Today's Verse
Genesis 32: 9-11 (NKJV)
Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.
Read: Genesis 32
Thoughts
Are you in a situation where you are facing real danger that is inevitable? That is what Jacob is facing after following God’s order to go back to his own country – the place that God is giving to him. Jacob and his caravan had just passed across Jordan River, which could mean – no way of turning back easily. And now, report is saying that the one he fears – his brother Esau whom he deceived, is coming their way! Esau was with four hundred men, the best archers during that time. A threat that could easily annihilate Jacob and all who were with him - servants, mothers, and their children.
Many times, we are placed in a situation like Jacob does. When we really decide to follow the Lord, suddenly things start going against our way. Hardships start to burden us, fear is having grip on us, suddenly we are facing rejection – at work, with friends, and with relatives. Suddenly relationships start to go sour. And then we find ourselves feel like retreating, but it is hardly possible when we have crossed the river of commitment. In such cases, the only way possible is too look up. To look upon God whom we followed.
Jacob started with fear, did his best solutions – to split up the troop, to assemble barriers of “gifts and appeasements” hoping to cool down Esau’s anger and revenge, once he gets into Jacob. But then, Jacob did the even better solution – to call upon the Lord, to take refuge on God, and claim God’s command and promise. That is the best thing to do when we face real danger in following the Lord, give the situation over to God – and He will deliver us. After all, only the Lord can give us protection and comfort in times of troubles, for He is our God of refuge. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).
And God did protect Jacob and delivered him from his fears (Gen 33:10). We know that if we give our fears over to God, then we will get same kind of protection and refuge from the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord Heavenly Father, You are our refuge and comfort. We find peace when focus our eyes and trust in You, in times of troubles. Thank you Lord for helping and protecting us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Living and Active
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Rethinking Life
Today's Verse
Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NLT)
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
Read: Ecclesiastes 5
Thoughts
I woke up this morning feeling kind of dry and empty, I don’t know if the heat wave in the area has something to do with it. But sometimes, I guess each person will somehow come to that kind of feeling where you wake up one morning and begin to feel like life is empty. And then, you start questioning yourself what life is for. I thought this could be one instance when the enemy will attack because I am vulnerable and ruin my day, so I bowed and pray to the Lord, then read my Bible. For some reason I came across Ecclesiastes 5, and read King Solomon’s emotions and regrets, and joys in life.
Have you ever thought what is good, bad, and best in this life is? Take it from King Solomon, the guy who basically has gone through “all” what life could offer: wisdom, wealth, wives, wretchedness, wickedness, wildness, and anything you can think of. He did not merely thought about what things in life would be, but he tried them himself, even in many instances disobeying God!
Talking about worldly experiences, King Solomon tried it all – not once, not twice, but hundreds until he finds them they never satisfy at all! He was the richest man who ever lived (1 Kings 10:23): he ruled kingdoms, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, his music is the real orchestra – no iPods or MP3 players, no home theater systems, he always wants the real thing. He doesn’t watch in 70” plasma, he watched games right before his eyes – no 3D please, just real! His circles of friends were kings and conquerors and they gave their daughters to him for wives. Silver was greatly devalued during Solomon’s time (1 Kings 10:21), and possibly just like pieces of rocks that you can put in the foundation of your house. He was crazy about wheels and horsepower (1 Kings 10:26)! Yet, because of all these things and his wives, his heart was drawn away from the Lord, and he greatly transgressed and did evil in the eyes of God (1 Kings 11:9).
And when he grew old, he realized that life is not found in the things he acquired, or the successes he achieved – he calls them “vanity”, meaningless, worthless (Ecc 12:8)! But rather, life and joy and happiness is only found in the “fear” of the true and living God – not afraid, but holy reverence. After all, God judges everything we have done in this life whether good or bad (Ecc 12:14). Solomon said it is good to have things in life and enjoy what you have for these are God’s blessings (Ecc 5:18-20), but don’t set your heart on them for they are nothing. Set your heart on the living God.
You may be young and vibrant, and you think you have life – think again. If you are wiser than Solomon who wrote wise books of Proverbs (31 chapters) and Ecclesiastes (12 chapters), and you think you can beat that, then don’t believe when he said, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ ” (Ecc 12:1- NLT). The word is “now”, not later when it is too late.
Prayer
Lord God, forgive us if we focus our life on the things of this world. Open and guide our minds to remember You in the days of our lives, that we may honor and glorify Your holy Name. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 5:15 (NLT)
We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.
Read: Ecclesiastes 5
Thoughts
I woke up this morning feeling kind of dry and empty, I don’t know if the heat wave in the area has something to do with it. But sometimes, I guess each person will somehow come to that kind of feeling where you wake up one morning and begin to feel like life is empty. And then, you start questioning yourself what life is for. I thought this could be one instance when the enemy will attack because I am vulnerable and ruin my day, so I bowed and pray to the Lord, then read my Bible. For some reason I came across Ecclesiastes 5, and read King Solomon’s emotions and regrets, and joys in life.
Have you ever thought what is good, bad, and best in this life is? Take it from King Solomon, the guy who basically has gone through “all” what life could offer: wisdom, wealth, wives, wretchedness, wickedness, wildness, and anything you can think of. He did not merely thought about what things in life would be, but he tried them himself, even in many instances disobeying God!
Talking about worldly experiences, King Solomon tried it all – not once, not twice, but hundreds until he finds them they never satisfy at all! He was the richest man who ever lived (1 Kings 10:23): he ruled kingdoms, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, his music is the real orchestra – no iPods or MP3 players, no home theater systems, he always wants the real thing. He doesn’t watch in 70” plasma, he watched games right before his eyes – no 3D please, just real! His circles of friends were kings and conquerors and they gave their daughters to him for wives. Silver was greatly devalued during Solomon’s time (1 Kings 10:21), and possibly just like pieces of rocks that you can put in the foundation of your house. He was crazy about wheels and horsepower (1 Kings 10:26)! Yet, because of all these things and his wives, his heart was drawn away from the Lord, and he greatly transgressed and did evil in the eyes of God (1 Kings 11:9).
And when he grew old, he realized that life is not found in the things he acquired, or the successes he achieved – he calls them “vanity”, meaningless, worthless (Ecc 12:8)! But rather, life and joy and happiness is only found in the “fear” of the true and living God – not afraid, but holy reverence. After all, God judges everything we have done in this life whether good or bad (Ecc 12:14). Solomon said it is good to have things in life and enjoy what you have for these are God’s blessings (Ecc 5:18-20), but don’t set your heart on them for they are nothing. Set your heart on the living God.
You may be young and vibrant, and you think you have life – think again. If you are wiser than Solomon who wrote wise books of Proverbs (31 chapters) and Ecclesiastes (12 chapters), and you think you can beat that, then don’t believe when he said, “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ ” (Ecc 12:1- NLT). The word is “now”, not later when it is too late.
Prayer
Lord God, forgive us if we focus our life on the things of this world. Open and guide our minds to remember You in the days of our lives, that we may honor and glorify Your holy Name. Amen.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Are You A Blessing To Others?
Today's Verse
Genesis 31:42 (NKJV)
Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
Read: Genesis 31
Thoughts
It is often confusing what principles we cling to as we live in this world. Popular belief says: you are the priority, get as much as you can, stay at the top of the pack, be popular, and never mind the others. The Bible says otherwise, and it is hard to follow. It is just against the tide. In our passage, we saw that Jacob had learned to trust God after many failures. He had learned how to be a servant, to be humbled, and be taken advantage of - in a foreign country, contrary to what he used to be – a supplanter, and “All I can have” mama’s boy. After many years of hardship and trials, and no one to turn to, he turned and trusted the God of his fathers.
And now, Jacob is the source of blessings for his uncle Laban, for the Lord has blessed all his works. When we learn to give all our failures to the Lord and trust in Him, it is then that God will turn it around into blessings. There is nothing more rewarding than humbling ourselves to be used by God, and in turn be a blessing to others as Jacob did. And even when it seemed Jacob was ripping off Laban before their departure going back to his country, God’s blessing and allowing was there – for He is the avenger of the humble and the lowly.
Are you striving to compete and be at the top, not minding who’s gonna hurt, and who’s gonna be trampled down? The Lord is teaching the other way around. In God’s economy, the way up is down, and the way down is up. When we humble down ourselves and trust God for our future, then He will lift us up. But if we seek to be the top dog, be self-sufficient, and have the “I can do it” mentality, then it becomes the work of the flesh, instead of the Spirit of God. Jacob could have turned the situation upside down, make himself rich and make Laban poor, and let Laban serve him, but he did not for he learned the joy and blessings of humility and godliness.
Learn to be blessed and be a blessing from the person who learned it the hard way, Jacob - the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, many times we are tempted to do things our way, to strive to the top no matter what. We forgot to rely on You, and so we missed Your blessings. Help us Lord to be humble and lowly, knowing that You care more than enough for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Genesis 31:42 (NKJV)
Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
Read: Genesis 31
Thoughts
It is often confusing what principles we cling to as we live in this world. Popular belief says: you are the priority, get as much as you can, stay at the top of the pack, be popular, and never mind the others. The Bible says otherwise, and it is hard to follow. It is just against the tide. In our passage, we saw that Jacob had learned to trust God after many failures. He had learned how to be a servant, to be humbled, and be taken advantage of - in a foreign country, contrary to what he used to be – a supplanter, and “All I can have” mama’s boy. After many years of hardship and trials, and no one to turn to, he turned and trusted the God of his fathers.
And now, Jacob is the source of blessings for his uncle Laban, for the Lord has blessed all his works. When we learn to give all our failures to the Lord and trust in Him, it is then that God will turn it around into blessings. There is nothing more rewarding than humbling ourselves to be used by God, and in turn be a blessing to others as Jacob did. And even when it seemed Jacob was ripping off Laban before their departure going back to his country, God’s blessing and allowing was there – for He is the avenger of the humble and the lowly.
Are you striving to compete and be at the top, not minding who’s gonna hurt, and who’s gonna be trampled down? The Lord is teaching the other way around. In God’s economy, the way up is down, and the way down is up. When we humble down ourselves and trust God for our future, then He will lift us up. But if we seek to be the top dog, be self-sufficient, and have the “I can do it” mentality, then it becomes the work of the flesh, instead of the Spirit of God. Jacob could have turned the situation upside down, make himself rich and make Laban poor, and let Laban serve him, but he did not for he learned the joy and blessings of humility and godliness.
Learn to be blessed and be a blessing from the person who learned it the hard way, Jacob - the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, many times we are tempted to do things our way, to strive to the top no matter what. We forgot to rely on You, and so we missed Your blessings. Help us Lord to be humble and lowly, knowing that You care more than enough for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Honor Your Parents
Today's Verse
Exodus 20:12 (NIV)
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Thoughts
This is the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments, God had given the Israelites through Moses. But this is the “first” commandment with promise (Eph 6:2). In fact it is the “only” commandment with promise! Why is it so important that the Lord had to attach such promise, and not to all the commandments? When you have the words “so that”, then something follows afterwards – and it is good, it spells long life. In fact, this is the secret to long life! It is not some magic fountain, some freezing machine, or by any invention and medicine.
In the United States, there is growing problem of juvenile delinquencies and increasing at sharp rate. If not controlled, then this country will become a country of anarchy. No rules, no standards, no peace, everything is chaos, no long life – everyone will die at youth because of violence, drugs and vices, suicides, and others. Even aggravated by some self-righteous civil rights movements, where they promote that disciplining children is inhuman and against the law. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law” (Psalm 94:12).
The Lord instituted or established the family as the primary environment for training children into obedience, character building, and values forming. According to studies, the greatest influence to children largely comes from the environment of the family which is 93%, 5% comes from school, and 2% from others including church. Therefore, the family is where kids must learn to practice submission and obedience to authorities placed by God – which are the parents. Then, when children are grown up, they learn how to submit to authorities – the law, the police, their bosses, their spouse, and any authority. No matter how good or bad parents are, it is not an excuse - it is God’s commandment, and it is God who rewards or punishes.
The Lord is the Lord of order and peace, and He knows best that obedience when practiced - however small - brings forth long life and lasting rewards. Jews rebelling against Moses were swallowed in a pit, Satan rebelled against God will be kept in a pit forever, left-wing or right-wing groups rebelling against nations were buried in a pit, a disobedient young and beautiful girl was found in a pit in Florida – raped and murdered. How shall we learn obedience and not rebellion? The Lord established the rules and authorities, follow and obey – and live long.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, there is life and fulfillment in obedience. When You commanded us to obey, it is for our own good. Forgive us Lord when we fail, guide us that we may follow. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Vertrauen im Lord!
(Trust in the Lord! In German)
Exodus 20:12 (NIV)
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Thoughts
This is the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments, God had given the Israelites through Moses. But this is the “first” commandment with promise (Eph 6:2). In fact it is the “only” commandment with promise! Why is it so important that the Lord had to attach such promise, and not to all the commandments? When you have the words “so that”, then something follows afterwards – and it is good, it spells long life. In fact, this is the secret to long life! It is not some magic fountain, some freezing machine, or by any invention and medicine.
In the United States, there is growing problem of juvenile delinquencies and increasing at sharp rate. If not controlled, then this country will become a country of anarchy. No rules, no standards, no peace, everything is chaos, no long life – everyone will die at youth because of violence, drugs and vices, suicides, and others. Even aggravated by some self-righteous civil rights movements, where they promote that disciplining children is inhuman and against the law. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law” (Psalm 94:12).
The Lord instituted or established the family as the primary environment for training children into obedience, character building, and values forming. According to studies, the greatest influence to children largely comes from the environment of the family which is 93%, 5% comes from school, and 2% from others including church. Therefore, the family is where kids must learn to practice submission and obedience to authorities placed by God – which are the parents. Then, when children are grown up, they learn how to submit to authorities – the law, the police, their bosses, their spouse, and any authority. No matter how good or bad parents are, it is not an excuse - it is God’s commandment, and it is God who rewards or punishes.
The Lord is the Lord of order and peace, and He knows best that obedience when practiced - however small - brings forth long life and lasting rewards. Jews rebelling against Moses were swallowed in a pit, Satan rebelled against God will be kept in a pit forever, left-wing or right-wing groups rebelling against nations were buried in a pit, a disobedient young and beautiful girl was found in a pit in Florida – raped and murdered. How shall we learn obedience and not rebellion? The Lord established the rules and authorities, follow and obey – and live long.
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, there is life and fulfillment in obedience. When You commanded us to obey, it is for our own good. Forgive us Lord when we fail, guide us that we may follow. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Vertrauen im Lord!
(Trust in the Lord! In German)
Today's Motto
In Essentials - Unity
In Non-essentials - Liberty
In All Things - Charity
(motto claimed by Restoration Movement)
In Non-essentials - Liberty
In All Things - Charity
(motto claimed by Restoration Movement)
My Country, 'Tis of Thee
(also titled as "America")
I stumbled along this song which I used to sing as a 5-year old boy back in Baguio, PH. With the eroding American culture, and with the lack of historical knowledge by many young people, this may remind how American fathers used to love their country.
______________________________________________________________
by Samuel Francis Smith
I stumbled along this song which I used to sing as a 5-year old boy back in Baguio, PH. With the eroding American culture, and with the lack of historical knowledge by many young people, this may remind how American fathers used to love their country.
______________________________________________________________
by Samuel Francis Smith
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountainside
Let freedom ring!
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our father's God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King.
(added to celebrate Washington's Centennial)
Our joyful hearts today,
Their grateful tribute pay,
Happy and free,
After our toils and fears,
After our blood and tears,
Strong with our hundred years,
O God, to Thee.
Additional Verses by Henry Van Dyke
We love thine inland seas,
Thy groves and giant trees,
Thy rolling plains;
Thy rivers' mighty sweep,
Thy mystic canyons deep,
Thy mountains wild and steep,
All thy domains.
Thy silver Eastern strands,
Thy Golden Gate that stands
Fronting the West;
Thy flowery Southland fair,
Thy North's sweet, crystal air:
O Land beyond compare,
We love thee best!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
If I Were The Devil
By Paul Harvey
(ABC Radio Commentator)
I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;
I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings;
I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around;
I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;
I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership;
I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;
I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent machines to make it convenient;
I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that life of animals are valued more than human beings;
I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit;
I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them;
I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the minds of every family member for my agenda;
I would attack then family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation;
I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movies screens, and I would call it art;
I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;
I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agendas as politically correct;
I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, the Bible is for the naive:
I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional;
I GUESS I WOULD LEAVE THINGS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY THEY ARE!
(ABC Radio Commentator)
I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world;
I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings;
I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around;
I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue;
I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership;
I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies;
I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent machines to make it convenient;
I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that life of animals are valued more than human beings;
I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a lawsuit;
I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them;
I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the minds of every family member for my agenda;
I would attack then family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation;
I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movies screens, and I would call it art;
I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled;
I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agendas as politically correct;
I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, the Bible is for the naive:
I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional;
I GUESS I WOULD LEAVE THINGS PRETTY MUCH THE WAY THEY ARE!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
In God’s Time
Today's Verse
Genesis 30:22-23 (NKJV)
Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
Read: Genesis 30
Thoughts
Child-bearing is a big deal for many women. In the Middle East, infertility of the wife could be a ground for divorce. And if that happens, the infertile woman may lose her husband and security, and could end up being a servant or prostitute in order to survive. And we see this kind of desperation and uneasiness in Rachel’s actions, when she saw that her sister Leah keeps on bearing children while she remains barren. She sounded like putting up a fight with Jacob by her complaint in verse 1, and Jacob responded angrily, “Who do you think of me, like God who withholds you from giving birth?” (my paraphrase). And maybe probably, to appease Jacob’s anger, she gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to bore a child for her. She followed the steps of grandma Sarah who gave her maid Hagar to Abraham for child-bearing.
Even then, with all the worries and attempts to remedy things in order to have a child, God already had plans long before. God – remembered, listened, and opened Rachel’s womb (verse 22). God was not forgetful that He “remembered”, but it is now God’s time to execute His plan. God’s timing never comes early or late – it is always the perfect timing for He is not bounded by time, for God is eternal – no beginning and no end!
We often miss out God’s best for us because we panic, we freak out, we lose track, we lose faith, we become impatient, and we end up doing the remedies of the flesh. Instead of seeking guidance from God through His word – to know whether God says “no”, “wait”, or “yes”. You may not hear God audibly, but His Spirit speaks within you that He gives you comfort and courage when it is time to go on. Many victories in battles were won, because of the character of waiting and patience. Many survivors of earthquakes and disasters were the ones who waited for help, those who freaked out and worried died. We too can win our battles in life when we wait upon the Lord, and be patient. God’s plan in your life does not change, wait while worshiping the Lord. Do not waste time worrying and complaining.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, give us the character of patience and waiting, replace our unbelief with faith, our worries with worship, and our complaints with comfort. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Gott ändert nie!
(God never changes! In German)
Genesis 30:22-23 (NKJV)
Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
Read: Genesis 30
Thoughts
Child-bearing is a big deal for many women. In the Middle East, infertility of the wife could be a ground for divorce. And if that happens, the infertile woman may lose her husband and security, and could end up being a servant or prostitute in order to survive. And we see this kind of desperation and uneasiness in Rachel’s actions, when she saw that her sister Leah keeps on bearing children while she remains barren. She sounded like putting up a fight with Jacob by her complaint in verse 1, and Jacob responded angrily, “Who do you think of me, like God who withholds you from giving birth?” (my paraphrase). And maybe probably, to appease Jacob’s anger, she gave her maid Bilhah to Jacob to bore a child for her. She followed the steps of grandma Sarah who gave her maid Hagar to Abraham for child-bearing.
Even then, with all the worries and attempts to remedy things in order to have a child, God already had plans long before. God – remembered, listened, and opened Rachel’s womb (verse 22). God was not forgetful that He “remembered”, but it is now God’s time to execute His plan. God’s timing never comes early or late – it is always the perfect timing for He is not bounded by time, for God is eternal – no beginning and no end!
We often miss out God’s best for us because we panic, we freak out, we lose track, we lose faith, we become impatient, and we end up doing the remedies of the flesh. Instead of seeking guidance from God through His word – to know whether God says “no”, “wait”, or “yes”. You may not hear God audibly, but His Spirit speaks within you that He gives you comfort and courage when it is time to go on. Many victories in battles were won, because of the character of waiting and patience. Many survivors of earthquakes and disasters were the ones who waited for help, those who freaked out and worried died. We too can win our battles in life when we wait upon the Lord, and be patient. God’s plan in your life does not change, wait while worshiping the Lord. Do not waste time worrying and complaining.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Prayer
Lord God Heavenly Father, give us the character of patience and waiting, replace our unbelief with faith, our worries with worship, and our complaints with comfort. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Gott ändert nie!
(God never changes! In German)
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Temple Sacrifice
Today's Verse
Judges 16:28 (NKJV)
Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
Thoughts
The story of Samson in the Bible is very well known both in the Christian and non-Christian communities. It is the story of a man who was called and appointed by God even before birth to be the deliverer and judge for Israel. The concept of judge during that time is different from the judges we have today, who wear long black robes, they sit at court houses, and hammering the gavel. Judges in the time of Samson are ordinary people like town elders, appointed by God or leaders, sitting by the city gate, and performing judgment whenever two persons have issues. Few examples were Lot sitting by the city gate at Sodom, Moses judging the people of Israel, and Joshua who succeeded Moses.
Samson’s story is both bad and good. He was raised from a very godly family, we may nick name him as “Sunny”, and was set apart by God as a Nazirite – which means he should not take any wine products, he should not touch any dead thing, and no razor or scissor should come near his hair (Judges 13). And if he does, God’s Spirit will be with him, and he will have tremendous power, wisdom, and strength – and Samson was! Many great Bible characters were born from barren mothers, and Samson is one of them. They really must be God-made heroes.
Initially, Samson was doing well for the Spirit of the Lord was moving through him (Judges 13:25). But in chapter 14, sudden shift of event happened for Samson took charge of the stirring wheel of his life, and drove “down” to Timnah – a Philistine town. What he’s gonna do in a Philistine town when God called him to be judge in Israel? Many times we are like that, we cannot wait to take control of our lives, instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead us. By then, Samson began his spiritual and moral descent, he had broken the vow of being a Nazirite by going through the vineyards, killing a lion with his bare hands, and eating honey taken from the dead lion. Only one rule was left unbroken, having a haircut at the Devil’s salon.
He engaged himself with Philistine women until he was caught up with Delilah – who made him weak, as the name implies. And finally, he gave in to have his haircut, then the Spirit of the Lord left him. Now, Samson is totally not a Nazirite anymore for he broke all the rules, his giver of strength and power left him – and was turned to nothing by his enemies, but as a donkey grinding the wheels. Until one day, he made a final request for the Spirit of God to strengthen him again – his hair may have grown back for sometime, he turned his trust back to God, to make his life as final sacrifice in the temple of his enemies. God acknowledged his faith.
Are you living or planning to live your own life after giving it to the Lord? Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4). Don’t waste your life, give it to Jesus. Don’t wait before it’s too late – abide in the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to abide in You that we may live holy lives before You. You bought us with Your blood, and we are yours. You are praise worthy and there is none like You. Amen.
Judges 16:28 (NKJV)
Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”
Thoughts
The story of Samson in the Bible is very well known both in the Christian and non-Christian communities. It is the story of a man who was called and appointed by God even before birth to be the deliverer and judge for Israel. The concept of judge during that time is different from the judges we have today, who wear long black robes, they sit at court houses, and hammering the gavel. Judges in the time of Samson are ordinary people like town elders, appointed by God or leaders, sitting by the city gate, and performing judgment whenever two persons have issues. Few examples were Lot sitting by the city gate at Sodom, Moses judging the people of Israel, and Joshua who succeeded Moses.
Samson’s story is both bad and good. He was raised from a very godly family, we may nick name him as “Sunny”, and was set apart by God as a Nazirite – which means he should not take any wine products, he should not touch any dead thing, and no razor or scissor should come near his hair (Judges 13). And if he does, God’s Spirit will be with him, and he will have tremendous power, wisdom, and strength – and Samson was! Many great Bible characters were born from barren mothers, and Samson is one of them. They really must be God-made heroes.
Initially, Samson was doing well for the Spirit of the Lord was moving through him (Judges 13:25). But in chapter 14, sudden shift of event happened for Samson took charge of the stirring wheel of his life, and drove “down” to Timnah – a Philistine town. What he’s gonna do in a Philistine town when God called him to be judge in Israel? Many times we are like that, we cannot wait to take control of our lives, instead of letting the Holy Spirit lead us. By then, Samson began his spiritual and moral descent, he had broken the vow of being a Nazirite by going through the vineyards, killing a lion with his bare hands, and eating honey taken from the dead lion. Only one rule was left unbroken, having a haircut at the Devil’s salon.
He engaged himself with Philistine women until he was caught up with Delilah – who made him weak, as the name implies. And finally, he gave in to have his haircut, then the Spirit of the Lord left him. Now, Samson is totally not a Nazirite anymore for he broke all the rules, his giver of strength and power left him – and was turned to nothing by his enemies, but as a donkey grinding the wheels. Until one day, he made a final request for the Spirit of God to strengthen him again – his hair may have grown back for sometime, he turned his trust back to God, to make his life as final sacrifice in the temple of his enemies. God acknowledged his faith.
Are you living or planning to live your own life after giving it to the Lord? Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4). Don’t waste your life, give it to Jesus. Don’t wait before it’s too late – abide in the Lord.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to abide in You that we may live holy lives before You. You bought us with Your blood, and we are yours. You are praise worthy and there is none like You. Amen.
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