Minister for God

Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited." - 2 Corinthians 6:3

Reflection of Tommy:

When I was young, I was against everything Christianity and in fact disgusted by Christians. This has a lot to do with a Christian neighbor of mine, whose behavior and actions painted a very negative picture of what Christianity and Christians are all about to me.

In today’s passage Paul talks about each one of us is a minister for God to the world. In verse 3, he said that we should be careful not to put any stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Each day in every situation, we need to be aware that non-Christians around us do observe us. From the way we talk to the words we use to the things we do, let them not be another person’s excuse for rejecting Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me my role as a minister for You to the world. Thank You for showing me that in everything I do, to consider what my actions communicate about Jesus Christ to others. I pray You will lead me to be a better witness for Christ in everything I do. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Ambassadors for Christ

Read 2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Reflection of Tommy:

We are the ambassadors for Christ, to be a good witness, testifying and reconciling people to God. We are responsible to reflect the amazing love of God for everyone through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

How can we be an effective ambassador for Christ? As we acknowledge that we are in Christ, we need to know that we are a new creation (v17). By taking the first step humbly submitting to God, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, changing us to be a better witness for Christ.

Dear Father, thank You for Your amazing love for me that You sacrificed Your one and only Son to save and reconcile with a sinner like me. Father, I confess that I have not love You and my neighbors as You have commanded me. Forgive me I pray, lead me to true repentance and commit my life fully into Your mighty hands. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do Not Be Afraid

Luke 2:8-14

The Shepherds and the Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Bee's Thoughts:

I still feel down and sick today. So I simply used work and doing things to distract myself from thinking too much.

We had a Christmas Service this evening at my church and I invited one of my non-Christian colleague to join me. She agreed and said she knew how to get to my church. However, she lost her way and only managed to reach my church about one hour after the service had started. Thank God that she persisted in finding her way there. During the service the famous harpist & guitarist, Alvaro Sanchez, played a number of beautiful songs for us. I felt so peaceful as if I was in heaven when I listened to them. At that moment, all my burdens seemed rolled away and all my fear gone.

Yes, in heaven there will be no more tear or sorrow. Jesus was born that we may have peace and abundant life. I need not be afraid of anything or anyone when Jesus rules my heart.


Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for being born that we may have peace and abundant life. Thank You for the songs I heard tonight that brought me peace in my heart in spite of my troubled body and soul. I pray for my colleague that she may join me in church again tomorrow. I pray that You will touch her heart with Your love.
In Your name I pray. Amen.



Tommy's Thoughts:

We often see how wonderful and beautiful the nativity scene was depicted in our greeting cards; where all the animals stand quietly and attentively looking at Jesus birth in the manger. In reality, the surrounding and atmosphere in the stable were noisy, dark and dirty. It was the worst place to give birth to a child, and definitely not a place where most has expected the Son of God will be born.

A preacher once asked why our God chose such a place for Jesus, He could have easily picked royal and grand surroundings. But, instead of limiting God by our own expectation, we should see how Jesus humbly subjected himself to such a condition since His birth to associate and identify with those who are lowly, oppressed and deserted by the society. And it shows how He is at work wherever He is needed regardless of how dark and dirty these places may be.

Dear Father, thank You for Your great love for us by sending Your only Son to restore our relationship with You. Teach me Lord not to underestimate what Christ has accomplished and how He can works great things in my life if I humbly allow Him to. Teach me to trust You for all things and submit to Your leading and teaching. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Spiritual Eyes

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

3-4If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.

5-6Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

Bee's Thoughts:

This Christmas season doesn't seem to be any different from other ordinary days. I couldn't feel much of its atmosphere. When I was in KL last weekend, though I saw Christmas trees displaying in shopping malls and hotels, yet I wondered if people know the true meaning of Christmas.

I was 'ambushed' by my 'bf' last Sunday while in KL and he 'hijacked' me from the rest of my church members. Gosh! I didn't know what to do or how to react but I could feel his persistency in wanting to be with me for that day. I finally relented. No Christmas present or any gift from him, but the gift of his time is more precious than any gift to me. Can people see this? Maybe not.

Likewise, non-believers can't see the true meaning of Christmas no matter how hard we try to share with them. At times, even Christians may be blinded by the devil or our own selfish desires to view Christmas as a time of indulgence. We need to pray and ask God to open our spiritual eyes to see the truth. Only the truth can set us free.

Christmas is all about God's love for mankind.
Christmas is all about peace to those who sigh.
Christmas is all about how we may do things nice.
Christmas is all about how to give of our time.

- Bee

Dear Lord,
Search my heart tonight and cleanse me from my hidden sins and things that obscure my sight from seeing what You want me to see.
I pray also that this Christmas will bring forth Your glory, that sinners may be set free from the bondage of the devil. May peace dwell in people's hearts as they let Christ reign.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.


Tommy's Thoughts:

When we share the Good News to others, are we bringing glory to God and what Christ has done or merely to make us appear godly or wise (v5)? Our pride to show off our abilities and accomplishments may not only hinder God’s true message to non-believers but also giving them a bad impression of Christian in general. We should focus on Jesus and what He has done on the Cross whenever we have the opportunity to witness for Christ.

Dear Father, forgive me of sometimes being a bad witness for Christ, focusing only on glorifying myself rather than on You in front of others. Teach me to change this attitude and to learn the right way to share to those who yet to know Christ, effectively.

Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness and the great hope and promises I have in You. Thank You that no matter what happens to me in this life, I have the clarity and assurance of an eternal destiny with You and my loved one, when all suffering will end and all sorrow will flee away (Isaiah 35:10). Lord, I continue to pray for strength, peace and patience to love, trust and obey.

I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.