Anywhere With Jesus

Read Exodus 33:12-17

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:5-6

Reflection of Tommy:

It's hard at times to know and experience God's presence with us when we face dreadful and frightening circumstances in our lives. But as we read the countless verses in the bible, we can take comfort knowing our faithful and loving Father will indeed be presence with us at all the time and in every imaginable circumstances. Not only that, He has also promised to help and provide us refuge and strength to go through them (Psalm 46:1).

Dear Father, thank You and I praise You for being there with me always, protecting and caring for someone so unworthy of Your love. Thank You for Your forgiveness and mercy despite my constant lack of obedience and zeal to commit my life fully and truly to You.

Lord, teach me to submit my all to You, earnestly seek You and Your righteousness first above all things. Guide me to be willing to be changed and refined each day by You; working out Your plan and will in me. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Doing What’s Right

Read Psalm 15

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5

Reflection of Tommy:

Very often, the decisions and choices that we need to make are not as clear as black and white. We face difficulty to truly discern and know the right thing to do in a situation. To make matter worst, we receive all kinds of contradicting opinions and thoughts from others.

But, as we look up to God's Word in James 1:5, God has promised to help us in this aspect of life. Books like Proverbs, for example, are packed with wisdom from God to guide and lead us to make wiser decisions in life. It was written in such a simple but powerful way that anyone who truly seeks the counsel from God will understand it.

So, whenever we are troubled by not knowing what to do, spend time reading His Word slowly and prayerfully, He will generously show you the way.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me that knowledge without wisdom is folly. Thank You that Your Word is the lamp to my feet and the light for my path. Thank You for the guidance it gives when decisions have to be made and also the strength and encouragement when times are hard.

Lord, I pray that I will continue to be diligent in seeking Your Word, applying them to my life and sharing them to those around me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

The Planting

Read 1 Corinthians 15:42-53

"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." —1 Corinthians 15:51

Reflection of Tommy:

Recent statistic shows that most healthy men will lives up to 71 years old while women 76 years old. Our body and its functions will deteriorates as we grow older each year. And there is absolutely nothing that we can do to stop this natural process. We may slow it down but eventually our current earthly body will fails.

Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church described vividly how and what will happen when we as believer dies. Instead of being fearful of aging, it gives us the hope and confidence that we will be raised just like Christ when we die and be given a new 'incorruptible' and glorified body (v52).

Dear Father, thank You for the victory we have over death through Christ. Thank You for the promised renewed, changed and glorified body like Jesus when He returns. Keep my heart and mind always on the things that are eternal and to walk ever closely to You daily. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Getting Through

Read Psalm 46

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1

Reflection of Tommy:

I was asking a friend about what’s the worst that can ever happen to her? I asked whether it is death. But, she answered death in fact is less dreadful than other problems in life. No wonder many take their own life as a way out when life is so hard to bear. Of course, taking our own life is a sin and as Christian we know there is a better way out.

While reading Psalm 46, the psalmist talked exactly the same fear and overwhelming anxiousness (v2-3) when facing the challenges in life. In here, we learned few great God’s promises for us when things go really awry and unbearable for us. God will always be there with us (v11), He will be our true refuge- providing us the strength to endure and persevere (v1).

Dear Father, thank You for Your presence, You strength, protection and help when the going get tough. Teach me to seek You each day in prayer, reading and meditating on Your Word and applying them in my life. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

My Prince

Read Ephesians 5:22-33

Reflection of Tommy:

In a marriage, men were called to be spiritual head of the family and wives to willingly submit and follow his leadership in Christ. But, this does not mean men can misuse his authority and exploit the submission of his wife.

Instead, men who are leading the family should put aside his own interests to care for his wife. Like Christ, who served His disciples to the point of washing their feet, men are to serve their wife with respect and love. True spiritual leadership always involves service.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to be willing to sacrifice everything for my loved one; to make sure her well-being and happiness of primary importance and to care for her as I care for my own body. I pray that I’ll be a wise and Christ-honoring husband one day. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Will Work For Friends

Read Acts 4:32-37



Reflection of Tommy:

I was truly amazed by the sight of more than 13,000 Christians gathered in the stadium for the Prayer Convention last week. Another thing more amazing was how smoothly the whole event went; the Holy Communion for the entire 13,000 attendees took less than 20min; service conducted simultaneously in 4 different languages!, no traffic jam or other bad incidence. I believe all these were due to the united chain prayer by members of churches for the last whole month.

Today’s passage touches on the importance of spiritual unity in the family of Christ. As Jesus the head of the church, we the members of His body should be constantly united in loyalty, commitment and love for God and His Word. And through gathering like those in the convention, our churches may grow, survive and move toward greater unity.

Dear Father, thank You for the fruitful, eye-opening and memorable session between communities of believers last week. Thank You for Your protection and power working throughout during the entire duration of the convention. May we united more closely spiritually as brothers and sisters in Christ, being generous and loving in serving and caring for one another. May the churches and its members continue to grow and thrive in the work for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Quiet, Please

Read 1 Kings 19:1-12

Reflection of Tommy:

Our impatience and lack of trust in God, often push our time with God below other to-do items in our days. Coupled with the constant noises and distractions that we allowed to surround us, we'll eventually find ourselves drifted so far from God that we hardly remember who He is and how much we need Him.

If we said we are willing to be an obedient follower of Christ, we need to make the decision to stop ourselves from being constantly preoccupied by the noise of the crowd. By taking time for God, we will soon understand the important truth and meaning of communicating with the God who cares for us.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me to tone down the noises around me and begin giving main priority for my quiet time with You. Lead me to have an open heart, to listen, learn and accept the truth and teachings of Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

The Bug Zoo

Read Acts 4:32-37

Reflection of Tommy:

At times we feel inadequate, insignificant or unimportant in God's works for His people. But as we read the Proverbs today, we know that God can display His marvelous wisdom and greatness in each of us if we were to humbly ask for them. And when we do, God can use our unique strength and gifts for the extension of His Kingdom.

In Galatians 6:9-10, the Apostle Paul tells us, "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith."

Dear Father, thank You that I'm complete and whole in You. Thank You for your gift for me to serve and minister to Your people. Guard my heart and mind that I will not grow weary and lose heart in doing good, especially in serving and loving those You have brought into my life. May my every word and action bring all glory and honor to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Refusing Help

Read 2 Kings 5:9-14

Reflection of Tommy:

Many dislike the idea that they need help or that to humbly seek the advice of others. Like Naaman in today's passage, our ignorance and self-sufficiency often shut the door on a much-needed help for us. We tend to be quick in brushing off any advices that call us to change or improve the way we do things.

We must avoid this by first having a humble heart - willing and open to listen; to think of others more highly than you think of yourself. By taking this first step, we give ourselves the opportunity to be truly helped by those God has sent to us.

Dear Father, thank You for your reminder on being open to listen and accept advice from those You have sent to me. Teach me to pray for Your Word to be always in my heart and mind- teaching me, rebuking me, correcting me and training me in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Where Was God?

Read Hebrews 13:5-8

Reflection of Tommy:

I read an interview of a famous writer awhile ago on why he's an atheist. He referred to the 9/11 incidence and the innocent lives that were lost in the tragedy, that he was convinced that day that God does not exists. But as we read Hebrews 13:5, God Himself has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us.

In times of tragedy, we can still experience God's invisible presence with the suffering and the dying in the compassionate individuals, volunteers, communities, hospital, churches and schools giving aids in the crisis. Despite all that may happen, we can know and trust that God is always near; working out all His plan and purposes.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me of Your presence with me all the time. Thank You that even the very hairs of my hairs are all numbered by You (Luke 12:7); that I do not have to be afraid but to trust in Your providence and protection and to obey in Your commands.

Loving Father, I pray that I'll be a good witness for Christ to those around me. Keep my ways blameless and pleasing to You always. In Jesus' Mighty Name I pray, Amen.

No Record Of Our Sins

Read Psalm 130

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." - Romans 8:1

Reflection of Tommy:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). So, are we forever trapped in endless and futile loops of earning God's approval and acceptance with our own strength? Are we hoping and wishing we'll be good enough to be able to eventually rest ourselves in a 'better' place when we die? There is neither certainty nor clarity. Neither hope nor assurance.

But, as Christian, we know that there will be no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Because God loves us so much, He offers us a way through our genuine faith in His Son, that we will be assured 100% to be redeemed from all our iniquities (Psalm 130:8) and to be reconciled with Him again even if we were to die tomorrow. No ambiguity. No uncertainty.

Dear loving Father, thank You for the certainty and confidence I have in You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your love, grace and mercy- to forgive me of all my iniquities and justified freely through the redemption that came by Christ (Romans 3:24).

Father, teach me to be an obedient follower of Christ, having Him not only as my Savior but also as the Lord of everything in my life. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Visible Reminders

Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Reflection of Tommy:

There are few verses I memorized by hard in the Bible. There are not some magical mantra but they help me in remembering God's promises and His encouragement for my steps of obedience to Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your Word that guide and lead my ways. Forgive me of not being diligent and obedient in seeking Your Word closely. Lord, lead me to take time each day to read, study and meditate on Your Word. 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.

Spiritual Decompression

Read Mark 1:35-39

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." —1 Peter 5:7

Reflection of Tommy:

I heard many times from people that they are so busy that they have no time to pray or spend quiet time with God. But in today's passage, we see how even Jesus himself set aside time to pray to the Father, how much more we need to do the same?

The amazing thing is the more time we spend with Him, the more efficient and equipped we are in handling the stresses and pressures in our lives. He give us rest and peace from our burdens (Mark 1:35-39); strengthen and renew us (Isaiah 40:31) to be ready for the challenges ahead.

Dear Father, thank You that I can cast all my care upon You (1 Peter 5:7). Thank You for your strength to lift me up again when I'm weary and down with the pressures around me. Teach me to have more quality quiet time with You, listening to You and submitting to Your guidance and leading in all things. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

The Battle Within

Read Galatians 5:16-23

Reflection of Tommy:

Some fight the desire to do wrong and sin (v19-21) by refraining from thinking about them or actively telling themselves not to do them. If we were to study the human mind, we know that the more we try to control or stop ourselves from doing certain things, the more likely we will end up doing them!

Paul in today's passage showed to us how to combat these sinful thoughts and desires of the flesh by walking in the Spirit, empowering Him to work in us, bearing the good fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me not to just talk but to always willingly and obediently walk in the Spirit. Forgive me at times of my lack of understanding and willingness to follow Christ faithfully, rejecting commands He has taught me and not having a genuine attitude towards repentance. Father, give me a teachable heart and be a true and obedient disciple of Christ, bringing glory and honor to You in everything I do. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

God Weeps With Us

Read Psalm 116

Reflection of Tommy:

Many are unable to accept that there is a heaven and a hell and that God judges and punishes men for sinning against Him. But as I look at the evils in the world, how severely they have hurt and affected those close to me, I know it's unthinkable to have a God who is just but closes one eye and do nothing about them.

God knows and hears all our cries (v1-2), He knows everything we've went through, He will protects and saves us (v6), He will gives us true rest and peace when we call on Him (v4), and ultimately He'll bring justice for all in the end. Instead of allowing ourselves to be trapped with fear, anger, pain and hopelessness towards injustice; we can reach out to our loving Father with a thankful heart for peace, healing and deliverance; trusting in His timing in making things right again. 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 8:28).

Dear Father, thank You and I praise You for Your steadfast love, compassion and faithfulness. Thank You that we can always take refuge under Your wings and Your faithfulness will be our shield and rampart (Psalm 91:4). Lord, I pray for Your healing power to be upon those who was hurt, wronged and disheartened by men; that they will recover fully, to be renewed once again in body, mind and spirit.

Lord, I pray also that they will forgive their "enemies", to rest all their pain and anger into Your mighty hand. I pray that they will seek and build a closer personal relationship with You, to trust You more each day. Through their experience, I pray that You'll show them how and where that they can minister and reaching out to others. Thank You and I ask all these in Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Tipping Point

Read Romans 12:1-8

“He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” - Matthew 10:39

Reflection of Tommy:

The idea and thought of surrendering or submitting to someone is scary and daunting when it means we lose control of things we hold and depend on to for security. But as a Christian, we are called to surrender our will and heart to God, submitting to Him (James 4:7), and presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1). The verse that best describes this complete surrendering can be found in the beautiful paradox of Matthew 10:39.

The Barclay Commentary wrote:
“The Christian may have to sacrifice his personal ambitions, the ease and the comfort that he might have enjoyed, the career that he might have achieved; he may have to lay aside his dreams, to realize that shining things of which he has caught a glimpse are not for him. He will certainly have to sacrifice his will, for no Christian can ever again do what he likes; he must do what Christ likes. In Christianity there is always some cross, for it is the religion of the Cross.

The man who seeks first ease and comfort and security and the fulfillment of personal ambition may well get all these things--but he will not be a happy man; for he was sent into this world to serve God and his fellow-men.The way to serve others, the way to fulfill God's purpose for us, the way to true happiness is to spend life selflessly, for only thus will we find life, here and hereafter.”

Dear Father, thank You for reminding this truth once again; to have Christ sitting on the throne of my life. Search my heart and reveal to me anything that may have taken His place and lead me to surrender it to You and trust You to know what best for me. Guide me through the Spirit as I come to serve Your people with love and selflessness. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Inner Peace

Read Isaiah 53:7-9

"Be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing." —1 Peter 3:8-9

Reflection of Tommy:

I used to be a very reactive and bad-tempered person. Small annoyance and irritation from people can drive me insane! But as I walk closer to God, the Spirit changes me from within to be more Christ-like, helping me to grow and bear more the good fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - Galatians 5:22-23).

As we read today's passage, we see and learn how Jesus responded to all the insult, accusations and mockery. Instead of retaliate and repaying evil with evil, our Lord display true inner peace by showing mercy and love for His enemies. Through our forgiving attitude, other may see the power and love of Christ in us. Like what the author in the Daily Bread said - "The worst criticism of you can bring out the best of you".

Dear Father, thank You for molding me to be more like Your Son each day. Help me to see Your plan for my life and how I can be used by You in the extension of Your kingdom. Teach me also always remember not to repay evil with evil (Isaiah 53:7-9), insult with insult but to display Jesus' kind, gentle and forgiving attitude to those who are unfair or unkind to me; that they may see Your love and grace in me. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Distressed Travelers

Read Matthew 11:20-30

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." —Matthew 11:28

Reflection of Tommy:

Things in life can at times rob us from the joy and hope God has given us. We become weary and distressed by the uncertainties, anguish, and hurt; that no one seem to ever understand. We question when and what has went wrong. We may even settle to numb and suppress all our feelings to lessen the pain in our heart.

As we read the encouraging promise in today's passage, we know that God understands the things we are going through in our lives. No matter how big or small, how difficult or painful the situation may be, He is there beside us supplying us with strength and grace to sustain through them.

God invites us to come to Him and He will give us true rest (v28). In exchange of our burdens, Jesus offers us His yoke that is easy and light (v30) when we submit and surrender all our care to Him.

Dear Father, thank You for Your gentleness (v29), Your amazing love and grace for me. Forgive me of often forget about the peace and confidence You are offering to me when I truly accept Jesus as the "Lord" of all things in my life. So Lord, I commit and surrender them all to You once again: my work, my relationships and my future.

Lord Jesus, may I walk ever closer and more obediently with You each day; be ready and willing always in empowering the Holy Spirit to work mightily in my life. I thank You and pray in Your Name, Amen.
us' Name, 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.