Arriving Late

Matthew 20:1-16

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went.

"He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?'

7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'

8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'

9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.'

13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'

16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Reflection of Bee:

Talking about lateness I am one of the most guilty culprit. I tend to be late for meetings, though it won't be more than 20 minutes. *guilty faced*

Although God is fair He is also very gracious and compassionate towards all of us. He gave us many chances to repent and to follow Him. When we see God's gracious work in someone's life whom we deemed as not deserving, we need to remember the above story again.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your grace and mercy upon my life. You have forgiven me over and over again each time I failed You. Thank You for all You have done in my life. May my life now be a blessing to others. Make me an instrument for You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Space Junk

2 Samuel 12:1-13

Nathan Rebukes David
9 Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'

11 "This is what the LORD says: 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.' "

13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD."
Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

Reflection of Bee:

David has committed a sin that is hated by God so much. Yet when David realized his sin, he immediately acknowledged and repented from his sin instead of trying to rationalize it. God's response to David's confession was an immediate forgiveness too.

We need to be willing to confess our sins readily as God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:9).

Dear Lord,
Search my heart tonight and if there is any known or hidden sins, I want to forsake them and ask for your forgiveness and cleansing. I pray that I will keep myself pure so that I will know Your will for me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Truth or Lie

1 Kings 22:1-8

Micaiah Prophesies Against Ahab
1 For three years there was no war between Aram and Israel. 2 But in the third year Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to see the king of Israel. 3 The king of Israel had said to his officials, "Don't you know that Ramoth Gilead belongs to us and yet we are doing nothing to retake it from the king of Aram?"

4 So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?"
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses." 5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."

6 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—about four hundred men—and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?"
"Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand."

7 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?"

8 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah."
"The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.

Reflection of Bee:


Most people prefer listening to lies that flatters than to truth that hurts. When being confronted by truth that isn't flattering, people tend to get angry with the one who said it. However, we are told to speak the truth in love so that the listeners can grow and be matured (Ephesians 4:14-15).


Dear Lord,
Give me strength to accept the truth even if it hurts. Help me to learn and grow as Your people share the truth with me in love. Let me also learn how to speak the truth in love too even though I may be rejected for it.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Fire To Be Kindled

Luke 24:13-32

On the Road to Emmaus
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.

17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19"What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Christ[b] have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Reflection of Bee:

It is true of what Bill Crowder said in today's Daily Bread:

Too much information can be dangerous. All the ideas can blur together and become incoherent, leaving us unchanged by what we know.

Centuries ago, the historian Plutarch warned of the danger of living on a purely informational level. He wisely said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”

Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 8:1, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." When we have too much knowledge we then to become proud and not sensitive to hear others with our hearts.

In the above passage, Jesus had to open the eyes of the two persons whom He spoke to in order for them to recognize Him. We too need our eyes and hearts to be opened by God so that they are not blinded or crowded with too much informations to see the important things in life. May our heart be quick and not slow to understand and believe what God has told us.


Dear Lord,
I pray that I will build up others with Your love rather than let knowledge hinder me from being receptive to others.
Again I want to pray for a quick recovery for my friend, Tommy, from his illness. Let him rest well and not worry too much. I pray that he will complete all his assignments on time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

What 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.

Reflection of Bee:

The topic in tonight's devotion is a confirmation of my discussion this evening with my prospective employer.

Though this company may not be able to pay as well since it's a new startup, but it can offer me "what money can't buy". It can give me the opportunity to put into practice all that I have learned in my past employment and also the blessings that will come with the opportunities to share God's love. It also will give me the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do without restriction, unlike in most companies I worked with.

I feel that the above passage is an assurance for me to take up the challenge of the new employment which I was apprehensive in accepting initially because of the heavy responsibility with lower pay. Now I feel more at peace.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your peace and assurance through tonight's devotion concerning my possible career. I pray that if it's Your will, all things will turn out well. Thank You that for Your faithful love towards me.

Right now I also want to pray for my friend, Tommy, who is feeling very sick with flu. In Jesus' name I pray for a quick recovery. I pray that tonight he can sleep well so he will wake up in the morning feeling well again. You said You are the God that heals, so I trust that Your healing will be upon my dear friend.
In Jesus' lovely name I pray. Amen.

Bee's 18th Month of Devotion

So quickly, exactly one and a half a half year has gone by in my Daily Bread devotion blogging.

It started off with me just wanting to make use of Tommy's 'deserted' blog so that it wouldn't look so lonely and also to encourage him to do his devotion daily just like me. Blogging our devotion together has paid off as it helped us persevered through when at times we were too tired to do it.

I am glad that Tommy has gotten use to doing his devotion regularly now and is growing spiritually. As he mentioned that he is learning not to rely on me anymore and to be more dependent on God, I guess it's time I leave his blog. I hope he will continue to persevere through even though I am gone. Though not blogging in his blog, I will still pray for him regularly like before.

Finally, I want to thank Tommy for 'housing' me at his blog for the past one and a half year. I guess it has benefited me more than him.

Till then, Tommy,
May God be with you
Until we meet again
May God protect you
And keep you safe today
May all His blessings
Be in your heart
May God be with you
With you always

- Bee

Effective Prayers

James 5:13-18

The Prayer of Faith
13Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Reflection of Bee:

Sometimes we wonder why our prayers are not answered. Tonight's devotion tells when and how we should pray so that our prayers are effective.

We pray when we or someone is
- in trouble (v13)
- sick (v14)

Our prayers must be
- in faith (v15)
- from a righteous heart, no unconfessed sins (v15,16)
- earnest (v17)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for teaching me how to pray. May I practice what I learn tonight and not just keep them as head knowledge. Let me pray in faith and earnestly with a clean heart. I commit myself to You once again.
In Your holy name I pray. Amen.

Care Of The Heart

Proverbs 24:30-34

30 I went past the field of the sluggard,
past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment;

31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.

32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:

33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-

34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Reflection of Bee:

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

That means even we may not understand our own heart and can be deceived by it. Our feelings are so fickle and and can change quickly even for no good reasons. If we allow our feelings to control us, our heart may become like what is described in v31 (thorns, weeds and stones).

Thank God that He said, "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:10) The only one who can truly understand our heart is God. We need Him to search and examine us daily and show us what the condition of our heart is and repent if necessary.

As Christians, "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding (including ours), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:7) Yes, when we are confused by our deceitful heart, we can rely on the peace of God to guide us to do the right things despite of our feelings. That's the only way to prevent "poverty" (v34) of our heart.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me how deceitful my heart can be. It may think deceive me in thinking I need more than what I really need and seek after the wrong things. May Your peace guard and keep my mind in You whenever I get confused.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Giving Kind

Ruth 2:14-20

14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, "Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar."
When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. 16 Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her."

17 So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. [a] 18 She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

19 Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!"
Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working. "The name of the man I worked with today is Boaz," she said.

20 "The LORD bless him!" Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. "He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead." She added, "That man is our close relative; he is one of our kinsman-redeemers."

Reflection of Bee:

Kindness doesn't always beget kindness. In fact very frequently kindness may be taken for granted, or worse still being rewarded with hurts or abuses. In times like these there is a tendency to stop being kind and mind one's own business. When one is cheated for being kind, one may become hard hearted in order not to be cheated again.

Yet the bible said in Ephesians 4:1-3, 32:

1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Kindness is expressed in our being humble, gentle, patient and forgiving towards each other in the Lord first, and extend it towards those who are not. Kindness is one of the attributes of love in a practical way.


Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your loving kindness never cease and Your compassion never fail. I pray that I will show Your kindness to others that they may know You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Fellowship Of The Cross

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

The God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our[a] behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Reflection of Bee:

We can learn 3 important truths from tonight's devotion:

1. God not only allows us to go through life's troubles and sorrows, but also comforts us in His compassion, so that we in turn can comfort others (v3,4).

2. Through all these trials we will learn not to rely on ourselves but on God, who can deliver us from all troubles (v9).

3. We need the prayers of others so that God will continue to deliver us from life's troubles (v10).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing me again why You allowed me to go through trials in my life. Thank You for Your compassion and love towards me in all my life. Thank You for those who have supported me in prayers so that You can show us the power of prayers and also teach us love and unity.
I also want to pray for Tommy that he will rest well tonight and be fresh tomorrow for the week ahead. May Your love, grace and mercy follows him wherever he goes.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Lessons from Moses

Deuteronomy 34

The Death of Moses
1 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, [a] 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."

5 And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. 6 He buried him [b] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit [c] of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Reflection of Bee:

The story of Moses was the story that brought awe into my young life when I was attending the Sunday School then. Each Sunday I learned something new about the God of Moses. By the time the story ended, I told my Sunday School Teacher that I wanted the God of Moses to be mine too. Many years later when I watched the movie on the life of Moses, "The Prince of Egypt", awe still held my life. Yes, what a mighty God I have!

Who was this Moses that God could use so mightily and was able to talk to God face to face (v12)?

He was a man whom God raised from being a servant's son to someone of high position (as the prince of Egypt), to learn all about leadership, and then to humble him again in order to use him to lead the Israelites out of bondage. Moses made many mistakes but his heart was genuine towards God. Some of those mistakes may have consequences at the end of the day, such as Moses not being able to enter the promised land. Yet Moses was one of the great man of faith commended in Hebrews 11:23-29.

As I once again reflect on the life of Moses I could see something similar God had been doing in my life from my childhood days. He had been moulding my life, teaching me, exposing me to leadership roles and humbling me to prepare me for some special works He wants me to do in the near future. I could feel it coming but I need to obey. Like Moses, I may tend to give excuse and say like what he did in Exodus 4:10,

"O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

Dear Lord,
Thinking about Moses brings back many memories of how I came to know You. His life is also an encouragement for me to know that all I have gone through in my life have their special purposes. You have a special calling for my life which I need to obey. Give me strength and courage to accept what You have prepared for me to do. Let me not give excuses but to fully rely on You and not on my own abilities. May Your peace reigns in my heart tonight. Speak to me during the Sunday Worship tomorrow.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Love and Be Loved

1 Corinthians 13

Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Reflection of Bee:

Is it wrong to seek to be loved by a human being, other than by God?

Frequently, over 'spiritual' Christians may make it seems that desiring to be loved is wrong and that they should always seek only to give love and never the other way round. Well, if God didn't create us with the inner longing to be loved we will never know what God's love is like, isn't it?

John 13:34-35 says that it is a commandment for Christians to love each other so that non-believers will know that they are the followers of Christ.

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

That's what I experienced. As a young child, before I came to know Christ, I sought for love but didn't find. At the age of 12 I found love in Christ through the love of some loving Christians in a church. They showed me that they cared for me and shared with me where that love and care came from. I accepted Christ after some time attending that Sunday School. If I didn't seek for love I wouldn't have found Christ.

However, when I grew older life became more complicated... love that is pure seems illusive. It's hard to find someone who truly love and care for me as an adult. Instead it's my turn to love and care for others, even when I am hurt by the people I cared for. Perhaps this is what it means in v11, that I have to grow up and not remain as a child. I am still not perfect yet, but will be one day when I see God face to face (v9,12).

Yes, God have made us such that we both need to be loved and to love so that a relationship can be formed, which is a representation of our love relationship with Christ.

How do we recognize love? It is summed up in v7 & v8:

7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails.

Dear Jesus,
Let me not feel condemned whenever I longed to be loved. It's You who have made me a human being to both receive and to give love.
Thank You for showing me what love is through some Christians who practiced love when I was young. Now it's my turn to show that love to others too. Let me not feel short-changed when my love is not reciprocated. For You didn't get Your love reciprocated too.
Help me to be more and more perfect just as You are perfect (Matt 5:48).
In Your loving name I pray. Amen.

The Peace-Of-Mind Game

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Reflection of Bee:

Tonight's devotional passage is a very familiar one.... "The Lord is MY Shepherd". Yes, He is mine and I can feel secured in Him in all circumstances. He can restore all my brokenness, and give me victory over my physical and spiritual enemies.

Dear Shepherd,
Thank You for restoring my soul
and for making me whole;
For the table You spread for me
in the presence of my enemies;
For Your goodness and great love
that follow me till I leave this earth.
May Your peace reigns tonight
even though sometimes I may cry.

In Your wonderful name I thank You.
Amen.

Changing The World

Luke 6:41-45

41"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit
43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

Reflection of Bee:

How can we ever change the world or anyone when we find it so hard to even change ourselves? Even the great Apostle Paul acknowledged that he couldn't change himself when he said in Romans 7:15,24,25:

15For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Right, only God can change or transform us when we do according what Romans 12:1,2 says:

1 ...offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In fact the above were the main verses quoted by the speaker of the seminar I attended tonight on "Discerning God's Will". When our minds are renewed by the Holy Spirit, we will learn to apply the 7 principles in discerning God's will for our life.

Yes, when we can "see clearly" we can then help others see clearly too (v42).

Dear Lord,
Thank You for tonight's devotion and the seminar I just attended. Thank You for speaking to me clearly tonight concerning the principles of discerning Your will for my life. Help me to be obedient and present myself as a living sacrifice to You. May Your peace reigns in my heart as I follow Your will.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Listen, Know and Follow

John 10:14-30

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."

19At these words the Jews were again divided. 20Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"

21But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

The Unbelief of the Jews
22Then came the Feast of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ,[b] tell us plainly."

25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[c]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."

Reflection of Bee:

As Christians, sometimes we get frustrated when we couldn't breakthrough to non-believers or even to some believers when we tried to witness or testify for Christ to them. We wonder why they just can't believe or understand what we are saying. Tonight's devotion reminds us that it's normal because they are not the "sheep" of Jesus, and therefore they can't hear His voice (v26,27).

Jesus did not say my lamb, but my SHEEP, hear my voice. That means, in order to hear God's voice we need to grow up spiritually instead of remaining as babes in spiritual things. To grow, we need to read the bible and pray daily just like a new born babies need to drink milk and then progress to eating solid food in order to grow well.

The "sheep" of Jesus not only LISTEN to His voice, but also KNOW Him and FOLLOW Him (verse 27). For that no one can snatch the "sheep" from Jesus' hand.... the basis for eternal security (v28,29).


Dear Lord,
Thank You for revealing to me this truth again tonight that I can be secured in Your hands when I become Your sheep. Teach me to listen, know and follow You as I put my hands in Yours. I want to know Your will and follow Your leading. Give me grace to do be obedient.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

This Is Better

Proverbs 16:16-32

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction. [a]

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it,
but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
and his lips promote instruction. [b]

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.

26 The laborer's appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.

27 A scoundrel plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor
and leads him down a path that is not good.

30 He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;
he who purses his lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life.

32 Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Reflection of Bee:

Verse 20 seems to summarize the rest of the verses above.

One who "gives heed to instruction" (i.e. not to feel proud about oneself) will "prosper".
One who "trusts in the LORD" (i.e. never think that one's way is right without God's guidance) will be "blessed".

Dear Lord,
Thank You for all the things You have taught me spiritually and in my career. All the knowledge I have comes from You giving me so many opportunities to learn. Let me not feel proud about them and always stay humble and trust in You, not in my own knowledge or ability. Guide me to the right place You have prepared for me.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

An Age-Old Question

Job 2:1-10

Job's Second Test
1 On another day the angels [a] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."

3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face."

6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life."

7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

9 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!"

10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish [b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Reflection of Bee:

Earlier on, I was watching a movie at home and a statement said by one of the characters made me ponder much....

"Your love for her is limited, for you love only if you can be with her. If you really love her, you will love even if you know you can't be with her."

Isn't it similar to what Job said to his wife, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (v10). If we really believe in God we will accept both good and trouble because we KNOW that He works all things (including the trouble) together for good to those who loved God.

So be it love or faith, they must be unconditional to be real.


My Lord,
Thank You for speaking to me tonight. Thank You for revealing to me what it means to be consistent in our love and faith and not let circumstances change them. Teach me to practice these truth in my life with You and people You have chosen for me. Let me be true and real.
In Your name I pray. Amen.

Seeking Immortality

2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Our Heavenly Dwelling 1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Reflection of Bee:

Verse 2 speaks of something I have been looking forward to for many years. I don't feel at home in this world somehow... for it brings me much sorrows most times. The only thing that kept me going is my hope in Christ, knowing that I still have a mission to perform while on earth. I need to exercise daily faith to complete this journey here.

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

Yes my Lord,
I want to be with You immediately if possible. I can't wait to see You face to face. Let me be patient a little while more and complete the mission You want me to do here. Guide my life and path, that I may be in Your will and lead others to You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Celebrating Disappointment

Psalm 30

A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. [a]
1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

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 [c] 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, [d]
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.

Reflection of Bee:


Dear Lord,
Thank You for turning my wailing into dancing too.
Thank You for removing my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.
Thank You for opening so many doors for me when one is closed.
Thank You for leading my life and guiding my career path.
Thank You for preparing me for greater works ahead.
All the thanks I give to You will never be enough to thank You.
May all glory and praise be to You through the works You have done in me.
In Your wonderful name I give You thanks. Amen.

God, Answer Me!

Psalm 6

1O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your wrath.

2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

3 My soul is in anguish.
How long, O LORD, how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

5 No one remembers you when he is dead.
Who praises you from the grave [b] ?

6 I am worn out from groaning;
all night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.

7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;
they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

Reflection of Bee:

Whenever we want to go forward spiritually and serve God more, the devil will never leave us alone. He would tried to attacked us through people. It seems very effective when we forget about spiritual warfare. I experienced that yesterday and was feeling angry over some wrongful accusations. However, as I reflected on them, the Lord showed me that the enemy wanted to discourage me from bring people to Christ.

Knowing it is a spiritual battle somehow helps me turn to God instead of using my own strength to fight. Soon my anger for that person who wronged me turned into prayer for her instead. Yes, God will hear my prayers and not leave me alone.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me that I need to be on guard against the spiritual enemy. Greater is You who is in me than he that is in the world. You have given me victory. Praise You!
In Your name I thank You. Amen.

What Comes After Death?

Hebrews 9:24-28

24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Reflection of Bee:

It was interesting reading the post of a friend and his readers' comments about organs donation when a person is certified "brain death". For me, I have the assurance of salvation and is not fearful of death. There is hope and glory awaiting for those who believe in Jesus Christ and accept His salvation (v28).

What comes after death is judgment (v27). Where we will be depends on what we choose now while we still have breath. We never know when would be our last breath... so we need to make the decision right now.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for the salvation You have given to me and that I can know where I am going. Thank You for the joy and hope in You. Let me not cling on to anything earthly. Let me be ever ready to depart from this world when You call me home. I give my all to You once again.
In Your most wonderful name I pray. Amen.

Compete Or Converge

Ruth 4:13-22

The Genealogy of David

13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."

16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

18 This, then, is the family line of Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron,

19 Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab,

20 Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon, ^[a]

21 Salmon the father of Boaz,
Boaz the father of Obed,

22 Obed the father of Jesse,
and Jesse the father of David.

Reflection of Bee:

The recent devotions seem to have a central theme on love such as:

• Amazing Love
• Joy of True Friendship and Love
• Love in Action
• Love Loves Beyond Liking
• What is Love

Tonight again we read about Ruth's love for her mother-in-law, Noami. How did Ruth demonstrate her love?

Love is being faithful
Love is being courages
Love is being trusting
Love is being obedient
Love is doing, not just talking

When we obey God's command to love, God will see to it that our rewards will be great.

Dear Lord,
You are the author of love. Without you, all 'love' will become self-love instead. Teach me to love more and more in Your way each day.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Amazing Love!

John 3:13-18

13No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[a] 14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.[b]

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[c] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[d]

Reflection of Bee:

"For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life."
- John 3:16

This is a very well known verse which precedes John 15:7-14 (devotion for 4 April 07, Joy of True Friendship and Love). Without the former there will be no latter. Because Jesus had demonstrated what true love is, He has the right to ask those who claimed to love Him and are His "friends" to do likewise, i.e. to love (and be willing to die for) those who also truly love Jesus (John 15:12-14).

"Blood is thicker than water", as the saying goes in our physical relationship with our siblings. Similarly, it is so (through the blood of Jesus) with our spiritual BORN-AGAIN 'siblings' in Christ, who also obey His command to love (John 15:12-14).

In the past, I always thought that John 15 was trying to tell us that we must be willing to lay down our lives for EVERYONE. Almost impossible, I feel, unless that person is extremely close to us. Now I understand that all these are possible ONLY IN CHRIST. That means it is only possible within the family of God (amongst those who not only accepted Christ's salvation but also obeyed Christ's command to love, thus become Christ's and ours friends) . This makes more sense, isn't it?

Jesus did not ask us to die for sinners, but rather to die for our friends (definition of friendship is in accordance with God's word in John 15, not by the world's definition).

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your revelation on what Your word says about love, friendship, and obedience. Now it seems not so difficult after all to love the way You do once we fulfill the criteria which will make Your way of love possible.
Now I pray for my special friend that You grant him peace in his heart and faith in Your providence for him. Let him understand why You allowed things to happen in his life, to make things for good, 'cos he loves You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Two Different Systems

Galatians 6:11-18

11-13Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ's suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don't keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible!

14-16For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!

17Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do—the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.

18May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!

Reflection of Bee:

There are politics everywhere, not only in the government but also in our working places, and even in the churches, sad to say. However, Paul chose not to follow the world system but rather follow the cross of Jesus. All he wanted was to be serious in living out his faith in Christ.

Yes, through the cross of Jesus we are set free from the bondage of sin and the world when we practice our faith. Do you know why yesterday was called a Good Friday? Because Jesus died on the cross for us and was resurrected three days later. Isn't that good? :)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for your encouragement through tonight's devotion, using the Apostle Paul as an example. May I continue to be strong as I live in this world and not of this world. I pray also for the business decisions I have to make let me follow Your system, and not the system of the world. Let me have a good rest tonight so I may rise up fresh to worship You with the church tomorrow.
Thank You in Jesus' name. Amen.

The Great Divider

Luke 23:33-43

33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."

38There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Reflection of Bee:

Tonight's devotion is a continuation from that of last night where the fickle followers who had a change of heart wished to crucify Jesus though they could not pin Him down on any crime.

However, one of the two criminals was able to see that Jesus had done nothing wrong (v41). In his faith and humility he asked Jesus to remember him when He comes back again (v42). Jesus confirmed that he would be in paradise with Him (v43).

In the modern day, it is still the same that the number of faithful believers are few. Though many may claimed to be Christians, yet their walk may prove otherwise. But these are the few that will enjoy everlasting life with Christ one day.

Dear Lord,
I pray for more to come to know your love as I share it with those I know. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of the 3 unbelieving friends I invited for the Good Friday drama tonight. May they come to believe in You soon and enjoy Your love in their life.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Fickle Followers

Matthew 27:15-23

15Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.

22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"

23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

Reflection of Bee:

What did Jesus do wrong?

To the crowd, there is no need to give a reason for crucifying Jesus (v23). To them, the right things that Jesus did were deemed 'wrong'. That means He had been crucified as an innocent man.

"What crime" have I committed?

That's the same question I asked myself when my once upon 'best friend' became so cold towards me and treated me as if I am in non-existence. I became 'just friend' or 'just acquaintance' suddenly. It's very hurting to be suddenly treated that way without a reason. What did I do wrong to deserve such treatment? I don't know. Self-doubts, self-condemnation, self-anger set in.... and I felt 'crucified'.... :(

The same fickle followers of Christ then, were no different from the fickle minded ones today. They choose to believe what they want to believe in their own fancies and benefits. However, in yesterday's devotion Joy of True Friendship and Love we learned what it meant to be true followers of Christ, to be true friends, to love and to experience Christ's joy.

Tonight's devotion reminded me that if Christ was treated that way (crucified) by the people who claimed to be His follower earlier, it shouldn't be a surprise to me when I am treated similarly by people whom I trusted and thought close to me. I can only pray that God will show them what it means to be true disciples of Christ.


Dear Lord,
Your servant (me) will never be greater than the Master(You). Let me take heart that whatever I had been through You had already gone through them. You understand how I feel. Thank You that all those bad experiences help me understand the betrayal You had experienced and how hurtful You must had been.
Let me not be another fickle follower myself but be steadfast in loving, in befriending, in experiencing Your joy no matter come what may. Teach me to die to self and live to Christ.
I pray that You will bless those who have hurt me. I pray that Your love in me will help them repent and follow Your command.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Joy of True Friendship and Love

John 15:7-14

7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.

Reflection of Bee:

The above passage is a very familiar one. However, the message seems much clearer to me tonight than before. It talks about how we may have joy by having true friendship and love with each other as true believers of Christ.

How can we have joy?
When we remain in Christ's love (v11)

How do we remain in Christ's love?
When we obey His command (v10)

What is His command?
Love each other (true believers) in the way Christ loves us (v12).

How does Christ love?
Willing to lay down His life for His friends (v13).

Who are Christ's friends?
Those who obey His command (v14).

Who are our friends?
Those who are Christ's friends (v14).


Clearly, to be a true FRIEND of Christ is to obey His COMMAND to LOVE our fellow Christians who also obey Him. To truly love is to be willing to lay down our lives for each other. In this way our JOY will be full/complete. Therefore, true joy, friendship, love and obedience are all interlinked and not stand alone. They are 'fruit' of true disciples of Christ (v8).

We can't expect true joy when we don't obey Christ's command to love those who love Him.
We can't have true friendship with Christ when we can't have true friendship with those who love Him.
We can't say we love Christ when we can't love with actions for those who love Him.

If someone says he loves Christ or is a friend of Christ but does not practice the command of Christ stated above, he is lying to himself.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for showing me clearly what it means to be Your friend, to love and to experience Your joy.
I want to be Your friend, to love and to experience Your joy the way You command. Help me to obey fully, Lord.
In Jesus' name I ask these.

When Instructions Seem Stupid

2 Kings 5:1-14

Naaman Healed of Leprosy
1 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. [a]

2 Now bands from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, "If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy."

4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 5 "By all means, go," the king of Aram replied. "I will send a letter to the king of Israel." So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents [b] of silver, six thousand shekels [c] of gold and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter that he took to the king of Israel read: "With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy."

7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, "Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!"

8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: "Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel." 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed."

11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.

13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.

Reflection of Bee:

Just like Naaman, when we don't understand why we are told to do certain things that seem illogical, we become very defensive and even angry with those who said them. Pride also makes it hard to accept comments from others. Sometimes we also react the same way when God asks us to do certain things we don't wish to do. We tend to rationalize them to our likings.

However, God says He will use the foolish things to confound the wise and that His ways are higher than our ways. We need to humble ourselves and not rely on our intellects so as to receive healing from God.


Dear Lord,
I know that Your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. As I reflect on all the events that happened in my life and all the people I met along the way, I know You have a purpose for me through them. Though I may not fully comprehend them, I see Your hands guiding me, keeping me, protecting me from harms, and bringing me into something more meaningful each day. Help me not to cry for the past. Help me to stay close to You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

How God Shows His Love

John 13:5-17

5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Reflection of Bee:

Many times we don't know why God allows certain bad things happened to us, especially in the midst of the situations we go through. They may be very hurtful situations, e.g. someone accused us wrongly, or someone we loved deserted us, or someone we trusted very much betrayed us, etc. We might be left broken and wondering why us? What have we done wrong? We need an answers to all our questions.

Yes, we don't understand why. However, one God will disclose to us the reasons and make us understand (v7). A speaker shared recently that when God remove something/someone from us, He may be trying to protect us. Yes, it very painful... I still feel the pain whenever I think of it, even now. But by faith, I know God is doing it for my good. I shall understand fully one day.

Despites the hurt, we need to love in Jesus' way.... we are to be humble (washing of someone's feet) and loving. That is love.

Dear Lord,
As I remember the things that happened to me, the people who have hurt me, I felt the pains once again. :'( Thank You for reminding me that I will understand Your plans clearly one day. Teach me to love in spite of what others do to me. Teach me to know how to response correctly. Teach me humility and service.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Preeminent One

Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "[a]

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"[c]
"Hosanna[d] in the highest!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Reflection of Bee:

In the same village there were those who knew Jesus and those who didn't. Similarly today, some know Jesus, some do not. For those of us who know who He is, we need to proclaim Him to those who don't.

Yes, my church will be having an evangelistic drama show this coming Good Friday to proclaim the One we believed in. I am inviting some non-believing friends to come along. I pray that they will know who the Preeminent One is.

Dear Lord,
May You bless this coming Good Friday as we take the opportunity to share Your love with others. I pray for the friends we have invited that You will remove all obstacles that may hinder their coming. May You touch their hearts as they watch the drama.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen