Devotion 4 -- True and Simple Worship

Romans 12:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Living Sacrifice to God

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

(Italics mine)

I Thank God for today's devotional scripture; the funny thing being that what I got out of it had little relation to the devotion stimulus that was given-- I guess this is just the power of the Holy Spirit in giving insight to scripture and perspective as we need it.

Anyway, the thing that really struck me for the first time is that worship has many forms. Funny I say that right? But to be very honest, I've always had worship as singing, praising, playing music... art forms- that was what worship was to me. But reading this short passage of scripture we can see that, no, there is an even simpler way than that! Have our bodies as 'living and holy sacrifices' the kind that God finds acceptable. New American Standard Version translates this as 'to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.'

This has really changed how I see worship. I've probably used the wrong word, I mean, keeping our bodies holy and acceptable by God isn't exactly simple in the sense that it is easy, but compared to a lot of things that one would consider worship- this essentially involves... nothing. Keeping ourselves away from impure things, sin, temptation, immorality- keeping ourselves holy and pure- Doing this is a true form of worship!

In the second verse it's also interesting to note that we shouldn't 'copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think'-- our job is to not copy, and we have to do is let God change us! This is great assurance for me- it's not my job to change who I am, but God to shape me to who I will be. It certainly takes the pressure away, haha.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for Your word, for who You are and the Truth. Thank you for teaching me that- the true form of worship is nothing complicated but to let our bodies by living and holy sacrifices to you. I pray that you give me strength to do this and seek you and worship you. I pray that you'll transform who I am now, to a new person and learn Your will for me. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Pray for Guidance

It so happens that every time I go buying something that I really wanted, I'm blessed with another experience of God's planning for me and His promise to listen and act on our prayers for our good. This time, it's the purchase of a new smartphone.

So like most of my purchases, I tend to take my time in researching and gathering as much data as I could possibly get my hands on. My Dad gave me a budget that I had to stick to and I started off looking for plans among the telcos. I guess I must've prayed for a few months before on and off I found a nice plan from Virgin Mobile and I settled on a Samsung Galaxy S2. It was perfect for its price range with good tech reviews and specs; the plan itself offered just the right amount that I needed in terms of credit. What's more it was on special, if I ordered- I'd get a bonus 1.5Gb worth of free data for the first 6 months of my plan!

Impulsively, I wanted to get the plan. I had a chat with my Dad, he was delighted that I managed to save his wallet (haha) and gave me the all go to buy it. Then I remembered. It was God who would've provided me with such an awesome gift; so I really should pray-- ask God is this THE phone that you have in mind for me? I guess when I pray I tend to be quite demanding of the signs that I get-- I tend to make the possibilities of negation really low. So what I prayed was 

"God, I really want to do everything in Your Will, because I know that it will always be the best for me. I thank you so much for blessing me with this awesome plan. However, if this is not what you had in mind for me, please do whatever you can and stop me from buying it."

As I went through the process of purchasing the phone and plan, all was smooth going. However, when  went to the last page, the website suddenly crashed. No joke. It just crashed. Some may consider this a coincidence (I did), so I tried again. It still crashed. On the next day I tried again. It crashed.

Well. I said to myself. What clearer sign did I want? Stupidly, however, I still kept my eye on the model. 

And now come April. The Samsung S4 came out! The S2 suprisingly didn't depreciate. But what made me even more worried was the fact that the phone was almost out of stock having been on the market for 2 years. My only chance of getting a good quality phone for a decent price... So yet again, I prayed again-- a similar prayer but this time saying that everything has to go smoothly...

This time, unwilling to be a victim of the website crashing on me again, I brought my passport, medicare, and all other supporting documents to the official Virgin Mobile dealer. Well, all was good, I got hold of the last few that were available. But then, like the previous incident, I apparently didn't have enough transactions on my bank card statement to prove that I live at my house. So I went out filling up the necessary number of transactions needed, thinking that it'll help me reach that quota... it was futile, I went to the bank and they said that it won't appear on my statement until the next day.

Well. I guess God really didn't want me to get it. Haha. So I went home and decided to go fishing again. Soon enough, I found myself at ****'s website which offered amazingly cheap BYO deals. And a bit more searching, I found a realllllly cheap S3, brand new. Combining them together, voila, I got a deal cheaper than the S2 and with a newer and better phone :D Still haven't bought it yet.... prayed and awaiting God's response.. patiently...

I guess what I've (re)learnt 3 main things:

1. Never, ever, ever think that God won't listen to your prayers. He will listen. Even if you think that you're asking a lot or what you're praying seems to be impossible. Even if, what you desired is not ascertained at all, be sure that God has an even better plan for you; as mentioned by Jesus in Matts 7:11:
   "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11
2. God rewards those who wait and hope for Him. I don't think much can be said but that this is most absolutely true. God's timing is always the best. I've never felt disappointed from waiting too long for something... So many passages in Bible illustrate this, here are some favorites:
   "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25
3. Don't doubt God's judgement. When you pray for some sign or something and God turns it down, trying to go against it will only waste your effort and time:
   "... what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." Isaiah 22:22

Just put all your trust and faith in Him who controls all. 

Be still and know He's God.

Have fun~!

Chu

God's Plan is the Best Plan

I can remember so many times when I just have the urge to make a quick decision to buy/have/see/do something; yet so often I regret having made that rash decision. I tried taking things into my own hands and my own timing. Having learnt my lesson I formulated by belief-- that if God wants you to do/have/achieve something, as long as you fully submit to His will, you will do/have/achieve no matter what the time frame may be. This may be days, weeks, months, even years before something happens. Nevertheless, it is this timing that God give us the best!

Today, I was privileged enough to experience His awesome planning once again! Though not yet a too important decision, I know that God guided me through my Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Camera purchase.

The Model

I have always wanted to buy a DSLR-- I felt that the cameras we have at home were too crap. I felt that I needed more horsepower to take awesome photos. And so, with my Dad being anti-Nikon and my limited tutoring-earned cash, I easily set my eyes on the Canon Entry-Pro-Amateur 600D.

I was quick to make my decision was in fact about to buy it. About that time, my family was watching Dr Charles Stanley's series on God's planning; talking about how His plan is always the best one and that we should seek His will in any circumstance no matter how great or small. So naturally, I felt that God must have had this camera model in His will for me- since I've researched it's specification so thoroughly and confirmed how it suited my needs. I prayed that God confirm (in His timing) that this camera is the one that I sought for and that such confirmation be made that I will be able to purchase this camera as a really cheap bundle. It wasn't an impossible ask since my cousin got the same bundle a few weeks beforehand. So I waited.

Two years have passed. I still prayed intermittently for such a sign but it was through this period of waiting that I learnt so much more about photography. My interest in this hobby progressed and since I was stuck with a less advance camera at home, I was forced, so to speak, to learn how to take good pictures with a seemingly basic camera. That soon changed as I progressed in my photographical studies through Youtube videos and various blogs. I finally understood important functions that my camera had that I did not notice before- as I was complaining how lackluster the device was. In a sense, I grew in what I know about photography and cameras-- enriching myself with knowledge that I would not have bothered to ascertain if it were not for the wait.

Like all forms of technology, the Canon DSLR range had a few more candidates that were released in the two years of waiting-- the pro-enthusiast 60D and the 600D's sucessor, the 650D. With my now-mature knowledge, I discovered exactly what I really wanted in the two years; and oh! What a wonderful thing that God didn't answer my prayer back then! Should I have just went ahead and bought the camera I would've regretted quite a bit; especially since the grip on the 600D is so small for my large hands-- something that the 60D (which I now own) can provide comfortably. And so, I finally settled on the 60D.

Thank God!

So, reflecting on this series of event, sometimes God will make us wait for an exceptionally long time. May be hours, days, months years, decades-- but I when I think back, waiting was the best path to take. It may be that God wants us to understand something more, or maybe He wants to draw our attention to an aspect about what we are waiting for and/or something about ourselves that we have yet to grasp. But in the end, God really knows what is best for us and sometimes, playing the waiting game - despite how much we can despise it sometimes- is really God's best plan for us.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Devotion Blog 3 -- When We Feel Inferior

Ephesians 2:10

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Excerpt from BibleGateway.com

Daily Devotions from InTouch Ministries

Looking back, I can count so many instances when I just see someone do a certain thing so much better than I and this feeling of inferiority just washes over me... occasionally, a splash of jealousy appears. When I'm aware of this, I try my hardest in my mind to convince myself that I don't need to compare myself to others; yet, oftentimes it's not very effective.

It's something that I really need to work on-- to know that I am His workmanship, that I am what He created me for and there is no need to look at others to measure one's own worth. I think sometimes it's my pride that gets in the way; I see someone better and I immediately feel inferior. It's quite selfish really- since I've put my focus onto myself as oppose to focusing on the grand things that God has prepared for us- using our unique set of aptitudes, skills and abilities. Once we overcome this obstacle how much better have we become- instead of looking ourselves down, we encourage the strengths of others; instead of focusing on our weaknesses, let us rejoice in that God has given us a personalized set of skills!

Dear God,
Thank you once again for this fine devotion. I confess that I frequently overlook the work that you have put in me to walk your will; and have felt inferior when compared to others. God, please help me so that I will remember that you are always crafting me to become your masterpiece- that I only need to keep my eyes focused on You, God, and on nothing else. May I walk in Your Will and may You utilize my skill set that you have given me; but don't let me boast in my abilities but that I may bring glory, honour and praise to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

Devotion Blog 2 -- Taking Risks

Acts 9:1-20

Daily Devotions from InTouch Ministries

It's something I still struggle with-- taking that leap of faith, not knowing the complete picture, completely relying on God. I don't think I've ever been in such an explicit situation as Ananias was- that involved taking a risk that could have cost him his life. But I can imagine that when I encounter such a challenge, it would be a real test of faith as to whether I can go "Ok God, I know this what you want me to do, I don't like the odds, but here we go!" And I guess that's really what this risk taking thing is all about- it's about God giving us this opportunity to know for real, how strong is our relationship with Him. Every time we take a risky move, knowing that it is God's will, we fully rely on Him and when we succeed, we have experienced firsthand, God's ultimate planning and our trust and faith in Him grows.

Dear God,
Thank you for this devotion. Although I have not yet experienced this so strongly, I pray that I be given such an opportunity to advance my relationship with you-- so that my faith in You grows. I know that You will never let me down when such situations arise. May Your Name be praised forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A Month in Hong Kong -- Day 8 to 12

Over the last week, I moved to paternal Grandma's place in To Kwa Wan. Although location-wise, transport is not as convenient-- i.e. less bus routes and no access to MTR in comparison to Kowloon Bay-- I found that TKW had a lot more choice when it comes to food. And hence, with my enthusiastic grandma, we traversed all over TKW and the adjacent Kowloon City in search of fine street/restaurant cuisine. I really should've kept some form of journal since I have forgotten most the restaurant names... I have horrible memory when it comes to Chinese names. Anyway, one thing that I've learnt in my food adventures is that the cost NEVER reflects the taste. Especially in Hong Kong- where the cook of a local street noodle shop could be an absolute master when it comes to making soup noodles with wonton, as I've found out.

One thing that I've joked about a lot over the last few days is how whenever I see the menu, the prices of the dishes (in most restaurants) are exactly the same as those in Australia. Just with one minor exception being that the prices are in Hong Kong dollars... not Australian dollars... So having eaten so much, I've barely used over $80 Australian dollars over the week (yumcha was about $27 AUD-- and we ordered A LOT) since most meals cost less than $5 AUD.

Anyway, without rambling on and transforming this post into a thesis, click the links below to check out what I did over the last week :)

[Still writing the articles]

Day 10 - Disneyland
Day 11 - Tai Po
Day 12 - Central and Causeway Bay

Devotion Blog 1 -- Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Excerpt from BibleGateway.com

Daily Devotions from InTouch Ministries

It makes me think about all those times that I have fallen into sin, one time after another. The process of committing a sin outlined in today's devotion states that we all begin falling into this horrid spiral with something simple like a glance. Then we have this desire to sin brewing within us. A choice must be made by us as to whether we continue to allow this desire to grow or not? Should we choose the wrong path, we are so enticed that we commit that act of sin.

Reflecting on today's Bible verse (1 Cor 10:13), Paul explicitly states it for us that when we are tempted, the act of sinning against God is an intentional act. It's a choice that we make. I have to ability to say to myself- Ok, this is sin, and it will damage my relationship with God, it is wrong, I must stop- and like what was said in the devotion: we can stop the momentum [of sin] at any time and we can take the way of escape.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for blessing me with this reminder. That because You are so faithful and loving, that even in temptations You give me the ability to endure and escape it. I pray that You make me ever so sensitive to the slightest hints that I am beginning to fall into enticements and temptations. So that I may put an end to these sinful chain of events. Thank you for listening to my prayer. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.