Devotional Time with God

The bible is the source of truth. It is the food for my well being, and the compass of my life. I must consult it, meditate on it. But most of all, since it is God’s word, I must follow it!  God’s honest truth will always lead me to the right path and sets me free.

I deeply love your Law! I think about it all day. Your laws never leave my mind, and they make me much wiser than my enemies. Thinking about your teachings gives me better understanding than my teachers, and obeying your laws makes me wiser than those who have lived a long time. I obey your word instead of following a way that leads to trouble. You have been my teacher, and I won’t reject your instructions. Your teachings are sweeter than honey. They give me understanding and make me hate all lies.

Psalm 119:97-104

I’m so blessed by my church and pastor Rick Warren for coming up with a new Bible study, based on the updated The Purpose Driven Life book.  It brings me back to focus on centering my life around God.  My life is created for His purpose and by His hands.  It’s as simple as that.

Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.

Colossians 1:16

The question to ponder:

In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

The advertising around me is all about profit. It’s all about being selfish. It’s all about making myself supposedly better than the next person. But this is a rat race, in a complicated maze with no exit.

Actually, there’s an exit, and it’s upwards: towards heaven. I have to leave all of this materialistic pursuits behind and store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), instead. I can’t please myself enough to buy my way to heaven. I have to please my creator. I have to return to my God.

I often wake up in the middle of the night, wondering what my purpose is in life.  I wondered what’s the point of each day, struggling with others, going through each day. I wondered where it all leads until the day I die.

I consulted the bible, and God showed me. In Galatians 1:16, I’m told to be a witness for Jesus in this world.  My faithfulness will be tested and only God will be there to help me understand Him.  All I have to do is focus on Him.

I just need to share the good news. God will take care of changing the hearts and minds.

There is one universal need for all humanity: A need to worship.  It can be anything, or anyone.  Unfortunately, most people choose anything other than the one true God, Jesus Christ.  It’s a pity, because I’ve experienced the life changing effect of God’s word and grace. He’s there when I talk to Him. He gives me strength when I need Him. His word, the Bible, tells me a lot of about myself and how I should behave.

The fruit of my spirit is patience and self-control.  I don’t know how many times I’ve managed my anger issues, and my impulsiveness, through God’s guidance.  I wouldn’t be able to do it – as my youthful years were proof of it.

Now that I’m fully committed to following God’s word, I’m fully enveloped in His glory and safety. My faith is strengthen by each passing moment. I’m reaching my goal – my heavenly goal, sooner than I think.  Life is fleeting and I want to spend it in God’s presence.  For I need a stable life. I need a changed life, away from this world.

Nothing is impossible with God! (Luke 1:37)

No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11b

Sometimes the Bible can get confusing. Sometimes it seems it contradicts. And sometimes it could get downright boring to read.

This is because I’m reading it without the Spirit of God in me.

I need to invite God into my heart and open my mind. The Bible is the word of God, so I need His discernment to interpret it.  There are techniques to read the bible.  But most important, God’s guidance is required. Otherwise, it’s like reading a textbook with full of words, and I won’t get anything.

With the Spirit of God in me, I will know the thoughts of God.

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 1

Blessed is me who will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  But my delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His word I will meditate each day and night.  I shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever I do shall prosper.

I shall not be like the ungodly, which are nothing but like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. The ungodly shall perish.

Lord Jesus, I pray right now to ask for your forgiveness if I’ve neglected to read your word and obey what it says. I thank you for your grace and mercy. I thank you for the constantly speaking to me, reminding me to follow you, so I may not stumble, nor perish.  Bring on the river, the fresh water for my soul and spirit.  I want to grow in your great beauty and majesty.  I want to be where you are – that is my reward in heaven. I shall hang on to your words, God, as you said in the scripture John 8:31-32, your truths will set me free, indeed.  Amen.

“All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25

What I am is weak. Easily swayed back and forth between seasons and worldly circumstances. All of my achievements stand on this weak body.  This body will get sick. This body will die. I can’t rely on this body. I can’t rely on this world to give me what I need.

What I need is God’s word. What I need is Jesus’ love and grace.  What I need is a constant reminder – a constant rebuke from the Lord, that I have to listen and look for God’s calling. Because God is everlasting and I need to be where God is.

In Psalm 1, I have God’s commands that I need to obey:

God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God.

Psalm 1:1

I must refuse using God’s name in vain. This is common in today’s world, where it seems ok to mock Jesus. It is NOT OK to me. I must not join those evil chorus.

The LORD protects everyone who follows him

Psalm 1:6a

I must also follow God so He may protect me from this evil world.  My faith, in Christ, will be my saving grace. I will follow Him, by doing what He told me to do, as stated in the Bible.

In Psalm 1:1-6, there’s a picture of those who follow God’s word, and those who don’t.  I can imagine a tree by the river, where it’s constantly have access to unlimited water and nourishment.  The tree, in turn, bears many fruit and productive.

Then, the other picture is a piece of straw lying on the ground.  When the wind comes, it gets blown away – carried away to some unknown place and gets lost.

The same picture is for me when I don’t read the word.  The same fate will happen if I don’t obey the word and laws of God. His word is a guide. His word is light for my life. It’s limitless for my daily life. It’s like a river that nourishes, so I may become fruitful and multiply. How can I not delight in that? I want that every day!

My declaration today to God will be:

I enjoy pleasing you.    Your Law is in my heart.

Psalm 40:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

I never try to walk in the dark. I certainly don’t want to do that in my life.  I need light. I need to know where I’m going. I need to see the path.

I thank God for His word, for it is guiding me in my darkest hour.

The LORD protects everyone who follows him, but the wicked follow a road that leads to ruin.

Psalm 1:6

What stands out in this verse is that God will protect EVERYONE who follows Him. That’s reassuring because He makes no exception – anyone who listens to God will be protected. I’ll be on the right path, as long as I follow His advice, laws, and word.