February 22, 2025

Once I arrived at the church last night for board meeting, I realized that I didn’t have my wallet on me. I immediately called my wife, and she confirmed that I did indeed leave my wallet at home. I usually don’t forget my wallet, but I must have been in a rush. I don’t know about you, but once I realized I didn’t have my ID on me, I started getting concerned. “What if I get pulled over? What if they ask for my license?” I was very careful driving on my way back home later that evening.

I also get concerned when I forget my phone. I am like, “What if I can’t make a phone call when I need to? What if I am in an emergency situation?” This sounds like a twenty first century problem, but to some people like me, the concern is real. There is a sense of insecurity when you forget to have these items with you. Maybe it’s just me.

Forgetting these items shouldn’t be the biggest concern of the day. The question is, are we missing God’s presence in our daily lives? That’s the bigger essence of insecurity that we ought to be concerned about. We must feel the difference in life when we are engaged with God versus when He is absent in your daily lives.

The Word of God tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, with surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7. May we all find security and comfort in Jesus as we have His presence in our lives daily and find the ultimate joy.

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February 15, 2025

It was a good 5 mile run on Monday. My body felt well rested, the air was fresh, and I was in the zone while running. Toward the last 10 minutes of the run, a tiny piece of salt on the road got into my left shoe. It was very small and I felt it as it was dancing around under the foot. It was really uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to pause my momentum of the run, and since I was almost done with the run, I did not bother takin it out.

I came home, unlaced my shoes and I got out of the shoes and that was it. Couple of days later, I laced up once again to go out for a run. After 4 steps, I felt the salt and remembered that I had forgotten to take it out last time! I debated in my mind. Should I just go? Or take off the shoe and get it out? After 30 seconds of contemplating, I went back, unlaced my left shoe and got the salt out. The run felt real good. Imagine how that tiny piece of salt under your foot can bring uncomfort to the rest of the body!

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh that was given to him. He pleaded to the Lord three times that he would get rid of it. But this was God’s response. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” verse 9. Paul took his weakness as an opportunity to seek the power of Christ, for he says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” verse 10. 

The result of sin in this world brings discomfort and challenges in our lives, no matter how small or big they are. But it is also a means to find greater grace that God gives to us. And we can turn to Jesus and ask Him to reveal His power to us.

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February 8, 2025

Numbers 12 talks about a time when Miriam and Aaron complain to their brother Moses. This made the Lord extremely unhappy and He called upon Miriam and Aaron. Basically, God was telling them not to complain to their brother like that. When God speaks to prophets, He would speak to them through visions and dreams. But Moses was different. “Not so with My servant Moses… I speak with him face to face.” Numbers 12:7-8. That’s pretty awesome. Moses was so special that God spoke to him in person, not through dreams. Why? God said, “He is faithful in all My house.” verse 7. 

God did something similar with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. When their faith was put to the test by being forced to worship an idol, they chose to stay faithful to God, regardless of consequences. “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. Buf if not, let it be known to you, O kng, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:17, 18. That is quite the faith expressed here. As a result, these men were thrown into the fiery furnace. God responded to their faith. God not only saved them from burning to death, but He did someting extraordinary. Nebuchadnezzar cried out, “Look! I see four men loose,  walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” verse 25. How cool is that? Jesus Himself came down to be with the men in the midst of their trials.

This Jesus gives us the same promise to us that He will be with us in person. Jesus promised, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3. I am glad that I can walk with Jesus and be with Him in person. We will see Jesus. Let us be faithful to Him no matter what.

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