It boggles my mind how money-centric I can be.

God certainly didn’t make me to think about money all the time.  He wants me to praise Him and be grateful that I’ve been given a life to live.  He wants me to help others, and not focus on hoarding all the money I can get.  I must not be crazy to choose money over eternity.

For people will be… lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth…

2 Timothy 3:2

fiðlautov (philautos)

1. loving one’s self
2. too intent on one’s interest, selfish

How many times have I been guilty of this?  Way too many times!  I was born selfish.  The world has always taught me to look out for #1: myself.  The World According To Me is the greatest show in my life.

It’s easy to forget I came to this world because of God!  All that I have are from God.  I am nothing without Him.  Being selfish is a sin.  I must try very hard not to be self absorbed!

For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered…

2 Timothy 3:2

Evangelism is not one of my strongest quality of being a Christian.  I struggle with it every day because I know I’m not a convincing person.  I can’t sell anything.  Sure, I can argue and I can present my case.  But at the end of the day, no one buys it.

But God’s salvation is not for sale.  It’s to be given away.  All it takes is faith.  I know God will give me strength to evangelize, if I do His work honestly and with due diligence.  All God wants is for me to deliver the Good News.  It’s up to God to change the other person’s mind.   It’s up to them if they want to be saved.

I need to take that step to evangelize, while focusing on Jesus as the Lord and Savior.   Christ’s love, grace, and good news have to be shared – no matter how cowardly I feel.

I read Demian Farnworth’s post on “Elevator Pitch Evangelism” with two verses that will come in handy the next time someone asked me what Christianity is about:

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-7

As Obama is about to take office as President of the United States, I’m concerned about the future of this nation.  As a young President who is bent on using “change” as the platform of his administration, I can’t help but wonder if it’ll be a change for the better?  Is it a change to remove Christian values out of the government?  Is it a change to give entitlement to everyone without the need of hard work or sacrifice?  Is it a change to say and do whatever we like, as long as it pleases everybody?

My prayer for this nation is the people must turn their attention to God.  Under God, this nation is indeed indivisible and strong.  God instills values that have far reaching implications to everyone’s lives.  God provides guidance that are far more valuable than a human being can ever do.  In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God said:

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

Turn to Him and change.  It’s that simple.  How can I change?  The verse said:

1. We must confess with humility.
2. We must pray with tenacity.
3. We must seek God with intensity.
4. We must repent with sincerity.

God, you are the master of this universe.  You are the ruler of this nation.  You are the head of my family.  You are everything to me.  I thank you that we have freedom of choice in this country.  I thank you that we have peace and prosperity.   I complain too much about our “hardship” and not put my trust on you.  For that I’m sorry and ask for your forgiveness.  I’m nothing without you.  I turn to you, God, for my troubles and I seek the change that can only come from you.  Only you can change me for the better.  Here I am, use me.  In Jesus name, I pray.  Amen.

The men’s bible study group has been “postponed” indefinitely due to lack of attendance.  I decided to continue on with the study, 2 chapters at a time, and complete it.  Sort of my New Year’s resolution: Always finish what I’ve started.  God always does, and so will I.

Chapters 15-16:

• Isaiah prophesied destruction in Moab.
• The Moabites pride and arrogance was despised by God.  The Lord even wept for them.
• The destruction of Moab included drought and and famine.  The army would be destroyed.
• This destruction lasted 3 years.