Devotional Time with God

There is one thing that keeps me awake at night:  Unfinished business.  Things I have not wrapped up. Problems I have not solved. People I have not reconciled. Or tasks I have not completed.  It doesn’t have to be multiple issues either – one problem is enough to keep me awake at night.

I do this because I have a sense of responsibility. I have a standard to keep.  I try not to procrastinate.  I genuinely care what happens tomorrow, so I have to clean up what I did today.  There are certain things that’s beyond my control, I get that, but those that are in my grasp, I have to get a handle of it and resolve it before the night’s end.

I imagine myself, although not as bold, as Jesus praying at the garden of Gethsemane, until He sweats of blood (Luke 22:44). That must’ve been one agonizing prayer, and why not – it’s the salvation of all human kind!  Then when Jesus was at the cross, His last words were “It is finished!” (John 19:30) For Jesus, it was death as the final rest, for all of His tasks on earth. Of course, my end of day’s rest is not as dramatic, but I can symbolize my sleep as a point when I can say it is finished – no more probem, no more conflict, no more things to do.  Tomorrow will be a good day!

I remembered the first time I accepted Christ. I was excited. I was ready to learn, contribute, and do something for God.

Then, the church decided to give me medial jobs – to pack up the chairs, help haul away the musical instruments.  Nothing significant. Nothing people would notice. I was a teenager.  I needed something more so people would notice me.  I wanted to make an impression.  I wanted something more significant.

Little did I know I have to keep working on it.  I have to be able to overcome many things, including my pride and vanity.  I need to experience the triumphs of being a Christian, such as leading people to Christ, pray for others, serve others, and turning away from sins and temptations of sins.  I failed all of that. I turned away from Christ and rejoined the world again: selfish, prideful, care free, blasphemous, and unteachable.

Over ten years later, I realized what a fool I’ve been. I saw the consequences of being away from God for so long. My life went no where. My priorities were wrong. I could’ve been somebody – but instead I was just drifting, not setting roots, felt so lonely and lost.  That’s when I met my wife and I returned to the path that God had originally set for me.  I set my life straight with Jesus, again. I’ve accomplished a lot since then and felt useful again.

I experienced victory. Long after my early years of accepting Christ.  I want to keep this fire alive. Not be shaken by this world or the devil’s temptations. My Jesus is stronger and I will stay faithful, as He’s faithful to me (Hebrews 13:5). God is my strength. I will always have His victory!

I had a sorry past.  Actually, I had several sorry moments in the past.  Things I regretted doing. Things I regretted saying. Things I regretted not doing.  It wasn’t my proudest moments and I always cringe every time I remember.

Now, with all of those behind me, I can look back and just smile. The past can’t hurt me. I’m smarter and experienced now. I understand what I’ve been through. I’m glad I can use my history to guide my future.

But, I think His story is much better to use to guide my future. Jesus had died to save me from sin. Jesus went through all of those suffering to show how much He loves me. His teachings, recorded in the bible, gave me knowledge and faith.  Knowledge that illuminate my path while walking in this world.  Faith knowing God is truly in control.  I can leave everything to Him. Face the future without fear of rejection or failure.

I can truly thank God in all circumstance (1 Thes 5:18), just because His will always be done.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10

It is stupid for me to be driven by pride. Pleasing people I don’t like. Accumulating wealth to impress others. People’s attention is short. People also get envious – and most of the time, devious. They’ll try to bring me down. They’ll try to put me down.

I must realize it’s godly wisdom that will save me. God’s words will lead me the correct way to live. Jesus is a perfect example of humility and strength. The righteous will remain standing, and the meek shall inherit the earth. (Psalm 37:10-11)

That’s God’s honest truth.

Many times, I see celebrities declare what they want is simply “world peace”. Of course, that’s a nice sentiment, but hardly ever attainable because the world is inherently broken. People are born selfish. We always want our needs fulfilled first before thinking of others.

So how can we ever get any peace?

There is only one kind.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

In Christ alone, I can attain the peace that is badly needed. His grace and mercy lift up my hearts, being called upon to serve others – not to be selfish. Not to be like this world. But only to heavenly purpose.

I am forever thankful for Christ’s love, and the peace that follows Him.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:3–7

I see a lot of hate in this world. I see people are just simply unkind to another. I see people reject each other. It happens to me. I’ve committed the same sins, also, to others.

However, all I have to do is look at Jesus. Focus my eyes on Him. I’m so valuable to Him, that He died for me. That’s not hate on the cross – that’s the greatest love of all!  He gave me everything.

That’s grace.

God is good – all the time! He does all things with a purpose. I’ll let His will be done.

Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life. May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:39-42

I praise God that I have Him to love me, abundantly.  He’s the only one who can do it. I can’t rely on other people, but they have limited love to give. I have to put God first because He’ll always be there for me.

I hold on to God’s promise for my salvation. Nothing can be more gratifying and comforting! Anyone can insult me. Anyone can hate me. Anyone can ignore me. But God will never do those things. He will always be with me and love me.  I thank God for that promise.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace and love. I can’t begin to imagine what happened if I don’t have you. My life would be unstable. I would get angry way too often. I would have given up way too soon. Thank you for the patience you’ve shown me. And thank you for the good people you’ve surrounded me with.  Pour your love to me, Lord. Fill me with your love. Amen.

An interesting thing happens today: I was actually enjoying my day at work, talking with and helping my co-workers.  I’m usually an introvert, like to keep things to myself, but for some reason, I just felt like I needed to be more friendly.

Maybe, hopefully, to a point that I love them enough that I care about how they feel.

Perhaps it’s too much, but it is the most satisfying feeling. The day passed by without me having a heavy heart. I come home feeling refresh than ever.  I don’t raise my voice and I feel confident.

Perhaps that’s what Jesus meant when He said to attain a greater goal by:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37-39

I must first love God, then love others.  Good advice. And the reward is immense!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

I worry sometimes. Ok, so I worry – a lot! Sometimes it’s about something serious, like my family’s finances. Sometimes it’s about trivial things like my appearances, both physically and relationally.  I worry about things that just don’t matter, sometimes.

So why am I so caught up with what other people thinks of me? Jesus plainly told me that the birds don’t care. The flower’s don’t care. God takes care of nature’s needs.  God will certainly  takes care of me!

I should not be worried.  I need to seek God first – then everything else will fall into place.

Lord, I thank you for your kingdom. I submit my life to you, Jesus. I don’t want to submit to this world. I don’t want to submit to my worries on what other people think of me. You, Jesus, matter to me so I seek you first. I’ve accepted you, Lord – and you said you will provide – you will give me grace. And that’s all I ever need. In your loving arms, I stay.  Amen.

In Judges 7:2-8, I can picture the look of Gideon when God said to reduce his army from 32,000 men to just 300. I would be scratching my head in confusion. I would be scared about my chances of winning the fight with so few soldiers.

But that’s exactly what God wants me to do: Trust Him.  It’s not my knowledge or strength that will save the day. It’s God’s. He has performed the miracles many times over. He has a bigger plan. He wants the glory – and I must give it to Him.  I must trust Him. I must rely on Him.

So in whatever I do, I must give it to God, for He will make things right and good.