Devotional Time with God

The first sentence in Latin I learned back in grade school was “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano“.  It means, with a healthy body produces a healthy mind.  It’s so true.  Yet, to keep the body healthy is the hardest thing I’ve ever have to do.

My days are full of things to do, like working in front of the computer, sit in meetings, and driving to/from work.  On my off days, I watch TV, baby-sit my daughter, driving to/from places to eat, and sit in front of the computer some more.

There isn’t much room for exercise.  I need to do more of it.  God says I have to take care of my body:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

It’s my duty to honor God.  So I must do my due dilligence, and exercise on a daily basis.  There are little things I can do like extended/speed walking, go the golf driving range, play running games with my daughter, work in the yard.  I’ll need to try (*gasp*) jogging!

Then there’s a matter of a getting enough sleep.  I should not stay up late and wake up early – something I tend to do a lot:

In vain you rise early and stay up late,  toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 127:2

In addition, I’m sure the bible also has something about eating right.  It’s a whole new topic of devotional for me.

Meanwhile, I must make sure to exercise and sleep well.  I need to be consistent about it.

One of the most difficult question that I’ve asked before is, why does evil exist?  If God is so powerful, why can’t he just get rid of evil?  Why are evil happening to good people?

Many have tried to answer that.  I recognized the common message:  God let evil happen in my life because He wants me to grow spiritually strong.

It’s a question of faith.  It’s easy to trust God when things go right.  But when it goes wrong, it’s very difficult to continue praising and relying on God.  I would always go back to that selfish mode where I was in charge of my life – where I thought I could solve my own problems. I’ll fail when I don’t put my faith in God.

God also let evil happen because it will show me where is God’s fairness:

But I say, love your enemies![s] Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Matthew 5:44-45

Everyone will experience evil.  The difference is, who will buckle in the stress?  When I follow Christ, I learn to draw strength from God’s grace and promise.  I have to remember God is fair and just.  He will provide what I need, and will never test me beyond my abilities.

In the chaos of this world, I know there’s hope in heaven.  I’m keeping God’s promise and grace, that one day I’ll be with Him and evil doesn’t exist anymore in my life.

I often asked God, “What is my purpose in life?”  Many times in this devotional, the common thing God has told me to do is: “Help others!”  Those words have been repeated so many times in the Bible, and in the testimonies of others.

My reminder today is to strive to help others more.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

God’s treasure is stored up in heaven.  This means my worldly needs and riches are irrelevant.  God blessed me here, on this earth, to help others.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

I must focus on heaven.  Less focus on accumulating things on this earth.  More focus on helping others.

Thank you, Lord, for everything you’ve given me.  You’ve given me comfort and joy.  Most of all, you’ve blessed me with the every day needs for me and my family.  Now that I have it, I want to share it with others.  Please grant your wisdom that we may know the difference between compassion and fraud.  Move us in the direction of heaven.  I don’t want to lose sight of you, Jesus.  Amen.

Also known as self-discipline, it’s an aspect of life that I’ve always struggled with.  By nature, I’m selfish, emotional, and reckless.  Those bad traits have driven me to look for things that offered instant gratification, such as buy useless gadgets, watch pornography, eat junk food, etc.  I used to think it was a struggle that no one could understand.  The bible proves that it’s a very common problem:

But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).

James 1:14

This world is inherently evil.  Sin lurks in every corner.  Satan has dominion over this earth and it shows by the kinds of temptations available everywhere.

But God is good.  He gives me the strength to bear these temptations.  He gives me the wisdom to know when to say NO to evil.  He gives me grace to forgive me when I fall flat on my face after tripping from sin.  God knows how weak I am.  I’m holding on to His promise of hope that I can handle this:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

If I had to look back in my teenage and college years, I could use a lot of self-control and discipline.  I wouldn’t have wasted a lot of my life on stupid decisions.  However, God calls me and constant me reminds me to keep my eye on Jesus.  He is my prize, my end-game, my eternal salvation.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

This verse struck me as simple, yet a powerful reminder on how to tell if wisdom is from God:

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

James 3:13-17

Good and worthy qualities.  One thing that scares me is being “submissive”.  My first impression it’s out of place in the verse.  But thinking about it, being submissive is to serve someone.  It’s an action to help others.

I can only imagine submissive court judges with heavenly wisdom rule on a side of the people, not the politics of the government, nor the agenda of partisan group.

I can only imagine submissive teachers who guides children with humility, without resorting to pride, nor being politically correct all the time.

I can only imagine submissive politicians and world leaders, who has the people’s well-being in mind.  Not wanting to fill up their own pockets, nor making policies that are convenient for their own purpose.

I can only imagine a submissive me… listen and follow God’s command, where He will lead me to work it out with others, share the gospel, and save lives.