Devotional Time with God

But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord gives strength to those who are weary.Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.

Isaiah 40:29-31

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

Philippians 4:13

Many times I’ve wondered, how am I going to go through this problem at work? When am I going to resolve these marriage issues? How am I suppose to be a good dad and husband? How can I help when I need help myself?  These are my moments of weakness. My self-doubt. My pity-party.  There were times that I felt I couldn’t do anything, at all!

But the bible teaches one important lesson:  Go with Christ!  When I go through trouble, with Jesus, I’m safe!  I’m able! I will reach my goal.  I will have confidence.  That is His promise. That’s what I’m holding on to!

Jesus is the source of my strength.  I shall depend on Him in all the things I do, because I can’t do it all by myself!

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

I did remember the times when I struggled just to wake up. I argued to myself, what’s the point? I was doing the same old job. I would be dealing with the same old crusty people. I would be achieving nothing and not recognized for my work – again!  It was just meaningless chores.

But, it all changed when I know Jesus. It all changed when God gave me a new direction in life: start a family and love them!  It all changed – for the far better!  Suddenly, I have a purpose in life. Suddenly, God is in control and He has placed the important markers for me to reach. He always provided what I need. I just have to trust Him to lead the way.

God is my driving force. He placed the important people to lead through life.  God has given me a purpose to prepare myself for eternity.

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

Isaiah 44:2

It’s mind boggling. It’s difficult to understand. I have a purpose before I was born! So who am I to argue with God?  Should I try to steer in my own direction, based on the thinking of the society, majority, or other worldly influences?  I think not!  So the question to consider:

I know that god uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background, and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?

I struggled to accept that I was born in a poor family, at first. I struggled that my parents didn’t provide me with a strict discipline. I struggled that I’m a stubborn as a mule when it comes down to learning new things.

But God has turned all of that around. My family is now well off. I received the benefits of their hard work and I’m forever in grateful to my parents.  I know now that I have to learn new things to keep up, and not be left behind and go back to square one. At the same time, I realized God always have a plan for me and He’s always there at every step.

In the whole scheme of things, I don’t consider myself “lucky”.  I consider myself blessed!

“… Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

When the Lord is with me, who can stand against me?  His compassion is my reassurance.  His strength is my strength.  I have peace because God is in control.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). The overcomer. The problem solver.

When my toddler got her first illustrated bible from the church, I thought it would make a good introduction for her.  I would read chapter by chapter each day (short ones), and she would get excited about looking at the pictures of Moses, Noah’s Ark, Jesus and His disciples.

When I get to the section called “The True King”, it illustrated a donkey and Jesus riding it during Passover Feast.  It’s outlined in the books of Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-42, and John 12:12-19.  The picture of the donkey is cute and we got a kick out of looking at it.  I said to myself, that’s odd why they would focus on this donkey.

As it turns out, the donkey (and the subsequent Jesus arrival to Jerusalem on it) was prophesied earlier in Isaiah 21:7.  Jesus had fulfilled that prophecy.

The Bible confirmed Jesus is the one true king, as shown by God’s vision.

It’s indeed the most wonderful time of the year.  Not just for gift giving.  Not just for good food.  Not just for family gatherings.  Not just for the music.

It’s for Jesus Christ!

He had been prophesied to come (Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 7:14) to this earth and save us all.  He’s the one that we’ll bow down to – the perfect person, God incarnate.  The one I can look up to when I’m lost in this world.  The one who’ll fill me up when I’m depraved of love and attention.

He’s coming back.

I know it takes faith to believe in God.  However, it takes more faith not to believe because what if I’m wrong?  I’m not perfect.  I’m not always right.  If there’s a higher power, wouldn’t I want to be on His side?

As a child, I was jaded.  I was invincible.  I felt I could do it all, in good health (even though not in perfect shape), and had a lot of years ahead of me.

Upon reflection, I was relying too much on myself.  I know now that God was looking after me.

I know God:

1. Exists
2. Cares about me.
3. Has the power to help me.

God has answered my prayers multiple times.  He knows my needs and have provided.  He will always provide because He has an infinite power.

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Luke 18:27

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

The men’s bible study group has been “postponed” indefinitely due to lack of attendance.  I decided to continue on with the study, 2 chapters at a time, and complete it.  Sort of my New Year’s resolution: Always finish what I’ve started.  God always does, and so will I.

Chapters 15-16:

• Isaiah prophesied destruction in Moab.
• The Moabites pride and arrogance was despised by God.  The Lord even wept for them.
• The destruction of Moab included drought and and famine.  The army would be destroyed.
• This destruction lasted 3 years.

Chapter 13-14

• God’s judgments was prophesied for the surrounding nation of Judah.
• Isaiah first prophesied on Babylon.
• God was coming to destroy Babylon is at hand.
• It was figuratively described as complete darkness, the earth shakes, and many will perish.
• The Medes would stir up against Babylon.
• The city of Babylon would end up like Soddom and Gomorrah: destroyed.
• The house of Jacob would resettle Israel again.
• Songs (Proverbs) would be sung to signal the end of Israel’s oppression by the Babylonians.
• The fall of Lucifer, king of Babylon, judged by God and his children slaughtered.
• Next, God would destroy Assyria.
• Judgment would come to Philistia (Philistine).
• In the midst of all this destruction, God provided refuge for His people in Zion.

Chapters 9-12

• The prophecy of a child, a son, a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, was offered to Israel. It was fulfilled by Jesus.
• The Son of God will govern in peace.
• Israel would fall because of its arrogance and pride. Not following God’s timing was one reason for the downfall.
• The chastening of Israel was brutal. Attacks would come from all sides, and cannibalism was rampant.
• Despite all that, the people of Israel would still not listen to God, continued to be corrupt, robbed from its people (especially the widows), and continued their sinful lives.

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

Isaiah 10:4b

• Assyria was just part of God’s plan to shape Isreal. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who so arrogantly confident defeating Israel was his own doing. When God was done with them, He would punish the king by letting Assyria be attacked and their kingdom plundered.
• The “remnants”, or God’s righteous few, would return to the land.
• God told His people in Zion and Jerusalem, not to be afraid. God offered His protection against the Assyrian army. God himself would cut down them down.

He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Isaiah 10:34

• The root of Jesse (David’s father) would bear fruit. From his branch there would be the messiah, and the spirit of the Lord will be upon Him. He will judge with righteousness and adorn with faithfulness.
• Peace will be in Israel.
• The prophecy described a little child leading the wolf and the lamb, signifying the hope of peace.
• Everyone will rally to the prophesied Messiah. God will also offer Him for the second time to Israel, referencing to Jesus 2nd coming.
• God’s people will praise the Lord, give thanks, make known He has done, and exalt His name.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2