Devotional Time with God

I listened to Greg Laurie’s service today on Harvest Christian Church, and he talked about the most difficult part of my Christian life: How to evangelize.  Sharing my faith can be tricky in this day and age.  He covered what I need to do:

I need to go to Samaria (John 4:4), which is practically everywhere, especially where no one wants to go and be with people no one wants to be associated with. The gospel is for everyone.  If they don’t hear about Jesus’ love, they’ll be going to hell.  I have to overcome my prejudices and biases.  Everyone’s the same in the eyes of the Lord.

I need to be tactful. Evangelism is about a dialogue, not a monologue. I have to do a lot of listening. Everyone’s favorite topic is himself or herself.  I must need to learn how to respond, with tact.  The objective is to win the soul, not the argument. For example, Jesus was using the well and its water as a metaphor for her life (John 4:13).

I need to adapt to the situation.  People might try to change the subject (John 4:20), but I have to keep trying to go back to the main issue.  There is no one way to evangelize. Sometimes I have to answer a question with a question – it’s for those who just want discredit what I know.  Asking questions engages the other person, creating a bridge to a dialogue.

I need to use my story.  It’s a way to preach to a person without actually preaching.  Many people will believe as a result of my testimony (John 4:39).  A real story is a powerful message, as real as I experienced it – not exaggerated.  It’s not about me, it’s about God.

I need to faithfully deliver the word of God, giving everyone the true gospel. The truth is, the way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.  Jesus died for my sins. He’s the way, the truth, and the life.

I need to let God work through me.  He’ll give me the strength to deliver the Good News to anyone – everyone.  I need to let God direct me.

There are many famous people in this world.  They’re rich, influential, charismatic, beautiful, persuasive, or even powerful in some ways.  People have a tendency to look at them as role models.

But are they suppose to be mine?

The bible tells me my father is suppose to be my role model:

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

John 5:19

I love my Dad and I look up to my biological father because he’s my closest example of what a man should be.  But I do have to remind myself that he’s only human, with all the fallacies of this world.

There is a heavenly Father.  God is my source of life and inspiration.  I need to fix my eye on Him.  He will show more greater and more amazing things (John 5:20).

God is my ultimate role model.

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.

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

As I crossed into the new year, I’m yet again reminded what my priorities are.  My God is first.  My family is next.  My friends follow.  If I look at the order, it tells me the future:

• God is forever.
• Family is long lasting.
• Friends are fleeting.

Anything on this earth doesn’t last forever, including myself.  I have to bet my life on Jesus Christ, for He is the truth (John 14:6).   He is the only future I can rely on.

O Lord, thank you for what you’ve done for me in the year 2009.  You’ve given us plenty.  You’ve protected us.  You’ve taught and guided us through the minefields of this world.  I want to bear fruit in the coming new year 2010.  I still need your grace.  I still need your Holy Spirit to guide me further.  Further to the Kingdom of God.  I know my future is with you, Jesus.  Amen.

I don’t want to live with the pain that I’ve experienced in my life.  So why is it that I always dwell in them?  It’s in my mind.  It’s in my dreams.  It’s in my decisions for the future.  It’s not healthy.

I’ve had the pains for so long, I’m comfortable with them.  Bad relationships?  Been there.  Bad decisions about my career?  Done that.  Do I learn from them? Absolutely.  Do I remember them?  Sure.

The pain became my identity.  “I am what I am.”  What an excuse.  But it’s an easy excuse for any character defect that I have.  It’s an easy way out of doing something to correct it.  I want my identity to be good and constant.

My defect has a payoff.  If I get mad and starts yelling at my daughter, I will get her attention.  If I get angry and shunned my wife, she’ll (hopefully) try not to tick me off again.  I do the bad and awful things because it has short term benefits.  SHORT TERM. Instant benefit is temporary.  I want a lasting change.

Satan is sneaky – he wants me to stay in my pain and discourages me.  The scene is like a movie or comic books, when there’s a decision to be made, like returning a dropped wallet with money in it, both the demon and angel will speak to me on each shoulder.  Most likely I’ll listen to the demon because his suggestion will make me feel good – albeit temporary.  I will need to listen to the angel more.

I need to know God’s truths and abide by them.  Only then I’ll no longer prolong the pain.  God will set me free.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32

A child needs to take a risk in this world.   Not the destructive kind, but a healthy one.  Risks such as not going along with the crowd, not easily influenced by the media (or what is “cool”).  Healthy risk is doing what God says, despite of worldly opinions.

With risk, there’s adventure.  Trying something new and sometimes fail at it.  Having the willingness to change for the better, according to God’s will, is another reason to keep going.  My child don’t always stay in her own comfort zone.  God will always challenge her to be someone greater.

My job, as a parent, is to encourage and support her, with the help of the holy spirit:

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

John 14:15-17

It’s an adventure of a lifetime.

Jesus saves.  He saves me, and He wants saves the world.  This means He wants to save my child, too.  We’re all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

However, God values our free-will.  He won’t force me, and my child, to accept Jesus.  We must choose to have that personal relationship with Him.  Just like me, I want my child to have her sins removed and have an eternal home in heaven.

Everyone’s precious in God’s eyes.

Lord, thank you for my daughter.  Thank you for the precious gift you’ve given me.  Not only you sent us Jesus to die on the cross to save us, you gave us a child to love.  I want to bring her to you.  To know you, like I know you.  To have you as her personal savior.  To have you a compass for life, as she navigates in this ever increasingly troubled world.  We have our sights set on the reward in heaven.  Please guide us, increase our love, and steady our faith.  Amen.

It’s human nature to lie.  My inclination is to lie to get what I want.  I don’t tell the truth (or half-truth) to cover up my mistakes or shortcomings.  It’s no different with my child.  She doesn’t have to be taught to lie and she already knows how to do it!

To tell the truth, at all times, is difficult to do.  It’s a discipline.  It requires effort. It requires accountability.  God is watching.

It would be easier if every time I lie, God will send a lightning bolt, or something, to correct me.  However, God does want to bless me, and he won’t do it if I constantly lie.  In fact, He’ll settle the score if I am not repentant.  There will always be a day of reckoning.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

Proverbs 19:9

As a parent, I must model honesty in my family.  Especially to my child.  There needs to be sincerity in all apologies.  There needs to be fairness in all the things we do.

I have to be involved.  I have to engage my kid to ensure she knows I care, and I’m paying attention.   God only wants honest people, and that’s who I want to bring up.

The truth shall make us free.

This Easter weekend, I’m reminded how busy I’ll be with my daughter’s activities, getting together with friends, going to Church service, grocery shopping, watching The Masters golf game, etc.   I’m constantly trying to fill my days with stuff to do.  Trying to keep busy.

For the past 3 weeks, Pastor Doug Fields just finished the series on “Refuel” where he talked about the importance to stop being busy, and start connecting with God.  His advice is practical.  He’s talking about me taking more time, a little bit at a time every day, to ponder God’s majesty, grace, and kindness.  I have to realize that I’m God’s friend and He wants to talk to me in all of my waking moments.  I have to thank God for all of the things He’s done, from the little things like the weather, to big things including giving His only son to save me.

Lord Jesus, I’m taking this morning to pause my “busy” life, and pray to you.   My devotional will now be with you throughout the day, a few minutes at a time.  I need to give you my breath prayers because I need the constant reminder to calm myself and stay connected to you.  Thank you, my friend, for dying for me.  I’m amazed by your sacrifice.  I’m even more in awe by your resurrection.  You are alive, living inside me and brings hope to humanity.  I can now proceed with my days, knowing that you’re with me.  Amen.