The Adventure

Esther 4:13-17

13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

Reflection of Bee:

When I accepted the challenge to help startup a particular organization I felt like Queen Esther felt. On the one hand I felt honored and was glad that I was highly esteemed, yet on the other hand, I was a little apprehensive if I could shoulder such a heavy responsibility.

Then what Mordecai said to Esther came to my mind, "And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" (v14). Yes, God has allowed me to learn so many things in my career to prepare me for this day, I felt. It's time to serve God by putting what I learnt to good use before my time runs out. So "if I perish, I perish" too. All I need is trust God's blessings will be upon the things I do for His purpose.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for encouraging me through the story of Esther. I want to commit my work, study, and life into Your hand. I pray that I can accomplish what You want me to do. May Your name be glorified in my life.
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.

He Is There

Psalm 139:1-12

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflection of Bee:

Who will be there for me
when I need words of comfort?
Who will be there for me
when I need a shoulder to cry?
Who will be there for me
when I need to pour my sorrows?

Who will be there for me
if I were to lose my vision?
Who will be there for me
if I were to lose my voice?
Who will be there for me
if I were to die tonight?


Dear Lord,
As I look back to my past I see Your hands upon me keeping me all the way. Sometimes You used people to help me along the way. Sometimes You hide Yourself from me so I will learn to live by faith and not by sight.
But now You hide others from me so that I will know that You are the only one for me when others go their ways.
In my sickness, I want to praise you still. For my life is in Your hand. Guide me in the path that I should go.

Cast Your Cares

Philippians 4:4-9

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Reflection of Bee:

Thank God for the above assurances that I need not worry about anything, be it my career or my future. All I need to do is to give all my cares to Him and let Him care for me. I need this assurance especially now.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for caring for me. Thank You that in the midst of uncertainties I can be certain that all my needs will be taken care of. Praise You for being my Redeemer in every aspects of my life. May You make my life counts.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Reflection of Tommy:

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The Power Of Influence

Matthew 5:1-16

The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Reflection of Bee:

The above Beatitudes are so comforting to me as I am feeling quite tired with office politics that are going on. Tonight's devotion reminds me that I don't have to worry too much about what others do or say but just remain faithful to God's words, be the light and salt of the world (v13 & 14). Even if people try to say say all kinds of evil against me because I hold fast to God's word, I will be "blessed".

Yes, "blessed are those who mourn" (v4) for God will always comfort our heart when we cry out to Him. Thank God for always hearing my cry to Him.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your words of comfort and assurance. I pray that Your words will remain in my heart as I go about doing my work in my office. I pray that I will be Your light and salt all the time.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Claiming Responsibility

Isaiah 53:1-10

4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes [c] his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

Reflection of Bee:

Dear Lord Jesus,
All I can say is THANK YOU for willingly taking over my punishment. For this I owe You my life. Take me and let my life be Yours. In all I do, may Your name be glorified.
Amen

Existing Or Truly Living?

John 10:1-11

The Shepherd and His Flock
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Reflection of Bee:

There is a vast difference between the thieves/robbers and the shepherd:enter by the other ways Vs enter by the gate (v1 & 2)

voice is strange to the sheep Vs voice that is familiar (v3-5)
steal/kill/destroy Vs giving life that is full (v10)
steal/kill/destroy Vs laying down his life for the sheep (v11)

When we are over-stressed by our work or the cares of life, we may feel like just "existing" and not living. I feel that way in may occassions too. To know who is speaking or working in our life, we need to listen to our Shepherd's voice. He promised to give us life that is full, not empty, or half-filled. He loves us even unto death.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your promise of life that is full. Though at times I feel like 'zombie', or 'robot', or have lost my meaning in life during my down moments, You always 'breathe' Your 'breath of life' into me to 'resuscitate' me.
I pray that I will always recognise Your voice speaking to me and follow Your leading.
I pray for my 'bf' too that You will lead him to Your 'green pasture' wherever he is.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Difficult Days

Psalm 23:1-6

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.

Bee's Thoughts:


"The sweetest experience of God's love can be found in times of sorrow." - Daily Bread

So true... in times of despondency we suddenly feel God so near us. Many people give their life to God only when they give up trying on their own... there's nothing to lose.

However, why should we wait till then to realize that the Lord can be our "Shepherd" of life?

We can actually enjoy these benefits right now. When we allow Him to be our "Shepherd" we practically have all that we "want", for He loves us so much to the point of laying down His life for us. He will supply all our needs for HIs glory... for He is the great God.


Thank you, Lord, for this Psalm.
Thank you for restoring my soul in times of despondency.
Thank you for being with me even in the "valley of the shadow of death".
Thank you for the assurance that "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life".
Thank you!

A World In Labor

Romans 8:18-25

Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Bee's Thoughts:

Dear Father, thank you for reminding me to be patient while waiting for the hope of glory you have promised us. Sometimes I do wonder when you will be coming back, and don't you see the sufferings we have now.... yet I know, you will never break your promise of coming back for us... a promise is a promise to you. What a blessed assurance and hope. Amen

I Will Come Back For You

John 14:1-6

Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Bee's Thoughts:

The title of Today's Daily Bread, "I Will Come Back For You", 'jumped' at me when I first opened its page. This statement has never mean so much to me as much as it is now. The reason is that someone dear has said that to me last week. I felt very troubled when he suddenly said he needed to be away for an indefinite time. The only assurance given to me was "I will be back for you".

Jesus knew very well how His disciples would feel when He leaves this world (John 13:1). They would feel very sad and troubled. So He comforted them in the following ways:
1. gave hopes for the future... many rooms in His Father's house
2. showed where He was going... prepare a place for them
3. showed the way to reach Him... Jesus is the away
4. promised to come back for them... will be permanent

Dear Lord, thank You for taking care of how we feel when You have to leave us on earth. You are so comforting, assuring, and You showed us how we still may reach You now while You are preparing the best for us. Thank You that You will be back for us soon.

In You is the Way, the Truth and Life. I know You are near me in my spirit. I love You, Lord. Amen

.......the devotion of Bee