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.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
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.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Nov. 14
As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 2 Kings 5:7 NIV
This man had the wrong assumption. This verse reminded me not to jump into conclusions quickly, know the facts first and act foolishly.
But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 2 Kings 5: 11-12 NIV
These verses remind me to rid myself of pride and the feeling of self-aggrandizement. Naaman had this illusion that he was "above" others, that he was powerful and someone with a "name" and very good background. In the human standards, he was the best but a leprosy almost made him an invalid.Yet God provided a way out for him but he did not listen to him and tried to do things on his own. I see myself being like Naaman. I still struggle with my foolish pride and I hate it when it is being "threatened." I did not usually time alone with God and thought I was invincible having things on my own.
Lord, thank You for reminding that it is really essential and a non-negotiable thing that we keep our feet to the ground. Let no bitterness, pride, hate, jealousy and even positive things hinder me to run my own race.
Thank you so much for your inspiration and the blessings you have been giving me.
BEE
This man had the wrong assumption. This verse reminded me not to jump into conclusions quickly, know the facts first and act foolishly.
But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 2 Kings 5: 11-12 NIV
These verses remind me to rid myself of pride and the feeling of self-aggrandizement. Naaman had this illusion that he was "above" others, that he was powerful and someone with a "name" and very good background. In the human standards, he was the best but a leprosy almost made him an invalid.Yet God provided a way out for him but he did not listen to him and tried to do things on his own. I see myself being like Naaman. I still struggle with my foolish pride and I hate it when it is being "threatened." I did not usually time alone with God and thought I was invincible having things on my own.
Lord, thank You for reminding that it is really essential and a non-negotiable thing that we keep our feet to the ground. Let no bitterness, pride, hate, jealousy and even positive things hinder me to run my own race.
Thank you so much for your inspiration and the blessings you have been giving me.
BEE
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November 3, 2011
LORD, when you favored me, You made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid Your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 30:7 NIV
I am reminded that the things that have been happening into my life, the good and favorable things are all given to me by God and He allowed those things to pour onto my life. I will always remember that all the things that I have, the nice things come from Him and Him alone so I don't have any right to get glory nor claim any credit to myself. My spirit is sad today for in spite of the favors given me by God, the protection, the blessings I received today, I still had in me the spirit of arrogance and pride. Specially pride that I really need to surrender to Him. This is not a one night only transformation but a daily process for me to deal with. God by His grace, will help me see my follies and change my heart.
Lord, help me remember that when You favor me, You make my mountain stand firm. But when I am consumed with pride and haughtiness,You hide your face from me and I will feel inadequate and alone.
Lord, deal with my proud and arrogant heart. Remind me that all blessings emotional, physical, mental and spiritual all come from You and only You, no one else.
Amen.
I am reminded that the things that have been happening into my life, the good and favorable things are all given to me by God and He allowed those things to pour onto my life. I will always remember that all the things that I have, the nice things come from Him and Him alone so I don't have any right to get glory nor claim any credit to myself. My spirit is sad today for in spite of the favors given me by God, the protection, the blessings I received today, I still had in me the spirit of arrogance and pride. Specially pride that I really need to surrender to Him. This is not a one night only transformation but a daily process for me to deal with. God by His grace, will help me see my follies and change my heart.
Lord, help me remember that when You favor me, You make my mountain stand firm. But when I am consumed with pride and haughtiness,You hide your face from me and I will feel inadequate and alone.
Lord, deal with my proud and arrogant heart. Remind me that all blessings emotional, physical, mental and spiritual all come from You and only You, no one else.
Amen.
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