Devotional Time with God

I’m crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

I count myself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:1-14)

I am a new creation in Christ; the old life is gone, a new life has begun. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I’ve let my sins and past mistakes die.  My old self is no more.  I’m now a living as embodiment of Jesus, who takes over my life.

I’ve been sworn to be a jury.  It’s my honor to serve as one: for the community – for the country.  I’m relieved the courts still swore us in  using the word “So help me God” at the end of the oath to tell the truth.

For indeed the truth shall set me free (John 8:32). It shall set all of us free!  If only everyone would tell the truth, we wouldn’t need lawyers, court systems, lawsuits, and the constant bickering who does what with whom at where and when.  We wouldn’t need to scrutinize every little details.

If only everyone would tell the truth and follow God’s commandments (Romans 13:9).  We’ll all be safe.

When I’m on the jury box, whenever I can, I prayed for the witness, victim, defendant, judge, my fellow jurors, and even the lawyers, that they open their heart and tell the truth.  Because I know the truth will eventually come out and justice will be served. So help us God!

I’ve always known the name of Jesus, my God, has power.  It  has a power to heal. It has a power to change lives.

Yet there are those today who abuses this powerful name for a mere insult.  They just throw it around when they’re angry or frustrated.  This world has so much contempt over the one true God.

It makes me sad that anyone would use God’s name in vain.  God strictly prohibits it (Exodus 20:7).  Maybe the mere fact that I’m offended by the misuse, it’s the very reason they abuse it.  They want to use God’s name as a mean to anger and stir up emotions.

I rather use God’s name to bless and to save people.  That’s what He promised will happen:

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

At my church, Saddleback, we’re kicking off the “Decade of Destiny” today.  Pastor Rick has a vision for the church in the next 10 years.  He wants the church to grow spiritually in the next decade, by leaps and bounds.  We ought to dream big because we have a big God.

In a spiritual growth, there needs to be certain things that I have to focus on doing.

1. Meet with God daily. (Proverbs 8:34)
2. Study and do His word. (Psalm 1:1-3)
3. Tithe my income. (Malachi 3:10)
4. Help others in need. (Psalm 41:1-2)
5. Share the good news. (Philemon 1:6)
6. Participate in fellowship. (Romans 1:12)

Getting to where I want to be also takes a few steps:

1. Determine my present position.
2. Describe exactly what I want.
3. Find a promise from God.
4. Ask God for help.
5. Identify difficulties.
6. Create a step-by-step plan.
7. Be patient and persistent.
8. Enlist a team for support.
9. Pay the price.

So where do I want to be?  I first need to know where I am.  I’m financially stable, physically alright, and in a healthy relationship with my family.  What an awesome blessing to be in this situation.  Can I ask for more?  Of course I can.  God wants to add more!  I love to have another child. I love to be able to help others and honor God, at the same time.  I love to have the peace of mind that can only come from knowing Jesus Christ.  I love to have Jesus’ character. I love to have God use my family to be God’s ambassadors in this dark and treacherous world.

This world is only a temporary assignment.  Slowly, but surely, I will reach my destiny to be with God in heaven and worship Him, forever.

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!

Many times when I pray, I always wander off and talk to God about “world peace”, “healing”, and “forgiveness”.  Another words, I always talk in generality.  God knows exactly what I need or want, so I really don’t have hide around those vague words.  I should just come out and say exactly what I want!

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Luke 18:40-41

“Lord, I want to see.”  Right to the point!  Expect a miracle.  Have faith!

Lord, I want a baby boy!  Lord, I want my parents to live another 30 years!  Lord, I want this bad back to heal!

Romans 8:32 said, there’s nothing God won’t do for me.  He already gave His only Son for me!

I need to develop my spiritual habits, such as prayer, mediation, bible study, service, or evangelism.  However, I was surprised to see that being “simple” is also a spiritual habit that I must have.  There is a list of references that points simplicity as biblical, and I can apply some for my life.

In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul wrote that we must oppose to wordly wisdom.  This world has so many contradictions and “gray” areas, in terms of morality and conduct.  But I know my direction comes from the bible, and it can be as simple as black and white.  I must seek the simplicity and sincerity of God’s wisdom.

Jesus said I must have the attitude of a little child when seeking the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-3) A child is simple and straight to the point.  A way to God is simple and straight to the point.

I must give freely and simply. (Romans 12:8)   I must cheer for all acts of kindness.

In Proverbs 21:11, God promised to make the simple as wise.  I need to make myself less complicated.  I need to have an instructable heart, mind, and spirit to receive the knowledge. 

Lord, thank you for your saving grace. I come to you now with a child-like attitude, longing for your help and safety.  I don’t need this complicated world.  There’s only one way and that’s your way, God.  Guide me to you and steer me on. By your grace, Amen.

Living in Southern California, it’s easy to get caught up in a self-worth race.  Looking around, people have bigger houses, bigger yards, bigger cars – and undoubtedly, bigger bank accounts.  Looking rich is looking good.  Even a dish washer in a restaurant drives a Lexus!

This obsession to have more is unhealthy.  All of this “stuff” that I have is merely on loan.  My God, the master of the universe, is the owner (Luke 16:12).  I don’t take my possessions to heaven.

I need to be different from this world.  I need to be transformed (Romans 12:2).  My thinking about money is to be directed towards bringing people to God.  It’s the way to store up my “treasures” in heaven (Matthew 6:20-21).

I need to be investing for eternity.

Back in the 80’s when I was growing up, there’s always a group of people who could influence my way of doing things.  They were, unfortunately, my high-school friends.  The Church didn’t have a strong influence.  In fact, it was quite passive.  In addition, the media on TV and radio has a strong influence, they were coolest thing to see and hear.  In today’s fast paced and Internet-connected society, it’s quick & easy to pass around information.  I obtained ideas, opinions, and commentaries faster today than I ever did back then.  Those are the strong influencers now.

My character was molded by someone else.

But it’s time to turn to creator, who molded me from his own image (Genesis 1:27), to set me back on track to the Heaven.  It’s time to develop convictions (Romans 12:2) that deeply motivates me to do the right thing for God and for love.  It’s time to develop Christ-like character, and develop habits that bring fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful savior
I know for sure all of my days are held in your hands
Crafted into your perfect plans

You gently called me into your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life
Through your eyes

I’m captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you’re drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter’s hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter’s hand

You gently call me into your presence
Guiding me by your holy spirit
Teach me dear lord to live all of my life through your eyes

I’m captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you’re drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter’s hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter’s hand

Hillsong Australia, “Potter’s Hand”

My parents are hot tempered.  I could recall they yelled at each other a lot when I was just a kid.  Now I have my own family, I felt ashamed that I’m also doing it to my wife, in front of my own daughter.  My parents gave me the “DNA” of bad temper and stubbornness.

Then, there are circumstances that drive me to do the things I do.  For a long time, my parents are “hands off” parents, and trusted me at the very young age to grow up by myself.  It was a teenager’s dream!  I learned from my friends, my sisters, and my uncles/aunts.  The influence from my uncle led me to a bad relationship.  The influences from my friends were into procrastination and sometimes college drinking binges.  With my sisters, I just did all I could to be not like them!

I chose to follow my friends more  because they were more fun.  Peer pressure was a big influence in my life.  I chose to accept that my temper was hereditary and there was nothing I could do about it.  I chose to go with the moment, and followed fads or whatever was “cool” at the time.

The choices that I made had painful consequences.  I became distant from my parents.  I viewed relationships as something I must control myself.  I often refused to know other people’s feelings.  I was selfish.  I paid for it in spades: lost relationships, lost time, and lost opportunities.

But I now know it doesn’t have to be this way.  For God’s promises:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2

The key is Jesus!  Put my faith in Him, I will be transformed.  I don’t have to be of this world.  I need to be part of God’s plan in heaven.  I don’t have to be stuck with my bad choices.  Jesus paid for my sins.  With His grace and mercy, I’m forgiven.  Now I have to let His will be done.  God’s perfect character must shine in me, so I don’t have to show my defects.