Do you live as if God is for you or against you?

 18 Jan 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One

Readings:

Genesis 42

Genesis 43

Matthew 13:33-58

I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me (Psalm 57:2). 

Do you live as if God is for you or against you?

Jacob is experiencing hardship. For one, there was a famine in Canaan. Then his sons return from Egypt having unknowingly met Joseph and are told to bring Benjamin when they return. Jacob says, “All these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36). How well do you face the winds of adversity? Thankfully, Joseph views God as using difficult things for our good. After Jacob’s death, Joseph tells his brothers, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). No circumstance defeats you when you embrace God’s goodness. Let’s internalize Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” 

Employment Point: Walk with God knowing that He is for you.

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Reflections

I believed the readings these few days are not coincidental but meant to send a message. A message about Him, being faithful to Him and loving Him. Being obedient to His calling and to glorify Him.

I have ever doubted about His calling for me, not just once but a few times. But the moment He spoke, it felt like a eureka moment. It was as if all the fog had been cleared and everything became crystal clear. No need to doubt. But it is usually also at that very moment of revelation that we have to make a choice. To obey or to run away.

I believe we all know the story of Jonah and prior to that, about what happened to Adam and Eve. Does God know everything? Of course He does! He is omniscient! If we think we can hide from God, we will be totally wrong! Be it physically, emotionally or mentally, He knows everything, down to the number of hairs on our head!

He wants us to all work with Him and allow Him to guide and prune us. Only when we fully surrender and let ourselves be the clay and Him, the potter, will beautiful pieces be made. With man, there is still possibility of the finished work breaking after firing in the kiln. However with God, He made sure everything is set right, with the right amount and the right temperature and the right timing so we turn out exactly how He wants it to be. Perfect every single time, knowing we are never a mistake and are all precious unique pieces handcrafted by Him!

Praise You Lord! 🙌🏻

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Unbribed Devotion

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

January 18

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” —John 4:7

When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water, he indicated the proper form our devotion should take. How many of us spend our lives begging Jesus to satisfy our thirst, when we should be satisfying him? To be a witness for the Lord is to lead a life of unsullied, uncompromising, and unbribed devotion. It is to make ourselves a satisfaction to him wherever he places us.

Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ. Sometimes, the greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for him. Instead of losing ourselves in love for our Savior, we busy ourselves with work, allowing it to distract us from our relationship with him. Recall how Jesus admonished Martha, as she rushed about doing chores while her sister, Mary, sat devotedly at his feet: “Martha, Martha,” Jesus said, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:41–42).

It is easier to serve than to be drunk with love and devotion. But the one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God. It is not a call to keep busy, or to rack up accomplishments, or to keep a running tally of how many souls we’ve saved. All of that is God’s concern, not ours, and we must leave him to it. We are not called to battle for God but to be used by God in his battles. Are we allowing ourselves to be used in this way?

Genesis 43-45; Matthew 12:24-50

WISDOM FROM OSWALD

No one could have had a more sensitive love in human relationship than Jesus; and yet He says there are times when love to father and mother must be hatred in comparison to our love for Him.  

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Reflections

Serving in a church setting made me realised that doing can sometimes get to us to a point that we get lost in all the hurriedness and forget about time with God remains first and foremost, the most important thing in our long to-do list.

There are times when I start my day thinking about the mountain of things I need to check off and it not only stressed me but bring me to a point where I am just relying on my own strength. Really, do I really have to do this, kind of mentality.

However, I realised if I choose to start my day with prayer, committing everything that needs to be done for the day into His hands, time seems to be longer or my mind becomes more focus or whatever that is happening, the work gets done. No more complaining about how much that needs work but just trust in Him to bring me through. Don’t need to think, just do it. I tried this many times and it always work. To a point I rather just commit my day in prayer to Him in prayer in the morning, first thing when I wake up and take time to also intercede for whatever events or people that needs prayer, then get on with my day as usual.

You know what, this anchoring helps me a lot. I don’t know about you but if this is not already something that you are doing, perhaps try it and see for yourself. This practice grounded me in many ways and helps me start the day right at the very least. So thank You Lord!!