Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Daily Devotion

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River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

Matthew 13:53-58

When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home." And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Nazareth is the hometown of Jesus, yet Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. The main reason of their lack of faith is because they watched Jesus grew up from childhood, therefore couldn't believe that he has such wisdom and miraculous powers. So they took offense at him and despised him. Isn't it true that many times you and I are despised when we try to serve? Isn't this person just put his faith in Christ? Isn't this person used to be so weak in his faith? If we are in Christ, we are a new creation, and in Christ we have received new power and new strength. But others often judge us from the outside and hence despise us. Maybe we are discouraged by these, but Jesus was not discouraged.

Jesus was facing the rejection of his fellow townsfolk, but He did not stop there. In John 9:4 the Lord says that "as long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." Clearly Jesus understood the mission that God has entrusted to Him. He saw the urgency of His mission and understood that He needs to do all it takes to complete the works of God. Today, are we able to disregard all the rejections from others for the sake of His works?

Now is the time of end time harvest, and the Spirit of God is moving in all the world. We have also seen that many around us are hunger and willing to come know God, but there is no one to share the gospel with them because none has offered to be used by God. May the Spirit of God help us to see the urgency of the needs of this world, and we will not be bind by criticisms, judgments, and attacks. Instead we will break through all these bondages and united in building a glorious church and co-work with Him in His kingdom. May the Spirit of God help us not to be hindered by our wounds from the past, but to overcome these wounds and enter into His glorious work.

Pray with Pastor Tong

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Dear Lord, I thank you, for You were despised when You were on earth. We bring all our wounds from being denied and rejected to Your cross. Lord, as You have taken on our pain and sufferings, we ask that you deliver us from all our wounds. Let us follow Your example and keep moving forward. I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!