A Devotional Life

Ruth 2:1-23 NIV. In Chapter 1, Ruth shows kindness to Naomi, demonstrating God’s love for her in her time of suffering. Chapter 2 shows how God used the kindness of a close relative, Boaz (v20), to reward and favour Ruth for her faith—“taking refuge in God.” Ruth took refuge in God… Earlier in Chapter 1, we saw that Ruth, a Moabite widow, insisted on returning to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law (1:4-5, 1:16-18, 1:22), although Moabites were enemies of Israel (Judges 3:12). So why this decision? Aside from her love for her mother-in-law, Chapter 2 shows that Ruth had “come to take refuge” in God (v12). She found faith in God and declared to Naomi, “…your God my God” (1:16). This declaration meant a different way of living, so rather than stay in Moab—where God is rejected, she returned with Naomi to live in Bethlehem—the house of...

John 10:11,14-16. Have you ever had to make some changes at home in order to make someone feel welcome for a short stay? My parents hosted guests a lot while I was growing up. Although they were just being homely, as a kid I always felt like I was suffering. I had to move my room several times. Nicht gut! Sad time for a kid. Well, except when the uncle or aunty came bearing gifts. In the passage, Jesus introduces himself as the Good Shepherd. In the parable, He compares himself with others (the thief/robber - v1, the stranger - v5, and the hired hand - v12). And unlike the others, He has the best interest of the sheep at heart - to guide, speak to and care sacrificially for them. Then, in v14-16, He indicates that His shepherding care is not only to the sheep that know Him but also to the other sheep that do not know Him or have strayed from Him. Jesus would do this by living everyday life among sinners, having a lu...

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...

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.

A mark set on a thing or object identifies it and could distinct it from others. The bible in some sciptures, implies two different kinds of marks; the mark of bondage and the mark of freedom. Genesis 4:15; God set a mark upon Cain; an indication that He bears a curse, so that no one attempts to kill him. It could be misinterpreted that the essence of the mark in the case of Cain was to protect him from death, but NO, that was not the indication. This was because God had cast him out of HIS presence, and therefore God had no responsibility or divine protection over him. Genesis 4:16 But thank God for the Blood of Jesus (the blood of redemption), and the Grace unleashed. Now we are free to enter into God's presence boldly and obtain grace and mercy (as we bear the mark of freedom). This was the revelation behind the statement of confidence in Galatians 6:17. The marks of Our Lord Jesus Christ, is the mark of freedom. The way to be identified by the Mark of Freedom, is to i...

What do you confess? The Bible says we overcame (the devil); ~ by the blood of the Lamb, and ~ by the word of our testimony ...[Revelation 12:11] And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven [Matthew 16:19] >Notice that Jesus said "I will" in the scripture above, for the reason that He had to die and resurrect to guarantee that. Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore , Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death . >>Now notice in the scripture above that Jesus referred to Himself as he that liveth and was dead and alive for evermore,... >>>Also notice that in Matthew 16:19; He promised us the Keys of heaven before His death and resurrection, but in Revelation 1:18 After His death and resurrection he says "...and have the keys of hell and of death...