Devotional Time with God

In Mark 6:35-44, it’s the story of Jesus feeding thousands of people. What’s remarkable about this story, Jesus did it with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish!

How is that possible?  I picture Jesus taking the bread and fish, look up to sky, and then they just multiply, enabling the disciples to feed everyone there.  It’s a miracle.

It’s also God’s way to say that I just look up to Him, and ask to provide for my needs.  He is the ultimate provider. He will not let me go hungry.  He will not let me down.

For this, I will give Jesus what little things I have, and let Him multiply it, for everyone’s benefit.

In Mark 5:21-43, Jesus was being sought after as someone who could heal the sick. People everywhere were flocking to see Him. A woman even got healed by touching His clothes!  Jesus then perform the miracle that only God can do – raise the dead!

Picturing myself in that crowd, I’ll follow Him wherever He goes. Not just for the spectacle of it, but for the sheer awe and amazement on what He can do.  He’s fully aware of His power, yet, He’s humble about it and insists no one talks about it.

If I were Jesus, I would just go around and heal people everywhere, not worrying about the crowd, and not worrying about my status as a “miracle worker”.

But Jesus had a bigger plan. He was not in this world to become a rock star. He was here to show us that having faith in God is the miracle in itself.

Ultimately, He was here to save us all, through faith in Him.

The law of the LORD is perfect,   refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,   making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,   giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,   enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,   and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,   than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;   in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11

God knows I’m not perfect. God knows I’m not always right. God knows I’m vulnerable. God knows I need direction. God knows I need provision. God just knows.

To put it simply, all I have to know in life – to enjoy life, is to know God’s word and laws.  He gave me the instructions manual, the Bible, for my protection.  It’s the blueprint to be a good man. It’s the way to know how to be like Jesus.

I will follow His words.  I will be a do’er of His word. For He promised me a great reward. He’s waiting to give me the strength to go through this life – which in itself, is a reward worth having.

Life is good, eternal life is better. God’s perfection is what I’m looking for.

Every word of God is flawless;  he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5

There are moments where I have doubts.  There are moments where I worry.  There are moments where I’m just not sure about anything.  This is especially true with the Bible. I don’t read it as much as I ought to.  This is why I have these lingering thoughts on the validity of God’s words.

But the Bible itself said God’s words are flawless. God only speaks the truth. He has promised me that if I believe in Him, I can do all things, in Christ Jesus.  So, I do read His words. I do believe His words are true and eternal. Powerful enough to protect me, in any circumstances, in any doubt, in any of my weak moments.

I will take refuge in God’s words for He shall comfort me.

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Matthew 13:18-23

As part of my daily devotional, I need to make sure I’m ready to receive God’s words.  I need to make sure the ground is prepared.  I need to make sure my heart is open.  It’s easy to simply listen, or read, but not really take in anything out of what I just heard or seen.

So, I need to create a space that I can comfortably sit down and meditate on the word of Christ. I want to let God’s words be an adventure, to excite me in the morning, and prepare me for the “battles” in life. I pray that God guide me along the way.

Be with me, Lord Jesus, and lead me with your word.  Open the eyes of my heart, so I may see you. Talk to me. Guide me. Lead me on the correct path. Plant your seed on my heart, so I may grow to be the man that I ought to be.  Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Lately, I’ve been enjoying taking walks with my friends and co-workers, just talking about kids, work, or life in general.  It gives me a chance to get to know each other.

Sometimes I take long walks to gather my thoughts.  Sometimes to clear my frustration. This is also the perfect time to talk to Jesus about my troubles.  In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said He’ll be with me, always.  I believe that.  I walk with Jesus and tell him all of my hurts and hang-ups.

I’m so glad I have a devoted companion that will walk me through to the end.

Yesterday, I attended a National Day of Prayer mini-service at Saddleback Church.  Pastor Rick Warren gave us a message on what I must do to heal America.

1. Confess with humility.
2. Pray with tenacity.
3. Seek God with intensity.
4. Repent with sincerity.

It’s written in 2 Chronicles 7:14

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Lord, I humble myself and earnestly seek you, God. I’m not strong enough to handle problems in this world, by myself.  I want to repent from my wicked thoughts and actions. Guide me in my every step, and forgive my every missteps. Thank you, Jesus!  Amen.

Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

Proverbs 15:18

I often struggle with this verse.  I’m hot tempered, by nature. I was brought up in a family that yells and screams. Consequently, I yell and scream when I fight with my wife – and, unfortunately, I do tend to yell at my child, too.  A hot temper is not a good character trait. It’s not a Christian thing to do. It’s definitely not a good mark of leadership.

I need the spirit to cool me down.  I need God’s grace to bring peace to my heart. I can only pray that Jesus fills my spirit, to control my mind, and keep my body in check.

I need to calm down.

I’ve always known the name of Jesus, my God, has power.  It  has a power to heal. It has a power to change lives.

Yet there are those today who abuses this powerful name for a mere insult.  They just throw it around when they’re angry or frustrated.  This world has so much contempt over the one true God.

It makes me sad that anyone would use God’s name in vain.  God strictly prohibits it (Exodus 20:7).  Maybe the mere fact that I’m offended by the misuse, it’s the very reason they abuse it.  They want to use God’s name as a mean to anger and stir up emotions.

I rather use God’s name to bless and to save people.  That’s what He promised will happen:

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10:12-13

“… Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

When the Lord is with me, who can stand against me?  His compassion is my reassurance.  His strength is my strength.  I have peace because God is in control.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). The overcomer. The problem solver.