Bible Passage:

Psalm 27:14 ESV
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Message: I have been playing the song "Worth The Wait" by 33 Miles. This song reminds me that God has a better plan for me why I am jobless for almost a year. Although, sometimes I questioned Him why I can't find a job the fits me with a high salary and a good boss.  But after questioning Him, I thank God because He supply all my needs despite of no monthly income. I believe from some lines of this song "God has perfect timing, Never early, Never late" For me, God's timing has not yet come, He's looking for a perfect timing, and I'm patiently waiting. It also says that "It takes a little patience, And takes a lot of faith" I was wondering when this God's perfect timing would be? Maybe, He is dealing with me to increase my faith.

Conclusion: Wait for God's timing and always bear in your mind that He has some great for you that you couldn't imagine. Increase your faith!

Bible Passage:

Proverbs 28:26
If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. (MSG)

Message:
I admit that sometimes, I'm a fool, in a sense that this verse was saying. There are times that I think that I know all what I'm doing; that I don't need any others help or assistance. Because most of the time, I'm not a team player. I'm at my best when I play individually especially in the aspects of computer technology. Then while I was reading this verse, It comes to a point I was asking myself where did I get lots of information that I was able to apply in my computer world? The answer is through the internet. Who gives some information in the internet? The answer is people. So, I was surviving computer world through gathering information from the internet, that some people had shared. In short, I'm a survivor of the computer world through the help of others.

Examples:
Patients needs Doctors, and Doctors needs also Doctors because Doctors are also patients.

Persons who wants to have a hair cut needs Barbers, and Barbers needs also Barbers because Barbers also wants to have a hair cut, they can't cut their by their own.

Conclusion:

God wants us to know that we need others in able to survive. God gives us only the wisdom we've asked for while others shares wisdom from what they’d asked from God. So share also the wisdom we've asked from God to let others survive. It’s simply give and take.

Bible Passage:  
Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 
James 1:5-6
5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (NIV)

"Wisdom is the ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight." (Wikipedia)

Believe (The Free Dictionary)

1. To have firm faith, especially religious faith.

2. To have faith, confidence, or trust: I believe in your ability to solve the problem.

3. To have confidence in the truth or value of something: We believe in free speech.

 

Message: Sometimes, we may be too confident with our own capacity or with our own knowledge. We don't recognize God's wisdom because we know in ourselves that we can solve or pass any circumstances. Then, when we came to the point that we realized that we need His wisdom, we do ask but we lack trust. When we ask, we must also believe in Him. We must trust God that He will give you the wisdom you need.

Conclusion: God's Wisdom is free. All you have to do is ask and believe.



 

Title: Accepting Others Just What Jesus Did

Bible Passage: Romans 14:1-13, 19

1Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

5In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

10So why do you condemn another believer^a? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,

‘every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.^b’”

12Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Message: As I turn on someone's tablet this evening and tap into the bible application, it was opened to the book of Romans 14. This chapter was entitled "The Danger of Criticism". We are all children of God, He died on the cross not for you alone, not for me alone, but for all us. We we're not born to condemn or look down or criticize others. But we we're born to believe on what we believe is right.
Do what you believe is right for you as long you won't get other believers to stop on believing, too. In verse 19, it says " 19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up." Let's have a bonding on our church sometimes, not always "ba-bye Ading" (Good bye brother/sister) :)

Conclusion: We are brothers and sisters in Christ whoever we are, because we are God's children. We should accept others just like Jesus Christ did and stop condemning others.

Title: Enjoying Life with God

Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:22 (CEV)
²² We were meant to enjoy our work, and that’s the best thing we can do. We can never know the future.

Message: Nobody knows our future, only our Creator (God) knows it. God wants us to enjoy our work, not just the work at the office, but the work to serve Him. I'm enjoying to be at God's company.

Conclusion: Enjoy life to work with Him, that's why we are created.

Title: Honesty with Little Things

Bible Passage: Luke 16:10 (NIV)
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Message: I have been tested for my honesty this past weeks, I encountered many situations like riding on a  jeepney where I gave only 20 pesos and they gave me 42 pesos but I returned what is not for me. I bought some foods at one fast food chain and they serve me more than what I ordered, I never think twice but I just bring back what is not for me. After these some situations, I have no doubt because I did what is right, but have a smiling face where I passed these little testing from God.


Conclusion: Be honest even with small things, because it counts.

Title: Just At The Right Time


Bible Passage: 2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Message: We may have an experienced that we're waiting for God to work on the time we want but we fail to see His work. We might have tried to murmur and think, 'why God is late' or 'why God didn't show his work', 'does He want me to be shameful?' It reminds me of the song "While I'm waiting" by John Waller  that I first heard from the movie entitled "Fireproof". So,if you think He is slow, reverse it. He is always just at the right time. While we're waiting for God's timing, let's be patient, serve God, worship God.

Conclusion:  He is always at the right time to work, just be patient.

Title: God's Gift an Instrument to Show God's Loving-Favor

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 4:10 (NLV)

God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor. 

Message: Your gift/talent that you received from God is not just for you, but it is also for others to show to them God's favor. You couldn't say, 'I do not have any gift/talent' because it says on the bible that each of us has received gift/talent from God.

Conclusion: Use the gift/talent that God has given to us.

Title: We Commit and Trust, He will Act!

Bible Passage: Psalm 37:5 (ESV)

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 

Message: We plan, but still we fails. We get disappointments even at our most experienced nature of work. We experienced that without committing our plans to God. Personally, I'm experiencing that without laying down my plans and my daily tasks to God. And sometimes, I only ask God to help me when I am at the moment that I really need Him, guess what, he never fails to show his Might Acts. He does favor, he give me wisdom and knowledge and strength. Truly committing our way to Lord and trusting Him will make Him do his Act.

Conclusion: Make these two moves, then He will do His move. You Commit + You Trust = God's Action

Title: With All My Heart

Bible Passage: Matthew 22:37
And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

Message:  The Bible says that we SHALL Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. I made an internet research about the word "Shall", I've found out that this word is a requirement. If we believe in Christ Jesus, we are required to Love Him with ALL our heart, soul and mind. But how do we love God? Simply, live our lives that pleases Him.

Conclusion: As we accept Christ Jesus, we have an obligation, and that is to Love Him with all our heart, soul and mind.

Title: For What Do You Come to Church?

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:12-13
¹² Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the moneychangers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves. ¹³ He told them, “The Scriptures say, ‘My house should be called a place of worship.’ But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide.”

Message: I remember this question "WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR ?"from the book 'Purpose Driven Life' by Rick Warren, I hope you remember this, too. How 'bout this question, "WHAT ON CHURCH AM I HERE FOR?" Do you really know why do you come to church every sunday? This question has four (4) answers, and that is
1. To Worship- because this a place of worship
2. To Grow- in God's Word
3. To Serve- by winning
4. To Give - our talents, money, time

Conclusion: We are here on the church to Worship God, to Grow in His Word, to Serve by winning, and to Give our talents, money and time.

Title: He Never Fails!

Bible Passage: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NASB)

Message:  God is the same yesterday, today and forever with His Love, Word and Promises. He is the same God whom my grandparents know and worship. He never fails my grandparents. I believe He also never fails me even I fail Him always. Here's an inspiring song about Jesus Love that never fails.  "Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture".  Here's the complete lyrics.

===
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/jesus_culture/your_love_never_fails.html ]
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good
===

Conclusion: He is the same. His love never fails. His word never fails. His promises never fails. He never fails us!

Title: Music and its Power!

Bible Passage: Colossians 3:15 Good News Translation (GNT)
15 The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts

Message: God wants us to use music as an instrument or tool to strengthen ourselves and encourage others (Jeff Strite). Music has the *power to communicate ...**power to inspire ...and ***power to change. When I'm playing love songs, I felt in-love and keep smiling especially when the song playing is "Ngiti". It inspires and look back when I first sing this song to my girl friend. Although this is not our theme song :) When I'm playing christian song entitled, All for love by Planetshakers, my hands and my feet are also moving like I was the one drumming the song. I also tried listening to the controversial song "Judas" by Lady Gaga, and to be true, my head aches and I felt weak that time. My officemate felt the same. There's something bad on that song. That's why I never listen to that song again.

Conclusion: Choose music that has the good message not just with a good melody or tone. What we are playing (music) on our computers, mobile phone and any gadgets could retain its message on our mind.

Object Lesson - A Recipe For Friendship 
Julia Bettencourt

Please Note This devotion can be used as an object lesson. Place all the items on a table. Pick up the appropriate item, and give the application. You can actually mix up the cookie recipe in a bowl if you wish:) The Items Needed are the Following: Shortening. Sugar. Eggs. Vanilla. Flour. Baking Soda. Salt. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. Nuts.

A Recipe For Friendship
Julia Bettencourt

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Friendships are wonderful gifts to our lives straight from God. There are several references to friendship in the Bible. I think of the relationship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18-20, 2 Samuel 1). Those chapters in Samuel are great reading. Jonathan and David had a great love and respect for each other.

I think of how God called Abraham, "friend" (James 2:23). Moses also comes to mind. Remember how God spoke to him, "face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend" (Exodus 33:11)?

When it comes to our sisters in Christ, friendship takes on a special quality. Friendship between Christians is especially sweet because of the bond of Christ. We are enhanced by those special friendships. Building those friendships is a wonderful way to encourage and lift up others in the Lord.Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be
likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the
father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5,6

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of
a man's friend by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9

Friends are one of the ways God takes care of us. We need all the things friendship entails from other human contact such as encouragement, companionship, love, honesty, loyalty, understanding, and so many more things friendship offers.

Our friendships with our sisters in Christ are like recipes of goodness for us. They bake up something special. You may have heard that saying, "In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips". Friends are that sweet extra in life and even sweeter is friendship among believers in Christ.

Why is a recipe for fellowship and friendship with our sisters in Christ is so Important? Let's check out the ingredients and see what they do.

Sisters In Christ Friendship Recipe

• Shortening - Provides texture. Our fellowship and friendship with our sisters in the Lord can add much depth and texture to our lives. We blend together in unity as part of the body of Christ.
• Sugar - Adds sweetness. Our fellowship with our sisters adds such a sweet taste to our lives. If we didn't have sugar in our cookies, we'd sure miss it. The same is with our fellowship with our sisters. We can't leave it out of our lives.
• Eggs - Holds ingredients together. Sisters in the Lord are someone to lean on. We are held together by fellowship with them. We are stronger because of them, their prayers, and their love in the Lord. We have a special bond in Christ.
• Vanilla - Adds flavor. Sisters add that flavor we need. They give us that extra sensation. Without friends and fellowship we become kind of bland.
• Flour - Adds substance. We need the substance a sister in the Lord can add. They give us many things by way of mentoring us when we don't even know it. Their shared testimonies and way they live their lives has an impact on us.
• Baking Soda - Leavens. Leavening agents in baking helps to lighten the dough. Friendship with our sisters in Christ lightens our burdens through their prayer and encouragement.
• Salt - Enhances flavor. We know that friendships add flavor and just when we need it, they help improve the tastefulness and quality of our lives. Friends are the type of people that know just what we are going through and are there when we need them.
• Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips - - The kind of chocolate chips we normally add to our cookies is semi sweet. Our sister friends tell us what they feel and think and that's okay. They can be honest and truthful to us. "Iron sharpeneth iron" (Proverbs 27:17).
• Nuts...Optional - Just a little craziness in a sister friend is great! Sometimes a little zaniness in our friends can be just the ingredient we need.

Conclusion:
Friendships take a lot of time and effort to bake up but they are worth it when we sense that sweet aroma and special bond that they bring. Friends that have Jesus in common will have lasting relationships, not just here on earth, but will dwell with Christ together throughout eternity."A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there
is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24.

I wonder if I'm the type of friend that I should be to others, especially to my sisters in Christ. Am I doing all those things that I should be doing, like lifting burdens, adding flavor, helping hold things together with my prayers, and all those other things? I hope I can improve in this area.So, is your life a good recipe for friendship? 

Source: http://www.juliabettencourt.com/dev/friendshipdev.html
Credits to: Ms. Julia Bettencourt
No intention of blog plagiarism upon posting this on my blog.