Devotional Time with God

I’ve always known the name of Jesus, my God, has power.  It  has a power to heal. It has a power to change lives.

Yet there are those today who abuses this powerful name for a mere insult.  They just throw it around when they’re angry or frustrated.  This world has so much contempt over the one true God.

It makes me sad that anyone would use God’s name in vain.  God strictly prohibits it (Exodus 20:7).  Maybe the mere fact that I’m offended by the misuse, it’s the very reason they abuse it.  They want to use God’s name as a mean to anger and stir up emotions.

I rather use God’s name to bless and to save people.  That’s what He promised will happen:

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

These days, everything needs to be visualized or presented in-the-flesh for anyone to accept.  Even then, with advance editing tools, photos and videos can be altered to deceive the viewers.

Same thing with my belief.  I sometimes demand God to show me what I have to do. I demand God to present something, in front of my eyes, before I can believe it.  But the scripture tells me otherwise:

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29

To have faith, I must start believing in order to start seeing.  I will be more blessed.

“… Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

When the Lord is with me, who can stand against me?  His compassion is my reassurance.  His strength is my strength.  I have peace because God is in control.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). The overcomer. The problem solver.

It’s the new year already.  It’s amazing how time has continued to march forward, as if it’s an unstoppable army.  Many times I felt I need to catch up, or I’ll miss everything.

Of course that’s an exaggeration, because God has given a lot to my family and I in the past year.  I have worked hard to be where I’m at now.  But I’m here because of God’s grace and blessing. He’s guided me to the right path, and nudged me when I strayed.

This year is no different.  I expect God to continue performing His miracles.  I expect God to bless us abundantly.  I expect God to help me through the challenges in our lives.

I also know that God’s timing is beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  I know God wants me to devote Him first in my life.  I still know God wants to answer my prayers (Matthew 7:7-8).

I’m holding on to God’s promises.  I expect God to be with me all through the new year – and beyond.