Evening prayer

In the war against the City of Jericho, God tests the Israelites and try to push their faith to the new limits. The Lord reminded Joshua and the Israelites of the true commander of this military campaign towards the City of Jericho. If the Israelites obey God and place their trust in him, no challenge is too great to overcome.

On the other hand, if they insist on their own way, no obstacle is too small to trip them up. The defeat in the City of Ai is a painful lesson to learn. The Israelites has to go back to basics to relearn what God has told them.

What is the problem? Achan's only took a robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels. It seems to be "little sin". But this has major consequences.

It is important because the Lord had commanded: "All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into His treasury" A lot of time we know what exactly God wants us to do, but we cannot take our eyes off the earthly treasure. For myself, I know I have not fully make use of my resources, my gifts, my time ..... for God.

Lord, if I have wounded any souls today,
Lord, if I have cause one foot to go astray,
Lord, if I walk in my own wilful way,
Dear Lord forgive.

Forgive the sins I have confessed to thee, Forgive my secret sins I cannot see, O Guide me, love me and my keeper be.

Dear Lord Amen.

Problems or Opportunities

After we have seen in the books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, the Israelites offer examples of what not to do. It is also like a mirror reflecting on my forgetfulness of the blessings I got from my Heavenly Father. When problem arises, I tends to be very pessimistic, and think of the worst situation. Rather than to trust God for His provision, I will think of ways to solve the problems by myself. Lord! forgive me not putting you as priority or keep forgeting your attributes: You are the Creator, You are Holy, You are Powerful, You are Merciful, You are the God of Just, You are the God of Wonders, You are a loving and caring Father.

Today I have come to the book of Joshua. It is the book of opportunities. Moses, their legendary leader was no longer around. All the older generation had gone. A new character sprang up, Joshua, one of the original optimistic spies. He had handpicks his own scouts, and the report they bring back makes a sharp contrast with the spy report in Numbers (13:31-33). The new scouts conclude that God has given the land of Canaan into the Israelites hands, that all the people are fearful of the Israelites. After forty years of wandering in the desert, the Israelities finally are ready for the Promised Land.

Joshua is a leader of faith, a leader that followed the footsteps of his captain Moses, and also in the footsteps of his Lord. The Bible states that “ I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
Lord! although you have put me in the leadership role both at church and family. Also teach me to be a follower. A follower in your footstep and able to seek your strength. Give me daily renewal. Just like Joshua, I can also overcome every obstacle that comes with optimistism and seeing an opportunity for me to share your love and be examples to others.

Amen.

View things through the eyes of a believer

Finally the Israelites approach the borders of the Promised Land. Moses had send some men to explore the land of Cannan. One of the result was, Cannan is inhabited by powerful groups of people who seem to have firm control of the land. The men who had gone up were scare and defeated just by what they see. On the contrary, Caleb, one of the men that Moses sent chooses to see it differently. When he looks at the land, rather than seeing strong people, he sees a God who saved and provided for his ancestor. To Caleb, no people or cities can pose even the smallest threat to God's power. Caleb knows that God's promise far outweighs the threat of any form of earthly power.

Let's pray for our President today that he will know who is in control and outweighs the threat of any form of earthly power.

Today the Lord also helps me see Teddy through his eyes rather than my own.
Teddy is seeking for love; He is seeking for change; He is seeking for support; He is seeking for help to provide for the family.

Lord, I know you are the God that give Teddy more than 30 years of life; you are the one that provides for him. Despite all the wrong doings, he is still in one piece. You are the one that give him the fatherly love to TJ. You are the one that provide him with Melissa that can share his life with.

Lord, I might not know or enjoy the puzzles of my life, help me to step back and take my eyes off unpresent circumstances and see opportunities for Teddy to change which is a greater purpose in your eyes.

Amen.

Traveling on God's Wings

God has given us a lesson in parenting and being parented through the stories of Isarelites as a nation.

God first met the Israelites' most basic need, for food, ensuring that they would have something to eat every day and feel satisfied. Next God gave them guidance. As any parent advises a child. God advised Moses and the people as to how they could work best together without wearing out. After securing their physical and emotional needs, he led the people on to the next stage of maturity, introducing a set of rules to govern the household.

As God has cared for the Israelites, he cares for us, today. He gives us food to keep us going. He guides us day to day in handling our lives. And as we make choices, we turn to God's rules as a foundation for our behavior.

God speaks not as a distant old man. Rather, he likens himself to a mother eagle teaching her young to fly by soaring beneath, with wings spread to catch the faltering eaglets. He does't leave his children in a barren place to help themselves, while calling from afar with pointless admonitions. Rather, he flies only inches underneath and often rests them by bringing them to himself.

Lord, as the mother eagle, teach us to have faith in you.
Lord, have mercy on our family.
With your love, you can heal and rebuild our family.
With your love, you can help us break down our communication block among Teddy, Jenifer and us.
With your love, you can change all the curses into blessings.
With your love, you can help Teddy wake up and turn away from wrongs.

Lord, I praise you, you have searched me and you know me.
Lord, I praise you, your hand will always guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
Lord, I praise you for knowing my needs and meeting them.
Lord, I praise you for loving me tenderly and rightly.

Spiritual Amnesia

Believers throughout the ages have exhibited a sort of selective memory, recalling God's power and then letting fears block that memory. It is call Spiritual Amensia.

In year 2008, it seems like the Lord is taking some of my blessings away. My closed partner, my leader, my shield, my buddy at work left to other position. I am lost, I am depressed, I am frustrated, I am scared, I felt betrayed, it seems that my life was retarded for the last six months.

After reading how God kept his promises to Moses and the Israelites, the Lord reminds me that He is the same God that the first Christians know two thousand years ago and the same God we know today. " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrew 13:8)

Lord, thank you for reminding me you have not changed. You are just helping me to turn a new page of my life. In year 2009, please supply me with the same "manna" each day that you gave to the Israelites. I need your strength and wisdom each day for me to retrieve the same passion in ministry under the new leadership and team.

Prayer of a Relunctant Servant

Dear God,

I've got to make a decision soon. I can't believe I'm even considering doing this. It's a big commitment, a huge change for me. And I'm not even sure it fits me. Who am I, that I shoud go and take this step? Of all people, why did you choose me? I really don't know if I can handle the task.

Let's imagine I say yes. How do I begin? I can't just waltz in there and assume command, as if everyone already trusts me. What shall I tell them? They might not accept me. Maybe they won't like me. I can't do this without their support. What if they don't believe me? What if they think I', not qualifed, or worse, don't want my help? I can't take being rejected, God. You know how fragile my ego is.

I can't picture myself doing this. I'm not cut out for it. I have never been eloquent. It's not in my nature. Why can't I stick to what I've been doing and not embarrass you or anyone else?

The more I think about it, the colder my feet get. I can't do this. It scares me, and I certainly don't need more fear in my life. I don't have what it takes for this one, God. O Lord, please send someone else to do it. Surely you have an alternate who wil do a better job than I could ever do....

You're still asking me to do it. I can't shake the sense that you're serious. You really want me, don't you? Forgive my arguments, Lord. I'm learning that you have a much higher view of me than I do. Thanks for your confidence. I guess we both know who's really going to get it done. I'm going to need your help, God. Yes, I'm definitely going to need your help.

Amen.

This prayer is very similar to mine in year 2000. When my Senior Pastor ask me to work full-time at church. I am not prepared. I am very effective at work, I am helping the sick and needy, what more does God wants from me?

Finally the Lord prompted me to accept the challenge. Despite of my incompetence in the area of administrative work, God use me. His blessings shower upon me and my family.

First of all, God draws me closer to Him, both physically and spiritually.
Secondly, the Lord teaches me despite all our difference, how we support each other and work together in the Body of Christ.
Thirdly, God bless me with a great mentor, who is also a teacher, a partner in ministry, and a very good Brother-in-Christ.

I will always thank my Lord for giving me such blessings through all these years.