"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'" -Matthew 25:45

While it is important to consider all the giving, hospitality, and care we have done. What we have not done is equally vital. God's love is all-encompassing and selfless, and we cannot neglect someone or something no matter how minute it is. We cannot boast about all the good things we have done, if there is even one thing we did not do for 'one of the least of these'.

Because there is no indifference in God's love and actions,
I ought to follow suit.

"But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into." -Matthew 24:43

Imagine if I am the owner of this house (my heart, soul, and mind) and the thief is sins I commit. Without doubt if I knew exactly when temptations and desires would crawl into me, I would more likely resist them. While I do not know when the thief will sneak in, I have been warned the thief will come.

Always be vigilant against possible temptations
 so my heart, soul, and mind will not be robbed.

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." -Mark 13:31

Places we live, possessions we own, and relationships we form, all things we often pride ourselves in and give so much attention to. No matter how tightly we hold onto these things, Jesus has plainly told us that they will pass. In this ever-changing world we live in, God has given us a beautiful gift - his words. The one thing we can confidently hold onto and trust in. Words of truth and life.

Hold tightly onto Jesus' words;
the only thing that will forever surround you.

"Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives" -Luke 21:37

Jesus did not shy away from his work to teach the people nor did he choose a new location for his ministry. His work began early in the morning and did not stop until the evening. All of this while in full knowledge of what would happen in the coming days.

Continue to faithfully and boldly do the work God has assigned me,
right where I am.

"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny." -Mark 12:41-42

Jesus watches everything I do, even if I don't intend to show him. Jesus sees beyond the appearance; he sees my heart and motives. What are two very small copper coins that I struggle to put in the treasury - money, time, presence, or care? Loving Jesus is giving to him without reserve. Loving God is knowing him and in so doing entrusts my past, present, and future to him.

Don't hold back anything,
give my two copper coins to God today.

"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." -John 11:3

Mary spent her life devotedly at Jesus' feet. Here she humbly served Jesus and wiped his feet. Mary practised this even before Jesus commanded it. She earnestly gave him beyond what was expected. She was confident and expressive in her worship of Jesus.

Worship of Jesus comes from a profound devotion
to humbly love, sacrifice, and serve.

"He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way." -Luke 19:3-4

I try tiptoeing, jumping up and down, or even moving my head to find a gap between people's shoulders just to catch a glimpse of what is happening. All too often, I give up; stand amongst the crowd and see nothing. Zacchaeus, however, did not let his height limit what his desire to see Jesus. He found solutions to overcome his barriers and let go of his dignity by climbing up a tree. How far would I go to simply see Jesus?

Seeing Jesus is worth overcoming every hurdle.

"Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" -Matthew 20:14-15

We have expectations about how God is going to act. We want him to pay us what we deem as fair and do things that will ultimately benefit us. On the flipside, am I living as a recipient of God's grace or am I still living legalistically?

God's grace is beyond our comprehension and more fair than we think.

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" -Mark 10:21

God sees through us and still loves us. He loves us the way we are right now and guides us along the path accordingly. God's intention isn't to make things hard for us, but to draw us closer to him.

Don't view a difficult situation as 'God hates me'.

"He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again." -Luke 18:32-33

I shy away from conflict and hardships. Why would I put myself in this position if I knew the suffering I would endure? But Jesus did exactly that. Jesus' determination, strength, and courage amazes me. His goal was clear and he was focused on his Father's will.

See beyond the suffering and have faith when walking along God's path.

"So the sisters sent word to Jesus, 'Lord, the one you love is sick.'" -John 11:3

As I reflect on my communication with God, I find myself telling him what's happening in my life only when I need something from him. Contrastingly, Mary and Martha's relationship with Jesus was like a close family. In this dire situation, they informed Jesus their brother was unwell. They didn't ask him to come and bring healing, despite being fully aware of who Jesus truly was.

Always keep God in the loop, not just when I need him to fix my situation.

"Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?'" -Luke 17:17

I'm sure we all love to receive gifts and blessings. We also love a word of thanks for the time, gifts and sacrifices we have poured out to others. In view of the kingdom of God, have the others not returned because they did not understand the enormity of being cleansed?

Be a person of gratitude and someone who is concerned for the other nine.

"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." -Luke 14:13-14

How often do I invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to my social gatherings? God did not bless me to live a self-centered life, nor did he surround me with community to become a clique.

Reach out today for there is blessing in giving what cannot be repaid.

"So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'" -Luke 13:7

How many three years have I wasted? And how many more will I waste? I can not keep receiving and receiving.

God does not  give me endless second chances
and will not  tolerate lack of productivity forever.

"but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." -Luke 10:42

There are tasks or people that make us pressed for time. We tend to prioritise those needs over our ultimate and true need to spend time at Jesus' feet and hear his word.

Seek the better, don't settle for the good.

"The Jews gathered around him, saying, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered, 'I did tell you, but you do not believe." -John 10:24-25

The Jews were constantly questioning Jesus and the people he healed. They wanted to trip people up and accuse their acknowledgement of Jesus as God. How many times do I need someone to tell me something before I believe?

Stop seeking the answer I want to hear;
listen and accept what is being answered.

"Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground." -John 8:8

I would love to know what Jesus wrote on the ground that day. But that's not the main point. Jesus could have carried out punishment in accordance with Jewish law. But he didn't. He eased the tension in humility and reminded us that we have no right to condemn.

Jesus offers us a new life amid a deserving death penalty.

"He called a little child and had him stand among them." -Matthew 18:2

This child was not scared of Jesus. He willingly came to Jesus when he was called. How do I see Jesus when he calls me to come?

It is safe to come to Jesus.

"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?' But they kept quiet because on the way they had argue about who was the greatest." -Mark 9:33-34

How do I feel when Jesus asks me, "what were you doing or talking about?" Ashamed? Guilty? Jesus sees and hears everything even if he wasn't physically present with me.

What conversation would I not want Jesus to know about?

"But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. 'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'" -Mark 8:33

There are people, words, and thoughts that aren't from God and can deter me from God's will. We encounter these each day, perhaps even numerous times a day.

Realise, rebuke, and remove today.

"Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them." -Matthew 15:30

Many people came to Jesus, all with different needs. If I was in this situation, I'm not sure I would be as patient or accommodating as Jesus - caring for them one by one.

Jesus will not turn me away,
but who do I turn away?

"This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." -John 6:58

Jesus is something new. He brings new life and a new way of living. But I can't just admire this Bread or have a little taste; I must eat it.

I will only be fully satisfied when Jesus is in me.

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone" -Matthew 14:23

Ministry revolves around people. And sometimes I feel obliged to stay even though my heart is yearning for time with God.

It is okay to say NO to .........., so I can be alone with God.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33

What is the first thing I think of and do when I wake up? And of the things I did yesterday, how many were done after consulting God? God wants first and foremost my heart, soul, and mind.

To do:

Replace my worries with a concern for God's kingdom.

"Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?'" -Mark 4:38

Jesus did not go to the other side by himself;
He crossed the sea with his disciples. 

Jesus did not wake to the furious squall or the waves swamping the boat,
But he woke to the disciples' desperate cry for help.

Jesus does care and he is invariably present with me in storms.

"Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left." -Luke 8:37

It's so natural to choose what appears to be likable. Confrontation to the people's comfortable lifestyle was scary. But God offers a changed life - one beyond what we can immediately see and comprehend as favourable.

Jesus may leave if I ask him to,
he has no obligation to stay.

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength”

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:1-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

No matter what happens around me, in me, before me, or behind me, God reminds me that He is still the same unchanging God in whom I can put my trust. In a world where everything is always changing, He is our only constant. A constant rock, fortress, deliverer, strength, shield, and stronghold worthy to be praised. 

"I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you." -Psalm 38:8-9

There are times I simply can't string letters together, let alone words. I am completely overwhelmed and broken, with my emotions at the forefront.

God understands my feelings so lay it all before him today.

"Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!"

Valuable. God says this of me. During a long day thousands of other thoughts fly through my brain as I strive to do the right thing and prove myself valuable in the presence of others. When I am alone I am reminded that God calls me Valuable. When I fail He calls me Valuable. When I am scorned or rejected He calls me Valuable. When I am anxious for tomorrow He says not to be, for in His eyes I am Valuable. I will value myself by not overvaluing the ideas of others, nor undervaluing the love of God and its power to make me whole. 

I am Valuable to God.  

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28

Often we are advised to try various relaxation and meditation techniques for rest, do enjoyable things for comfort, and speak to a counsellor about the problems we face. We may find a temporary relief, but the underlying cause is never fully addressed.

Jesus doesn't suggest me to trial other things first, 
he advises me to come straight to him today.

"She said to herself, 'If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.'  Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' he said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed from that moment." -Matthew 9:21-22

My last hope after years of desperation and suffering. But still amongst a crowd, Jesus would recognise my need, turn to me, see me, speak with me, and heal me.

Jesus is not only touched by the untouchables, 
He touches them too.

 "leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." -Matthew 5:10

Jesus didn't die only for me. His purpose for reconciling man to God is greater and extends to everyone. I am a part of his work to bring peace and unity to all.

God longs for my heart and sacrifices,
but not at the expense of broken relationships.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." -Matthew 5:10

Ministry isn't always easy, there will be human and systemic oppositions. But Jesus has made a promise that blessings and rewards will come.

Don't work for the blessing to come, 
but simply let Jesus be Jesus in and through you.