FIRST LOVE

Sunday, 27 December, 2009

Revelation 17:14, Revelation 2:1-5

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Revelation 17:14 >>

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.

Revelation 2:1-5 >>
The Message to the Church in Ephesus

“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Ephesus. This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven gold lampstands:

2 “I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3 You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
4 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I believe God is speaking to me through his word, therefore I want to respond to It earnestly so that I will be transformed both in my mind and characters.

1. What are the characteristics of the church in Ephesus? Do you think these characters are great before God’s eyes?
2. Yet what’s the biggest mistake they made?
3. What has to be done by the church to correct their mistakes?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

Today I will pray and make promise to God to return to Him with my first love.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Saturday, then add Revelation 2:4-5 – I will repent and start doing what’s right for God. I will return to my first love to Him.

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will pray an agreement prayer with my believer friends for outreach ministries for the lost.

LESSON:

As we read in Rev 17:14, we need to have our first love toward God in order for us to preserve our faithfulness until the end. What’s first love? This is the love and passion that springs up from our heart to Him at the first time we receive Him [to be born again] as our personal Savior; in which, at that very moment He begins to fill our lives with His first love. First love also enables us to remain faithful following Him until His second return.

First love drives our zeal for Him in many aspects of our lives, such as praying, attending services, reading the Word, ministering and so on. If our first love is losing its zeal for the Lord, just as Rev 2 says, we need to return to it as soon as possible. How can we do it? We need to do everything we’ve ever done for Him again when our love is still on fire. This way, our first love will renew itself in our heart.

CAN BE TRUSTED

Saturday, 26 December 2009

Matthew 25:14-30

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Matthew 25:14-30 >>

Parable of the Three Servants

14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.

16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.

19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’

21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’

23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’

28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I believe God is speaking to me through his word, therefore I want to respond to It earnestly so that I will be transformed both in my mind and characters.

1.                 Why the servant who’s given one talent is an example of an untrustworthy person?
2.                 Am I considered a trustworthy person? What do I have to do to be a trustworthy person?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

Today I will not do something before asking/praying to God.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and add Proverbs 28:20, the trustworthy person will get a rich reward, but a person who wants quick riches will get into trouble.

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will share my commitment today with a friend who is starting to go far from God.

LESSON:

Everyone wants to be trusted, especially for doing something with big responsibility. However, how can someone be trusted if his/her behavior is not what is expected? If an employee often comes late to work and goes home earlier than he supposed to, then it is difficult to trust his integrity. If the church’s worker neglects his duty, it is impossible to trust him with bigger task.

The parable about talent reminds us that it’s not how big of responsibility that is given to us, but how big is our responsibility in doing our ministry. A servant who receives one talent thinks that the master is cruel by giving him only one talent. He thought that the master is going to snatch his profit; therefore he doesn’t do his part. He even hides the talent in the ground and gives it back to his master (verse 24, 25). How can the master trust him with something that has bigger responsibility?

Our integrity is tested when no one watches and pays attention to us. Can we still do our responsibility wholeheartedly even when no one is watching? God will be happy if we truly do every responsibility that He trusts us with. Then one day He will say, “Come and share your master’s happiness” (verse 21).

OUR FUTURE WILL BE BETTER IF WE ARE HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY

POSSESSING THE INTEGRITY

Friday, 25 December 2009

Psalm 26

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Psalm 26 >>

A psalm of David.

1 Declare me innocent, O Lord,
for I have acted with integrity;
I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.
3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love,
and I have lived according to your truth.
4 I do not spend time with liars
or go along with hypocrites.
5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,
and I refuse to join in with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence.
I come to your altar, O Lord,
7 singing a song of thanksgiving
and telling of all your wonders.
8 I love your sanctuary, Lord,
the place where your glorious presence dwells.

9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.
Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,
and they constantly take bribes.
11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity.
So redeem me and show me mercy.
12 Now I stand on solid ground,
and I will publicly praise the Lord.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I will meditate on the questions below and do a self-reflection.

1.                 From the book of Psalms above, what kind of person is David?
2.                 Why David asks God to test his heart? Why is it important to have integrity in our daily lives?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

Today, I will speak truthfully no matter what the risk will be.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and add Psalm 26:2-3, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will share what I experience with the Lord with one of my friends who are still not yet a believer.

LESSON:

As Jesus’ followers, we are called to have integrity and clean conscience. If we respect our commitment to God and to others, we will walk in fellowship with God. Our integrity will guide us (Proverbs 11:3) and help us walk in faithfulness to God. This verse [King James version] begins and ends with integrity: “I have lived in integrity” (verse 1), and “I live with integrity” (verse 11). In between these two statements he also writes, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart” (verse 2). David wants to live rightfully before God therefore he is able to worship and tell God’s wonders (verses 6-7). Integrity can be a testimony – if we live rightfully before God anywhere and anytime.

We live in the world full of competition, and sometimes we are easily tempted to cover righteousness in order to be accepted by the surrounding or in order to achieve what we desire. God is the truth. If we lie, we hurt Him. Sooner or later, He will reveal every lies – if it is not now, it will be on the judgment day later (Romans 14:10-12).

If you have lied to someone, confess to that person and to God. Maybe it seems like a humiliation, but it is the first step to build the integrity in your life.

RESPONSIBILITY

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Ezekiel 33:1-9

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Ezekiel 33:1-9 >>

Ezekiel as Israel’s Watchman

1 Once again a message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, give your people this message: ‘When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman. 3 When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. 4 Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. 5 They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. 6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’

7 “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. 8 If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 9 But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I will meditate on the questions below and do a self-reflection.

1. According to the passage above, what is our responsibility in serving people around us?
2. How is my treatment towards family as well as friends who have not known God? [evaluate it with the Holy Spirit and make a new commitment]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

I will give offer Godly advice and motivations to those who need them today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and add 2 Timothy 4:5, “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will pray for the leaders of the nation, church, and my family with my prayer partner.

LESSON:

Those who work in finance department, whether as a cashier or a treasurer, they must understand the meaning of responsibility and trust.

However, how many of us realize that God trusts us with blessings, money, body, and most importantly, the people around us. How do we manage them? The souls around us are precious treasures for God because Jesus died for all of them. Our responsibility is to find them who are lost and warn them about their mortality. If we know the truth, but fail to tell the people around us, in the future God will demand our responsibility. This is the thing that God warn Ezekiel as the watchman of his nation. Ezekiel’s duty is to warn his nation on behalf of God. Trumpets have to be blown to warn his people about the danger of the swords of the enemies. Similarly, we have to warn the people around us about God’s anger so they can repent.

Take a look around you. Who among them [family, friend] whose life is heading towards death? Let us faithfully spread the good news, serve and make the disciples out of them. This is the great commission that God wants us to faithfully do until He comes. He trusts us to do it.

WE ARE THE WATHMEN FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND US

WHO WILL WE GIVE THE REESONSIBILITY LATER?

FAITHFULNESS REQUIRES RESPONSIBILITY

Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Luke 12:42-46

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Luke 12:42-46 >>

42 And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 45 But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 46 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I will meditate on the questions below and I will self-reflect.

1.       What are the differences between the two servants mentioned above?
2.       What are some of the responsibilities that God has trusted me with? What is my attitude in fulfilling those responsibilities?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

I will guard my mouth from complaining in doing whatever responsibilities/work I’ve to fulfill.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday and Tuesday, also add Colossians 3:17 ”And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will testify to someone who doesn’t know Jesus in my workplace or school about some of the   miracles that God has shown in my life.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:

I will pray with my friends in Christ about the things I need and I will also help pray for the needs of my friends.

LESSON:

Whenever your boss isn’t in the office, we have a lot of choices to make. We can either work, be lazy, surf the Internet, or sleep.  In today’s reading, Jesus talks about responsibility. God showed us two types of servants. The first servant is very responsible. The first servant will work even though his/her supervisor/boss isn’t around him/her. The second servant isn’t very responsible. The second servant tries to be the “boss”  by beating the other servants. The second servant is lazy and likes to eat and drink until he/she gets drunk. What happened to the two servants when their master came back without them knowing? It’s obvious that two different things will happen to the two different servants. The first servant will get a promotion while the second servant will receive a punishment.

From this story, we learned that a person who is faithful will take responsibility in the things that have been trusted to him/her. A person who is responsible will not try to take advantage of others for his/her own benefit and still shows integrity even though nobody sees it. A person who is not responsible will work lazily because that person will only think about himself/herself. Nobody likes to work with someone who doesn’t have a sense of responsibility because that person cannot be trusted.

A Christian should be responsible in the things that he/she has been trusted with. We need to be the salt and light in our school, office, church, and wherever we are. How can we speak about Christianity to the world, if we don’t show how a true Christian life (i.e. being responsible in your workplace)?

Being responsible is a characteristic that a Christian should have when he/she is serving God or working for God.

Guarding Commitment

Tuesday, 22 December 2009

John 4:34-38

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in meditating on the Word of God so that I am able to experience an encounter with God, in His truth and experience change.

John 4:34-38 >>

34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. 36 The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! 37 You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true. 38 I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord.

1.       What became Jesus’ commitment and caused Him to be an example in His faithfulness to the Father? [verse 34]
2.       What stands in my way from having a good commitment with God? [take time to make a new commitment with God]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
Today I will not allow my problems to take control of my mood and decisions.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from yesterday and also add John 4:34, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will call/visit one person on my VIP prayer list.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:

Today I will pray in unity with my family for the people on our VIP prayer lists.

LESSON:

The year 2010 is right around the corner. Many people will start to talk about New Year’s resolutions and commitments. As time passes by, what usually happens to these commitments we make? Many times what we can’t finish what we start with in the beginning, even what was once a promise that we made is forgotten or not cared about anymore. It is ironic, isn’t?

Let us learn from Jesus. Although His life on Earth was colored with rejections and denials by religious leaders and His own disciples, He continued to stay faithful. His commitment stayed strong in every situation. How was He able to stay faithful until the end? The key to this is expressed by Him when he said, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. ” (verse 34). He fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, and in that time He was never absent in doing the Father’s will. He asked that the cup of suffering be taken away from Him, but in the end He surrendered the final decision into the Father’s hands. He never lived outside of the Father’s will, for His life is to do the Father’s will. This is what made His life become an example of faithfulness that is perfect. Commitment that is guarded allows us to be faithful till the end.

How about us? Our life must be filled not only by a few good deeds according to the world’s standard, but also by doing the Father’s will at all times. Challenges will definitely be there, but let us model after His seriousness to do the Father’s will in every situation. Make a commitment to faithfully be His witness and do it faithfully till the end. With that, our life will glorify Him.

A COMMITMENT HAPPENS
IF WE WANT TO WORK TO CONTINUALLY DO IT FAITHFULLY

FAITHFULNESS REQUIRES COMMITMENT

Monday, 21 December 2009

Luke 9:57-62

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Luke 9:57-62 >>

The Cost of Following Jesus

57 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord.

1.       From the verses above, what was the reaction of the people in responding to Jesus’ calling in their lives?
2.       What sort of attitude is needed in order to faithfully follow Christ?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

I will not delay what I need to do for God today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Luke 9:62 “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will share what I receive from today’s devotions to a friend in faith and we will pray for one another.   

LESSON:

In Luke 9, people made the decision to follow Jesus, but they delayed until their family problems were resolved. If they are the eldest child, they would have to take care of their father’s inheritance first. There could be a possibility that they would first have to continue the family business. Or they would have to first ask for their family’s approval before following Jesus. Whatever the excuse may be, they are not prepared to make a serious commitment. “It is fine to follow Jesus, but I’ll be serious about it later.”

Jesus demands commitment from all of His followers. Commitment is part of faithfulness. Without commitment it is impossible for a person to stay faithful in what they say and/or do. Without commitment, you start to make many excuses that cause you to avoid taking responsibility when faced with an unpleasant situation. If a husband is not committed to his wife, he will easily fall into the sin of infidelity. A student who is not committed to school will not be serious in his/her studies and suffer failure. A Christian who is committed to Christ and their calling, no matter what their condition is sickness, health, joy, hard times, they will always be faithful.

How serious are you in following Jesus? If God has called and chosen you to do something, how is your commitment to that? What challenges you from making a commitment towards family, work, studies, and ministry? We are all servants who are expected to be faithful and obedient. Ask for wisdom and courage from Him, so that you are able to be a committed person.

OPPORTUNITY FROM GOD

Tuesday, December 7, 2009
2 Peter 3:13-18

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in meditating on God’s Word so I am able to experience an encounter with God in His truth and experience change.

2 Peter 3:13-18 >>
13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, the Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
Peter’s Final Words
17 I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord.
1.      What has become God’s promise to those who are faithful and guard their lives from all sinful contamination? [verse 13]
2.      What is meant by God’s patience to me? [verse 15] What commitment will I make after I have meditated on today’s Word of God?

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will stay away from places and/or situations that are able to make me fall into sin.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare God’s word from yesterday’s reading and also add 2 Peter 3:17, ” I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will call/visit one person on my VIP prayer list and do good to them.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
Today I will look for a prayer partner and pray in unity with them for the people on our VIP prayer lists.

LESSON:
The thing that is really needed by all believers who have repented is a second chance. Truly, if you are a believer and want to repent again, you need to believe that God will give you a second chance. Repent of your sins and experience His forgiveness, healing, and restoration.
The mistakes we have made should not allow us to grow further away from God. For Him, it is better for us to confess our sins, learn from our failures, and take new steps in following Christ. That is how we are able to get a second chance and become victorious. Repent as long as God still gives us the opportunity to do so.
FORGIVENESS FROM GOD ALWAYS ALLOWS A SECOND CHANCE

GOD’S PATIENCE

Monday, December 6, 2009

2 Peter 3:3-12

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:
I will guide my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

2 Peter 3:3-12 >>
3 Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. 4 They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”
5 They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6 Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7 And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.
8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:
I will meditate on the verses above and answer the questions below honestly before the Lord.
1.      What are the characteristics of scoffers during the end times?
2.      What type of patience must I have in waiting on God’s promise/s? [verse 9-11]

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:
I will remember to be patient when facing problems or dealing with people that I meet with today.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:
Declare 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:
I will share what I received from today’s devotions to a friend in faith who is beginning to backslide from the Lord.

AGREEMENT PRAYER:
Today I will look for a prayer partner and together we will pray for the people on our VIP prayer list and also for any of our own personal prayer requests.

LESSON:
During these times many horrifying events are happening in the world. Christians are allowed to be scared, but do not need to be surprised. Jesus reminds us to stay calm during tough times that are to come (Luke 21:25-28). In today’s Bible reading, Peter consoles the believers by reminding them of God’s purpose that will be revealed in the last victory.
Peter explains about the infidel scoffers, who in the end days will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised?” (2 Peter 3:4) We might also be asking why doesn’t Christ just come now and make some drastic changes. Peter affirms that God “never fails in fulfilling His promise,” rather He postpones His second coming so that many people, wherever they may be, have the opportunity to repent (verse 9).
We also cannot forget that “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (verse 8). In the end God’s day will come to bring judgment to all, in the form of burning fire. This matter will be followed by a new earth and sky, a place of truth for those who have been forgiven by God (verse 13).
Aside from waiting for that day of victory, we need to live consistent and holy lives (verse 14), rejecting all evil influences (verse 17), and growing in grace and knowledge of Christ (verse 18). Hence we will not be discouraged over evil, but rather be able to spread the Good News about Jesus to the world. –Joanie Yoder
WE DON’T KNOW HOW THIS WORLD WILL TURN OUT
BUT WE KNOW HE WILL COME TO THIS WORLD

STRENGTH IN LIMITATION

Sunday, 15 November, 2009

Exodus 4:10-17

[A] – ACCEPT / RECEIVE GOD’S WORD:

I will direct my heart and mind to meditate on today’s Word of God. But first I will pray that today’s Word is able to change my life.

Exodus 4:10-17 >>

10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. 17 And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.”

[C] – CONTEMPLATE / MEDITATE ON:

I believe the Lord is speaking to me through His word, therefore I will respond to it earnestly so that I will experience transformation in both my mind and characters.

Why did Moses refuse to do what God told him to do? Have I ever acted like Moses did in responding the task or calling that God has given to me through the leaders at church?
What are God’s promises when He entrusts me to carry out His tasks? [Ponder on verses 15-17].

[T] – TAKE ACTION / APPLY:

I will declare God’s word today every time I feel weak.

DECLARATION OF GOD’S WORD:

Declare God’s word from Monday thru Saturday and add Luke 1:37: “For nothing is impossible with God.”

[S] – SHARE / STRENGTHEN:

I will pray an agreement prayer with my believer friend for the church and the nation of America.

LESSON:

When God called Moses to serve, He pleaded with Him, saying, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” That statement alone proves enough evidences that Moses was suffering from stuttering. Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?” (verse 11).

Regardless of our weaknesses, imperfections and handicaps, God can still use us for his glory – not by eliminating them – but to edify us with His strength and use our limitations to bear good results. When our weaknesses push us to seek God and to rely on Him, this means that they actually help us instead of hinder us from coming to Him. They are beneficial to us; for our maturity in becoming stronger, braver, and more joyful solely lies in our relationship with the Lord and our trust in Him.

Remember in the previous devotional on this week, Apostle Paul begged the Lord three times to take the thorn in his flesh, yet each time the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (verse 10).

GOD’S STRENGTH IS MOST CLEARLY SEEN THROUGH WEAKNESS