Devotional Time with God

This world taught me that I’m the center of my own universe.  I’m the god of my own destiny.  I’m the master of my world.

Of course, this teaching is wrong!

Eventually, I will die. Where will I end up? Space dust? All of that love, knowledge, and experiences – POOF, gone!  But I’m glad I know Jesus because He offered me grace and I took it!  I now have an everlasting life promised to me after I’m dead. I now have hope!

I don’t think I can go on trudging along on this earth without God’s healing power (Psalm 147:3).  I will, forever cast all of my care upon him, for He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7)

“All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25

What I am is weak. Easily swayed back and forth between seasons and worldly circumstances. All of my achievements stand on this weak body.  This body will get sick. This body will die. I can’t rely on this body. I can’t rely on this world to give me what I need.

What I need is God’s word. What I need is Jesus’ love and grace.  What I need is a constant reminder – a constant rebuke from the Lord, that I have to listen and look for God’s calling. Because God is everlasting and I need to be where God is.

I did wonder, why on earth am I here for?  Why does God create me and let me suffer through the pain in this world?  Why do I have to deal with all of the rude, back-stabbing, inconsiderate, unfriendly, or downright nasty people?

The answer is simple: God wants me to win them for Him!  By leading a Jesus-centric life and modeling His love, I’m to be of service to my fellow man/woman.  No matter who they are!

I need to fulfill my purpose in life by serving others. (Ephesians 4:4 -14; Romans 1:6-7; Romans 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:9;  1 Corinthians 1:26; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3)

The fruit of salvation is serving God, by serving others!

It’s so easy to stray from the Lord.  This world facilitates the way to hell.  People tend to sin, and most of the time, they want to take me with them!

In dark times like this is when I really need to guard my heart.  Only Jesus can give me that peace of mind (Philippians 4:7).  Only God can protect me from the dangers that my dark heart desires.  I need the Lord to cleanse my heart and let Him be the ruler of my life (1 Peter 3:15).

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Lord, I give thanks to you.   I lift my praise to you.  In my time of trouble, in my time of darkness, in my time of sin – I want  you to get me out of there!  Help me, God.  I can’t do this on my own.  Cleanse me.  Fill me with your spirit.  Make me be right again in your eyes.  Give me the strength to go on.  Amen.

When I wake up in the early morning, I always find myself feeling physically hungry for food, like a piece bacon, pancake, chicken nugget, or orange juice.  I need food to keep my energy up to cope through the day.

Similarly, this is exactly what my morning devotionals should start:  Hungry for God’s sustenance.  It includes the “pure milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2) and daily “bread” (Matthew 6:11).  The word of God is my spiritual food for the day.  It will keep going strong, to cope with the stress of the day.

I’m leaving the tough decisions to God.  I’m giving all of my troubles on His feet.  I’m going to enjoy the feast that God has laid out in front of me, and enjoy His generous provision.

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

John 6:25-29

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

Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with today?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 159

I had a disagreement with my older sister. She said something that I construed as hurtful, and I attacked her character. It was a battle of words, with neither of us, as stubborn as we are, wanting to admit defeat. Before we went our separate ways, we decided that we should pray to God, individually, and seek His guidance. For a while now, I’ve struggled with my thoughts and feelings about this conflict. Today, this chapter of The Purpose Driven Life book mentions 1 Peter 3:11 (NLT)

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

Now I understand that I must concentrate on restoring my relationship with my sister. I must attack the problem, not my sister. I must admit that I am wrong to perpetuate this conflict.

For about a month now that I’ve prayed to God and venting to Him how I feel about this. I no longer have bitter thoughts and hurt feelings, this is the best time for me to reconcile with her. So just now, I have sent my first email to her. Update is forthcoming.

Update Nov 12 2007: my sister emailed back and stated that she has forgiven me. I think it will take her some time to open up and write more on her thoughts on this.

Knowing that God uniquely created me, what areas of my personality, background, and physical appearances am I struggling to accept?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 26

I am very grateful that my background and my family are well. I am also glad that my physical appearance is not bad. I don’t even mind my personality. But there are some parts of each of them that I’ve sometimes said to myself, “It could be better.” There were regrets that in my life that I wished I could take back or re-do. Fortunately, God let those mistakes happen so that I can learn and be stronger, as stated in 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV):

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

God has one purpose for my life and that is to love me. In turn, He wants me to love Him back, unconditionally (aka Agape love), because that’s exactly what God wants! He gave me free will to choose to love Him. My God is a benevolent God. I have a purpose on this earth. I am not an accident.

I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born.

– Isaiah 44:2a (Contemporary English Version)