Generosity Defined

"There is an emptiness about the way of life which involves becoming ‘rich’, being ‘well fed’, with lots of superficial laughter and gaining a good reputation (Luke 6:24–26). It leaves people feeling ultimately dissatisfied and ‘hungry’ (Luke 6:25).

The way of blessing is totally different. It is the way of generosity. It may involve poverty, hunger, weeping, being hated, excluded, insulted and rejected (Luke 6:20–22) – but it is a way of satisfaction (‘You will be satisfied’, Luke 6:21) and joy (‘You will laugh’, Luke 6:21).

Jesus calls us to be generous towards our enemies. ‘Love your enemies ... If someone grabs your shirt, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it ... No more tit–for–tat stuff. Live generously’ (Luke 6:27–29, MSG).

Be generous to everyone; ‘Give to everyone’ (Luke 6:30). This is an attitude of generosity; ‘without expecting to get anything back’ (Luke 6:35)."

1. This is just the message I needed. God is always in perfect timing because He simply knows my heart. Praise God!

2. Thank You for trials, Lord. They are my sandpapers.

3. Hallelujah for surprises! :)

More Than Rubies

1. I cannot thank enough to be able to have very supportive people around me. Thank You, God!

2. "Lord Jesus, thank you that true wisdom is found in a relationship with you. You are more precious than rubies and nothing I desire can compare with knowing you. Help me today to act wisely and to speak words of wisdom that bring blessing to others."

3. Praise God for hearing people's prayers. You are amazing! :)

One Step at a Time

1. Complete Stage 1. Now, stage next. Thank You.

2. Thank You for wonderful catch-ups and good walk.

3. Hallelujah for open doors, I pray for nurturing the planted seed.

Capturing Possibilities

"Problems have a way of capturing our full attention. We become totally absorbed in them and cannot see anybody or anything. This is what happened to Elisha's servant. Surrounded by the enemy, his faith faltered and he cried, Alas, my master! What shall we do? Elisha merely prayed that God would help him see the angels encamped around them rather than the enemy (2 Kings 6:15-18). The prayer was answered, and the servant relaxed.

Often, we concentrate on the problems rather than the possibilities. In prayer, God desires that we exercise faith, rather than fretting in His presence. Today, may we become less preoccupied with our problems and more captured by the possibilities as we relax in Him."

1. Amen! Thank You, Lord.

2. Concert time! Praise God for all the fun!

3. Hallelujah for friends!

Endurance

Romans 5:3-5 NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

1. I love this verse. Thank You for Your love.

2. Hallelujah for my relatives' thoughtfulness and for the wonderful sharing. Thank You for such blessings!

3. Make every minute count. Praise You, Lord, for simple things.

Love Without Measure

1. I just cannot help but share this from Our Daily Bread:

John 19:17-24

It was a bit unusual, but three times in one day I heard the same song. In the early afternoon, I visited a home for the elderly. As part of her prayer at the end of our time together, Willie, one of the residents, said, “Sing with me, ‘Jesus Loves Me.’ ” In the evening, I attended a gathering with young people who sang it while pounding out the beat with their hands and feet.

Later that evening, I received a text message on my phone with an audio recording of my 2 1/2-year-old grandniece with a sweet little voice, singing, “I am weak, but He is strong.” People in their nineties, teenagers, and a toddler all sang that song that day. After hearing that simple song three times, I began to think the Lord might be telling me something.

Actually, He gave us all this message long ago: “I love you.” We read in John 19 that He allowed people to put a crown of thorns on His head, mock Him, strike Him, strip Him, and crucify Him (vv.1-6). He had the power to stop them, but He said very little (v.11). He did it all for love’s sake to pay for our sins and to rescue us from punishment. How much does God love us?

Jesus spread out His arms and was nailed to the cross. He died for us, then rose again. That’s a precious fact for young and old.

—Anne Cetas

The truest measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure! —Bernard of Clairvaux

2. You know when to soften one's heart. You always give surprises that can stir a heart. Thank You, Lord.

3. Had a very lovely evening with good food and great friends. Thank You for the fellowship.

All I Can

"John Wesley once wrote, ‘Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’"

1. What a complete thought! Thank You, Lord, for these words that give encouragement and inspiration. You never ran out of them.

2. "As CS Lewis put it, ‘True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less.’" Here is another wonderful line. May I be more like this. Thank You. I don't mind being bombarded with Your Word. 

3. Praise God for I have completed one stage! I hope to use it as a start wherever I go.

Grass Is Greener Where?

"The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence – it is greener where we water it."

1. This is a strong statement to me. Thank You for giving light and directing our hearts to be contented.

2. Thank You for bringing more people into this amazing cloud. May You send Your angels as I face the new chapter authored by You.

3. Praise God for connections!

Be Faithful To Me

"God saves a person, fills him with the Holy Spirit, and then says, in effect, “Now you work it out in your life, and be faithful to Me, even though the nature of everything around you is to cause you to be unfaithful.” And Jesus says to us, “. . . I have called you friends. . . .” Remain faithful to your Friend, and remember that His honor is at stake in your bodily life."

1. God did not indeed promise a problem-free life but He offers peace in spite of these all. Thank You, Lord.

2. Hallelujah for moments with old friends. And to have met people with the same vision. This is really amazing.

3. You have the purpose why You have made people. May Your will be done. Thank You for the life. May I use it wisely.

Sorrow to Beauty

'Henry Ward Beecher, who had known much sorrow in his own life, remarked, "There are many fruits that never turn sweet until the frost has lain upon them; there are many nuts that never fall from the bough of the tree of life till the frost has opened and reopened them; and there are many elements of life that never grow sweet and beautiful till sorrow touches them."'

1. "...and there are many elements of life that never grow sweet and beautiful till sorrow touches them." I just love how it was said. Thank You, Lord.

2. I can feel different types of doors opening, You are so good! I cannot thank You enough.

3. Hallelujah for bringing like-minded people together! When You work, it is always in an amazing way I cannot describe. 

Weekend of Outpouring!

"When we pray God hears more than we say, answers more than we ask, gives more than we imagine – in his own time and in his own way."

1. When it rains, it pours. Today, I went for my 5-km blind run. The idea of this is to run the 5-km with the persons with special needs. The other idea is that 2 people can register as partners and they will take turns in running a distance of 500 m blind-folded to know how it feels to be blind and then complete the rest of the non-competitive race.

I was rushing to the event when I saw a mom and her daughter wearing the race shirts and trying to look for the correct exit to the event. I ushered them to the area and then I realized that the girl is visually-impaired. Since I registered alone, I decided to join them in the run.

Adelyn, 14, is not used to running unlike her mom but she managed to complete the 5-km run with flying colors in spite of her condition! I was so blessed. Sometimes, those who lack something are even the ones who give hope and strength. I was so energized once more and she is now an inspiration to her friends. She said she can start encouraging her friends to do what she did. I was so touched. She melted my heart. God is just so good! Hallelujah!

2. Trekking, bonding, and laughing together. Rains fell down, we were wet but it was part of the fun! Thank God for protection.

3. Thank You for being able to do a record-breaking number of steps in a day!

This was such a memorable weekend for me for it was a weekend of outpouring! Amen!

Series of Heart-Warming Events

Today gave me a series of heart-warming moments only God can give.

Today, I met Moses, that man born with cerebral palsy who learnt different sign languages on his own just so he can interact with his deaf friends in spite of his physical condition. Wow, Lord, thank You for bringing Moses to me. =)

I rushed to the association for the deaf around 3 PM to catch my last class only to realize at the end that I was in the wrong class! I crashed into the (Singapore Sign Language) SGSL Workshop and even had group activities with those who were there. I did not have the slightest idea that it was not the class where I am supposed to be in. I just enjoyed sitting there and learning. When they started handing out the feedback form, my eyes widened when I saw the title in the form. Whooops.

In the group activity in the class, I met a 17-year old girl named Yenlin who started asking me how I've got myself inclined to sign language and I told her about how I was inspired by my church in the Philippines through song-signing during worship.

When we were parting, the skies turned suddenly dark and droplets of water began to make the tik-a-tak sound on the ground. Yenlin immediately brought out her umbrella and handed it to me quickly saying that I'd take it because her parents are anyway waiting for her on the other side of the road. I was surprised that she was graciously giving her umbrella to me. She said I made her happy today because of the encouragement she has received to learn sign language. To God be the glory! Then she disappeared into the footbridge while I stood there staring at the dark skies.

I barely made 10 steps when I saw Moses in front of me trying to get a cab for himself. Then I understood that God gave me the umbrella to provide shelter to Moses who was struggling to hail a cab while he uses all his energy left to balance himself using his 4-foot walker. I believe that God did not provide the cab so we could talk more. We ended up walking towards the MRT half an hour later as he shared his story. His condition makes him very tired easily but in spite of all these, he takes care of his mom who recently had a stroke. And spends most of his free time learning the language of the deaf.

Tears began to form at the corner of my eyes as I repeatedly thanked God how much blessed I am to have met people who will constantly remind me that the best gifts from God have already been provided to me. I just have to keep recognizing them and keep having a contented heart. 

Moses is disabled but it did not stop him from making a difference in this world, in fact, his goal is to reach out more especially to the deaf. God is just so amazing! I stand in awe! He uses the most imperfect people to become an excellent example in this cruel world. All glory, honor, and praise to You, Lord. Amen!

Wisdom Is Yours

1. Running kit in, which means I am ready for an early Sunday morning run with the impaired. Interesting!

2. I have breathed it out, please light my path, O, Lord. Thank You for Your Word.

3. Hallelujah for the wisdom that You provide, O, God. Please pour more over to Your servant.

Devotion:

James Russell Lowell wisely observed, "There is no good arguing with the inevitable; the only argument available with an east wind is to put on your overcoat." Although there are times we must learn to intercede, there are other times God simply says "No." We should learn to leave it at that.

Moses wanted desperately to go into the Promised Land. He prayed about this often until one day God reminded Moses that he had been forbidden to enter. God said: Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter. The case was simply closed, and Moses learned to live with that decision (Deuteronomy 3:21-29).

There may be times when we do not like the answers to our prayers. But God is not a genie in a bottle we can conjure up to do our bidding. 

We serve Him; He does not serve us.

Therefore, we cannot expect all our prayers to be answered with a "Yes." The wise believer sincerely believes God knows best. Like Christ, we must learn to pray, "Nevertheless, not what I want, but Your will be done."

Adrenaline Rush

1. One day rehearsal, no time to be nervous before stage performance, but it was just so good! Thank You, Lord.

2. Thank You for Your healing, I felt way better just before the show.

3. Praise God for connections who can give sound advise and provide great assistance. Hallelujah!

With Love & Forgiveness

1. I believe in Your healing power, thank You.

2. Thank You for this one opportunity to dance. With just one day rehearsal.

3. Thank You for a great and interesting talk.

"Jesus is subject to insults and false accusation. When you are slandered or bad-mouthed be thankful that God allows you, in a tiny way, to enter into the sufferings of Jesus and pray that God will help you to respond as he did – with love and forgiveness."

Against The Wind

"It is in the tough times that the object in which you trust is really put to the test. But, as Henry Ford wrote, ‘When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.’ Trust that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)."

1. This is such a great encouragement! Thank You, Lord!

2. Three down. One more to go. Thank You so much.

3. There is a time for everything. Thank You for the short moment with friends. Praise God for family.

Errands Done

1. Last day of errands, spent time on more important things than dwelling on making a complaint.

2. Wart removed from Dad after returning to clinic twice. Freedom!

3. Great catching up with relatives once more. Awesome stories never end!

Where The Light Shines

1. A day of testimony. May God indeed light my path as I take my steps. Help me, Lord, follow You.

2. Great day to see everyone. I miss the church.

3. The Ketchup Community was finally visited after many attempts. Food was good.

Just Control

1. I took the time to rest, thank God. Sleep is important.

2. One day delay, patience is required. This is considered normal.

3. Thank You for control and understanding. I need all these to stay calm.

Fresh Air

1. The To-Do list was quite long for the time given. Thank You for allowing me to tick each item.

2. Patience is indeed one of the most important ingredient in keeping one controlled and calm. But prayer is the strongest weapon one can have.

3. Thank You for a breath of fresh air with pine scent.