What You Sow Is What You Get

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Bee's Thoughts:

The above verses have become part of my life since I became a Christian. I believe that when I give to God cheerfully, He will give me in return many times more (not necessary in monetary term). This belief enables me to tithe regularly to my Church.

Yes, sometimes the devil would tell me not to give by giving me all kinds of reasons to justify it. Yet, I firmly claim on the promises of God and believe I should give the little that I have, just like the woman with the 2 cents coin who gave her all to Jesus. Truly, I have reaped the promises of God many times in my life... I may not be rich financially, but I have no lack.

Now is the time for me to trust God in His providence since I am not working full time. God would not let His children go round begging. I won't. Perhaps God is testing my now. I am still giving my monthly "faith pledge", but I think I will give the full amount instead so that the devil can't tempt me to stop giving.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of your promises. Your grace is sufficient for me. With You nothing is impossible. Let me not lose faith in You. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

Let's Take A Break

Luke 9:1-10

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.

Mark 6:31

31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Bee's Thoughts:

It's so true that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". That's what happened to most of us if we work so hard and never take any break... we become over stressed, and then become an ineffective worker. This will also be translated into our relationship with people around us... we might become quick temper and impatient, hurting others without knowing.

It's also true that we need to take daily breaks to spend time with God, to let Him give us the spiritual 'charge' to face the challenges of the world. If we don't do that, we will also ended up become what we don't wish to be.

Dear Lord, help me to always remember to take retreat to spend time with you. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

What Did You Say?

Psalm 15

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?

2 He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart

3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4 who despises a vile man
but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts,

5 who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken.

Bee's Thoughts:

Verse 1

That’s a million dollar question, isn’t it? Who can qualify to go to heaven? Only those mentioned from verse 2 to 5.

Oh no, can anyone really qualify then? It’s tough and impossible, isn’t it?

Well, that’s why Jesus has to die on the cross for us, to redeem us from all sins and unrighteousness, and then start doing the transformation work in our life to make us righteousness in His sight to be there one day.

Yes, I can see that transformation in my life from the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior since the age of 12, The work of God in me isn’t finished yet… there are more things to be done in me. By giving me the free will to choose means I can rebel against God and make His designing work harder. But I guess that’s the beauty of it. Just like, I would want someone to love me willingly rather than to love me by force. Example, some people marry out of compulsion or guilt or fear. But here, God does not want a robot; He wants us to choose to love and follow Him.

Verse 2 to 5

Characteristics of the one who qualifies for the "holy hill":

1. blameless
2. righteous,
3. truth from his heart

4. no slander
5. does neighbor no wrong
6. no slur

7. despises a vile man
8. honors those who fear the LORD,
9. keeps his oath even when it hurts,

10. lends his money without usury
11. does not accept a bribe

I guess I am able to do point 4 to 11; but as for point 1 to 3, I still have need lots of moulding from God, lots of learning. The promise for those who do the above points is that he/she “will never be shaken”.

Dear God, help me to be more like you each day as I let you mould my life, though it may be painful at times. Amen.

....the devotion of Bee

Redemptive Revenge

Romans 12:17-21

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Bee's Thoughts:

This is not just a passive advice… it is active. It calls for more than just forgiveness for my “enemy”… it requires me to do something “good”.

Keeping this passage in mind has helped me practice more self-control and to manage my emotion of hurt and anger better when being provoked. It’s a human tendency to hit back whenever we are hurt or angry. However, by using this wise advice from the Bible, it has helped me made peace with my “enemies” very quickly most time. I would keep quiet instead of hitting back. I would try to listen to the other party, try to figure out what I have done or say wrongly that has provoked the other to person anger, and I would say “Sorry” for my part of the fault. I would usually initiate the reconciliation process, but it’s up to the other party to accept or to reject it.

Thank You, Lord, for teaching me how to handle my “enemy”.

...the devotion of Bee

Toddler's Creed

Acts 20:32-38

32 "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have not coveted anyone's silver or gold or clothing.

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Bee's Thoughts:

The Apostle Paul is my example for living. As he advocated, I like to live within my means and I don't like to owe anybody anything (especially money) except for big item such as loan for house or car. A few friends did ask me to take up a study loan since I am thinking of stopping my study as a result of not working full time to finance it. But I don't feel comfortable doing it... I rather stop studying instead of being in debt. Jesus has always supplied my needs. So even though things look a little bleak for me at the moment, I want to trust that God knows what's best for me and that He will always provide.

Yes, "it is more blessed to give than to receive". I give to others because Jesus has first given His life for me freely. So freely receive, freely give. Thank You Jesus!

....the devotion by Bee

Bee's Morning Devotion

Hello Tommy, here I am at your blog. :)

Since you have ‘abandoned’ your blog for awhile, I thought I could use it for my "Morning Devotion" to jot down my thoughts of the day and at the same time 'save’ this blog from being so ‘cold’... hehe. Thanks for letting me use it.

Yes, I have decided to reorder my life and set my priority right (starting today) so I could start to dream new dreams. So for that, I know I have to spend my time with God, reading His word first, before I spend time with anybody or anything else. In this way I will be able to focus in what’s important in life and to know the way I should go.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! — Psalm 119:103

....the thoughts of Bee

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