1.What was the psalmist asking God to do in verses 25, 28, and 31?
2.In what area or concern in your life do you need God to intervene?
3.What promises in God’s Word can you claim for your current situation?
1. To preserve his life according to His Word (v.25), to strengthen him according to His Word (v.28) and to not let him be put to shame (v.31).
2. In the area of having a lifetime partner. To remain sexually pure and to be the godly woman God wants me to be. To keep my vow of purity until I am married and given to that person God commanded to take care of me. Also, the purity of my heart when dealing with others. May I not have and arrogant and proud heart. I need God's intervention in these areas.
3. His promise that everything will be beautiful in His time, that every good and perfect gift comes only from Him and that He will give me a home. Not now but soon. And I claim and will stand on His promises.
Lord, this message is really timely for me. Thank You very much for Your reminders and admonition. Amen.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Crave: Psalm 119:17-24 NIV
1.When you hear the word “law,” how does it make you feel?
2.How does verse 18 help you change your perspective or impression on God’s law?
3.For you, how is God’s law a delight?
1. It has a power-like connotation for me. Somehow, it sounds a bit restricting and so serious. Somethings high and quite beyond your reach. It comes strongly for me.It makes me feel quite intimidated.
2. That God's laws give joy to us rather uptight restriction. We can find happiness and contentment from His laws. His laws are so different from the way us, humans, define them. His laws have more power, power to enlighten us and set us free.
3. When it gives me direction. When it shows me the right path to take, the right decisions to make. God's laws actually give me peace and quietness only the good Lord can give.
God's Laws are my counselors. They give me direction and the right path to take. They light my way.
2.How does verse 18 help you change your perspective or impression on God’s law?
3.For you, how is God’s law a delight?
1. It has a power-like connotation for me. Somehow, it sounds a bit restricting and so serious. Somethings high and quite beyond your reach. It comes strongly for me.It makes me feel quite intimidated.
2. That God's laws give joy to us rather uptight restriction. We can find happiness and contentment from His laws. His laws are so different from the way us, humans, define them. His laws have more power, power to enlighten us and set us free.
3. When it gives me direction. When it shows me the right path to take, the right decisions to make. God's laws actually give me peace and quietness only the good Lord can give.
God's Laws are my counselors. They give me direction and the right path to take. They light my way.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Crave: Psalm 119:9-16 NIV
1. To live a pure life, what is the secret according to these verses?
2. How did the psalmist hide God’s Word in his heart (v. 15,16)?
3. How does this apply to you today?
1. According to verse 9, it's all about living according to God's Word. To live according to what the Bible says. Simple as that but not so simple actually.
2. The psalmist meditated on God's Word and in fact was delighted and happy upon entering God's presence. Reading and studying God's Word was not a mundane and boring task for him but actually a joyful and wonderful moment communing and interacting with God.
3. I felt last night how beneficial it is for me to just read and study God's Word day and night. I was able to sleep well without my mind wandering somewhere else, without me thinking of those bad and malicious thoughts about others and I woke up so good. It was indeed a good time and I look forward to doing this lovely routine everyday. God's Word enlightens everyone and teaches us on what are we to do with the life that we have.
I will always remember this verse:
" Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time" Ecclesiastes 3:11a, NLT
I was so blessed by the testimony of Ms. May and her husband. They had been waiting for her to get pregnant for how many years already and even tried everything just to conceive but to no avail. Maybe they also had their own struggles and pains and maybe impatience was their constant companion during those times. And now, she's pregnant just when they learned to let go and just opened themselves to whatever God asked them to do. And He gave them what they have always wanted. God indeed has His own timing and He will make everything beautiful in its own time. Now is the time for me to be more faithful and patient and just wait on Him with joy and peace in my heart. And I will make the most out of my time until the day that He will finally answer my prayers and will give me what He has promised.
2. How did the psalmist hide God’s Word in his heart (v. 15,16)?
3. How does this apply to you today?
1. According to verse 9, it's all about living according to God's Word. To live according to what the Bible says. Simple as that but not so simple actually.
2. The psalmist meditated on God's Word and in fact was delighted and happy upon entering God's presence. Reading and studying God's Word was not a mundane and boring task for him but actually a joyful and wonderful moment communing and interacting with God.
3. I felt last night how beneficial it is for me to just read and study God's Word day and night. I was able to sleep well without my mind wandering somewhere else, without me thinking of those bad and malicious thoughts about others and I woke up so good. It was indeed a good time and I look forward to doing this lovely routine everyday. God's Word enlightens everyone and teaches us on what are we to do with the life that we have.
I will always remember this verse:
" Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time" Ecclesiastes 3:11a, NLT
I was so blessed by the testimony of Ms. May and her husband. They had been waiting for her to get pregnant for how many years already and even tried everything just to conceive but to no avail. Maybe they also had their own struggles and pains and maybe impatience was their constant companion during those times. And now, she's pregnant just when they learned to let go and just opened themselves to whatever God asked them to do. And He gave them what they have always wanted. God indeed has His own timing and He will make everything beautiful in its own time. Now is the time for me to be more faithful and patient and just wait on Him with joy and peace in my heart. And I will make the most out of my time until the day that He will finally answer my prayers and will give me what He has promised.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Crave: Psalm 119: 1-8 NIV
1.Why do you think did the psalmist desire to walk in God’s decrees?
2.In verse 4, how should we respond to God’s precepts?
3.How much do you desire to walk in God’s Word? What steps do you think can help you live out what God says?
1. So that he would know what to do with his life and he would not be put to shame, committing mistakes that would cost him everything good even his life, itself.
2. We have to respond to it with full and right obedience. Obedience that is not half-done but done with all our heart and soul.
3. I desire it with all my heart but I stumble most of the time. I think I should live my life according to what His Words say. To live my life in full and all faithfulness.
The steps that I can undertake are just like these, spending time to read and think through everything that God has been leading me to read about His Word. To spend more time with His Word and to invest more of my time with Christian friends and others who can uplift my faith. I must remember that God works in my life. I am becoming impatient again, thinking that God has been stalling the things I have always wanted in my life. I must remember what the pastor in Victory said yesterday that during those times when God seems to be quiet and unresponsive, those are times that He gives me chances to become more faithful and just honest-to-goodness faithful to Him. I must remember to just keep on walking in His Word, to live by them and to remember them always. Sadly, sometimes my so-called "unbeliever" friends are the ones who remind me to become more faithful to God and to do the right thing.
Lord, help me to obey You and to walk according to what Your Word says. Thank you for this time, thank you for this moment. Amen.
2.In verse 4, how should we respond to God’s precepts?
3.How much do you desire to walk in God’s Word? What steps do you think can help you live out what God says?
1. So that he would know what to do with his life and he would not be put to shame, committing mistakes that would cost him everything good even his life, itself.
2. We have to respond to it with full and right obedience. Obedience that is not half-done but done with all our heart and soul.
3. I desire it with all my heart but I stumble most of the time. I think I should live my life according to what His Words say. To live my life in full and all faithfulness.
The steps that I can undertake are just like these, spending time to read and think through everything that God has been leading me to read about His Word. To spend more time with His Word and to invest more of my time with Christian friends and others who can uplift my faith. I must remember that God works in my life. I am becoming impatient again, thinking that God has been stalling the things I have always wanted in my life. I must remember what the pastor in Victory said yesterday that during those times when God seems to be quiet and unresponsive, those are times that He gives me chances to become more faithful and just honest-to-goodness faithful to Him. I must remember to just keep on walking in His Word, to live by them and to remember them always. Sadly, sometimes my so-called "unbeliever" friends are the ones who remind me to become more faithful to God and to do the right thing.
Lord, help me to obey You and to walk according to what Your Word says. Thank you for this time, thank you for this moment. Amen.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
April 20, 2011- Wednesday
Ephesian 5:17-21 NLT
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I am thinking carefully of what verse 17 is saying. To not act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants me to do. These days, I have noticed how much I lived my life just for the sake of living it and then complacently and carelessly wait for tomorrow and do the same routines over and over again. The question now is where am I headed? I used to have direction, I thought my path was already straight but here came distractions and stony, thorny paths along the way, I was thrown off balanced and I felt losing the vision I once had. In turn, I have just unconsciously lived my life aimlessly.
My actions these days have been so foolish and dumb that I want to give myself some good and painful spanking and bang on the head. But who am I to hurt myself? It is God's role to admonish and reprimand me.
Good thing is it is vacation time so I have lots of time to think about my life, where it is going and why am I still living. I don't live for nothing. I keep on thinking about my future without realizing that the future I am waiting for has already started and it has started now. I don't want to look at yesterday anymore for it was already done over with and there's no point looking back.
God wants me to think and reflect on my life. And by His grace and mercy, do something meaningful and productive about it. It is not yet too late. I will remember to fill my heart with songs and music that glorify Him and always in everything give thanks to Him for everything that He has done regardless of my bad and questionable behaviors.
He just wants me to live my life to the fullest, the one that He planned for me to have.
17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I am thinking carefully of what verse 17 is saying. To not act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants me to do. These days, I have noticed how much I lived my life just for the sake of living it and then complacently and carelessly wait for tomorrow and do the same routines over and over again. The question now is where am I headed? I used to have direction, I thought my path was already straight but here came distractions and stony, thorny paths along the way, I was thrown off balanced and I felt losing the vision I once had. In turn, I have just unconsciously lived my life aimlessly.
My actions these days have been so foolish and dumb that I want to give myself some good and painful spanking and bang on the head. But who am I to hurt myself? It is God's role to admonish and reprimand me.
Good thing is it is vacation time so I have lots of time to think about my life, where it is going and why am I still living. I don't live for nothing. I keep on thinking about my future without realizing that the future I am waiting for has already started and it has started now. I don't want to look at yesterday anymore for it was already done over with and there's no point looking back.
God wants me to think and reflect on my life. And by His grace and mercy, do something meaningful and productive about it. It is not yet too late. I will remember to fill my heart with songs and music that glorify Him and always in everything give thanks to Him for everything that He has done regardless of my bad and questionable behaviors.
He just wants me to live my life to the fullest, the one that He planned for me to have.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 6, 2011 Sunday
"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7 NLT
I like the part that says, "the instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul."
My spiritual life has spiraled downward and almost all aspects of my life have been affected. Now, I am drawing myself to God again, asking Him to help me and keep myself grounded again in His Word. I can never do things alone and I can never have the self-control and discipline that I have always wanted if I would do things on my own out of my own strength. I need God in my life and His rules, His instructions are the main lifeline, the source of life of my faith. His Word restores my soul and brings life back again to my almost dying and decadent spirit.
Lord, I know I still have a long way to go. I don't know what will happen to me tomorrow or the days to come. All I know is that I just want to anchor my life to You, to just depend on You and focus on You. I am only human and I commit mistakes most of the time. Please, help me handle my life. Help me Lord and may I always draw my wisdom and strength from You. Your Words give life to me again.
Thank You so much and may I continue to press on and just get on with You by my side. Please carry me. Renew my spirit.
Amen.
BEE.
I like the part that says, "the instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul."
My spiritual life has spiraled downward and almost all aspects of my life have been affected. Now, I am drawing myself to God again, asking Him to help me and keep myself grounded again in His Word. I can never do things alone and I can never have the self-control and discipline that I have always wanted if I would do things on my own out of my own strength. I need God in my life and His rules, His instructions are the main lifeline, the source of life of my faith. His Word restores my soul and brings life back again to my almost dying and decadent spirit.
Lord, I know I still have a long way to go. I don't know what will happen to me tomorrow or the days to come. All I know is that I just want to anchor my life to You, to just depend on You and focus on You. I am only human and I commit mistakes most of the time. Please, help me handle my life. Help me Lord and may I always draw my wisdom and strength from You. Your Words give life to me again.
Thank You so much and may I continue to press on and just get on with You by my side. Please carry me. Renew my spirit.
Amen.
BEE.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Devotions December 3, 2010
Isaiah 10:15 (New Living Translation)
15 But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it?
Is the saw greater than the person who saws?
Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it?
Can a wooden cane walk by itself?
I am reminded not to be so self-sufficient and become proud for the things that I have and the person I see myself to be. God is leading me to something good in my life only I need to have more humility and obedience to God in my heart.
I am disappointed right now. Because of the way some people have been treating me but I guess, I have expected too much again from them. Why do I have this attitude? Why do I have this thinking inside me? Maybe because I am a person who needs to be appreciated most of the time. Yet, in spite of everything that I do to do good to others, I am left unnoticed and unappreciated. Because I seek constantly humans' approval and love. Still, at the end of it all, it is still God that will count, God and me.
I really have to ask God to change my thinking. And the way I perceive my service to others. I need to keep in mind all the time that to do good to others is pleasing to God.That my reward comes from Him and if people would appreciate it, then thanks if not, then God sees me. I need to look into my heart more and see what really motivates and drives me.
I am being set apart by God. He has a big plan for me, all I need to do is to obey Him and trust Him. And if success comes my way, I will give thanks to Him and give Him all the credit. It's not about me. It's about the One who created me.
15 But can the ax boast greater power than the person who uses it?
Is the saw greater than the person who saws?
Can a rod strike unless a hand moves it?
Can a wooden cane walk by itself?
I am reminded not to be so self-sufficient and become proud for the things that I have and the person I see myself to be. God is leading me to something good in my life only I need to have more humility and obedience to God in my heart.
I am disappointed right now. Because of the way some people have been treating me but I guess, I have expected too much again from them. Why do I have this attitude? Why do I have this thinking inside me? Maybe because I am a person who needs to be appreciated most of the time. Yet, in spite of everything that I do to do good to others, I am left unnoticed and unappreciated. Because I seek constantly humans' approval and love. Still, at the end of it all, it is still God that will count, God and me.
I really have to ask God to change my thinking. And the way I perceive my service to others. I need to keep in mind all the time that to do good to others is pleasing to God.That my reward comes from Him and if people would appreciate it, then thanks if not, then God sees me. I need to look into my heart more and see what really motivates and drives me.
I am being set apart by God. He has a big plan for me, all I need to do is to obey Him and trust Him. And if success comes my way, I will give thanks to Him and give Him all the credit. It's not about me. It's about the One who created me.
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