Read an Excerpt
Lord Jesus, I Want To See ...
By Peter G. Vu Dog Ear Publishing
Copyright © 2017 Reverend Peter G. Vu
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4575-5490-2
CHAPTER 1
January
Lord Jesus, I Want to See ...
January 1
Issue: Acceptance
"Listen to counsel and accept instruction that you may eventually become wise." (Proverbs 19:20)
Reflection
It is difficult for us to accept ourselves — our strengths and weaknesses along with the situations in which we find ourselves. We tend to hate who we are and the way we look. Or, we become covetous and desire what our neighbors have. We curse our current situations and do not make good use of what God has given us. Worse yet, we become destructive and destroy our neighbors. That is what Cain did to Abel. That is what King David did to his General Uriah.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Loving God, help me learn to give thanks often and accept the good and the bad, who I am, how I look, and whatever situation in which I might find myself today, with a smile. Make me realize that cursing my misfortunes or forcing a solution out of envy for my neighbor will not bring me true happiness. Help me remember that you will always love me for who I am and that you have a plan for my life.
Resolution
Today, I will welcome whatever God might send my way during the day with a smile and a quick prayer.
January 2
Issue: Appreciation
"In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." (1Thessalonians 5:18)
Reflection
We live in an age that is all about me and my accomplishments. We take for granted what God and everyone around us has done for us and contributed to our successes. We criticize others freely, but hesitate to say thank you to all our benefactors. Like the crowd that Jesus healed and fed in thousands later that did not hesitate to condemn him to death, we might not have any problem biting the hand of God that feeds us.
Lord Jesus, I want to see Gracious God, I thank you for creating me and continuing to bless me each day. Open my eyes to see that all I have now, and all I have ever accomplished comes from you. Move me to express my appreciation for you and all my benefactors often. Help me never take you, or anyone, or anything for granted.
Resolution
Today, I will try to find as many things and people for which I can say thank you or give appreciation.
January 3
Issue: Belief
"These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages." (Mark 16:17)
Reflection
One of the complaints we often hear about our politicians is that they do not have any conviction and go with whatever way the wind blows. We like people who have a backbone and who are willing to stand up for something despite its consequences. But, politicians are not the only ones who have this problem. Many people, including me, are afraid to take a stand or show a strong conviction about something. Worse yet, many people these days find it difficult to believe in God or have a relationship with the divine.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Heavenly Father, give me the courage to believe in something and have the conviction to see it through despite the cost. Help me put my trust and hope in you in good times and in bad and know that you will be there to protect and guide me.
Resolution
Today, I will find someone or some idea that I truly believe in and can count on for protection and guidance through all the ups and downs of my life.
January 4
Issue: Birth
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." (1Peter 1-3)
Reflection
We often hear about the miracle of child birth and the joy a baby brings into our lives. We can see the joy and smile on the face of the parent or grandparent when he/she holds a baby in his/her arms. A baby, or a new birth, can bring about all sorts of mixed emotions and a complete transformation in one's life. That's why Jesus suggested to Nicodemus that he be born again if he wanted to enter the Kingdom of God. For that Kingdom belongs to anyone who has child-like faith.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Lord Jesus, you entered our world in the form of a baby to bring me joy and wonderful promises of the Kingdom of God. Help me welcome and embrace every child as I would embrace you. Teach me to change my old ways and be open to new thinking and adventures that you might show me today, and every day, for this reflects the spirit of a child.
Resolution
Today, I will do something different and be open to all the adventures the Lord might send my way, for this is the "new me."
January 5
Issue: Blindness
"Two blind men were sitting by the roadside and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, 'Lord, Son of David, have pity on us!' ... Jesus stopped, called them and said: 'What do you want me to do for you' ... They answered, 'Lord, I want to see'". (Matthew 20:3033)
Reflection
Jesus did a lot of healing during His years of ministry on earth. But, what He healed quite a few times was blindness. Once, He asked one of the blind men what he wanted the miracle worker to do for him. The blind man answered, "Lord, I want to see!" Not being able to see is probably one of the toughest impediments a person must endure. Ironically, our world has suffered from a terrible problem of spiritual blindness, which has reached the level of pandemic. More and more people suffer from depression and run into a spiritual dead end. This has caused all sorts of violent outbursts in society and has caused people to make wrong decisions in their lives.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Jesus the Healer, I want to see what I must do in this life to enter your Kingdom. Help me find my life mission here on earth and continue your healing work in our spiritually blind world. Open my heart to welcome you and your messages in good times and in bad.
Resolution
Today, I'll call out to Jesus for help in prayer and search for His presence in everything I do, for He is my vision and guide in this life.
January 6
Issue: Celebrations
"Therefore, it is in this month that you must celebrate this rite, after the Lord, your God, has brought you into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Hivites and Jebusites, which He swore to your Fathers He would give you, a land flowing with milk and honey." (Exodus 13:5)
Reflection
In these last few months, we have celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a New Year besides birthdays, anniversaries, and other fun occasions. Most people enjoy those celebrations and love to be a part of them so that they can be with their families and friends. How about inviting Jesus, the lost, and the outcast? Do we include and invite them to our celebrations? Often, we forget to invite, and we exclude Jesus and these folks from our celebrations. We need to have Jesus and all the lowly people be a part of our lives.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Humble Jesus, you told us in the Scriptures to invite the lowly and unimportant people to our banquets and celebrations, even though they have no way to pay us back. Help me to keep that advice in mind and include you as part of all my celebrations and also in every day of my life. Make me realize that, by inviting you to my life events, you will bring me a lot of blessings and miracles like you did to the newlywed couple at their wedding party in Cana.
Resolution
Today, I will think about Jesus and make Him an important part of all my decisions and activities of my day, especially giving thanks and praise to Him often in my prayers.
January 7
Issue: Choice
"I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord your God and heeding His voice, and holding fast to him." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) Reflection
Our lives are all about choosing and making choices. If we make a wrong
choice, we will pay a dear price later for it. If we pick the right things, our lives will be blessed and we will not feel regret when looking back. Adam and Eve made wrong choices and picked something else over their faithful and loving God. Their wrong choice affected not only them but also many generations after them. Judas chose twenty pieces of silver over his master, and that choice hurt Jesus deeply; but it did not bring Judas any happiness in the end. On the other hand, eleven other disciples chose Jesus over everything else, and that choice was confidently supported as Peter professed, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life."
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Lord Jesus, help me make the right choices each day by coming to you for wisdom and guidance for all my decisions. Open my eyes to see your will for me in my daily life and seek you above all things. For you are the source of true happiness and peace.
Resolution
Today, I will choose things that will bring glory to God and result in long-lasting happiness for me and everyone around me.
January 8
Issue: Complacency
"Woe to the complacent in Zion, to the overconfident on the mount of Samaria ... Now they shall be the first to go into exile and their wanton revelry shall be done away with." (Amos 6:1-7)
Reflection
The opposite of complacency is to be alert, awake, or vigilant. We usually fall into the state of complacency when everything becomes boring and routine in our lives. We do not feel any excitement or have any goal to look forward to. We simply sit back and let the world go by without worrying one way or another. We also take for granted everything in our lives. Of course, spiritual complacency is a dangerous state for any Christian to fall into. For we Christians might get caught unprepared at the Second Coming of Jesus. Worse yet, the Prince of Darkness might sneak up on us when we least expect it and cause us permanent harm.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Lord Jesus, you constantly challenged your disciples to stay alert by continuing to pray. Help me not to take for granted my relationship with you or neglect my spiritual life. For without you, I can do nothing. Open my senses to feel your presence and search for you always. For you are the joy of my life and the reason I wake up each day.
Resolution
Today, I will search for God's presence in everything I do and find ways to build my spiritual life. Perhaps I will motivate myself to pray for one of my family members or friends each day.
January 9
Issue: Contribution
"All the princes and the people rejoiced; they brought what was asked and cast into the chest until it was filled." (2Chronicles 24:10)
Reflection
We live in a world that is obsessed with wealth, fame, and vain glory. The rich, famous, and powerful feel that they contribute more to the world and assume they have more influence and control over it. But, from the story of the poor widow, Jesus reminds us that she contributed to the Temple and to God a lot more than the rich and powerful. The rich all contributed from their surplus, but the poor widow did it from her own livelihood. Similarly, each one of us is called to contribute in our own ways and make a difference in our world. Keep in mind that when we contribute to God, we'll be repaid a hundredfold in this life and the next.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Generous God, I know that my contributions to you and to the world might not be as significant as the rich and powerful. But, all my little acts of kindness, caring, and compassion not only make a difference in our world but also add up over time and will make you proud of me on the Last Day.
Resolution Today, I will begin my contribution to God and society by helping someone in need or giving a hand around my home on a regular basis.
January 10
Issue: Courage
"Be courageous and steadfast; have no fear for it is the Lord, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Reflection
Our world is facing two serious problems in the modern age: not enough courage to stand up for what is right and lack of humility to beg the high power for help. Our secular society tries to convince us that there is no God, no accountability, and no right or wrong. But, all the laws and regulations in our lives tell us that there are rights and wrongs. Most of those laws derive from natural law and point us to a higher power. We just need to have the courage to do what is right despite our personal cost and ask God for help when needed.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Judge of the living and the dead, I thank you for giving me a conscience to know right from wrong. Give me courage not only to seek that knowledge but also to stand up for what is right regardless of my personal cost. Also, give me the humility to ask you for help in times of need instead of relying on myself or other worldly powers.
Resolution
Today, I will speak up for what is right or come out to defend the weak and the lowly no matter of the price I must pay for it.
January 11
Issue: Decisions
"Each must do as already decided, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you." (2Corinthians 9:7-8)
Reflection
Our lives are full of decisions. Every day we must face one decision after another. Some decisions are more serious compared to others. There is nothing we might regret more than making a wrong decision. Adam and Eve committed the first sin, and their mistake caused them to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Their decision affected their family and future generations. On the other hand, the decision of Jesus to enter our world and die for us on the Cross helped Him carry out the will of God the Father and brought us all salvation and promise of eternal life. The best source of help for us to make the right decisions is certainly the wisdom of God.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Wise Counselor, I come to you for wisdom and guidance as I must confront all kinds of decisions every day. Some of them make me fearful, whereas others cause me to be anxious and worried. I do not know where to turn in moments like that. But, with you by my side, I have nothing to worry about. I know that you will help me make the right decisions.
Resolution
Today, I will consult the wisdom of God in prayers before I do something. I will make that a habit for all my future decisions.
January 12
Issue: Desire
"The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season ... You fulfill the desire of those who fear you." (Psalms 145:15-19)
Reflection
The Bible is full of stories about human desires. Some were honorable, whereas most were selfish and wicked. Abraham desired to make it to the Promised Land, and Moses wished to see the Lord in the burning bush. Unfortunately, the rest of God's people simply desired worldly things such as the golden calf. Even after God freed them from the yoke of slavery, they wished that they were back in Egypt with the pot of meat next to them.
Lord Jesus, I want to see
Kind and loving God, you always wish good things for me. Sadly, my heart is filled with selfish and wicked desires. Some of them are harmful to my soul and my relationship with you. Help me avoid those harmful wishes and only desire you and the Kingdom of Heaven above everything else. For being with you for a short moment can bring joy, peace, and other blessings to my weary soul. Other worldly things will come and go, but you and the Kingdom of Heaven will last beyond time.
Resolution
Today, I will spend some time in prayer to be with God and imagine how it feels to be in the Kingdom of Heaven with God.
January 13
Issue: Direction
"I, the Lord your God, teach you what is for your good and lead you on the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:17)
Reflection
Today,, we have GPS, Garmin devices, MapQuest, or Google to tell us exactly wherever we'd like to go. There's no way we can ever get lost with that much help! It took the people of God more than forty years to search for right directions before they made it to the Promised Land. Yet, many people in our time continue to feel lost or do not know where they should go with their lives. They are not sure which way they should turn with all the confusing signs, distracting allurements, and misguiding temptations around them. Standing at the intersection of a fork road, they do not know if they should go right or left with their lives.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Lord Jesus, I Want To See ... by Peter G. Vu. Copyright © 2017 Reverend Peter G. Vu. Excerpted by permission of Dog Ear Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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