I think I've been following the Lord for 8 years now. It's really kinda amazing how one thing led to another and then to where I am today. Yeah, I've never always gotten what I wanted in life, but in the end, I do believe God always knows what's really good for me and consequently prepared the best for me. Take my marriage for example..., yeah, wife isn't my first love, but for sure she's my best lover now! Not only that, she's also very good for me... making me a better man as result.
Wife doesn't always like to hear that... feel like God is just "using" her to help me and while I get all the benefits, she's getting a rotten deal out of it! ;) Well, may God also use me to help and love my wife for the rest of our lives. I'm not sure what the future holds, but I trust in You Lord and I'm looking forward to it!
Father, when I look at who you have revealed yourself to be in your word and in my daily life, why would I ever consider putting my confidence in anyone or anything else? You alone are worthy. You alone are able. You alone are good. I choose to trust you with all of my heart. In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 146, 170.2 lbs, $4.299)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Regenerate (day 22)
Just when we were talking about pruning, interestingly this morning some guys from the city came to prune the trees in our yard today. We have 2 big trees and both are kind of growing into the utility lines, I wonder why they only pruned one and not the other... perhaps they'll be back to prune the other one?
Anyway, today is actually more about taking a stand for God. I can't really say that I'm like the psalmist..., that I've led a blameless life..., but I have tried my best! ;) I do hope that I can try and better in that regard. However, my faith in God hasn't faltered. But of course I also wouldn't mind to have even more faith!
Lord, you are the foundation of my life upon which I stand. And you are a sure and solid foundation. I declare today that I will live my life openly as a Christian doing my best to obey your commands. May you test my heart so that my faith can be further strengthened. May your Spirit fill me so that I also lead a more blameless life! In Christ's name!
(Psalm 26, 168.2lbs, $4.279)
Anyway, today is actually more about taking a stand for God. I can't really say that I'm like the psalmist..., that I've led a blameless life..., but I have tried my best! ;) I do hope that I can try and better in that regard. However, my faith in God hasn't faltered. But of course I also wouldn't mind to have even more faith!
Lord, you are the foundation of my life upon which I stand. And you are a sure and solid foundation. I declare today that I will live my life openly as a Christian doing my best to obey your commands. May you test my heart so that my faith can be further strengthened. May your Spirit fill me so that I also lead a more blameless life! In Christ's name!
(Psalm 26, 168.2lbs, $4.279)
Regenerate (day 21)
Today, it's about how God prunes us... or how we prune ourselves such as fasting...
But I guess because I didn't do any fasting, so God decided to cause me to throw up pretty badly in order to cleanse myself of anything dirty inside? Hope so.
Not sure what happened. After dinner, I started to feel real bad... and then finally I threw up. Anyway, after a night's sleep, I'm feeling much better now. Wife said it's probably food poisoning, but we both pretty much ate the same thing and she's fine... Anyway...
Lord, you have pruned me. You have cut me back and I am in a vulnerable place completely dependent on you. I know that this pruning was not done in vain. You have a purpose for my life and I humbly wait upon you. Because of this process, I will be stronger and ready for a fruitful season. In Christ's name. Amen
(Psalm 86)
But I guess because I didn't do any fasting, so God decided to cause me to throw up pretty badly in order to cleanse myself of anything dirty inside? Hope so.
Not sure what happened. After dinner, I started to feel real bad... and then finally I threw up. Anyway, after a night's sleep, I'm feeling much better now. Wife said it's probably food poisoning, but we both pretty much ate the same thing and she's fine... Anyway...
Lord, you have pruned me. You have cut me back and I am in a vulnerable place completely dependent on you. I know that this pruning was not done in vain. You have a purpose for my life and I humbly wait upon you. Because of this process, I will be stronger and ready for a fruitful season. In Christ's name. Amen
(Psalm 86)
Monday, April 4, 2011
Regenerate! (Day 20)
Today is about the cost of following Jesus.
Hmm... so far in my life, I think I've only been 'persecuted' somewhat by my parents and by a group of internet video game forum friends due to my new 'faith'. But in retrospect, I think I'm somewhat at fault too. I could've handled the situation better and perhaps there would've been a better outcome? But oh well. There's no 'controlZ' or do over in life. ;) BTW, I do kinda like that Taiwanese TV drama. A fictional story of a guy that was able to have some do overs in life because God some how gave him the opportunity so that he can learn to truly love..., the guy finally learned to love... anyway, it's an interesting concept for a TV show. I liked it, but wife didn't... because she didn't like the fact that those do overs were not real..., but I thought as long as the guy learned, that's the more important aspect!
Anyway, back to my own life... fact is that God doesn't allow us to go back in time to change anything... and I didn't know better back then... so oh well. I just hope that I didn't disgrace Christ's name with my mistakes... and didn't cause my parents to hate Jesus more because of me...
Lord, whatever the cost I will follow you. When I am under attack of treated poorly because of my faith, I will remember that at times you yourself were treated this way. I will trust you to vindicate me rather than trying to accomplish that with my own hands. But of course I'd like to have the wisdom to be able to know how to treat other properly too, sometimes others react badly toward me not just because of my faith, but because I really had done something stupid, right? So please direct me to be able to do the right things with others. Help me to be MORE Christ like... and to be sure that I AM really blameless myself! While I know that I walk with your favor on my life, when life requires that I pay a price for my faith, if I really have to pay it after being blameless, then sure, I will pay it. I just hope that in the end, my life can really lift up Christ's name. Help lead more people to Christ than turning them away... In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
(Psalm 109:1-5, 21-31, 171.8 lbs, $4.269)
Hmm... so far in my life, I think I've only been 'persecuted' somewhat by my parents and by a group of internet video game forum friends due to my new 'faith'. But in retrospect, I think I'm somewhat at fault too. I could've handled the situation better and perhaps there would've been a better outcome? But oh well. There's no 'controlZ' or do over in life. ;) BTW, I do kinda like that Taiwanese TV drama. A fictional story of a guy that was able to have some do overs in life because God some how gave him the opportunity so that he can learn to truly love..., the guy finally learned to love... anyway, it's an interesting concept for a TV show. I liked it, but wife didn't... because she didn't like the fact that those do overs were not real..., but I thought as long as the guy learned, that's the more important aspect!
Anyway, back to my own life... fact is that God doesn't allow us to go back in time to change anything... and I didn't know better back then... so oh well. I just hope that I didn't disgrace Christ's name with my mistakes... and didn't cause my parents to hate Jesus more because of me...
Lord, whatever the cost I will follow you. When I am under attack of treated poorly because of my faith, I will remember that at times you yourself were treated this way. I will trust you to vindicate me rather than trying to accomplish that with my own hands. But of course I'd like to have the wisdom to be able to know how to treat other properly too, sometimes others react badly toward me not just because of my faith, but because I really had done something stupid, right? So please direct me to be able to do the right things with others. Help me to be MORE Christ like... and to be sure that I AM really blameless myself! While I know that I walk with your favor on my life, when life requires that I pay a price for my faith, if I really have to pay it after being blameless, then sure, I will pay it. I just hope that in the end, my life can really lift up Christ's name. Help lead more people to Christ than turning them away... In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
(Psalm 109:1-5, 21-31, 171.8 lbs, $4.269)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Regenerate (day 19)
Today should be about devoting ourselves to God.
It's funny how I just bumped into Pastor Zo in my front yard when he drove by..., we also talked for a while about his recent 'sufferings'... Sigh... I really like Pastor Zo. And by the fact that he's probably the only pastor I know personally(other than my very own parents-in-law) who actually has a very good relationship with his wife and kid. As for most other pastor's family, I'm not sure if they have a family life which I find very enviable...
Anyway, I just think it's such a shame that pastor Zo has to struggle so much. But at least he has set a good example of never lose sight of Jesus during these difficult times. I hope I will be able to do the same if I'm ever in such circumstances too.
Father regardless of what others say or think, regardless of the shallowness of the times in which I live when people give their word and then break it, I am devoted to you and nothing will ever change that. I commit myself completely and fully to you. I am determined to walk according to your Word. I also like to pray for Pastor Zo and his family. Lord, I'm not sure why he's struggling so much. I'm sure you have your reasons and perhaps you even are preparing something even better for him... Whatever happens, may you be with him and his family. May you also bless his family like you have never blessed another family before! In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 119:105-112, 170.2 lbs, $4.269)
It's funny how I just bumped into Pastor Zo in my front yard when he drove by..., we also talked for a while about his recent 'sufferings'... Sigh... I really like Pastor Zo. And by the fact that he's probably the only pastor I know personally(other than my very own parents-in-law) who actually has a very good relationship with his wife and kid. As for most other pastor's family, I'm not sure if they have a family life which I find very enviable...
Anyway, I just think it's such a shame that pastor Zo has to struggle so much. But at least he has set a good example of never lose sight of Jesus during these difficult times. I hope I will be able to do the same if I'm ever in such circumstances too.
Father regardless of what others say or think, regardless of the shallowness of the times in which I live when people give their word and then break it, I am devoted to you and nothing will ever change that. I commit myself completely and fully to you. I am determined to walk according to your Word. I also like to pray for Pastor Zo and his family. Lord, I'm not sure why he's struggling so much. I'm sure you have your reasons and perhaps you even are preparing something even better for him... Whatever happens, may you be with him and his family. May you also bless his family like you have never blessed another family before! In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 119:105-112, 170.2 lbs, $4.269)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Regenerate (day 18)
Today is about sacrifice. Psalmists said:
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.
“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless[a] I will show my salvation.”
Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
Sounds good. But I think I seem to have a problem offering "real" sacrifices nowadays. For example 'tithe' is simply a contribution. Not really some sort of sacrifice that "hurts". So basically I've been trying to think of sacrificing for God that'd hurt me, but not my wife, but haven't really been able to come up with much of anything other than rising up earlier to do devotions..., but then again, today I even failed that and almost forgot to do my devotions today because I was more focused on mowing the grass and fixing the house... lame.
Father, I acknowledge that all that I have, my strength, time, talent, resources, etc. belongs to you. Forgive me for it seems I haven't really done much for your kingdom. During this season, please strengthen me to be able to bring more of my sacrifices to you. Use what I bring to you to honor your name and to build your kingdom. Thank you for accepting my sacrifice. In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 4:5, 50:14-15, 50:23, 76:11, 170.2 lbs, $4.259)
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.
“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless[a] I will show my salvation.”
Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
Sounds good. But I think I seem to have a problem offering "real" sacrifices nowadays. For example 'tithe' is simply a contribution. Not really some sort of sacrifice that "hurts". So basically I've been trying to think of sacrificing for God that'd hurt me, but not my wife, but haven't really been able to come up with much of anything other than rising up earlier to do devotions..., but then again, today I even failed that and almost forgot to do my devotions today because I was more focused on mowing the grass and fixing the house... lame.
Father, I acknowledge that all that I have, my strength, time, talent, resources, etc. belongs to you. Forgive me for it seems I haven't really done much for your kingdom. During this season, please strengthen me to be able to bring more of my sacrifices to you. Use what I bring to you to honor your name and to build your kingdom. Thank you for accepting my sacrifice. In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 4:5, 50:14-15, 50:23, 76:11, 170.2 lbs, $4.259)
Friday, April 1, 2011
Regenerate (day 17)
Interestingly I lost couple of pounds of weight just by eating less and not completely fasting... Gee, I guess I can probably lose a lot of weight if I were to go on a full fast... and focus on God more too! Yeah, today is suppose to be a focusing on God day. I actually drove Akiang's car to work today and her car stereo is filled with chinese worship songs! So I worshipped God on my way to work and on my way home too!!! ;)
But of course that's not real 'worship', just listening to Christian music. I also got a copy of Great uncle Andrew's sermon today. He used scripture to illustrate how 'once saved always saved' doctrine is false. If we don't commit ourselves to follow Jesus and stay faithful, of course we can lose our salvation! God may love us unconditionally, but His salvation for us is certainly conditional upon our faith. What's kind of scare is that the little things in life can really distract us from walking with Jesus... little by little... after a while maybe we're walking further and further away from our Lord! Anyway, thank God for using great uncle's sermon to remind me a bit...
Lord, how good it is to focus in on you. As I worship, I have come to find that nothing compares to you. Help me let the cares and concerns of this world fade away. Protect me to not get distracted and help me give my full attention to you. Lord, show me your way. Teach me your Word. I want to know you more and live my life completely for you! In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 119:9-24, 169.6 lbs, $4.259)
But of course that's not real 'worship', just listening to Christian music. I also got a copy of Great uncle Andrew's sermon today. He used scripture to illustrate how 'once saved always saved' doctrine is false. If we don't commit ourselves to follow Jesus and stay faithful, of course we can lose our salvation! God may love us unconditionally, but His salvation for us is certainly conditional upon our faith. What's kind of scare is that the little things in life can really distract us from walking with Jesus... little by little... after a while maybe we're walking further and further away from our Lord! Anyway, thank God for using great uncle's sermon to remind me a bit...
Lord, how good it is to focus in on you. As I worship, I have come to find that nothing compares to you. Help me let the cares and concerns of this world fade away. Protect me to not get distracted and help me give my full attention to you. Lord, show me your way. Teach me your Word. I want to know you more and live my life completely for you! In Christ's name. Amen.
(Psalm 119:9-24, 169.6 lbs, $4.259)
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