The Gospel Of Judas

Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Reflection of Tommy:

Every year we hear sensational discovery of theories to undermine the Bible and Jesus’ divinity - from the popular Da Vinci Code to the Gospel of Judas and recently James Cameron directed documentary “The Lost Tomb of Jesus”. This trend is nothing new and it has been written and warned by Paul like in today’s passage, “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

As believers, we should view these controversies as good opportunities to share with others about the real Gospel we know. As what Paul wrote in verse 2, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction”. We need to be prepared and sensitive to any God-given opportunities to tell the Good News to those around us.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to be ready to any opportunities to share the Good News to others. Give me the strength, eagerness and love to serve You in any situation, whether or not it is convenient. And while I’m sharing, guide me through the Spirit to say and do what is right, to bring all glory and honor to You, and not myself. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

How long

Read Psalm 13

Reflection of Tommy:

It's easy to get impatient and frustrated when God seems slow to help us in our situation. But we shouldn't allow our unanswered prayers and trials make us turn away from God or doing things that we'll regret later.

Instead of focusing and being preoccupied with our problems all the times, we should look unto God and know who He really is. When we do, our perspective will change. Like David, our frustration and fears will turn into trust, peace, strength and hope when we know He is always faithful to those who love Him.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to wait upon You in all things. Teach me to be obedient and to trust You more when facing the challenges ahead. Lead me always to turn my eyes to Jesus with complete trust in prayers when I'm lost and troubled. Guard my ways that they will be pleasing to You in all times. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Searching for a rare jewel

Read Psalm 23

Reflection of Tommy:

The church pastor was talking about being wise when sharing our problems with others, even with church members. He advised us to have the discretion in choosing those that can be trusted, reliable and will never gossip away our stories. He added if we are not careful, we might get ourselves into a worst situation than before and also cause the other person to sin for gossiping!

That's why v11 in today's passage talks about discretion being able to protect us and understanding in guarding us. No doubt for some it is a gift in them to easily detect evil motives in others, but for most, it is developed by knowing and applying God's truth to make wise choices everyday. As emphasized in Hebrews 5:14, our capabilty to distinguish good from evil is through constant training and practicing what we've learned from God.

Dear Father, thank You for Your promise of wisdom (James 1:5) for me if I earnestly seek them from You. Guide me to seek You first, learning from Your Word daily. In Jesus's Name I pray, Amen.

Great hope and comfort

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Reflection of Tommy:

I was chatting with some friends that day on what will happen to believer who has passed away. We came out with all kinds of theories on how things will be for the dead after they die and exactly when they will be raised. Although we predicted many things but one thing is sure is that all of us will be reunited again in meeting the Lord in the air and will be with the Him forever (v17-18).

Paul’s message in today’s passage is not so much of how or when exactly we’ll be raised but instead it is to challenge us as believer to comfort and encourage one another when our loved ones die. Not only that, God will turn all our tragedies to triumphs, our poverty to riches, our suffering to glory and our defeat to victory!

Dear Father, thank You for such a comforting promise and hope I have in You. Teach me to make use of every opportunity to tell others about Your great gift of love for them. Guide me to comfort and reassure each other with this great hope we have in Christ. In His mighty Name I pray, Amen.

The Pain Of Falling

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-12

Reflection of Tommy:

We do fall as Christian sometimes when we are not careful with the way we live. The constant pressures and stress we face may make us easy to ignore or forget lessons from our past or from the stories we learned from the Bible. As what cautioned by Paul in today’s passage, we should be prepared and take heed of those similar lessons the Israelites learned (idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, discontentment: v6-10) so we will not repeat their errors.

But, if we are struggling with sin and keep on falling, feeling discouraged and even disgusted by ourselves to face God again, don’t hide or run but to humbly turn and confess our sin to Him, asking Him to help us get up and keep us from falling again. God who loves us so much, He will forgive, upholds, lifts up and renews us (Psalm 145:14, Rom. 12:2) to follow more closely with Him.

Dear Father, thank You for being such a loving and forgiving God even though I have disappointed You so very often. Thank You for teaching me to correct my ways, to be more prepared in resisting temptations and to recognize people or situations that can give me trouble. Guide me to study Your Word more regularly so that those lessons can remind me always how You wants me to live and need not to repeat their mistakes. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Warning Sign

Read Proverbs 6:20-35

Reflection of Tommy:

Sometimes, in order to get what we want, we get ourselves into troubles through our unwise action, ignorance towards God’s teachings or running ahead of His timetable for us. Our impatience and preoccupation with fulfilling our selfish desires often blinds us from seeing God’s warning sign of danger that can easily drawn us into sin.

We should see God’s laws not as something that control us but as a way God warns and guides us from destroying ourselves and our future through our actions. We need to seek, remember and apply all these God’s teachings in our lives to help us stay away from unnecessary trouble and later regret in our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for making it clear the warning sign to things that I have neglect or ignore. Forgive me of so often avoiding and watering down the danger of those wrong desires I may have in me. Change my heart and desires if they are not aligned with Yours and keeping me away from ways that may lead me to sin against You. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Our supernatural Comforter

Read John 16:5-16

Reflection of Tommy:

Many Christians today going through their daily life without giving any thought or awareness of the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in them. Instead of seeking help and guidance from this great and supernatural Comforter God has given to them, they rely entirely on their own strength to deal with things in their lives.

In verse 13, Jesus said He would send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter who would guide us into all truth. When we confess all known sin and then depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16,18), we can be assured to be made known the truth about Christ and the purpose of our lives here on earth. We will also be led by the Spirit to a deeper relationship with God and to walk firmly down the path He has prepared for us.

Dear Father, thank You for sending a Comforter that guides me in all my ways. Thank You for teaching me to seek the Spirit’s direction and patience practice to discern all the rights from wrongs. May the Spirit continue to lead me in serving You and Your people with the right intention and way, glorifying Your Name always. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Looking Ahead

Read Proverbs 24:13-20

A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again. —Proverbs 24:16

Reflection of Tommy:

One of the greatest tragedy of man is to be trapped in their past. Over the years I get to know from my own experience and others, that past plays a major part in shaping the person and how they handle their current life. And a lot of the times, they are things that are not so good like guilt, hatred, unforgiveness and regret. Worst, these negative feelings not only immobilize their current life but also determine their future.

So, let us not live in the past in despair but to look ahead for the hope we have in God.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me again of the danger of allowing my thoughts of the past to negatively affecting my life now. Teach me to accept what has happened in the past as a good lesson to be learned instead of being stumbled by the fear, guilt and regret it creates.

Lord, lead me to live my life now fully according to Your will with the calm assurance of the hope I have in You. Guide me to also use my life fully to serve You and others, bringing glory and honor to You always. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Empty-Handed

Read Leviticus 23:16-22

Reflection of Tommy:
A friend recently shared with me of how guilty she felt of not doing enough for God in church and of quitting the ministry post in the church office. She thinks she can do so much more but at the same times she felt much burdened by all the things she have to handle in the church.

It’s easy to be troubled when we think we can do much more for God than what we are doing now. This guilt greatly burdens those who sincerely wanted to do the works of God and pleasing God. God has never intended His children to serve Him in such a weary and drained condition.

If we were to first seek Him to lead us and providing us the strength, zeal and joy to serve, we will WANT to serve Him and His people naturally. Through the empowering of the Spirit, we’ll be guided to serve in the ministry He has planned for us and we’ll do it effectively as God’s faithful servant.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that I received my salvation not through my own work, but Your amazing love and grace for me. Teach me to always have the right perspective when serving You and Your people, be sensitive of the Spirit’s leading. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Worry immobilizes...

Read Matthew 6:25-34

Reflection of Tommy:

Recently, a church member in her late 20 shared about her struggle of undergoing dialysis treatment due to her kidney failure few years ago. Despite the hardship and pain of going through those treatments few times a week and losing her job, I was amazed by her cheerfulness and positive outlook in life. Her prayer to God was also so simple and sincere, like a child trusting everything on the father.

Life on earth can be very unfair sometimes, but as Christian we do not have to constantly wallow up in bitterness, self-pity, worries and even hatred. We know that God loves us so intimately that He cares and knows everything they we are going through (Matthew 10:30). If we were to seek His kingdom and righteousness first (v33), He will surely provides not only all our needs but also what most important and best for us.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the assurance and confidence to trust in You for all my needs. Forgive me at times for exhibiting all those ill effects of worry, being fully consumed by my problems and even allowing it to negatively affecting the way I treat others.

Lord, teach me not to worry but to seek first a close relationship with You and Your righteousness. Lead me to always look unto You for guidance in my planning for everything and leaving the rest into Your hand. Thank You and I pray all this in Your Name, Amen.

On Purpose

Read 2 Corinthians 3:11-18

Reflection of Tommy:

There are many sincere Christians out there who burn out and heavily burdened from doing the work of God. Some of them are working fulltime in the ministry and others are working outside the church but serving and helping out in various ministries of the church.

We will surely get ourselves trapped in similar situation if we were to do God’s works solely with our own strength and might. We feel guilty and condemned when we think we’ve failed Him with our shortcomings and failures.

But, we learn from today’s passage that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (v17). When we start right by first trusting Christ to save us, we are free from the burden of guilt and condemnation. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, He will guides and provides us with the strength, passion and freedom to effectively serve and live for God and glorifying Him with everything we do.

Dear Father, thank You for Christ that my ‘veil’ was removed and I can now understand and learn about the true purpose of my life. Thank You also for giving me this privilege to be Your ‘mirror’; reflecting Your glory to the world around me. Lord, keep me safe and right in all my ways; always following the Spirit’s leading and guidance. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Prayers of Jesus

Read Psalm 23

Reflection of Tommy:

We see how even Jesus himself spend times praying for all the concerns around Him, in fact, the entire chapter 17 of the gospel of John is on His prayer to the Father. This is because we are living in a tremendous battleground, where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war.

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10-17). But, we can take comfort knowing that as Jesus has prayed for His disciples, He still intercede for us all who follow Him today. He assured us to always keep us safe from Satan’s power or being snatched out from His hand (John 10:27-29); preparing us to be pure, holy and united through His truth.

Dear Father, thank You for the assurance and protection I have in Jesus, my Good Shepherd. Thank You for teaching me not to feel discouraged when trials and obstacles assails, but to rest all my cares and worries in Your mighty hand and trusting You to lead my ways. Lord, guide me also to first build a right relationship with You in joy, faithfulness and genuine commitment. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Give Thanks!

Read Psalm 92

Reflection of Tommy:

While we were given turn to choose our favorite hymn to be sang yesterday, I can see most those selected are about our supplication for strength, protection and peace. It shows how most of the times, we are focus on our selves, of what we can gain and ask from God. Not to say that asking God for our needs is wrong, but we must balance it with praise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and what He has done for us.

This brings us to Psalm 92, a beautiful psalm on giving praise and thanks to God, expressing our genuine gratitude to Him. Make songs and music to His Name, for the great and good things He has done; proclaiming His love on our lips everyday (v1-2). Having a thankful heart also changes us to be a more positive, gracious, loving, contended and humble person.

Dear Father, thank You and I praise You for all the wonderful things You have done for me and for the work You are doing in my life now. Teach me not to be like the other 9 lepers in Luke 17:12-19, but to be the Samaritan who returned to give You all the praise and thanks You deserve.

Lord Jesus, change me also to be more receptive and sensitive to the Spirit that I may walk along Your path to Your way everlasting. Guide me and give me the strength to show this love towards others too by leading them to You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Mistaken Confidence

Read Romans 4:4-8

Reflection of Tommy:

Recently, a church member shared about her grief over her unsaved brother who holds strongly to the wrong teachings of his religion. The teachings of Christ are distorted, and everything is focus on himself to produce goodness; exchanging outward sins for inward self-righteousness. I can see how pride and self-centeredness drive a person to seek this so-called personal enlightenment and fulfillments.

In stark contrast to the religions of the world, we know that our salvation comes not from our self-sufficient confidence or own good works but only through our faith in the One God has sent to save us. It is God’s love, mercy and grace that we receive this free gift of salvation.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2:8-9

Dear Father, thank You for what Christ has done for all of us. Forgive me at times of taking this gift for granted, not following Christ with sincere commitment and trust. Lead me Lord to fully appropriate this gift by making daily decision to obey You and sharing this Good News to others. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

You are not alone

Read Hebrews 4:9-16

Reflection of Tommy:

There are many sincere Christians who felt condemned because they experience temptation. Often, they also believe that they are the only one having this specific struggle; thinking no one will ever be able to understand or relate to them.

But, in today’s passage we can take comfort knowing that Jesus Himself, has experienced a full range of temptations throughout his life as a man. Jesus can truly sympathize with our struggle with temptations. We can be encouraged knowing that Jesus faced temptation without giving in to sin. With His strength and power, we too can choose not to sin when tempted.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching me not to take my salvation for granted but to appropriate this gift through making daily decision and commitment to trust and obey You. May Your living Word, like the incisiveness of a surgeon’s knife, penetrate deep to reveal all my ways, good or bad and leading me in Your way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

For The Children

Read Psalm 68:5; Mark 10:13-16

Reflection of Tommy:

Young children are highly receptive to the teaching of those they know and trust. Their simplicity makes them easier to believe and remember well things we mention to them. Thus, we should look around us and reach out to these young children, helping and guiding them with love, care and respect. We should also make use of any opportunities to tell them about God and His amazing love for them.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that Your harvest is also around those children around me. Guide me that I can share with them wonderful stories of Christ and Your love for Your people. May You bless them with Your care and protection; that they will grow up trusting and devoting their life to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Ripe for harvest!

Read John 4:27-36

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. - John 4:34-35

Reflection of Tommy:

We sometimes shy away from sharing the Good News fearing others may reject or ridicule us. But, we learn from today’s passage that Jesus has made it clear that there is a continual harvest to be reaped around us (v35). We need to look around because there are people around us who are ready to hear God’s Word.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that my spiritual nourishment comes not only from my personal study of Your Word and prayer, but also from doing Your will and bringing Your work of salvation to completion (v34). Lead me Holy Spirit, as I go out into the harvest, to be a good witness of Christ for those around me. May everything I do be guided by You, bringing all glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Just For Show

Read Matthew 23:1-12

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. - Matthew 23:11-12

Reflection of Tommy:

We are a hypocrite when we do not live by what we preach and making ourselves look good and holy with what we have done, how much we know or how obedient we are to God. We may even compare our ‘greatness’ to others and criticizing them for lacks of faith or discernment.

To Jesus, true greatness comes from humility and a serving- giving ourselves to help God and others. Instead of constantly glorifying and focusing only on ourselves, we seek ways to be a good servant for Christ to the world with love.

Dear Father, forgive me of sometimes displaying the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. Remind me always to do and say everything to bring glory and honor to You and what Christ has done for us. Guide me as I lead and bring more people to know You, that it will always be motivated by love and desire to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Influence Of Godly Moms

Read Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:25-31

Reflection of Tommy:

Today, as the preacher was talking about how important to have a God fearing mother in a family, I felt how much I have missed when I was young because I do not have a believing mother. Not to say my mom is not a good mother, in fact she’s great, but the fact is I would have learned and be nurtured much better with the spiritual truth of God’s teachings from her. It would have definitely shaped me to be a much better person since young.

After knowing some of the mothers in the church, I can see how caring, respectful, polite and devoted their children in serving God and others. These are the mothers that will bring up great men and leaders that will be used mightily by God for the extension of its kingdom. Let us honor all these loving and God-fearing mothers for the great and holy influence they have brought into their family in today’s Mother’s Day.

Dear Father, thank You for giving me a good and loving mother. Although she has yet to know Christ, You know how much she has sacrificed for me and the family and how kind, gentle and supportive she was to us over the year. So Lord, I pray for Your grace and mercy that You will bring her to come and accept Christ as her personal Lord and Savior one day. I pray she will be a God-fearing mother that will glorify You in everything she do. Thank You Lord, I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Refining Discipline

Read 1 Peter 4:12-19

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" - 1 Peter 4:17-18

Reflection of Tommy:

Verse 17 talks not about God’s final judgment but His refining discipline with us in the family of God. He allows us to experience the pain and consequences or our action in order to:

1. Show our potential to sin
2. Encourage us to turn from sin
3. To keep us faithful, always trusting and depend on Him
4. To prepare us to face even greater temptations in the future

Dear Father, forgive me of my often wrong perception towards how You work to refine me, and constantly disappointing You with my actions. Forgive me of all the things that I’ve sinned against You despite knowing clear Your commands for me.

O Lord, search deep into my heart and reveal to me through the Holy Spirit any of my ways that are still going against You and Your will for me. Guide me to turn away from them and be truly repented from them. Lead me to be a more joyful and obedient follower of Christ, allowing You to work effectively in me, molding me to be a true disciple of Christ. I ask all this n Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Displaced

Read 2 Samuel 15:13

Then the king said to Zadok, "Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD's eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.- 2 Samuel 15:25-26

Reflection of Tommy:

In today’s passage, we learn about the trust and submissive attitude of David towards God. We too should take on this attitude even when we yet to understand or grasp what God has planned for us.

By truly knowing how much God loves and cares for us frees us from feeling of hopelessness and discontentment over our situation. By tapping unto the strength and peace that He freely give to His children, we will be able to overcome the obstacles lying ahead of us and to come victoriously in the end.

Dear Heavenly Father, how great and wonderful of You who know and in control of all things. Forgive me of my lack of trust and ignorance to Your promises and plans for me. Help me to see how much You care and love for me that You sacrificed Your only Son in order I can have eternal life with You. Release me from any anxiety and uncertainty over what Your will and plan for me by seeking You daily and meditating on Your Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Right Answer

Read Matthew 16:13-17

Reflection of Tommy:

Who is Christ to us? Is He merely a teacher to us or someone that can grant all our wishes? Do we see and acknowledge His presence in wherever or whatever we do? Or do we call upon Him only during our times of distress? Are we thankful and grateful for what He has done for us on the Cross and continue His work to mold us each day? Are we obeying His commands as a response to His amazing love for us? Do we call Him our Lord and Savior?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me to clearly know who Christ really is in my life and how important He is to me. Teach me to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to put all my focus and priority right before Him. Lead me to be a bold and faithfull follower of Christ, proclaiming His love and the Good News to all. In His Name I pray, Amen.

The Truth About Sin

1 Kings 15:1-5

Abijah King of Judah
1 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam son of Nebat, Abijah [a] became king of Judah, 2 and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother's name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom. [b]

3 He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his forefather had been. 4 Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. 5 For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not failed to keep any of the LORD's commands all the days of his life—except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.

1 Kings 15:11

11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his father David had done.

Reflection of Tommy:

The Bible never hides or treats sin lightly even in God chosen people like King David. We learn how sin will always be brought to light and how God offers forgiveness to those who confess and repent from it.

But, there are times where we are blinded and unaware of our sin and wrongdoings. It is why we should ask the Spirit to search and reveal to us any sin, wrong thoughts or desires in us during our prayers. We can use the verse found in David’s Psalm 139:23-24 in our prayer:

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to ask the Spirit to search, reveal and point out to me my sin when I come to You in my prayer. Thank You that through this I can change and be more like Christ each day; relying on Your strength, wisdom, and discernment to continue on Your “way everlasting“. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

For such a time as This

Esther 4:13-17

13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

Reflection of Tommy:

There are basically two extremes in the way we respond to a situation. First, we may do absolutely nothing, withdrawing from the problem or even waiting for God to intervene and fix everything for us. The other extreme is we feel we are responsible to fix and do everything ourselves; taking on the role of God unconsciously!

The right way is found in the way Mordecai and Esther have responded in their situation. They saw that God had placed them in their positions at exactly the right time for a specific purpose (v14); and they seized the moment and acted with courage and trust in God’s direction. God chooses to work His will through those willing to act for Him. So, we should pray by thinking all depended on God and act as if all depended on us.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to turn to fellow believers for support during difficult times. Instead of withdrawing, lead me to act when You’ve given me the direction through my prayers. Guide me always to act selflessly, giving strength and encouragement with one another through prayers, sharing and fellowship. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Fullness of God

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Reflection of Tommy:
In verse 19 in today’s passage, we know that as Christian we have all the fullness of God available to us. We can be complete when we are in union with Christ and through His empowering Spirit. We will appropriate this fullness by daily living for Him through faith and prayer.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me of Your immeasurable and inexhaustible love for me. Teach me to spend time each day listening and studying of Your Word and allowing the Spirit to guide my path and fill every aspect of my life to the fullest. In return, teach me to show similar love towards others as a response to Your amazing love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Source Of Gladness

2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Paul's Hardships
3We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Reflection of Tommy:

We do think at times as Christian, we will be at least have an easier life compares to others. But in today’s passage, we learn how severe the things Paul have to gone through in his life, even though he is a very faithful servant of God. True joy depends not on the circumstances but the calm assurance of all the promises and hope we have with God. So, if we encounter any hardship, do remember God is beside us, giving us His sustaining grace, and be firm to stand true to Him to the end.

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and promises I have in You that keep me away from discontentment and worries. Forgive me of sometimes turning away from You when hardship overwhelmed my every ways. Teach me to seek You, drawing from Your strength and the guidance of the Spirit and experience Your presence with me through the thick and thin in my life. Keep me remain firm and faithful to You to the end. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Talent Search

Isaiah 6:1-8

Isaiah's Commission
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Reflection of Tommy:

We may feel like quitting when we realized how our shortcomings will never measured up to God’s standard of holiness. With frustration, we may turn away from seeking God to change us and settling on what we can do best on our own.

But, we need not ‘run’ away from God when we realize His holiness, purity and moral perfection compares to our sinfulness. Like Isaiah, allow God to work in us and recognize the extent of His forgiveness. By submitting ourselves and confessing our sin before Him, through His love, mercy and grace, he will forgive, renew and purify us again. Then, we will be empowered once more to worship and serve Him with confidence and thankfulness.

Dear Father, thank You for giving me the right view of You when it was distorted by the daily frustrations, pressures and my own shortcomings. Forgive me of all my ‘unrighteousness’ and for doing things that are not pleasing to You. Cleanse me from within with Your burning coal that I may be purified once more to truly represent You to the world. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Fake Family

Matthew 15:1-9

Clean and Unclean
1Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2"Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!"

3Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4For God said, 'Honor your father and mother'[a] and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'[b] 5But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' 6he is not to 'honor his father[c]' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8" 'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'[d]"

Reflection of Tommy:

It is easy to appear good and faithful to God in front of others. We can be helpful at Church serving God’s people, saying the right words and even advices others with our Bible knowledge. But, deep down inside, we may not be entirely committed to God, disobeying His commands and not loving Him as we should be. We may also reason our condition by blaming our inability to reject what is not pleasing to God. This is hypocrisy.

Although it is true we can’t be good on our own, but we can always allow the Spirit to work within us to change us. He can give us the strength and discernment to reject all forms of hypocrisy and be faithful to God in all situations. Through this; we will be able to grow more Christ-like each day, relying on God’s power to be a true good and obedient Christian.

Dear Father, thank You for Your constant reminder and guidance when I’m in the dark or being pressured to compromise. Reveal to me through the Holy Spirit any area of my life that are not pleasing to You and help me to change and be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Guide my every step, protect my heart and mind with the atoning blood of Christ that I may walk faithful in Your way always. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Bold Persistence

Matthew 15:21-28

21Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

23Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

24He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

25The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.

26He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

27"Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

28Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Reflection of Tommy:

We can sometimes become so occupied with our spiritual matters than we miss or ignore the needs of others around us. Like the disciples in today’s passage, we can miss the opportunity to show true compassion and sensitivity to those with real needs. We have prejudice against them and afraid of the hassle they might bring to us.

Be aware next time for any opportunity that God may be bringing to us through these needy people. Remember always that God’s message of love and grace is for all people, making every effort not to keep off those who are different from us.

Dear Father, thank You for the lesson today of be kind and generous to those around me. Forgive me of my ignorance and prejudice towards others; even looking down on those who are different from me. Teach me not to be like that anymore but instead be willing to reach out and to show true compassion and concern to those You bring before me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

A Boost Of Courage

Hebrews 12:1-11

God Disciplines His Sons
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a]

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Reflection of Tommy:

Today’s passage shows as Christian we are not exempted from hardship and difficulties. There are times where we feel like giving up our relationship with God when we see no clear help or solution in our problem.

But, we should know that many have remained faithful to God until the end, even though they have to endure far more difficult circumstances than we have ever experienced. God who loves us deeply may use our trials as a way to develop our patience and character, equipping us for our final victory.

Dear Father, thank You for Your discipline sometimes when I’m ignoring Your teachings. Forgive me of doing things my way without seeking Your guidance and leading. Keep my sight always in Jesus while running this race and trusting You to look after me and giving me the best. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

True Wisdom

Proverbs 4:5-13

5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.

6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.

8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.

9 She will set a garland of grace on your head
and present you with a crown of splendor."

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.

11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.

13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.

Reflection of Tommy:

Of all the prayers I’ve ever made for myself or others is about seeking God’s wisdom. Although I can gain all the head knowledge in the world but I won’t be able to apply them wisely in my life unless I seek it from God.

Over the years, I’ve seen how God has given me the wisdom in areas of my life that has led me along straight where my steps no longer hampered or stumble when I run (v11-12). I will never find this wisdom somewhere else if not by my fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7; 9:10) and seeking it from Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your continual teaching and the wisdom that You brings to me through experience and learning from Your Word. Guide me that I will never stop earnestly seeking this wisdom from You and applying them in every area of my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.