Devotional Time with God

How can I help cultivate today the characteristics of real community in my small group and my church?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 151

Developing a fellowship does take a whole lot of time and effort. Two people, or a group, do not know each other if they hardly spend any time together. I certainly can see this clearly as I have all sorts of shallow relationships with my co-workers, extended family, distant friends, and sometimes other church members. I need to be in constant touch with each other to get anywhere close. One of the goal of writing my blogs is to let everyone know how I am doing. But my blog is limited since it is a one-way street. I need to know what others are doing, by either comments or reading their own blogs. That’s not easy to encourage. It’s difficult enough to get them to read their emails, let alone blog!

Online relationship is a tough one to establish. I have to reach out in other ways, and mostly it means by physically meeting them. Face to face conversation is almost a lost skill these days, especially for a shy person like me. With God’s help, I will overcome this. I will focus on God to love my neighbours.

The 9 characteristics that I must follow are outlined in the book by Pastor Rick:

• Authenticity: I will share my true feelings
• Mutuality: I will encourage each other
• Sympathy: I will support each other
• Mercy: I will forgive
• Honesty: I will speak the truth in love
• Humility: I will admit my weakness
• Courtesy: I will respect my differences with others
• Confidentiality: I will not gossip
• Frequency: I will make the group as a priority

Verse to remember 1 John 3:16 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 144

This is a tough question. I don’t know if it’s my upbringing or my personality, but I am basically a shy person. I like to keep my secrets to myself, and that includes, unfortunately, my shame and regrets. Part of it maybe through my experience with friends who let me down before. Part of it maybe cultural, being an Asian I’m always taught to be closed minded sometimes. Part of it maybe through my family, who taught me to be the strong one and always be able to support myself.

Then Jesus said in Galatian 6:2 (NLT)

Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

For me, it’s tougher to share my troubles. But God wants me to share it with others. How do I do that when I don’t know my small group friends that well? Can I really trust them? I tell my troubles to my wife; Is that enough? Maybe what God wants is that I have more than one perspective to my troubles, so I may get more than one solution.

To obey God, I plan to build a relationship with select group of people that I can trust and share with. It will take trial and error, but with God’s help, I will succeed, and I know this because God is always with me during my trials.

As a side note, in Lord of the Rings trilogy movies, the fellowship of the ring comprises of a few characters on a quest to destroy the Ring. In particular, the hobbits, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin are close friends. They share the same goals, help each other, and pretty much go through hell together. The best representation of their fellowship is in Return of the King, when Frodo is leaving. The emotions are at the all time high and everyone has that feeling the fellowship just isn’t the same without Frodo. To me, that’s the ultimate proof of a fellowship done right.

Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God’s family?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 137

Saddleback Church is huge. I mean BIG. There are over 30,000 people in attendance, many small groups to choose from, and many ministries to participate in. Sometimes it is difficult to fit in a church that size. Fortunately, it’s a church that encourages spiritual growth. I may not know everyone, but I am getting to know a few already. Jeff and Katie are the current host of the small group that we attend. Previously, we’ve known several others.

I have to become more active in the church. We’ve already attended Class 101 and must now take it to the next steps (201, 301, etc.) It is my goal to use my God-given talent for the church to use. I have a life time to establish this, but I’m praying that it will be sooner. I am putting in time, talent, and treasure for God’s work through the church.

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

Honestly, are relationships my first priority? How can I ensure that they are?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 129

Relationships are important. I want to go home, be with my wife and kid, because I value my relationship as a husband and a father, respectively. I talk to people at work (or at their house) because I value their friendship. I make my blogs and comment on other people’s blogs, because I value the interaction with people. Relationship is absolutely the driving force of my life. It’s no wonder that God has wired me this way – He wants me to love other people, especially with other believers. The only way I can ensure it’s my first priority is be kind to others, and get involved in the community and church.

Pastor Rick summarized it well in his book:

The best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.

Verse to remember is Galatians 5:14 (NIV):

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself”.

Finally, the song from Steven Curtis Chapman “All About Love” has the perfect lyrics for this:

Love love love love love …it’s all about
Love love love love love
Everything else comes down to this
Nothing any higher on the list than love
It’s all about love

How can I start treating other believers like members of my own family?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 122

We have a couple of friends from a church in San Diego, let’s call them Chris and Robin (for anonymity). Back in early 2000, they were newlyweds, like us, so we got a long very well. We started going to their bible study and they would visit our church on sundays. There was a day when Chris and Robin got into a big fight and she decided to leave out of town without letting him know. He would call me, told us what happened. Yantie and I would drive to his apartment, and tried to help him out by talking to him, and going to the airport to see if she was still there. We stayed with him the rest of the day, prayed with him. We sought updates the weeks after, sharing the pain he was going through, as he felt really abandoned at this point. Eventually Robin would return and they sorted out their issues.

This is what God wanted us to be: a family. When a member of the body is in pain, the body feels it. We felt each other’s pain and we tried to help the healing process. We love Chris and Robin very much. We continue to pray for their well being and God’s grace in their lives. I am glad to be able to call them my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 2:11 (CEV)

How can I stay focused on God’s presence, especially when he feels distant?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 113

I have been in that dark moment when God seemed to have been missing from my life. I’m not just talking about when I haven’t been serious with God. It also happened after I had accepted Christ into my life and pledged myself to be His servant. As a young believer (in my early 30’s), I had everything. I could afford a big wedding. I had a great job in a booming dot.com era. I had bought a house that I previously thought I couldn’t afford. I got to work from home, with flexible hours. Everything was working great, until everything started to fall apart – dot.com bust, got laid-off work, uncertain about my house payments. My future seemed bleak. For over 5 months I was looking for resolution from God, but He wasn’t giving me a clear way out.

Then I realized this had to be one of God’s answer: wait. God always has one of the three answers: Go (yes), No, and Slow (wait). I knew God would save me; He is a loving God. I knew God was in control; He is a powerful God. Even though God told me to wait, He took care of us in our time of need. He provided us with the basic necessities and a supportive group of friends and family.

As stated in my previous devotional blog entries, I finally got another job, got my green card, and eventually moved to a bigger and better things in my life. God told me to wait because He had something else planned for my life. I am not suppose to question God’s timing (although He does allow me to complain about it to Him). I must stay focus on God’s unchanging nature and His promises.

The following bible translation of sums up what I have to do with my pursuit of a “comfortable life”:

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

Hebrews 13:5-6 (Message)

Which is more pleasing to God right now – my public worship or my private worship? What will I do about this?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 106

It is hard for me, as a busy IT professional and a family life, to have free time. Like I previously blogged, I get most of my “worship” time in the car during commute. Now I realize that God is not looking for a routine, or even quantity time. He’s looking for quality time, even if it’s only a few minutes. However, I must know where my heart is when I worship God. When my attitude is correct, God is pleased. My private worship is to sing, pray, and talk to God constantly.

My public worship was, so far, going to church, to sing and listen for God’s words. I will also witness God’s message to others, but that doesn’t happen as often as I wanted to. This blog is another form of my public worship. God had planted this idea in me for over a year, but I was too stubborn to follow through. Now that it’s already rolling, I am glad God gives me this avenue to share His word with others.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Also a praise and worship song from Lincoln Brewster‘s “Love the Lord”.

Additionally, one my favourite song that describes the right attitude of worship is from Matt Redman‘s “Heart of Worship”:

When the music fades and all is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
All about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the things I’ve made it
When it’s all about You
All about You, Jesus

King of endless worth, no one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is Yours
Every single breath

What practical choices will I make today in order to grow closer to God?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 99

I used to commute 3 hours from San Diego from/to Irvine. I had my car’s mp3 player playing all of my favourite Christian songs, such as Hillsong, Lakewood Church Live, and WOW series. When I sung those songs, I felt closer to God. I felt I knew what God had to say to me. Many times I really looked forward to driving that long distance just to get connected with God in my mobile sanctuary.

God wants me to know Him more. I need to be in total connection with Him. I need to talk to Him more. Pastor Rick suggested (in the book) to speak short sentences that glorifies God, such as “Thank you, Lord”, “I want to know you”, “Help me trust you”. They are breath prayers. I’ve used this a lot after taking a deep breath. They clear my mind of any worries and doubts. They are the most practical thing I can do to be closer to God.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

James 4:8a (NAS)

What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to Him more often throughout the day?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 91

When I look back at my life, I am reminded how many people that I call my best friend. Surprisingly, in my mind, those people I called my best friends are no longer accurate. Sure, we can get together, once in a while, and talk about old times. But, best friends are more than that. A best friend is someone I can confide in. A best friend is the one I talk to first when I’m in trouble. A best friend is someone I can rely on with my well being, as well as my family’s. A best friend is always there with me, either from a phone call or e-mail away. On this earth, that person is my wife, Yantie.

However, there is another, and He is my creator. God wants me to be His best friend. He wants me to be in constant communication with Him. He wants to be in my presence, as much as I want Him to be. He knows my deepest darkest secrets and He gives my well being. He is not just some far away distant friend; He’s right here with me at all times.

Who am I that You are mindful of me
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me
How You love me it’s amazing

I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend

God Almighty, Lord of Glory
You have called me friend

Israel Houghton, “Friend of God”
(Best rendition of the song is in Lakewood Church’s “Cover the Earth” CD)

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)

What area of my life am I holding back from God?

The Purpose Drive Life, p. 84

I like to plan my life. I don’t like surprises. Being prepared and having the ability to anticipate what’s going to happen next is what I considered my best ability. But, even with so much planning and preparation, I’m still not a perfect person. I can’t expect things to happen my way all the time. I will make mistakes. If there’s one glaring thing that I’ve been holding back, it’s my pride — my own sense of accomplishment. For what I’ve accomplished, I have to dedicate it to God, not for myself. My abilities are God given talents, so it is only right that I use them for His glory. This is what I have to remind myself, over and over. I must surrender to God for he hates the pride in me:

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)