Give Thanks!

Psalm 92

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.
1 It is good to praise the LORD
and make music to your name, O Most High,

2 to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,

3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

5 How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!

Reflection of Bee:

"Love in the morning" and "faithfulness at night" (v2)... isn't this something we all hope to receive from our loved ones? We wish that they truly love us and are faithful to us all the time. Yet, we heard and saw many broken relationships instead. However, God loves us and is always faithful to us when we put our trust in Him.

Sometimes we may not understand how God works. Recently, I was wondering why God allows us to experience all kinds of relationship, e.g. spouses, children-parents, siblings, friends, etc, when there won't be such relationship anymore when we go to heaven. What is the purpose of all these? I don't understand His thoughts in this, it's too profound for me. However, I trust that I will know the answer by and by when I see Him face to face.


Praise You Lord,
for Your love and faithfulness to me,
for Your Your profound thoughts though I don't understand,
for always see me through in all my down moments.
Thank You in Your most wonderful name. Amen.

He Sympathizes With Me

Hebrews 4:9-16

9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Jesus the Great High Priest
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Reflection of Bee:

I felt the pain again when some past events flashed across my mind tonight. I asked the Lord,

"Why didn't You remove my pain completely?"

I wept, but He said nothing. Then I read tonight's devotion. The Lord seems to answer me,

"You do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with your weaknesses, but you have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin."

"You really mean in every way? Have you ever been deserted or jilted by someone You loved so much?", I asked the Lord.

"Yes, my child. I loved so much and even died on the cross for the ones I loved. Yet many do not accept my love but seek after other gods. I know your pain, and I can sympathize with you. Come to me and enter my rest. Stay with me always and I will soothe your pain away."


Dear Jesus,
Perhaps You allowed me to go through such pain so I could understand what You have been through. By experiencing such pain also helps me understand the pains others are experiencing. When I read what some of them wrote on their heart brokenness, I felt so sorry for them. For I know exactly how they felt when they shared about their miseries. The only difference is I have You, Lord, and they don't. How I wish they will come to know You and let You soothe away their pains instead of torturing themselves with all kinds of unhealthy activities to drown their sorrows.

I pray for these who are feeling so miserable because they have been jilted by people they loved. I pray that they will come to know You one day to experience Your eternal love, just like how You always soothe my pain each time it comes upon me. Thank You for loving me, Lord. I love You too.
Thank You for hearing my cry in Jesus' name. Amen.

SPEM Prayer

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Reflection of Bee:

Paul prayed for the Ephesians:
- to be strengthened in their inner being (v16)
- to be rooted in love (v17)
- to grasp and know the intensity of God's love (v18,19)

We can model after Paul's prayers to pray for our fellow Christians. To stand firm in Christ, we need to be strong emotionally (inner being) as we become rooted and know God's love for us.

We mustn't underestimate God's ability and willingness to do more than we could imagine or ask for. He is always willing when we ask.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your great love for me. Help me to fully grasp and know Your love, so that all other love becomes secondary. As I rest tonight, may Your love surrounds me.
I pray for Your healing power to be upon Tommy too. May he sleeps soundly to night and wake up fresh in the morning.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Source Of Gladness

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Paul's Hardships

3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Reflection of Bee:

"Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Jesus."
- Today's Daily Bread

I like the above quote. I will add on: "sadness depends on circumstances, joy depend on experiencing God's love".

I was very much saddened and hurt today when someone I respected said something unappreciative to me, then followed by discovering what another whom I cared much about did to me. I wept. Yet in my sadness a voice seemed to say to me, "God loves you, don't let what others did to you rob you of your joy."

Can we be "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" like Paul (v10)?

Yes, Apostle Paul experienced much hardship and accusation by his own fellow men, yet in all those things he remained strong in the Lord and always rejoice in Him. Nothing can separate him from the love of God as shown in Romans 8:38-39:

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dear Lord,
You know how hurt I felt when people whom I respected and cared much did something not nice to me today. You saw my tears. Yet in all these I want to thank You and is sure that You will make all things work together for my good. Nothing will separate me from Your love. May Your joy remains in my heart through Your Holy Spirit.
In Your holy 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.

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.

Never Lack

Psalm 23 (Amplified Bible)

A Psalm of David.

1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

2He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.(A)

3He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake.

4Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with [a]oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Reflection of Bee:

I was so thrilled when I saw tonight's passage, as I had been pondering over v1 during my bath before my devotion. So it seems God is confirming with me that I shall not lack or need anything more than I have, regardless of my situation. In fact, when I reflect on the things that God allowed to happen in my life I see God's hands and blessings in disguise.

Yes, whenever I make Jesus "my shepherd" to guide me, I shall not lack. He constantly refreshes me and protects me from harms. Yes he prepares "a table before me in the presence of my enemies". This really takes place. Praise God!

Dear Lord,
I see Your goodness, mercy and love in my life all these years. Thank You very much. I pray again that the things I do, the decisions I make, the words I say will be to Your glory. Guide me, my Shepherd, lead me to Your green pasture.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Morning

Lamentations 3:19-32

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.

20 I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.

29 Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope.

30 Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace.

31 For men are not cast off
by the Lord forever.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

Reflection of Bee:

Very often, my anger for someone never last. Before the morning comes, my anger would have been dissipated. For the Lord has taught me to forgive. Yes, though I may still wonder why that person hurt me, but I don't bear grudge against that person.

As follower of Christ we just reflect the image of God. It is God's work in our hearts, not our own doing. In the same way, God's anger upon us will not last forever. He is full of compassion and mercy towards His children. However, we should not take that for granted.

Dear Lord,
Thank Your for your Your compassion upon me all the days of my life. Thank You that You did not give up on me but continue to transform my life to be more like Yours. May I continue to show compassion and mercy to others as well.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Rescue And Response

Psalms 107-150

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say this—
those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south. [a]

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.

6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.

8 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,

9 for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

Reflection of Bee:

Dear Lord,
Thank You that Your love for me never fail and Your kindness never cease. As I look back my life as a little child and now as an adult, I see Your faithfulness in my life. I commit my life to You again tonight... whether I live or die, may my life shows Your love story to others.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Finding God In The Darkness

Acts 17:24-31

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

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

Reflection of Bee:

There will be times in our Christian walk that God seems very far from us. We may wonder why we don't feel God's presence anymore. Did we sin that God is hiding from us or is God testing our faith?

I remember as a young Christian, I often struggled with my faith. Whenever I didn't feel God near, I doubted and wondered if I believed in the right God. As I grew in my Christian life through studying the bible and fellowshipping with fervent Christians, I realized that God wanted me to live by faith, not by sight. That means, even though I don't feel God I KNOW that He is with me; though I don't feel His love I KNOW that He loves me very much. Perhaps, such faith in God makes me trust others easily even if I don't see that person face to face. I always trust first till proven otherwise.

Tonight's devotion reminds us that God is "not far from each one of us" (v28). He is always there waiting for us to seek Him out.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your word of assurance that You are always there for me. Even if I don't feel You at times, even though I can't see You now, I know You. Keep me from the snares of the evil one and help me be strong no matter how I feel. I pray You will touch my heart now.... heal it completely and make it strong.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Bee's 15th Month of Devotion

There were many occasions whereby the thoughts of stop blogging my devotions here came across my mind. I felt lonely and wished that someone could understand my struggles and stay by my side to give me the support I needed. All I want is for this person to cry with me and say nothing. Yet there is none like this. Today I remember the songs we sang in Church...

You are so Faithful
Like the sun that rises everyday
You are so faithful, Dear Lord, You are faithful
Like the rain that You bring and every breath that I breathe
You are so faithful, oh Lord

Like a rose that comes alive every spring
You are so faithful, Dear Lord, You are faithful
Like the life that You give to every beat of my heart
You are so faithful Lord

I see a cross and the price You had to pay
I see the blood that washed my sins away

And in the midst of the storm through the wind and the waves
You're still be faithful, You're still be faithful
And when the stars refuse to shine and time is no more
You're still be faithful, You're still be faithful Lord

As I pondered on the above lyric my heart cried and said "Amen, Lord, You are so faithful". I want to thank God for seeing me through "in the midst of the storm through the wind and the waves". He is faithful even when I am faithless. Without Him I wouldn't be here anymore. Yes, it's been 15 months since I started blogging my devotional thoughts.

Praise the Lord!


... the thoughts of Bee

The Right Focus

Psalm 90

3 You turn men back to dust,
saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."

4 For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night.

5 You sweep men away in the sleep of death;
they are like the new grass of the morning-

6 though in the morning it springs up new,
by evening it is dry and withered.

10 The length of our days is seventy years—
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen trouble.

Bee's Thoughts:

Yes, life is like a vapour... or just like wind. I may be here today, but you might not hear from me again the next day.

Many times I wished God will take me away from this earth. I wished I am just like the grass that will wither in the morning. For I see too much evil on earth since my childhood days. I grew up not trusting any man. Some men in my life did help me rebuild that trust, yet they were the same ones that put back the phobia in me.

Now all I ask from God is to teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom, to discern right and wrong, to distinguish truth and lies.

I need God to satisfy my heart with His unfailing love, so I may be glad and sing a new song to Him again. This I humbly pray.

.......the devotion of Bee

Our Father's Love

Hosea 11

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

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

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

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

5 "Will they not return to Egypt
and will not Assyria rule over them
because they refuse to repent?

6 Swords will flash in their cities,
will destroy the bars of their gates
and put an end to their plans.

7 My people are determined to turn from me.
Even if they call to the Most High,
he will by no means exalt them.

8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is changed within me;
all my compassion is aroused.

9 I will not carry out my fierce anger,
nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man—
the Holy One among you.
I will not come in wrath.

Bee's Thoughts:

Why do You love me so much, dear Lord?

I really don't deserve Your love.

How can I say "Thanks" for the things You've done for me;
Things so undeserved, yet You gave to prove Your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude,
All that I am, and all I hope to be, I give them all to You.

Amen

.......the devotion of Bee

Joy Over One

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin:
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Footnotes:
Luke 15:8 [a] Greek ten drachmas, each worth about a day's wages

Bee's Thoughts:

As mentioned in my other blog, stories always bring home the truth we usually missed by mere reasoning. I like these two parables (stories) since young. Reading it again now shows me another new revelation. That's the wonderful thing about the Bible, each time we read the same passage we feel different because the Holy Spirit will reveal certain truth to us depending on our needs of that moment. I see the following truth for myself:

1. Jesus loves me so much - even if I am the only one that strayed He will go out to seek me "until he finds" me.


2. Jesus rejoices over finding one "lost sheep" - I am so precious to Him.

Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much. When I am "lost" You will go out to bring me back. I know you are doing it now, showing me I need to stay with You to be safe instead of detouring into the "wilderness" and be hurt. I want to love You Lord.

P/S: Yes, Fin and Ken, if you are reading this "devotion" I hope you will realize that you are so precious to God too. He is looking for you both now... so come close to Him to be embraced by His love too.

....the devotion of Bee