Read Galatians 5:16-26
God is more concern about our 'being' than 'doing'. The examples given by Paul on both the sinful nature and fruit of the Spirit help us to identify the changes we need to make in our 'being'.
Take for example - hatred. Instead of allowing hatred to grow in us, we can always choose to be patience or kind to our enemies. By being so, we allow God to work in us and make us a better person - someone he wanted us to 'be'.
Dear Father, thank You for showing me ways to change my 'being', to be who You really wanted me to be. Help me to live my life by cultivating the Fruit daily and deny all desires of the sinful nature. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
A New Career
Read Matthew 4:18-22
It is true that many of us are tempted to think we should make something of our lives and at a same time follow Jesus. We will most probably ended up being mediocre lukewarm Christian instead of one that bear good fruit for the extension of God's Kingdom - be fisher of men.
Jesus asks us to first follow Him and then He makes something of our lives. A person who truly have Christ in them will always see the needs of others and their eternity as their main priority.
Dear Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy in giving the greatest gift a person can have in their life. Teach me to prioritize well in all that I do. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
It is true that many of us are tempted to think we should make something of our lives and at a same time follow Jesus. We will most probably ended up being mediocre lukewarm Christian instead of one that bear good fruit for the extension of God's Kingdom - be fisher of men.
Jesus asks us to first follow Him and then He makes something of our lives. A person who truly have Christ in them will always see the needs of others and their eternity as their main priority.
Dear Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy in giving the greatest gift a person can have in their life. Teach me to prioritize well in all that I do. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
From Nothing
Read Genesis 1:1-13
With all the worldly achievement and success in our lives, it is easy to forget who is our true Sustainer and Provider. Reading the Creation story reminds us of how sovereign and magnificent our creator God is; without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).
Every waking morning, we should give our thanks and praise to God, acknowledging Him in all things. He deserves our best all the time, loving Him with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength (Deu 6:5).
Dear Lord, thank you that out of nothingness You created all things. Thank you for Your faithfulness to provide all that I need. Teach me to love you sincerely, to trust you more and be grateful always for all that You ve done and doing for me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
With all the worldly achievement and success in our lives, it is easy to forget who is our true Sustainer and Provider. Reading the Creation story reminds us of how sovereign and magnificent our creator God is; without Him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).
Every waking morning, we should give our thanks and praise to God, acknowledging Him in all things. He deserves our best all the time, loving Him with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength (Deu 6:5).
Dear Lord, thank you that out of nothingness You created all things. Thank you for Your faithfulness to provide all that I need. Teach me to love you sincerely, to trust you more and be grateful always for all that You ve done and doing for me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Urge to jump
Read Joshua 22:10-29
Its important not to easily jump into conclusion about someone or something. By allowing our negative feeling to grow in us without searching, inquiring and asking diligently (Deu 13:14), we may make serious mistake, worsen a situation and treating others unfairly.
Dear Father, thank you for all your wonderful blessings for me and your faithfulness to continue guiding and have patience with me. Thank you for reminding me not to easily jump into conclusion about someone but to seek out and test all truths. Teach me to humble myself in all situation. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.
Its important not to easily jump into conclusion about someone or something. By allowing our negative feeling to grow in us without searching, inquiring and asking diligently (Deu 13:14), we may make serious mistake, worsen a situation and treating others unfairly.
Dear Father, thank you for all your wonderful blessings for me and your faithfulness to continue guiding and have patience with me. Thank you for reminding me not to easily jump into conclusion about someone but to seek out and test all truths. Teach me to humble myself in all situation. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Handling Criticism
Imitating Christ's Humility
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. " - Phillipians 2:1-4
When being criticised, we should not attempt to immediately defend ourselves, especially in anger and rage. Usually, it is pride, rather than genuine honesty and reflection, that motivates our defensive response. So, it is always wise to allow time for the initial shock and irritation to pass before offering our reply.
The right response (though not easy) is to ask the Holy Spirit to show us if the problem is our fault. Most of us don’t ever like to think that we’re wrong. But sometimes, there’s always a chance that a conflict in our lives may actually be our fault.
Dear Father, thank You for teaching me the patience and humility of Christ. Forgive me of my pride and the countless times disappointing You with my attitude and action towards others. Give me a willing heart to change and be renewed. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. " - Phillipians 2:1-4
When being criticised, we should not attempt to immediately defend ourselves, especially in anger and rage. Usually, it is pride, rather than genuine honesty and reflection, that motivates our defensive response. So, it is always wise to allow time for the initial shock and irritation to pass before offering our reply.
The right response (though not easy) is to ask the Holy Spirit to show us if the problem is our fault. Most of us don’t ever like to think that we’re wrong. But sometimes, there’s always a chance that a conflict in our lives may actually be our fault.
Dear Father, thank You for teaching me the patience and humility of Christ. Forgive me of my pride and the countless times disappointing You with my attitude and action towards others. Give me a willing heart to change and be renewed. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Witness for Christ
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." - 2 Timothy 4:2
I always admire and inspired by how my friend goes the extra miles to wtness, share and encourage her 'lost' friends. It's one of the clear sign of how the Holy Spirit is working in the person.
Aside from reading His Word, praying and fellowshiping with other believers, we are called to go out and be good witness for Christ. Read up effective ways for sharing the Good News (eg. like this page), reach out to these people with love and a compassionate heart.
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me not to keep the Good News all to myself. Instead, lead me to be proactive in looking for opportunity to witness to those around me. I pray that You will give me the wisdom to say the right words at the right time when witnessing for You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
I always admire and inspired by how my friend goes the extra miles to wtness, share and encourage her 'lost' friends. It's one of the clear sign of how the Holy Spirit is working in the person.
Aside from reading His Word, praying and fellowshiping with other believers, we are called to go out and be good witness for Christ. Read up effective ways for sharing the Good News (eg. like this page), reach out to these people with love and a compassionate heart.
Dear Father, thank You for reminding me not to keep the Good News all to myself. Instead, lead me to be proactive in looking for opportunity to witness to those around me. I pray that You will give me the wisdom to say the right words at the right time when witnessing for You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Be Wise
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives genereously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he ask, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." - James 1:5-8
Life is filled with so many decisions. Sometimes we just wish we know the best answer to everything. I found one great truth in this passage from James on having the wisdom to make the right decision each time.
Wisdom is one of the thing that God would loves and longs for each one of us to have. He will surely answer our prayer for wisdom. But when we ask, we must believe that He will give it to us and not doubt (v6).
Dear Father, thank You that You cares for me so much. I pray that You will give me wisdom in saying the right thing and making the right decision for my career this week.
Lord, I need to have this wisdom and discernment from You. I know You will generously provides (v5) when I ask in faith and not doubt. Thank You for this and teach me to trust in You more for all things. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Life is filled with so many decisions. Sometimes we just wish we know the best answer to everything. I found one great truth in this passage from James on having the wisdom to make the right decision each time.
Wisdom is one of the thing that God would loves and longs for each one of us to have. He will surely answer our prayer for wisdom. But when we ask, we must believe that He will give it to us and not doubt (v6).
Dear Father, thank You that You cares for me so much. I pray that You will give me wisdom in saying the right thing and making the right decision for my career this week.
Lord, I need to have this wisdom and discernment from You. I know You will generously provides (v5) when I ask in faith and not doubt. Thank You for this and teach me to trust in You more for all things. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Remain in Him
"I am the vine, you are the branches . . . apart form Me you can do nothing" - John 5:15
I believe that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), and that He is the head over all rule and authority (Colossians 2:10). I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to me in Christ because I am a member of Christ's body (Ephesians 1:19-23). I therefore obey the command to resist the devil (James 47), and I command him in the name of Christ to leave my presence.
I believe that apart form Christ I can do nothing (John 15:5), so I declare my dependence on Him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify the Lord (John 15:8). I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord (1corinthians 12:3), and I reject any counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life.
I believe that the truth will set me free (John 8:32), and that walking in the light is the only path of fellowship (1 John1::7). Therefore, I stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard (2 Timothy 3:15-17). I choose to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
I choose to present my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living and holy sacrifice, and I renew my mind by the living Word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 6:13; 12:1, 2).
Father God, I affirm that my life and sustenance come from You, and apart from You I can do nothing. Teach me how I can remain in You and having Jesus as Lord of all things in my life. In His Name I pray, Amen.
I believe that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18), and that He is the head over all rule and authority (Colossians 2:10). I believe that Satan and his demons are subject to me in Christ because I am a member of Christ's body (Ephesians 1:19-23). I therefore obey the command to resist the devil (James 47), and I command him in the name of Christ to leave my presence.
I believe that apart form Christ I can do nothing (John 15:5), so I declare my dependence on Him. I choose to abide in Christ in order to bear much fruit and glorify the Lord (John 15:8). I announce to Satan that Jesus is my Lord (1corinthians 12:3), and I reject any counterfeit gifts or works of Satan in my life.
I believe that the truth will set me free (John 8:32), and that walking in the light is the only path of fellowship (1 John1::7). Therefore, I stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I declare that the Bible is the only authoritative standard (2 Timothy 3:15-17). I choose to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
I choose to present my body as an instrument of righteousness, a living and holy sacrifice, and I renew my mind by the living Word of God in order that I may prove that the will of God is good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 6:13; 12:1, 2).
Father God, I affirm that my life and sustenance come from You, and apart from You I can do nothing. Teach me how I can remain in You and having Jesus as Lord of all things in my life. In His Name I pray, Amen.
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