Me First

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Here’s a scenario in our family. We come home and since we live in a high-rise apt in Seoul, we have to ride an elevator to our apt. My kids race to the elevator door to see who can enter first and push the 18th button. As soon as we arrive, they race out the door to see who unlocks the door first. The lock is computerized. If it’s bath night, they argue over who is taking a bath first. Meaning the first one in is the first one out and can play. Where did all this selfishness come from?

How can I teach them to put others first? I’ve used this verse before and try to have them put each other first. Very hard for little children to do! I guess sometimes it’s hard for adults as well. I hope that I can be an example for them. I need to watch that I’m not selfish with my time and put them and my husband before my activities and needs.

Last night we watched an old movie “Over the Hedge.” Some possum parents explain to their children that in order to live they must die. What a great concept! In order to live in God’s kingdom, we must die to our selfishness!

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me for when my self gets in the way. Help me to be a good example to my children. I pray that  they will learn and understand how to put others first. Thank you for your great example of love and dying for others. Help me to die to selfishness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Read Full Post »

My Stronghold

Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others! Psalm 52:7

If you divided up your day, who or what gets most of your attention? What dictates the decisions you make in your life? What influences your attitude for the day? These are some thought-provoking questions as I reflect on something God has been teaching me about. Strongholds!

In Bible times as Israel was entering the Promised Land, they were commanded to love God only. No other gods. However, they intermarried and started worshipping other gods, false gods. They built high places for sacrifices. This became their stronghold instead of Almighty God.

The Bible says we are to knock down everything in our life that becomes higher than God. Only God should have a strong HOLD on our lives. Is it media—games, email, networking, movies, or TV that gets all our attention? Our job? Children?

I’m trying to make God my stronghold every day.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being my stronghold. I’d rather have You holding onto my life than any thing or person. Please show me when I stray from you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Read Full Post »

How Long Is the Lord’s Arm?

The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23

Imagine living in the days of Moses. You just witnessed God’s power and miracles. You were part of the crowd that passed through the Red Sea on dry land. You were fed with the bread of heaven, manna. Yet, your people still complained. Manna every day for breakfast, lunch and supper? Where’s the meat? So God told Moses He would feed them meat for a whole month, so much that it would come out of their nostrils. But Moses didn’t know how God could feed them meat. They didn’t have enough animals. God answered,”Is my arm too short?”

Moses himself should have known this would be something easy for God. Moses was the leader and had been used by God in these miracles.

This week a writing opportunity has come about. But I’ve already wondered about many things. Yet, I just have to trust God that He will provide resources needed to complete the task. “Is the Lord’s arm too short” that He cannot help me? How about you? Do you have a task this week that seems undaunting? God has unlimited resources and power.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me when I doubt your power. I trust in you to help me complete the tasks you want done. Thank you for using me!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Read Full Post »

A Servant’s Heart

…”If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35

Last week my husband invited his two sisters and their families over for supper. I enjoy their company. Only 1 problem…I’m not a good cook, especially with Korean food. Yikes! After I got a grip, I asked God for help and wanted to turn this dinner into a chance to “oikos” or be a testimony to his older sister who isn’t a Christian. So I adopted a servant’s heart.

Like always, God came to my rescue and directed me to some wonderful recipes that they thought were delicious. Thank you, God!

How about you? Do you have some events this week which you could turn into a service for God? Can you share God’s love through your service to others, especially with Valentine’s Day around the corner?

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for helping me in every sticky situation. Help me to have a servant’s heart attitude in everything I do so that I can win as many as possible to Jesus. I love you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Read Full Post »