Devotional Time with God

That is the question I need to ask myself with every thought that comes across my mind. I don’t always think about good thoughts. There are plenty of temptations and evil thoughts that I’m bombarded with, either on the movies, or the people around me.  But I have to find that peace that only comes from knowing God and His word.  I can no longer be influenced by this world:

Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

Romans 12:2

I have to know Jesus. I have to know what He has to say (and do) about everything in my life – from what I eat, speak, think, or look at. I have to constantly test what I’ve encountered:

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

I must look for what is pure, noble, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Another words, a higher standard!  My mind has to be filled with God’s standard of living. My thoughts will shape my mind, and my mind will shape my character.

And my character needs to be like Jesus!

The Scriptures ask, “Has anyone ever known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?”  But we understand what Christ is thinking.

1 Corinthians 2:16

If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn’t in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

1 John 1:8-9

I’ll always be tempted. I’ll always be tested. I’ll always fall down. But, the good news is God will never let me stay down. He offers a way out.  In Him, I have an escape route. God will not tempt me beyond my capabilities (1 Corinthians 10:13).

However, I do have to abide in Him. I do have to ask for forgiveness whenever the temptation is too great and I give into it. I need to have an accountability partner. I’m not in this alone. I have God on my side. I just have to beware that the more God use me, the more Satan will tempt me to move away from God.

Lead me, Lord, to your salvation. Lead me out of temptation and into Christ’s perfect love. Rescue me when I’m down. Fix me when I’m broken. Forgive my sins as I forgive others. Thank you, Abba Father!

Temptations are always there, in every turn, ready to pounce when I least expect it.  I would see a woman and suddenly felt an attraction. I would be in a situation where I may be forced to lie to spare myself from embarrassment. I may find a wad of cash and tempted to keep it for myself. “It’s all good, no one’s looking. No one will know.” as the devil would say.

The truth is, God knows. He sees everything. He sees my heart and my intentions. He knows what I would do – or what I can do. This is why I always focus on God, and His words and promises. One promise that I cherish:

You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13

He wants me to escape from my temptations! I must run away from it. I must ignore it. I must refocus on something else – something good, something positive, something useful. I thank God, at every moment of my life, for this protection!

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13: 13

These are the 3 things I take to heaven: my faith, hope, and love. They’re kept inside me. They are how my character is formed. I won’t need my house or money. I will take the love that I have in family, friends, and God with me to eternity.  I won’t need anything else.

I will make sure I love God and other people in this world.  It won’t be easy – for there will be temptations from the devil that will divert my focus and priority.  But with God’s strength and grace, I will succeed in my highest achievement: Love.

No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11b

Sometimes the Bible can get confusing. Sometimes it seems it contradicts. And sometimes it could get downright boring to read.

This is because I’m reading it without the Spirit of God in me.

I need to invite God into my heart and open my mind. The Bible is the word of God, so I need His discernment to interpret it.  There are techniques to read the bible.  But most important, God’s guidance is required. Otherwise, it’s like reading a textbook with full of words, and I won’t get anything.

With the Spirit of God in me, I will know the thoughts of God.

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

I can do all things through Christ who gvies me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

These are my reassurances. I hold on to the promise that Jesus will give me the strength to handle all of my problems.  Also, He promised I can handle the temptations that he allowed me to endure, and He’ll be there to help me.  The same principle of parenting I’m teaching my child, God is working through the same molding process with me.

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

I am being transformed into Christ’s likeness with ever increasing glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

When Jesus saved me, I am being transformed into His likeness. I am becoming holy. Not only in my spirit and mind, but also my body.  God will resurrect my body when I die, so I won’t abuse it.  I need to take care of this one while I’m on this earth, so I may serve Him well.

The scripture tells me Jesus died for my sins and rose again from the dead on the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

This is my faith confession.

It’s quite a task to keep my body healthy and trim.  I have to watch my weight and fat, by balancing my food intake and keeping up enough exercise.  If there’s one thing that I like, it’s eating.  I’m blessed to have a “skinny gene”.  My father is thin.  My grandfather was tall and thin.  My metabolism is still working, I eat a lot and still manage to be relatively skinny.

However, I can’t be abusing this anymore.  I do feel an imbalance in emotions.  I sometimes feel sluggish after a big meal. My wife notices my belly is starting to swell.  I notice I get tired and sleepy playing catch with my daughter.

I am what I eat.

The bible  tells me, in Galatians 5:22-23, to have one the fruit of the spirit: Self-Control. I have to watch what I eat. I have to cut down on my indulgences.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20,

1. God expects me to manage my body.
2. I am God’s property.
3. My body will be resurrected when I die.
4. I am connected with the body of Christ.
5. The Holy Spirit lives in body.
6. Jesus bought my body on the cross.

My body is valuable. God tells me my body is a temple. Being good steward of what God has given me, I have to take care of my body.