Devotional Time with God

It’s difficult enough to live in this materialistic world and save enough for oneself, or the family. It takes a huge leap of faith to give to others.  It’s even more difficult when God tests me on it:

I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing.

Malachi 3:10

He promises to give me more when I give more. He promises the riches of heaven, with blessings after blessings. Who wouldn’t want that?  I do!  But the test is difficult since I’m short sighted, shallow, and scared. I must put my eyes on the finish line. I must look to God for His richness.  This world is fleeting. Heaven is permanent!

 Remember this saying, “A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest.”

2 Corinthians 9:6

Society will tell me to look after myself, not worry about the others.  The world will say take what’s mine, and that’s usually everything that I can see. The world will tell me to be on the top of the food chain, because it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there.

It’s a good thing the Bible is so anti-world view!

God tells me to give.  God tells me to be a blessing to others.  God tells me to be generous to others. It’s not up to me to accumulate everything for myself.  It’s up to God to give me everything that I need – to advance His kingdom on this world.  Others must see who God is, and He is a generous and giving God.

This world taught me that I’m the center of my own universe.  I’m the god of my own destiny.  I’m the master of my world.

Of course, this teaching is wrong!

Eventually, I will die. Where will I end up? Space dust? All of that love, knowledge, and experiences – POOF, gone!  But I’m glad I know Jesus because He offered me grace and I took it!  I now have an everlasting life promised to me after I’m dead. I now have hope!

I don’t think I can go on trudging along on this earth without God’s healing power (Psalm 147:3).  I will, forever cast all of my care upon him, for He cares for me! (1 Peter 5:7)

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!

Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. Then you will say to the Lord, You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.

Psalm 91:1-2

There’s a lot of places I can hide in this world.  I’m so tiny compared to this planet earth. I can go to some corner of the neighborhood and hide.  I’ve never tried to get lost, but if I want to I probably can.

But is that the kind of hiding that’s beneficial for me?  I don’t want to be lost. I want to be found!  There are times when I’m in trouble that I have to be under God’s shadow, under His protection, under His glory.

I want to hide under God’s refuge – for my own safety!

In this world, especially when dealing with other people, being happy is so hard to establish.  It’s even harder to keep. The normal thing that happens are disappointment, sadness, pain, and anguish.  Joy and happiness are so few.  Sometimes I had to dig deep to find it.  By my own strength, the joy that I felt were fleeting and inconsistent.  Eventually, I’ll just feel worn down, emotionally, physically, and yes, even spiritually.

Thankfully, the more consistent and powerful joy is available, and all I have to do is tap in to God’s promises:

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

He is my strength. He is the source of my happiness. My life’s challenges can only be solved by knowing He’s with me.  I need to have the desire to work hard, but I also need to have a joyful attitude! The hope that’s in God drives me every day of my life.

The love of God gives me joy!

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

I love how God tells me that all I have to do is ask for wisdom:

If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.

James 1:5

What’s even better is that there’s no stupid question. There’s no dumb request. God can take it and He won’t laugh at me, or scold me.  He takes everything I ask of Him with consideration.  He will either say: yes, no, or wait.  But He will provide an answer.

I must believe it, though. I have to have faith that God is answering me.  I can ask repeatedly and He’ll answer just as well.  There is one request that I can definitely ask all the time: wisdom.

Wisdom is good for me. Wisdom is what God wants me to have.  God wants me to keep learning – from mistakes, from knowledge, and from His words on the Bible.  God blesses me if I ask for wisdom:

God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.

Proverbs 3:13

That is the question I need to ask myself with every thought that comes across my mind. I don’t always think about good thoughts. There are plenty of temptations and evil thoughts that I’m bombarded with, either on the movies, or the people around me.  But I have to find that peace that only comes from knowing God and His word.  I can no longer be influenced by this world:

Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

Romans 12:2

I have to know Jesus. I have to know what He has to say (and do) about everything in my life – from what I eat, speak, think, or look at. I have to constantly test what I’ve encountered:

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

I must look for what is pure, noble, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Another words, a higher standard!  My mind has to be filled with God’s standard of living. My thoughts will shape my mind, and my mind will shape my character.

And my character needs to be like Jesus!

The Scriptures ask, “Has anyone ever known the thoughts of the Lord or given him advice?”  But we understand what Christ is thinking.

1 Corinthians 2:16