A Vine That bears Much Fruit
(Entry Date : Jan 29th, 2012)
Scripture
Eze 15:5 – If it was not useful for anything when it was whole, how much less can it be made into something useful when the fire has burned and it is charred?
Observation
The purpose of vine: for making into something useful (bear fruit) or thrown into fire (fruitless). Jerusalem was a useless vine now. She no longer bear fruit. She has lost her purpose. People strayed away from God. Yet God never gave up on His people! He sent prophets to seek His people so that the people and nation could repent and return to Him. Even though God later send judgment, He still keep a remnant of people because of His covenant with His people. God’s mercy and grace never change.
Application
In John 15, Jesus says He is the vine; we are the branches. If a man remains in Him and He in us, we will bear much fruit. Apart from him, we can do nothing. I need to spend time with God in order to produce fruit.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please give me an undivided heart and put a new spirit in me. Help me to follow your decrees and be careful to keep your laws. Draw me closer to You this day. In the name of Lord Jesus I pray, Amen.
Love By Giving
(Entry Date : Oct 9th, 2011)
Scripture
Song of Songs 7:12 – But my own vineyard is mine to give; the thousand shekels are for you, O Solomon, and two hundred are for those who tend its fruit.
Observation
The bride has her own private vineyard. Even though all property belong to the King, she is given the right to assign what to do with the fruit because she is the bride of the King. And she was delighted to give the King its fruit. This shows the depth of her love and the intimate relationship with the King. As a bride, she has learned to express her love to the King by treating others with fairness and dignity.
Application
All I have belong to the King. I am called to be the steward of what He has assigned me to take charge. God has shown us the best example by extravagantly lavished His love and grace. He has given His most precious Son to me. I will love Him and also love His people.
Prayer
Dear Abba Father, help me to be like You. Not to hold back but know that all belongs to You while I am given the responsibility to take charge of what You have assigned. Help me to honor You and love You by delighting in giving to You and Your people. In the name of Lord Jesus, I pray amen!
In God I trust
(Entry Date : May 22nd, 2011)
Scripture
Ps 77:10 – Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
Observation
In times of trouble, it is easy for us to forget who God is and what He has done. Before this verse, the Psalmist was honest to express his fear and even recorded his doubt in God. But in his cry for help, he remembered God's goodness and love. His courage and faith were renewed as he shifted his focus from himself to God. His prayer focus also changed from "I" to God.
Application
As I express my distress to God, I know God listens to me and He is with me. He has helped me to pass so many trials in the past, and nothing is too difficult for Him. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Prayer
Dear Father, please help me to overcome the stressful and difficult situations in my workplace. Indeed, because You have helped me in the past, surely, You will deliver me again. Let me change from focus on myself to You and worship You! In the name of Lord Jesus I pray, Amen.
Keep The Faith
(Entry Date : Feb 4th, 2011)
Scripture
Job 1:21 - and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Observation
Job did not find his security from his great wealth. (Job 31: 24). He knew his blessings came from God due to his intimacy with God. (Job 29:4)
Although Job did not understand why he suffers, he did not turn away from God. He did not give up his hope in God. When God finally spoke, interestingly, God did not give him a direct answer. God just states who He is.
Application
Many times in the midst of troubles, I asked the question “why”. But the most important thing I discover is not to know why but WHO: Who is God? Do I know Him enough to trust Him? Suffering may test my worship to God, but I will look to Christ and what He did on the Cross. Pray that God will deepen my faith.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for using me as a vessel to pray and walk through with my friend during her most difficult time. Deepen my faith, Lord, so that in all times, I will worship You for who You are. In the name of Lord Jesus, I pray amen!
Giving God My Best
(Entry Date : Nov 5th, 2010)
Scripture
1 Chronicles 22:5 - “David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death.
Observation
King David made extensive preparation to build God’s temple:-
*
he looked in the details and worked out everything that is required;
* he gathered the resources and materials: dressed stones, nails, bronze, cedar logs, etc
* he dedicated the spoil, such as gold and silver to the Lord and building of His temple
* he instructed his sons
* he prepared a team of workmen
To David, building God’s temple was the most important project. Even though he knew he is not the one to build the temple, he did everything he could to ensure God will get the best.
Application
I want to have a heart like King David, fully dedicated to God. Whether I get the credit or not, I want to give my best because I want to do it for Him. Even if I am not in the limelight or given the recognition, I still want to give my best to the Lord, taking His project seriously and heartily.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to give you the reverence that you deserve. No matter what assignment I am given, help me to give my best to You. In the name of Lord Jesus, I pray amen!
Inner Compass
(Entry Date : Sep 17th, 2010)
Scripture
2 Samuel 2:22 - He said: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my
deliverer;
Observation
I see in King David’s life a series of trials and turmoil, yet he maintains an inner compass that always points to “Truth.” He knew that God is his Rock, his Fortress and his Deliverer. He knew God has protected him from the attack of enemies. So he has developed a trust and hope in God that will not waiver despite difficult circumstances. He was not a perfect man or a flawless leader. but through his struggles and trials , David has learned to fully depend on God.
Application
How easy to base my happiness on external circumstances. I want to pursue a more intimate relationship with God so as to develop David’s kind of trust and hope in God.
Prayer
Dear Abba Father, You are truly my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. As David trusted in You, guide me by that same inner compass, as I learn to fully depend on You. In the name of Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen!
Road To Joy
(Entry Date : May 20th, 2009)
Scripture
Philippians 4:12 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Observation
Paul has mastered contentment in his life: He learnt to be content in whatever the circumstances – whether in abundance or in need. His secret to contentment: He looked up to Jesus. He depended on God. He knew who God is. Therefore, he could confidently said that he can do everything through him who strengthens him. The God of all comfort will strengthen and supply all his needs. His focus is right: Contentment helps him to focus on things that are eternal.
Application
I cannot get joy in life through happy, external occasions. Joy is from within. I must not fix my eyes on acquiring things which are temporal. To do so, I need to look up to God, the Source and Giver of joy.
Prayer
Dear Father God, let the joy of the Lord be my strength today. Teach me to find real contentment in You. In the name of Lord Jesus I pray, Amen.
He Is My God
(Entry Date : November 29th, 2009)
Scripture
Genesis 46:3 – "I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there."
Observation
God has promised to give the land of Canaan to Jacob and his descendants. So why is it now experiencing famine? Why must he and his family leave this land of promise to go into Egypt? Wouldn't these foreigners ill-treat them? But God has spoken! The Lord has encouraged him and assured Jacob that He will be with him and His promise to make him into a great nation will remain.
Application
God is the God of generations. God is not only the God of Abraham and Isaac. He is also God of Jacob. Likewise, He is my God. His promise did not come to pass in Jacob’s life time but much later. His timing is not my timing. But His promise will always come to pass. God wants me to walk by faith and not by sight.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I need You to help me overcome my short-sightedness and unbelief. Help me not to limit You but to trust You in every circumstance. Help me receive Your grace so that I can also be a grace releaser. In the name of Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen!
Live Out The Word
(Entry Date : September 27th, 2009)
Scripture
1 John 2:6 - Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Observation
If we claim that we live in Jesus, it means we know Him and know the Word. If we live in Jesus, we have to walk the truth in love which the Lord taught us.
Jesus has invited us to abide in Him. He said He is vine and we are the branches. if we abide in Him, He will also abide in us. We will bear much fruit only if we abide in Him.
When we truly live in our Lord Jesus, we will also follow His teachings and His ways. We will do what He says. We will be obedient. For example, the servant will follow the master’s instructions. We will surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Application
It is not about what I must do or have to do. But it is all about me abiding in my Lord Jesus. When I abide in Him, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He will provide me His grace. He will strengthen me and deliver me.
Prayer
Dear Father Lord, help me abide in Jesus and follow You wholeheartedly. Help me draw nearer and grow deeper in You each day.
His Amazing Grace
Scripture
1 Tim 2:14 – The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Observation
The Apostle Paul once referred to himself as the "chief of sinners", for he not only persecuted Christians but killed them. When Stephen was stoned to death, he stood there giving his approval to the murder. Yet God reached out to him in love, transforming him from Saul, the murderer, to Paul, the apostle. There is indeed no sin too big that God cannot forgive. His grace has no limits. But only when we know how far we have fallen can we truly understand the depth of God's grace. Only when we realize the depth of our sin nature can we truly appreciate the extent of God's love.
Application
Do I truly know His love and His grace towards me? Paul knew and that’s why he could truly live for God. He could say with deep conviction that to live is for Christ, and to die is gain. I need to realize again how much my God loves me and His grace has no limits
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank you for your amazing grace. Knowing how much You loved me, empower me to love you more. In Jesus' name, Amen!