Devotional Time with God

My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

James 5:19-20

When I see someone who is sinning, or making mistakes that he/she should not have, I must attempt to correct it because he/she may be heading into destructive behavior or even away from God. This is something that must be handled with some delicate balance. Today’s society is not open to Christ’s rebuke. This world longs for love and it has been looking for it in the wrong places. Grey areas become a “normal” thing, nothing is completely right, nor completely wrong.

God is the truth. His words are the truth. I need to be aware of that. I need to proclaim that, so others may benefit from the saving grace of God.

I’ve been sworn to be a jury.  It’s my honor to serve as one: for the community – for the country.  I’m relieved the courts still swore us in  using the word “So help me God” at the end of the oath to tell the truth.

For indeed the truth shall set me free (John 8:32). It shall set all of us free!  If only everyone would tell the truth, we wouldn’t need lawyers, court systems, lawsuits, and the constant bickering who does what with whom at where and when.  We wouldn’t need to scrutinize every little details.

If only everyone would tell the truth and follow God’s commandments (Romans 13:9).  We’ll all be safe.

When I’m on the jury box, whenever I can, I prayed for the witness, victim, defendant, judge, my fellow jurors, and even the lawyers, that they open their heart and tell the truth.  Because I know the truth will eventually come out and justice will be served. So help us God!

I listened to Greg Laurie’s service today on Harvest Christian Church, and he talked about the most difficult part of my Christian life: How to evangelize.  Sharing my faith can be tricky in this day and age.  He covered what I need to do:

I need to go to Samaria (John 4:4), which is practically everywhere, especially where no one wants to go and be with people no one wants to be associated with. The gospel is for everyone.  If they don’t hear about Jesus’ love, they’ll be going to hell.  I have to overcome my prejudices and biases.  Everyone’s the same in the eyes of the Lord.

I need to be tactful. Evangelism is about a dialogue, not a monologue. I have to do a lot of listening. Everyone’s favorite topic is himself or herself.  I must need to learn how to respond, with tact.  The objective is to win the soul, not the argument. For example, Jesus was using the well and its water as a metaphor for her life (John 4:13).

I need to adapt to the situation.  People might try to change the subject (John 4:20), but I have to keep trying to go back to the main issue.  There is no one way to evangelize. Sometimes I have to answer a question with a question – it’s for those who just want discredit what I know.  Asking questions engages the other person, creating a bridge to a dialogue.

I need to use my story.  It’s a way to preach to a person without actually preaching.  Many people will believe as a result of my testimony (John 4:39).  A real story is a powerful message, as real as I experienced it – not exaggerated.  It’s not about me, it’s about God.

I need to faithfully deliver the word of God, giving everyone the true gospel. The truth is, the way to heaven is through Jesus Christ.  Jesus died for my sins. He’s the way, the truth, and the life.

I need to let God work through me.  He’ll give me the strength to deliver the Good News to anyone – everyone.  I need to let God direct me.

The famous nursery rhymes goes something like this:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
Should I die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

It was adapted from Psalm 31:5,

Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Jesus shouted this on the cross on his last breath.  This needs to be my words of commitment to God.  He’s the provider and He’s in control.  My spirit is nothing without Him.

I leave my worries and hurts to you, O Lord, the God of truth.  My spirit is in your hands.  Amen.

As a Christian, I suffer hardship.  I suffer the mockery from others that I’m too proud and judgmental.  I suffer the pain of being accused of dishonesty.  Some folks will just deny my voice just because I’m a Christian.  People expect me to make exceptions for the “happiness” of non-believers, such as cheating on their spouse, gay marriage, or living self-centered lives.   They make it clear that what I believe doesn’t matter and has no merit.  They don’t even bother examining the source of my beliefs.  They resort to discredit and discriminate.

What is the source of my truths?  How do I know what’s right and what’s wrong?  Read the Bible!  It’s God’s word.  I believe in God.  I believe in Jesus Christ.  He has a clear message for me:  live a pure life.  Jesus is here for the sinners, so sin no more!

Reading the passage of 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, I learned the Apostle Paul had suffered a great deal more than what I’ve been through.  However, the comparison is still there, Christians are now being persecuted.  But I must not be afraid or discouraged, because I’m not abandoned.  I’m not forgotten.  What matters to me is God’s approval, not other people’s.  What matters to me is that I live a sinless life.

What matters to me is Jesus!

I’ve done it before: Saying white lies.  Those are little lies that I thought were harmless.  They couldn’t be that bad since they don’t hurt anyone, right?  But that’s exactly the problem: How do I know it doesn’t hurt?  How do I know if it will not, down the line, and later on in the future?  The answer is, I don’t know.

The bible teaches me not to lie (2 Corinthians 6:7).  God never lies and  he created us in His own image.  However, my free will sometimes chose to go to the opposite character of God.  I lie to make myself feel and look better.  I lie to cover up my bad habits.  I lie to escape from doing the right (and difficult) thing.

Since Christ has saved me, I have to let my salvation shows it’s true gifts to my life. God’s truth is the only truth.  I have to learn to speak the truth, even when it hurts.  In the end, that’s all there is to it.

I don’t want to live with the pain that I’ve experienced in my life.  So why is it that I always dwell in them?  It’s in my mind.  It’s in my dreams.  It’s in my decisions for the future.  It’s not healthy.

I’ve had the pains for so long, I’m comfortable with them.  Bad relationships?  Been there.  Bad decisions about my career?  Done that.  Do I learn from them? Absolutely.  Do I remember them?  Sure.

The pain became my identity.  “I am what I am.”  What an excuse.  But it’s an easy excuse for any character defect that I have.  It’s an easy way out of doing something to correct it.  I want my identity to be good and constant.

My defect has a payoff.  If I get mad and starts yelling at my daughter, I will get her attention.  If I get angry and shunned my wife, she’ll (hopefully) try not to tick me off again.  I do the bad and awful things because it has short term benefits.  SHORT TERM. Instant benefit is temporary.  I want a lasting change.

Satan is sneaky – he wants me to stay in my pain and discourages me.  The scene is like a movie or comic books, when there’s a decision to be made, like returning a dropped wallet with money in it, both the demon and angel will speak to me on each shoulder.  Most likely I’ll listen to the demon because his suggestion will make me feel good – albeit temporary.  I will need to listen to the angel more.

I need to know God’s truths and abide by them.  Only then I’ll no longer prolong the pain.  God will set me free.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32

I know it takes faith to believe in God.  However, it takes more faith not to believe because what if I’m wrong?  I’m not perfect.  I’m not always right.  If there’s a higher power, wouldn’t I want to be on His side?

As a child, I was jaded.  I was invincible.  I felt I could do it all, in good health (even though not in perfect shape), and had a lot of years ahead of me.

Upon reflection, I was relying too much on myself.  I know now that God was looking after me.

I know God:

1. Exists
2. Cares about me.
3. Has the power to help me.

God has answered my prayers multiple times.  He knows my needs and have provided.  He will always provide because He has an infinite power.

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Luke 18:27

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

I’ve asked the question before, “What kind of God do I serve?”  Some folks would paint Him as a mean God, full of fire and brimstone.  Another folks would consider Him as a aloof God, so distant and hard of hearing.

The truth is, I used to compare God with my own parents.  My parents are generous, so naturally I considered God is a generous one.  My Dad is also hot tempered, so I thought God got angry a lot, too.

The real truth of God’s character is in the Bible.

God knows my situation.  He knows about my pain, grief, hurts, and struggles.  He knows what I need before I ask him.

God cares about my situation.  He knows that I’m weak and constantly needs help.  God has compassion for me.  He wants the best to happen to me.  He wants to bless me.  I just have to let Him by surrendering my life, and accept Christ as my personal Lord and savior.

Until I understand God’s true character, I can’t completely trust Him.

It’s human nature to lie.  My inclination is to lie to get what I want.  I don’t tell the truth (or half-truth) to cover up my mistakes or shortcomings.  It’s no different with my child.  She doesn’t have to be taught to lie and she already knows how to do it!

To tell the truth, at all times, is difficult to do.  It’s a discipline.  It requires effort. It requires accountability.  God is watching.

It would be easier if every time I lie, God will send a lightning bolt, or something, to correct me.  However, God does want to bless me, and he won’t do it if I constantly lie.  In fact, He’ll settle the score if I am not repentant.  There will always be a day of reckoning.

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.

Proverbs 19:9

As a parent, I must model honesty in my family.  Especially to my child.  There needs to be sincerity in all apologies.  There needs to be fairness in all the things we do.

I have to be involved.  I have to engage my kid to ensure she knows I care, and I’m paying attention.   God only wants honest people, and that’s who I want to bring up.

The truth shall make us free.