Devotional Time with God

Being a parent is not easy for me.  I constantly have to keep up with my daughter in physical, mind, and spiritual development.  The physical part is easy, as I love to run around, dance, and give her hugs and kisses.  She’s now approaching kindergarten so I have to prepare for my mind to teach her the “intellectual” requirements to cope in this world.

Then I have to be her spiritual guidance.  And this is important, as it’s also to help me grow in the Lord.

For a long time, I’ve been spiritually young.  I always wanted to go beyond where I’m at right now.  I want to be close to God.  I want to know what he has to say to me.

This is where I draw my connection.  I want my Father in heaven to guide me, just as I’m guiding my child.

My expectations now are simple:  What God expects from me is almost exactly what I expect from my child.

God gave an example of love and sacrifice in Jesus Christ.  I have to do the same.

God gave me a purpose in life to promote reconciliation, disciple others, lead others to Him, and help others.  I have to do the same.

God loves me and gives me hope.  I have to do the same.

As I see my daughter constantly look up to me for guidance.  All I have to do is look up to God.   It’s the basic thing to do, as a parent.

My small group bible study just started the series on “Dangerous Surrender” based on Kay Warren’s new book. The sunday services for the past 3 weeks were done by Kay herself and she delivered the message in a very emotional way. The topics she covered are hard hitting, gut wrenching, and provocative.

For me, to surrender is like in a battle or war, stop fighting, raise my hands to give up, and submit to whom I’m fighting with. Surrendering to God is exactly that. He wants me to give up my sinful life. He wants me to stop fighting Him for control, and submit my life to His will. It’s the time to say “Yes!” to God for what He wants me to do and be.

1. My days become an adventure.
   When God calls me to go and do something, it’s going to be a spiritual adventure, not knowing where God will take me. It will not be easy. It will not be comfortable. But it will surely be rewarding, for God’s purpose for me is always good.
2. My life becomes a miracle.
   God will show, through me, His miracles. By faith, He will also show me His miracles.
3. My heart becomes more peaceful.
   Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Fighting God’s will had always been in my heart since I was born. I was afraid on what God would make me do, or who I’d become. My ignorance will lead me to worry about my life. All I have to do is strive to have God’s character, for the Lord is good and compassionate. I must not let my sinful nature to get in the way. I must not let my insecurities and life pursuits to take control of me. I must set aside everything for Jesus and follow Him.

In this world, evil does exists and it’s very real. I see it every day in the news: people killing each other; people use each other for their own good; slavery is still rampant; sex trade is still happening, even to kids as young as 8 years old! It’s very sickening and despicable! I must face this reality and I must face evil!

If you don’t do what you know is right, you have sinned.

James 4:17

It’s not only in everyone else that I have to watch out for evil, but I have to keep myself in check. I was born a sinner, I will always have sin. But because Jesus also lives in me, I am saved and I don’t have to accept evil. In fact I have to hate evil!

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10

Here’s some of the ways how I should hate evil:

1. Don’t accept it.
   Don’t laugh with it. The world is trying to make me accept evil by making it a comedy or entertaining. They try to make the wrong words means good. Or evil things being good. It’s not right and I must not accept it.
2. Don’t compromise with it.
   I must not brush it off as something insignificant, or pretend it won’t hurt me. I must not be numbed of evil in this world. I must not want it! I must get rid of it!
3. Don’t participate in it.
   The world will try to make me accept evil by making it convenient and alluring to me. I don’t have to be involved in it. I don’t have to be a part of it. I must get out of it!

Also, I must not fear evil. I must resist it! I must guard my words, raise my voice, and cast my vote when faced with evil.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Psalm 23:4

I must overcome evil. We, as a church, will wipe out evil! It’s the way God intends to use me and the church to attack evil.

This world is waiting for people who:

1. Live Authentically.
   I must not pretend to live “religiously”. I must not pretend to be high almighty. It is so rare to find someone who authentically live for Jesus, who genuinely understand His teachings and applies it to his/her life. It’s something I have to strive for, constantly.
2. Fight Courageously.
   I’m afraid to fight. I admit it. I don’t know if I have what it takes to be a God’s warrior. I tend to be a worry-ier. I know God is with me, I must not be afraid.
3. Love Sacrificially.
   I must do whatever it takes to show the example of the love of God. He loves me for who I am and genuinely cares for me. I must do the same to others.

Surrendering to God is my first step. Then with His guidance, I must do good in this world.

Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12