Reflections of a lost sheep

  30 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion No fear of death Christ's death and resurrection set us free from the fear of death because death has been defeated. Every person must die, but death is not the end; instead, it is the doorway to a new life. All who dread death should have the opportunity to know the hope that Christ's victory brings. How can you share this truth with those close to you? “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ———————- Reflections As Christians, we all know where we will be going after death. However, would that mean that we no longer fear death? I do know a couple of people who do fear death. The unknown, being lonely and having no one with them. They know ...

  29 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion How was Jesus made perfect through suffering? Jesus' suffering made him a perfect leader, or pioneer, of our salvation. Jesus did not need to suffer for his own salvation, because he was God in human form. His perfect obedience (which led him down the road of suffering) demonstrates that he was the complete sacrifice for us. Through suffering, Jesus completed the work necessary for our own salvation. Our suffering can make us more sensitive servants of God. People who have known pain are able to reach out with compassion to others who hurt. If you have suffered, ask God how your experience can be used to help others. “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —————— Reflections The verse “Praise be to the God a...

  28 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion Christ is changeless What does it mean that Christ is changeless ("you are always the same")? It means that Christ's character will never change. He persistently shows his love to us. He is always fair, just, and merciful to us who are so undeserving. Be thankful that Christ is changeless-he will always help you when you need it and offer forgiveness when you fall. “You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —————— Reflections That perhaps is the main difference between God and man. We are flicker minded, whereas Jesus is consistent, faithful and we can put our trust in all His promises, that will all come to pass. We were just discussing about Abraham during our CG. Our leader asked, what if Abraham did not obey, would God still fulfil His promises? I think we kno...

  27 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion He has full control Jesus was God's agent in creating the world. As followers of Christ, we may give easy assent to this truth but deny it in practice. We may believe that Christ knows and controls the laws of heaven (pertaining to salvation and spiritual growth), but we may act each day as though our financial, family, or medical problems are beyond his reach. If Jesus could create the universe, then no part of life is out of his control. Do not exclude Jesus' wisdom and the Bible's guidance in your complex problems of life. No expert, professor, doctor, lawyer, or financial advisor knows more about your ultimate security and well-being than Jesus does. Go first to God for advice. Talk to him in prayer and listen to him in his Word. He can sustain you in times of stress. From that perspective you can evaluate all the other wisdom and help made available to you. “but in these la...

  26 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion A mind filled with good Some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. What is the difference? Our souls become filters through which we perceive goodness or evil. The pure (those who have Christ in control of their lives) learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. But corrupt and unbelieving people find evil in everything because their evil minds and hearts color even the good they see and hear. Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. Turn your thoughts to God and his Word, and you will discover more and more goodness, even in this evil world. A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil. “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ——————— Reflections The famous verses in Phi...

  25 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion Lover of pleasure or God Why is it so tempting to "love pleasure rather than God"? Pleasure is something we can control; God cannot be controlled. Most pleasures can be obtained easily; love for God requires effort and sometimes sacrifice. Pleasure benefits us now; the benefits of loving God are often in the future. Pleasure has a narcotic effect; it takes our minds off ourselves and our problems. Love for God reminds us of our needs and our responsibilities Pleasure cooperates with pride. It makes us feel good when we look good in the eyes of others. To love God we must lay aside our pride and our accomplishments. Have you chosen to love pleasure, or to love God? How do you know? “treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ————————— Reflections Asking if we love pleasure or God is like asking if we prefer heaven or hel...

  24 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion True purpose of living Because God will examine what kind of workers we have been for him, we should build our lives on his Word and build his Word into our lives-it alone tells us how to live for him and serve him. Believers who ignore the Bible will certainly be ashamed at the judgment. Consistent and diligent study of God's Word is vital; otherwise, we will be lulled into neglecting God and our true purpose for living. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ———————- Reflections Some thoughts came to mind when I was reading the above devotional. What does consistent and diligent study of God’s Word mean to us? What would it mean to be someone who correctly handles the word of truth? I think the word study can be subjective to many. Some study for fun, som...

23 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion Remembering others in prayers Paul constantly prayed for Timothy, his friend, his fellow traveler, his son in the faith, and a strong leader in the Christian church. Although the two men were separated from each other, their prayers provided a source of mutual encouragement. We too should pray consistently for others, especially for those who do God's work. “I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ——————- Reflections Praying for others to be very honest, was never part of my prayer life, especially when I was a very new Christian. At that point in time, my concern was knowing how to pray as I thought there is somewhat, a format to praying and worse yet, I was afraid of being asked to pray. Like whenever someone ask, “can someone pray for us”, I will look down and pray in...

  22 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion Setting an example in our life Timothy was a young pastor. It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth. He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Regardless of your age, God can use you. Whether you are young or old, don't think of your age as a handicap. Live so others can see Christ in you. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ——————- Reflections I faced this problem two prong. One because I am a young Christian (5 yo), I find it challenging to sometimes talk with older Christians about faith and religion. On the other hand, because I am now 48, people thought that I am a long time Christian and speak of things I simply have yet to unde...

  21 Nov 25 Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Life Application Study Bible Devotion Thank God for His gifts In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirmed that everything God created is good. We should ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made (for example, gluttony abuses God's gift of good food, lust abuses God's gift of love, and murder abuses God's gift of life). Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given? Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and to God? “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ———————— Reflections I recall our staff devotion on “This is what I have observed to be good: tha...