Devotional Time with God

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:22-25

I try to read my Bible, every day. I try to learn from it. I try to make it a part of my life.

But as God said, don’t just merely a reader – go and do it!  I don’t want to sit here, thinking I’m so high and mighty after reading the entire Bible, cover to cover, in multiple languages.  God is not impressed by my knowledge alone. God is more impressed with what I’ll do with His laws.

Will I obey and help the poor?  Will I listen and don’t be quick to anger or judge? Will I be transformed by changing all of bad habits into good ones, according to His word?  If I want to be a better person, I have to do what God’s words say!

In Mark 8:34-38, God commands me to “take up my cross”. This was what Jesus did for me when He died on the cross. He served people. He healed people. He gave people hope. He worked long and difficult to heal this world – and ultimately sacrificed Himself so we can be saved.

My sin to confess is that I don’t do enough to help others. I fear the consequences of giving too much money away. I fear what others think of me. I fear criticism.

But I hold on to God’s promise that I will be vindicated if I do the right thing. When I’m not selfish, I will be justified. When I help others, I will be rewarded.

The choices I made help shape my attitude. To be like Christ, I can’t be like this world. I don’t need to care about what others think. I must only care what Jesus think of me.

Thus, I will obey God’s command to go out there and be a light to this world. I need to be a good ambassador for Christ.

The ultimate example is Mother Theresa for doing good deeds. She sacrificed a lot, just to help others. Not many can match her dedication, but I must try!

I must also watch out for my pride. I can’t be too proud of my good deeds. I must focus the glory to God, for He gives me the strength to be un-selfish.

Truth to remember:

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Mark 8:36

I am so thankful that God sent Jesus to be the greatest example and teacher, I can learn from. He’s the blueprint for humanity. He gives me the ability to go forth and be helpful!

I will do what He says!

In Mark 3:1-6, Mark described a situation in which Jesus healed a sick and dying man, with shriveled hand, on a sabbath day.  The law, during that time, stated Jesus must not heal during sabbath.  Jesus knew this.

But Jesus also knew compassion. He also knew the needs of the people. If I were the sick person, I would want Jesus to restore me – no matter what day it was!  I would come to Jesus, any day any night, just to ask Him to provide for me. I would ask Him to heal my hurts.

There’s no sabbath for providing help.

In this day and age, where everything is being criticized, even for good works – wouldn’t it be more refreshing if we all praise what’s good?  Wouldn’t it be amazing to focus and get excited on positive news? Wouldn’t it be great if we could ask for healing and get it, right away?

I have this “shriveled” hand. I need it restored so I may help others. At any time!

To get to where I want in life, there are a few more steps I have to do.

I have to identify the issues and barriers preventing me from reaching my potential or goal. I have to know what’s stopping me.  I have to ask why am I not there yet.  Who or what is holding me back.   I know family obligations are my anchor in proceeding with my ministry.  Dividing up the time between work and home is a challenge.

Then I’ll need to make a step by step plan on how to get where I want.  How do I intend to get there?  It’s no point for me to do everything all at once. I must do something first things first.  It’s a quite difficult thing to write down by step by step plan, as I’m unsure what to do in my case of the family holding me back.  First thing I have to do is definitely pray about it.

Going through my plan will require patience and persistence.  So with the family obligations, I believe I need to wait for my wife to grow in spiritual maturity. There are just so many trust and faith issues that I have to deal with.  It’s best that I let God work His grace on both of us.  Never give up on expecting God’s provisions on us.

I’m also not alone in this struggle.   I will need to get my friends involved.  Since I’m in a new city, it’s difficult to find a “best friend” I can confide with.  But I am in a small group bible study that can provide support. Even though they’re limited in what they can do, they can provide prayer and share their experience.

Finally, I need to pay the price.  This is the ultimate scary moment for me.  I need to know at what cost is God’s ministry?  What am I willing to give to others?  Will it be worth it?   It’s God’s commandment to help others so it will be worth it.  My most valuable resource is my time, so that will be my sacrifice in order to reach my goal.

Lord, thank you for making it clear that I have to help others and set it as my goal in life.  You expect me to do this, so I’m confident you will show me the way.  Open the path, God. Remove the barriers. I have my step by step list, but let your will be done first.  Let my faith grow as I wait for the answers.  Thank you for the small group support.  I’m willing to pay the price.  Please use me and give me the courage to say Yes to you, Lord.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

I can’t go through this life without God’s help and promises.  He gives me hope and a reason to live.  God always catch me when I fall.   God always fulfill His promises.  God wants to help and He’s very generous!

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Help me, O God, in this time of despair and uncertainty.  The future seems bleak but you give me hope.  I hold on to your promises.  It’s my desire to honor you, so help me be the salt and light that you intended me to be.  Amen.

I’ve seen (and felt) what my bad habits can do to my spiritual, mental, and physical health.  I got too much stress, too much resentment, too much doubts that led me to be distant from family, friends, and God.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  There are better ways to get better.

Focus on changing my character defect, one at a time.

There are many areas I have to tackle, but I can’t change them all at the same time.  I have to pick one, perhaps the easiest one, like eating too much junk food.  Then I’ll get into the tougher ones, like looking at questionable material on the internet.  Eventually I’ll overcome the big one: my hot temper.

Focus on success, one day at a time.

I can’t forsee the future.  I don’t know what’s going to happen.  That’s up to God’s will.  But what I can control is my actions today.  The Lord’s prayer says, “Give us our daily bread.”  One day, today, I can make it happen for the better.

Focus on God’s power.

He’s the source of my strength.  God’s character is my goal and model.  My strength is insufficient.  I need God’s power to add to my willpower.  If I need change, I need God to steer me to the right direction.

Focus on the good things.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Phillipians 4:8

The good things are the only thing worthwhile doing.  I only have so much time and energy.  Staying positive will only bring joy and happiness.

Focus on doing good.

What good have I done for you lately?  That’s the question I should be asking everyone.  Today I have to continue to build relationships, continue to be a peace maker, and continue to be helpful.  My tendency is to make myself feel good.  I must stop being selfish.  I must continue to do the right thing.

Focus on people who help.

People can hinder my progress.  They can be critical, judgmental, and down right unhelpful.  These are the ones I want to be associated with.  They’ll just slow me down, and will one day take me down completely!  I have to surround myself with kind, compassionate, and Godly people, for they’ll help me change and grow for the better.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

Focus on progress.

I’m not a perfectionist.  Sometimes I say “Good enough is good enough.”  I’m taking this step to keep myself sane and not stress over the little things.  I can imagine the amounts of energy and time required to be “perfect” in everything.  I know God loves me for who I am.  I don’t have to be perfect in His eyes.  I just have to be believe and be willing to change.  When God is shaping me, that’s progress for me.

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:

1. Exists
2. Cares about me.
3. 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.”

Luke 18:27

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.

Isaiah 43:2