Two Kingdoms

Read Matt 22:15-22

Reflection of Tommy:

They say there are two things that are certain we can't run from in this life - death and taxes. We often have various reasons or excuses for not paying the amount of taxes we should be paying. Some even justified their action by thinking that they shouldn't cooperate with human authority but only to God.

But Jesus in today's passage clearly explained that each of us should fulfill both our duty as citizen of this world and at the same time giving God our full commitment and obedience. But among the two kingdoms, our greater responsibility was to God and His kingdom (Acts 5:28-29).

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that I should render to authority all that are theirs and to You what is yours. While I am still a citizen to this world, teach me to carry out all duty and responsibility honestly to those You have allowed to govern the country.

Dear Father, but above all, made my heart knows that You have the ultimate authority and that I should devote my life honoring You and doing Your will. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Living For God Today

Read James 4:13-17

Reflection of Tommy:

As I was sharing with some friends about how busy I was lately with plans and works, I realized, as what James said in today’s passage, I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. I asked whether I am living each day for God or only for myself. Will I fulfill God’s plan for me if I were to leave this world tomorrow?

Life is short and fragile. Like a mist in the morning that appears for a little while and vanishes into the air (v14). Let not live our life thinking we have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, to enjoy our loved ones or to do what we know we should. Instead, live for God today; living and doing everything in His will, not ours (v15).

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me once more to seek You and Your righteousness first before everything else as the Day is approaching. Thank You for the guidance from the Spirit, leading me in fulfilling Your plan for me; doing everything for Your honor and glory. I pray that I will continue to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess, for You are faithful, and considering how I may spur my brothers on towards love and every good deeds.

The New Man

Read Ephesians 4:17-32

Reflection of Tommy:

How do we truly put off our old self (v22) and to have our minds renewed (v23), putting on a new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (v24)? In today's passage, we can learn some ways to live a changed life as a disciple of Christ.

1. Be truthful all the time (v25)
2. Control your anger (v26)
3. Be hardworking, not idling or dishonest (v28)
4. Serve those in need (v28)
5. Use words that build others up (v29)
6. Not grieving the Spirit with our disobedience (v30)
7. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander (v31)
8. Be compassionate to one another (v32)
9. Forgiving each other (v32)

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me again the difference between the nature of my old self and the powerful transformed life by the Spirit. Teach me to surrender and submit to You daily and diligently. Give me wisdom and discernment in all things that I may truly live for You, fulfilling the will You have for my life. In Jesus' precious Name I pray, Amen.

Sing!

Read 1 Chronicles 16:23-27

"Sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works!" —1 Chronicles 16:9

Reflection of Tommy:

At times, life's cruel and unforgiving circumstances rob us from the joy and peace we have in God. It's hard to sing praises and be thankful when everything around us doesn't seems to turn out the way we wanted them to be. We questioned why God allows these things to happen and not sparing us from the pain of going through them.

As we reflect on today's passage, we see how we can still give praise to our God during difficult times. Because of what He has done for us through His Son, we can always proclaim the good news and have the reason to be thankful and grateful for despite the circumstances in our lives.

Dear Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy that I can have a close personal relationship with You. Forgive me of my disobedience and slow in listening and learning Your ways. Forgive me also of not being sensitive in allowing the Holy Spirit to work in me, changing me to be more like Christ each day.

Father, I pray that You will change this heart of mine, make it truly repented of my old ways, and resubmit my all to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Don’t Row

Read Ephesians 3:14-21

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." —Ephesians 3:16

Reflection of Tommy:

Very often we underestimate and doubt how God can helps us in our trials. Instead of seeking Him, we often rely on our own strength and ways to resolve issues in our lives.

Without God's guiding hands and wisdom, very likely we'll fail in finding the best solution for our problem and things can get worst due to our hastiness and self-centeredness. Paul in today's passage urged believers to seek God's strength in dealing with every obstacles we may face in life. Also, by knowing God personally, trusting His unchanging love and faithfulness for us, we can be strengthen in times of difficulties and hardship.

Dear Father, thank You for reassuring me that You will always be there beside me when I remain in You and Your words. Teach me to be more sensitive to Your calling for me, that I may always bring all the glory and honor to You. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

The Gravity of Sin

Read 2 Chronicles 34:14-21

Reflection of Tommy:

Nowadays, no one is safe or protected from the influence of immoral worldview ideas that bombard us constantly from television, film, music, newspapers, magazines, books, etc. Sadly, as they are so appealing to the desires of the flesh, many unknowingly incorporate them into their own personal worldview. Very often we see how people making excuses for sinning, blaming others, and treating it lightly.

We know God does not and never take sin lightly; He even sacrificed His one and only Son to redeem us from the penalty of sin! Instead of pretending that our sin is nothing or not such a "big deal", we should start taking it and God's commands seriously; knowing how severely it can affect us and others. Seek God's Word daily and diligently, asking the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment.

Dear Father, thank You for constantly revealing to me my ways that are wrong and against Your will and plan for me. Teach me to be sensitive to Your voices through reading of Your Word, faithful friends You brought into my life and the works of the Holy Spirit in me. I pray I will have a willing heart to obey and be firm in my commitment to follow Christ wholeheartedly. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

The Preciousness of Friends

Read Mark 2:1-12

Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." - Mark 2:4-5

Reflection of Tommy:

The story of how Jesus heals a paralyzed man in Mark often points us to the power of Christ to forgive sin. But, there is another great lesson we can learn from it. We see how the paralytic was blessed with compassionate friends of faith. Without their great effort to assist a friend, the paralytic would never be able to come to Jesus for healing.

As God has brought many friends to us in His church, are we ready to assist and serve them in time of need. Can they rely on our faith? And, if we have been blessed with kind and compassionate friends with faith, do we respect and appreciate their guidance and help for us.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding me to hold unswervingly to the hope I profess and consider how I may spur one another toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:23-24). I pray that I will continue to allow myself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, to live my life as Your children of light; that my brothers who are in need can trust and rely on my faith. I pray also that I will truly appreciate those friends with faith You have brought into my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Abide in Him

Read John 15:9-17

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." - John 15:9-11

Reflection of Tommy:

The Holy Spirit often convicts us when we ignore God’s commands. We will feel as if God has hid His face and block us from receiving joy and peace from the relationship we used to have with Him.

To have lasting and complete joy in our lives, both in good and bad times, we need to have a consistent, personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. As the today’s passage says, we can be filled and remain in the love and joy of Jesus when we genuinely seek and obey the Father’s commands (v10).

Dear Father, thank You for filling me with the Spirit; guiding me and leading me to Your truth, wisdom and righteousness. Lord, I pray that whatever I do, I do it for Your glory and honor, and not my own. Teach me to truly abide in You and Your Words remain in me always. 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.

Getting Personal

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Reflection of Tommy:

What does it means to have a personal relationship with God? There are usually two extremes in where our relationship with God is, it is either we spend so much time accumulating knowledge and human wisdom that we have never truly know Him personally or we put Him second after other things or people in our lives.

But as we read today's passage, we learn that knowing Christ personally is the single greatest wisdom anyone could have. Are we ready and willing to wisely accept this offer from God today? Are we able to set aside all our other temporal pursuits and truly come to the crucified and risen Christ, receiving eternal life and joy of a personal relationship with Him.

Dear Father, thank You for reminding the unimaginable importance of having a close and personal relationship with Jesus. Thank You that You revealed to me that Christ is my Lord and Savior (Matthew 16:15-17). Father, lead me to live a life that fully reflects this reality, to be transformed by the renewing of my mind in Christ Jesus. In His mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Job’s Birthday

Read Job 3

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me". - Mark 8:34

Reflection of Tommy:

Contrary to what many may believe, God does not remove all our trials, problems, and difficulties in life when we become Christian. In fact, it will be just the opposite! But, like Job in today's passage, God at times allows sufferings to come into our lives when He can brings greater good from them (Romans 8:28).

As we are willing to take up our cross and to go through them patiently, we will see how God can use our suffering to do amazing works for His kingdom and to those around us, and at the same time, changing and refining our character in the process.

Dear Father, thank You for teaching me the greater significance of our sufferings. Thank You that You'll never allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13 ). Thank You for changing me and refining me each day to be more like Christ. Lord, I pray that I will truly take up my cross and follow You. May everything I say and do bring all glory and honor to You. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

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.