Devotional Time with God

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

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!

Josh Etter quoted D. A. Carson about us mistaking we can “drift” towards holiness.

We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated.

It’s easy to be on the sidelines and watching other Christians do God’s work.  I need to get involved. I need to take a bigger role. I need to spend more time.

I need to try harder!

God’s grace is a given.  But to gain His rewards, I must run to get them!

Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Luke 12:18-21

Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.

I Thessalonians 4:4

This is a great verse to memorize, especially for men.  There are just so many temptations in this world to destroy my own body, either by eating junk food, drinking alcohol, or sexual immorality.  I need to learn, with Christ’s power, to control how I treat my body that’s pleasing to God.  The sacred human soul and spirit need to be protected.

I’ve been taught by my Pastor and by other believers, that I ought to be like Christ.  Like the Bible said in 1 Peter 1:15-16, Christ is holy – Therefore I have to be holy too.

However, holy living is difficult.  My very nature is sinful.  I have awful thoughts.  I want to judge and slander.  I tend to take the easy ways, and they usually involve lying or cheating.  I want what’s best for me.  I’m selfish.

Christ changed all t hat.  He is not selfish – He died for me so I could be saved.  He didn’t take the easy way out – He suffered His way to the cross!  He didn’t lie or cheat His way to prominence – He is the truth and the light!  He didn’t judge or slander, He loves me!

God wants what’s best for everyone.  That is holy living.

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.* Love each other deeply with all your heart.

1 Peter 1:22

I started this devotional blog with the lofty intention of writing frequently, at least once a day.  It was easy to do that when I have The Purpose Driven Life as a starting point.  I would read one chapter a day for 40 days, hoping the 6 weeks writing schedule will make it a habit for me.  As the months go by, my schedules at work and home started to pile up.  They affected my daily commitment.  I became complacent after a while.  Now, it’s lucky if I even write once a week!  This is not good.   I could see it in my daily life too.  I became agitated easily.  I became increasingly forgetful how God has been good to me.  I’m beginning to take interest in secular music that has absolutely no spiritual value.  I sometimes forget to pray.  I even make a quick prayer before meals without clasping my hands, closing my eyes, nor bowing my head.

Another words, my lifestyle is no longer holy or Saint like.  I’m not producing the fruits of the Holy Spirit because I had not been letting it control my life.  I’ve been taking matters into my own hands.  I want to be in control and do whatever I want.  I should know better because in the past, I was never able to control my own future.  I let peer pressure dictate my decisions.  I let lust control my relationship.  I let pride get in the way of finding true and caring friends.  I didn’t have any goals or real purpose in life.

Now, God has equipped me with the talents to plant the seeds properly.  I shall not let the seeds fall on hard soil, where it won’t take much root.  I shall not let the seeds fall on weeds, where it won’t grow as much.   I must find the good soil, where the seeds can take root and grow without anything stifling it.  I believe it means slowly finding a way of reading the word, so that they’ll take root in my heart.  It means I clear my life from the distractions of this world that can hinder my growth.

I’ll need to get back to basics, be less ambitious, and know my limits.  I believe God will show me the way if I just ask.  I’ve already open my mind, heart, and soul.  I just have to make sure I slowly walk towards His glory.

Thank you Jesus for coming to this earth and die for our sins.  You have shown me the ultimate way to sow the seeds of life: By sacrificing your life.  Your love for us is great and can not be equalled.  But teach me, Lord, to be as good as you.   Teach me your ways.  I’m ready to learn it all again.  Let your birth be the mark of my spiritual renewal.  I don’t want to forget your sacrifice.  I want to grow and be holy again.  In your name.  Amen.

I missed last week’s study, so I’m combining two studies into one for today’s summary.

• Chapters 2-5 contain the messages for both the present and future of Judah and Jerusalem.
• The future of Zion was foretold with images of mountains and hills.
• It will happen in the “latter days” and will begin when the Lord’s temples are established. All the people will go to it, exalt God’s name on high (on the mountain top), and follow His path.
• The word of the Lord will come from Zion. He will also judge and rebuke many people.
• The moral condition of the people in Zion were detestable: pagan worship, filled with greed and pride, and idol worship.
• God will remove good leadership and supplies. God will only care for the righteous.
• Chapter 3 verses 18-24 details what will happen to the women: how they will be deprived of their looks and possessions.
• Men will die during battle by their enemies.
• God provided healing and blessings to the righteous. Shelter was provided for them also.
• Isaiah sang the song of God and His vineyard. He sang about how the vineyard would be destroyed because it produced “wild grapes”.
• Woes to the drunk, greedy, arrogant, self-righteous, and lazy people who blatantly sin and have confused morals.
• God struck the land by calling mighty nations to invade the land, and left the land in darkness and sorrow.

Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

– Isaiah 5:24

• In Chapter 6, Isaiah described the vision of the Holy God.
• It was suggested that Isaiah’s vision started his ministry.
• Isaiah saw the vision of the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with His robe filling the temple. He also saw seraphims or angels, with 6 wings.
• The imagery of the 6 wings were: 2 wings to cover the eyes because they can’t see God with all of His glory; 2 wings to cover the feet because feet are the lowest form of the body; and 2 wings for flying.
• The angels praised, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.“
• Isaiah was approached by one of the seraphim and touched his mouth with a live coal taken from the altar. He is then purged of sins and could serve God.
• Isaiah humbled himself to God. He cried out that he’s not worthy, but he is ready to serve God with no fear.
• Isaiah was commissioned to show the people that their hearts were hardened, and tell the people to repent.
• Isaiah was told to preach until the cities were destroyed and people died.
• The small ray of hope is the “remnant” or the holy seed – the righteous people who seek God’s grace and mercy.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

– Isaiah 6:8

When God asks, be ready to serve with courage humility, and commitment – just like Isaiah did.