Devotional Time with God

I have friends.  Actually, I have a lot of acquaintances that I call “friends”.  I have a handful of who I truly call friends.  A friend is someone I can connect with.  A friend is someone I can trust.  A friend is someone who knows me (and I know him/her) very well.  A friend is someone I welcome in my house.

God is my friend.  He’s the one I’ve invited to my house.  He knows me very well.  I trust Him, and my family trusts him.  I’ve connected with Him in different levels.

If I meet someone who’s a friend of Jesus, I’ll instantly connect with him/her, too!  Does it mean I’ll invite him/her to my house?  Maybe not immediately, but we can work on that.  Having a mutual friend like Jesus is a solid foundation to start.

As a friend, I have to open up, not only my house, but also my heart to meet the needs of others.  Just as Jesus will do the same to me when he said in Matthew 7:8, “everyone who knows, the door will be open.”

I must welcome my friends.

As a Christian, I suffer hardship.  I suffer the mockery from others that I’m too proud and judgmental.  I suffer the pain of being accused of dishonesty.  Some folks will just deny my voice just because I’m a Christian.  People expect me to make exceptions for the “happiness” of non-believers, such as cheating on their spouse, gay marriage, or living self-centered lives.   They make it clear that what I believe doesn’t matter and has no merit.  They don’t even bother examining the source of my beliefs.  They resort to discredit and discriminate.

What is the source of my truths?  How do I know what’s right and what’s wrong?  Read the Bible!  It’s God’s word.  I believe in God.  I believe in Jesus Christ.  He has a clear message for me:  live a pure life.  Jesus is here for the sinners, so sin no more!

Reading the passage of 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, I learned the Apostle Paul had suffered a great deal more than what I’ve been through.  However, the comparison is still there, Christians are now being persecuted.  But I must not be afraid or discouraged, because I’m not abandoned.  I’m not forgotten.  What matters to me is God’s approval, not other people’s.  What matters to me is that I live a sinless life.

What matters to me is Jesus!

I’ve been taught by my Pastor and by other believers, that I ought to be like Christ.  Like the Bible said in 1 Peter 1:15-16, Christ is holy – Therefore I have to be holy too.

However, holy living is difficult.  My very nature is sinful.  I have awful thoughts.  I want to judge and slander.  I tend to take the easy ways, and they usually involve lying or cheating.  I want what’s best for me.  I’m selfish.

Christ changed all t hat.  He is not selfish – He died for me so I could be saved.  He didn’t take the easy way out – He suffered His way to the cross!  He didn’t lie or cheat His way to prominence – He is the truth and the light!  He didn’t judge or slander, He loves me!

God wants what’s best for everyone.  That is holy living.

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.* Love each other deeply with all your heart.

1 Peter 1:22

As I crossed into the new year, I’m yet again reminded what my priorities are.  My God is first.  My family is next.  My friends follow.  If I look at the order, it tells me the future:

• God is forever.
• Family is long lasting.
• Friends are fleeting.

Anything on this earth doesn’t last forever, including myself.  I have to bet my life on Jesus Christ, for He is the truth (John 14:6).   He is the only future I can rely on.

O Lord, thank you for what you’ve done for me in the year 2009.  You’ve given us plenty.  You’ve protected us.  You’ve taught and guided us through the minefields of this world.  I want to bear fruit in the coming new year 2010.  I still need your grace.  I still need your Holy Spirit to guide me further.  Further to the Kingdom of God.  I know my future is with you, Jesus.  Amen.