Amos 4-6

"I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me."

"I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town, but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me," declares the LORD.

"Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, I struck them with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me, " declares the LORD.

These verses are a reminder that our God is a sovereign God. Nothing that happens in our lives is an accident. Everything happens in order that we may learn to trust him with our lives. And when we stray from him, he brings circumstances in our lives that causes us to return to himself.

But most times, in my stubbornness, I do not return to him...

Thank God that he never lets us go! It is truly better to live a day in his presence than to live a thousand else where.

Let us always return to God. Every moment of each day, may we always be reminded of our loving Father who wants to bless us.

"For I know that plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jermiah 19:11

Praise God:)

Jeremiah 37-39

Shephatiah son of Mattan, Fedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said, "This is what the LORD says; 'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians will live. He will escape with his life; he will live.' And this is what the LORD says; 'This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.'"

Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin."

It is always good to follow God. I know this and have experienced this fact, yet I find myself complaining and following my own desires so often.

I'm so thankful that God never let's me go. And that I am miserable when I stray from him.

Let's make a commitment each day to follow God, even though our circumstance may not make sense. His ways are higher than our ways. Our loving God always has our best interest in mind. Let us praise him and trust him:)

John 3-5

When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come."

We are very familiar with this story, Jesus' very first miracle, turning water into wine. We know and hear enough sermons about how God provides everything we need. Yet I think it's hard to truly believe that he does. Like we talked about before, we really like to worry. We always like to have our own safety net - bank account, insurance, etc. Those things are not bad, but God is challenging us to trust him (isn't it interesting that this took a place in a wedding?)

Today I felt so bad at work because I made mistakes - shipped wrong boxes, made an invoice with wrong price which is already paid. I felt so incompetent and asked myself and God why I am placed at my work. I think God is in the process of humbling me so I will completely trust him and not my own abilities and knowledge.

It was good to hear you say that let's trust God with our future. Yes. God always provides for our needs in his perfect time. Notice how wine Jesus made was very good? He desires to give us what is best for us. Let's continue to trust him!

Jeremiah 7-9

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 1-3

"If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute with many lovers–would you now return to me?" declares the LORD.

"Look up to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been ravished? By the roadside you sat waiting for lovers, sat like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush with shame. Have you not just called to me; 'My Father, my friends from my youth, will you always be angry? Will your wrath continue forever?' This is how you talk, but you do all the evil you can."

These verses really spoke to and convicted me this morning. I was reminded of the need for me to come before God every day and ask him to search my heart for the idols in my life. And as far as I am concerned, idols are any little thing in my life that takes my focus away from God.

I have noticed that many people are very much unaware of the idols in their lives, even though they may be very apparent to me. If that's the case, the same must be true for me.

It says in this verse that if I hold onto my idols and refuse to feel shame and repent of them, then God will withhold his blessings from me. At that moment, it does not matter how I pray to him. I can say all the Christian things that pops into my head. Say that I love God. All the praise in the world will be empty to God, because I have not repented of my sins.

I cannot be a blessing to others, if God does not bless me. And I do desire to be a blessing to all the people God has put in my life.

Let's allow God to truly search our hearts for any idols in our lives this day. And when he reveals them to us, let us not make excuses that so many other people have the same exact idols. Whatever idols we get rid of, God will fill that void with his eternal love. Praise God:)

Luke 22-24

He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

This is what Jesus said to his disciples after the resurrection. Although Jesus told them again and again about who he was, they could not fully understand his word on their own. Jesus had to open their minds so they could understand.

I know when we hear sermons from pastors, we get so blessed because the Holy Spirit anoints and uses them to speak God's word with such authority and understanding. It's because they truly desire God's word.

I always pray that God will speak to me before I read the bible, but I have lost that passion and hunger for God's word. We really need God's help to understand his word because we are so finite and stubborn that many times our pride and knowledge cause us to doubt the scriptures.

It's my prayer that we become lovers of the word of God and that God will open our eyes, ears, and minds so that we may understand his word in a very clear and powerful way. So that his word will become so real to us and that we will meet him every time we read his word. Let us expect great things from God's word!

Isaiah 64-66

"As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me," says the LORD.
"And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, not will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind."

Every time I read about Jesus' second coming and the day of judgment, it makes me examine my life. I realize how privileged I am to be saved and to know that I will dwell with God for all eternity. I, also, realize how I forget in my day to day life of that reality. I forget that there will be a day of judgment, which makes me realize my lack of compassion for those around me who don't know Jesus.

May we be reminded this day to live with the knowledge is that Jesus is indeed coming again. And may our lives reflect that knowledge.

Luke 19-21

Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties for life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

Jesus is talking about the end of times. It says be careful not to "be weighed down with the anxieties of life" but pray. I know I've been struggling with praying. Especially, now that we are working, it's so easy to neglect prayer. However, we know how important it is to pray. Let us pray and lift up all our anxities to God.

Also, this passage made me think about what it will be like to stand before Jesus. I always thought it would be so wonderful to see him face to face, but am I really ready to face him? Would he call me "good and faithful servant" after examining my life?

Let us live every day in fear of God praying and lifting our needs to him. Also, remember to live to please him with everything we do and say :)

Isaiah 59-61

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor...

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

As I was praying this morning, God asked me how much do I love the people he has put in my life?

I noticed in the last few weeks that my struggle in seeking God totally had an effect in your walk with God. If I really love you and care for you as my sister in Christ, the best way for me to show my love is to seek the Lord with all my heart and to pray for you. I realized that when I choose to do my own thing instead following the Lord, I am not the only one effected.

The above scripture talks about our calling as the children of God to have love and compassion to the people in our lives by sharing God's love. But the ability to love is not in us. I've experienced over and over again how selfish I am and many times I seem to live just to meet my own needs. The great thing is that God is very aware of that. That's why he "has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness" so God can work through me.

It's so great that God can use even someone like me to "make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." Praise God:)

Luke 15-18

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

We are very familiar with this story of the lost son. And we have heard sermons on this passage more than once.

I've been feeling very inadequate these days. Whenever I miss praise team practice, service, sunday school, TLC, etc. I feel so bad and ashamed because I am being so irresponsible. So I avoid talking to people. (I know I worry them by doing so..) Whether it was due to illness or other reasons, I feel so unworthy before God and men. However, reading this passage reminds me of God's compassion.

God knows me. God knows you. His salvation, forgiveness of sins, eternal life.. has nothing to do with us. He has given them to us for free. And he knows what we are going through - how sometimes we enjoy sin more than him - yet he has compassion on us. Let us examine our hearts. If we have been away from God and his word, let us return to him. He wants to hear from us.

Isaiah 35-37

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD; "O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.

"It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God."

The Assyrian king sent a word to Hezekiah via messenger and pretty much told him he is doomed, if he doesn't surrender. He gave Hezekiah examples after examples of how all other nations were never spared from Assyria. And that the LORD cannot save him. He even went as far as to say that God told him to march against the land Hezekiah ruled over and to destroy it.

This just reminds me of all the reasoning the devil uses to discourage me from my walk with God. And when I allow myself to dwell in these thoughts, the more discouraged I get.

The moment Hezekiah received this letter from the Assyrian messenger, he humbled himself before God and prayed. This is something I don't always do, and I struggle unnecessarily for it.

We serve the one and only living God. And he longs to take care of his children. We just need to humble ourselves and lift ourselves up to him in prayer. Praise God:)

Isaiah 29-31

The Lord says:

"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"?

I was reminded from reading this that I am made by God. Not just in part, but fully made by him. If I find myself with some wisdom and intelligence, then I should praise God for it, for everything comes from him. He is my potter, and I am his precious clay:)

Mark 13-15

He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

This passage talks about Peter's denial of Jesus. The bible only records his denial in detail, but it is true that all the disciples denied and deserted Jesus.

I was once again reminded of God's amazing grace. Before he chose the twelve disciples, before he made you and me, he already knew everything about us - our failure, unfaithfulness, wickedness.. Yet he still made us and chose us to be his children.

I know we feel so helpless and want to give up whenever we fail before God. However, knowing that God's grace and forgiveness is always there, we should never give up but turn and repent just like Peter did.

Let us remember not to take God's grace for granted but live a life that is worthy of his love. Praise God.

Isaiah 13-15

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."

But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.

This is a reminder that God is the highest authority above all things seen and unseen, including Satan. Let us not be afraid of failure, but always keep going on with Jesus.

Isaiah 7-9

The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:

"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare. Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured."

I was reminded by this passage that if I do not keep my eyes on Jesus and diligently seek him with humility and discipline, I can easily be swayed to believe in the ways of the world.

If I truly fear God out of my love and reverence for him, he will be the only one I have to fear. Nothing else can touch me. He will, indeed, be my sanctuary.

But if I do not seek God, decide to sin, and do not repent of my sins, then I will be like the two houses of Israel in this passage. If I choose to continue living in sin and not repent of my ways, God will not allow my life to go smoothly. Although this makes God seem unloving, I fully believe God does this out of love. Otherwise, I will not feel the need to turn back to him when I sin.

God's love is real. Jesus Christ, God's own son, has died for my sins. So whenever I truly repent and decide to follow him again, he remembers my sins no more.

We are so blessed. How great is our God:)

Matthew 25-28

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

When I read this passage, I thought to myself, "Wow, I want to be like this woman touching Jesus' heart." Jesus was so moved by her heart for him. She knew who Jesus was. She knew that he was going to be crucified. And she gave him everything - all her possession, her service, and, most importantly, her heart. Knowing such a loving heart, Jesus was pleased with her.

I've been praying that God would restore my first love for him. And he's been giving me the desire to seek him. God is so faithful in answering our prayers.

Is there anything we refuse to give onto God? Let us be like this woman who gave her all to Jesus.

Song of Songs 1-8

Beloved
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth–for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the maidens love you! Take me away with you–let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.

As I read this, I was thinking about what Jesus means to me this morning.

You know, as you and I have gotten to know each other better, you have been such a blessing to me that it is easy for me to sincerely say that "your love is more delightful than wine."

But we have discussed that the blessings we experience daily in each other is completely by the grace of God. It is only through him that we are able to learn true humility. It is his grace alone that shows us little by little what the love of Jesus is through our relationship to each other.

Do we love Jesus more than we love each other this morning? More than anything else in the world? Can we, with a sincere heart, sing the above song to Jesus right now and truly mean it?

Let us examine our priorities this day. Every good and perfect gift is from God, and Jesus IS the ultimate gift. We need to make sure that Jesus alone is, and always will be, the utmost desire of our hearts:)

Ecclesiastes 4-6

The I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him–for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work–this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Before this passage, the writer of this book talks about the many vanities of life. He refers to them as "grievous evil" and "chasing after the wind".

The examples of vanity is all around us. It's no secret that the world is after wealth and power. We all want this to different degrees. But seeking after wealth and power is vain, because, "Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand." We see examples of misery caused by our desire for wealth and power each day. Yet, so many of us are convinced that if we just had little wealth and little power they will make us happy. So we keep down this road of "chasing after the wind".

True contentment with our life is truly nothing other than a gift from God. It is interesting how the passage says God "enables" us to enjoy what we have in life. Only God can give us the right perspective, meaning, and the direction for our lives. Only through him, can we learn to accept our lot that he has given us. He will give us all that we need. Excess of wealth and power is not a blessing aside from God.

Let us remind ourselves this day that it is God and he only that can give us joy in our lives. Everything is from him. Everything leads back to him. Let our hearts be glad this day in his endless love for us:)

Matthew 19-21

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."

"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

We know that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works. However, I am reminded that we need to continue to repent and believe in God. If we do not have that heart of humility to recognize our sins and God's holiness, we will eventually walk away from God and lose our faith.

During today's bible study, Pastor Tim mentioned how pastors are called to direct people to God and warn them. And I believe God wants us to be alert and be willing to draw close to him.

Let us commit ourselves fully onto God. Let us not be satisfied with where we are in our walk with God. I pray that we will continue to work out our salvation. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Proverbs 28-31

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

"Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die; Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

The humility of this prayer made me pause. The bible says that this was written by Agur. Not sure who he was, but he definitely understood his sinful nature and the need for God in his life.

How honest of him to ask God only for his daily bread. He knows the temptation of riches may cause him to disown God. Most of us only find ourselves praying to God in times of need. I'm sure to many of us, having money means one less reason to seek God...

Agur also knows that poverty may cause him to steal and dishonor God. So he prayed for God to give him exactly what he needs. Nothing more and nothing less.

Let us trust God to provide our daily bread, and ask him to keep falsehood and lies of the devil far from us. How we truly need God to be our shield. Let us take comfort and refuge in his flawless word:)

Matthew 15-18

Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.

As I told you, God kept reminding me of these verses throughout today. And I just realized how great God's forgiveness is. This parable is so simple and relevant to everyone because it's talking about money. When I hear that someone has millions of dollars, I go 'Wow, that's a lot of money.' But do I react the same way when talking about God's forgiveness? It is truly beyond measure.

Like I already shared with you last night, I do need restoration. And God is reminding me once again that he is always willing to forgive me. I am totally accepted and deeply loved.

Let us always give thanks to God for he is a forgiving Father.

Matthew 28: 18-20

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is such an overwhelming instruction from Jesus. We are, as God's children, to go and make disciples of all nations. Whether we like it or not, it is what Jesus said.

I'm not sure anyone reading this can ever think they are up to the task. I, for one, feel very ashamed and useless, whenever this topic of evangelism is brought up. But...

I was reminded today that God did not give us the above instruction because he thinks we can do it. If anything, we'll make a mess of things and probably go around making enemies rather than disciples.

Only God can give us the power to share his word. And, more importantly, it is only God that can change someone's heart. All he is looking for in us is a genuine heart that is willing to be used by him.

Let us never limit God in our lives. He can and will do great miraculous things through us, despite of our weaknesses:)

Proverbs 25-27

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

This topic of "tomorrow"... that can be such a long discussion. Do I live for today or for tomorrow? Both?

This is something I was reminded of today as it pertains to my life. I think I've gotten accustomed to the attitude that there will always be tomorrow. Which makes me put off things that I know I should be doing today. Living each day to it's fullest in the context of where God placed me in my life. I need definitely need God's wisdom and discipline to do that.

Let's live this day to the fullest by praising God in all that we do:)

Proverbs 22-24

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

We were talking the other day about how hard it must be to discipline a child. In order to consistently discipline a child day after day takes so much patience and love from the parents. How much easier is it, when a child misbehaves, for the parents to just let it go? No one needs to teach a child how to misbehave. When a child is disciplined, the parents really do, little by little, saves him or her from a life of destruction.

I was thinking about our Heavenly Father's disciplining of us. As his beloved child, do I welcome his discipline? Do I see it as his love for me, rather than hate?

I realize that I am never fully aware of what I am doing. I may think I am wise, but God always proves me wrong. I may think I am not susceptible to certain sins, but this, too, God proves me wrong.

This is what makes me his child and him my Heavenly Father. He knows what is good for me. And as a child, I am unwise and always in need of instructions.

A child is disciplined so he or she can be directed in the right direction. Am I aware this day that without God's discipline, I am headed toward destruction? The question is am I willing this day to accept God discipline and direction for my life? Am I willing to repent of the wrong path I may have taken, and surrender to his love and mercy?

What is awesome about God is that he can use the mistakes I have made and use them for good. But for him to do that, I need to admit to him that I have made a mistake. And one of his "rod", I think, is that he withhold his blessing from me until I repent. And to not have God in my life is always a dreadful experience. I get depressed, fearful, look for comfort in other things, etc. My life really does become a life headed for destruction.

But I realize that I can never run away from God. His love will always catch up to me no matter how far I resist. His love truly endures forever:)

Matthew 12

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Proverbs 12-15

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

We have full freedom in Christ Jesus by accepting him as our Lord and savior. Or more precisely, we CAN have full freedom. IF we allow him to discipline us and if we humbly heed his correction at every moment of our day.

I was reminded again how so many of us do not experience this freedom, because we despise discipline. The world tells us that freedom is being able to do whatever we want to when we want to. And that freedom is the ability to live according to our own desires. Many of us have lived with this mindset for so long, that we don't realize that we really don't have any freedom at all. We are enslaved by our sinful desires.

We can't help but to sin. This is a horrible example, but it reminds me of a documentary I saw about a Catholic priest who spent a life time molesting children. He would go to confession, but would go right back to his fleshly desires. And ruined many many lives because of it.

We all experience some sort of reoccurring sin in our lives. We can feel bad about it, say to God we want to change, but most of us don't change because we are not willing to be disciplined by God. It's so much easier to give into sin than to fearfully humbling ourselves before God every time we feel the desire to sin.

If we are truly born again, we have the power in Jesus to be released from our fleshly desires. But this is not a one time thing or a weekly confession we do at church. It is a continuous process. If we still find ourselves going in circles from reoccurring sin in our lives, it can only mean that we don't really want to be released.

Let's strive to live a victorious life in Jesus. Allow God to discipline us so we are changed from glory to glory to the likeness of Jesus. We who despise discipline truly despise ourselves. Why live in slavery when we can live in full freedom by the power and grace of God that loves us?

Matthew 9-10

Do not be afraid of those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

From yesterday's sermon and today's QT at work, and again from today's reading, God is telling me to be courageous and bold to be his witness. Like Paul preached the good news to high authorities in Rome with such boldness and confidence in the word of God, God wants us to be a faithful witness everywhere everyday.

Let us continue to pray for our loved ones who don't know Jesus Christ and share God's love to people we meet everyday. I know we both rather have a quiet personality, but we do know how much God wants everyone to come to know him. Let us pray that he will fill us with his spirit, so that we will be bold when we talk about Jesus to others. Let us be an instrument of God's blessing!

Matthew 6-8

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

I think everyone is in search of the true meaning of life. Some say it is helping the poor, others say gaining wealth and fame. We know that there is no life outside of Jesus Christ. God is the one who gave us life and he is the only one who knows what makes us happy and satisfied.

But this passage says many do not want this life which is Jesus Christ because it involves self-denial and suffering. And I am not an exception. I find myself wanting to have nice things and looking for pleasure. God is reminding us this day to follow him and his ways only and also to pray for those who are headed for destruction.

I am so thankful that God has made himself known to us and he calls us his children. Let us gladly follow God for he has given us a new life.

Proverbs 7-9

I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.

Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said;

"I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I cam out to meet you; I look for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till hull moon."

With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like and ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till and arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.

This description of the adulteress (the devil) made me shudder as I read it. I mean, talk about how he temps us!! He pretty much gives us every single excuse for us to give in to our fleshly desires. The longer we dwell and allow ourselves to be enticed by the devil, he will gives you more and more reason to commit sin.

I did notice that the "youth who lacked judgment" was walking in the direction of the adultress. Many times, we put ourselves in situations where we can be more easily enticed. And many times, we do this knowingly.

The adulteress lurks at every corner. God has been reminding me over and over again the reality of the spiritual warfare that is happening all around. I must be aware of this, so I am ready whenever the adulteress comes out to meet me (or finds me).

Thanks God I can be victorious in Christ Jesus. I don't have to be like an ox going to the slaughter house, helpless and not in control. In Jesus, I have the power to overcome and be victorious before my enemies. It is always a question of whether I utilize that power that is always available to me.

But I cannot be double-minded. I cannot already make up my mind that I am going to sin and be walking toward the adulteress.

Let's choose God this day over ourselves. We are so blessed to be loved by him. Praise God:)

Proverbs 1-3

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.

I've been struggling lately with the idea of fearing God. I mean, the reason that I so often choose to do things my way over God's way is because at the moment of choosing, I do not fear God.

This passage makes it very clear what it takes to understand the fear of the Lord our God. It is a commitment on our part to seek God. Reading and studying his word and storing them up within us, desiring God's wisdom and understanding even to a point of calling out and crying aloud for them, and to do this as fervently as though it is the most valuable thing we can ever pertain. Then the bible says, we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

That makes sense. I can't be praying constantly for God to show me how to fear him. Understanding the fear of the Lord comes from me seeking him. The more I seek him, the more God will reveal himself to me. And when I see more of God, that is when I will naturally learn to fear him. If I'm not filled with the Holy Spirit and God is not real to me, how can I ever fear God?

Let's, again, humble ourselves before God this day. May we seek him with all of our hearts so we may understand the fear of the Lord, because the "fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge".

Matthew 1-3

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

Have you ever wondered why God chose Mary and Joseph as Jesus' parents? As I was reading the account of Jesus' birth, I realized how they obeyed God 100%. Whenever God spoke to them, they did not doubt or hesitate but completely obeyed and did what he told them to do. And I don't think they did that because everything made sense. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant before they came together, he was gonna quietly divorce her. However, God told him to marry her. Do you think you can do that??

More and more I think about how God's ways and our ways are so different. Yet if we choose to obey him, beyond our limited understanding, God is going to use and bless us just like he did to Joseph and Mary. What does God want us to do this day? Let us obey him, his words wholeheartedly.

Psalm 144-150

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man;
the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Am I putting my hope in God's unfailing love today? Am I placing God in his rightful place this day so it causes me to fear him out of my reverence for him?

It really is one thing to say or pray these things, and another to live it. In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that somehow God is pleased with my works. But he really isn't. He cares about my intentions. If I have truly lived this day by fearing God and putting my hope in his unfailing love, that humble commitment would have automatically produced good works.

But how hard is it to have the right intentions in my hearts in all that I do... Such a struggle. Sometimes, I can totally feel my flesh fighting against and resisting God's love. My hope truly is in his unfailing love only. I will never find it anywhere else.

God's unfailing love. How sweet that sounds. Praise him!

Malachi 2-4

"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.

This is a rather long passage, but I want to share two things. One is giving tithes and offerings to God. If we don't give our time, money, and everything we have onto God as an offering, we are robbing God. He is telling us to test him this day to see whether he will bless us or not if we give to him.

Pastor Tim often says no one can out give God. I think that is so true. Sometimes, I say to God 'God, I am doing this and that for you, isn't it enough? Why do I have to serve and give to you and others?' just like the Israelites here. They said 'It is futile to serve God.' This shows how prideful they were. And we say this to God thinking we are sacrificing so much of ourselves in serving God. But if we truly remember what God has done, is doing, and will do for us, we cannot complain to God. In fact, being given an opportunity to serve God is such a privilege and honor one can ever have. Who are we that God should choose us to serve him?

Let us thank God this day for his provision and grace in our lives. How joyful we are because we are in Christ!

Psalm 130-135

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Reading psalm after psalm these days really makes me examine my heart. There is such a sense of urgency in all of these psalms. So much so that they often make me feel ashamed for not doing the same. The writers don't just stay put. They are always seeking God, whether in times or trouble or in times of praise. They are always moving ahead with God with all of their hearts.

I was reminded this morning of the need for this kind of urgency in my life. Because in my walk with Jesus, I'm never really staying put. Either I am seeking God and going forward or I am relying on myself and sliding backwards. There really is no middle ground. And as I look back at this week, this really is the reality. The enemy is, indeed, all around me. There can be no rest in my walk with Jesus. My rest can only come from me seeking and crying out to him.

Let's put our hope in God's word this morning. He really is our only source of hope. Thank you, Jesus:)

Phillipians 4:10-13

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know hat it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

We learned in tonight's bible study about the secret of being content. Content simply means lacking nothing. All of our needs and desires are fulfilled. How do we do that?

Pastor Timothy taught us that we become discontent when we feel we are not in control of our lives. This happens when we are living in subjection to our circumstances. Living by sight instead of by faith.

Here is the 3 criteria to happiness and contentment: 1) Have someone to love and be loved, 2) Have purpose in life, and 3) Have something to look forward to. These three criteria are fully fulfilled in Jesus. In him, we lack absolutely nothing. Let's always remember to remind each other of this fact whenever we find the other being discontent.

Psalm 120-124

If the LORD had not been on our side–let Israel say–if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.

Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Do we believe that God is on our side? We learned last night that when we find ourselves in troubles, it is usually due to our incomplete trust in the Lord. We say we trust God with our lives, but we don't really. Many of us choose to keep certain areas of our lives to ourselves. Why do we do that?

Let's allow God to search our hearts this day for the reason behind our incomplete trust in him. And be reminded as this psalm says that God, indeed, is on our side. He wants us to fully trust him. He wants to be our all. Let's choose this day to let God be our all for he truly cares for his children. Praise God!

Genesis 33-34

So that Esau started on his way back to Seir. Jacob, however, went to Succoth, where he built a place for himself and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place is called Succoth.

From the story of Jacob, we learned about the consequence of partial obedience. When we don't completely obey and surrender ourselves to God, God cannot bless us. We always ask for blessings, but we don't realize that God is willing and ready but we are not ready to receive his blessings.

Let's commit to follow and obey God wholeheartedly not because of his blessings, but because we love him.

Psalm 112-118

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. The I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

As I read this psalm, the word "simplehearted" caught my attention. I was reminded of a child's heart. When I was a child, I looked to my father for help in all things. He was the guy that can do everything. I did not doubt. I knew that when I called on him, he will take care of all my needs.

My heart was simpler back then. Now my heart is very complicated. I find it very difficult to take my heavenly father's word just as it is. So much doubt. So much unbelief.

When I think of God changing me, I don't picture myself getting more complicated. I picture God helping me digress my complicated heart to a simple heart. And the amazing thing about God is that as I become more simplehearted and more dependent on him, the stronger I become by his power.

Let's pray for God to make us simplehearted this day. We have a loving heavenly father who wants and desires us to go to him for all things. His love for us endures forever. Praise God:)

Zechariah 11-14

The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

We have accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior when we first believed. Since then, a lot of times, I struggle because I try to be the lord of my life instead of letting God reign. This happens when I am proud and in unbelief.

God's been telling me to stop trying to have my way but let him take control because he has a perfect plan for me. I need to hold on to his promise and let his will be done. I am so glad that he wants to be my lord. I don't need to worry. I can lay down all my burdens at his feet, and he will take care of me.

Let's praise God for coming to our life and being our lord. Hallelujah!

Psalm 101-103

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits–who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

This is one of the verses pastor Timothy shared last night regarding God's ability to divinely heal his children. I was reminded this morning of the promises of God in his word. We talked last night about how God truly needs to humble our hearts. Who are we to be so arrogant as to read God's promises and think that he can't do what he promised? Do we believe God at his word? Or do we pick and choose what we believe?

Many of us mix our own ideas that we've gathered from living in this world to the word of God. Some of these ideas are so convincing. They seem to make sense. Yet, they contradict the word of God. Which will we choose?

Let us choose God this day. These promises of God (all of which are so great that they are unbelievable) are real. He is telling us in this psalm to not forget his promises. Why would he say that if he does not intend on keeping them?

One of his many promises is that he will "crowns (us) with love and compassion, who satisfies (our) desires with good things so that (our) youth is renewed like the eagle's." God is to be our utmost desire in our lives. We can't serve two masters. We can't desire our on desires or the things of the world and desire God at the same time.

But when we desire God and seek after his heart, he will renew our youth. To me, this speaks of his forgiveness. Being youthful and child-like is to be innocent. Uncorrupted by bitterness, anger, and all the reminders of the past baggage we tend to carry around in our hearts. We know that many people are living with so much suffering, because they cannot let go of their past. But when we desire after God's own heart, he can do this miracle in our lives and much much more.

Let's praise God this day and not forget his promises!

Zechariah 1-4

"Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

As I was reading this verse, I was reminded of Job. To me, he is the one person who had every right to ask God for reasons - why he took away his possessions and children and struck him with such a painful illness.. But God does not owe anyone, even Job, an explanation for anything. God is God and we are his creation. We need to be still and fear him for being a sovereign Lord.

Often I find myself wondering about why things are the way they are in my life. And it's so easy to make God responsible for everything. However, we know that God's ways are perfect and just. We need to truly believe and act upon that promise.

Let us be encouraged today knowing that God is with us. His promise is with us. His love is with us. And his spirit is within us.

Psalm 90-94

The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea–the LORD on high is mighty.

Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD.

I was reminded and comforted this morning by this psalm. Our God reigns. His throne was established long ago, and he is from all eternity. He IS in control and will be forever.

Thank God that we always end up in a place where we feel weak and out of control, so we may choose to seek him. We will find everything we need in him. Everything!

Zephaniah 1-3

"The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy...The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

How comforting it is to know that God is with us. We tend to forget this simple truth. It is so easy to take our eyes off of Jesus and focus on our circumstances. Yet we've been taught from the word of God again and again that God always saves us from whatever we are going through.

It says God takes delight in us and rejoices over us. How sweet that sounds... We are God's sons and daughters. His love is indescribable. It's beyond our reason and imagination. Let's remember this day that God's presence and love is with us.

Psalm 81-84

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in our courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

May our prayer this day be that all our strength come from the Lord our God. So our testimony this day in whatever we go through will be one of going from strength to strength. In our weakness, God is our strength.

Thank God that he puts us in situations that we can't handle on our own or in situations that we'd rather not be in. This way, when we humble ourselves and give up the situation to God and he brings us through these situations, we know that it is all due to his grace.

Let's trust God this day and face the challenges God put in our lives by his strength!

Amos 7-9

"For I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will reach the ground. All the sinners among my people will die by the sword, all those who say, 'Disaster will not overtake or meet us.' In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be ... I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them," says the LORD your God.

This is a pattern how God deals with the Israelites, his children. He disciplines us but that's not the end. He always promises to restore us. I can think of a lot of people from the bible who went through discipline and restoration - Joseph, Samson, Peter, etc.

I am reminded of the verse that says "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." I am encouraged and thankful that God's discipline is driven by his love. He loves us and accepts as his sons and daughters.

Let's thank God for who he is and what he is doing in our life whether it's a discipline or restoration. And be joyful knowing that his plan for us is good and perfect.

Psalm 73-77

"Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

I know that both of us had a tough week. We felt discouraged due to our circumstances. As this psalm says, we felt as though God has withheld his compassion.

I shared with you last night that this seems to be the pattern in so many of the psalms. The writers wrote why God seemed to be hiding his face from them. But they always seem to follow by reminding themselves of who God is. His love, his power, his mercy, his grace, etc.

The book of Psalm reminds me that it is okay to cry out to God. Life is not always rosy. We don't have to force ourselves to see the positive in all situations. Sometimes we just can't and that's just the reality of who we are, just like the writes of Psalm. BUT...

We can't just stop there. Otherwise we'll just end up being whiners that end up wallowing in self-pity. We've all met Christians that seem to be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Yes, we will feel down and hopeless many times, but we must ask God, each time, to remind us of the splendor of who he is.

God's love for us is far greater than what we can ever imagine. With that love, he has redeemed us through Christ Jesus. We are so privileged to be called his own by his grace.

Let's be reminded this day that we have nothing to worry about. Our sovereign God is in full control. Let us submit and obey him by faith. Praise God:)

Amos 1-3

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Psalm 69-72

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

I noticed that most of the psalms by David are so dramatic. At some point, I even felt a bit tired of them, thinking, "Oh, there he goes again. Being all dramatic and stuff."

God put David through so much in his life. David experienced everything from running for his life to winning many impossible battles. And we know that he had a heart that truly sought after God. I believe that was the reason he was tested so much. God wanted to reveal more of himself to David, because of his ardent devotion to him. And one way God reveals himself to his children is by tests and trials.

Is there urgency in our hearts this day to seek after Jesus? And to be very aware of the enemy around us? Let's choose this day for God to work in our lives, so we will not miss out on all the great and perfect things he has for us.

Hosea 12-14

"You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper. Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'? So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away."

Seeing pagan nations having a king, Israel asked God for a human king. God's intention was to be their only God and king, yet they wanted a king. So God granted their wish. It says God did that in his anger. I think about my life how sometimes I wish for foolish and sinful things, not things of God but of my own selfishness. And I think that is a sign of not trusting in God. Because I doubt that God's ways are not perfect and righteous, I feel the need to ask God what to give me.

I pray that God will restore the joy and thankfulness in our hearts today. Like we prayed yesterday, let us not focus our eyes on things that are seen and worldly but unseen and godly. Let us remember that God's plan and time is perfect for us. He sees us and knows our needs. Praise God.

Psalm 64-68

Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name."

Let us allow God to search our hearts this day and ask him to get rid of all things that keep us from sincerely praising him with joy. Let's ask him to overflow us with the Holy Spirit.

Let's be reminded that our God is so great that the enemies cringe before him. Whenever we lose our joy in God, whenever we feel frustrated and down because of our circumstances, or maybe just simply complaining about something or other, it is nothing other then the works of the enemy. Let us realize that and turn our eyes back to God.

Let's take hold of the fact that God loves us this day. Let us remember that he is our heavenly father, our master, and our friend. We are blessed to be called his own. Praise God!

Daniel 4-6

Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." ... Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel."

God saved Daniel from the lion's den. That is a miracle! God did not have to do that for Daniel because he already knew who God is. It was for the king and his people. Because their hearts were so hardened that they needed to see God's miracle in order to believe in God.

Time to time, I find myself asking God for miracles. I want him to do all these crazy things. But God is telling me today not to seek his miracles but him. We already know who God is. How powerful, sovereign, and loving he is to us. He does not want to be treated as a genie in a bottle. God wants to have an intimate relationship with us.

Let us draw closer to him today and everyday.

Psalm 56-58

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

There's such an excitement in this psalm. I've been thinking how I lack this energy in my walk with Jesus so often. I need to wake up and take hold of his great promise.

How we all need fresh revelation of God in his rightful place each day so it'll stir us to just worship him for who he is. So it'll make us cry out, "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

Ezekiel 47-48, Daniel 1

But Daniel resolved not the defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way...At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Daniel and his three friends were taken to Babylon and were being trained in order to enter the king's service. They were young men who were from Israelite royal family and the nobility.

This account tells us that Daniel along with his three friends refused to eat the food that were offered to idols. As a young man, Daniel must have had such a healthy appetite. Yet he resolved not to defile himself. He chose to obey God by keeping himself holy physically and spiritually. I know, as Christians living in this fallen world, it is so easy to compromise with worldly philosophies and practices. But we know that those things are so empty and meaningless and can never satisfy us in any way.

Let us hear God's voice telling us to be set apart for him so that he may cause us to be a blessing like Daniel.

Psalm 47-52

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Just as David needed God's forgiveness and restoration after he sinned against God, let us ask God to renew our spirit this day and to go on with the Lord.

Ezekiel 42-44

"The Levites who went far from me when Israel went astray and who wandered from me after their idols must bear the consequences of their sin. They may serve in my sanctuary...But because they served them in the presence of their idols and made the house of Israel fall into sin, therefore I have sworn with uplifted hand that they must bear the consequences of their sin, declares the Sovereign LORD. They are not to come near to serve me as priests or come near any of my holy things or my most holy offerings; they must bear the shame of their detestable practices..."

"But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD. They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service."

I always thought consequences of sin are something physical such as illness, poverty, death, etc. However, the passage describes them as something a lot more painful and horrible. It is the separation from God, from his presence. Being in his presence is a wonderful privilege we shouldn't take for granted.

It is shocking to hear God saying he will still allow sinners to serve him but not to come near and be in his holy presence. It is scary to think that such people exist in churches today. They may seem to be godly and serving God yet they are idol worshipers. And they can go on living like that fooling themselves and others, but God searches and knows our hearts.

Do we think everything is okay just because we are serving at church every Sunday? Let us examine our hearts this day and ask God to get rid of anything that hinders us from being in God's presence. Let us be the faithful servants God desires to come near him.

Psalm 37-41

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; may your love and your truth always protect me. For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. The are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me.

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me. May all who seek to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

Yet I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do no delay.

David wrote so many of these psalms with much sense of urgency. I was reminded from this passage that as a christian living in this fallen world, I should be praying always with a sense of urgency. I believe many of us have a tendency to get way too comfortable with our lives. Are we aware that troubles without numbers surround us at any moment? We are living in the midst of a spiritual warfare. And even though most of us will not experience being in an actual battlefield, we do have enemies that are bent on killing the spirit of joy we have in Christ at every moment and around every corner.

I can only say this for myself, but I don't spend most of my day rejoicing in the Lord. A little complaint here and a little complaint there. A little sighing here and there. They are usually very subtle things that I've come to expect as being a normal way to live. A normal reaction to life. Nothing really wrong with them.

But that is not the way we are to live. We can be full of joy in Christ because he has revealed to us his love and his truth. But we must be fully aware of the "troubles without number" that surround us. There is never a moment when we don't need the Lord. We are poor and needy.

So let's keep our eyes upon the Lord, and make seeking the Lord be the utmost desire of our hearts this day.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The LORD be exalted!"

Ezekiel 37-39

"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the countries of their enemies, I will show myself holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declared the Sovereign LORD."

During youth and EM service yesterday, God asked me what my desire is. 'What is the utmost desire of your heart? Can you truly say all you need and want is me?' I had to examine my heart. The truth is that I've been desiring other things more than God. I realize how much I want to have nice things and take pleasure in relationships. God is not pleased with that. He wants us to love and desire him more than anything and anyone.

This passage once again talks about how God is going to restore the Israelites because he loves them so much. Again and again he tells them to come back to him. I think God is telling us the same message. Let us turn from our idols and make God our first love.

Psalm 27-29

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

In one way or another, I've been praying this prayer ever since I was saved 16 years ago. But to make dwelling in the house of the Lord my one and utmost desire has been such a learning process. And I know it is going to go on until the day the Lord takes me home.

Is God really first in my life this day? Am I really seeking after God's heart? We have agreed that as long as each one of us is seeking and walking with the Lord, he will take care of all things for us, including our relationship. But that requires us to be truly honest before God and be willing to have him change us on a daily basis. Sacrificing ourselves to God with joy. Truly repenting of any sins that he points out in our lives. We can potentially fool each other. Maybe even fool ourselves. But we can never fool God.

Let us make seeking God the utmost desire of our hearts this day:)

Ezekiel 33-35

"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate. Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, O Mount Seir, you and all Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

Like I shared couple weeks ago, again God is reminding me of one of his principles: you reap what you sow. God is just and perfect in all of his ways. That's why he does not allow us to get away with our sins. We always face the consequences of our deeds.

I think about what I am sowing in my life. Is God pleased with it? God says we will reap what we sow in this life or in the life to come. Let us examine our hearts and actions to see if they are aligned with the word of God. And truly love our family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let us shun every sin but not grow weary in doing good because we know that we will reap the harvest in God's time.

Psalm 21-23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet water, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

This is such a comforting Psalm. I picture having Jesus as my shepherd protecting me. He is responsible for my well-being. He has promised to take care of me. If Jesus is my shepherd, what else can I possibly want? All I need to do is to follow his leading. Allow him to be my shepherd and to acknowledge that I am indeed, nothing but a fearful and helpless sheep that needs his protection and guidance at every moment.

Fear is something we all deal with. I know that I do. This psalm paints a picture of Jesus tending to his flock in the midst of the fallen world. But what do we need to fear, if we truly believe that Jesus is our shepherd?

Let us not be in want this day. God will provide all that we need. "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet water, he restores my soul." And it says he "guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." It is not for us. Our purpose in life is to bring glory to God.

Let's praise God this day for he is good:)

Ezekiel 30-32

"On that day I will make a horn grow for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD."

"So I will inflict punishment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the LORD."

"When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD."

Throughout the book of Ezekiel, one of the repeated phrases is "then they will know that I am the LORD." This means that they do and will continue to refuse to recognize God as their LORD until God inflicts them with judgment. Then they will know that God is the LORD.

I thought about if I recognize God as my LORD. If I do, I am saying I believe in his sovereignty, power, and provision. Then I would not worry about anything. Being worrisome and anxious about life is a sign of unbelief. I know this is easier said than done, but God continues to remind us that everyday he will provide for us, not just mediocre things but the best.

Let us live this day knowing that God is the LORD, our LORD. We have nothing to worry about :)

Psalm 12-17

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

David is being chased by his enemies and he does not see an end in sight. Most of us have probably never been chased by people who wanted to kill us, but we've all experienced at one time or another the anxiety associated with our future. I am at the moment a bit anxious about the outcome of a possible job.

But in the midst of all this, David is able to say that he trusts in God's unfailing love. I mean, it almost seems as though he is crazy. What is so loving about being chased by people bent on killing you? And how can David say he will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to him?

This is the power of God and his ability to change our hearts. God has revealed his love for us through his son Jesus. And this love is truly undeniable.

God has been good to us. Whatever trials we may be going through, let's be like David and trust in God's unfailing love:)

Ezekiel 24-26

"Now your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until my wrath against you has subsided."

Although God's forgiveness is available to us who believes in Christ, sometimes we refuse to repent because we love sin. This passage shows God's desire for us. He wants to cleanse us from our sins so that we can have an intimate relationship with him.

Let us remind ourselves that being forgiven is not a feeling but an act of faith. Time to time, I still feel bad and guilty about myself and toward God even after I confess my sins. The devil is always trying to accuse us in every way. Therefore, everyday we need to read and meditate on the word of God and repent when God reveals our sin.

God loves us more than we can ever imagine.

Psalm 1-6

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, I my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

This was David's prayer to God when he fled from his son, Absalom. But this psalm reminded me of the spiritual warfare that we face on a daily basis.

"God will not deliver him." I face this lie from the devil all the time, and so many times I fall prey to it. I often feel so hopeless in my ability to ever grow in the Lord. Repeating many of the same mistakes over and over in life, making promises to God and breaking them, etc.

But God has delivered us in Christ Jesus. It is easier said then done, but all we need to do whenever we feel discouraged by the devil's lies is to cry out to the Lord. This is something I do not often do. When I feel discouraged, I tend to dwell in that mood. I'll first try to figure out why on my own. Then I usually do other things to take my mind off it.

Let's be reminded that the spiritual warfare is real. When we feel discouraged, we NEED to realize that we are under attack. And the first thing we need to do is to cry out to the Lord. And when we do that, God will answer us.

Praise God that he has delivered us!

Ezekiel 21-23

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."

We are called to be intercessors who would pray for people God has put in our life. God's been impressing upon my heart to encourage and intercede for people, but to be honest, I have not been been faithful. I think it's so easy to be caught up with our own life that we do not care about what others are going through. That is not a heart of God. He is looking for someone who would genuinely cry and repent for the sins of others. This is a way to be a blessing to others.

It is God's desire to use us to restore the brokenness of others as well as us. Let's pray that we would be obedient and faithful to this calling.

Job 32-34

"But you have said in my hearing–I heard the very words–'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.'

"But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? For God does speak–now one way, now another–though man may not perceive it."

These are the words of Elihu to Job.

So God does answer and speak to us. But we know from experience that it's hard for us to hear God's word when we refuse to repent of our sins. I believe that's probably what happened with Job. He was so wrapped up in self-pity and his circumstance (although understandably so) that he didn't have the right heart toward God.

But I am encouraged this day that God does speak. And to those that believe in him, everything happens for a reason. And it is between us and God to find out what that is, not for others to figure out or to judge.

Let's be reminded this day that God is working in our lives. God does not just put us in trials for no reason. Sometimes we may think he is not speaking to us, but the word of God tells us that he is. Let us humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and turn toward God. He loves us and he is the provider of all our needs.

Ezekiel 16-18

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"

The book of Ezekiel is surely a hard one to swallow. It displays our wicked and sinful ways and God's judgment very clearly. As I was reading, I thought about my heart's condition. Has it become hardened toward the word of God? Is it unwilling to conform to God's ways?

I realize, like the passage says, the only way for us to live is to repent. The moment we think that we are righteous and don't need to ask God for forgiveness, God will judge us. Some people think that God takes pleasure in judging humans. That is not the God of the bible. He clearly says he does not take any pleasure in judging his people. We are judged when we refuse to repent. We know that he loves us because again and again he tells us to turn to him. He is ever so patient and merciful.

Let us ask God to search our hearts if there is anything we need to confess. Indeed, we need "a new heart and a new spirit" everyday. Praise God for he loves and forgives sinners like you and me!

Job 22-27

"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him. God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me."

I am reminded this day that no mortal man can ever truly know the ways of our God. The brightest minds of this world cannot figure out the creation of life. How is it that so many of us are bold enough to think we know how God works?

That is the thought that God put in my heart as I read the rebuking of Job's friends. They talk as though they understand God. Evil deeds = suffering. Good deeds = blessing. So Job surely must be an unrepentant secret sinner.

But Job is telling them that God is God, and he has the power and authority to do whatever he wants. The reality of the world is very complex. We live in the world where people living in sin can have great wealth and power. And people walking with God can be poor. What does all this mean?

I'd like to think that those wealthy people living a life of sin have no real happiness in their lives, because material possession cannot bring you lasting joy. Is that really the case? I don't know that for sure. It may be mostly true, but I think this is a theory I thought up just to make myself feel better.

The truth is no one can ever truly know the ways of God. His ways are higher than our ways. He does work in mysterious ways. And so many of us can testify to the unexpectedly wonderful way God works in our lives.

Here is what we know and can say for sure. God loves us. We know because he has sent Jesus Christ to die for us. And we know because, for those of us that have accepted him, he has changed our hearts. That is something only God can do.

So let's be reminded this day that everything we have comes from God. We are nothing aside from the life we have in Christ Jesus. And that's a really good thing:)

Lamentations 1-3

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.

The author, probably Jeremiah, talks about the pain and suffering his people, the Israelites, are going through as a result of their sin. He recognized that it is a well-deserved punishment. However, he still has hope in God - in his great love, compassion, and faithfulness. He truly believes that God will restore his people, and surely he did restore us through his son, Jesus Christ.

He wrote that God's compassion is new every morning. How lovely that sounds! While we may run out of our compassion and mercy, thank God he does not do that. His compassion, grace, forgiveness, and love is available for anyone who believes in him.

I know you may feel a little anxious today about your job situation. Let us put our hope in God trusting in his faithfulness. He knows what we need and will provide for us. He is a compassionate God.

Job 11-14

"My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom."

Another of Job's three friends at his side, Zophar, have told him that if he'll just confess whatever evil deeds he must of done, God will restore him. "If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will left up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear." And the above quote is Job's response to the three friends.

As I shared on my last post, if I was one of Job's friends, I would probably be thinking just like them. But what do you say in a presence of someone going through a great trial? I wouldn't know what to say. And if I was to say anything, I think I would end up coming up with reasons for their suffering. Kind of speaking wrongly on behalf of God...

Many times, the best thing to do to encourage those that are suffering is just to quietly listen. Our pride kicks in so often whenever we see people suffering. We feel the need to give them advice on how to get out of their circumstance, such as how to go about getting a better job, how to find someone to marry, how to raise your kids better, etc. When we find ourselves in a better position than others, we can't keep our mouth shut. And if we don't actually say these things out loud, we usually say them in our hearts.

But Job said he is not inferior to his friends. And we have to remember that we are not superior to those that are going through trials. In fact, we are not superior to anyone else at any moment. We are all saved by grace and grace alone.

Jeremiah 49-51

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria. But I will bring Israel back to his own pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan; his appetite will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. In those days, at that time," declares the LORD, "search will be made for Israel's guilt, but there will be none, and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

God's grace and forgiveness is beyond our understanding. To us, as you mentioned yesterday, it is so hard to forgive others even once. It is in our nature to be unforgiving and hold grudges. However, God always forgives all of our sins all the time. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

It is important for us not to take God's grace for granted. Let us ask God to cleanse and purify our hearts and help us to extend our forgiveness to people around us through the power of the Holy Spirit.