Undivided Heart
This is my prayer for today and hopefully it will last forever. Teach me Lord to walk in you. And give me an undivided heart. Amen. (-fon-)
Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Thank You, Lord!
Thank you! Everything in me says "Thank you!" Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: "Thank you!"
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
--- Psalm 138:2 (The Message)
Just want to show the gratitude inside me, God. Really thankful to have You in my life. Thank YOU, LORD! (-fon-)
Obey His Commands
If we think that God helps come with delay, we might think that He didn’t care about us. How about ourselves while obeying Him? Do we usually procrastinate to obey Him but wanting Him to help us as soon as possible? So, let today be the day to commit ourselves once again. Like the Psalmist did, let’s hasten and not delay to obey His commands. (-fon-)
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
The Lord is Not Slow
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises. His time is just right. Everything will be beautiful in His time. (-fon-)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
He Is God and He Is Here
PRACTICE SAYING “GOD IS HERE” the next time you are assaulted by your neighbors’ quarreling, see someone carelessly toss trash from a car, get drenched in an unexpected rainstorm, or bite into a mealy and tasteless apple. From his own experience, Saint Francis of
- Jane E. Vennard with Stephen D. Bryant
Companions in Christ: The Way of Prayer Participant’s Book ( Upper Room Website).
Like St. Francis of
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.
--- Isaiah 46:9
The Lord Will Protect Us
The days are coming. The days when the evil becomes worse and makes this world more chaotic. But, as the disciples of the Lord, we need to stay in faith by knowing that God is faithful, He will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. As long as we believe in Him, no need to be afraid of anything. Because He is with us. (-fon-)
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Faith Attitude of Joseph
Let’s read this passage from the book of Genesis:
20 Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.
--- Genesis 39:20-23
Joseph maintained a good attitude in a bad situation. He had a "faith attitude," and God gave him favor. When God's favor is upon you, people like you for no particular reason, and they want to bless you.
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Even in a bad situation, Joseph has shown an attitude of faith. That’s why He’s blessed by the Lord. If right now we’re in such a bad situation, let’s remember to stay faithful to the Lord. And we’ll know that He’s with us in whatever circumstances that might bring. (-fon-)
You Are My Shield
This morning, I remembered the lyrics of this song. Not a new song, but yet has given me enough strength to carry on in this life, knowing that the Lord is my shield.
You have made me glad, and I'll say of the Lord:
You are my Shield, my Strength, my Portion, Deliverer,
My Shelter, Strong Tower, my very present help in time of need.
My very present help in time of need.
(You Are My Shield, Hillsongs).
Yes, Lord. You are my Shield, Strength, Shelter,
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
--- Psalm 18:2
Formed for Goodness
In the letter of
19One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?
--- Romans 9:19-20
We know that He formed us. He’s the potter and we’re the clay. It’s up to HIM---and not us--- to be formed according to His will. So, let’s not mumble or complain, but accept His plans for us. Believe that we are formed for goodness in this world. (-fon-)
God’s Voice
For those who listen and concentrate on Him, will definitely hear that His voice thunders in many marvellous ways. Like what Job said:
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
--- Job 37:5
Have we listened to His voice? Have we got nearer to Him? (-fon-)
Choose
Every moment is a moment of choice. We need to choose between doing good or bad, loving or hating, being kind or being evil. And eventually, we need to show His goodness to this world by choosing His instruction rather than anything else.
If we need to choose, choose the good ones. Choose something that will show this world that we’re His wonderful disciples. (-fon-)
Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
--- Proverbs 8:10
Extol Your Name
Extol means: [verb] praise, glorify, or honor; for example: "extol the virtues of one's children"; "glorify one's spouse's cooking" (source: http://www.elook.org/dictionary/extol.html).
That’s why, as long as I live, I will extol your name Oh Lord. May your name be exalted forever and ever because You deserve to receive the glory, honor and praise for your kindness in our life. (-fon-)
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
--- Psalm 145:2
Compassion of the Lord
God so loved the world that He gave His only son. He has such a great compassion for us. Never doubt His love and mercy for us. Live our days in thankful heart for knowing this. (-fon-)
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
--- Psalm 103:13
Do not Boast about Ourselves
We’re easily become boastful. Especially when someone says that we’re good or we think that we’re clever or having more than what the average man has. This attitude will bring us to snobbishness or arrogance, which are not that noble for sure. The bible reminds us to boast only about Him by realizing that whatever we have comes from Him. (-fon-)
This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.
--- Jeremiah 9:22-23
Learn from Hannah
Then Hannah prayed and said:
"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
Your Father in Heaven Knows
A very logical comparison: even an evil know how to give good thing to his children, how about our Father in heaven? Let’s reflect this thing today and remember His kindness in our life. (-fon-)
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
--- Luke 11:13
Hot-Tempered Man
Are you hot-tempered? Well, you might sometimes are… Me too, sometimes I can become hot-tempered too. But the book of Proverbs reminds us not to make friends with a hot-tempered man (I was thinking about what if I myself is a hot-tempered person, then I won’t have any friends? It’s kind of sad though…).
So, let’s try to control our temper in a better wayJ (-fon-)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man,
do not associate with one easily angered,
--- Proverbs 22:24
About Praying
How do you usually pray? Do you want others to see how good you are on prayers? Or it’s the other way around: you go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father? We need sometime alone with Him. Yes, we also need some fellowship together with our friends in Christ, but when it comes to our intimate time, alone with God… We need to do what’s written in the book of Matthew 6:6 . Seek Him and pray…(-fon-)
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
---- Matthew 6:6
Forgive as the Lord Forgave
We might have some problems with others. We might argue, made mistakes, but if only we could forgive and want to reconcile, then things will be better. It’s not easy to forgive since what others do might be painful for us, but we need to forgive as the Lord has already forgiven us. It’s for our own good tooJ We can sleep better in a peaceful heart. So, why wait? Forgive! (-fon-)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
With You I am Safe
. . . CAN I TRUST YOU, GOD? Can I trust you to be who you say you are? Let me relax in the assurance that you are bigger than my greatest worry. With you I am safe. . . .
- Missy Buchanan
Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms (Upper Room Website)
Whether now or tomorrow. Whether yesterday or forever, we need to believe that with You, God…we are safe.
Keep me safe, O God,
for in you I take refuge.
--- Psalm 16:1
He Enables Me
Stepping out into the unknown --- into something you have never done before--- can be a very fearful thing to do. Because of fear, many people never “step out”: therefore they never find out what they are capable of.
(Joyce Meyer).
That’s right! Stepping out of our comfort zone might be a fearful thing to do. Not to mention thinking of the risk and the uncertainties out there. But, as we believe that if God has already put the passion inside us and we can’t take it out of my mind-we know we want it so much and it’s something good to achieve- just believe He will enable us to do it. Like the book of Habakkuk we keep on believing: He enables me. (-fon-)
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
--- Habakkuk 3:19
God’s Mercy
MERCY WORKS by protecting, permitting, reviving, and healing, all through the tenderness of love. Grace works with mercy, raising, rewarding, endlessly surpassing what our loving and effort deserve, spreading abroad and showing the high, plentiful largesse of God’s royal lordship in God’s marvelous courtesy.
Encounter with God’s Love: Selected Writings of Julian of
He works in mercy. With all the goodness of Him in it. And as the Psalmist said He has heard my cry for mercy, He will definitely do that. As long as we repent and want to turn a new leaf. (-fon-)
Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
--- Psalm 28:6
Build Each Other
In any relationships, either is in the family or friendship, let’s try to encourage one another and build each other, rather than destroying one another. (-fon-)
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
God Light Me Up
GOD IS LIKE THE SUN, bathing me with light. I am like the snow. the purer my life is, the more I will be able to reflect God’s light to others. The more I reflect God–by showing kindness to a difficult person or even by having patience in a checkout line–the more I become the person God created me to be.
-
Stepping Out on Your Own: Devotions for High School Graduates
(The Upper Room Website).
Thanks to You, Lord. For being my light and light up my world. And hopefully I can reflect Your light to others. Amen. (-fon-)
You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
--- Psalm
Do Not be Afraid
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
--- 1 Peter 3:14
Do not be afraid of threats, trouble, or suffering. As long as it’s for the sake of righteousness, we’ll find that God will be with us. (-fon-)
Come, Follow Me!
Jesus invites each of us to open our hearts for Him. The question is: have we done it? Have we put our trust in Him and let Him be our guide.
“Come, follow me, “ Jesus Said. Hopefully we can joyfully accept His invitation.
(-fon-)
"Come, follow me," Jesus said
--- Matthew 4:19a
Proclaim His Salvation
Sing to the LORD, all the earth;
proclaim his salvation day after day.
--- 1 Chronicles
The verse of the day reminds us to sing to the Lord, our God and to proclaim His salvation day by day. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do it for the rest of our life.
(-fon-)
Confess His Name
Let’s continually confess His Name by offering a sacrifice of praise. Let our life become the flowing-river of thanksgiving by lifting Him up. All for His glory. (-fon-)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.
--- Hebrews 13:15
Wisdom and Understanding
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!
--- Proverbs 16:16
The book of Proverbs reminds us to choose wisdom and understanding rather than gold and silver. It’s also important to seek the spiritual value, the virtues, rather than only the materialistic things. May we get more wisdom and understanding from the guidance of the Lord. (-fon-)
