Devotional Time with God

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

I’ve been put on this earth to first know God, worship God, and to love and serve others. The measure of my rewards in heaven is dependent on how much love and service I’ve given to others.  For this, I must take care of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and also my “enemies”.  I must use my skills and talents to be helpful.

I’m made for service.

These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!

Habakkuk 2:3

There is instant saving, by accepting Jesus as my personal Lord and savior.  But, there is no instant maturity. There is no instant growth – especially not the strong growth that I expect. There are many things I need to get rid of in my life:

• Anger issues: I need to restrain myself when I’m angry because the zoo comes out when I do. I forget what I’ve learned and became instantly stupid.  This is costly, especially for my relationships with others, especially with my wife.
• Tact issues: I tend to speak my mind, but that is not a good thing all the time. In fact, I best serve others but holding back, because I’m not even correct most of the time!  I make mistakes and shouldn’t compound it with a motor mouth.
• Lust issues: My thoughts can run wild – it’s a struggle a man always have. The devil always tells me it’s part of being the male species. However, I don’t have to give in to it. Thoughts may come, but I won’t (and can’t) let it take action!
• Worry issues: I can be a perfectionist, at times. I care too much, sometimes about things that don’t matter. Instead of focusing on the priorities and what matters most (like God and family), I focus on the trivial issues like work, friendship, or politics.
• Dishonesty issues: I won’t lie, but sometimes lie is the way to get out of embarrassing situations, for myself or for my family.  I also use half-truths, which is still a lie. I’ll also include ignorance as a self-imposed lie.  This is the devil’s handiest tool to stifle my growth. I must be completely honest to God and to others.

I’ll hang on to God’s promise that He’ll transform me, slowly. I want to grow like an oak tree, not a mushroom. Strong and majestic is my goal. With Jesus as my role model, I’m slowly getting there!

It’s difficult to be like Christ. He’s sinless and God. He is the way. He is the one I have to become. I oly have to fix my eyes on Him. He’s my refuge and He’ll come through, always.

I will not fear this world when I have Christ characteristics. It’s a long process, but it will be worth it in heaven!

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

Living in this world is not easy. People are not like me. They don’t even like me. Most tolerate each other, because that’s the decent thing to do.

But the bible is clear that we are to love one another, especially with other believers. Jesus has fellowship with His 12 disciples, so He modeled the requirement of being in a community. He constantly be with others, helping others.

So should I!

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:7

I sometimes confuse that I have to work hard for my salvation. I thought I have to attend church, do good deeds, give donations, to buy my way to heaven.

I got it backwards!

It turns out Jesus died for me and that’s the simple grace for my salvation. The love for another, the good deeds, the attendance in fellowship with other believers, are the results of my belief in God.

Not only I believe in my salvation, I also belong in God’s family. It’s only natural.

In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts.

Romans 12:5

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

Ephesians 1:4-6

How rich am I?  If I measure my wealth from the material things I own, I’m not doing so bad.  But that’s never enough. Worse, my money doesn’t last and I can’t take it with me when I’m dead!  So what fills me up? What fulfills my deepest longing needs?

It’s relationship. Relationship with my daughter, my wife, my family, my friends… and especially my godly friends, who believes in Jesus as their personal lord and savior!  I am made to belong in God’s family, for he has predestined me to be with Him and His family in heaven.

I look forward to take my love to heaven and meet my brothers and sisters, in Christ!

I often wake up in the middle of the night, wondering what my purpose is in life.  I wondered what’s the point of each day, struggling with others, going through each day. I wondered where it all leads until the day I die.

I consulted the bible, and God showed me. In Galatians 1:16, I’m told to be a witness for Jesus in this world.  My faithfulness will be tested and only God will be there to help me understand Him.  All I have to do is focus on Him.

I just need to share the good news. God will take care of changing the hearts and minds.

Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Philippians 4:6-7

There are challenges in my life.  Difficult people to deal with. Tough tasks to complete. Financial issues to deal with. Family to take care of. Relationships to maintain.  Nothing is ever easy. Not everything ever goes according to plan.

But I learn, over the years walking with God, is to trust everything in Him.  Bring my concerns to His feet. I look at God and wonder, why am I fretting over little things? God is the master of the universe, the creator of everything.  Why am I worried?  All I need to do is bring up my issues in prayer. According to His design, it will be done.  I just have to know what He wants me to do – and be obedient.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for being here for me.  I don’t know much about everything, but I know this: You know everything! This is why I depend on you. I can’t do this alone.  I can’t handle everything on my own. Please Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to handle the problems of my life, with dignity and grace that only you can provide.  Don’t let me worry. Guide me all the way!  Thanks you, Jesus.  In your name. Amen.

I’ve felt that awful feeling of being afraid, many times. All sorts of fear, too.  But at my age, the one fear that still lingers is death.  Where will I go after I close my eyes for the last time? What will I feel?  Will my doubts be confirmed? Will I be able to be see Jesus since I’ve accepted Him as my Lord and Savior?

Of course, God has promised that I’ll be with Him because He gave His son for me. The bible says so:

But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.

Romans 5:8-10

It’s a beautiful picture of sacrifice and love.

So how do I know how I’ll be there with God?  In John 3:16, it’s simply accepting Jesus as my personal savior. When I’ve truly accepted Jesus, His grace and love pour out of me – and consequently, I will no longer be afraid.