The Last Word

John 11:17-27

Jesus Comforts the Sisters
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Bee's Thoughts:

Martha seems to be the more "talkative" one and is always ready to give answers to the questions asked. Yet her answers seems to be off track from the question. Is that a sign of inability to listen carefully?

James 1: 19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry". When we don't listen carefully there is a tendency to speak to fast or get angry too fast. WE need to learn from Mary's example of listening to Jesus, instead of speaking too fast like Martha.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder again that I have to learn to listen more than I speak. In my working place, help me to also listen carefully before I give my answers so I won't say the wrong thing.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Persecution That Backfired

1 Peter 2:18-25

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."[a] 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Bee's Thoughts:

It is normal for us to respect and submit to our bosses who are good and considerate. But to do so to those who are harsh is not an easy thing to do.

I have learned something my boss' philosophy in office politics. He may respect his boss or a person in senior position for his position in the organization but not his person or qualification. That's something I find hard to do, as I can't respect if that person is not fitted to be in or earn his right to a certain position. But now the bible says I have to submit regardless.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for tonight's devotion that remind me to submit to authority. Help me to obey You Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Refuge Needed

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.
1 Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea;
listen to my cry.
Give ear to my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2 May my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.

3 Though you probe my heart and examine me at night,
though you test me, you will find nothing;
I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4 As for the deeds of men—
by the word of your lips
I have kept myself
from the ways of the violent.

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

9 from the wicked who assail me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Bee's Thoughts:

Keeping away from sinning requires personal will (v3). We need to be conscious about it through the help of the Holy Spirit. With that comes the assurance of answered prayers (v6). Then can we request "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." (v8). This is the secret of Christian living.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to becareful with the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, that they may be acceptable in Your sight. That You may answer my prayers and keep me as the apple of Your eyes.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Is He Listening?

Matthew 26:39-42; 27:45-46

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

42He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."


The Death of Jesus
45From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,[a] lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"[

Bee's Thoughts:

It is never easy to say, "not as I will, but as you will" (v39) or "if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (v42).

Even though the Lord Jesus prayed that prayer, but when He was finally separated from His Father He cried, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" We can feel His agony of having to be separated from the One He loved.

Can we imagine the pain of having to leave someone we love very much? It's a very difficult decision to make, indeed. Yet Jesus did that. He did that for two reasons:
1. to obey the One He loved
2. because He loved us and that's the only way to save us

Dear Lord,
Thank You for loving us so much that while we were yet sinners You died for us. Thank You for teaching me the lesson on obedience and love. When I know what You want me to do let me be willing to say, "not as I will, but as you will" eve if it is painful. For You know what's best for me and for our eternal purpose.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Bee's 10th Month of Devotion

This is a very special month. It seems our nightly devotions together help brings forth fruit. The fruit of commitment to run the race together, to love and to hold. I wish it will last...


.......the thoughts of Bee

Sacrifice

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Bee's Thoughts:
I do not know what to say to the Lord when I read tonight's passage. It's the pray of King David, which is also my prayer too.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

That's exactly how I prayed one year ago during my times of distress. I asked the Lord to give me a new heart. I knew that He will not forsake me as I cried out to Him.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for hearing my prayers. Thank You for delivering me from my distress. Tonight I still want to pray the same prayer to You. I asked that You hear me one more time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love & Respect

Ephesians 5:22-33

Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[b] 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Bee's Thoughts:

Wives are to"submit" (v22) and "respect" (v33) their husbands. Submission is non-voluntary action while respect is voluntary action. Submission is based on authority bestowed while respect has to be earned.

When husbands truly love their wives, it's natural for their wives to respect them. Love involves the husbands' willingness to give themselves or their rights to their wives (v25).

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-17

When we compare verses in Ephesians 5 and John 15, we can see that husbands and wives should be the best of friends after all. True friendship and love are non separable.


Dear Lord,
You desire that friendship, love and respect be found not only between husbands and wives but also between true friends. For relationship, friendship and love will not past away when we meet You one day. Help me to cultivate such things that will last. May my life be a blessing to someone today.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

God had planned something better

Hebrews 11:32-40

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[a]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Bee's Thoughts:

Sometimes Christians who serve God whole heartedly may also face calamity and suffer just like non-believers do. In times like these, there is a tendency to complain or even to give up one's faith in Christ. However, we are told tonight that "God had planned something better for us" (v40). "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Today, I had 2 chances to share God's word and purpose with 2 candidates for our Teacher position. I explained the way to Christ's salvation to one of them who was so moved that her eyes were brimming with tears. I shared with another about how God will open a way for him to find job when he honour God and trust in Him. Thank God that I can be a blessing to others in the course of my work. Perhaps that's the reason why God put me in where I am.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your word that reminds me of Your plan even when I don't understand Your plan.
Thank You that I could encourage others in the course of my work.
I pray for the candidates whom I had shared with that You will guide and lead them to experience more of You and Your purpose in their lives.
I pray You will help me find the right people to fill those job vacancies soon.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen,

God Fights Against Us

Joel 2:12-17

Rend Your Heart
12 "Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."

13 Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.

14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the LORD your God.

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.

16 Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.

17 Let the priests, who minister before the LORD,
weep between the temple porch and the altar.
Let them say, "Spare your people, O LORD.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?' "

Bee's Thoughts:

"return to me with all your heart" (v13).

The Lord demands ALL our heart, not just a portion of it....

As I look into my heart,
I saw a number of things:
People I love so much
And all my heart's longings.

Where is my dear Lord?
Are You even here?
He is by the wall
Waiting for me to come near.

I am sorry my dear Lord,
Now take all my heart.
Take all I have got
Let me have a new start.

- Your child Bee

Tensile Strength

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Bee's Thoughts:

Each one of us have our own "thorn in the flesh", something that is there to keep us humble and relying on God.

I used to prayed a number of times for God to remove the "thorns in my flesh" like Paul did. However, each time I heard God speaking to my heart, "My grace is sufficient for you". That was very reassuring and comforting. Each time I thought I would give way, but each time God sustained me. His word is always true.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your grace is always sufficient for me. Thank You that at times I thought I couldn't bear anymore, yet You came to support me and see me through. Praise You for Your strength. In times of testing I pray that You will help me not to fall. Keep me pure in You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

A Heart For The Homeless

James 2:14-20

Faith and Deeds
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?

Bee's Thoughts:

Because faith without work is dead, my Church has been going to the villagers of 'forgotten people' for the last 4 years every month, as part of my Church Mission Outreach. We have been giving them food and clothings plus whatever help needed.

I just came back from that mission trip this evening. What I discovered about the villagers today and them 4 years ago are quite different. Then they were really very poor, both materially and spiritually... I wondered what future could they have. But today, they seem better off materially and spiritually as well. They have seen our works and faith. Many have accepted Christ and attending some Christian follow up classes. Soon we will be conducting academic classes for them to educate them.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for putting Your love in our hearts to reach out to these group of villagers. Thank You for Your perseverance in us to not stop in showing our love for them. I pray that they will all come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. For those who have already accepted You, I pray they will grow in their faith. Keep them in You arms.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

A Heart For The Homeless

James 2:14-20

Faith and Deeds
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[a]?

Bee's Thoughts:

Because faith without work is dead, my Church has been going to the villagers of 'forgotten people' for the last 4 years every month, as part of my Church Mission Outreach. We have been giving them food and clothings plus whatever help needed.

I just came back from that mission trip this evening. What I discovered about the villagers today and them 4 years ago are quite different. Then they were really very poor, both materially and spiritually... I wondered what future could they have. But today, they seem better off materially and spiritually as well. They have seen our works and faith. Many have accepted Christ and attending some Christian follow up classes. Soon we will be conducting academic classes for them to educate them.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for putting Your love in our hearts to reach out to these group of villagers. Thank You for Your perseverance in us to not stop in showing our love for them. I pray that they will all come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. For those who have alraedy accepted You, I pray they will grow in their faith. Keep them in You arms.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Righteousness Through Faith

Romans 3:21-28

Righteousness Through Faith
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Bee's Thoughts:

ALL HAVE SINNED. Yes, no exception. Thank God that though all, including me, have sinned He has paid the penalty of sin so that we may live when we accept Christ. We need the blood of Christ to cleanse us daily.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your cleansing blood that washes me white as snow. May I share this good news with people around me that they too can experience Your forgiveness too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Nothing I Desire

Psalm 73:25-28

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

Bee's Thoughts:

To be able to conclude that "earth has nothing I desire besides you" (v25) takes lots of past trials in life. Only after finding that there's nothing that can fully satisfy a person can one declares that statement.

I used to think that working hard to earn more money, or paper chase, or finding someone to love me could satisfy me. To my disappointment these things couldn't last. The only one who could satisfy me is Jesus Christ, the One Who never leaves me nor forsake me in my darkess moments. Whom have I in heaven but Jesus? Only Him.


Dear Lord,
Once again I like to thank You for satisfying my needs. Thank You for all that You have given to me on earth and most of all Yourself. I pray that You will speak to me during tomorrow mission trip. Speak also to my "bf" during his prayer camp this weekend.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Whose Prisoner?

Ephesians 3:1-9

Paul the Preacher to the Gentiles
1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

2Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

7I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

Bee's Thoughts:

Last night, my 'bf' said I shouldn't think of myself as being so unworthy or small in my "devotion". However, I really feel that way and always thanking God for saving me and making me His precious child.

At times, we have become the 'prisoner' of the people we can't forgive, or the past we can't forget, or the future we are fearful about.

Was I the 'prisoner' of my bad childhood experiences too? Perhaps I was last time when I allowed them to make me feel sad. I don't feel much about it these days after my mum's demise. I hope I can become the 'prisoner' of Christ instead.


Dear Lord,
Guard my heart, thoughts, feelings and wants.
Let me be your 'prisoner' instead of mine own.
All that I have and want I place in Your hand.
Show me Your ways and Your plans.
Help me see and understand them.
Keep me strong and not look back at what I cannot change or the things that can't turn back.
My prayer to You in Jesus' name. Amen.

Longing

Romans 1:8-16

Paul's Longing to Visit Rome
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Bee's Thoughts:

How does it feel like to be "longing" for something or someone?

I have forgotten how it feels like. I have stopped "longing" for anything or anyone. I have been 'conditioned' over time and perhaps I have become 'demented' emotionally?

Perhaps one "longing" I still may have is to be departed from this earth and be with the Lord. Yet am I ready for Him? I may not be, and that's why I am still 'hanging' around this earth. There are things I still have not accomplished I guess. I still need to share the gospel with others or help fellow believers grow in the Lord, like Paul did.


Dear Lord,
Though I long to be with You now, yet I still have work to do for You here. Help me be that 'vessel' to fulfill Your purpose. I may not be the best, but I want to be willing and available. Put the right longing in my heart tonight.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Behind The Scenes

John 3:22-36

John the Baptist's Testimony About Jesus
22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24(This was before John was put in prison.) 25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew[a] over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."

27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ[b] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30He must become greater; I must become less.

Bee's Thoughts:

Do people see me or Christ?

Today I had the opportunity to briefly share Christ with a job applicant in the course of interviewing. The applicant seemed receptive but I wasn't sure if that's because she wanted the job. :) Whatever it is, the gospel has been shared and I pray that she will accept Christ one day.

Yes, we need to always point others towards Christ and not ourselves, knowing that whatever talents and gifts we have come from above.

Dear Lord,
Thank You again for the opportunity to share about You with others. I know that Your word will not return to You void. May You increase and I decrease wherever I am. Let me be a witness for You always.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Rosebud Potential

Mark 3:13-19

The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles
13Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14He appointed twelve—designating them apostles[a]—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15and to have authority to drive out demons. 16These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Bee's Thoughts:

I am such an imperfect being, even after so many years of moulding by the Lord. Because I am living, not dead, I may resist the Potter's moulding process. I crumbled down many times and the Potter has to remould me over and over again, just like tonight. *sigh*

To me, I am such a wretched soul indeed... nothing good in me... nothing, absolutely nothing. Yet Jesus sees something I or others couldn't see. He sees the "rosebud potential" in me.

So what did Jesus sees in me?
Perhaps my persistency?
I may be down, but not out.
I may not see, but I believe.
I may lose hope, but I never give up.
I may feel hurt, but I never revenge.
I may be fragile, but I can be strong.
I may be naive, but I can be wise in God.

Dear Lord, Jesus,
Thank You for choosing me to be your disciple though I am so weak many times. I pray that this 'rosebud' in me will blossom into a beautiful rose soon. Hold my hands when I am down, like now. Let me not be drowned by sorrows and forget my crown. Lead me moment by moment and day by day.
In Your blessed name I pray. Amen.

Be Glad!

Psalm 69:29-36

29 I am in pain and distress;
may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30 I will praise God's name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31 This will please the LORD more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33 The LORD hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,

35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;

36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.

Bee's Thoughts:

Even in his pain and sorrow, the writer had learnt to praise God. He knew God personally and had great faith in Him.

How much do I know my God? Can I still praise Him in my sorrow? Do I know what pleases Him?

I have been reading John 15 lately as part of my church's study on the Masterlife's series. It has helped me to understand the meaning of discipleship and friendship.

Dear Lord,
Let me remain in You and in Your love. Let me be Your friend just like You have been my friend. A friend who knows what's in Your heart, a friend who is willing to lay down my life for You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Known Facts vs All The Facts

Jeremiah 32:6-27

6 Jeremiah said, "The word of the LORD came to me: 7 Hanamel son of Shallum your uncle is going to come to you and say, 'Buy my field at Anathoth, because as nearest relative it is your right and duty to buy it.'

8 "Then, just as the LORD had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the courtyard of the guard and said, 'Buy my field at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. Since it is your right to redeem it and possess it, buy it for yourself.'
"I knew that this was the word of the LORD; 9 so I bought the field at Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel and weighed out for him seventeen shekels [a] of silver. 10 I signed and sealed the deed, had it witnessed, and weighed out the silver on the scales. 11 I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy containing the terms and conditions, as well as the unsealed copy- 12 and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of my cousin Hanamel and of the witnesses who had signed the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard.

26 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

Bee's Thoughts:

The known facts are not all the facts. —Herbert Vander Lugt

I like the above statement. It is common for us to use "known facts" to make a conclusion without having "all the facts". In a practical sense only God has ALL the facts and therefore He knows best.

Is there anything too hard for God? (v27)

Of course NO! Yet in our finite mind we tend to look at the "known facts" and forget that God is the God of the impossible. Sometimes we might be asked to do something that sounds silly yet it is in God's plan to fulfill His purpose in our life.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that You have all the facts and nothing is too hard for You. Teach me to always trust You to guide my path. Show me what You want me to do and give me strength to obey.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Can I Run Away?

Psalm 139:7-16

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Bee's Thoughts:

When I was a young Christian (also young in age), there were a few times I tried to 'run away' from God when I felt depressed by things in my life. I thought I could and I didn't want to talk to God. But when I read the above passage one day, tears just rolled over my cheek. I knew that I couldn't run away from God...wherever I go God will be there (v7-12).

Yes, He never let me go even though I tried to run away from Him many times... His love always drew me back to Him.

Yes, He knows me through and through... He knows me even before I was formed, He knows how I feel, what I need, what I will be. He knows me better than I know myself (v13-16).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for not letting me go.
Thank You for drawing me back to You each time.
Thank You for loving me.
Thank You for knowing and supplying all my needs.
Thank You that I can't run away from Your presence.
Praise be Your name. Amen!

Housekeeping Of The Heart

Matthew 23:23-31

23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.

Bee's Thoughts:

It is in our human nature to want to look good and also to look at the outward appearances of others. This becomes very obvious when we see how most men choose women as their girlfriends/wives. They are attracted to their looks first before what's inside them. *sigh*

Tonight, we are reminded that what's inside a person is more important than what's outside. We need to be real, sincere, natural, in what we say and do and not be hypocritical about them. If not, woe be to us!


Dear Lord,
Search my heart tonight. If there is any wicked way in me, cleanse me and make me pure. Grant me strength to do what's right. Help me to to be real and true always even if it means I will become unpopular. What matters most is how you see me, rather than how others see me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

My Life A Mist

James 4:13-17

Boasting About Tomorrow
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

Bee's Thoughts:

My life "a mist", this I already know.
Will I see tomorrow? That I don't know.
If the Lord's will, there is one place I will go.
Although it is cold, I like to touch the snow.
- Bee

Sometimes unknowingly we boast, thinking we hold tomorrow.... so we make many plans and goals without asking if they are within God's will. We forget that our lives are in God's hands. Such boasting can become sinful and lead us in the wrong direction. We, therefore, need to be humble and prayerful, committing out lives, plans, paths, etc, to God.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me again that my life is "a mist" and I need to live a day at a time to glorify Your name. I want to commit my work, my relationship, and my all into Your hands. Teach me to do what is right so that I may not sin against You or others.
In Jesus' name I humbly pray. Amen.

Learning To Walk

Hosea 11:1-4

God's Love for Israel
1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 But the more I [a] called Israel,
the further they went from me. [b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
and they burned incense to images.

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from their neck
and bent down to feed them.

Bee's Thoughts:

As I read the above verses, I felt God telling me,

"When Bee was a child, I loved her...
It was I who taught her to walk, taking her by the arms...
it was I who healed her.
I led her with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love;
I lifted the yoke from her neck
and bent down to feed her."

I felt so touched. Yes, God did all those for me. Without Him, I don't know what I would have become. Praise be to God.

There are still many things God wants to show me and wants me to trust and obey... be it at work, home, or relationship with others. I shouldn't take things in my own hands, but to pray and let Him lead me.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for all You have done in my life. I can't thank You enough. I pray You will give me strength to do what is right in Your sight. Help me when I am weak, pick me up when I fall. Teach me what it means to love You with all my heart, with my soul, and with all my might. Teach me also to know the full meaning of Agape love, that I may learn to love in that way.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Common Ground

Acts 17:22-31

22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.

24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

29"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill. 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Bee's Thoughts:

• The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
• You have power over your mind—not outside events.
• Your life is what your thoughts make it.
- Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome from AD 161 to 180.

I have been pretty happy the last few months... I was carefree, just enjoying my work and don't think too much about other things, including relationship. However, I felt very disturbed this morning when I thought about what happened last night. I lost my joy. :(

The above quotations are so true. They echoe what Proverbs 23:7 says, “As [a person] thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Tonight's devotion reminds us how we may use something common in our daily life to share the gospel or encourage fellow believers. This is the principle of using simple or common analogies to bring about understanding in abstract concepts, e.g. the explanation of the Trinity. That's why Jesus like to use parables.


Dear Lord,
I pray tonight that you will teach me to think of "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" (Philippians 4:8).
Let me be able to share all these things with others.
Let me not be a stumbling block to anyone. If I have please forgive me.

I also pray that my "bf" will feel free to receive and give love to his soulmate whom you have prepared for him. I pray you will open his eyes to see and to know it when You have sent her to him or him to her. May Your peace rules his heart even now.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

“There’s Heaven”

Revelation 22:1-5

The River of Life
1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Bee's Thoughts:

I always feel comforted whenever I read the Book of Revelation. It spells hope, eternal happiness and joy... no more tear or sorrow. Whenever I think about heaven, I wish I am there instantly and all my negative feelings seem to matter nothing to me anymore. Some call this negative, but I feel it's positive, 'cos I am 'ready' to go to my eternal home. On the contrary, most people don't wish to leave their earthly home and cling on to their earthly possessions instead.

In tonight's passage, we see that for Christians, God's life will flow to us and He will be our Light. We shall have everything that we need. Even though I may not fully understand the meaning of the passage but I know it's something very good God wants us to have.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your salvation and our future hope of glory, and life with You. Whenever I think about it I just want to be there. I pray that You will give me strength to accomplish Your purpose while I am still on earth. Help me to continue to spread the good news to those I come into contact with. May these come to know and accept You soon.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Something Money Can't Buy

Isaiah 55:1-7

Invitation to the Thirsty
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Bee's Thoughts:

Money is important, yet it can't buy certain things in life. It can't buy...
true love and friendship
happiness
health
salvation, etc

Today, I heard a speaker shared a little about end-time. He said that we are born to die, so when the end of the earth comes, it doesn't matter to those who are in Christ. But what matters is how we live now. Do we waste away our lives in earning more money or perishable pursuit? Or do we spend time sowing seeds that will last for eternity?

In the above passage, God invites us to go and receive from Him the best gift for free. He wants to give us living water, which after drinking we will not thirst again. We need to always go to God for this refreshing water.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your living water that You freely give. May I drink and share it with others around me too.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Behave Appropriately

Ephesians 6:1-9

Children and Parents
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."[a] 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Bee's Thoughts:

We are told to behave appropriately to the people we are dealing with, be it children and parents or bosses and subordinates. We are to treat each other fairly and in the love of God. Having a right and good relationship with each other is very important in the Christians' lives.

My boss always says that he may not respect his boss for his inability, but he will respect him for his position. This sounds right and inline with tonight's devotion. I need to learn to do likewise.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me how I should behave with my bosses and my junior colleagues. May You teach me to accord respect to those in authority even if I don't find them competent in those positions. Grant me Your grace to obey Your teaching.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Between Sundays

Colossians 3:22-25

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Bee's Thoughts:

Blogger seems to have some problems.... a number of times, after I saved my drafts, they were no where to be found when I checked them and I have retype everything. :(

Anyway, tonight's devotion is a reminder that I have do as unto God in everyting, obeying authorities at my working place and speak with wisdom with them. Matthew 5:16 says we are to let our light shines before men, that they may know our father in Heaven.

Dear Lord,
I pray that You will guide me in dealing with my colleagues and the parents in our centres. May my light shines so that others may know You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Three Friends

Daniel 1:11-21

11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Bee's Thoughts:

I like the title of tonight's devotion, "Three Friends". Friends have many kinds. The worst of all is:

Fair-weather friend

When it’s rainy and wet you’re nowhere to be seen
When it dries out again you bet you’re right back on the scene
And when the clouds begin to form you’re always hiding from the rain
And when the sun begins to shine you’re always first in line again

It would be nice if you could just make up your mind
It would be nice if you could stop wasting my time
My fair-weather friend back here again
Until the end my fair-weather friend back here again

Never do it yourself when someone else can do it for you
Never put yourself out when something less will do
So when the benefits out weigh the work stay right put
And when the going gets a little rough do the only thing you know you should


That's the lyric of a song I don't know its tune. It conveys the meaning of fair-weather friend quite well. I have had a couple of such friends before. Now they are gone... by natural attrition. Time tells who are the real friends from the fair-weather friends. True friends stay when the rest go away.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving me friends although some don't stay. I thank You for the one (s) that stay and be a pillar of strength and encouragement in times of discouragement. Most of all, thank You for being my Friend who is always there for me.
Help me to be a true friend and be wise in choosing my friends, so I can utilize my time wisely.
I ask these in Jesus' name. Amen

Much Received

Luke 12:41-48

41Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?"

42The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

47"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Tommy's Thoughts:

We must live our lives always watchful for Christ’s return, working diligently for the extension of His kingdom and obey His commands to us. By following Him closely, we’ll be given greater opportunities and responsibilities to use the gifts He has given us to carry out our duties in the world.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (v48)

The verse shows that God will not hold us responsible for gifts He has not given us, but for those He has given us: resources, talents and understanding, we are responsible to use them well and effectively. If we have yet to know or think about this, we need to seek and pray to Him today, asking Him to show and reveal it to us.

Dear Father, thank You for Your gift of grace- my salvation and forgiveness, though I do not deserve them from You. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, though I disappointed You so very often with my lack of trust and disobedience. I pray that You’ll guide me to trust You more in everything and obey Your teachings everyday.

Lord Jesus, teach me to use all the gifts You has given me effectively: always try and help others in their time of need and pray for them in Your name. In Your precious name I pray, Amen.


Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, God's given talents are for His purpose. Example, some people have great talent in designing website or houses (like Tommy). So one question they may ask is "How may I use this talent for God's purpose?" Maybe to help a Christian organization design its website, or maybe help the third world nation build houses as outreach?

Whatever it is the more talents God gives us the more He expects from us. We have to live in such a way knowing that one day we have to give an account of what have been given to us.

Dear Lord,
Sometimes I feel so tired by work and just want to drop everything and go to sleep. Yet I thank You for Your gift of perseverance, that I can go on to do my devotion with You.

I have no talent, except the ability to persevere in the things I am entrusted to do, be it at work or personal.
I have no talent, except the ability to be patient and listen to others who share with me their problems.
I have no talent, except a childlike faith in You and my friends whom I have not met.

I pray that I will continue to exercise these gifts for Your glory sake. Amen.