Devotional Time with God

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

We live in this world, but we don’t act like its people or fight our battles with the weapons of this world. Instead, we use God’s power that can destroy fortresses. We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people’s thoughts and make them obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

The world’s media bombard us with junk, every day. They made us selfish, arrogant, scared, worry, and hateful.  It’s a nasty world. It’s an unforgiving world.

I can’t fix my mind on this world!

I have a perfect God. I have an awesome model for peace: Jesus. If I want calm and love, I have to fix my thoughts on Jesus.  He’s the perfect peace.  Trusting God is my first priority.

I can’t let my imagination wander anywhere else, except to heaven – towards God.

Don’t ever think that you are wise enough, but respect the Lord and stay away from evil. This will make you healthy, and you will feel strong.

Proverbs 3:7-8

I’m not that smart. In fact, I can do some stupid things. Like forgetting where I put my keys, or eating way too much junk food.  I do all the dumb things because I always think about pleasing myself. I always feel I deserve rewards.

The problem is I look for worldly rewards. Those don’t last long. What does last is the heavenly rewards. Only God can provide that. I have to respect God’s guidance and will, in order for me to get that reward. I have to look for Him.

I have to rely on God!  For He will help me finish this race called life. It’s all temporary here on this earth.  I’m looking forward to finishing with Jesus!

God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

This was an opportune moment for me. As I wrote this, at 1:16AM, I had been tossing and turning on my bed, thinking about my future. Thinking about my faith.  Thinking about existence itself.  Earlier this morning, I was reading the debate between an Atheist (the science guy) and a man of faith (a creationist).  Both presented their reasons for believing what they believe, both had compelling arguments.  But I was more taken by the science guy because he had more courage to have the argument at the creation museum and came prepared with plenty of evidence.  Since his argument is based on science, it was also well accepted, so many of the media/blogs/social-media were basically on his side.

I found myself persuaded in the science direction.

But, then Pastor Rick wrote in this daily devotion:

We all go through moments of doubt, when the things we know are true and believe in seem to leave us with more questions than answers. There are times in our lives when we get afraid. There are times when we look at the future and are filled with worry…

The courage to face a fear head on doesn’t come from within, it comes from God above. The ability to keep going when times get hard comes from trusting in God, not in ourselves.

This hit me. Direct to my heart. It awoke my spirit.

I had been using my own mind to grasp the reality of this life.  The science guy thinks humans came from something and then became nothing!  Where’s the hope in that? What’s the purpose of this life, other than survival and every person for himself?

I refuse to believe we’re a “cosmic accident”.  I was created from nothing, and I will become something. That’s hope. That’s a promise from God that I hold on to.

I put my trust in God, for He’s my future. There’s more to this life than just the mere existence. I’m looking forward to heaven. I’m looking forward to be with God.  I look to God for everything, because He gives me strength and takes away my fears.

But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.

2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord gives strength to those who are weary.Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.

Isaiah 40:29-31

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

Philippians 4:13

Many times I’ve wondered, how am I going to go through this problem at work? When am I going to resolve these marriage issues? How am I suppose to be a good dad and husband? How can I help when I need help myself?  These are my moments of weakness. My self-doubt. My pity-party.  There were times that I felt I couldn’t do anything, at all!

But the bible teaches one important lesson:  Go with Christ!  When I go through trouble, with Jesus, I’m safe!  I’m able! I will reach my goal.  I will have confidence.  That is His promise. That’s what I’m holding on to!

Jesus is the source of my strength.  I shall depend on Him in all the things I do, because I can’t do it all by myself!

Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God.

Romans 12:1

God wants the best from us. God wants us to offer ourselves, as a living sacrifice, to serve God’s purposes.  It doesn’t mean I have to kill or mutilate myself, but keep myself holy and pure – for some day, when I die, God will ask what have I done with what He’s given me, I can answer: “For your glory, God”

My life was bought at a price: Jesus’ life.  It’s expensive. I can’t waste it!

I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.

John 16:33

Jesus has died for my sins. But he was raised from the dead 3 days later!  God has defeated death and hell.  Nothing can separate me from my God.  He’s in my heart to give me peace in times of trouble.  He’s given me 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and nth chances, because He wants me to succeed!

While living on this earth, I’ll suffer.  But I won’t suffer alone.  I have God on my side. He’s all the encouragement that I need. He loves me so much, He won’t let me down – at least not for long.

If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn’t in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

1 John 1:8-9

I’ll always be tempted. I’ll always be tested. I’ll always fall down. But, the good news is God will never let me stay down. He offers a way out.  In Him, I have an escape route. God will not tempt me beyond my capabilities (1 Corinthians 10:13).

However, I do have to abide in Him. I do have to ask for forgiveness whenever the temptation is too great and I give into it. I need to have an accountability partner. I’m not in this alone. I have God on my side. I just have to beware that the more God use me, the more Satan will tempt me to move away from God.

Lead me, Lord, to your salvation. Lead me out of temptation and into Christ’s perfect love. Rescue me when I’m down. Fix me when I’m broken. Forgive my sins as I forgive others. Thank you, Abba Father!

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

God promised me a new life.  The old person that I was, I must leave behind. Everything is new. I’m a new person.  I get a new start. Sin no more, for sin brings shame, guilt, and eventually, death.  I want Jesus in my life so I may live a new life – with Him on my side.