Devotional Time with God

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.

I lead a busy life. I’m a parent with a rambunctious daughter. I’m a husband with a strong minded wife.  I work in a company that demands attention, even when I’m sleeping (the joy of being a support personnel)!  Heck, I even hold myself to a higher standard, paying attention to every detail and worry about the little things.

But there’s one thing for sure, I have a God to serve.  His name is Jesus.  He guides my life.  He provides for me. He gave saved my life!  He was born from a humble beginning, lived a sinless life, and died of a gruesome death.  He took my sins away so I can be blameless.

This Christmas, I’m reminded I have to put away all of my busy-ness and worries.  Jesus is the reason for the season. He’s the prince of peace.  He’s the one I have to make room in my heart, mind, and soul.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

I often wonder what is it mean to celebrate Thanksgiving day?  A day when family and friends get together for dinner, carve a turkey, and have some laughs. It’s fun and heart warming for everyone.

But I know who I should I thank for. It’s Jesus Christ, who died for me and gave me a second (third, fourth, etc.) chance in life.  I am thankful that God cares for me.  I’m thankful God provided for me.  I’m thankful I have a future in heaven.  I’m thankful I have the safety under His wings.

So for me, it’s not just for a day.  It’s EVERY DAY.  I’m thankful, daily.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

It’s quite a task to keep my body healthy and trim.  I have to watch my weight and fat, by balancing my food intake and keeping up enough exercise.  If there’s one thing that I like, it’s eating.  I’m blessed to have a “skinny gene”.  My father is thin.  My grandfather was tall and thin.  My metabolism is still working, I eat a lot and still manage to be relatively skinny.

However, I can’t be abusing this anymore.  I do feel an imbalance in emotions.  I sometimes feel sluggish after a big meal. My wife notices my belly is starting to swell.  I notice I get tired and sleepy playing catch with my daughter.

I am what I eat.

The bible  tells me, in Galatians 5:22-23, to have one the fruit of the spirit: Self-Control. I have to watch what I eat. I have to cut down on my indulgences.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20,

1. God expects me to manage my body.
2. I am God’s property.
3. My body will be resurrected when I die.
4. I am connected with the body of Christ.
5. The Holy Spirit lives in body.
6. Jesus bought my body on the cross.

My body is valuable. God tells me my body is a temple. Being good steward of what God has given me, I have to take care of my body.