Miracle Or Magic?

Read John 10:24-42

"Though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him." —John 10:38

Reflection of Tommy:

There are those who ask for Christ’s proof of divinity, do so for the wrong reasons. We often hear common question like “Why was God and miracles so evident in the Bible, and seems so hidden today?". Like what the Pharisees did in 8:13, many doubters hope to prove Jesus of telling lies or did so for their selfish and perverted gain; instead of trying to search for the truth that Jesus is truly the Son of God.

But, if we look at how God’s words have been miraculously kept for us down through the ages, we know there’s no further need for extra-biblical revelations or miracles to “validate” the Bible. Everything we ever needed “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) are found in the Bible.

Secondly, as Christian we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who is certainly not hidden from us but continuously speaks to us daily, teaching us (1 Corinthians 2:3), reminding us of all things that Jesus taught (John 14:26), guiding, correcting, and convicting us of sin (John 16:8).

Finally, God does not give His people a continual chain of miraculous signs (Habakkuk 2:4); He expects us to trust what He has already done, to search the Scriptures daily; respond to the Holy Spirit within, and live by faith, not by sight (Matthew 16:4; John 20:29). One of the best examples of God’s “hidden” working is the book of Esther, in which God is never mentioned, but which plainly shows His sovereign hand at work from beginning to end.

Dear Father, thank You for revealing Your truth, love and grace in my heart. Thank You for the miraculous works and resurrection of Christ that has saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole again; giving me hope of an everlasting life with You. Continue to guide and lead me through the Holy Spirit in Your way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Jesus Cried

John 11:21-35

21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[a] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.

35Jesus wept.

Reflection of Bee:

Jesus wept because of the living (v34), not because of the dead. For He knew that Lazarus will resurrect again if he is a believer of Christ (v25, 26).

I also have the tendency to weep when I see others weep. To Christians death is considered "asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). When Jesus comes back again, "the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This is comforting for those whose loved ones are dead, if they have believed in Christ before they die.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that You can feel our sorrows. When I was weeping, You wept too. Thank You for the hope that we will be with You when we die. I don't know exactly how heaven will be like, but I know that I will be with You and that's enough for me.
Come quickly, Lord.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Reflection of Tommy:
Someone I know recently lost his girlfriend through a car accident. As I went to her memorial service, I found out how wonderful and nice this person was through the eulogy from her friends. Many shed tears when recalling the times they have spend with this always warm and cheerful person that has touched their lives in many ways.

In today passage, we see how even Jesus wept, thus, it's ok for us to cry and grief while remembering those who has left us. But as Christian, we know that there shall be an end to death, sorrow, crying and pain when Christ returns (Rev. 21:4). We can look forward to that hope; to be reunited once again with our loved ones in heaven.

Dear Father, thank You for Your promise to end all pain and suffering when you create new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13). Meanwhile, teach me to appreciate and love those around me more. May my every words and action be guided by the love of Christ, bringing glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Die With Christ

1 Corinthians 15:12-20

The Resurrection of the Dead
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Reflection of Bee:

God knows that I have been praying to be taken 'home' ASAP, for I know there is resurrection after death for the dead in Christ. It reminds me of the old hymn:

This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angel's backing me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Oh Lord, You know I have no friend like You.
If heaven is not my home then Lord, what will I do.
I know You'll take me through though I am weak and poor.
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Dear Lord,
You know my desire is to be gone from this world and be with You immediately. For there's nothing that hold me here anymore. Take me home quickly, Lord. Otherwise show me how You may want to use me on this earth.
I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.




Reflection of Tommy:

We know that all of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). There will be no way we can be forgiven if Christ had not been resurrected. Because He rose, He lives and represents us to God, this ensures us that all our sins are forgiven and both our body and soul will be united after resurrection. Because He rose and defeated death, we will be raised and be given an eternal life with Him.

Dear Father, thank You for the hope and certainty I have in You. Thank You for giving me the strength, peace and patience to endure and keeping to Your commands while in this world. Lord, I pray for Your continuous guidance to lead me to do what is pleasing to You; bringing all the glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.