Goodah c",)

Lord You Are Good
Artist: Don Moen

Where would I be
If You had not been by my side
How could I rise to meet
The morning of the day
Your tender mercy
Always calling from behind
At times I could not see You
Even though You were close by

Chorus:
Lord You are good
You are good
And Your mercy forever endures
Lord You are good
You are good
And Your mercy forever endures

Help me to see Your loving kindness
Help me to see You as You are
Help me to see Your loving kindness
Help me to see You as You are
As You really really are

He wants what's Best :)

We sometimes hear these remarks,

"I don't deserve this"
"I'm not worthy of this"
"he/she is just too perfect for me"
"I'm not qualified for that job"

I remember when I was first applying for a job, a young man seated next to me waiting for his turn to be interviewed asked me, "what position are you applying for?" To which I replied, "just the entry level post, this is my first attempt so I hope they'll consider me."
After inquiring about the degree I took he then challenged me by asking, "why don't you apply for the second level post? If they feel you're unqualified for that then you'll always have the entry level position to apply for." I gazed at this young man and inquired, "may I ask which post are you applying for?" He smiled and replied, "PM"

I pondered about what he said when I reached home. I knew there's a reason why I'm seated next to that guy, why he chose to chat with me, and why he challenged me. I was thankful to God that day and have asked Him for guidance & courage as I prepare for my next interview.

We can easily gauge our own capabilities because we know our physical and mental capacity. But what do you think causes us think less of ourselves sometimes? Perhaps the fear of failure? Being less prepared? Or maybe we just need a li'l push, words of encouragement, to take the next step that we know in ourselves we can in the first place. At times when I lack the courage to take the next step, I try to lift myself up to Him instead. Because I believe, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm28:7).

As we seek Him for guidance and strength in whatever circumstances, He will surely direct our paths for He wants what's best for us! (pls see Jeremiah29:11 and Psalm37:4)


Today's Devotion

January 28

God's Way Is Best

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6, New American Standard Bible).

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-12

Song: "I Know Whom I Have Believed"

In the records of Judah's kings, Hezekiah stands out as one of the few good kings. He tore down the places of idol worship and reformed their spiritual festivals. He followed the commandments of God and did not make alliances with pagan nations.

If you tour historical sites in Israel, your guide will most likely include Hezekiah's tunnel. It was built as a provision and a defense. To prevent the armies of Assyria from getting a needed water supply, Hezekiah built the tunnel to divert the Gihon Springs, making it flow into Jerusalem at the Pool of Siloam.

The remarkable part of this undertaking was that crews worked from both ends and met in the middle. They made only a few false turns, for the work was guided by the men shouting to each other through the rock.

You can't call the tunnel "straight," because of the twisted layout. But the work was done right. Could it be because of how Hezekiah "acknowledged" his God in righteous living? So . . . how is God guiding your own paths these days?

Holy Spirit, continue to be my true guide. Although my life takes its twists and turns, I depend on You to keep me straight. I trust not in my own understanding, but in Your truth. Through Christ, amen.

(This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions)

- Jep c",)

They will know...

It all boils down to one.. i.e. Love :)

Jesus, when asked which is the greatest commandment, gave this answer.. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matt 22:36-39)

Yes, it's easy to pour out our love to someone we already love, yet it's difficult to love those who have offended or hurt us. But God placed strong emphasis on the importance of loving, that He even instructed us to love our enemies, as recorded in Matthew 5:44.

And here's a good reminder.. I like these verses...

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Prov 3.1-3)

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1Cor13.13)

God's message for me today is coupled with an old worship song revived by my favorite band, Jars of Clay. Allow me to share them with you...


They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Artist: Jars of Clay

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that our unity will one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah they'll know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
Yeah, they'll know we are Christians by our love.


Today's Devotion

January 22

On Loving and Praying

I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44, New American Standard Bible).

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Song: "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love"

The meeting was called to order. The question: Should we continue having Sunday evening worship services? Attendance was low, so we were considering home Bible study groups instead. A vote was taken: Sunday night church would continue.

The man sitting behind me bristled. The decision didn't please him, and he didn't hold back his feelings. (I thought about telling him he needed a serious attitude adjustment, but I kept quiet.)

I couldn't forget about his comments. The next time he taught Sunday school, I thought: How can you preach to me about holiness?

I held onto my contempt, though, until God showed me that I was the one sinning. Jesus said, "Love your enemies," but I was holding a grudge against my brother in Christ. Jesus said, "Pray for those who persecute you," but I wasn't even praying for a man who had been kind to me. I realized I'd never be able to love my enemies, if I couldn't even love those who were more than willing to be a friend.

Dear Lord, please bring to my mind those whom You would like me to love, and for whom I ought to pray. In this way, may I become more like You, through the inner workings of Your Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions.

Don't stray.. don't ever go away...

I've been hangin' around this time in the corner... hehe, LSS.

I'm still waiting for my boss to check the task I submitted yesterday. Meanwhile, allow me to share what God has reminded me today...


----------------------------------------------------

It's amazing and quite exciting to see how technology advances, agree? And sometimes we find ourselves being lured by these latest techs (usually housed in a soap-like shiny plastic with tiny buttons) that we even wish to own one, though what we currently hold still meets our basic needs (ouch! I must say, haha).

Or, there may be times when we get overturned by something and we wanted to just avoid exposing ourselves to what had caused our distressed.

Two strong emotions, excited and upset; the former might lead us to focus on one thing while the latter might cause us to change our course. I remember asking someone when I was a child, "why do they put blinders on race horses? And the plain answer is, to keep 'em from looking sideways & keep their heads pointed in straight direction. So even the 4-legged creature needs to be guided by this so-called "blinders" so they don't lose focus towards the direction their master wants 'em to go.

Which direction are we looking now? Was there anything that stirred our emotions to be disappointed or perhaps be very excited about? How has these affected our focus? And the most important question is, are we fixing our eyes onto something rather than on Jesus? These are just general questions and I'm blessed to read today's devotion because it reminded me of these things. There are a lot of things in this world that can either draw our attention or can cause distractions, and it could be a struggle to some. But if we know to whom we should be fixing our eyes on to, then I believe we'll never sway, reyt? =)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1,2)

God bles y'all!

- Jep c",)


Today's Devotion

January 20

Keep Your Eyes on Him

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30, New American Standard Bible).

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Song: "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus"

Imagine how much more fun Peter could have had in his water-walking experience. If he would have kept his eyes on Jesus, he could have walked directly into his master's happy embrace. But Peter didn't keep his eyes on Jesus. He turned to his left and saw the crashing waves. He jerked to the right at the sound of the howling wind-and he began to sink.

I sometimes do something similar. It seems the longer I pray for a certain thing, the harder it is for me to trust God with it. Doubts come in waves, crashing into my confidence. And I begin to sink, questioning the very thing I believe most: Does God really answer prayer? Will He ever answer mine?

After studying today's Scripture, I realized that doubts only come when I focus on my dire circumstances rather than the power of my Savior. Doubts fill my mind every time I take my eyes off the Lord of all. O, how much more fun when I keep my eyes on Jesus!

Almighty and ever-living God, forgive me for sometimes looking away from You, sinking into worry and doubt. Please, quickly grab my attention every time I look in the wrong direction. In the name of Jesus, Lord and Savior of all, I pray. Amen.

(This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions.)

Be Thou Near To Me

I love this song from Jim Brickman's Grace album


Be Thou Near To Me
Artist: Jim Brickman, featuring Selah

Oh, Lord I come with heart, here open
For in my hour of darkness I may be
Seeking the joy of love unspoken
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me

And the holy voices sing Hallelu
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me

Though in this burden of my making
Yet in the shadows, still a light I see
Maker whose love is not forsaken
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me

And the holy voices sing Hallelu
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me

And the holy voices sing Hallelu
Ever will Thy reign be
As I wander through this life
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me
Oh, Lord be Thou near to me


(video courtesy of youtuber Uuuunicorn)

Talking to God

Yay, this is my first post this 2010 :) Happy New Year!

Hmmm, I couldn't think of anything to write.. perhaps I'll just share with you what God has revealed to me in Today's Devotion.

I have learned that communication is one of the keys in building a stronger, fireproof relationship. It also bridges the gap when your families, your partner, or your friends are in distant places. Sending them a warm hello today will surely stretch their face muscles and draw a smile. Likewise, a daily talk to God brings us more closer to Him. Seeking the Lord Almighty for guidance in everything we say or do, certainly God will do His part. Communication and prayer, they're synonymous. So let's communicate more with our loved ones and spend more time as well talking to our sweet Savior :)

God bless you all!

c",)


Today's Devotion:

January 13

The Power of Prayer

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord,
"Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with
wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And
Hezekiah wept bitterly (2 Kings 20:2, 3).

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-7

Song: "The Weapon of Prayer"

"One thing I know: God is still on the throne, and prayer changes
things." A youth minister at a Denver church spoke those words more
than once. I always liked that phrase, and furthermore, I believe he
was speaking a great truth.

Hezekiah surely knew this truth. After all, the 20th chapter of 2
Kings beautifully illustrates the power of prayer, the value of
heartfelt petition. The king lingered at death's door-until he prayed.
Then God had mercy and granted 15 more years of life.

Over and over in God's Word we see examples of the power of prayer.
When Nehemiah encountered opposition, he added prayer to his own
defense (see Nehemiah 4:9). And in the New Testament, Peter
miraculously escaped from prison because the church was "earnestly
praying to God for him" (Acts 12:5).

When has God answered your prayers? Why not make a list? And may God
encourage your heart as you remember all the times He has proved
surpassingly faithful.

Lord, You know my needs even before I ask, and You know what is best
for me. Thank You for Your faithful answers to prayer. In Jesus' name,
amen.

This devotion is from the book, 365 Devotions