073008: Delight in God
Isaiah 61:10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61 talks all about Jesus’ commission. Then, it transitions into this verse which states that Jesus delights in God. Jesus always brings it back to God’s glory, not His own. Even though Jesus is God, He is the Son of God as well, and so He always points back to the source of His righteousness, the Father. God adorned Jesus with salvation & righteousness in preparation for a holy union the same way a bridegroom and bride will dress up for their wedding ceremony.
This morning, I was so disturbed by my dreams. I don’t understand where dreams manifest, whether they are the overflow of my flesh’s desires, or visions from God, or something else. Either way, the dreams took my mind on a totally abnormal route. When I tried to do my devotion, I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t hear what God was trying to say to me. Finally, I had to repent to God and ask Him for His forgiveness. I had allowed my dreams to take my gaze off of the Lord. After praying for forgiveness, this verse stood out to me. “I delight greatly in the Lord.” Do I have this heart for God? Do I delight in Him? I think the answer is that my delight comes and goes. It shouldn’t be that way. God is everything to me! Jesus even role modeled that all delight should be in God. Today, I need to figure out what I delight in and refocus it back on God.
Heavenly Father, I delight in You. I love You, Lord. I’m so sorry for sinning. I pray for Your forgiveness and guidance back to a righteous way. Lord, I don’t want to be consumed by confusing thoughts. I desire a pure heart, mind, body, and soul. Lead me in Your way, Lord. Clothe me in salvation and righteousness. I pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
Faith in Action
071808
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
This book is believed to have been written by James, Jesus’ half brother. James talks about faith and deeds. Both work hand in hand. If a person has faith but doesn’t put that faith into action, it is dead. Essentially, faith is useless if it isn’t applied in works. James 2:24 says that people are justified by what they do and not by their faith alone. The way I interpret this is that if I were to stand before God and say, “Lord, I believed in You my whole life,” but I never told anyone about God, then I would not be justified by my faith. It is only by my living out what I believe in that I am justified and my faith is complete.
Yesterday, I was talking with Elise and she kept telling me that she wants to see faith in action. I was so moved by that. I agreed with her that there is a lot of head knowledge about the Bible but to see people living it out is rare. So, what can I do today to put my faith into action? I know I should love my neighbor, but what have I done today to show my neighbors that I love them? Nothing! I texted a bunch of my friends, and they responded back, but those are not my neighbors, those are my friends. I hope to put action to what I believe in today. I don’t want a dead faith. I’m going to listen to what God wants me to do today so that I can really place works to my faith.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word. I thank You for Your Son and the promise of new life. Please forgive me for being a complacent Christian. Lord, show me how to be more and more like Jesus. Lead me in my thoughts, words, and actions. Lord, today may my faith be justified by my works. I love You, Lord, and I pray all these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
James 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
This book is believed to have been written by James, Jesus’ half brother. James talks about faith and deeds. Both work hand in hand. If a person has faith but doesn’t put that faith into action, it is dead. Essentially, faith is useless if it isn’t applied in works. James 2:24 says that people are justified by what they do and not by their faith alone. The way I interpret this is that if I were to stand before God and say, “Lord, I believed in You my whole life,” but I never told anyone about God, then I would not be justified by my faith. It is only by my living out what I believe in that I am justified and my faith is complete.
Yesterday, I was talking with Elise and she kept telling me that she wants to see faith in action. I was so moved by that. I agreed with her that there is a lot of head knowledge about the Bible but to see people living it out is rare. So, what can I do today to put my faith into action? I know I should love my neighbor, but what have I done today to show my neighbors that I love them? Nothing! I texted a bunch of my friends, and they responded back, but those are not my neighbors, those are my friends. I hope to put action to what I believe in today. I don’t want a dead faith. I’m going to listen to what God wants me to do today so that I can really place works to my faith.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your Word. I thank You for Your Son and the promise of new life. Please forgive me for being a complacent Christian. Lord, show me how to be more and more like Jesus. Lead me in my thoughts, words, and actions. Lord, today may my faith be justified by my works. I love You, Lord, and I pray all these things in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
iPray
071608
Today, I was a bit worried because there was spotting on my underwear. I called the doctor to see if it was normal. He told me that I shouldn’t worry about it unless it is a lot of blood and cramping occurs. I pray that baby is doing great and that I am eating enough. I feel like it’s so hard to keep feeding myself and also to know what I should be eating and what I shouldn’t be eating. I know God’s in control no matter what. But it’s such a huge responsibility bringing another human being into the world!
Isaiah 26:16 LORD, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
In Isaiah 26, the prophet says that God’s people were in distress when they were disciplined by God and that is when they came to God in prayer. By that point, they could hardly whisper a prayer. It would have been better for them to have prayed earlier. But how do we know when to pray? How do we know what to pray for? In Hebrews, Paul asks them to pray for him and the other apostles. We can pray for one another, we can pray for things God lays on our hearts, and we can pray for concerns we may have. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (English Standard Version) says to pray without ceasing. So, it shouldn’t only be when I am in trouble that I should pray, but I should constantly be in communication with God.
Oh Lord, I feel like you are teaching me the basics again! Am I not maturing? Am I not taking the time to listen to Your revelation? I feel like I’ve been praying a lot ever since I’ve been pregnant, but then I again, I know that I pray way more when I am sick or feeling distressed. I don’t only want to cry out to You when I can barely whisper! I don’t want to wait until it is too late to ask for Your help. You are always willing to help, but I am so reluctant to speak to You. Today, may I be in prayer continuously.
Heavenly Father, I pray for my maturity in faith. Lord, I pray that I keep the line of communication open with You. I praise You, Lord, for our baby! We don’t deserve such a blessing, but Lord, we are so grateful. Lord, I pray for the health of our baby. I pray that I eat the right things and the right amount of things. I pray for Your hand of protection upon our baby. Lord, I pray for my husband, that he would feel so close to You right now. I pray that You would anoint him and point in the direction he should lead this family in. Lord, I pray that he walks closer and closer with You everyday. I pray for my family, my parents, my brother, and relatives, that they would know You intimately. I pray for Your will to be done. I pray for Lianne, for her safety and for her relationship with You to grow. Lord, I lift up all the pregnant women, that they would be covered by Your hand throughout their whole pregnancy and even after giving birth. Lord, I love You. I praise You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Today, I was a bit worried because there was spotting on my underwear. I called the doctor to see if it was normal. He told me that I shouldn’t worry about it unless it is a lot of blood and cramping occurs. I pray that baby is doing great and that I am eating enough. I feel like it’s so hard to keep feeding myself and also to know what I should be eating and what I shouldn’t be eating. I know God’s in control no matter what. But it’s such a huge responsibility bringing another human being into the world!
Isaiah 26:16 LORD, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer.
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
In Isaiah 26, the prophet says that God’s people were in distress when they were disciplined by God and that is when they came to God in prayer. By that point, they could hardly whisper a prayer. It would have been better for them to have prayed earlier. But how do we know when to pray? How do we know what to pray for? In Hebrews, Paul asks them to pray for him and the other apostles. We can pray for one another, we can pray for things God lays on our hearts, and we can pray for concerns we may have. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (English Standard Version) says to pray without ceasing. So, it shouldn’t only be when I am in trouble that I should pray, but I should constantly be in communication with God.
Oh Lord, I feel like you are teaching me the basics again! Am I not maturing? Am I not taking the time to listen to Your revelation? I feel like I’ve been praying a lot ever since I’ve been pregnant, but then I again, I know that I pray way more when I am sick or feeling distressed. I don’t only want to cry out to You when I can barely whisper! I don’t want to wait until it is too late to ask for Your help. You are always willing to help, but I am so reluctant to speak to You. Today, may I be in prayer continuously.
Heavenly Father, I pray for my maturity in faith. Lord, I pray that I keep the line of communication open with You. I praise You, Lord, for our baby! We don’t deserve such a blessing, but Lord, we are so grateful. Lord, I pray for the health of our baby. I pray that I eat the right things and the right amount of things. I pray for Your hand of protection upon our baby. Lord, I pray for my husband, that he would feel so close to You right now. I pray that You would anoint him and point in the direction he should lead this family in. Lord, I pray that he walks closer and closer with You everyday. I pray for my family, my parents, my brother, and relatives, that they would know You intimately. I pray for Your will to be done. I pray for Lianne, for her safety and for her relationship with You to grow. Lord, I lift up all the pregnant women, that they would be covered by Your hand throughout their whole pregnancy and even after giving birth. Lord, I love You. I praise You. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Discipline
071508
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Isaiah 22-24 talks about how God will bring about punishment to all those who have sinned. In Hebrews 12, Paul explains that God disciplines those He loves. It is through God's discipline that we know for sure that we are heirs and legitimate children of God. Paul says in Hebrews 12:11 that no discipline is pleasant while one is going through it, but later on, that discipline produces righteousness & peace. We must be trained by discipline, meaning, we must constantly apply that discipline. Discipline is for our good.
God is totally convicting me! I truly need to love discipline. Especially, since I'm going to be a mommy in less than a year, I can't teach discipline, if I don't exercise it myself. I need to do my devotions everyday, even if I feel sick, weak, or nauseous. It may not seem pleasant now, ut it will produce a good harvest. I'm so glad that God disciplines me. I would hate to be undisciplined, only to find out later that I could have avoided all that heart-break and pain. I'm going to commit this scripture to memory so that when I advise my friends and those that I mentor, I can assure them of the rewards of God's discipline.
Heavenly Father, please continue to discipline me. Lord, give me the strength to do my devotions on a daily basis. I trust in You, Lord, that You will get me through the day! Please bring comfort and peace to my body. Please protect my baby and continue to strengthen my husband. Keep us close to You as a family. I love You, Lord. You are so faithful. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Monday, July 7, 2008
The responsibility Mothers have
070708
Hosea 10:14Therefore a tumult will arise among your people,
And all your fortresses will be destroyed,
As Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle,
When mothers were dashed in pieces with their children.
Hosea 11:9-10
9 I will not execute My fierce anger;
I will not destroy Ephraim again
For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst,
And I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after the LORD,
He will roar like a lion;
Indeed He will roar
And His sons will come trembling from the west.
Hosea the prophet said that the day that punishment falls upon God's people will be like the time when Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel. When that happened, the women were dashed in pieces with their children. Lately, I've been reading of horrific details such as pregnant women being ripped open (2 Kings 15:16) and the slaying the precious ones of Ephriam's womb (Hosea 9:16). It's easy to glaze over such discomforting words. God is an all loving God, right? But I must examine this closer. I am compelled to. What is evident in these descriptions is that women and their children have a special bond. They have a symbiotic relationship. God has placed his creative characteristic in women by giving her the ability to bear new life and create more humans. Of course, she can't do it alone. She needs man and man needs her. However, it says in the Bible that sons do not pay for the sins of their fathers and fathers do not pay for the sins of their sons (Deut. 24:16). Yet, it is not the same here for women. When the children must be cut off, their mothers go with them. Is it because women are vessels of the children until birth? Is it because the women can produce more children, so they must go as well? I think I'm missing the point here. I don't think God wants to destroy women and children. He says, "be fruitful and increase in number" (Genesis 1:28). Also, God says in Hosea 11:9-10 that He will not execute His wrath, but He will roar so that His children return to Him. God never wants these horrible things to happen to women and children, but He knows that if they continue in sin, the worst is coming. God must roar so that we listen to His authority. It is because He loves us that He sends His Word to us to lead us to repentance.
So, the point I believe God is teaching me today is that I have a huge role to play as a mother. I need to be listening to God all the time. If I don't listen, God will roar. Not because He wants to frighten me, or intends to devour me, but because He loves me and doesn't want me to continue in that direction. As a mother, I have a direct responsibility in raising my child to listen to God's voice and to be obedient to what He says. God is the one protecting my baby and I. He has also appointed a righteous and trustworthy father, Hanzo, who will lead the family in God's way. My life is forever tied to this baby. It's a beautiful and miraculous thing! However, that also means that I must approach motherhood with all the respect and reverence that it deserves. Motherhood is never to be taken lightly. There are consequences of sin although repentance is never far away. I must make sure to be upright and listening to God, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my baby as well.
Heavenly Father, this is a very complex devotion, but I thank You for sticking by my side through it all. I pray that I meditate on Your word all the time. Please reveal to me every gem of wisdom that You want me to catch. Lord, I pray for forgiveness. I desire all the thoughts and desires of my heart to be pure. Please cleanse me and sanctify me, Lord. I love You and praise You for the miracle that is developing inside of me! Lord, I pray for my husband, that You would continue to pour out Your wisdom and love in His life. I pray for Lianne and her mission team in Israel! Lord, protect them and anoint them to do Your good works! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Hosea 10:14Therefore a tumult will arise among your people,
And all your fortresses will be destroyed,
As Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle,
When mothers were dashed in pieces with their children.
Hosea 11:9-10
9 I will not execute My fierce anger;
I will not destroy Ephraim again
For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst,
And I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after the LORD,
He will roar like a lion;
Indeed He will roar
And His sons will come trembling from the west.
Hosea the prophet said that the day that punishment falls upon God's people will be like the time when Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel. When that happened, the women were dashed in pieces with their children. Lately, I've been reading of horrific details such as pregnant women being ripped open (2 Kings 15:16) and the slaying the precious ones of Ephriam's womb (Hosea 9:16). It's easy to glaze over such discomforting words. God is an all loving God, right? But I must examine this closer. I am compelled to. What is evident in these descriptions is that women and their children have a special bond. They have a symbiotic relationship. God has placed his creative characteristic in women by giving her the ability to bear new life and create more humans. Of course, she can't do it alone. She needs man and man needs her. However, it says in the Bible that sons do not pay for the sins of their fathers and fathers do not pay for the sins of their sons (Deut. 24:16). Yet, it is not the same here for women. When the children must be cut off, their mothers go with them. Is it because women are vessels of the children until birth? Is it because the women can produce more children, so they must go as well? I think I'm missing the point here. I don't think God wants to destroy women and children. He says, "be fruitful and increase in number" (Genesis 1:28). Also, God says in Hosea 11:9-10 that He will not execute His wrath, but He will roar so that His children return to Him. God never wants these horrible things to happen to women and children, but He knows that if they continue in sin, the worst is coming. God must roar so that we listen to His authority. It is because He loves us that He sends His Word to us to lead us to repentance.
So, the point I believe God is teaching me today is that I have a huge role to play as a mother. I need to be listening to God all the time. If I don't listen, God will roar. Not because He wants to frighten me, or intends to devour me, but because He loves me and doesn't want me to continue in that direction. As a mother, I have a direct responsibility in raising my child to listen to God's voice and to be obedient to what He says. God is the one protecting my baby and I. He has also appointed a righteous and trustworthy father, Hanzo, who will lead the family in God's way. My life is forever tied to this baby. It's a beautiful and miraculous thing! However, that also means that I must approach motherhood with all the respect and reverence that it deserves. Motherhood is never to be taken lightly. There are consequences of sin although repentance is never far away. I must make sure to be upright and listening to God, not only for my sake, but for the sake of my baby as well.
Heavenly Father, this is a very complex devotion, but I thank You for sticking by my side through it all. I pray that I meditate on Your word all the time. Please reveal to me every gem of wisdom that You want me to catch. Lord, I pray for forgiveness. I desire all the thoughts and desires of my heart to be pure. Please cleanse me and sanctify me, Lord. I love You and praise You for the miracle that is developing inside of me! Lord, I pray for my husband, that You would continue to pour out Your wisdom and love in His life. I pray for Lianne and her mission team in Israel! Lord, protect them and anoint them to do Your good works! I pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We are expecting a baby!!
We had a doctor's appointment on Monday and it went great! We got to see baby for the first time! However, since we found out so early, so it just looked like a black dot. The doctor said that baby is inside the black dot, so it wasn't even visible to the human eye! But, we know that baby is in there. I'm feeling good. No nausea yet. This morning a felt a little bit of it, like the very begining of sea sickness, but then it went away. I think I felt like that from eating mango for breakfast. haha. I have a follow up appointment in two weeks. Tomorrow we are catching a plane, so I hope that the flight will not make me queasy, but even if it does, it's such a short period of time to fly from Oahu to Kauai and I'm sure I can handle it. Please keep us in prayer because the early months are the most crucial!
My public life should bring Him glory
070208
Psalm 116:12 & 14
12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
The psalmist asks how he can repay the Lord for all His goodness. The Lord saved and redeemed this psalmist. There is so much gratitude in this psalm. The psalmist decides that he will fulfill his vows to the Lord publicly. He will live a life beyond reproach. This may mean that he will be baptized to publicly declare his submission to God. It may mean that all vows that he had previously made will be honored. To God, this is a high form of worship! To live a life publicly that brings all honor and glory to God.
What vows have I made to the Lord? Well, I have vowed to be the wife to my husband on my wedding day, to be a woman disciple of Christ when I accepted God as my Lord and Savior, and to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness through my baptism. Am I fulfilling these vows everyday? I should be doing my best to keep my word in all I say and do. I am thankful that I do have something to stand for! I do have a vow to keep. It motivates me. It makes me feel useful to God and others. There will never be a way for me to pay God back for all that He has done in my life, but I can bring Him glory when I live beyond reproach. I am so grateful that God has saved me! I think about where I could have been and I look at where I am now. Indeed I was taken from the miry clay and set upon a rock. Today, I will live above reproach in every aspect of my life.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for sinning. Lord Jesus, thank You for bridging the gap and saving me from destruction! I love You, Lord! Please continue to show me how to live beyond reproach. Lord, as I prepare for motherhood, keep my feet upon the straight path. Thank You for everything, God. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
Psalm 116:12 & 14
12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.
The psalmist asks how he can repay the Lord for all His goodness. The Lord saved and redeemed this psalmist. There is so much gratitude in this psalm. The psalmist decides that he will fulfill his vows to the Lord publicly. He will live a life beyond reproach. This may mean that he will be baptized to publicly declare his submission to God. It may mean that all vows that he had previously made will be honored. To God, this is a high form of worship! To live a life publicly that brings all honor and glory to God.
What vows have I made to the Lord? Well, I have vowed to be the wife to my husband on my wedding day, to be a woman disciple of Christ when I accepted God as my Lord and Savior, and to be dead to sin and alive to righteousness through my baptism. Am I fulfilling these vows everyday? I should be doing my best to keep my word in all I say and do. I am thankful that I do have something to stand for! I do have a vow to keep. It motivates me. It makes me feel useful to God and others. There will never be a way for me to pay God back for all that He has done in my life, but I can bring Him glory when I live beyond reproach. I am so grateful that God has saved me! I think about where I could have been and I look at where I am now. Indeed I was taken from the miry clay and set upon a rock. Today, I will live above reproach in every aspect of my life.
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for sinning. Lord Jesus, thank You for bridging the gap and saving me from destruction! I love You, Lord! Please continue to show me how to live beyond reproach. Lord, as I prepare for motherhood, keep my feet upon the straight path. Thank You for everything, God. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.
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