June 3, 2010
Matthew 4:1-1:17
Temptation of Jesus
I have always loved this passage. It encourages me so much knowing what Jesus had gone through as a human, being tempted by the devil and coming out an overcomer. So I asked God for His inspired thots on this familiar passage. Here’s what He showed…
Inspired thots:
1) First temptation: Jesus did not say we do not need bread to survive. The physical body was created to have nourishment. So we give thanks for the food we take in, to nourish our bodies. But more important than the physical is the SPIRITUAL or the SOUL; we need the WORD of GOD to nourish our spirit and soul ~ how we feel and react, how we relate or draw near to God. It is only by the WORD of GOD that we truly live. How important to read God’s word daily… and anytime I can.
a. Look how easily the devil was shut up when Jesus used God’s word back at him. The devil may think he can hoodwink Jesus by using God’s word, but when the child of God believes God’s word ~ truly believe ~ he has the most powerful and effective weapon to shake off the devil. The tempter slides off ever so quickly. Only when the child of God is unfamiliar or disbelieve God’s word will he be thrust into confusion and insecurity; and that is the devil’s snare.
b. Praise God that I can be so secure in God when I am enveloped by His word. It feels like David having his 5 smooth stones and sling on him at all times to ward off the predators. Wow!
2) Temptation 2: Reminds me of some drastic actions that run through my silly head sometimes… the “just to see” or “lets check it out” attitude; like “What would happen if I were to jump out from a moving car?” “How would it feel?” too much James Bond movies obviously! No wonder the tempter place this in front of Jesus. It’s like a taunt “Prove yourself” ; “Let God prove Himself to you”
a. I must remember that God is God. I have nothing to prove to Him. He has nothing to prove to me because He is already EVERYTHING! When a truth is a truth, you don’t need to prove it anymore. You just have to accept it. Just like… gravity! It is already proven by Newton. We don’t need to prove its existence again and again. We see and experience it daily. Hallelujah!
b. I must rest secure in my Heavenly Father’s love. He is always there for me. I do not need to prove His love for me. Actually, to think of it, His love for me is constantly proven in my life. I don’t need the ‘drastic’ measures. How cunning of the devil to present his lie seeds and thoughts before us, and most of the time, we fall for it ~ hook, line and sinker!
3) Temptation 3: The devil is so pitiful and desperate. He really wants people to worship him. Having fallen from God’s grace, he still makes no effort to repent but rather, goes around enticing people (you and I) to change our focus: to worship him instead of God. And it is so simple to get rid of his incessant temptings… like Jesus, just say the WORD ~ “Away from me, Satan… “ followed by God’s word. Wow!
a. No wonder the tempter is described as a ‘roaring lion’ seeking to devour (1 Pet 5:8). Praise God that we are taught to ‘be alert and self controlled’ Lord, let me know be enticed by the temporal pleasures of this world. Let me exercise and build up my self-control and help me stay alert to stay close to You all the time. Amen.
A daily time out with the Lord Jesus, to hear Him speak to ME. I am asking the Lord to share HIS thoughts with ME, to teach me more about Himself, and how I can be drawn closer to Him... for 'His thoughts are not my thoughts and neither are His ways my ways' Isaiah 55:8,9. This blog is not a theological exegesis. This blog is to record down the INSIGHTS & INSPIRATIONS of God's Word to me; speaking LIFE into my life for Abundant life! :)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
My Faith ~ My Jesus
June 2, 2010
Matthew 3
Baptism of Jesus
Inspired thots:
Again, the passage seems to hold nothing special…nothing that I did not seem to know; but I recalled from yesterday’s night prayer meeting when I read the article “Christians think too much” where it tells me that we Christians tend to think through and logic out God’s word to our convenience instead of embracing it and doing it. How true. So I waited on the Lord for His inspired thots for this morning, reading the chapter again from verse 1. True enough, the Lord reveals…
1) (v1) Why would one (like John the Baptist) choose to spend his life in seclusion, living out in the wilderness? Truly he had a calling from God ~ he heard the calling > he embraced it > he worked it out! He was willing.
a) God will use the one who hears His call, embraces it (accepts) and work it out (do it). I am not there .. yet. I remember when young, I joked about Isaiah 6:8 that “Here am I, send my sister”; for my sister went into the ministry full time. Yes, God will use the one who hears and embraces His calling and do it. This is the difficult part for me… perhaps for a lot of us.
2) (v9) Faith is a very personal thing. It establishes our relationship with God. It is from within the self. No one can establish the relationship with God on one’s behalf. Yes, no matter how I love my gals, I cannot have faith in God on their behalf. They cannot bank on my faith to carry them through the wrath of God which is coming. Oh, it is so urgent and vital for my daughters whom I love dearly, to establish their faith in Jesus themselves. That is my constant prayer, as a devoted mom.
3) Jesus set an example for us to follow by going through the waters of baptism. Although he was God, he chose to be baptized as all man should, to give an example to all man. Water baptism follows through from confession of sins, forgiven by God and a new life with Christ. Water baptism is thus a testimony to others that we now belong to Christ having confessed our sins, forgiven (1 John 1:9) and now to move on to bear good fruit in keeping with repentance (v8)
Thank You Lord for Your inspired thots today. I know that the Lord is great. He has been merciful to me all my life; I know He is working out further in my life now.. even though it has taken me a long time to come round to Him. Praise You, Jesus.
****************************************************************************
Matthew 3
Baptism of Jesus
Inspired thots:
Again, the passage seems to hold nothing special…nothing that I did not seem to know; but I recalled from yesterday’s night prayer meeting when I read the article “Christians think too much” where it tells me that we Christians tend to think through and logic out God’s word to our convenience instead of embracing it and doing it. How true. So I waited on the Lord for His inspired thots for this morning, reading the chapter again from verse 1. True enough, the Lord reveals…
1) (v1) Why would one (like John the Baptist) choose to spend his life in seclusion, living out in the wilderness? Truly he had a calling from God ~ he heard the calling > he embraced it > he worked it out! He was willing.
a) God will use the one who hears His call, embraces it (accepts) and work it out (do it). I am not there .. yet. I remember when young, I joked about Isaiah 6:8 that “Here am I, send my sister”; for my sister went into the ministry full time. Yes, God will use the one who hears and embraces His calling and do it. This is the difficult part for me… perhaps for a lot of us.
2) (v9) Faith is a very personal thing. It establishes our relationship with God. It is from within the self. No one can establish the relationship with God on one’s behalf. Yes, no matter how I love my gals, I cannot have faith in God on their behalf. They cannot bank on my faith to carry them through the wrath of God which is coming. Oh, it is so urgent and vital for my daughters whom I love dearly, to establish their faith in Jesus themselves. That is my constant prayer, as a devoted mom.
3) Jesus set an example for us to follow by going through the waters of baptism. Although he was God, he chose to be baptized as all man should, to give an example to all man. Water baptism follows through from confession of sins, forgiven by God and a new life with Christ. Water baptism is thus a testimony to others that we now belong to Christ having confessed our sins, forgiven (1 John 1:9) and now to move on to bear good fruit in keeping with repentance (v8)
Thank You Lord for Your inspired thots today. I know that the Lord is great. He has been merciful to me all my life; I know He is working out further in my life now.. even though it has taken me a long time to come round to Him. Praise You, Jesus.
****************************************************************************
Monday, June 28, 2010
Jesus ~ my Good Shepherd
June 1st 2010
Matthew 2:13-23
Guided all the way… every step.
Inspired thots:
I nearly have nothing from this passage… and I nearly panicked. God, is this where I stop for I am stuck? But I am reminded… this venture is “Share YOUR thots with me, God” so I called out to the LORD, and He is good; He answered.
1) God cares enough for me to have things in place for my good. He takes care of His own, just like any earthly parent would defend, love and provide for their child(ren). What more of God’s great plan of salvation? He led Joseph and Mary all the way to fulfill His plan of love. God will do no less for me, as I stay close to Him.
2) God will lead me through life’s path… challenges and pleasures will pass me by. I must train my faculties and spirit to tune in to God, like Joseph, to keep walking in God’s way; for He is my tower (of strength, safety and peace)
3) My life may seem mundane; I may not be rich (but I am not in want ~ Psalm 23:1). I may not be famous nor stand out in a crowd (many have mentioned that I have a ‘common’ face ~ I am mistaken for another!) but God chose to create ME! I must be special to Him; He has a plan for Me. Hmm… I must seek that plan. Many of us have trouble knowing God’s plan for ourselves though we go through many trainings, studies, counseling and time. Hmmm.. I wonder why? Is it unbelief , disobedience and fear again? Lord, help us!
Matthew 2:13-23
Guided all the way… every step.
Inspired thots:
I nearly have nothing from this passage… and I nearly panicked. God, is this where I stop for I am stuck? But I am reminded… this venture is “Share YOUR thots with me, God” so I called out to the LORD, and He is good; He answered.
1) God cares enough for me to have things in place for my good. He takes care of His own, just like any earthly parent would defend, love and provide for their child(ren). What more of God’s great plan of salvation? He led Joseph and Mary all the way to fulfill His plan of love. God will do no less for me, as I stay close to Him.
2) God will lead me through life’s path… challenges and pleasures will pass me by. I must train my faculties and spirit to tune in to God, like Joseph, to keep walking in God’s way; for He is my tower (of strength, safety and peace)
3) My life may seem mundane; I may not be rich (but I am not in want ~ Psalm 23:1). I may not be famous nor stand out in a crowd (many have mentioned that I have a ‘common’ face ~ I am mistaken for another!) but God chose to create ME! I must be special to Him; He has a plan for Me. Hmm… I must seek that plan. Many of us have trouble knowing God’s plan for ourselves though we go through many trainings, studies, counseling and time. Hmmm.. I wonder why? Is it unbelief , disobedience and fear again? Lord, help us!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
God is Great...God is Good.
May 31st 2010
Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi’s visit
Inspired thots
1) God is good to everyone… even the ‘non-Christians’ (why do we ‘label’ others?) – as long as one has the heart to seek Him (Jer 29:11). He leads those who seek Him to find Him.
a. The Magi travelled far to meet the King, though He may be just a babe… they endured the difficulties of a long journey (especially in those days) for a purpose so passionate in their hearts!
Wow! Reminder to self: Passion Drives Action! Passion is MOTIVATION! How much do I love God, to do what the Magi did? Truly God’s word is true when He said, Seek and you shall find (Matt. 7:7)
b. What has the ‘King of the JEWS’ got to do with the Magi (the Easterners?) What business do they have with one not of their race or culture? Somehow, the Magi understood God’s….? plan? desire? And they made the effort to accomplish what was laid in their hearts. Surely their actions pleased God. This brings to my mind John 5:44 where the Jews were reprimanded by Jesus correctly, as with me… How can I make no effort to obtain praise that comes from the only God?... if I claim to have the love of God in my heart (John 5:41).. unless I don’t.
2) Do not belittle anything or anyone ‘small’ (in my eyes), for they are not in God’s.
a. God is truly good to all. No one is left behind or sided by Him. Bethlehem may seem a small and insignificant town but God used it.
b. This was also my lesson when I considered going to SOL in Nov 2008. My thot was “can anything good come from there?”(John 1:46) Praise God for His grace for indeed GOD was there and ministered to me, drawing me closer to His heart. That simple town (Lahad Datu) started me off on the path of intercessors.
c. I will miss God’s wonders if I overlook the ‘small’ and insignificants in my life.
d. The Magi didn’t look at the circumstances or surroundings of baby Jesus. They somehow knew who He was, and that was sufficient to excite them and they were enveloped with joy unspeakable.. that the only Right thing to do then was just to WORSHIP Him – baby though He was. Am I on focus with God, or am I still considering my circumstances and surroundings? Still bemoaning?
3) God is great! He speaks to non-Christians. He speaks to ALL, for He is our Creator. It is not the title or label we give ourselves or others but God judges our hearts.
a. The Magi had a heart for the true and living God, and God granted their hearts’ desire. How great is my God!
b. I must stop categorizing people and keep checking my heart in all circumstances and situations; only then can I find the unspeakable joy that God wants to pour into my life (John 17:13)
Matthew 2:1-12
The Magi’s visit
Inspired thots
1) God is good to everyone… even the ‘non-Christians’ (why do we ‘label’ others?) – as long as one has the heart to seek Him (Jer 29:11). He leads those who seek Him to find Him.
a. The Magi travelled far to meet the King, though He may be just a babe… they endured the difficulties of a long journey (especially in those days) for a purpose so passionate in their hearts!
Wow! Reminder to self: Passion Drives Action! Passion is MOTIVATION! How much do I love God, to do what the Magi did? Truly God’s word is true when He said, Seek and you shall find (Matt. 7:7)
b. What has the ‘King of the JEWS’ got to do with the Magi (the Easterners?) What business do they have with one not of their race or culture? Somehow, the Magi understood God’s….? plan? desire? And they made the effort to accomplish what was laid in their hearts. Surely their actions pleased God. This brings to my mind John 5:44 where the Jews were reprimanded by Jesus correctly, as with me… How can I make no effort to obtain praise that comes from the only God?... if I claim to have the love of God in my heart (John 5:41).. unless I don’t.
2) Do not belittle anything or anyone ‘small’ (in my eyes), for they are not in God’s.
a. God is truly good to all. No one is left behind or sided by Him. Bethlehem may seem a small and insignificant town but God used it.
b. This was also my lesson when I considered going to SOL in Nov 2008. My thot was “can anything good come from there?”(John 1:46) Praise God for His grace for indeed GOD was there and ministered to me, drawing me closer to His heart. That simple town (Lahad Datu) started me off on the path of intercessors.
c. I will miss God’s wonders if I overlook the ‘small’ and insignificants in my life.
d. The Magi didn’t look at the circumstances or surroundings of baby Jesus. They somehow knew who He was, and that was sufficient to excite them and they were enveloped with joy unspeakable.. that the only Right thing to do then was just to WORSHIP Him – baby though He was. Am I on focus with God, or am I still considering my circumstances and surroundings? Still bemoaning?
3) God is great! He speaks to non-Christians. He speaks to ALL, for He is our Creator. It is not the title or label we give ourselves or others but God judges our hearts.
a. The Magi had a heart for the true and living God, and God granted their hearts’ desire. How great is my God!
b. I must stop categorizing people and keep checking my heart in all circumstances and situations; only then can I find the unspeakable joy that God wants to pour into my life (John 17:13)
Friday, June 25, 2010
Letting go... LET GOD.
May 30th 2010
Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus
Inspired thots:
1) God is at work – working out His wonderful plan of salvation because of His great love for us.
a. Even before we know it, God has embarked on His great plans for our good.
~> the birth of Jesus
2) God can intervene in our lives, anytime.
a. I may think I know best and have all matters under control; even when I think I am walking right or doing good.
b. Example of Joseph – Mary’s betrothed.
A seemingly quiet man who was called Righteous.(v19)
A Righteous man wanting to do Right when he assumed his betrothed was
unfaithful to him!
A righteous man does things Right!
A righteous man does Right things Right! Get it?
But when God intercedes, I must put aside the Right things and do God’s
things… for I, like Joseph, may not know the whole story or not see the whole
picture.
Isa 55:8,9 is one of my favourite verses to remind myself that God’s ways are higher than mine.
Let go… Let GOD!
3) Are we hearing God?
a. Are we WALKING in obedience to what we hear (from God)?
Example of Joseph (Mary’s betrothed)
He heard from God (in a dream)
He believed (even though it was a dream)
He acted in obedience
Why dont I act in obedience? Praise God for those who do….
Yet, it is so difficult for me to act in obedience? What could be the blockages?
1> Could it be UNBELIEF?
2> Is there still PRIDE in my life? that I still cant let go of being ‘in control’ or ‘in power’?
3> Am I unwilling to sacrifice (or give up) the world’s ‘goodies’ or pleasure?
That spirit of fear and self-pleasure grips so strongly.
Lets address…
UNBELIEF.
I have to ask MYSELF – WHO do I really believe, who holds all things in His hand? GOD!
Who else is greater than God? What have I got to lose?
I need to keep reminding myself that there is only ONE greater than I. Only then can I squash the unbelief in me, and let God build His throne in my life.
PRIDE
Who is greater than I? Only God. What have I got to prove? I only have to remind myself how lost I can be in many issues and situations which only God can put me back on the right path and put back peace and joy in me. I must remind myself that I can relax and be stress free by letting God be in control of my life… navigating my life in the right and BEST path for me!
Jeremiah 29:13 promises the best God has for me.
FEAR
I must remember that I am just a passer-by on this earth (1 John 2:17)…
My home is in heaven; I should not hold on to the things of this temporal dwelling. It is hard when you have not reached your destination. It is harder when you have not SEEN what the final destination is really like…
This is what Hebrews 11:1 calls it FAITH and HOPE!
Fear is the LIE SEED the devil sows in me to cripple me – What have I got to hide?
As a child of God, who was wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139),
God knows me fully well and sees all that I do. There is nothing hidden from Him.
I have the victory over the devil (1 John 4:4) because You live in me, Lord!
Hallelujah! Lord, help me remember THAT… Pastor shared before in mentoring my inner self, I have “nothing to lose, nothing to prove, nothing to hide”
*********************************************************************************
Matthew 1:18-25
The Birth of Jesus
Inspired thots:
1) God is at work – working out His wonderful plan of salvation because of His great love for us.
a. Even before we know it, God has embarked on His great plans for our good.
~> the birth of Jesus
2) God can intervene in our lives, anytime.
a. I may think I know best and have all matters under control; even when I think I am walking right or doing good.
b. Example of Joseph – Mary’s betrothed.
A seemingly quiet man who was called Righteous.(v19)
A Righteous man wanting to do Right when he assumed his betrothed was
unfaithful to him!
A righteous man does things Right!
A righteous man does Right things Right! Get it?
But when God intercedes, I must put aside the Right things and do God’s
things… for I, like Joseph, may not know the whole story or not see the whole
picture.
Isa 55:8,9 is one of my favourite verses to remind myself that God’s ways are higher than mine.
Let go… Let GOD!
3) Are we hearing God?
a. Are we WALKING in obedience to what we hear (from God)?
Example of Joseph (Mary’s betrothed)
He heard from God (in a dream)
He believed (even though it was a dream)
He acted in obedience
Why dont I act in obedience? Praise God for those who do….
Yet, it is so difficult for me to act in obedience? What could be the blockages?
1> Could it be UNBELIEF?
2> Is there still PRIDE in my life? that I still cant let go of being ‘in control’ or ‘in power’?
3> Am I unwilling to sacrifice (or give up) the world’s ‘goodies’ or pleasure?
That spirit of fear and self-pleasure grips so strongly.
Lets address…
UNBELIEF.
I have to ask MYSELF – WHO do I really believe, who holds all things in His hand? GOD!
Who else is greater than God? What have I got to lose?
I need to keep reminding myself that there is only ONE greater than I. Only then can I squash the unbelief in me, and let God build His throne in my life.
PRIDE
Who is greater than I? Only God. What have I got to prove? I only have to remind myself how lost I can be in many issues and situations which only God can put me back on the right path and put back peace and joy in me. I must remind myself that I can relax and be stress free by letting God be in control of my life… navigating my life in the right and BEST path for me!
Jeremiah 29:13 promises the best God has for me.
FEAR
I must remember that I am just a passer-by on this earth (1 John 2:17)…
My home is in heaven; I should not hold on to the things of this temporal dwelling. It is hard when you have not reached your destination. It is harder when you have not SEEN what the final destination is really like…
This is what Hebrews 11:1 calls it FAITH and HOPE!
Fear is the LIE SEED the devil sows in me to cripple me – What have I got to hide?
As a child of God, who was wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139),
God knows me fully well and sees all that I do. There is nothing hidden from Him.
I have the victory over the devil (1 John 4:4) because You live in me, Lord!
Hallelujah! Lord, help me remember THAT… Pastor shared before in mentoring my inner self, I have “nothing to lose, nothing to prove, nothing to hide”
*********************************************************************************
Thursday, June 24, 2010
God is AWESOME... Totally.
~ Introduction ~
On the Book of Matthew
I had been reading the books of Matthew and John numerous times as I facilitated CMTT (a Sunday School Teachers' training) and encouraged the participants to read through these books as part of their training.
These books have 28 and 21 chapters respectively and could be read within a month; and as the training takes 8 months, one could read Matthew and John FOUR times!
I have read Matthew and John in various ways: devotional (God revealing His truths to me), in Bahasa Melayu, cross-referencing, summary, bible verses emphasis and memorization, highlights, bible character emphasis and application modes.
I asked the Lord, “How should I read Matthew and John again, after yet another read?” The Lord is good.. He answers, “Write My revelations down… as in a memoir”. Perhaps have it published to bless others who might want to read how God speaks to me. Wow! That would be not only revealing what God reveals to me… it would also mean exposing myself to the world (or the reader!)… and I am quite a private person. “What shall I call it, should I publish it one day?”, I asked the Lord. Again… He speaks… “Share your thots with me..” just like the song… Lead me to your heart, as close as I can be…
Yes, so as I asked, God will share HIS thoughts with me… and many will be blest as they read the inspirations and revelations of God. Why should God reveal only to me?..you may ask… well, He will reveal His word/thoughts to you too, if you ask Him. I asked, and He revealed these to ME.
**********************************************************************************
May 29th 2010
Matthew 1:1-17
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
Hmmm… Not a ‘hot’ topic for most readers to get their devotion started… Such a long list of names… do we have to know them all? Yes, I am wowed by Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon.. I recognize Boaz, Judah, Josiah and even Hezekiah… but who are Jotham, Ammon, Azur, Akim or Matthan (to name a few)? Why should I bother with them?
Then the Lord spoke to me…
Inspired thots:
1) The Genealogy listing records seemingly unknown people (to me, at least!) BUT they were PART of the important lineage of the Human race for SALVATION (from the father’s side of procreation)
No one is Unimportant in God’s sight and heart.
2) Only FIVE women were mentioned in the Genealogy listing (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) and Mary). Each of these played a role in an OUTSTANDING event; all were of honourable standing (ie Uriah was mentioned instead of specifically Bathsheba’s name)
3) These names recorded in the Genealogy list inspired me that those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, will ALSO have their names recorded in the BOOK of LIFE! Hallelujah!
God gives honour to the great and the small. God is fair and loving to His people. He is no respecter of persons.
This inspiration reveals that I am BIAS! I chose not to acknowledge those I am not familiar with or hold high regards for… I chose to categorise these listed great men and women of God according to MY understanding and PERCEPTION of them. I lacked the TRUE knowledge of WHO they were and HOW they were placed in the plan of my ALMIGHTY GOD! I sidelined some because they did not ‘impact’ me with their lives. I did not view them as my ‘heroes of the Bible’; I was judgmental. I am wrong; I should find out what EACH was like…I need to go indepth on my research of every name I sidelined from the Genealogy list.
Father God, I am sorry to be judgmental over anyone… especially people I don’t even know. Forgive me for being bias, because that is NOT how You are. You show no favouritism; You love all men (and women) for You created them in Your image. As I desire to be more like You, Lord, thank you for revealing this important point to me through a ‘mundane’ (or ‘boring’) passage of Your word. Actually, NONE of your Word is mundane or unmeaningful when You open our eyes, ears and heart to hear Your thoughts! Thanks, Jesus!
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