The Lingo

Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

"I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." —1 Corinthians 9:22

Reflection of Tommy:

I was amazed by a friend’s enthusiasm to find various ways to show God’s love to her relatives and friends. She displays her selflessness and genuine compassion towards them by going the extra miles to serve and getting herself into their ‘worlds’ and speaking their ‘languages’. As I looked back at myself, I felt ashamed by my lack of eagerness and zeal to even look for opportunity to share the Good News with those around me.

Similarly, the apostle Paul in today’s passage was willing to be flexible in his ministry by adapting into the ‘languages’ of people he was reaching out to. With the use of simple and clear words, the Gospel was preached and many came to understand and transformed by Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me to be always ready and willing to be a good witness for Christ. Forgive me of my self-centeredness, not seeing the need in others to hear the love and gift of Christ. I pray You will make me more aware of opportunity for sharing and serving; reflecting the light of Christ to others in my words and action. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Fellow Workers

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-15

Reflection of Tommy:

As friends shared with me how church attendance was droping drastically each year in developed countries, I came to realize that more and more souls are lost and drifting away from God. More and more people are influenced to pursue fulfillment and significance in life through perishable things in the world. During Jesus' earthly ministry, He manifested concern for these lost souls by showing true compassion for them (Matthew 9:35-36). He called on His disciples to pray for laborers (Matthew 9:37-38) and send them to seek out all those who are lost throughout Israel and all over the world.

What of us who are His disciples today? Do we have compassion for the lost? Do we pray for the Lord of harvest to sent out laborers into His harvest? The Lord is still working to save those who are lost and He will provide us the opportunity, the increase, and the reward for His harvest. So, are we ready and willing to share God's Word and be a useful "Fellow Workers" to our Master today?

Dear father, thank You for teaching me that the more I patiently and humbly sow for Your kingdom, the more I will reap (Gal 6:7). Thank You for reminding me that the key to all that I'll build is to be based on the right and only rock-solid foundation: Jesus Christ! Show to me my role Lord in your mighty plan that I may glorify Your Name with all that I do. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Special Delivery

Read Romans 16:1-16

Reflection of Tommy:

As I read and hear about stories of people who came to know Christ, I can see the gravity of sin in causing so much hurt and brokenness in this world. But, I can also see the amazing love and redeeming grace of God that make it possible for us all to once again have a new start in Christ; being inwardly transformed and renewed each day while experiencing the hope and healing from our broken past.

As we read in today’s passage how Phoebe had assisted others in delivering God’s Word, we know that as followers of Christ, we are also God’s “spiritual mail carriers”; Christ’s feet and hands. Look around us, and ask the Spirit to show us how and where we too can assist in delivering the Good News by word and deed to those who need its life-giving and changing message.

Dear Father, thank you for making me Your child and for giving me Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for changing me each day to be more like Christ and to surrender my all to Him. Guide me not to keep anything from Him and not to make an idol out of anything or anyone. Lead me to be filled by the Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Lord Jesus, make me Your feet and hands, Your spiritual mail carrier, that others may know You and come to accept You as their Lord and Savior. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.

Just Be Yourself

Read John 9:1-5

There were times I have problem figuring out the best way in sharing the Good News without sounding like a religious fanatic. I also fear saying the wrong things that not only fail to convey the message but pushing others away from it.

But in today's passage, we learn how the blind man who know very little about the Good News, boldly shared what has happened to Him. His confidence was based on being himself and giving simple testimony of what Jesus has done to him. Instead of memorizing the amazing stories you heard somewhere else, our real and personal testimony is often more effective in witnessing for Christ to the world.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me this just at the right time when I wanted to know a better way to share to others. Teach me to empty myself from all pride, self-suffiency and other wrong motives but allow the Holy Spirit to fully fill and guide me to be a good and effective witness for Christ. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Fan into Flame our Gifts

Read 2 Timothy 1:1-10

Reflection of Tommy:

This second letter to Timothy is probably the last words we have from Paul. In it, Paul who considers Timothy as his own ‘son’ was encouraging him to preserve and be bold in proclaiming the gospel despite the great opposition and persecution at that time. In telling Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God”, Paul was guiding him to fully use the gifts God has given him with the help and power of the Holy Spirit.

As Christian, we too need to fan into flame the gifts God has given to us. We should not hide our light because of timidity or fear of rejection from others, but to be bold guided by the Holy Spirit to plant gospel seeds wherever God has placed us at.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me not to shy away or easily give up in my sharing with others. Teach me not to do it alone but to be guided by the Spirit and the help of others. Guide me to follow the Spirit’s leading each day, to be more fully displays the power, love and self-discipline as a good witness and true disciple for Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Warning and Teaching

Read Colossians 1:24-29

Reflection of Tommy:

Christianity is not a private and exclusive club for those few privileged people that has reached spiritual perfection. God doesn’t play favoritism and His love and the Good News of salvation is available and open to all. Thus, we should never limit our sharing to only those few we like and of our ‘kind’.

In verse 28 to 29, Paul showed to us an effective way to present the gospel to others. Our sharing should include “admonishing” (warning) and “teaching”. The “warning” is that without Christ, people are doomed to eternal separation from God. While the “teaching” part is about there is still hope and that salvation is available through faith in Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that Your ‘secret plan’ was not hidden and is made open to all, that Jesus Christ is to live in the hearts of all those who believe in Him. Guide me through the Holy Spirit to tell others about Christ, warning and teaching them with tact and in love. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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.

The Natural Things to Do

Romans 1:8-17

Paul's Longing to Visit Rome
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Reflection of Bee:

Paul was so eager to share the gospel because he had personally experienced Christ and His power in so many ways (v16). He had suffered much persecutions after he became a follower of Christ. His mission was to share Christ with others and to ask the Roman Christians to be "mutually encouraged by each others' faith" (v11). Yes, Christian life is a life in the body of Christ (group), not a lonely individual life. This is a profound truth which we can only comprehend when the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

Sharing the gospel to non-believers is a very normal and natural things to do once a person has experienced Jesus Christ. It's like a cup overflows with water.... it is one think 'knowing ABOUT God' and another 'knowing and EXPERIENCING God'. If one finds it not natural to share Christ, then one might be just knowing about Him and not really experiencing Him yet.

Sharing the gospel is also a demonstration of one's faith in Christ, as not everyone will accept what is shared. One might be afraid to be ridiculed or ostracized for sharing. That's why those who live by faith is considered "righteous"in the eyes of God.

Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for letting me experience You so much that I am eager and ready to share the gospel in seasons and out of seasons. How can I be quiet for all that You have done for me? No, I can't. May many whom I come into contact with know You and accept Your salvation as well.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen,


Reflection of Tommy:

As Christian, we are obligated to Christ because He has died for our sin and offering us salvation. For Paul, his obligation was to Christ for being his Savior and he was consumed with and obligated in spreading the Good News to the entire world.

Likewise, once we come to truly understand God’s great love of sacrificing His Son for us, we can demonstrate our gratefulness and gratitude by following Him, obeying His commands and proclaiming Christ’s salvation to others.

Dear Father, Thank You again for Your amazing love, grace and mercy that enable me to be born again and be renewed each day. As I am often feel overwhelmed by problems, hurt and difficulties, teach me to rest them all in You, praying to You at all times and trusting You to make ways clear and right for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Preeminent One

Matthew 21:1-11

The Triumphal Entry
1As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

4This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "[a]

6The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna[b] to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"[c]
"Hosanna[d] in the highest!"

10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"

11The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."

Reflection of Bee:

In the same village there were those who knew Jesus and those who didn't. Similarly today, some know Jesus, some do not. For those of us who know who He is, we need to proclaim Him to those who don't.

Yes, my church will be having an evangelistic drama show this coming Good Friday to proclaim the One we believed in. I am inviting some non-believing friends to come along. I pray that they will know who the Preeminent One is.

Dear Lord,
May You bless this coming Good Friday as we take the opportunity to share Your love with others. I pray for the friends we have invited that You will remove all obstacles that may hinder their coming. May You touch their hearts as they watch the drama.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen





Reflection of Tommy:

Every Palm Sunday, we lift up glad hosannas of praise to Jesus, our King of kings and Lord of lords. We shout that He is truly the preeminent One, the greatest and most important person in our lives.

But, do we truly see Him as the almighty and sovereign Ruler for the rest of the days? Do we often feel helpless and easily crushed by circumstances around us? Has we been disillusioned by how God works or bad things that has happened to us? Do we sincerely trusting Him to be in control and to rest in His loving care?

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to mean everything I say. I thank and praise You for Your sovereignty and the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus for me. Teach me to always trust in You and see You working in every areas of my life, even when there’re no or lack of tangible or instant results.

Lord, remind me always not to anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, presenting my requests to You (Philippians 4:6). And Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind always in Christ Jesus. Amen.