God Is Not Unfair

"A casual reading of isolated passages in Scripture may cause some to feel God is unfair. For example, it seems unjust that the sins of the fathers are visited on the children. However, everyday we see this biblical truth in our world. A baby will be born blind because his mother has a terrible social disease. Statistics show that the children of divorced parents often go through a divorce themselves. God's Word is true in saying: Our fathers sinned and are no more, But we bear their iniquities (Lamentations 5:7).

Yet there is another side. God's Word does say: For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me... (Exodus 20:5), but we cannot stop reading there. God goes on to say: but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments (Exodus 20:6). It takes three or four generations to wash out the evil influence of an ungodly parent. But the influence of godly fathers and mothers is even more extensive, and therein lies the power of healthy and holy families. We can make a difference in our children's lives. The beacon of our life will beam far into the future. It is up to us to make our legacy one of good, bringing blessings on our offspring, rather than one of evil, bringing heartbreak and destruction.

God is not unfair. In fact, He is far more than fair. He clearly tells us of the universal laws and warns us lest we break ourselves on them. May we read and heed.

Exodus 20:6 NLT

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."

1. Thank You for the hope. Even if it takes four generations, Lord, You promise to wash out the evil influence for as long as the current generations take heed. Amen! Thank You, likewise, for allowing me to know this even before I have a family.

2. Praise God for fellow Christians who inspire me in doing my purpose here.

3. Thank You for a good night out with new friends, although the drink was worth 5-star. :D

What Love Triangle Means

"Marriage is not a slot machine. Some people seem to see it as such and invest only a little of their lives, hoping to hit the jackpot of happiness. Such people are often disappointed; and, as a result, they divorce--leaving a trail of tears and tragedy.

Like life, marriage is a long-term investment. Each partner must constantly invest effort and energy to work through problems and develop a meaningful relationship. The first few years of marriage usually have more pain than pleasure. But if the couple is willing to consistently invest understanding, forgiveness, and patience, each member will find the union most rewarding and will reap an excellent harvest of human happiness.

Marriage is indeed a triangle. Husband and wife are the two lower corners, and God the apex. As He draws man and woman to Himself, they naturally are brought closer to each other. One of the great aids in this is daily devotions, both together and alone. Through our times with God, we can resolve our frustrations and discover our potential as a couple."

1. Thank You Lord for preparing me. I am blessed to know beforehand. Amen!

2. Praise God for a smooth health check. Some small issues were there but fixable. Thank You, Lord.

3. Had a good full day with the roads, sight of Jollibee, bonding time with Avengers, and some grocery-shopping. Productive!

Two Ways to Live

"Albert Einstein said, ‘There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.’

Jesus himself said that – ultimately – there are only two ways to live: there are two paths; there are two gates; there are two destinations and there are two groups of people (see Matthew 7:13–14).

Psalm 50:16-23

Two attitudes to God: hate (forget) or honour

When it comes down to it, there are only two possible attitudes to God. We can honour him or we can hate him. For God says, ‘Those who sacrifice thank-offerings honour me’ (v.23). He contrasts those who ‘hate my instruction’ (v.17a). 

Those who ‘hate’ God ignore him and ‘forget God’ (v.22). The twentieth century saw the terrible consequences of the actions of those who forgot him and hated his instruction (Nazism and Communism are two of the worst cases). The description in verses 17–22 aptly fits both those regimes.

The great Russian novelist, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, spent fifty years studying the history of Russia in the twentieth century. As he considered the great disasters ‘that swallowed up some sixty million of our people’, the best explanation that he could come up with was that ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened.’

Solzhenitsyn saw this as having universal significance, not just for Russia, but for the rest of the world as well. He saw the principle trait of the twentieth century was that ‘people have forgotten God’.

This does not just apply to other people; it applies to us all. Do you find that sometimes, possibly because everything seems to be going well in your life, you forget to pray, read the Bible or give thanks to God for all his blessings? It is almost as if you have forgotten about God? There are times in all our lives when we forget God and mess things up.

The contrast to forgetting God is a life honouring him – one full of thankfulness and praise. ‘It’s the praising life that honours me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I'll show you my salvation’ (v.23, MSG)."

1. "Lord, today I want to honour you by offering a sacrifice of thanks. Thank you so much for all your goodness, mercy and grace. Thank you for all the blessings that you have given to me personally …"

2. It was indeed a good, busy week for information gathering and learning. Thank You for helpful people.

3. Hallelujah to cell or life groups!

He Chose to Die

"Luke 22:1-38

We see here a terrifying description of how evil works. No one is immune from temptation. Judas is one of Jesus’ chosen twelve, yet Satan enters him (v.3).

The same ‘Satan’ who entered Judas (v.3) wanted to ‘sift’ Peter ‘as wheat’ (v.31).

Supremely, in the life and death of Jesus we see this paradox of predestination and free will. Jesus says, ‘The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed’ (v.22a). He says, ‘It is written: “And he was numbered with the transgressors”; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfilment’ (v.37). There could not be a stronger statement that Jesus’ death was preordained, pre-planned and predestined. Yet Jesus went willingly to his death; he chose to die. He gave his body for us (v.19)."

1. Thank You for giving Your body. Cannot say thank You enough but still, thank You.

2. Hectic day but it was a good kind of hectic. Praise God.

3. Thank You for a nearer minimart. :)

God Owns It All

"The whole of the Christian life is prayer. We welcome God’s will in our lives, and we participate in what he is doing in the world. God involves us in his plans. Of course, he could do it all on his own, but he chooses to involve us. He gives us freedom, yet he remains in control. What is God’s part and what is ours?  

Psalm 50:1-15

1. Praise and prayer

Are you facing trouble in your life? A situation at work? A relationship? A health issue? A financial challenge?

God is in utter control of his universe: ‘God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets’ (v.1).

He owns everything. We may fight and struggle for our little corner and our possessions but, in the end, God owns it all: ‘Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills’ (v.10).

He is not dependent on human beings, ‘If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it’ (v.12).

Nevertheless, he gives us a part to play.

Thank God

‘Sacrifice thank-offerings to God’ (v.14a).

Call on God
‘Call upon me in the day of trouble’ (v.15a).

Honour God
‘I will deliver you, and you will honour me’ (v.15b)."

1. Thank You, Lord, for making our part clear.

2. Thank You for new friends from around the world.

3. Thank You also for a great language-learning application.

Getting Past Our Pasts

"To be a servant of the Lord is now a blessing that all Christians enjoy. But every blessing God gives you comes with a measure of responsibility. Take that responsibility seriously. Joshua is to pay particular attention to the words God has spoken (‘the law my servant Moses gave you’ (Joshua 1:7)). He is to obey them (v.7) speak them (v.8a), meditate on them day and night (v.8b) and put them into practice (v.8b). Fill your mind with God’s truth. This will affect your thinking – your thoughts will be thoughts of truth, freedom, love, victory and peace. God also underlines this by speaking to Joshua directly (v.1), encouraging and strengthening him.

In God’s words to Joshua we see two key promises:

First, there is the promise of God’s peace: ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot’ (v.3). ‘No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life’ (v.5a). ‘The Lord your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land’ (v.13). For us now, that rest comes through Jesus. Rest is not just putting your feet up and relaxing, but unburdening your troubles and having a deep sense of peace and security in your identity because of who Jesus is.

The writer of Hebrews states that, ‘If Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day’ (Hebrews 4:8) – and that ‘day’ is a day made possible through Jesus. As Jesus himself promised, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).

Second, there is the promise of God's personal presence. ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Joshua 1:5b). This brings strength and courage: ‘Do not be terrified’ (v.9b). God does not tell us not to feel fear. But he does tell us not to give into it. Do not allow fear to rob you of the blessings God wants to give you. He goes on, ‘Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (v.9b).

Again, you now experience that promise through Jesus, by the work of the Spirit. Jesus’ last words before ascending to heaven were, ‘Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20).

As Joshua comes under the authority of God’s words, his own words carry authority. The people replied, ‘Whatever you have commanded us we will do ... Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you’ (Joshua 1:16–18).

In case all this should lead to intensity, super spirituality or self-righteousness, today’s passage ends with the wonderful account of how God uses a prostitute called Rahab. It is so like God to choose a sinner, a prostitute, to be an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) and a hero of faith (Hebrews 11:31). This is such an encouragement to us not to be weighed down by our past. As Joyce Meyer says, ‘We all have a past. No matter how bad your past is, you can get past your past. God can give you a new beginning; he can use you greatly and give you a future.’

Lord, help me each day to meditate on your words – especially in moments of wakefulness during the night. Help me to obey your words, to put them into practice and to pass them on to others."

1. Thank You for the benefits of the bus and subsidized lunch.

2. Hallelujah to auntie who cleans my room. She came even if it was late.

3. Thank You for having legs and sense of direction.

The Thing Called Control

Words are powerful. Your words are powerful. With kind and encouraging words, you can change a person’s day – or even their entire life.

Proverbs 10:11-20

1. Speak words of love

Your words have the power to bring great blessing: ‘The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life’ (v.11a). Or, as The Message translation puts it, ‘The mouth of the good person is a deep, life giving well’. But words can also do a great deal of harm: ‘The mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse’ (v.11b, MSG).

Words have the power to destroy relationships: ‘Hatred starts fights’ (v.12a, MSG). On the other hand, they have the power to heal relationships: ‘But love covers over all wrongs’ (v.12b). Again, as The Message translation puts it, ‘But love pulls a quilt over the bickering’.

Control of the tongue is vital. ‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but the wise hold their tongues’ (v.19). Abraham Lincoln said, ‘It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt!’ 

Throughout this passage, the writer of Proverbs contrasts ‘the mouth of a fool’ (v.14b) with ‘the mouth of the righteous’ (v.11a). One speaks words of hatred(v.12a). The other speaks words of love (v.12b) and wisdom (v.13).  

Words of hatred (v.12a) lead to violence (v.11b), dissension (v.12a), ruin (v.14b) and spreading slander (v.18b).

Words of love (v.12b) are a fountain of life (v.11a); they cover over ‘all wrongs’ (v.12b) and are ‘choice silver’ (v.20a). If someone has offended you, don’t return the offence. It is said that holding a grudge is like letting someone live rent free in your head. Instead, return hatred with love. Speak well of the other person even behind their back and you may find that your love puts an end to the bickering and heals the relationship.

Lord, help me today to control my tongue – to speak only words of love and life. Help me always to respond to any wrong committed against me with words of love.

1. Thank You Lord for my first day. People were really accommodating.

2. Praise God for a smooth first day!

3. Thank You for unending provision.

I Will Give You Words

"Luke 21:5-38

The words of Jesus are eternal. He says, ‘Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles ... Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away’ (vv.24,33). Two thousand years later more and more people around the world are affected by the words of Jesus.

The teaching of Jesus is widely acknowledged to be the greatest teaching of all time. It is the foundation of our entire civilization in the West. Many of our laws were originally based on the teaching of Jesus. We have advanced so much in science and technology. 

Yet in the last two thousand years no one has ever improved on the moral teaching of Jesus. They are the greatest words ever spoken. They are the kind of words you would expect God to speak.

Jesus warns us about deceptive words. He says, ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and “The time is near.” Do not follow them’ (v.8).

Jesus has told us to love everyone – our neighbours and even our enemies. Now he warns us that although we are to love everyone, we will also be hated by all(v.17).

If we are persecuted, we are to see this as an opportunity to be a ‘witness’ (v.13). On these occasions Jesus says, ‘Make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict’ (vv.14–15). Not only are the words of Jesus powerful, but he also promises to put powerful words in your mouth, if and when you are under attack.

So much of the language Jesus uses is the language of love and relationship. It has to do with your heart and your prayer life. He says, ‘But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping’ (v.34, MSG). ‘Be always on the watch, and pray’ (v.36).

Lord, please give me words and wisdom for every occasion. Help me not to be weighed down by the anxieties of life, but always to be on the watch and praying. Help me to develop the language of love and prayer."

1. Praise God for new friends in church.

2. Thank You for a good walk in the city.

3. Thank You for challenges that push me to grow.

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. :)