Seasons of Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Bee's Thoughts:

What is the season of my life now?
a time to uproot?
a time to tear down?
a time to weep?
a time to mourn?
a time to give up?
a time to throw away?
a time to tear?
a time to be silent?
a time to hate?

It seems to be 'autumn'... or even 'winter'... I am very tired.... I want to go home.

Take me home, Lord.

Hope in the Morning

Psalm 30:4-12

4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain [a] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [b]
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Life is bleak when you have nothing to look forward to." - Daily Bread

When I read the above statement, I asked myself: What or who is it that I am looking forward or hope to see?

I paused and think for a moment.... Of course, to see Christ is my main hope.
But one more person I like to see is the one who loves Jesus and me very much, the one whom I like to be with forever.

As 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, love "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres". When we love someone, we will always protect the person from harm, will always trust him/her, will always hope, and will always persevere to the end. So hope is the result of love.

Yes, love brings hope... something I can look forward to. It's like in verse 5, "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning". When our hope comes through it's like the morning joy.

Sometimes I felt as if God has hidden His face from me and I was really miserable (v7). Yet when I cried to Him for mercy, He "turned my wailing into dancing and "removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (v11). My recent experience testifies of this. To God be the glory!


Dear Lord,
Thank You again for removing my tears and give me peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. Thank You for the hope I can have in You. You know my longings and my hopes. I pray that soon my hopes will become a reality. Keep me faithful as I wait patiently.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Angry Floods

Psalm 93

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days, O LORD.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,

You knew the struggle I've gone through to honor Your name.
You saw the "sea" that came upon me so fiercely.
You heard the "wave" that lifted its voice so loudly.
I felt like a living dead that walked without a soul.
I felt like a robot that acted just on command.

Thank You for lifting me up again through Your word tonight.
You are "mightier than thunder of the great waters".
You are "mightier than the breaker of the sea".
You can cause the dead to resurrect again.
You can cause the dry bones to be alive once more.

Give me strength to live day by day.
Give me the faith to believe You will never fail.
Give me the trust to follow Your ways always.
Give me the hope to never give up.
Give me the courage to rise and walk again.

Bee's 13th Month of Devotion

After having done my devotion together with my buddy for the last 13 months, I feel it's time to let him go.

I guess God really wants to teach me to trust Him despite of my pains. He led me to read an article "Getting to Trust God" when I was searching for a verse. The following excerpt from the article helped me understand the difference between "faith" and "trust":

But trust, which must go hand in hand with faith, says, "Lord, I commit myself to Your care and keeping." That's trust. Faith is believing what God can do and what He is willing to do. But trust says, "I commit myself to Your care and keeping. Do with me, Lord, whatsoever You will." Faith is believing God can push a wheelbarrow on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls. Trust is getting on board that wheelbarrow. Faith is believing that William Tell is so skilled with a bow and arrow that he can shoot straight through an apple that's sitting on someone else's head. Trust is being that person with the apple on your head.

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job 13:15).

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because God is with me" (Ps. 23:4, paraphrase).

Yet my buddy's waiting for me to post here makes me do an U-turn... So here I am again.

Come Quickly!

Revelation 22:7-17 (click to read more)

Jesus Is Coming
7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

17The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Bee's Thoughts:

I can't held back my tears anymore when I read the title of the above devotion, "Come Quickly!"


Dear Lord,
Yes, please come quickly. I am suffering a lot! I pine after You. I have waited for a long time for You. Please come quickly, Lord. Do You hear my cry? Do You feel my pain? Hold me tight so I won't fall. :'(

I want to trust in You. I want to believe that You will come. I want to run the race with fellow believers. I want to deny myself and take up my cross to follow You. Please give me strength now and let me not be shaken. Let me be what You want me to be. Hear my plea, Lord.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

- Charlotte Elliott

About This Devotion

In Bee Time Alone

• Time Alone


• Bee's Morning Devotion


• Bee's 1st Month of Devotion


• Bee's 2nd Month of Devotion


• Bee's 3rd Month of Devotion


• Bee's 4th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 5th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 6th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 7th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 8th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 9th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 10th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 11th Month of Devotion


• Our First Anniversary


• Bee's 13th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 14th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 15th Month of Devotion


• Bee's 18th Month of Devotion

The Finish Line

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Bee's Thoughts:

This morning service message was very appropriate for me. It seemed God knew I need that message and spoke to me through the speaker.

The speaker shared on how we should react when God closes the doors we wish will be opened to us. He said we should not react negatively as God has a purpose when doors are closed to us, or when He delays the opening of certain doors. He is almighty and could see our future. So He may close some doors or delay opening them to protect us, or to wait till we are ready. When God closes a door, He will open another for us if we just come to Him in prayer and wait on Him.

On the one hand, I do believe God has a purpose for me when things don't go my way. But on the other hand I feel so much pain in having to accept what has happened recently. I cried to the Lord and told Him I feel painful for my recent loss. "Painful, Lord, painful, very painful...", I cried during my bath. God has closed the door!

In today's devotion is another encouragement for me to run the race without distraction. I must run and reach the finishing line even if people around me don't.


Dear Lord,
Surely You know the pain I have and You have heard my heart's cries.
You know what I am going through and the many tears I've shed.
I'm in agony one more time just like the last time.
It's my fault that I allowed my heart to be soft and landed myself in such stage.
Help me be strong once again, Lord, and bravely move on.
Help me finish this race and let me bring honor to Your name.

I prayer for my ex-buddy that You will keep him strong.
Protect him from all harms and keep him from falling into temptations.
Help him run the race and finish his course even if he has to run alone.
May Your mercy and grace be with him all the days of his life.
Let him know Your bigger plan for his life and help him comply.
May the people he loved be blessed because he honor Your name.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Emptiness Without God

Haggai 1:1-11

A Call to Build the House of the LORD
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua [a] son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "

3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"

5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."

7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

Bee's Thoughts:

Have we ever pause and think why sometimes the plans or things we wish to do fail? The above passage gives us the answer. We plan and we all the things to please ourselves rather than God. We keep all our money or time for ourselves and give little or none to God.

When we honor God, He will honor us. When we dishonor Him, He will dishonor us too. Therefore, we need to learn to give to Good what is due His.

Dear Lord,
Tonight I want to surrender the things and people I love to You. Take them all and make them Yours. I humbly bow myself before You and ask that You take my being with You too. May my life be a blessing to many when You have dealt thoroughly with me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Not “Why?” But “Who?”

Psalm 42

詩 篇 42 (Chinese Union Version (Simplified))

1 （ 可 拉 後 裔 的 训 诲 诗 ， 交 与 伶 长 。 ）

神 啊 ， 我 的 心 切 慕 你 ， 如 鹿 切 慕 溪 水 。

2 我 的 心 渴 想 　 神 ， 就 是 永 生 神 ； 我 几 时 得 朝 见 　 神 呢 ？

3 我 昼 夜 以 眼 泪 当 饮 食 ； 人 不 住 地 对 我 说 ： 你 的 　 神 在 哪 里 呢 ？

4 我 从 前 与 众 人 同 往 ， 用 欢 呼 称 赞 的 声 音 领 他 们 到 　 神 的 殿 里 ， 大 家 守 节 。 我 追 想 这 些 事 ， 我 的 心 极 其 悲 伤 。

5 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 为 何 忧 闷 ？ 为 何 在 我 里 面 烦 躁 ？ 应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 他 笑 脸 帮 助 我 ； 我 还 要 称 赞 他 。

6 我 的 　 神 啊 ， 我 的 心 在 我 里 面 忧 闷 ， 所 以 我 从 约 但 地 ， 从 黑 门 岭 ， 从 米 萨 山 记 念 你 。

7 你 的 瀑 布 发 声 ， 深 渊 就 与 深 渊 响 应 ； 你 的 波 浪 洪 涛 漫 过 我 身 。

8 白 昼 ， 耶 和 华 必 向 我 施 慈 爱 ； 黑 夜 ， 我 要 歌 颂 祷 告 赐 我 生 命 的 神 。

9 我 要 对 神 ─ 我 的 磐 石 说 ： 你 为 何 忘 记 我 呢 ？ 我 为 何 因 仇 敌 的 欺 压 时 常 哀 痛 呢 ？

10 我 的 敌 人 辱 骂 我 ， 好 像 打 碎 我 的 骨 头 ， 不 住 地 对 我 说 ： 你 的 　 神 在 哪 里 呢 ？

11 我 的 心 哪 ， 你 为 何 忧 闷 ？ 为 何 在 我 里 面 烦 躁 ？ 应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 我 还 要 称 赞 他 。 他 是 我 脸 上 的 光 荣 （ 原 文 是 帮 助 ） ， 是 我 的 　 神 。

Bee's Thoughts:

As I read the above passage and made them mine, I just felt so close to God. It seems that every word in the Psalm rings a bell in my experiences. I really love the Book of Psalms as it always help me express my deep seated feelings. They help me know my state of mind, to feel my inner self, and to pray to God in the right way. It helps me have the right attitude like King David in times of discouragement and stress.

I like the Chinese version for verse 1: "神 啊 ， 我 的 心 切 慕 你 ， 如 鹿 切 慕 溪 水 。" It's uses an exclamation mark when calling out to God (神 啊), which shows a deeper emotion. That's how I am feeling and I want to cry unto God.

Despite his deep emotional distress, the psalmist declared, "应 当 仰 望 　 神 ， 因 他 笑 脸 帮 助 我 ； 我 还 要 称 赞 他" (v5). Yes, despite my feelings I still want to look to God and praise Him, for He is my help.


Dear Lord,
I long and thirst for You too like the psalmist. I wish I am with You physically now. But You say I must be patient and wait for that day to come. Meanwhile You are with me in Spirit and I can feel You whenever I be still before You.
I pray that You will give me strength to stay true in obedience to You. Let me rest well tonight as I need to work tomorrow and need Your wisdom to speak rightly.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

All About Gratitude

Colossians 2:6-7

Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Colossians 3:12-17

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Bee's Thoughts:

Hmmn... is "love" different from all those "virtues"? Otherwise, it shouldn't say "put on Love" after listing those "virtues".

As I searched the web for the answer, I came across the explanation for this passage. What I gathered is you can have these virtues without love, but you can't have love if you don't possess these virtues. Get it? I like it's explanation on "love", it helps me know why very often we have difficulty loving someone completely....

Secondly, in the love described, there was a desire to give to the object of one’s love rather than to possess the object of one’s desire. Therefore, when Jesus dies on the cross, it’s more the point that the Father was giving men and women the fulness of His resources (that is, giving them Himself) rather than He was bringing about the possibility that He might possess a people for His own purpose.

This latter concept is true, of course, but when it comes to the outworking of God’s love, we need to see God’s work as being performed to give Himself away.

We also saw on the web page that a man cannot react properly either in obeying what God wants him to do, in loving God or loving the brethren unless he is first transformed by the love of God in Christ. The work of the cross and its application to the believer is an important cornerstone in the believer’s life from which true love comes.

In Col 3:12,14, we see the source of love coming from the new nature - but it’s equally correct to see and maintain that, unless a man receives God’s love, he won’t be in a position to reflect that love towards his fellow man or woman.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your revelation tonight about love. I pray that I will grow to love You more each day, so that I can reflect Your love that gives, rather than receive. May You do a deeper work in my life.
Tonight, I also like to pray for my buddy that you will heal his headache and help him learn to balance his work life so that he can have time left for what is more meaningful and important in life. Give him a peaceful sleep and rise up feeling fresh in the morning.
I pray that I shall do likewise and refrain from staying in my office till so late. In all I do let me glorify Your name.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Heartprints

Acts 9:36-43

36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas[a]), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"

39Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

Bee's Thoughts:

Prayers can change things, yet we often forget to pray, instead try to solve issues with our own strength.

Yesterday, my colleagues told me he discovered that he lost his wallet when he reached home from work. It contents all his ID, driving license, his money and also the school fee had collected from his students (more than $600). He was quite worried. I told him to pray and I assured him God would help him find it back, as I personally had such experience before. Indeed, he found his wallet in his office with all his things intact. Praise God!

Tonight, I feel very tired tonight and stressed by workload. On my way home I felt so sad as I recalled the things that happened to me lately... I felt very lonely and wish I can disappear immediately.

Tonight's devotion reminds me again that I should kneel down and pray and then wait to see miracles happen, just like in Paul's case.


Lord,
I am weak but You are strong.
Jesus, keep me from all wrongs.
I'll be satisfied as long,
as I walk, let me walk close to You.

In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Hearing Aid

1 Samuel 3:1-10

The LORD Calls Samuel
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple [a] of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Bee's Thoughts:

It takes sensitivity to God to know the implications of situations when they happened. In the case of Eli, he only knew that God had called Samuel after the third time God called him.

Many times, we too do not know why certain things happened to us till when we quieten our hearts to listen. We tend to react very quickly when unpleasant things happened to us. But when we learn to listen, we will begin to see God's purpose unfold in our lives. We need to learn to answer like Samuel by telling God, "Speak, for your servant is listening. Let me know your plan for me in all these situations."

Today, my morning devotion message was "Adversity and Perseverance". It was taken from the book of James 1: 1-12.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

It's so appropriate for me. It's like God is telling to persevere despite of all happenings.

Dear Lord,
I know I am so weak and at times feel like giving up on people I trusted, respected and loved. Yet Your words have reminded me to persevere on. I ask that You may grant me wisdom to handle situations and people in the way You want me to. Let me listen to Your small still voice in all situations. May I honour You in all I do and say.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

How to Love God?

Psalm 36:5-10

5 Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.

6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.

7 How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find [a] refuge in the shadow of your wings.

8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.

9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

10 Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Bee's Thoughts:

God's love is...
"reaches to the heavens" - can reach us wherever we are. (v5)
"unfailing" - forgive time and again, no matter how many times we sin against Him, He will forgive when we humbly come to Him and repent. (v7)

Yes, even though I have not seen God, I feel Him. Even though I cannot touch Him, I can feel him holding me securely. Perhaps that's why I can love someone even when I cannot see him. God teaches me to love even when I cannot see.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your great love. Thank You that Your love is unfailing and is over whelming in my life. How can I not be touched by You and not love You. I love You Lord.
Amen.

Overcoming Sins

James 1:13-21

13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Bee's Thoughts:

One speaker said that "Sins are fun, otherwise people won't sin. However, after the fun comes the miseries and even death." Just like what James above said.

Why did James suddenly change his topic from "sins" to "gift"? Perhaps to show that God gives us gifts so that we will use them wisely and not to sin?

How can we "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry"? By "humbly accept the word planted" in us as we read it daily. That's why regular devotions are so important. They keep us away from sins, and lift us up just like my experience in "The New Me".

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your words that can help me overcome sins and all things not good for me. Thank You for lifting me up through Your precious words daily. I pray that I will continue to hide Your words in my heart that I may not sin against You.
In Jesus namr I pray. Amen.

Cleaning Out The Files

Philippians 3:13-21

13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Bee's Thoughts:

Hmmn... God had been speaking to me consecutively every night when I did my devotions. When I read "Forgetting what is behind" in tonight's devotion, I just "wow!"... God knows exactly what I am going through! Amazing!

Then when I read the title "Cleaning Out The Files" and the article that followed I laughed. But it's actually no laughing matter. I laughed 'cos what the article said is really true. We tend to keep in our memories what we shouldn't remember, but what we should remember we tend to forget. *sigh*

When Paul said "forgetting the things behind" he was not only referring to unpleasant things but also pleasant things, such as our achievements. Why forget our achievements? If we don't, we would become proud and too confident in ourselves and not rely on God.

I need to forget what I should and move on (v13-14). I shouldn't let anything (my failures or successes) or anyone (who loved or hurt me) rob me of my joy and peace. I should live my life in accordance to God's purpose for me as an 'alien' on earth. For my "citizenship is in heaven" (v20).


Dear Lord,
Let me not forget what You have done for me on the cross.
But let me forget my past failures and successes.
Let me not forget the good that others have done for me.
But let me forget the hurts that others have inflicted on me.
Let me move on with your strength together with those who do likewise.
And encourage others who are weak to ran the race ahead.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Word Hunger

Psalm 119:97-104

97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Your words have kept me through all my ups and downs in life.
From the time I came to know You till even now, Your words have never failed to lift me up when I am down and kept me sane at times I almost lose my mind.
Your words have brought me hope and gave me joy and the strength to move on instead of indulging in self-pity.
All things shall pass away, including our possessions and the people we loved so much, but Your words will not pass away.
May You continue to give me hunger and thirst after Your words.

Amen.

Life-oriented Faith

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Bee's Thoughts:

Recently, it seems God is telling me that I have placed my love at the wrong places -- my work and my best friend. I did prayed about my situation and asked God to intervene. He answered my prayers and things happened that made my love for these crushed. I was badly bruised.... :(

This afternoon, a verse came to me from Job 13:15, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." The Lord reminded me to trust in Him, for all things work together for good to those who love God. He wanted me to praise Him in every circumstances. With that in mind, I felt the inner strength to move on.... I am to rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, not only when things go my way. I praised God for all He has done in my life, the good and the 'bad'.

Tonight, God is reminding me through the devotion that I need to love Him with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength. I shall be like Job and King David to continue to love God regardless of what may happen to me. My faith in God will not be crushed... I shall move on with God's strength.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for answering my prayers, though in ways that may be painful for me. Yet I know You do it because You know what is best for me. Thank You for putting Your joy in my heart despite the fact that Satan wanted to put me down. Let me love You with all my heart, soul and strength. (})
Amen.

Truth That Transforms

John 21:14-17

14This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Bee's Thoughts:

The word "love" is still very mysterious to many people, including Christians. Sometimes we thought we loved someone, but in actual fact we only loved ourselves. The test comes when things don't go our ways, and we realized that what matters most to us is our own "happiness" rather than that of the other person.

Why did Jesus have to ask Peter, "Do you truly love me?" three times?

I guess it's because Peter did not fully understand what it takes to truly love Jesus. Notice that Jesus replied by asking Peter to do something about it, "Feed my lambs." (v15) and "Take care of my sheep." (v16).

Love is action, not just saying "I love you". 1 John 3:18 says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

To love is to be concerned about what matters most to the person we loved. In this case, Jesus is concerned about His "lamb" (young Christians) and His "Sheep" (older Christians). So if Peter or us say we love Jesus, we should be concerned about what He is concerned about. That's why King David was called "the man after God's heart". For David truly wants to do things that pleases God.

To love is a non-negotiable command from God for Christians. 1 John 4:7-12 says:

7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son[b] into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for[c] our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding what true love is all about. If I am born of You, then love becomes in-born nature in my life. I will have no more excuse to say I don't know what love is since Your definition of love is so clear (1 Cor 13) and also You have shown me Your examples of true love. May I love You for each day so that I also will love others more. Let me seek not to please myself but to please You and the people I love. I want to obey You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Instant Access

Hebrews 10:19-23

19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Thank You for encouraging me through Your word these 2 nights.
Thank You for giving me strength to go on because my confidence is in You and not in my sinful self.
Thank You also for the message this morning that I can reach my potential that You have given to me when I trust in You and seek You like King David did.
Please help me not to be limited by fear or any negative feelings, but to boldly move on because You will never fail me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

True Victory

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."[a]With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Bee's Thoughts:

Somehow every word written above in v8 & v9 seems to be describing my condition today. As I read them, I just want to cry...it's like someone correctly pinpoint what I have been going through.

"hard pressed on every side, but not crushed" - too much workload to handle and felt like giving way anytime... yet I know God's hands are supporting me

"persecuted, but not abandoned" - I felt wrongly accused at work recently... but I know God didn't abandon me

"perplexed, but not in despair" - what someone said to me last night made me very perplexed and confused, and I felt like crying but couldn't... yet God is in control

"struck down, but not destroyed" - the same words spoken to me were like thunder striking me down, I felt 'dead', and felt like a zombie today... yet I am not destroyed.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your encouraging words tonight. I sense You are telling me to be strong, for all these sufferings I have now are light compared to the glory I shall receive when I pass these tests. Thank You for You assurance tonight. Keep me trusting in You Lord. Hold me tight that I may not fall.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Fortified House

Matthew 7:15-27

A Tree and Its Fruit
15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Bee's Thoughts:

There are more and more false doctrines these days. Even in the churches or in Christian organizations, there are many who professed to be Christians, yet the things they do just do now show forth they are the disciples of Christ. It's very sad.

But who am I to judge others when I myself also at times do not behave like a child of the King. *sigh*

I am reminded tonight that I need to bear good fruits if I were to be able to say I am a good tree. Jesus said that the only way for me to do that is to abide in Him (John 15:4-5):

4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Foundation is important in every aspect of life, be it education, career, marriage, or even spiritual life. Without a good foundation everything that we build upon will crumble. Many things in life do not have short-cut, we need to take time and effort to nurture, to build and to grow. For Christians, we know that our foundation for everything in life is Jesus Christ.


Dear Lord,
Forgive me for the times I don't bear good testimony to Your name. Help me Lord, to build everything my hands get hold of in You and not build on my self-confidence. Tonight, I surrender my all to You, Lord. Please remove all things that are not glorifying to Your name in my life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Remembrance Day

1 Corinthians 11:23-34

23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
And when I come I will give further directions.

Bee's Thoughts:

There are so many things stored in my 'RAM'... my childhood days, my encounters with people who have impacted my life (those who hurt me & those who loved me), etc. Some bring forth warm feelings in me, some make me cry when I recall. Very often, I hope I can't remember anything, I hope to have a memory loss...

But one thing that I have to remember is that Jesus has died on the cross for me. He will wipe away all my tears and give me a new body and new life one day. I have to remember that all I have today, I owe them to Him. This is something that keeps me going, when everyone else fail me.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for all that You have done for me. Thank You that this hope I have in You will come true one day. When I am discouraged or lose hope, please let me remember that You are always here with me.
In Jesus' Your name I thank You. Amen.

Debts

Romans 13:1-7

Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Bee's Thoughts:

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)

I don't like to live in debt and don't want to owe anyone anything as the above verse has been ingrained in my heart. That's good, I thought. Yet I do owe love, and I know I can't complete paying the debt of love.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for paying my debt of sins. Help me not to owe anyone anything. As for my debt of love to others, may Your love flow through me, that I may love others. I know I can't love enough, but help me to love as much. I need You, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Life’s Storm-Tossed Sea

Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Calms the Storm
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Lord,
Thank You for calming the 'stormy sea' in my life.
Thank You for the many blessings in disguise.
Thank You for Your love that never die.
Thank You for always hearing my heart's cry.
Amen.

He Did It

2 Timothy 2:1-10

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Bee's Thoughts:

The word of God has again encouraged me tonight. I fell discouraged at work and is on the verge of giving up, and throw in my resignation letter.

Tonight, I am reminded to be strong in the grace of the Lord, be a reliable person who can endure hardship, follow the rules and is hardworking... like the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your grace is always sufficient for me. Thank You for Your reminders and encouragement. I need Your grace and wisdom each day to face the challenges of life. Without You I can do nothing. Be my shield and shelter Lord,
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Three Certainties

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

The Coming of the Lord
13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Bee's Thoughts:

I always feel very comforted whenever I remember I will be with the Lord one day. Death is no longer a fearful thing to me. In fact, I look forward to it. Am I mad? I sounded like one, right?

Paul said that to die is gain because it is to "be with Christ" ( Philippians 1:21-23 ), and that to be away from the earthly body is to be "at home with the Lord" ( 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 ). Another significant passage is Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross that when he died he would be with Him in "paradise" ( Luke 23:43 ).

The following song always come to my mind when I feel the stress of life, like now.

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
They're all expecting me from heaven's open door.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your comforting assurance tonight. Please take me home when the time comes. Help me do Your will while I am here on earth. May my life be pleasing to You in all I do.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Choice

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Bee's Thoughts:

Yesterday, the sermon in our Church service was on "Decision Making". The pastor said,

• The wrong decision at the wrong time = disaster.
• The wrong decision at the right time = mistake.
• The right decision at the wrong time = rejection.
• The right decision at the right time = success.

Hmmn... very interesting statements. We need to make the right decision at the right time for success.

Tonight, again I am reminded to "choose" life. That is to choose to love God, listen to Him and hold fast to Him no matter what (v19, 20). Only then can we have life... "many years"

Everyday we have to make decisions. Our decisons may mean life or death in some cases. We need God's wisdom to guide us in these decisions making.


Dear Lord,
Please help me to choose wisely, to make the right decision at the right time. May all the decisions I make bring forth life and not death to me or to another. Lead me each day, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love in Actions

1 John 3:16-23

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.

21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Bee's Thoughts:

The word "love"brings a nice feeling but very often people have the wrong understanding of the meaning of love. In v16, we see that to love is to be willing to lay down one's life for the one we claim to love. Jesus is our model on love... loving with actions. When we can truly love, God promise to give us what we ask (v22), for we will ask for things that show our love for another and not for our selfish gain.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me the meaning of love again. If I love someone, I should do things that will edify the person and not for my own gratification. I ask for Your strength to practise love and not just give empty words.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Multitude Of Counselors

Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 27:9

Proverbs 11:14

14 For lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.


Proverbs 12:15

15 The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.


Proverbs 27:9

9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Bee's Thoughts:

Most people tend to call anyone they know "friends". Yet who is considered a friend? One who gives another "earnest counsel", says Proverbs 27:9. Based on this meaning of friendship, how many "friends"do we really have? Very few for me.

When I feel lonely and that no one understand me, I aways remember the hymn:

What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being my friend who will never leave me not forsake me.Thank You for giving me Your Counsellor who will lead me to do the right path when I lost my way.

Thank You for giving me my best friend too, who can pray and share my burdens. Let me be a friend too,just like You do.
In Jesus' nameI pray. Amen.

Getting Even

Ephesians 4:25-5:1

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 5

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

Bee's Thoughts:

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," (v26).

Whenever I get angry with someone, the Lord's Spirit always remind me of the above verse, and I have to tell myself I need to settle whatever dispute before I go to sleep. Otherwise, the devil will accuse me and make me his victim of condemnation.

Tonight, I am also reminded that even if I am angry with someone, I should not let unwholesome words out of my mouth (v29).

Dear Lord,
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight. Let me speak words of encouragement and life in all situations.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

When All Looks Bright

Deuteronomy 6:10-19

10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the LORD your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the LORD said.

Bee's Thoughts:

When someone we loved is paying attention to another person more than us we tend to feel jealous. Likewise, God can be jealous when we worship anyone or anything other than Him. Sometimes, another person or our career may become our object of worship unconsciously. We need to be careful of this.

Testing God shows our disbelief in God, which displeases God. Satan also tried to test Jesus but failed.

Dear Lord,
I pray that I will not worship any other gods besides You. Help me to give my body as a living sacrifice, which is a reasonable worship to You. Let me trust You in my work and everything in my life.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

He’s Always Watching

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.
1 [a] I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.

2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.

6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,

13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.

14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Bee's Thoughts:

Thank You, Lord, for Your words of comfort. Your words never fail... they will not pass away.
Amen.