Feb 16 2013

Refocus!

Temptations are always there, in every turn, ready to pounce when I least expect it.  I would see a woman and suddenly felt an attraction. I would be in a situation where I may be forced to lie to spare myself from embarrassment. I may find a wad of cash and tempted to keep it for myself. “It’s all good, no one’s looking. No one will know.” as the devil would say.

The truth is, God knows. He sees everything. He sees my heart and my intentions. He knows what I would do – or what I can do. This is why I always focus on God, and His words and promises. One promise that I cherish:

You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13

He wants me to escape from my temptations! I must run away from it. I must ignore it. I must refocus on something else – something good, something positive, something useful. I thank God, at every moment of my life, for this protection!

No responses yet

Jan 20 2013

What On Earth Am I Here For?

I’m so blessed by my church and pastor Rick Warren for coming up with a new Bible study, based on the updated The Purpose Driven Life book.  It brings me back to focus on centering my life around God.  My life is created for His purpose and by His hands.  It’s as simple as that.

Everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.

Colossians 1:16

The question to ponder:

In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

The advertising around me is all about profit. It’s all about being selfish. It’s all about making myself supposedly better than the next person. But this is a rat race, in a complicated maze with no exit.

Actually, there’s an exit, and it’s upwards: towards heaven. I have to leave all of this materialistic pursuits behind and store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20), instead. I can’t please myself enough to buy my way to heaven. I have to please my creator. I have to return to my God.What On Earth Am I Here For?

No responses yet

Mar 13 2012

God Will Always Be Love

Published by under Psalms

Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life. May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:39-42

I praise God that I have Him to love me, abundantly.  He’s the only one who can do it. I can’t rely on other people, but they have limited love to give. I have to put God first because He’ll always be there for me.

I hold on to God’s promise for my salvation. Nothing can be more gratifying and comforting! Anyone can insult me. Anyone can hate me. Anyone can ignore me. But God will never do those things. He will always be with me and love me.  I thank God for that promise.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace and love. I can’t begin to imagine what happened if I don’t have you. My life would be unstable. I would get angry way too often. I would have given up way too soon. Thank you for the patience you’ve shown me. And thank you for the good people you’ve surrounded me with.  Pour your love to me, Lord. Fill me with your love. Amen.

 

No responses yet

Jan 13 2011

The Name of The Lord

Published by under Exodus,Romans

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

No responses yet

Jan 03 2011

The Expectations in the New Year

Published by under Ecclesiastes

It’s the new year already.  It’s amazing how time has continued to march forward, as if it’s an unstoppable army.  Many times I felt I need to catch up, or I’ll miss everything.

Of course that’s an exaggeration, because God has given a lot to my family and I in the past year.  I have worked hard to be where I’m at now.  But I’m here because of God’s grace and blessing. He’s guided me to the right path, and nudged me when I strayed.

This year is no different.  I expect God to continue performing His miracles.  I expect God to bless us abundantly.  I expect God to help me through the challenges in our lives.

I also know that God’s timing is beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11).  I know God wants me to devote Him first in my life.  I still know God wants to answer my prayers (Matthew 7:7-8).

I’m holding on to God’s promises.  I expect God to be with me all through the new year – and beyond.

One response so far

Oct 14 2010

Promise and Help from God

Published by under Hebrews

I can’t go through this life without God’s help and promises.  He gives me hope and a reason to live.  God always catch me when I fall.   God always fulfill His promises.  God wants to help and He’s very generous!

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Help me, O God, in this time of despair and uncertainty.  The future seems bleak but you give me hope.  I hold on to your promises.  It’s my desire to honor you, so help me be the salt and light that you intended me to be.  Amen.

No responses yet

Nov 24 2009

Claiming the Promise of God

Published by under Nehemiah

Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.”

Nehemiah 1:8-9

Nehemiah asked God to remember.  I know God doesn’t forget His promises.  Why did Nehemiah said it, then?  It’s because he needs to remember God’s promises.  By including the promises made by God in my prayers, I shall remember my faith has its purpose.

O Lord, I thank you for all the promises you’ve fulfilled.  You said you’ll provide my need – you have!  You said you’ll protect me – you do!  You promised me eternal life – you will!  I’m grateful for all you’ve done. I’m thankful for your blessings.  I put my life in you, and claim the promises for my life.  Amen.

No responses yet

Nov 13 2009

In the Wilderness

Published by under Acts,Deuteronomy

In my life, I’ve seen my fair share of the “wilderness”.  It’s not always easy living.  The elements are not always hospitable.  Like the Israelites, I’m wandering around the desert, searching for the promise land.  Like them, I don’t always like it.  I grumble.  I veer off course once in a while, thinking I know what I’m doing.  I let my misguided judgment take over the decisions in life.  I don’t always consult God first.

This has some profound effect on how I deal with my family.  My attitude in the workplace can be self-centered.  Sometimes, I can forget that I’m in this world to spread the Good News and be God’s witness (Acts 1:8).  I’m not here for myself – I’m here for others, as well.

But I know God’s character:  He’s faithful.  God provides for me.  He wants me to put my trust in Him that everything shall pass.  It may take a while to mold my character.  It may take a while for me to realize that my pain is to be used for God’s glory.

God has a plan for me.   He wants me out of the wilderness.

Today I am giving you the laws and teachings of the LORD your God. Always obey them, and the LORD will make Israel the most famous and important nation on earth, and he will bless you in many ways. The LORD will make your businesses and your farms successful. You will have many children. You will harvest large crops, and your herds of cattle and flocks of sheep and goats will produce many young. You will have plenty of bread to eat. The LORD will make you successful in your daily work. The LORD will help you defeat your enemies and make them scatter in all directions. The LORD your God is giving you the land, and he will make sure you are successful in everything you do. Your harvests will be so large that your storehouses will be full. If you follow and obey the LORD, he will make you his own special people, just as he promised.

Deuteronomy 28:1-9

No responses yet

May 20 2009

Why Does God Let Evil Happen?

Published by under 1 Corinthians,Matthew

One of the most difficult question that I’ve asked before is, why does evil exist?  If God is so powerful, why can’t he just get rid of evil?  Why are evil happening to good people?

Many have tried to answer that.  I recognized the common message:  God let evil happen in my life because He wants me to grow spiritually strong.

It’s a question of faith.  It’s easy to trust God when things go right.  But when it goes wrong, it’s very difficult to continue praising and relying on God.  I would always go back to that selfish mode where I was in charge of my life – where I thought I could solve my own problems. I’ll fail when I don’t put my faith in God.

God also let evil happen because it will show me where is God’s fairness:

But I say, love your enemies![s] Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.

Matthew 5:44-45

Everyone will experience evil.  The difference is, who will buckle in the stress?  When I follow Christ, I learn to draw strength from God’s grace and promise.  I have to remember God is fair and just.  He will provide what I need, and will never test me beyond my abilities.

In the chaos of this world, I know there’s hope in heaven.  I’m keeping God’s promise and grace, that one day I’ll be with Him and evil doesn’t exist anymore in my life.

No responses yet