Devoted to Christ

Luke 18:17 NKJV
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

Just saw this film last night. It’s something many people can relate to. Cancer. An incurable disease. I’m always inspired from people who survive cancer. I truly believe that’s it’s the work of the Lord that does the job. I’ve had a cousin recently pass away 2 weeks ago. And although there is suffering in this world, there always hope. Hope for a better life. Hope for a better body. Hope of no more suffering and sorrow. The film was about a young boy who was diagnosed with cancer and although it seemed grim for this family and friends, young Tyler still chose to be used for God as an instrument to lead others to Christ. Very heartfelt and very hopeFUL. Not hopeLESS.

Dear God,

This letter to you is a thank you one. Thank you for giving people (even people whom I don’t know) the gift of salvation. For inspiring me and at the same time using me as instrument to reach out to people. I pray that you will use me more for your glory. Thank you for your holy spirit in resisting temptation. You word says, Blessed are those who resist temptation. I cannot pray to not let temptation come to me. It’ll always come. I just have to endure. You will not give us anything we can’t handle. Thank you for accepting me. I commit my life and sacrifice my body for you.

Love,
Michael

Matthew 6
1. We need ton pray for God’s provision (verse 11)
It is affirmation that everything comes from Him!
2. We need to pray for forgiveness and also forgive others. (verse 12)
3. We need ton pray not to fall into temptation. (verse 13)

Pastor Greg, Jonathan, and Stella were kind enough to take a pic with me after last night’s service! Thanks guys!

In order:
Me, Jonathan, Pastor Greg, (granddaughter) Stella

I know I should make time for God, but when secular work comes down on me it’s difficult to stay focused from a stressful job where there is so much expectations out of me. Keep me in your prayers. Been working a couple of overtime days and missed out on mid-week bible study.

I hope to retouch my sermon outline for this Tuesday’s preaching seminar demo. Oh what a weekend it will be. Memorial day, a time to recognize our men and women who have fought to protect our country!

God answers prayer, not just to meet the needs of his burdened children but to bring glory to his name through the answers. That’s one reason why God permits difficulties in our lives, so that His ministry to us will reveal His power and glory to those who are watching. Do we pray only to have our needs met and our wants supplied as soon as possible, or do we pray because we want to Jesus glorified on earth?

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Remember to ask your prayers by the name of God’s only son, Jesus Christ.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according ti His name, He will hear us. – 1 John 5:14

Sometimes we take it for granted that the best things in life are free. Although wordpress is a free open source software that we can customize, I find it difficult to maintain the blog with so much errors happening in the background. After much troubleshooting, I find myself deciding to move towards a much better blogging software in which I hope I can carry or move over the content I have committed myself for a long time. I pray that I’ll be able to do so soon to bring you guys my devotional notes and thoughts upon our Lord. Speaking of prayer, don’t forget that this Thursday is our national day of prayer.

James 1:6-7 NLT
6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

When we pray confidentially, we usually believe and need to know know that God is for it. God knows your prayer can be answered if and only IF it’s according to His will. So don’t be afraid to ask if we know it’s under God’s will. And as you discover the will of God’s will as a disciple, we can pray more confidentially claiming the victory and hope of our needs will be done.

Prayer should come from the heart. He is not interested in how perfectly our prayers sound, or whether they rhyme, or how long they are. He is concerned with how “Genuine” they are.

If you are thinking about praying in any part of the day, do it! I pray every morning before I head out into the world. But if I feel the likeliness to pray aside from the morning, I’ll go for it. Don’t wait later in the day, or tell yourself that God knows what my prayers are anyway. It’s the fact that you want to commune with God at that moment that matters. God appreciates you talking to Him daily in your good times and in your bad times. You can pray sitting down, laying down, or upside down. You can also pray and commune with God while you’re driving. But remember to keep your eyes open on the road! = )

So what is God’s will? You can find it in many places in the bible actually. The basic information of God’s will wants in us is found through scripture, praying, and fasting. Let’s start off with Romans 12 from the New King James Version of the bible.

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

So go ahead and use your mind and body to pray and service to God. Meet Him halfway and find out what’s in store for you.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot our my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:1-2 (NKJV)

We live our life daily not knowing what we have done is wrong at times. But God knowingly present in all the things we do both good and bad is the one who judges us. Things can come out good from bad. Take a minute and think about what things you have done that will not allow you to enter His kingdom of heaven. Read the entire scripture on Psalm 51 and understand that our loving God and forgive us of our sins.

A little something taken form Pastor Greg Laurie’s weekend devotional:

We need to understand that when we pray, a spiritual battle is raging behind the scenes. In the Book of Daniel, we find an interesting story in which Daniel offered his request before God and the answer finally came. An angel appeared to him and said:

“Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me. . . . ” (Daniel 10:12–13 NLT)

It may be that you have asked God for something in your life that He wants to do. Just because it has not happened yet does not mean that it will never happen. God’s delays are not necessarily His denials.

Something I’ve learned through the past few months is praying diligently and never stop asking. But by asking, faith and patience comes into account. I believe all things work in Christ for those that love the Lord. I definitely know this through experience!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Genuine, heartfelt prayer changes things and it changes us. When we lift our hearts to our father in heaven, we open ourselves to a never-ending source of divine wisdom and infinite love. Do you have questions that you simply can’t answer? Ask for the guidance of your Father in heaven. Whatever you need, no matter how great or small, pray about it. Instead of waiting for mealtimes of bedtimes, follow the instruction of your Savior: pray always and never lose heart. And remember” God is not just near: He is here, and He’s ready to talk with you.

So I was at a library about 12ish noon when I had to handle a couple things over the phone. I couldn’t use my phone in a library so out of courtesy I stepped outside and handled my business. After about an half an hour or so I came back and and a person told me, “Someone left this for you.” I looked over and took the piece of paper and realized it was a track. Someone was reaching out to me. I responded to the girl and asked her, “Did you receive this too?” She replied no. And I looked around other desks if this track was passed around. I didn’t find anything. So I was skeptical to myself and told myself, “Why didn’t he/she give this to someone else, I already know this!” But little did I know it contained material that my soul really needed. Here’s some of it:

Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

So after that, I had a “Yes, I know Lord.” I do have the firm faith of a believer that the Lord will provide me a righteous path if I diligently seek Him. So I read the next verse.

John 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

So again I told the Lord, “Lord I know your words, I know this. Boy it would have been better if this track was passed along to someone else that needed it.

But at the end of the track it contained a prayer. And I told the Lord. “Okay, I’ll read what this says and pray.” So it read.

Dear Jesus,
Come into my heart
Take away all my sins.
Wash me in Your blood.
Write my name in the Book of Life
Give me the Holy Spirit
In Jesus name. Amen.

After that 10 second prayer, I did in fact feel the Holy Spirit. I almost cried but overall that even believing what He can do for us; we have to ask forgiveness that we are sinners. And admit who we are. I needed this track. And thank you for the servant of God who placed it there.