Devotional Time with God

In Mark 15:33-39, Jesus was hung on the cross and the people were still not convinced He’s God.  But, Jesus bore the ugliness of this world and father God in heaven couldn’t even look at Him. Then, as Jesus always do, He forgave humanity, even during His last breaths.  When earthquake hit, then humanity realized their mistake and acknowledge Jesus as the son of God.

I read this passage and acknowledge that my sin I have to confess is the sin of doubt.  I had moments when I doubted my faith. I had moments when I question when/if God would  help me. I even had moments when I doubted my very own existence!

But, I’m rest assured, by God’s words, that I have a purpose in this life. I hold on to God’s promise of forgiveness and eternal life.  I look forward to giving Him all I got, for I am His, anyway. Jesus is the greatest example of this. He wasn’t afraid to die because He knew He had a greater purpose in His short life on earth.  He knew His father’s plan to rescue humanity from the burden of sin.

I pray Jesus, help me understand your words. Help me build my faith and strengthen it. You are the son of God, and I will follow your examples. I lay down my life so I may attain the higher purpose that you’ve set before me. Guide me, Lord, until it is finished.  Amen.

In Mark 14:3-9, Jesus defended a woman, against criticism from the people, for pouring expensive perfume on Him.

This is my sin, also: I judge people too harshly.  Either by how they look, their actions, or their beliefs (or lack of it).

Jesus always look at the heart and the intention of a person. That’s the truth. He knew what’s going to happen, so He knows what’s right.  I don’t know how, and I do make mistakes in determining people’s intentions.

Jesus commands that I put Him first, that means giving my best – not scraps, or seconds. I keep His promise that He will give me more for what I’ve given Him.  I must put Jesus on the highest regard. I must not take my focus from Him.

Each day, I pray that I can give Jesus the best that I have. God’s blessings are more important than worldly ones. I praise Him every day for that!

In Mark 11:25, Jesus said I have to forgive others so I may be forgiven by God for my sins.

Many times, I hold grudges. I despised people for doing what they did.  I didn’t like what they did, so in turn I will not like who they are.  It’s a sin of hate.

But I’m not perfect myself.  I can’t be a hypocrite and expect others to be clean, kind, or nice.  I have to forgive their mistakes.

Every day, I ask God to forgive my sins and mistakes.  I hold on to that promise that God will forgive me of my sins, no matter how small it is, or how many times I commit it.

Jesus is the greatest example when He was on the cross and asked the father in heaven to forgive humanity, for we know not what we’re doing. That is the truth: Jesus died for our sins.

Therefore, I must go out there and forgive others as well, for it is God’s command for me to obey.

In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus was speaking to a man who wanted to know what else he could do to have eternal life. Jesus plainly told him to follow the commandments and leave his wealth behind. The man was not happy with that answer and sadly couldn’t leave his money behind.

It’s my sin to hoard. It’s a desire to have what everyone else has – and more! I keep them all to myself, too! It’s a sin that I constantly ask God to forgive because living in this world require money. I can’t do anything without everything!

But I hold on to God’s promise, as stated in 1 John 5:3 – God’s commandments are not burdensome! It’s for my protection.  If God asked me to leave my wealth behind, so let it be done. I will not put money as my number 1 priority!  I put God first, family second, and everything else 3rd.  I can’t expect to get respect from this world through money.

God’s love language is by me following His commands.  That is the truth. I will follow Him, give up this comfort of my life, and receive my eternal life.

In Mark 9:33-35, Jesus was asked who, among the disciples, were the greatest. His answer was simply whoever is last and servant of all, is the best.

It’s quintessential Jesus. I have a pride to want to be the best in everything. I want to be recognized as someone who leads the way. I want to be first in line.  But Jesus is always humble. He never wanted to be famous. He only wanted to serve humanity. He only wants us to serve each other.

God’s promise is to make me better if I serve others and be humble.

I can’t be better in God’s eye if I only serve myself. I have to change my attitude and be humble, and serve others.  It’s also His command, indirectly.  It is also Jesus’ great example, as He’s the one who’s willing to sacrifice himself to save humanity.

I pray that God gives me strength to be able to resist the temptation of pride. The temptation to be above everyone else and not be sympathetic to others. I pray that God gives me an overwhelming love so I may see others without contempt.

I am thankful God is with me. I am thankful for Jesus.  I am last, so Jesus can be first in my life.

In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus continued to heal people, and this time a deaf and mute person. However, this time the emphasis was Jesus command to not tell anyone, but yet they still did.

I’ve pictured myself in the crowd so many times, I understand completely the excitement of seeing people get healed. Of course, I haven’t seen nothing, yet, because later Jesus would raise the dead.  If that doesn’t convince me that He’s the messiah, I don’t know what else will.

Despite of Jesus’ miracles, I have to realize that He’s here not to perform miracles.  Jesus is here to save me. Jesus is here because God so loves the world, He gave His only begotten son.  That’s all there is to it. I don’t have to do anything. I don’t have to say anything.

So it all comes down to me: How much do I love Jesus?  Enough to get to know Him? Enough to listen to Him? Enough to obey His commands? Enough to speak to others about Him? Enough to want to be like Him?

I need to say YES, to all of them!

In Mark 6:45-51, Jesus walked on water to the much surprised and scared disciples when they saw Him perform this miracle. Not only that, Jesus also calmed the winds so they could have an easier time rowing the boat back to shore.

I picture myself as one of the disciple, being scared by the sight of the extra-ordinary Jesus walking on water!  It’s an impossible feat. It’s an unusual sight. It just never been done before!

But Jesus did. Jesus made it happen. And He went on to calm the winds of my life, enabling me to move forward – with Jesus in the boat as I row to safety. God is always there to save my life. He’s there in the impossible ways imaginable. I think with human mind – limited in my capacities. I have to see it God’s way: Boundless possibilities.

I am to read God’s word, and obey. Through my faith in Him, I will not be afraid.

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.