Train Ourselves To Give Thanks
Thankfulness is the lens to help us see God’s amazing glory, sense His presence and confirm His work more clearly in our lives. Our lives may look dull, common, or even seem like a mess, but when we focus on the right angle, like how a photographer did, we can see beauty in the ordinary or mess. However, gratitude is not something natural to us sinners, so we need to train our eyes to see reasons to give thanks and practice growing a heart of thanksgiving.
Resolve To Live A Holy Life
If to be consecrated means to be different, then we need to ask if we truly dare to be different from the world, even when it may come with persecutions? Would we rather be socially acceptable, or God-acceptable? God wants us to start the year right with a consecrated and holy heart. Consecration is not a one-time resolution but a lifetime lifestyle. Even if we are already believers who are serving God, we need to guard ourselves from a “typical” Christian living, which is not what consecration is about. So how can we restore a consecrated lifestyle and serving?
Be Holy And Consecrated
Most people are not so much interested in being holy. Rather, they are more concerned with being happy. Yet, there is a definite link between holiness and happiness, for only when we are right with God then we can taste true and lasting joy. Thus, blessed children of God will pursue holiness. So what does holiness mean? Are we consecrated? How do we know? How can we sustain a consecrated living?
What Next After Christmas?
Much cheer and busyness surround Christmas. Yet, before we know it, Christmas is over and decorations have to be taken down, celebrations cease, then, life back to a broken world resumes. In no time, the wonderful feeling of Christmas becomes but a faint memory. So what next after Christmas? How should we continue to treasure Christ after Christmas?
Not Just A Religion, But A Relationship
Christianity is not merely a religion, but also a relationship between God and man. God does not just call believers into a set of rules, but into a relationship with Him, where He will be our God and we will be His people. Religious laws alone do not save, in fact, they only expose sin, leading to judgment. But with relationship comes the empowerment of love, where God will help us with the power to obey Him. Thus, relationship brings assurance. Yet, we should not over-emphasize either religion or relationship. For there is the risk of legalism if only emphasize the religion part, and there is the risk of indulgence if over-emphasize the relationship part. We should seek to obey God’s commandments, while also building a sweet relationship with Him.
Blessed But Betrayed
We often imagine that to be blessed by God means a comfortable life without suffering. Yet, a promise of blessing does not exempt believers from troubles. God sometimes has a way of keeping His blessings under cover and His providence hidden. However, whatever our circumstances may be, God is always in control, planning for our good and His glory.
When Faith Seems Like Folly
Sometimes, people of the world may look upon the faith of Christians as a kind of folly. It seems foolish to still trust God when things are evidently not going well, or when the situation is impossible to turn around, or when blessings are clearly out of sight, or when some of God’s word cannot be verified by science. Yet, the Bible is packed with examples of how God surprised the world with His wisdom which is inconceivable to the human mind. Still, how can we discern if we are really foolish or having faith? Find out from this week’s devotion.
Who Knows What Is Good For A Person?
We tend to struggle over bad things happening in our lives. When good things happen, we will be happy, but when bad things happen, we doubt God and grumble against Him. But in fact, how can we be sure what exactly is good or not good? When we ponder on the wisdom given us through the Bible, we realise that in God, even the “bad” can be made to work for our good and His glory; but outside of Him, even the “good” may not benefit us. Blessed are those who put their trust in the God who knows good and brings about good!
Go Back To The Lord!
In our Christian walk, we may come to a point where we are not as excited or interested about God like before. Perhaps the word of God starts to sound boring, or we feel very tired of serving, or the world seems more attractive to us than ever. We need to purify our lives from any idols, beliefs, pursuits, selfish desires, etc, that are ‘foreign’ to the Christian faith. Like Jacob, we all have our “Bethel moment” with God, where we encountered Him in a very real and intimate sense. May God help us find back our first love for Him and enjoy walking sweetly with Him again.
Crisis Arising From Not Obeying God Fully
Some people may think that partial obedience is good enough, at least it is better than not obeying at all. Compared to the accusations that arise from outright disobedience, partial obedience can make us battle less with whatever is displeasing to God, because we won’t feel as guilty after obeying a little and we think it is enough to satisfy God. Yet, partial obedience is still disobedience. We give the devil a foothold when our obedience is incomplete. God will also discipline His people who do not obey Him fully, so as to bring them back to His wonderful plan and love.
