Devotional Time with God

In case anyone’s wondering why I haven’t updated my devotional blog for a while, I think I’m at a point that I see myself repeating the same interpretation as most scholars and pastors have done.  It’s indeed difficult to discover new ideas, as the Bible itself is not new. It’s always different between person to person.

So now I’m more active on the Bible app called “YouVersion” that lets me share my Bible reading thoughts as I read it.  It’s also very quick way to find verses as I follow during bible study or Sunday sermons.  There’s even Bible reading plans, from well known pastors and leaders.  It’s an indispensable tool for my devotional time with God.

Just like any project, my life also needs progress. Something worth mentioning. Something I can be proud of. Something I can measure to be more than when I first started.

My life with Christ also needs a progress check.  Am I still doing my daily devotional? How many people I’ve shared my faith with? How many difficult situations I’ve dealt with using God’s wisdom?  Have I been keeping my body holy and close to sin-less today?

Pastor John Piper wrote about the things he learned from his father:

Anything you do that hinders your progress for God is wrong.
O how thankful I am that this was the dominant way my father pressed me to pursue my sanctification. He did not mainly impose lists of don’ts on me, though we had them. And they were clear. Mainly he said: Maximize your progress in knowing and serving God. That ruled out a hundred foolish behaviors, some bad and some uselessly innocent.

So my progress has to be truly be aligned with serving God. I have to be able to honestly evaluate myself (and by others) of my progress. One of the indication is my behavior, at home, work, or anywhere. When I can truthfully say I’ve done my part, in a peaceful manner and in humility, doing God’s work, then it’s progress – in the right direction.

This world is blessed by God when I have two of the most famous figures of God’s army, Greg Laurie and Steven Curtis Chapman to help minister me and find my way around this world.   I listen to Steven’s wonderful music, and have enjoyed his tunes and lyrics.  I also listened to Pastor Greg’s messages through his Harvest church in Riverside and on-line.  I regularly listen to them on my long commute to/from work.  They’re both wonderful witnesses of God.  They have touched my heart and ministered to me several times.  God spoke to me through them.

This year, God has called two of their children back to heaven.  Maria Sue Chapman and Christopher Laurie have died, both in car accidents. The loss is devastating for both parents, family, and others.  My heart sank when I heard the news.  I can’t imagine the grief they’ve gone through.  Maybe one day I’ll understand, but right now I can only try to reflect on why this is happening.

Both Greg and Steven are loyal servants of God.  My natural human reaction is to cry out to God and ask why is it happening to them?   Why them?  Haven’t they done a lot of good for you?  Haven’t they been faithful to you?  Why bring this catastrophe upon them?

While listening to Pastor Don McClure’s preaching on The Necessity of Trials, the answer came to me.  Both Greg and Steven are still human. They’re still the same in God’s eyes.  They will still be tested, just like the rest of us.  God has blessed them tremendously.  God created their children.  Now, God wanted them back.   God pulls and shakes us, sometimes violently, to help us grow and learn of His reality.  God has a plan for all of this.   Glory will come out of all this because God is about all that, and more.  It’s much too easy to glorify God when we’re happy and in abundance.   It’s up to us to show His glory, especially during the times of pains and trouble.

Life is precious.  Life is beautiful.  Life is worth living when God is with me. I can only imagine what life is like with God in heaven!  No more pain, no more suffering, no more evil.  Just pure goodness and glory of God.  It’s a better life up there in heaven.  It is just the beginning of eternity, and that is so comforting.

This song “With Hope” by Steven Curtis Chapman says it all.

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you’ve gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but …

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
‘Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
‘Cause we believe with hope
(There’s a place by God’s grace)
There’s a place where we’ll see your face again
We’ll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God’s plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father’s smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
‘Cause now you’re home
And now you’re free, and …

We have this hope as an anchor
‘Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so …

So we can cry with hope
And say goodbye with hope

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope

This is the age of a new medium: the internet.  We are now at the 2nd version.  Hence, it’s called Web 2.0.  It’s about blogging and social media.

I thank the Lord for the constant inspiration, even in this world of constant rebellion and cynicism towards God.  I still find a beauty and cohesiveness that can only be God’s work.

What God-given ability or personal experience can I offer my church?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 248

My abilities and experience are combined: I’m good with computers. My vocation is in web site servers maintenance and troubleshooting. I can probably help the church with their web site if the need ever arises. I have put my name down as a potential candidate. I am certain if God wants me to do this ministry, I will be called. My personality is an introvert, so I don’t usually pursue anything with overflowing enthusiasm. I can be interested and reserved at the same time. This is why I’m waiting for God to call me and use me for whatever purpose He may have for me.

Verse to remember 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. Part of growing up in Christ, I was taught to write down a journal or diary, to record what I’ve learned from God and what has Jesus done for me. I’ve seen testimonies from others in the church who shared how much this has helped them in their spiritual growth.

Traditionally, we would write on a journal book, but since this is Web 2.0, I’ve installed a new WordPress site to store my devotional blog! This will make it easier for me to record my thoughts — and search for specific topics/words too. I will start slow, with posts every week or so, and then build up to daily. With God’s inspiration, I will be able to communicate what I learned from my time with God.