Same Boat

"Read: Matthew 8:23-27

No danger can come so near the Christian that God is not nearer.

When He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. —Matthew 8:23

When the cruise ship pulled into port, the passengers got off as quickly as possible. They had spent the last few days enduring an outbreak of a virus, and hundreds of people had been sickened. One passenger, interviewed as he disembarked, said: “Well, I don’t mean to complain so much. I mean I know everybody was in the same boat.” His seemingly unintentional pun made the reporter smile.

In Matthew 8, we read about another trip on the water (vv.23-27). Jesus got into the boat and the disciples followed Him (v.23). Then a terrible storm arose, and Jesus’ disciples feared for their lives. They awakened a sleeping Jesus, who they assumed was unaware of the crisis.

While Jesus was literally in the same boat as His followers, He was unconcerned about the weather. As the all-powerful Creator, He had no fear of a storm. “He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” (v.26).

But we are not all-powerful, and we are oh-so-prone to fear. So what are we to do when the storms of life rage around us? Whether they quickly blow over or last for a long time, we can be confident in this: We are in the same boat with the One whom even the winds and the sea obey. —Cindy Hess Kasper

Heavenly Father, this life is full of uncertainty. But You have promised us Your unfailing presence. May we see You today—especially when we are tempted to panic or to do things in our own strength."

1. Thank You for endless open doors no matter how small these doors may seem. Thank You.

2. Thank You for habits. They create discipline.

3. Thank You for having a friendly face who does the cleaning.

Life Without Fear

"There is a stark contrast between life without God, and life with God.

Psalm 49:1-20

Life without God

If we live without God, there is a tendency to end up trusting in two things: wealth (v.6a) and ourselves (v.13a). This trust in wealth and self is characterized by a search for status. The wealthy may ‘boast of their great riches’ (v.6b) and use money to impress others with their possessions (v.16). They may even name lands after themselves (v.11a).

By contrast, if you live a life with God there is no need to search for status. This is because your status is determined not by your success in accumulating wealth, but in knowing to whom you belong and how precious you are to him.

They enjoy the praise of others (v.18b) and they count ‘themselves blessed’ (v.18a). They may try to use their wealth to ‘buy off’ their own death (v.7). Yet no amount of money is ever enough (v.8). In the end, it is all futile as wealth gets left to others (v.10b). ‘So don’t be impressed with those who get rich and pile up fame and fortune. They can’t take it with them’ (vv.16–17a, MSG). What is this all worth if we ‘decay in the grave?’ (v.14).

Life with God

Your ransom has been paid (v.7b) and you have been redeemed – your future is secure: ‘But me? God snatches me from the clutch of death, he reaches down and grabs me’ (v.15, MSG).

A life with God means you will ‘live on forever and not see decay’ (v.9). The psalmist says, ‘Why should I fear?’ (v.5). Fear is a natural human emotion. But, with God you can face your fears with confidence because you are able to have complete trust in God for this life and the life to come.

In this passage, we also get one of the few hints in the Old Testament of life after death. The writer is confident that ‘God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself’ (v.15). The wonderful thing about life with God is that it does not end with death, but continues on into eternity. The psalmist was confident in this, even though he did not know how it was possible. The answer is revealed through Jesus’ resurrection.

Lord, thank you for your death and resurrection which makes it possible for me to live a life without fear. Thank you that you will snatch me from the clutch of death and take me to yourself."

1. Yes, Lord, it does not end with death. It continues on into eternity. Amen! Thank You for a wonderful promise. Thank You for Jesus.

2. Thank You for being able to accelerate the lessons. :D

3. Thank You for giving that adventure trait within me. :)

Thoughts to Words to Actions

"Deuteronomy 31:8New Living Translation (NLT)

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Do you ever find yourself bombarded with thoughts of doubt, fear, or even depression, dismay and ‘unnerved with alarm’?

These are common human emotions. Moses faced them and he knew that his successor, Joshua, and all the people would have to face not only physical battles but also battles of the mind.

As we come to the end of Moses’ life, he urges the people to follow God’s word (Deuteronomy 30:14, MSG). He urges them to love God and walk in his ways (v.16, MSG). He warns them against having a change of heart and refusing to obey God. He encourages them to ‘choose life’ (v.19, MSG). This choice starts with your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Choose each day life-giving thoughts.

Moses’ successor is Joshua. He is the new leader of the people of God. He is going to face many battles ahead. He is told, ‘Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you ... It is the Lord who goes before you … fear not, neither become broken [in spirit – depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]’ (Deuteronomy 31:6–8, AMP).  

Moses would not have said this if there had been nothing to fear and no cause for discouragement. Rather he knew that there would be causes for fear and lots of discouragement. All leadership requires courage to cling tenaciously to a vision and toughness to endure the blame for every difficulty along the way. Both then and now, the people of God need strong leadership that is courageous and not frightened or discouraged by all the opposition and resistance that there is bound to be.

The answer to fear is this: God promises that he would go with him (‘The Lord your God goes with you’). God makes the same promise to you and me today. When you are assailed by doubts and fear remember that wherever you go, whatever your circumstances, you can ask God to go before you and prepare the way. Therefore, we can be confident and need not be afraid."

1. Hallelujah to such promise. I am not alone. Thank You.

2. Thank You for the reminders about Independence. Thank You for giving the freedom to choose. But, Lord, help me align Your will to mine.

3. Praise You for opportunities to share. It is all about You. Amen!

Living Sacrifice

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. —Romans 12:1

During his only inaugural address as the US President, John F. Kennedy issued this challenge to Americans: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” It was a renewed call for citizens to surrender their lives in sacrifice and service to others. His words especially inspired the sons and daughters of men and women who had served their country in war.

His meaning was clear: What their parents purchased, often with their very lives, must now be protected by peaceful means. An army of volunteers arose to answer that call, and through the decades they have accomplished an immeasurable amount of humanitarian work around the globe.

Centuries earlier, the apostle Paul issued a similar call to Christians in the opening verses of Romans 12. Here he urges us to give our bodies as “living sacrifices” in service to the One who paid with His life for our sins. This spiritual sacrifice must be more than mere words; it must be an investment of our lives in the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of others.

Best of all, our serving can be done right where we are. —Randy Kilgore

Father, show me this day the many ways my life can be surrendered to You, and then give me the strength to begin to act.

Don’t always ask Jesus what He can do for you; ask Jesus what you can do for Him.

INSIGHT: In Romans 12:1 Paul encourages us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God by exhibiting behavior that is pleasing to Him. However, verse 2 encourages us to have our minds renewed as well. God wants us to be totally His in both actions and thoughts."

1. Thank You for the call. May I begin to act now. Help me, Lord.

2. Thank You for Your protection.

3. Hallelujah for tutorials! This is good learning.

Decisions and Secrets

"Proverbs 10:1-10

Apply ‘the rocking chair test’

A successful businessman, who is well known to be a man of extraordinary integrity, told me that he applies the ‘rocking chair test’ to all his decisions. He pictures himself one day, in his retirement, sitting in his rocking chair and looking back on the decisions that he has made. What will he decide was a good decision and what will he decide was a bad decision? He wants to ensure that the decisions he makes now he will not regret later.

This passage shows us the things we need to avoid, such as malice (v.10), foolish gossip (vv.8,10) and laziness (v.4).

Honesty and integrity are key to a life lived without regret. ‘Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere; an honest life is immortal’ (v.2, MSG). ‘A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench’ (v.7, MSG).

If we live honestly and with integrity we can be ‘confident and carefree’ (v.9a, MSG). ‘But Shifty is sure to be exposed’ (v.9b, MSG).

Lord, thank you for the wisdom of Solomon. Help me today to be wise and righteous (vv.3,7), to avoid malice (v.10) and foolish gossip (vv.8,10), to live a life of diligence (v.4), honesty and integrity (v.9) and to take into account how the decisions I make now affect my future."

1.  Thank You for having our conscience. Thank You for being in all of us. May we always remember You in every decision that we make.

"Luke 18:31-19:10

Make the most of the rest of your life

Recently, I sat next to an 86-year-old woman at lunch. She was in a wheelchair. I soon realised that although her body was failing her, her mind was not. She raised some very difficult theological issues. When I asked her what she thought the answer was to these questions, she replied with a verse from this passage: ‘The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children for ever’ (29:29).

She said she had come to realise that some things we did know the answer to, but others (such as the kind of questions she had been raising!) we would probably not know the answer to in this life. They were part of the ‘secret things’ that ‘belong to the Lord’.
There are some things, however, that do belong to us. God has revealed to us how to ‘live well and wisely’ (v.9, MSG). We need to avoid getting ‘sidetracked from God’ (v.18), thinking ‘I’ll live just the way I please, thank you’ and end up ‘ruining life for everybody’ (v.19, MSG)

The way to make the most of the rest of your life is to listen to and obey God wholeheartedly (30:2–10): ‘Obey him with your whole heart and soul ... He’ll have compassion on you; he’ll come back and pick up the pieces ... And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God ... Nothing halfhearted here; you must return to God, your God, totally, heart and soul, holding nothing back’ (vv.2–10, MSG).

Lord, help me from now on to live a life of wholehearted obedience to you. Help me not to get sidetracked. May today be a new start. Help me to obey you wholeheartedly."

2. Thank You for revealing the things that we ought to know. Help me listen to what You say.

3. Praise You for allowing the sharing of Your Word. May you shower the seeds with Your rains.

Enthusiastic in Worship

"Psalm 47:1-9

Worship God

The psalmist calls us to worship God. (The original context may have been that God had given his people victory in battle.)

Worship in this psalm sounds quite emotional and noisy: ‘Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy … God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets’ (vv.1,5). It also includes lots of singing (vv.6–7).

There is great exuberance to their worship, as their adoration and amazement of God bubbles over in extravagant action.

These are all outward ways of expressing our worship of the Lord. Worship includes the use of emotions to express your love and gratitude to God and to bring him honour.

As Joyce Meyer writes, ‘God gave us emotions for more purposes than just being enthusiastic at a ball game or about a new car. Surely God wants us to employ our emotions in expressing our love and gratitude to Him ... If we had a proper emotional release during praise and worship, we might not release emotions at other times in improper ways.’

Lord, today I submit myself to you. Quicken my conscience with your holiness. Nourish my mind with your truth. Purify my imagination with your beauty. Open my heart to your love. I surrender my all to your purpose. I worship and adore you."

1. Hallelujah for emotions! May I be more enthusiastic in worshiping you!

"Luke 18:1-30

Follow Jesus

There is nothing more rewarding than following Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘We have left all we had to follow you!’ (v.28). Jesus replies, ‘I tell you the truth … no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life’ (vv.29–30)

Jesus calls the rich young ruler to the God-centred life. He calls him to give up everything else and follow him (v.22). Perhaps Jesus saw in him the potential to be like the apostle Peter, or Matthew, or one of the others who responded positively when Jesus said ‘follow me’.

The more we accumulate the harder it is to live God-centred lives. The rich young ruler ‘became very sad, because he was very wealthy’ (v.23). It is not impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God (v.27), but it is very hard (vv.24–25) – not because the standards are higher, but because the risk appears greater.

In fact, it is impossible for any one of us, including the rich, to enter the kingdom of God on the strength of our own performance (vv.24–25). Yet with God it is possible for anyone, including the rich, to enter the kingdom of God (v.27). Neither our past failings nor our present circumstances need determine our future. With God all things are possible.

Lord, thank you that there is nothing more rewarding than following you. Help me to be willing to give up everything else in order to follow you whole-heartedly."

2.  Yes, Lord, help me to serve you whole-heartedly. Thank You for the gift of grace.

"‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us’ (Galatians 3:13).

Lord, thank you so much that you died in my place so I can be forgiven and set free from the consequences that I deserve. Thank you that you call me to a God-centred life. Help me to worship you wholeheartedly, to serve you joyfully and gladly, and to obey and follow you always."

3.  Thank You for eternal life. Thank You for chances, Thank You for Your salvation.

Now and Not Yet

"Whatever we do in service of God, we can never put God in our debt. Everything we do is simply out of gratitude for what he has done for us. All we can say, at the end of the day, is, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ (Luke 17:10).

‘Faith’, as A.W. Tozer wrote, ‘is a muscle that grows by stretching’. One of the ways we increase our faith is by doing something God asks us to do."

Bible Reading:

Luke 17:11-37

‘The kingdom of God is among you’

With the coming of Jesus and the coming of the kingdom of God, God has come to dwell among his people. Jesus is ‘Immanuel ... God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is both ‘now’ and ‘not yet’:

God’s presence: ‘Now’

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus answered, ‘The kingdom of God doesn’t come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, “Look here!” or, “There it is!” And why? Because God’s kingdom is already among you’ (Luke 17:20–21, MSG).

One day Jesus will return. This will be the day of consummation for the kingdom of God. Then everyone will see, ‘For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other’ (v.24).

The kingdom of God is God’s rule and reign. Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing the sick (for example, vv.15–18), and through his death and resurrection. With the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, God is present among his people. However, his presence is not always visible. People today will not always be able to say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is’ (v.21), but a time is coming when his presence will be visible.

God’s presence: ‘Not yet’

This will be the day when the Son of Man is revealed in all his glory (v.30), then we will see him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12); and ‘we will be with the Lord forever’ (1 Thessalonians 4:17). We will experience the visible presence of God forever.

Right now God’s presence is not visible. People focus on eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting and building (see Luke 17:27–28). None of these things are wrong in themselves. They are part of regular, ordinary life. The problem in both Noah’s time and Lot’s time was that most people did not listen to the warnings. Jesus urges us to be ready.

Paradoxically, whoever tries to keep their life will lose it and whoever loses their life will preserve it (v.33). If you are always trying to find ways of getting the most out of life for yourself – the most money, top position, good reputation, popularity – you will miss out. If you lose your life in denying yourself and serving Jesus, you will actually find life in all its fullness.

As we live in this time between the first and second coming of Jesus, we must not forget to thank God for all his blessings. At the start of today’s passage we read how, of the ten lepers whom Jesus cured, only one came back ‘praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him’ (Luke 17:15–16).

It is easy to be like the nine lepers who forget to thank Jesus. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude – taking time to thank Jesus for answers to prayer, his constant love, forgiveness and kindness to you.

Lord, forgive me for forgetting so often to thank you. Thank you so much for all your blessings … 

Thank you especially for your presence with us – the kingdom of God is among us now. Thank you that one day you will return and I will see you face to face and be with you forever in the visible presence of God.

1. Needless to say more. Thank You for everything! My heart goes to Nepal.

2. Thank You for the constant reminder to listen to the warnings before Jesus' second coming. Please help me deny myself and serve Jesus until He comes.

3. Praise God for the invention of internet. I can be up-to-date with almost anything.

Which Side Are You?

'An old deaf man faithfully attended church each week. He could not hear the sermons or the music of the choir. He could not sing the hymns because he did not know what had been announced. One day a scoffer asked him through a note, "Why do you waste your time in church on Sundays? You can't hear a thing." The wise old man replied, "I want my neighbors to know which side I am on."

In those last hours on the cross, Jesus was not alone. On one side, a thief mocked Him. But on the other side, a second thief determined to let the crowd know where he stood: Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. That simple prayer (Luke 23:42-43) was the most important act of this miserable man's life. Jesus responded: Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.

There are times when our prayers have an additional benefit to them. Not only are we asking the Father to intervene on our behalf, but we are also testifying that we are people of faith who believe in Christ. While others panic, we pray. We should unashamedly pray in restaurants before our meals. This is a simple act that lets the world know which side we are on.

Luke 23:42 NLT

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”'

1. Lord, forgive me when I don't let the world know enough about which side I'm on. Thank You for this realization.

2. Thank You for bringing people as blessings to me. 

3. Had a wonderful time with a friend's family. Praise God for friendly people.

Prodigal Son

"God loves you passionately, wholeheartedly and unconditionally. However much you may have messed up in your life, whatever your regrets, it is never too late to turn to God. He will accept you and embrace you as a loving father embraces a lost son."

1. Thank You always for this reminder. Thank You for Your gift of grace.

"Luke 15:1-32

In the parable of the Lost Son, the younger son requests his inheritance while the father is still alive and in good health. In traditional Middle Eastern culture this is equivalent to saying, ‘Father, I am eager for you to die!’ A traditional Middle Eastern father would strike the boy across the face and drive him out of the house. It is an outrageous request, which a father is expected to refuse.

But God does not behave like a traditional, Middle Eastern patriarch. In an act of extraordinary love, the father breaks tradition and gives his son the freedom to sell his portion of the estate (this would have brought shame on the family before the entire community). The son ‘turned it into cash’ (v.13). Then he set off and left the town as quickly as possible.

So many people today, myself included, have experienced what the younger son found while away from his father. He was wasting his life (‘squandered his wealth in wild living’, v.13). ‘He began to hurt’ (v.14, MSG). He was enslaved (‘hired himself out’, v.15). He felt empty inside (‘he longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating’, v.16). He felt alone in this world (‘no one gave him anything’, v.16).

Turning to God is not an irrational act. It is the opposite – ‘he came to his senses’ (v.17). It is the sensible thing to do. The son realised that he needed help. He decides to swallow his pride and go back to his father (v.18). He knew that he needed to go home. He is prepared to admit his sin. He plans to say to his father, ‘I have sinned … I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants’ (vv.18–19).

We need to take a step of faith, ‘So he got up and went to his father’ (v.20). He did not know what would happen. At the time of Jesus, Jews had a method of punishing any boy who lost the family inheritance to Gentiles. If he dared to return, the villagers would bring a large earthenware jar, fill it with nuts and corn and break it in front of the guilty individual. The people would shout that the person was cut off from his people. From then on, the village would have nothing to do with the wayward son.

God’s love is extraordinary, and goes beyond anything that we could ever expect or imagine. Rather than the disgrace the son deserves, he receives forgiveness and love. While the boy is still a long way off, his father sees him. It appears that the father had been waiting and watching, and had never forgotten his son. ‘His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him’ (v.20, MSG). The word used implies that he kissed him over and over again.

As the son begins his prepared speech of repentance, the father interrupts. He treats him as an honoured guest, giving him the best robe (v.22). He gives him a sign of confidence by putting the family ring on his finger (v.22, MSG). He puts sandals, reserved not for slaves but for sons, on his feet (v.22). He plans a lavish celebration (vv.23–24).

We get a glimpse here of what God is like. Again, we see the picture of the kingdom of heaven being like a party. This is the opposite of what many people think. They do not associate God with music and dancing, feasting and celebrating.

God’s love extends also to the older son who goes into ‘an angry sulk’ (v.28, MSG) and is begrudging of his brother’s forgiveness and acceptance. We can imagine the father putting his arm around him and saying, ‘Son, you don't understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours – but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’ (vv.31–32, MSG). Through this story that Jesus tells, and his description of God, we reach the pinnacle of God’s revelation of himself.

Father, thank you that you love me so much and when I mess up, you don’t reject me. The moment I repent and come back to you, you accept me and say, ‘Let’s have a feast and celebrate’ (v.23)."

2.  "Thank you that you love me so much and when I mess up, you don’t reject me."

3. Just had a walk around the neighborhood, thank You for reality, for simplicity.

Love Thy Enemies

'Writer Morris Mandel tells about the little girl showing off her collection of dolls. Although she had many beautiful dolls, her favorite was the oldest one--torn, tattered, and limp. A friend asked why she loved that particular doll so much. The little girl replied, "I love her most because if I didn't love her, no one else would."

In the ugliness of the cross, we find little to love about the people who killed the Savior. Yet, in the final prayer from the lips of our Lord (Luke 23:34-38), He asked God to forgive those who were squeezing the very life out of Him. Such love from our Christ is staggering.

It is easy to love those we like and those who are warm toward us. However, the real test of our Christ-likeness is if we can truly love and pray for our enemies. Jesus taught that we must learn this lesson: Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44 NLT: But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!). In their ugliness to us, our enemies often make themselves so obnoxious that no one else can possibly love them. May we, like the little girl with her doll, say, "I love them the most because if I didn't, no one else would." Such love can be learned as we spend more and more time with our Lord. He taught us and then showed us how to love and pray.

Luke 23:34 NLT

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.'

On revenge, when Jesus quoted from this passage he said, ‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” [Deuteronomy 19:21]. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek also’ (Matthew 5:38–39).

Lord, thank you that you are a God of justice and truth. Thank you that you reveal yourself to me as I study your word and spend time in your presence.

1. Lord, Your Word is so heavy and strong that it touches the stubborn heart. Thank You for Your Word. Help me apply this to my life. Amen.

2. Thank You for that dream of victory, O, Lord. The devil is definitely defeated!

3. Praise God for differences in culture, they provide wonderful explorations and a lot of learning.

The Servant Heareth

"A mother overheard her young boy praying one morning before he went to school. As she eavesdropped more intently, she heard him telling God what he planned to do and asking God to help him do it. The wise mother interrupted the lad with these words, "Son, don't bother to give God instructions, just report for duty."

It is still true that for every one man who says, "Speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth," there are ten of us who say, "Hear, Lord, Thy servant speaketh." However, the prayer at Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) should ever remind us to bend our will and ways to the wishes of the Master. Since He was human, Jesus dreaded the agony of the Cross. Yet He chose to obey, and His prayer of submission is one of the highlights of the New Testament.

It is not always easy to give into God. We, like the lad in our story, would much rather give the orders and ask God to back up our plans. However, real praying is learning what He desires for our lives and then doing it. Sometimes prayers of submission take only moments and at other times they may take hours. Regardless of the length, when we can sincerely come to Him and say, "Your will be done," we are then able to face anything that comes."

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 

1. Thank You for the Pedometer! It helps in motivating me to walk.

2. Praise God for language teachers! :)

3. Hallelujah for raw veggies! So tasty.

Pray For Each Other

"Several young boys were hunting crabs. When they caught them, they placed the ugly creatures in a wicker basket. Some adults passed by on the beach and noticed that the basket had no lid. One of the men called, "Hey, you boys had better cover that basket or the crabs will get away. "Naw, they won't," replied one lad. "If one crab tries to climb up, the others pull him down."

Often in life when someone tries to climb up, he is pulled down by so-called friends. However, the real friend is one who helps a person actualize his goals. And, Jesus is a friend that "sticks closer than a brother." One day, when Jesus told Peter that Satan was out to trap the brash fisherman, Peter put up a good front and claimed he would never deny the Master. Jesus, being a true friend, said: But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail (Luke 22:31-34).

Praying for one another is imperative. If we really love each other we must boost, not pull down. Christ taught us how to be real friends and hold one another up in prayer. Today, it would be well to take time to remember all those around us. Let us pray that God will keep them true and help them actualize their spiritual goals."

Luke 22:32

"But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

1. Thank You for a really wonderful rest.

2. Thank You for meeting the new team via Skype. These guys are super experienced!

3. Praise God for new friends who are very accommodating. Thank You for a healthy, raw dinner. :)

Not My Own

"Psalm 44:1-12

1. Trust

It is vital to put your trust in the right place. Your trust should not ultimately be in your own strength (‘It was not by their sword that they won … I do not trust in my bow’, vv.3,6). Rather, you are to trust the Lord. ‘It’s you,you who saved us’ (v.7, MSG).

The psalmist looks both backwards and forwards. As he looks back he says, ‘It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them’ (v.3b). As he looks forwards he says, ‘You are my King and myGod … Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes … you give us victory over our enemies’ (vv.4–5,7).

Lord, as I face the challenges of today and of the future, I thank you for the victories you have given us. I do not rely on my own strength for the future but instead put my trust in you.

Luke 13:31-14:14

2. Courage

It is not surprising, humanly speaking, that Jesus was crucified after three years of ministry. He was a man of great courage. When Jesus was told ‘run for your life! Herod’s on the hunt. He’s out to kill you!’ (v.31, MSG) he replied, ‘Go tell that fox …’ (v.32). Here, we see that Jesus had the courage to take on one of the most powerful (and evil) men of the day.

Nor was Jesus afraid of confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees. He did not avoid them. He often spent time in their company. It must have been tempting simply ‘to eat’ (14:1) with those who liked him and accepted him rather than with those who were suspicious and critical – those who watched his every move.

He had the courage to heal the man ‘hugely swollen in his joints’ (v.2, MSG) on the Sabbath and then to confront the Pharisees about their views on this subject.

Lord, give me courage to make the right choices and to face every challenge."

1. "Lord, may my values to be more like your values. May my thoughts and my ways become more like your thoughts and your ways. May what matters to me be what matters to you." Thank You for this wonderful prayer.

2. Thank You for the rest under warm covers.

3. You provide angels everywhere. Thank You for giving me people who are making my stay here just so great.

Timezone Change

"The famous philosopher Diogenes once looked intently at a large collection of human bones piled one on another. Alexander the Great stood nearby and became curious about what Diogenes was doing. When he asked, the philosopher replied, "I am searching for the bones of your father, but I cannot seem to distinguish them from those of the slaves." Alexander got the point that all are equal in death.

Jesus taught us there is another place where all men are equal, and that is before the throne of God. In His parable of the two men coming to pray, the Pharisee went away not justified because of pride in his heart (Luke 18:13-14). The publican returned to his house forgiven because he admitted his sin and asked God's mercy. The point of the story is twofold; first, man receives nothing from God when he comes filled with pride, and second, all men can receive forgiveness from God when they come in simplicity, sincerity, and humility.

God's Word lets us know God is no respecter of persons. We might be impressed with the veneer of a man, but God treats all who come to Him with the same mercy and acceptance. Whether we be a prince or a pauper, a clergyman or a clerk, we still receive the same grace from the hand of our Master."

1. This is it! The day I have changed time zones. The day I have said "until then" to family and friends. But it is about You, not about me. Thank You.

2. Thank You for a very warm welcome and an amazing, cozy, hotel-like room!

3. Hallelujah to very friendly and really accommodating locals!

Get Out Of The Way, Pride!

'A wise philosopher, wishing to teach his students about the pitfalls of pride, said, "When a king removes his crown for rest, he puts it on a nail and not on a human head. This is because a person seeing that the crown would fit his head, would strut, start to feel he was fit to be a king, and little by little would feel more fit to be a king than the king himself. But, a nail remains a nail."

Jesus told about a very foolish and proud Pharisee. He had the crown of religion on his head and was bragging to God (Luke 18:10-12). He told God he was glad he was not as other men. In essence he said, "God, you really ought to be very proud of me. There are so many things I don't do." Jesus said that God did not even listen to this man's praying.

We must learn quickly there is no good in us. We are only righteous as Christ makes us righteous. The moments we spend in prayer bragging about what we are or what we have done are just as worthless as speaking the words into midair. We must remember we do not have our crowns yet. When we get to heaven, they will be distributed, but we probably won't even want to wear them then. Rather, we will want to cast them at the feet of the King of kings and Lord of lords.'

1. Who Am I? Thank You, Lord, for Your gift. Thank You for Your grace and mercy everyday.

2. It was a funtastic futsal game! Play, play, play and be happy!

3. Lord, thank You for being there. Thank You for letting myself listen to You. We know You are always at the right timing. I love You, Lord.

Based on Faith

"When a minister finished speaking at a medical school, a young cynic came forward to say, "I have just dissected a cadaver completely, but no place did I find a soul. How can you tell people a soul exists?" The minister asked, "When you opened the brain, did you find a thought? When you opened the heart, did you find love? When you dissected the eye, did you discover vision?" The obvious answer was no, and the young doctor got the point.

At first the prayer of Jesus recorded in Matthew 11:25-30 sounds strange. Yet, when considered carefully, it tells us why Christianity is available to every man. Our religion is based on faith, not intellectualism. We can never know God through our minds only. We must see Him with our hearts and souls. Because of this, even those who have weak minds can know and love Christ as well as the very brilliant.

We, too, should thank God because we can know Him through faith rather than through intellectualism. It has been wisely said, "He who has a testimony is never at the mercy of he who has an argument." We can know about Christ with our mind. But, to know Christ requires the leap of faith in our hearts."

What an assurance! It gives peace to the heart. Amen!

1. My last day, thank You for a wonderful experience, thank You for this chance. Thank You.

2. Thank You for the light You always give. May I always share it out to all.

3. Supposedly last packing day, too. Thank You for extra strong hands to fill up my boxes.

Even If

"Turning to and following Jesus is the wise thing to do, even if it feels like we are in a rejected minority.

Lord, give me joy in knowing that the wise thing is always to turn to you."

A very strong statement but Amen to this! I'd like to be different.

1. I like the catch-ups, thank You Lord for giving the time to bond.

2. Thank You for Your daily reminder on how to deal with challenges.

3. I am grateful for being blessed with amazing friends! Had super fun tonight!

Guide or Last Resort?

"Prayer becomes a priority when we realize that we need God’s help. David needed God’s assistance in a dangerous situation as he considered fighting the Philistines in the city of Keilah. Before engaging in battle, “David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’” (1 Sam. 23:2). God gave His approval. However, David’s men admitted that the enemy forces intimidated them. Before a single sword was lifted against the Philistines, David prayed again. God promised him the victory he later claimed (v.4).

Does prayer guide our lives, or is it our last resort when trouble strikes? We sometimes fall into the habit of making plans and then asking God to bless them, or praying only in moments of desperation. God does want us to turn to Him in moments of need. But He also wants us to remember that we need Him all the time (Prov. 3:5-6). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Dear God, please guide me as I walk through this life. Help me not to act only by my own wisdom, but to seek Your will in every situation.

God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. —Oswald Chambers"

Amen! This is so true, forgive me if I pray only during selected times.

1. The last requirement is finally done. Thank You, Lord!

2. Had a good walk around Labrador. Quite a relaxed area. 

3. Day 3 of my packing, have disposed some stuff, thank You for extra hands. Again. :)

The Best Way, Always

"Our goal should not be to see how many years we can live but instead to live fully in loving service to the Lord for all the years we are given. —David McCasland"

1. Every conversation is inspiring. Hallelujah to the light You bring. :)

2. You bring people to us who share their experiences so that they become a good reminder for us to realize what truly matters. Thank You for times like these.

3. Thank You for helping hands.

"There is a humorous story about the man who fell off a galloping horse. His foot caught in the stirrup and the horse dragged him for four miles. He ended up in the hospital badly bruised. Later he told a friend about the incident saying, "You know, I hadn't gone but about two or three miles before I figured out something was really wrong."

Jonah was apparently as dense as the man dragged by the horse. He disobeyed God, sought his own way, and ended up in deep trouble. Yet, he apparently did not repent of his evil until he had been in the fish's stomach for some time. Finally, he came to himself and prayed (Jonah 2). God heard him and deposited him near the city to which he was to preach.

We can learn some important lessons from Jonah. First, regardless of how unpleasant a task God asks us to do, we should do it. Our rebellion will always bring about something far more unpleasant. And, we also can learn God still forgives our disobedience if we pray. Today, may we pray that we will willingly follow the Lord in His desire for our lives. Paul learned it was hard to kick against the goads. God's way is always best."

Doubt, Fear, and Inadequacy

"God does not force himself upon you, but he promises to reveal himself to you if you honestly seek him. 

We have seen that the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs foreshadows Christ, who is the wisdom of God. It is not just a matter of learning some ‘top tips for life’, but learning from the source of wisdom himself.

However, seeking God requires discipline and patience – you have to learn to wait on God. You can miss out if you are in too much of a hurry.

Lord, thank you that when I find you I find life. Help me to seek you daily, to wait patiently for you and to listen to your instructions."

Luke 11:5-32

People have many doubts in this whole area. They wonder, ‘If I ask will I receive?’ Jesus says simply: ‘I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you’ (v.9).

Even if you have cleared the first hurdle of doubt, you may trip up on the next hurdle of fear. The fear is about what you will receive. Will it be something good?
Of course, it is important that there is no unforgiveness or other sin in your life, and that you have turned your back on all that you know is wrong. However, even after you have done that, you may have a vague feeling of unworthiness and inadequacy. You may not believe that God would give you anything.

Deuteronomy 4:15-5:33

Seek God persistently

Jesus encourages you not to be put off easily. He tells a story to show the power of ‘persistence’ (v.8, AMP) in even imperfect human relationships (vv.5–8).

He then goes on to explain how persistence is just as important in your relationship with God. ‘Keep on asking ... keep on seeking ... keep on knocking ... For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened’ (vv.9–10, AMP).

Jesus particularly relates this to receiving the Holy Spirit (v.13). You need to keep on seeking for more of the Holy Spirit and his wisdom and power in your life.

Jesus deals with some of the principal difficulties you may have in receiving from God.

1. Doubt

Jesus must have seen that they were a little sceptical because he repeats it in a different way: ‘Keep on seeking and you will find.’ And again he says a third time: ‘Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.’

He knows human nature so he goes on a fourth time: ‘For everyone who asks receives’ (v.10). They are not convinced so he says it a fifth time: ‘Everyone who keeps on seeking finds.’ Again a sixth time: ‘To everyone who keeps on knocking, the door will be opened.’

Why does he say it six times? Because he knows our tendency to doubt. You may find it very difficult to believe that God would give you anything – let alone something as wonderful as his Holy Spirit and the gifts that come with the Spirit.

2. Fear

Jesus uses the analogy of a human father. If a child asks for a fish, no father would give them a snake. If a child asks for an egg, no father would give them a scorpion (vv.11–12). 

It is unthinkable that we would treat our children like that.

Jesus goes on to say that in comparison with God we are evil! If we would not treat our children like that, it is inconceivable that God would treat us like that. God will not let you down. If you ask for the Holy Spirit and all the wonderful gifts he brings, that is exactly what you will receive (v.13).

3. Inadequacy

It is sometimes easier to believe that he will give gifts to very advanced Christians, but not to us. But Jesus does not say, ‘How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to all very advanced Christians.’ He says, ‘How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (v.13).

The second part of the passage teaches us to make sure we are seeking the right things. Some people were seeking, ‘for a sign from heaven’ (v.16). These same people were attributing the work that Jesus was doing through the Holy Spirit to the devil (v.15).

Jesus points out that the devil does not drive out demons (vv.17–20) as Jesus did. Then he tells them not to seek ‘signs’. The only sign we need is the sign of the resurrection (vv.29–30). This is the sign that Jesus is greater than both Solomon and Jonah (vv.31–32).

Don’t seek the wrong things. Seek God, his kingdom, his righteousness and his Holy Spirit.

Lord, today I ask you to refill me with the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for any sin that could be a barrier to receiving. Please fill me with the love, power and wisdom that come from your Spirit.

Seek God personally

You can have a personal relationship with God. God says to his people, ‘To you it was shown, that you might realise and have personal knowledge that the Lord is God’ (4:35, AMP).

Moses tells the people of God that they will be scattered amongst the nations (4:27). But he said, ‘If from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul’ (v.29).

We see this same emphasis on our relationship with God at the start of the Ten Commandments. We live in a world that thinks the only thing that matters is how we relate to other people. How we relate to others is hugely important and it is the subject of commandments six to ten (5:16–21). However, there is something even more important than how you relate to others. Your relationship with God is the most important aspect of your life.

It is out of this relationship that your love for others should flow. God is not an optional extra in your life. Moses says, ‘The Lord your God is a consuming fire’ (4:24). He loves you. He chose you and wants to bless you with his presence (v.37). He is a ‘merciful God’ (v.31). He has set you free from captivity, as he freed the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery’ (5:6).

It is in this context that he tells you to put your relationship with him above everything else (commandments one to four, vv.6–15). The next priority is your relationships in the family (v.16). Then your relationship with others (commandments six to nine, vv.17–20). Finally, commandment number ten addresses your thought-life (v.21).

Moses tells the people to ‘listen’ to these instructions, ‘learn them’, ‘live them’ (v.5:1, MSG). If you seek God daily, wholeheartedly and persistently, you will find life in all its fullness, and it will transform the way that you love and serve others.

Lord, thank you for your amazing promise that, ‘If … you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul’ (v.29). Help me to do that each day – to experience personally your love and great strength, to listen to your commandments and to obey them and to live under your blessing."

1. I am so blessed by Your Word, help me really to apply it. Thank You for Your guidance.

2. My last week and thank You for Your provision. Simply thank You.

3. Packing starts today. Praise God for energy. :)