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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:)
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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:)
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:)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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 :)
"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 :)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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:)
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:)
Monday, June 29, 2009
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.
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.
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