Devotional Time with God

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!

I admit I don’t have many friends. I don’t have many because I always thought people just don’t understand me.  I have idiosyncrasies that people just can’t stand, nor can they respect me.  At least that’s how I felt.

But now I know better – the common denominator is me. I have to ask myself, is it them, or is it me that has to change? Most likely, it’s me.  As a human being, my very nature is self-centered. I only want to look out for myself. I’m only interested on what’s best – for me!

Thankfully, Jesus has a different model for me.  Jesus forgave, repeatedly. Jesus spent time with others, looking after their needs and hurts.  Jesus died for our sins!  Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sake of the world.

So, I must be like Jesus.  I must show His love for others, spend time with others, and think of others’ needs. I must show grace, even when I think it’s not deserved!  I must build deep relationships.  That’s what the time spent on this earth for.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist; at the time you are tempted he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Life is not easy. I grew up, struggling to find my place in life, wondered what I’ll do with my life. I struggled how to fulfill my needs – or even figuring out what my needs really are! Along the way, I’ve encountered trouble… Lots of troubles! Big and small, I’ve seen them all.

Life just felt like one tests after the other. It has always been my biggest worry. It haunted me through college, and sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat thinking I didn’t pass those exams at school!

But now I know, God has given me grace. He empowers me to handle my tests. He gave me the abilities to solve my problems. Fortunately, He gave me much more, with the ability to solve other people’s problems – sometimes!

I’m very grateful that God chose me, gave me a purpose, and granted me the strength to go through it.

Many times, I see celebrities declare what they want is simply “world peace”. Of course, that’s a nice sentiment, but hardly ever attainable because the world is inherently broken. People are born selfish. We always want our needs fulfilled first before thinking of others.

So how can we ever get any peace?

There is only one kind.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

In Christ alone, I can attain the peace that is badly needed. His grace and mercy lift up my hearts, being called upon to serve others – not to be selfish. Not to be like this world. But only to heavenly purpose.

I am forever thankful for Christ’s love, and the peace that follows Him.

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ”

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:2-5

All my life, I want to be in control.  I want to control what can happen to me.  I want to control what people say about me.  I want to control what people can do to me.  I want everyone and everything to behave the way I like.  I want to be the god of my life.

Now that I’m married with a kid, it’s them that I’m in control now.  Not 100%, mind you, but I definitely want all control.

At work, I want to make sure my projects gets down the way I want it: less unknowns, on-schedule, and keeping it simple.

If there’s something that I do every day, like driving, riding a bike, etc., I want to be very good at it so I’m in full control.

When people see me as a weak person (because of my boyish look and figure), I tend to lash out, quick to judge, give the stink-eye, and in some cases, I would curse under my breath.  My face scowls to give an impression I’m tough.  I walk upright and shoulder scrunched up to show strength. I walk with loud thumps using a pair of heavy soled shoes/boots, to tell others that I’m coming.

I’ve denied having problems with anger, being wrong more than usual, looking at dirty pictures, give up too easily, and having a short attention span.  I don’t admit to be the poster child of what’s wrong with being a man – or a human being, for that matter.

I have my fair share of fear, frustration, fatigue, and failures.

However, I am glad that God cares for me.  He takes away my bad habits, painful hurts, and bothersome hang ups.  Not just one time, but all the time!  I just tell Him, “I’m sorry.” and He will give me another chance in life.

I have to admit I’m powerless to change myself.  I’m powerless to take control, when it’s not mine in the first place.

Jesus, you’re full of grace. I sin and constantly sin.  But every time, you always forgive me.  You always let me live everything as if they’re a fresh start.  I love you for it.  You’re the God of 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and all of the chances!  Thank you, Lord, for saving me.  I give you control of my life.  Amen.

a)xa/ristov (acharistos)

1. ungracious
2. unpleasing
3. unthankful

I take a lot of things for granted these days:  running water, working electricity, smooth road, affordable gas prices.  Then there’s God natural gifts like the air I breathe, my heart that keeps on beating, a mind that keeps on thinking, and the sun that rises every morning.  I take all of those for granted because I still have them, and never short on them.

So what if one day they’re gone?  Will I miss them?  Of course I do.  I’m hardly thankful when things work.  But when they don’t work, I look for God to fix it.  I under appreciate God’s gifts of the everyday life.

I don’t want to be unthankful.  I don’t want to be ungracious.  I want to appreciate everything you give me, Lord.  I thank you for everything.  I thank you for your grace.  Amen.

For people will be … ungrateful.

2 Timothy 3:2

bla/sfhmov (blasphemos)

• speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive

It’s sad to know that people are disrespectful to God these days.  When did it ok to make jokes about God?  One of the commandment is to not call God’s name in vain, yet people break it, out of spite, without fear of repurcussion.  It’s amazing that God gave us grace and salvation, but yet we can abuse His name and sometimes associate evil thoughts with it.

I look forward to one day be in heaven and worship God, always.  I’m practicing it right now, on this earth.  For His name is above all name.  Jesus’ name heals and drives off all evil.  For His name holds the power in my life.  In His name, I prayed.

For people … will be scoffing at God…

2 Timothy 3:2

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is one of those concepts in the Bible that I’ve been struggling with.  How can God send Jesus to die without asking anything in return?  The grace of God, by His love to me, is freely given.  Freely given to set me free from the bondage of sin.  He doesn’t want anything in return.  It’s free! I just have to believe that I’ve received it so I may be saved.  He doesn’t require good works.  He doesn’t attach any strings.  Just have faith in Him and I shall experience the grace of God.  It’s that simple.  What a glorious concept!  It’s incomprehensible, mind boggling, and makes me feel small compared to God’s potential.  It’s the way it should be because I’m nothing without God.  I have no significance without God.  My pride and sin will be no more, thanks to Jesus who came to this earth and took my sins away.  Indeed, Jesus has given me everything for nothing.

I have to ask myself, what matters most? Is it my job? My family? My posessions? My health? They may seem important, but they ought not to be. The bible says in Romans 6:13,

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.

I am to be used for God’s purposes! I’m not here to look good, feel good, and have the goods. I need more than that! I need the purposes that God has for me. Jesus came to earth to give Himself as a sacrifice, and to give us a new life. He is giving us God’s amazing grace for every race.

I thank you, Lord, for saving me. Your birth signifies the new birth in all of us. I don’t deserve to be saved, but you’re a God of love, and you want to save me. Thank you, Jesus for everything you have done. Let your will be done, in this day and the days ahead. Amen.

Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?

The Purpose Driven Life, p. 278

When I hide my weakness, it’s a sign of pride. I have a lot of pride. That is my worse weakness. I pride myself in my work, my ingenuity, and my so-called results. Many times, I forget my accomplishments are from God and He’s given me the ability to do well.  At times, I had seen God put someone or something in my life that grounds me – brought me back to the realization I couldn’t do everything by myself. I must rely on God on everything, even the things that I’m capable of.

I have to be honest that I have flaws. I get emotional too fast. I have failed relationships that only a few know of. Sometimes I forget to seek God’s help. Sometimes I let the world’s circumstances make my life’s decisions. I can’t continue to let those happen to me. I must know God wants to use my weakness to serve others and keep me humble. My weakness is worth God’s grace.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)