The Heart of the Church

Read 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones." - 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Reflection of Tommy:

Paul in today's passage tell us clearly that for any ministry to be successful, two characteristics need to be cultivated - love for one another (v12) and holiness (v13). A body of believers can have hundreds of members but yet can be stiffled from being fruitful and with no true changes in the life of its members.

The same is true for those who serve or participate in the works of God. Our works will be futile and doomed for failure if we ourselves does not live a commited, faithful and holy life. If we still couldn't love or forgive those around us, it's impossible for us to be used by God in any areas of His minitry.

Loving Father, thank You for giving me the oppurtunities to serve Your people, not that You need me but because the Spirit working in me to be Your worker in your mighty plan. As I serve, search my heart and reveal to me anything that still sin against You and dishonoring Your holy Name. Lead me to repentance and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Teach me to genuinely love one another and surrender my all to You, living a changed life that is pleasing to You. 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.

A Good Stretch

Read Romans 8:26-28

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:26

Reflection of Tommy:

In Romans 8:28, Paul clearly stated that God works for our good not only in certain circumstances or incidents in our lives but in “all things”. This means both good and bad things that happened to us.

To fulfill His purpose, God can turn something seemingly bad at the moment to good eventually. This gives us the courage, hope and encouragement to persevere in times of hardship; trusting and relying on God more.

Note also that this eventual good is only for those who truly love and faithful to God; called according to His purpose. These people trust fully in God, knowing their security is in heaven and God is always present with them.

Dear Father, thank You for showing to me how the Spirit can pray with and for me even when I do not know the right words and things to pray. Guide me Lord, never to be anxious of anything, but in everything, by prayers with thanksgiving, presenting my request to You. And Your peace that transcends all understandings will continue guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, Amen.

Heart Knowledge

Read Colossians 1:3-12

Reflection of Tommy:

There is nothing inherently wrong with equipping our selves with biblical knowledge to answer any tough questions from non-believers, but we should be aware of not focusing entirely on accumulating knowledge without developing a close relationship with God and bearing fruit for Him.

We can be busy attending every Bible study classes in church and reading all books on Christianity, but yet never lead to a changed life and right living with God.

God’s Word is never just for our information but it is for our transformation! It should give us direction for living and to put what we have learned into practice by helping and serving others.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching and leading me to build a close relationship with You, to truly live a new and changed life in Christ. May You fill me with the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (v9) and that I would bear fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of You (v10). I thank You and pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Strangers

Read Colossians 1:9-14

Reflection of Tommy:

Sometimes, it’s hard to pray for those we do not know or not that well or that we have never met; people like missionaries, leaders, strangers and even enemies. But, as we look at how Paul prayed for the Colossians, who he had never met, in today’s passage, we can learn how to pray for these people:

We can pray that they will..
1. Understand God’s will
2. Gain spiritual wisdom
3. Please and honor God
4. Bear good fruit
5. Grow in the knowledge of God
6. Be strengthen by God
7. Have great endurance and patience
8. Stay full of Christ’s joy
9. Give thanks and praise to God always

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me how to emulate the prayer pattern of Paul to the Colossians today. Lead me to be more Christ-like each day, more other-centered, praying for those in needs and be ready to serve with joy and humility. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Good Steward

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Reflection of Tommy:

Dear Father, thank You for making me realized today how much blessings I've received from You and how grateful and thankful I should be compares to many of my friends who are still struggling hard with their work and life. Not only that, You showed to me I should be more hardworking and making good use of the time and other resources You have given to me. Help me to use them well and wisely, always ready to give and willing to share (v18) with those in needs.

Lord, I pray also for Your wisdom to be with me to discern how I can really help, how far I should help and care for others. Lead me not to have selfish or wrong motives when reaching out to others. Guide my mind and heart to trust in You more in all that I do. Thank You and I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Being Natural

Read Psalm 54

Reflection of Tommy:

If we read today’s Psalm by David, we’ll see how we should approach God more naturally and spontaneously instead of following through an almost forced and ‘scripted’ way and sequence in our prayers. With honesty and true humility, we should come to God without fear to express our true feelings and needs; transitioning them towards praise and thanksgiving.

Dear Father, thank You for being my true and faithful Help, Sustainer (v4) and Deliverer (v7) in all that I have to go through in my life (sorrow; ruthless men –v3; slanderer –v5). I give You praise and all glory and honor to Your Name, O Lord, all the days of my life. Teach me to trust Your power and hold on as You will give me the strength to keep from falling (Isa. 40:31). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Unchanging Love

Read James 1:12-20

Reflection of Tommy:

Today passage has many good reminders for us; things we often forget as we are too busy with our works and other commitments in life. Firstly, the crown of life in verse 12 is our reward of an eternal life living with God forever. God is reminding us to get ourselves ready, persevere, and staying faithful to Him for all the trial, temptations and hardship lying ahead of us.

Secondly, the reason God allow Satan to tempt us is to refine our faith and to help us grow in dependence on Christ. And, God has promised not to allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is teaching us to resist by turning to Him for strength and make the choice to obey His Word.

We are also reminded not to blame others for the wrong decisions we’ve made instead to accept responsible and ask for God forgiveness.

Finally, QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY (v19).

Dear Father, thank You for leading me in a better path to seek You. Teach me to spend more time reading Your Word, remembering them well and applying them in every aspect of my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Putting it into Action

Read James 1:19-27

Reflection of Tommy:

Although reading, studying and listening to God’s Word is important, but it is far more important to really obey it and to do what it says. We put into action what we have learned from God by displaying them in our behavior and attitudes. James also said that when we truly obey and continues to do what God has taught us in His Word, we will be blessed in all that we do (v25).

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to put into action all that I’ve learned from Your Word. Guide me also to be always in control of my speech (v26), slow to speak but quick to listen (v19). Keep me away from being polluted by the world’s corrupted values but instead to commit myself fully to Christ’s ethical and moral system. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Faithful Till the End

Read Daniel 3:8-20

Reflection of Tommy:

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were threatened to deny God, but they remain faithful to Him despite the terrible consequences they will face. Although they trusted God can deliver them, but they were determined to be faithful whether He intervenes or not.

We would not need faith if God always intervenes and rescued those who true to Him. Thus, we should be faithful to serve God no matters what’s the outcome of our situations. God will supply us with His sustaining grace and strength to persevere and to go through our trials. We’ll realize that our eternal reward is worth any suffering we may endure now.

Dear Father, guard my heart and mind to focus on being obedient and faithful to You till the end. Guide my every action and thoughts; lead me to Your way everlasting. May I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, and trusting all these things shall be added unto me (Matthew 6:33). In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

My Heart Condemns Me

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Reflection of Tommy:

There are many who feel so guilt-ridden by what they did in their past, that they find it so hard to fully accept God’s forgiveness, even after they have confessed them. Because of this, their memory continues to haunt and overwhelm them; bringing great pain, grief and regret into their lives.

In today’s passage, we see how Paul, who considered himself “the worst” of sinners, who has hunted down and murdered God’s people, know and understood fully God’s grace and mercy for him. Instead of feeling trapped and condemned by his past, Paul in true humility and gratitude, believe God has truly forgive him and allow himself to be used mightily for God’s works.

Dear Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy, to forgive a sinner like me. I humbly submit and offer my life as a living sacrifice to You. Mold and change me to be of better use for the extension of Your kingdom. I praise You O Lord, my only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

His Comforting Presence

Read Psalm 139:1-12

Reflection of Tommy:

We sometimes try to ‘hide’ from people; avoiding them from knowing us completely. We fear they may not like about certain things they discover about us. But with our loving God, who knows everything about us, we need not to be afraid because He will still accept and love us completely and faithfully. Not only that, God will be with us always – protecting, loving, guiding, comforting.

And as God’s lovingly and wonderfully made each one of us (v14), we should have as much respect for ourselves as He has for us. Instead of feeling worthless and hating ourselves, we should remember that His Spirit is ready and willing to work within us.

Dear Father, thank You for Your constant and comforting presence with me wherever I am or whatever I do (v7), that I can never be far from You or lost to Your Spirit. Guide me to walk ever closely to You, following all Your precepts and shining brightly the Light of Christ to the world around me. May my words and action bring all glory and honor unto You always. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

More Than We Imagine

Read 1 John 2:28–3:3

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!" - 1 John 3:1

Reflection of Tommy:

Many today, including Christians, being deceived by Satan into believing that the basis of their worth is their performance and their ability to please others. We seek ways to be masters at “playing the game” to be successful, to win approval of others and to get what we want.

Failing to do so, we experience the pain of disapproval and withdraw into a shell of hurt, misery, numbness or depression. Nothing is clearer than the equation below that reflects Satan’s lie to many of us today:

Self-worth = Performance + Others’ Opinions

But, as we read in 1 John 3:1, we can trust God’s complete acceptance of us as His children (v1), allowing Him to truly free us from our dependency on success and the approval of others. We’ll realize that having a healthy sense of self-esteem and worth doesn’t rely being successful or good at pleasing others.

We know our self-worth has freely and conclusively given to us by God, not men. Therefore, we will have the attitude saying “It would be nice to be approved by so and so, but if they don’t, it’s alrite, I’m still loved and accepted by God!”

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that the life of a follower of Christ is a process to be more and more like Him (Romans 8:29). Thank You for showing to me that true faith always result in good deeds – consistently do what is right (v28-29).

Father, remind me always that my ultimate destiny is to be like Christ completely when I see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12); motivating me to purify myself to be free from the corruption of sin. Jesus, lead me to Your way, a way to a renewed hope, joy and purpose in my life. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

“That Ain’t It!”

Read Isaiah 55:6-9

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near." - Isaiah 55:6

Reflection of Tommy:

Isaiah tells us in today’s passage to seek God when He is near (v6). But often, daily distractions and noises from the world cause us to lose sight of God’s direction and purpose for our lives here.

We allow ourselves to easily drift away and to settle for things that are inferior, perishable and unreliable to what God is offering us. We foolishly think our ways are better and trying hard to fit God into our mold- making His plans and purposes conform to ours.

We should not repeat what the people of Israel did but to strive each God-given day to fit into His plans and purposes for us. Seek God and His truths today; acknowledge that His ways and thoughts are far higher (v9) than ours and begin trusting Him to be in control of all our situations.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me that Your ways are far greater than anything I can see with my dim eyesight. Teach me to trust You more and to leave all things into Your hands through my prayers. Guide my ways through the Holy Spirit that I will do what You’ve planned for me in this life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Handle With Care

Read Acts 20:27-32

"I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up." — Acts 20:32

Reflection of Tommy:

Paul cared so much for these believers that he cried over their needs (v31). He called them to be shepherds of the church of God (v28) to be always on guard, protecting themselves and other believers from bad influences around them (v30).

Similarly, we too can build strong relationships with other believers through genuine love, care, concern, sharing and praying with one another. In times of trial and difficulties, we can encourage, comfort and build one another up by giving ourselves away to others in joyful service.

Dear Father, thank You for bringing me in contact with many believers in fellowship; to grow together and responding in love and care with one another. Guard my heart and mind always, seeking Your Word daily and be guided by the Holy Spirit to be a shepherd in leading more people to know You. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Limited But Useful

Read Matthew 25:24-28

Reflection of Tommy:

Like the last servant, many of us tend to think and focus only of our own selves most of the time. And, we give very little of our time, talent, energy and money in service to others. We find excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do and even if we do serve, we do it unwillingly.

The parable told by Jesus in today’s passage reminds us of obeying God willingly as we claim He is our Master. We are reminded also that all our time, abilities, and money belong to God; that we are caretakers, not owners. Thus, when we ignore, squander or abuse what God has given us, we are rebelling against God and deserve to be punished.

Dear Father, thank You for Your clear reminder that I should be a more faithful and grateful caretaker of all that You have given me. Teach me to be more other-centered in seeking ways to serve Your people. Help me not to be constantly preoccupied by my wants, worries and problems, but to allow the Holy Spirit to work in me to find effective ways to reach out to others in service and love. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

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.

Flawed Impressions

Read Joshua 22:10-34

Reflection of Tommy:

Very often we are quick to judge a person by mere first impression they gave to us. By assuming the worst about the intentions of others only brings trouble, misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict.

Like Phinehas in today’s passage who led a delegation to learn the truth, we too need to always seek ways to learn and hear more of the whole story before jumping into conclusions and reacting in the wrong way.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me not to be quick in judging others but to seek open communication when interacting with others. Forgive me I pray that very often I failed to do that with my intolerant and unloving attitude; being a bad witness for Christ. Teach me to change that and to be more open to listen, learning more about a person or situation in resolving any conflicts that I may have. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Right Stuff

Read Galatians 1:6-12

Reflection of Tommy:

In today’s passage, Paul warned the Christians in Galatia of being in the wrong track; denying the sufficiency of Christ’s work on the cross. Similarly, how do we as Christian actually know when a teaching is perverted? How do we identify where the truth of God’s Word is twisted and distorted?

We need to be aware that they will always be people who pervert the Good News by introducing other “ways” for us to be saved. We need to constantly remind ourselves that our salvation is a gift from God and there will be absolutely nothing other than our faith in Christ alone.

Dear Father, thank You for what Christ has done for me on the cross. Teach me to always emphasize on what He has done when sharing the gospel with others. Guide my lip and all my ways that they may bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Whitewater Experiences

Read 1 Chronicles 28:9-20

Reflection of Tommy:

"Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." —1 Chronicles 28:20

I was with some friends this weekend thrashing through forest and crossing streams with ridiculously strong rapid and experience the amazing sight of a huge waterfall. As we were settling down for a swim, I climbed up to this big log that fell across the stream and planning to do a plunge from there into the sandy riverbed below.

It took me awhile before making the jump. A nearby guide advised me to just close my eyes and make the jump. I did and it was so easy, I did another jump instantly after that.

Similarly in today’s passage, David advised Solomon not to be frightened about the size of his task as both king and builder of the temple. Our fear of our tasks at hand, its risks or pressure can easily immobilize us and causing us to do nothing. The remedy to this fear is not to focus on the fear but to fully trust in God and to get to work! Our loving God has promised to always be with us (v20); never fail or forsake us (v21).

Dear Father, thank You that I can be honest and direct with You at all times for You know and understand everything in my heart. Search me, try me and reveal to me any part of my heart that are not right with You, that I may ask for Your forgiveness and to be changed and refined by the power of the Holy Spirit. May my heart be always open to Your molding that I will become a better witness and more obedient follower of Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.