Tongues Control

Proverbs 15:1-4

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.

3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

My thoughts for today...

Controlling our speech isn’t easy, because the real problem is not our words but our hearts. Behind the insults, we are likely to find in ourselves an insecurity, fear, or guilt that tempts us to protect ourselves at the expense of another."
—Mart De Haan

Right, we speak what we think or feel in our hearts. When we are hurt we tend to speak hurtful words in return, words which we may regret after we cooled down. But very often, words that had been said can't be recoiled.

Tonight's devotion reminds us to "gentle" with our reply, to speak wisely and to heal with our words instead of destroy. I may be guilty of speaking too fast when I felt hurt though I have no intention to hurt in return. I tend to share how I feel or the actions I would take too fast. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut unless what I say is going to bring "healing"like a tree of life.

The antidote for our untamed tongues is love. "Love is patient, love is kind." (1 Corinthians 13:4). When we love we will be kind with what we say.


Dear Lord,
Forgive me for times when I spoke too quickly or acted too rashly when I was hurt. I pray for forgiveness and healing for myself and those whom I might have hurt. May Your love restores us and make us whole again. Let me love just like You do.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Not Boredom But Freedom

2 John 1

5And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love

My thoughts for today...

God's command is the we love one another. Yet very often we may forget and need so many reminders in the bible. When we love, we are obedient to God's command.

Dear Lord,
Teach me to love the way You love. Not in my limited version of love, but Your unconditional love... a love that is willing to sacrifice, to let go even if it hurts me so.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Gospel Of Judas

2 Timothy 4:1-5

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Reflection of Bee:

Tonight's devotion is a reminder to me to beware of professing 'Christians' who would use the bible verses only to "suit their own desires" instead of practicing actual truth (v3).

I have heard of cases where some 'Christians' claimed that they wanted to seek God or serve God and therefore deserted their family or loved ones who need them. Such actions clearly contradict God's character of love and His greatest command to love Him and our neighbours. How can they claim that they love God when they can't love their "neighbours"? If strangers can be our neighbours, what more those who love and care for us? Yet to these 'Christians' they are being 'spiritual' to 'spend time with God' and no time or little time with people close to them. No wonder many people turn away from God as a result of such people.

I also feel affected by such people at times. However, the above passage reminds me that no matter what happen, even if people whom I care for or love were to turn away from the truth of God I should keep my head up (v5) and stay strong. Not only that, I should "do the work of an evangelist", that means to share the love of God with others despite all these and continue to serve.

Whatever we do must not contradict the Character of God and what the Bible teaches. For God doesn't contradict Himself.


Dear Lord,
Sorry that at times I feel very affected by people whom I look up to, trust, love and care, when they do things that contradicts what I learnt of Your character. In times like these, I may have many questions and negative thoughts that are not right in Your sight. Thank You for reminding me that I should stay strong no matter how these people treat me.
I commit these into Your hands. Please guide and lead them to all truth through Your Spirit.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Pain Of Falling

1 Corinthians 10:1-12

Warnings From Israel's History
6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!

Reflection of Bee:

There are many examples in the Bible for us to either follow or take heed. Yet very often we may repeat after them and suffer much. God is warning us that if we don't take heed we may have to face the consequences of our disobedience.

Dear Lord,
I pray that I will learn from the mistakes of others and not do them myself. Help me be vigilant at all time. Let Your words keep me from the snares of the devil and from falling.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Scorpion’s Sting

Proverbs 6:20-35

Warning Against Adultery
20 My son, keep your father's commands
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,

26 for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread,
and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?

28 Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?

29 So is he who sleeps with another man's wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished.

34 for jealousy arouses a husband's fury,
and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge.

35 He will not accept any compensation;
he will refuse the bribe, however great it is.

Reflection of Bee:

Can a man accept a woman who has been raped as his gf or wife? In a show I watched yesterday, the male character couldn't face the fact that his gf was raped and finally they broke off. Jealousy can be strong as death... something we must all remember, especially for men. Once again, men are warned not to fall for the external beauty of a women or they may be asking for trouble.

The strong warning in the above passage is important for us to take heed. We can't play with fire and not be burned.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for reminding me to be careful of any pitfall in relationship that may not honor Your name, which is not good for me. I pray that You will protect me from all harm and danger. Keep me pure in Your sight always.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Looking Ahead

Proverbs 24:13-20

13 Eat honey, my son, for it is good;
honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.

14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul;
if you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.

15 Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house,
do not raid his dwelling place;

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,
but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.

19 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of the wicked,

20 for the evil man has no future hope,
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.

Reflection of Bee:

Instead of staying at where we fell, we should rise up and move on (v16).
Instead of rejoicing in the bad things that happen to our enemies, we should pray for them (v17).
Instead of taking vengeance on our own, we should leave it to God (v20).
Instead of telling me to forget the past, please tell me to depend on God for grace and strength to live one day at a time for Him.

In another word, instead of focusing on the negatives, we should focus on the positives which will naturally help us overcome the negatives unknowingly. The more we try to fight with the negatives the more we are losing. Just like a good way to do transfusion is to top up the vessel with more of the desired liquid till it overflows and replaces the unwanted one. Likewise, we should overcome evil with good and let the Holy Spirit fills us in our life instead.

Dear Lord,
Though I am weak but You are strong.
Please keep me from doing wrongs.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit everyday.
That I may bring You glory in all I do and say.
In Jesus' name I humbly pray. Amen.

Why Love Each Other?

Leviticus 23:16-22

17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the LORD.

22 " 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "

Reflection of Bee:

Not only are we told to give our "firstfruits"to the Lord (v17), but also to leave some for those who lack (v22). This is the same principle found in Matthew 22:37-40:

37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

As I searched to understand more on these two greatest commandments, I came across the article, Love Your Neighbor as Yourself, Part 1, which captured my attention so much that I read it in one breath. In summary it says,

"Love for God comes to visible manifestation when we love others. Or you could say, our love for God is "fulfilled" when we love others."

God's Word to Us This Morning

God's word for us this morning is that we take with tremendous seriousness this season of dealing with love at Bethlehem. That we let this picture stun us and remake our priorities. That we get alone with him and deal with him about these things. That we not assume that we fully know what love is or that it has the proper centrality in our lives. He is saying: All of Scripture, all of his plans for history, hang—HANG—on these two great purposes: that he be loved with all our heart, and that we love each other as we love ourselves.

(read part 2 here)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for making Your message so clear to me tonight on Your purposes in my life - to love You and others. Your love for me compels me to love others, which is my debt to pay. Thank You for giving me strength to show Your love in a way which at times hurts me for a while but in a long run will turn out good. I ask not for understanding nor praise, I ask not for gratitude nor reciprocation from my recipients. I only ask that they will know the magnitude of Your great love for us.
Praise You in Jesus' name. Amen.

On Purpose

2 Corinthians 3:11-18

11And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Reflection of Bee:

Being Christians, does not mean we have become like robots, without any feeling of pains. It does not make us high and mighty or floating in the cloud. If any 'Christian' tells you that he /she has no feeling of pains or frustrations, he/she is lying to you or to himself/herself.

I have been a Christian for many years, yet I still could feel much heartaches for things that happened in my life. Due to certain broken relationship, I had been tossed to and fro frequently as if someone is pulling my left arm, while another is pulling my right arm. It seems that whenever I looked at something that reminded me of certain past events in my life I felt very hurtful, depressed, and I just felt like crying. Yet as I did my devotions and read God's words I remembered the purpose of my existence on earth, the hope of glory I will will receive... and they encouraged me once again.

This struggle never ends though I may temporarily forget in my busyness. Sometimes I just feel that this "thorn in my flesh" is allowed by God to keep me humble and reliant on Him. It's like a 'drug addict' who needs regular doses to keep going for another day. In this case, my 'doses' are the daily word of God.

Today is no different, sadness filled my heart just a while ago. So I quickly turned to the word of God for comfort. Yes, I found my comfort in tonight's devotion. I can have "freedom" (v17), whenever I turn my eyes upon Jesus instead of on myself (v16). He is my 'painkiller'.... I can't live without Him.

"The purpose of our lives is to let others see what God is like as they watch and experience His love through us."
- Joe Stowell, Today's Daily Bread

Yes, Christians, even matured ones, do experienced much struggles like anyone else (including the Apostle Paul). The only difference is how they handle these struggles in life through the Lord Jesus Christ.


Dear Lord,
I need You to be my 'painkiller', my strength, my guide, one day at a time, to go on this journey till I see You face to face. Thank You for keeping me, for not letting me go, for staying with me, for loving me.
May Your love be spread to many who also need comfort and rest. May my life be a testimony of Your goodness.
In Jesus' name I thank You. Amen.

Innocence

Mark 10:13-16

The Little Children and Jesus

13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Reflection of Bee:

One main reason I chose to study and work in the field of early childhood education was because I had been deprived of love in my childhood. As a child, and later as a teenager, I used to admire my peers who have got loving family. I told myself that I would like to do my best for young children and give them what they deserve... love and care. Thank God that my wish came true when I became a preschool teacher. Now I could train teachers and principals on how to nurture the little ones.

I had simple faith when I accepted Jesus into my heart at the age of 12. I thank God that He has kept my faith, kept me simple when it comes to the things of God, though I am a very complicated person in other areas of life. Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, "be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves". This is how we should behave, to be an adult in doing what's good but to be a child when it comes to doing what's bad... i.e. wise and innocent. Sadly, the reverse is true most time.


Dear Lord,
Please keep my heart pure and keep my thoughts innocent. May I do what is right in Your sight even if others think I am stupid. I need not fear for You will avenge for me if anyone tries to take advantage of me or harm me. Yes, You surely will, for I have seen that happened before.
I pray that I will have the chance to help Your little ones to know You at a young age.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Through the Eyes of Jesus

John 4:27-36

The Disciples Rejoin Jesus
27Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?"

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ[a]?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, "Rabbi, eat something."

32But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."

33Then his disciples said to each other, "Could someone have brought him food?"

34"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. 35Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Reflection of Bee:

My church is involved in doing oversea mission works. As members, we are encouraged to take turn to go with our mission core team to help out whenever possible. However, some members who have never been there before when being asked to help up, their replies were usually "I don't feel called to do mission".

Hmmn... didn't Jesus command us in Matthew 28:19-20 to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"? Didn't he also said in Matthew 9:37, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."?

Tonight's devotion shows why many Christians still do not see the need to share the love of God, either locally or in oversea. It's because their spiritual eyes are closed and they don't "look" through the eyes of Jesus (v35). May God open their eyes to see the "harvest" and have the compassion for the lost souls around.

To Jesus, sharing salvation to the woman at the well is more important that physical food which is essential in life (v35). What about us?


Dear Lord,
Tonight I pray for more labourers to work in Your ripen field. I pray that our spiritual eyes will be opened so that we could see what You saw and feel how You felt. Give us compassion and love to for the lost and the desire to obey Your great commission in our life. Lead me to Your harvest field, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Just For Show

Matthew 23:1-12

Seven Woes
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries[a] wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'

8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.[b] 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Reflection of Bee:

Last night's devotion reminds us to focus on a woman of substance or character instead of one of mere external beauty (Prov 31:30). Tonight, again we are reminded that we should not behave like a hypocrite who focuses on putting on false front without inner conviction. We are not to exalt ourselves, but rather humble ourselves like a servant. Jesus is a very good example of humility and is exalted on high by God.


Dear Lord,
I know I am nothing without You. I would be lost and sinful if not for Your saving grace. May my life be one that will bring honour to Your name and blessing to those who cross my path. May others know more about You as I share Your works in my life with them.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Influence Of Godly Moms

Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:25-31

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Reflection of Bee:

Most man I know would go for external beauty of a woman, before they would even consider her inner beauty, when seeking for a gf or wife. It's sad... and we see many divorces thereafter.

However, God's criteria of a good wife and mother for a man is very different from the world's view as shown in the above verses. From God's point of view, the character of the woman comes first, which includes her fear for the Lord (v30). In fact, "charm" and "beauty" is non-essential in God's criteria in a praise worthy woman, which He calls them "deceptive" and "fleeting". For only the inner beauty of a woman can stays with her till old...


Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your reminder again that beauty is fleeting and that I should seek to be the woman who fears You instead. I want to pray for all my sisters in Christ now that they will be women who seek Your face and fear You. I also want to pray for all my brothers in Christ too, that they will go for a godly wife instead of chasing after beauty. May all mothers who are in Christ be blessed today.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

No Need To Panic

1 Peter 4:12-19

Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]

19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Reflection of Bee:

There are many reasons for our sufferings. We may suffer for doing the wrong things (punishment) or suffer for standing up for a truth (persecution). So if we suffer for doing what is right (according to God's will), then we should take heart to know that God is faithful to us and everything is under His control. We should continue to do what is good (v19).

Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that at times I feel very discouraged by how people, including Christians, treat me when I do the things that I believe is right in Your sight. Thank You for reminding and encouraging me to continue with my good works and commit everything to You. Give me strength daily to go on to do Your will. When I feel down,please lift me up again.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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.

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.

Fake Christians

Matthew 15:1-9

Clean and Unclean
1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother'[a] and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'[b] 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father[c]' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[d]"

Reflection of Bee:

It is not surprising to know that many "hypocrites" are found in the church since they were there during Jesus' time.

How can we tell them apart from the genuine ones? It may be hard for us to detect just like the weeds and tares but our God looks into the hearts of men. He will know who are His true followers and who aren't. Perhaps one tell tale sign is to see if they follow traditions or follow God's principles found in the bible. Anyway, it isn't for us to judge but to leave it to God. He alone knows best.

Dear Lord,
I pray that I will not become a hypocrite in any way but to follow Your command closely. Search my heart each day and keep it pure and true. I want to pray for Your protection, sanctification and unity for those who called upon Your name. I pray that we will all live up to Your name and not become hypocrites.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Boost Of Courage

Hebrews 12:1-11

God Disciplines His Sons
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Reflection of Bee:

Christian life is liken unto the athletic life, as running in a spiritual race. As they run, there are many distractions and hindrances to stop them from finishing the race or doing their best (v1). In order to run well, they need to throw away all weights. Not only that, they need to fix their eyes on the finishing line, for Christian it is Jesus (v2). They also need to go through vigorous training and discipline in order to do well (v6,10).


Dear Lord,
Thank you for reminding me to be disciple and not to allow anything to hinder me from my spiritual race. I pray that I will always fix my eyes up Jesus so that I will not lose focus or lose heart in what You want me to do. In all I do, may I bring glory to Your name.

I also pray for my friend, Tommy, that You will heal him from his sickness and guide him to serve in the right ministry You want him to serve. may Your peace be his guiding light.
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.

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.

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.