A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth.
Ecclesiastes 7:1
In this short life on earth, I must have the reputation in bringing the Jesus’ love to the rest of the world. It’s the focus of my life to be kind and loving to others. It’s not about the accumulation of money, nor about my net worth. It’s about God’s worth.
I need to build a reputation of good character. I need to live a life that’s pleasing to God. When others see me living a Godly life, others will want it and bring them closer to God.
Back in the 80’s when I was growing up, there’s always a group of people who could influence my way of doing things. They were, unfortunately, my high-school friends. The Church didn’t have a strong influence. In fact, it was quite passive. In addition, the media on TV and radio has a strong influence, they were coolest thing to see and hear. In today’s fast paced and Internet-connected society, it’s quick & easy to pass around information. I obtained ideas, opinions, and commentaries faster today than I ever did back then. Those are the strong influencers now.
My character was molded by someone else.
But it’s time to turn to creator, who molded me from his own image (Genesis 1:27), to set me back on track to the Heaven. It’s time to develop convictions (Romans 12:2) that deeply motivates me to do the right thing for God and for love. It’s time to develop Christ-like character, and develop habits that bring fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful savior
I know for sure all of my days are held in your hands
Crafted into your perfect plans
You gently called me into your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life
Through your eyes
I’m captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you’re drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray
Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter’s hand
Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter’s hand
You gently call me into your presence
Guiding me by your holy spirit
Teach me dear lord to live all of my life through your eyes
I’m captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you’re drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray
Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter’s hand
Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter’s hand
When I had an arguement with my wife last week, I was desperately trying to find an understanding that didn’t exist between us. I was so lost. She didn’t help by throwing away her faith because the hurt and anger clouded her. I felt hopeless.
At times like this is when I hold onto God’s promise to give me clarity (Proverbs 3:5-6) and hope. The only way is to continue to God will give us both the understanding that we both needed. I constantly prayed God to strengthen my faith eventhough it seemed hopeless. I also didn’t forget His kindness and thanked Him during this time of trouble.
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:12
It’s been almost 2 months since I updated this devotional. I have been praying to God, but I have not been writing down what I’ve learned. I admit it’s due to laziness in my part. I believe laziness is a sin. In my case, it led to complacency and ultimately a stagnation (and even breakdown!) in my spiritual growth. I can’t let this happen.
As stated in Matthew 20:6-7, I can’t just sit around and wait for things to happen. I have to go and do something to get earn my blessings. Jesus has given me grace when I don’t deserve it. I have to try and match his effort. I can’t die on the cross, but I can pick up His cross.
Lord, thank you for the grace you’ve given me. Thank you for saving my life, even though I don’t deserve it. I get the message, loud and clear, I have to wake up and follow your hard work to save myself. I know I can’t do this by myself. I know you’ve been helping. Lead me to your living water so I can live another day, with your strength and wisdom. Amen.
In this gift giving season, people use material things as a token of appreciation to each other. Most are genuine, but some are just plain fake. No wonder the line in the store for returns is always long after December 25.
Today’s devotional from Pastor Rick is about encouragement. If given from the heart and with sincerity, this is an easy gift. It’s also a useful gift that will build character and relationship. Best of all, it’s a gift that I can keep giving, just like the way God has given to me on a daily basis. God doesn’t hold back His love. I have to do the same.
I’ve done it before: Saying white lies. Those are little lies that I thought were harmless. They couldn’t be that bad since they don’t hurt anyone, right? But that’s exactly the problem: How do I know it doesn’t hurt? How do I know if it will not, down the line, and later on in the future? The answer is, I don’t know.
The bible teaches me not to lie (2 Corinthians 6:7). God never lies and he created us in His own image. However, my free will sometimes chose to go to the opposite character of God. I lie to make myself feel and look better. I lie to cover up my bad habits. I lie to escape from doing the right (and difficult) thing.
Since Christ has saved me, I have to let my salvation shows it’s true gifts to my life. God’s truth is the only truth. I have to learn to speak the truth, even when it hurts. In the end, that’s all there is to it.
In my life, I’ve seen my fair share of the “wilderness”. It’s not always easy living. The elements are not always hospitable. Like the Israelites, I’m wandering around the desert, searching for the promise land. Like them, I don’t always like it. I grumble. I veer off course once in a while, thinking I know what I’m doing. I let my misguided judgment take over the decisions in life. I don’t always consult God first.
This has some profound effect on how I deal with my family. My attitude in the workplace can be self-centered. Sometimes, I can forget that I’m in this world to spread the Good News and be God’s witness (Acts 1:8). I’m not here for myself – I’m here for others, as well.
But I know God’s character: He’s faithful. God provides for me. He wants me to put my trust in Him that everything shall pass. It may take a while to mold my character. It may take a while for me to realize that my pain is to be used for God’s glory.
God has a plan for me. He wants me out of the wilderness.
Today I am giving you the laws and teachings of the LORD your God. Always obey them, and the LORD will make Israel the most famous and important nation on earth, and he will bless you in many ways. The LORD will make your businesses and your farms successful. You will have many children. You will harvest large crops, and your herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats will produce many young. You will have plenty of bread to eat. The LORD will make you successful in your daily work. The LORD will help you defeat your enemies and make them scatter in all directions. The LORD your God is giving you the land, and he will make sure you are successful in everything you do. Your harvests will be so large that your storehouses will be full. If you follow and obey the LORD, he will make you his own special people, just as he promised.
I know it takes faith to believe in God. However, it takes more faith not to believe because what if I’m wrong? I’m not perfect. I’m not always right. If there’s a higher power, wouldn’t I want to be on His side?
As a child, I was jaded. I was invincible. I felt I could do it all, in good health (even though not in perfect shape), and had a lot of years ahead of me.
Upon reflection, I was relying too much on myself. I know now that God was looking after me.
I know God:
Exists
Cares about me.
Has the power to help me.
God has answered my prayers multiple times. He knows my needs and have provided. He will always provide because He has an infinite power.
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
I see that bumper sticker graphics a lot: “NOTW”. It’s a clever graphics design that points out a cross in the middle of NOW – meaning “Christ NOW”.
I like it. It’s meaningful and relevant nowadays.
I know I live in a broken world. I was born selfish and I need to grow up. So now I know of the ways of this world. I know of the evil characters and personalities that shaped this world. God’s intention is to change all that, through me.
My life’s purpose is to serve others, that is my ministry – to use my God given talent. What He shaped me to do, I must be willing to follow God’s directions.
But first I must change my conduct and character. I must ask for God’s presence in me. To keep me in check and in the right direction:
God has given us his Spirit. That’s why we don’t think the same way that the people of this world think.
When will I take the time to write down my answers to life’s five great questions? When will I put my purpose on paper?
The Purpose Driven Life, p. 319
I will write down my purpose on “paper” now in this blog.
What will be the center of my life?
I thought about my family, then my career. But they are actually my secondary reasons, because Jesus must be first in my life since he is the alpha and omega – the beginning and the end. I started in this world by God’s creation. At the end, He wants me to fulfill His purpose. God is the one I turn to when I have troubles with my family and career. I report to a higher authority.
What will be the character of my life?
The ultimate Jesus-like characters are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I must strive to be all of those and maintain those characteristics at all time. Not an easy task. I struggle with every single one of those, every day. I will have to get these characters carved out on a plaque and display them prominently in my house to remind myself daily.
What will be the contribution of my life?
I must also be a helping hand to my community and my workplace. Helping others is one of my purpose. God gave my abilities to be used to help others.
What will be the communication of my life?
I have my testimonies. I must share them with everyone and lead them to Jesus. I must remember the experiences when I depend on God for resolution. God is good, and people must know that.
What will be the community of my life?
I must be involved in the church and my small group. It’s my fellowship with them. I must seek discipleship and accountability. I can not be a bench warmer at church to merely just simmer, sit, and sour. I must be a functioning member of the body of Christ.
This is my list of things to do. My first draft of my mission statement:
My life purpose is to use my abilities to serve others, be a functioning body of Christ, share my testimonies, develop Jesus’ character quality, and have God as the center of my life!
This statement will be my purpose statement, as I lead my generation for the glory of God.
I see that bumper sticker graphics a lot: “NOTW”. It’s a clever graphics design that points out a cross in the middle of NOW – meaning “Christ NOW”.