Devotional Time with God

Everyday, I struggle with temptations. When no one’s looking, it’s easy to say hey, it’s harmless – and besides, everyone else is doing it!  But how do I know it’s harmless?  My mind may be playing tricks on me, as the devil would like to direct me to the lies and deceits.  The devil would suggest half-truths, like “that’s ok, you’re only human”, or “that’s ok, you deserve a little indulgence once in a while!”  I have to tell myself, at what cost?  Am I sacrificing my spiritual growth? Am I really only harming myself, not the people around me?  Does this have long term effects?

Walking with God is a life time thing.  My spiritual growth takes my life time. Every step of the way, I have to watch where I’m going.  I have to be mindful of the evil temptations to commit sin. I may think I know better, but I don’t.  I need God’s wisdom and grace, for when I stumble I need to depend on Him to pick me up and help me learn my lessons.

Pray to me in time of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.

Psalm 50:15

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Having a close relationship to God involves in continuous communication with Him. It may sound like one way, or just talking in my head – but I know God is listening. The words that I speak or think must be of thanksgiving to Him. The motive of my prayer is to honor God, not to control Him.

Lord, reveal your will to me as I enter into this close relationship with you. Guide me. Purify me. Protect me. Let my focus be on you – always!

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.

There is one thing that keeps me awake at night:  Unfinished business.  Things I have not wrapped up. Problems I have not solved. People I have not reconciled. Or tasks I have not completed.  It doesn’t have to be multiple issues either – one problem is enough to keep me awake at night.

I do this because I have a sense of responsibility. I have a standard to keep.  I try not to procrastinate.  I genuinely care what happens tomorrow, so I have to clean up what I did today.  There are certain things that’s beyond my control, I get that, but those that are in my grasp, I have to get a handle of it and resolve it before the night’s end.

I imagine myself, although not as bold, as Jesus praying at the garden of Gethsemane, until He sweats of blood (Luke 22:44). That must’ve been one agonizing prayer, and why not – it’s the salvation of all human kind!  Then when Jesus was at the cross, His last words were “It is finished!” (John 19:30) For Jesus, it was death as the final rest, for all of His tasks on earth. Of course, my end of day’s rest is not as dramatic, but I can symbolize my sleep as a point when I can say it is finished – no more probem, no more conflict, no more things to do.  Tomorrow will be a good day!

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Philippians 2:13

God is still working me.  He is empowering me to do whatever I like to please Him. The Holy Spirit guides me, rebukes me, cajoles me, but ultimately it’s my decision to do what’s right, for God.  I need to use God’s word to find my way to heaven. I need to use God’s word to stay on fire for Him. To be the light that He wants me to be.

No more excuses! No more compromises!

Oh Lord, thank you for work in me. Thank you for giving me the desire and the ability to do what is required of me. Help me through these troubled times. Help me, using  your word and laws to guide me through the treacherous world. Don’t let me cheat or lie my way out of situations. Rather help me use your truths and wisdom to gain more trust and be the example of your wonderful kingdom, God.  Amen.

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.

To get to where I want in life, there are a few more steps I have to do.

I have to identify the issues and barriers preventing me from reaching my potential or goal. I have to know what’s stopping me.  I have to ask why am I not there yet.  Who or what is holding me back.   I know family obligations are my anchor in proceeding with my ministry.  Dividing up the time between work and home is a challenge.

Then I’ll need to make a step by step plan on how to get where I want.  How do I intend to get there?  It’s no point for me to do everything all at once. I must do something first things first.  It’s a quite difficult thing to write down by step by step plan, as I’m unsure what to do in my case of the family holding me back.  First thing I have to do is definitely pray about it.

Going through my plan will require patience and persistence.  So with the family obligations, I believe I need to wait for my wife to grow in spiritual maturity. There are just so many trust and faith issues that I have to deal with.  It’s best that I let God work His grace on both of us.  Never give up on expecting God’s provisions on us.

I’m also not alone in this struggle.   I will need to get my friends involved.  Since I’m in a new city, it’s difficult to find a “best friend” I can confide with.  But I am in a small group bible study that can provide support. Even though they’re limited in what they can do, they can provide prayer and share their experience.

Finally, I need to pay the price.  This is the ultimate scary moment for me.  I need to know at what cost is God’s ministry?  What am I willing to give to others?  Will it be worth it?   It’s God’s commandment to help others so it will be worth it.  My most valuable resource is my time, so that will be my sacrifice in order to reach my goal.

Lord, thank you for making it clear that I have to help others and set it as my goal in life.  You expect me to do this, so I’m confident you will show me the way.  Open the path, God. Remove the barriers. I have my step by step list, but let your will be done first.  Let my faith grow as I wait for the answers.  Thank you for the small group support.  I’m willing to pay the price.  Please use me and give me the courage to say Yes to you, Lord.  In your name I pray.  Amen.

It’s so easy to stray from the Lord.  This world facilitates the way to hell.  People tend to sin, and most of the time, they want to take me with them!

In dark times like this is when I really need to guard my heart.  Only Jesus can give me that peace of mind (Philippians 4:7).  Only God can protect me from the dangers that my dark heart desires.  I need the Lord to cleanse my heart and let Him be the ruler of my life (1 Peter 3:15).

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Lord, I give thanks to you.   I lift my praise to you.  In my time of trouble, in my time of darkness, in my time of sin – I want  you to get me out of there!  Help me, God.  I can’t do this on my own.  Cleanse me.  Fill me with your spirit.  Make me be right again in your eyes.  Give me the strength to go on.  Amen.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Mark 14:38

Jesus tells me to be watchful, and pray, on a daily basis, if I don’t want to fall back into my sinful nature.  I can prevent this relapse in poor judgment.  I can prevent this relapse into bad habits.  I have to ensure that I develop good habits.

First, I must always evaluate myself:

1. Physically
2. Emotionally
3. Relationally
4. Spiritually

If any of these don’t feel right, I must pray God reveal His will and steer me back into the right direction.

Then, I must meditate on God’s word on a daily basis.  It doesn’t take much.  Five minutes will work.  As long as I have that quiet time with Him, I’m moving a step closer to His perfection.  To meditate, I must:

1. Reverse worry:  Produce positive thoughts – think it, say it, over and over.
2. Listen: Slow down and hear God’s speaking to my heart.
3. Memorize: Know my bible verses so I can use them to fight sin. (Psalm 119:11)

Finally, I must pray about everything!  Nothing is too big or too small for God.  He’s creator of all things good.  I have to ask, then I shall receive.

Jesus, thank you for the strength you provided me today.  I fight off the temptation to sin.  I fight off my tendencies to do what’s wrong and lazy.  All because you’re in my heart.  I want your peace, God  I want to reach your perfection.  Lift up my spirits, Lord.  Lead the way so I shall not relapse.  Amen.

We are all selfish, by nature. It takes a lot discipline, love, and God’s grace to be kind, sharing, and helpful person.  I thank God every day I’m able to teach my daughter how to listen and share with her friends.  I try to teach her to have awareness of others around her, including towards the adults.  She needs to be aware of other people’s troubles and problems.

She’s a very strong willed child and have short attention span, so I struggle with teaching her to listen attentively.  I say my breath prayers all the time to keep me calm and patient.  Sometimes, I lose my temper, and it’s important I show her that I’m humble to ask for forgiveness.

But all in all, it’s worth the trouble.  I love my daughter so much that I’ll sacrifice my time and effort to teach her this virtue.  God wants to help me to build her up, just as He does to me.

Lord, it’s not easy, going against my nature, to think about other people.  We are all selfish, and always think about ourselves.  Help me deal with this daily struggle.  Help me to help others, especially my daughter, to become a builder of relationships, an instrument of kindness, and a foundation based on Jesus’ teachings and laws.  Thank you for the life you’ve given us.  Amen.