Devotional Time with God

God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7

This was an opportune moment for me. As I wrote this, at 1:16AM, I had been tossing and turning on my bed, thinking about my future. Thinking about my faith.  Thinking about existence itself.  Earlier this morning, I was reading the debate between an Atheist (the science guy) and a man of faith (a creationist).  Both presented their reasons for believing what they believe, both had compelling arguments.  But I was more taken by the science guy because he had more courage to have the argument at the creation museum and came prepared with plenty of evidence.  Since his argument is based on science, it was also well accepted, so many of the media/blogs/social-media were basically on his side.

I found myself persuaded in the science direction.

But, then Pastor Rick wrote in this daily devotion:

We all go through moments of doubt, when the things we know are true and believe in seem to leave us with more questions than answers. There are times in our lives when we get afraid. There are times when we look at the future and are filled with worry…

The courage to face a fear head on doesn’t come from within, it comes from God above. The ability to keep going when times get hard comes from trusting in God, not in ourselves.

This hit me. Direct to my heart. It awoke my spirit.

I had been using my own mind to grasp the reality of this life.  The science guy thinks humans came from something and then became nothing!  Where’s the hope in that? What’s the purpose of this life, other than survival and every person for himself?

I refuse to believe we’re a “cosmic accident”.  I was created from nothing, and I will become something. That’s hope. That’s a promise from God that I hold on to.

I put my trust in God, for He’s my future. There’s more to this life than just the mere existence. I’m looking forward to heaven. I’m looking forward to be with God.  I look to God for everything, because He gives me strength and takes away my fears.

To fulfill my purpose, I must avoid two traps:

1. Being envious of other people
2. Trying to please everyone

I know I’ve been guilty of both. I look at someone, my family or friend, and thought, why can’t I have what they have?  Why can’t I have more children? Why can’t I have a more discipline parent? Why can’t I be as outgoing as him?

Also, as an introvert, I always thought what I do is never enough, and I always end up keeping things to myself.  When I speak up, I tend to offend someone – or at least got the vibe I have offended them. So I clam up when someone said something incorrect. I did what everyone else is doing because it would make it look acceptable.

The good news is that these traps are avoidable.  I have God to guide me. He’s the one I have to concentrate on. He’s the one I have to please. I only have to compare myself with precious Jesus, because He is the king of my life.  Jesus shows me how to love. Jesus is the symbol of sacrifice.  He wasn’t out to please everyone, as it clearly shown when people mocked and killed Him on the cross.

So I must focus on Jesus. God will ask me, what have I done with His Son? I will please only God.  I will only keep Him as my #1!

If the Son gives you freedom, you are free!

John 8:36

My life purpose is to make a great commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Rick Warren – “The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?”

My purpose in life is to serve God, with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul.  Jesus is the center of my life.  He is my pilot. I will go where he commands me to go. I am here to fulfill His purpose and do His will.

What comes naturally is my character growth and that, in itself, is a beneficial purpose. I can use it to serve others, especially my family and body of Christ.

Then I will share what I know to the world – if they want it. With this world increasingly hostile to Christians, it’s scary! I need my faith in Jesus to prevail. I need my God to guide and protect me.

My great commitment is to the Lord. I surrender all to Him.

We may make a lot of plans, but the Lord will do what he has decided.

Proverbs 19:21

As in my physical health, my spiritual health needs a checkup also.  My spirit is living and in this world, it needs to be in check, disciplined, and working, for the glory of God.

Part of the checkup is a regular reading of the bible. I’ve supplemented it with this journal to write down what are the important lessons.  I can use what I’ve written as references for future needs.

This journal is also available on the Internet, so it’s a great way to pass along to others who may benefit from my lessons. It may not be as exciting, but it really does depend on your heart and your mind, on how open and teachable you are at this moment.

Finally, I need to be with a small group to talk this over. I will be talking about it with my group of friends from church, and also my neighbor.  It needs to be regular, so I will need to be in at least a weekly session with them. It’s a great way to discuss the lessons.

The bible tells me to go and spread the good news to everyone:

Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind.

Psalm 67: 2

That’s everyone, around the world!  I’ve been struggling just to convert my neighbor, or my co-worker, let alone anyone else in the world.  How can I do this, with a very young daughter and a wife who’s still a baby Christian?  Perhaps I can help those who’s financially in need to go on mission trips.  Perhaps I can go on Facebook and help do the “e-evangelize” approach and use the Internet to reach out from there.

I need to do more for Jesus. For the world’s sake (and for mine)!

My life before Jesus was a mess. It was a hodge-podge of goals, unfulfilled priorities, and all sorts of different directions.  I didn’t have deep meaningful relationships that could last for a long time.  I basically wandered around in the desert for more than 20 years!  I basically blamed it on my youthful pursuits and peer pressures.

Before I got married, I realized I could not make the same mistakes in my previous relationship.  If this marriage is to work, I need to be very serious with God first.  I need to re-commit my life to Him.

I needed to be born again for the 2nd time. I was pressured to go to church when I was a teenager, but now I want to go by (and for) myself!  I need to be a spiritual leader and be the strong in faith, because both my wife and daughter will look up to me for spiritual and moral support.

The difference in my life was dramatic.  I could see how much better I would be when dealing with problems if I knew how to be patient. I could deal with people better when I knew serving others was the key to good relationships.  I’m less angry now because of God’s grace and Jesus’ sacrifice.

My priorities have changed. I set my sights on eternal rewards and I’m now at peace with myself.

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:19–20

There is hope. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is freedom from all of this sickness on earth. God is the omega. For eternity, I’m commanded to tell others about it.  I must tell others of the good news!

What scares me about me mission trips are the unknowns. I even fear for my life, since I may end up in poverty stricken places where crime is rampant.  When I get there, do I even know what to say? Do I know what to do?  How can I be an effective witness – just by being there?  Where do I start?

I can start right here in my neighborhood. I can be witnesses to my friends. I can be Christ’s example to my co-workers. I can do good locally. This is where I’ll start. I have to start my mission, for it’s part of my purpose that God has given to me!

My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

In weakness, I’m made strong by God. That is so mind boggling!  How can it be? This world always puts up the strong, the beautiful, the powerful.  Yet, God only wants to use the weak.  Why?

Simply because He wants me to lean on Him. He wants me to depend on Him. I need to have a humble heart. I need to have a compassionate heart. When I’m strong and powerful, I become prideful.  I wouldn’t need anyone else. I may even feel like God! There is only one God – and I’m not it.

I’m weak, and He is strong. I’m weak and useable. This is the essence of servanthood. This is what God wants me to be – and He’ll bless me abundantly because of it!

I often asked, why ministry is so hard?  Why can’t I find the time to just do it? Why can’t I just be glad to be in whatever ministry that’s offered to me?

It all starts from my heart.

I must be willing to be used. I must first understand, because Jesus gave His grace, I must do the same to others. I can’t think of myself first. I must think of others first – their needs, their concerns. Then I use my “shape” and God’s guidance to help out.

Here’s an important perspective to practice my servant-life attitude:

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

Matthew 5:41

Strong command, indeed.

I often wonder how good must I be to serve at church. I don’t have a singing talent. I can’t play an instrument. I can’t do public speaking. I can’t even memorize bible verses to share and witness to others! I just felt not like-able enough to be able to influence others to God.

Then God tells me in the bible:

If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop.

Ecclesiastes 11: 4

I have to start serving now – I can’t wait until I’m “perfect” or “suitable” for God to use me. I’m always have to be willing and ready. I’m good enough as I am, to serve others. God will guide me along the way.  I must find ways to serve, no matter what, no matter when.

I’m ready, Lord. Use me!