Devotional Time with God

In Mark 3:1-6, Mark described a situation in which Jesus healed a sick and dying man, with shriveled hand, on a sabbath day.  The law, during that time, stated Jesus must not heal during sabbath.  Jesus knew this.

But Jesus also knew compassion. He also knew the needs of the people. If I were the sick person, I would want Jesus to restore me – no matter what day it was!  I would come to Jesus, any day any night, just to ask Him to provide for me. I would ask Him to heal my hurts.

There’s no sabbath for providing help.

In this day and age, where everything is being criticized, even for good works – wouldn’t it be more refreshing if we all praise what’s good?  Wouldn’t it be amazing to focus and get excited on positive news? Wouldn’t it be great if we could ask for healing and get it, right away?

I have this “shriveled” hand. I need it restored so I may help others. At any time!

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

Psalm 119:18

When I hear the word “law”, I recall other words like, strict, constrained, abuse, captivity – basically, the opposite of freedom.  It’s refreshing to see how the Bible calls God’s law as wonderful. God’s law is here to protect me. It gives me comfort in knowing that I’ll be doing the right thing. It gives me guidance that I’m heading in the right direction.

So how do I follow God’s law? Just open my eyes. Open my eyes so I can see God’s miracles. Open my eyes so I can see God’s here to help us.  Open my eyes so I can see God’s purpose for my life.

Like Jesus’ parable of the leper, Mark 1:40-45, I probably would not be able to contain my joy and happiness when Jesus heal my sickness.  I would shout it out to the world. Tell everyone. God’s miracle has to be shared. God needs to be known.

When my eyes are open, my heart is open. When I receive God in my heart, I’ll have no trouble sharing Him to the world.

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Psalm 119:9

This world is full of temptation. This world is full of deception. This world is full of false hope and temporary riches.

It’s easy for me to be drawn to what this world has to offer. Sinful ways are always attractive and pleasurable. But they are not from God. Thus, I’m getting away from God’s provision.

Getting back to God’s way is easy: just follow His word!  Open the Bible and read the instruction manual. I need to talk to God to provide for my daily provision, according to heavenly riches, as promised in Philippians 4:19.  I need to stay pure, in God’s glory, according to His words.

The law of the LORD is perfect,   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,   making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,   giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,   enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,   and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,   than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;   in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11

God knows I’m not perfect. God knows I’m not always right. God knows I’m vulnerable. God knows I need direction. God knows I need provision. God just knows.

To put it simply, all I have to know in life – to enjoy life, is to know God’s word and laws.  He gave me the instructions manual, the Bible, for my protection.  It’s the blueprint to be a good man. It’s the way to know how to be like Jesus.

I will follow His words.  I will be a do’er of His word. For He promised me a great reward. He’s waiting to give me the strength to go through this life – which in itself, is a reward worth having.

Life is good, eternal life is better. God’s perfection is what I’m looking for.

Every word of God is flawless;  he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5

There are moments where I have doubts.  There are moments where I worry.  There are moments where I’m just not sure about anything.  This is especially true with the Bible. I don’t read it as much as I ought to.  This is why I have these lingering thoughts on the validity of God’s words.

But the Bible itself said God’s words are flawless. God only speaks the truth. He has promised me that if I believe in Him, I can do all things, in Christ Jesus.  So, I do read His words. I do believe His words are true and eternal. Powerful enough to protect me, in any circumstances, in any doubt, in any of my weak moments.

I will take refuge in God’s words for He shall comfort me.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:7

Every day is a struggle. It’s an all day struggle, starting with the morning to get up when my alarm clock goes off. It’s a struggle to keep motivated, as I get ready to go to work.  It’s a struggle to drive to work. It’s a struggle at work, with so many issues to tackle and so many people to help. It’s a struggle to keep my family happy. And in the end, it’s sometimes a struggle to even get to sleep!

So how do I keep up with this? God promised that He’ll be with me during my struggles. He promised to give me whatever I need.  However, I must realize I have to be WITH GOD before this can happen. God is always with me, not just during my prayers, or when I’m focused on Him. That’s why my actions have to be in realization that God is always next to me.

My first thought should always be with God.

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Matthew 13:18-23

As part of my daily devotional, I need to make sure I’m ready to receive God’s words.  I need to make sure the ground is prepared.  I need to make sure my heart is open.  It’s easy to simply listen, or read, but not really take in anything out of what I just heard or seen.

So, I need to create a space that I can comfortably sit down and meditate on the word of Christ. I want to let God’s words be an adventure, to excite me in the morning, and prepare me for the “battles” in life. I pray that God guide me along the way.

Be with me, Lord Jesus, and lead me with your word.  Open the eyes of my heart, so I may see you. Talk to me. Guide me. Lead me on the correct path. Plant your seed on my heart, so I may grow to be the man that I ought to be.  Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10:11

It’s indeed wise to learn from the experience of others. The Bible is filled with advice and stories, that are not only true, it’s also enriching and enable me not to stumble.  It’s a guide that leads me to righteousness.  It’s a source of hope.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Romans 15:4

Pastor Rick of Saddleback Church has just kicked off a new study series with “40 Days in the Word“, to study the word of God. It will surely enrich my life and keep me focused on reading the scripture and writing notes on it.

The first one is:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16

The word of God needs to dwell in me. I need to “wear” it to help me go through the day, as Jesus would. As Colossians 3:12 suggests, I need to be compassion, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. A good set of attitudes to be Christ-like.