Devotional Time with God

The bible do taught me a radical idea: Love my enemies (Luke 6:35).  I often ask myself, how can God ask me to do that? I’ve been hurt. I’ve been mocked. I’ve been cast out.  I’ve been trampled upon.

How can I not seek revenge? How can I just sit here and take it – and worse, forgive and love them back?

First of all, God does bless the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), so I shouldn’t have enemies in the first place if I focus on making peace – with anyone.  Does it mean I don’t fight back when I’m being persecuted? Of course not – I have to defend myself because God has plans for me and He will rescue me in times of trouble, if it so fit His will.

I’m not the judge or executioner. I’m just in a journey to be more like Jesus – and He’s the ultimate peace maker, walking among sinners and enemies.

Jesus is love – and all I need is Jesus. He forgives my sin and wipe away my tears and hopelessness. Thus, all I need is love!

Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.

1 Peter 4:8

I’m reminded of the small fruit tree in my backyard.  It was placed there because a gardener said in order for the tree to bear fruit, it has to be under the sun.  The more sun it gets, the more fruit it bears.  I’m part of a tree of life, God’s perfect life.  I’m just a vine, a branch, but I have the potential to bear a lot of fruit (John 15:5).  I will bear fruit if I’m constantly under Son of God’s light.  Jesus is my nourishment. Jesus is the reason I grow.

One way Jesus taught me to be fruitful is to show mercy and grace, like what He did to me.  My life is not safe unless I give it to Him.  As part of God’s family, we are commanded to love one another.  Therefore, I must show that same grace and mercy to others (Matthew 5:7).

Thank God for His mercy!

Therefore,  there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:1

In Christ, I am forgiven. That’s the promise that God gave me when I confess my sins and give my life to Jesus.  God chooses to look at Christ instead of my sins.  I don’t have to feel guilty anymore, for my guilt has been paid for by Jesus’ blood.

When I walk with Christ, God will always be with me.  I shall fear nothing, not even death (Psalm 23:1-4).  I’m not alone.  God will be there.  He will give me peace that only comes from the grace of God.  I don’t deserve it, but I have it, as long as I take Jesus as my personal Lord and savior!  I’m no longer in control, I take on Jesus’ yoke because He makes things easier (Matthew 11:28-30).  He makes all things bearable.  He makes all things good.

I will always seek God, to walk with Him, to be in His refuge, and to have His forever-peace.

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.

John 14:27

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19–20

There is hope. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is freedom from all of this sickness on earth. God is the omega. For eternity, I’m commanded to tell others about it.  I must tell others of the good news!

What scares me about me mission trips are the unknowns. I even fear for my life, since I may end up in poverty stricken places where crime is rampant.  When I get there, do I even know what to say? Do I know what to do?  How can I be an effective witness – just by being there?  Where do I start?

I can start right here in my neighborhood. I can be witnesses to my friends. I can be Christ’s example to my co-workers. I can do good locally. This is where I’ll start. I have to start my mission, for it’s part of my purpose that God has given to me!

I often asked, why ministry is so hard?  Why can’t I find the time to just do it? Why can’t I just be glad to be in whatever ministry that’s offered to me?

It all starts from my heart.

I must be willing to be used. I must first understand, because Jesus gave His grace, I must do the same to others. I can’t think of myself first. I must think of others first – their needs, their concerns. Then I use my “shape” and God’s guidance to help out.

Here’s an important perspective to practice my servant-life attitude:

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Matthew 5:41

Strong command, indeed.

I’m so blessed by my church and pastor Rick Warren for coming up with a new Bible study, based on the updated The Purpose Driven Life book.  It brings me back to focus on centering my life around God.  My life is created for His purpose and by His hands.  It’s as simple as that.

Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.

Colossians 1:16

The question to ponder:

In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

The advertising around me is all about profit. It’s all about being selfish. It’s all about making myself supposedly better than the next person. But this is a rat race, in a complicated maze with no exit.

Actually, there’s an exit, and it’s upwards: towards heaven. I have to leave all of this materialistic pursuits behind and store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), instead. I can’t please myself enough to buy my way to heaven. I have to please my creator. I have to return to my God.

An interesting thing happens today: I was actually enjoying my day at work, talking with and helping my co-workers.  I’m usually an introvert, like to keep things to myself, but for some reason, I just felt like I needed to be more friendly.

Maybe, hopefully, to a point that I love them enough that I care about how they feel.

Perhaps it’s too much, but it is the most satisfying feeling. The day passed by without me having a heavy heart. I come home feeling refresh than ever.  I don’t raise my voice and I feel confident.

Perhaps that’s what Jesus meant when He said to attain a greater goal by:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37-39

I must first love God, then love others.  Good advice. And the reward is immense!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

I worry sometimes. Ok, so I worry – a lot! Sometimes it’s about something serious, like my family’s finances. Sometimes it’s about trivial things like my appearances, both physically and relationally.  I worry about things that just don’t matter, sometimes.

So why am I so caught up with what other people thinks of me? Jesus plainly told me that the birds don’t care. The flower’s don’t care. God takes care of nature’s needs.  God will certainly  takes care of me!

I should not be worried.  I need to seek God first – then everything else will fall into place.

Lord, I thank you for your kingdom. I submit my life to you, Jesus. I don’t want to submit to this world. I don’t want to submit to my worries on what other people think of me. You, Jesus, matter to me so I seek you first. I’ve accepted you, Lord – and you said you will provide – you will give me grace. And that’s all I ever need. In your loving arms, I stay.  Amen.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:13

God is still working me.  He is empowering me to do whatever I like to please Him. The Holy Spirit guides me, rebukes me, cajoles me, but ultimately it’s my decision to do what’s right, for God.  I need to use God’s word to find my way to heaven. I need to use God’s word to stay on fire for Him. To be the light that He wants me to be.

No more excuses! No more compromises!

Oh Lord, thank you for work in me. Thank you for giving me the desire and the ability to do what is required of me. Help me through these troubled times. Help me, using  your word and laws to guide me through the treacherous world. Don’t let me cheat or lie my way out of situations. Rather help me use your truths and wisdom to gain more trust and be the example of your wonderful kingdom, God.  Amen.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24

Through the storms of my life, it’s always good to know that I have God standing beside me. God wants me to go through, safe and sound, by listening – and most importantly, do His commands, because that’s how I can grow. His word is my foundation. His laws are the basis of my life.

How do I go through this storm? By perseverance. By the confidence that only Jesus can give:

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Jesus began the good work in me and He will see it completed. I have the utmost the confidence in God’s molding of my life – for His purpose.