A Devotional Life

Ruth 1:1-22 NIV. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year! The Book of Ruth has been called the most beautiful short story ever written because of its simple narrative. A narrative that shows how God’s provision for our needs or challenges is often woven into the simple acts of human kindness. Chapter 1 shows the kindness of a daughter-in-law, Ruth, to her mother-in-law, Naomi (v8, 16, 22), and we’ll see God at work through that. But first, the passage sets the context by introducing us to Naomi’s loss… Naomi lost her family… When Naomi (which means pleasant) is first introduced, we are told of her loss. A woman in a foreign land who lost her family (v1-5). She feels bitter, empty and afflicted by the Lord (v21). Why so? …Because Naomi knows Israel’s God to be the Almighty—Sovereign. He can bring famine to a disobedient Israel (v1) a...

Ephesians 3:14-19. Praise God! Happy new year!!! One of our favourite eat-out places as a student was Cosmo. My friends and I loved Cosmo because it was a buffet restaurant that offered world cuisines. So we often went hungry and prepared. The downside was that no matter how hungry we came, we always left the building staring at the other varieties of food we hadn't tasted. We were filled but never satisfied. But there's a filling that satisfies - God's unending love. After an encouraging letter to the wondering Gentile Church at Ephesus to remind them that in Christ they are one with the Jews and share the same promise in Christ (v6), Paul prays for the church (and a prayer for us) that by the power of the Holy Spirit: Christ would dwell in our hearts through faith, v16-17. Dwell (not visit) speaks of the continuous presence of Jesus by His ...

Psalm 139:7-12. Playing hide and seek with little kids is really fun. When I would play it with my friend's kids, they would hide next to a small plant in the garden and close their eyes tightly. And because the plant is too small, their shoes, arms and head remain visible, but they feel unseen because their eyes are tightly closed. Similarly, there are times in life when we feel "unseen" to others and perhaps God (Psalm 102:1-2). From the passage, the Psalmist recounts that God knows us intimately. He knows our words, thoughts, and ways (v1-4). He knows how often I get up to make a cup of tea. He is acquainted with all my ways (v3). But this is more than transcendent knowledge. He intimately journeys through life with us by His Holy Spirit - v7. Whether in heaven or even in the grave (Sheol) - v8 He is there in the unseen. ...

Jeremiah 18:1-6. Have you ever broken or scratched something which is not easily replaceable? I have - my tablet. I had hit it against the wall, and it sustained a scratch just below the volume buttons. This scratch, although little, was annoying for days. I wished it wasn't there. But sometimes, there are things more worrying than a little scratch on a tablet. In the passage, Jeremiah visits a Potter's house and sees the potter shaping the "marred" clay with his hands, "carefully forming it into another pot" (v4). He reminds us that God is a skillful potter, we are the clay. And in His sovereignty, He can use what He creates to both destroy evil and create beauty in us. Our Potter is also Our Father (Isaiah 64:8). In His sovereignty and love, He picks up our broken pieces, our mistakes, whatever we entrust into His hands, and reshapes them into something beautiful - something He delights in a...

Psalm 65. If God had a grocery list, I think Psalm 65 would be it. The only contrast between His list and our typical shopping list is that ours portray our needs, but God's list portrays his abundant supply to ALL needs. All needs: we are cared for – forgiven, restored and blessed (v2-5). The land and streams are cared for (v9), also the crops (v10), the wilderness, the hills (v12), the flocks (v13), all cared for and partaking in His abundant supply; "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (v11) A friend of mine puts it this way: if we can all chill long enough [haha], we will find something to be thankful for. It looks like the Universe chills long enough every day to find something (rather, everything) to be thankful (rather, singing) for. And we're welcome to join in. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. (v8) What are you thankf...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7. At the start of the lockdown, my Pastor encouraged my small group to make a list of things we wanted to improve on during lockdown. In my list was "To love more like Christ". I don't have a list of people I dislike or anything (hope not haha), but I know it's easy to slide as days go by. And, I am re-learning it's something to actively seek daily. May we be encouraged in this: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT). Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (Also see the NKJV and MSG translations) 2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not...

Matthew 10. This is the day that the Lord has made we shall rejoice and be glad in it. Indeed, we are currently living in a very challenging season, but it is also true that God is aware of that, and He cares. Matthew 10 gives in great detail how Jesus commissioned His disciples - how he sent them into the world (a pattern which is repeated in the gospels Mt 28; Lk 9, 10; Jn 16). Amid His commissioning messages, he keeps reassuring us of His care, His peace and His Presence: So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31) ..in me you have peace... Take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:16-20) God cares for us, God loves us and God is with us... even here, even now, even in this season. Reflect & Pray How does knowing that in Chr...

Jonah 4. Happy New Year!!! The book of Jonah is a book that teaches God’s compassion to all. It is, in summary, a story of how God saw a people’s (Nineveh) need for salvation, and so, sent a messenger (Jonah) to deliver a call to repentance. Jonah thought the people didn’t deserve God’s love and mercy (His compassion) and so he got angry. However, in verse 6-10 God demonstrated His compassion towards Jonah to show him that His compassion is a gift. It is really as John wrote - we (can only) love because He first loved us . (1 John 4:19) After Jonah had personally tasted of God's compassion, God then posed a question to Jonah to end the book (the only book of the Bible to end with a question from God): “...should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also m...

1 Peter 5:7 NIV. The passage reminds us that God cares for us, and we need this reminder especially in time of suffering or sorrow. Psalm 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Last year easter, I travelled to Scotland for a funeral of a granny at Church who in many ways reminded me of my mum, as in her faith, love and care. And amid my questions - but why, but we prayed..., I felt encouraged by Scriptures in 1 Peter 5:7 and Proverbs 3:5-6. This year, I travelled to Nigeria for my mum's funeral. And again, I was back to God with questions - but why, but we prayed..., a very similar journey to last year. During the season, I was encouraged by Scriptures in Hebrews 12:2-3 and 2 Corinthians 4:10-18. Scriptures again and again encourages us to look to God who cares for us: 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Proverbs 5:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart...He will direct your path. ...

2 Kings 8:16-19 NIV. Written in the time of exile, the book of Kings is probably one of the most pitiful records of the Old Testament. As it conveyed the unfortunate story of the decline and fall of God's chosen people. First division of the nation, then idolatry, then exile and captivity into Babylon. Yet, between the pages and paragraphs of a very painful story, we see God's promises spring forth hope like a seed. Despite the sin of the kings and the nation as a whole, verse 19 says "Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah". God had promised to David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:11), and many years later we see God's faithfulness to His promise (1 Kings 11:13, 15:4; 2 Kings 19:34, 20:6). And when Israel as a nation in exile had no king to look to, they held on to God's promise to establish David's kingdom and send a king who would rule justly. Ultimately, God fulfilled that promi...

Deuteronomy 6:20-25. Growing up as a teenager, "Why do I have to do it?" would be my first response to something I didn't want to do, like, then, doing the dishes. If you can relate, we're not alone on this: In the book of Deuteronomy, after Moses had reminded Israel of God's law (ch 5) and given directions on keeping it close to heart and memory (6:6-9), he then tells them why they ought to do it (6:20-25). In the future when your child asks you "what do these commands from God mean", why do we have to do it? Tell them (v20): We were slaves in Egypt (v21). We were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17). God did all His wonders, all it takes (v22). God sent His Son to the cross (Romans 5:8). He pulled us out of there to bring us in (v23). He pulled us out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). And give us the land He promised (v23). He gave us eternal life (John 3:16). So that we would live reverently, in obed...

Praise God for a new month. As a fastly growing - new-ish at the time - church, Rome became a recipient of Paul's letters. He begins to write about the new life in Christ; justification by faith. However, in light of their persecutions, Paul, by inspiration, interconnects his teaching with suffering, and consequently, hope (in Romans 5 and 8). Romans 5:1-5 We are justified by faith .. we have peace with God .. we have access to His grace .. we stand in His grace .. we boast in hope. We also boast in sufferings - which produces perseverance - then character - then hope. Hope makes us unashamed - because the Holy Spirit who is in us fills us with God's love. In his letter of encouragement, Paul links our hope to our faith in Christ. Since by faith Christ lives in us through His Spirit, hope is in us. He is our hope of glory in and beyond the suffering. And despite the sufferings, we have hope, our courage to stand. Romans 8:18. Christ in us the hope of glory. He has ...

Praise God for a new month. Great is the measure of our Father's Love. Psalm 103:11-12. Romans 8:38-39. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Great is the measure of our Father's Love. For I am convinced that neither death nor life,..., nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Think about His love Think about His goodness Think about His grace That's brought us through For as high as the heavens above So great is the measure Of our Father's love Song by Don Moen God is for us, amen. Have a blessed month in His Loving Presence.

"How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You." Psalm 139:17-18. In Psalm 139, David worships God as one who, though supreme, yet is loving and conscious of man. God how wonderful you are. Let's have a quick run through the chapter: 1You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. David knew that God is all-knowing (omniscient), but what amazes him is that God knows his thoughts, so God understands him. We often have a particular friend(s) w...

Awesome God, You’re so good. It’s weekend already and all I can recall now is a bunch of conversations with friends on the Christian faith – lots of sharing. One of the pictures I tried to paint was Grace. The picture: Sometimes God chooses to respond quicker to our simple faith than our excessive works. Just like a Christian gathering, often of two typical categories of attendees – those who came fully prepared: probably been fasting: maybe long expecting, and those who just showed up: maybe not even bothered. After the conference, you’re given a bulletin with testimony corner, and you begin to see stuff like: “I just showed up for the conference, and …”, the testimony corner then goes on and on in similar track, you even see stuffs like: “I didn’t even know there was a conference, my friend pulled me along … now God’s healed my back”. Hahaha, Awesome God. That’s grace. Now just take a minute to imagine; if we had to work for everything independent of God’s enablement, what need wou...

The Revelation of the Cross post series «  intro    the suffering    the hell    the joy    the love    the forgiveness    the total surrender    the fellowship  » A facet of the revelation of the cross is the suffering of Christ (The revelation of His suffering). Every other facet of the revelation of the cross flows from the suffering of Christ; for instance, the cross reveals fellowship (the fellowship of His suffering), the cross reveals/teaches forgiveness (forgiveness in His suffering), and so on. So, what is the suffering and its significance? To Jesus on the cross, the suffering was the pain and weight of our sins, the suffering was what He experienced on the cross. Since, Jesus lived a life of sacrifice – even by His coming to the world, the suffering began prior to the physical cross – through His self-denial. To Jesus, the cross was a daily experience, Luke 9:23. To us the sufferin...

It’s Easter again – a wonderful season to remember Jesus and His finished work on the cross (His Death and Resurrection). Why did Jesus totally commit to His death on the cross? There was every temptation to deviate from the cross experience. He experienced the worse kind of pain but chose to endure it. The bible says in Hebrews 12:2; "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." So he endured the cross because of the joy that was set before him. What was the joy that was set before him? …you and me. We were the joy that was set before him. On that cross Jesus saw me – Sam and you – Mr/Ms, and decided I will endure the cross for their sake, yes, for you and me. Wow. So He endured the cross for us all, despising the shame, and in-fact rose again for us. The end of the scripture in Hebrews 12:2 says … and is set down at the r...

It's Christmas again, Merry Christmas. I'll just quickly reference last Easter's post on Sharing His Hope - which was an encouragement to share. So what is Christmas? The best definition of Christmas so far, for me, is from a kid. Here it is: Christmas is a time when we celebrate when baby Jesus was born on earth. Can you beat that? John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Isaiah 9:6 prophecy can finally be celebrated - cause it was fulfilled by the birth/coming of Jesus. Christmas is a perfect reminder of the loving Father heart of God - that lavishing love - which chose to be born in a manger, in form of human flesh, living in our world and giving it all up for us - a people undeserving of His love. Really, God what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you've visited him. If you often get into this question of Psalm 8:...

Matthew 28:19 command of Jesus is go and make disciples... The making of a disciple however is not in the 'selection' but in the 'loving' - in 'patiently seeing individuals with the eyes of Jesus'. Let's take the interesting Jesus-Peter example. Peter was one disciple of Jesus that was for sure, stuffed up with vigor and enthusiasm but lacked patience and character. So what did Jesus do? Live with the attitude of 'Oh, Peter not you again!', of-course not. The more 'Simon', Peter acted, the more Jesus even drew closer to him :) Jesus: miraculously caught a net full of fish; giving Peter a good day - the day the fishes refused to swim in his favour. Jesus: not only taught Peter to pray with other disciples, but also showed him how he prayed in secret. Jesus: took Peter to intimate heights he did not take other disciples to - transfiguration. Jesus: healed Peter's mother-in-law. ...and so on and so forth. Peter: denies knowing Jesu...

I used to say to a friend; if you were the only one on earth, then that would be God's perfect purpose, and Jesus would have still come to redeem(die) for you. You are God's perfect purpose. Despite His majesty; He is meek and lowly, and despite our faithlessness; He is still faithful, In our darkest and hurting situations; He is ever near to love and cheer, Even when we feel the end of hope; He never refuses us the bliss of heaven Jesus knows all about our struggles; He will guide 'til the day is done: There's not a Friend like the lowly Jesus: No, not one! no, not one! What a friend we have in Jesus (John 15:13). What a loving Father, God is; He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall He not with him also freely give us all things? - Romans 8:32. Only Jesus makes the difference, only Him and no other. Find rest in Him today (Matthew 11:28). Remain forever blessed.