Saturday, May 31, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 12:1-3

  

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

  

When Jesus was sitting in the house of Mary and Martha, Maria took a pint of extremely valuable perfume to wipe the feet of Jesus.  At the time, people there reacted very differently to it, especially among the disciples.  Some felt that it was great to offer such precious perfume to God, but was it necessary to waste in on the feet of Jesus?  Wouldn't there be a better use?  Whenever I read this passage, I would have strong feeling inside about it, for it is easier to serve God but very difficult to follow His will.

 

Weren't all the disciples that surrounded Jesus Christ willing to serve God?  Weren't they all ready to offer everything to Him?  They laid down their work and family to follow the Lord and they went wherever Jesus Christ went.  Nevertheless, they didn't understand what Lord Jesus Christ needed at that moment.  Maria understood that Jesus Christ will go to Jerusalem to face death; she knew that Jesus will suffer, so she anointed the feet of Jesus with perfume.  Jesus Christ also knew, that's why He said: "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial."  Maria understood the heart of Jesus, and she was serving according to God's will.

 

We often just serve according to our own flesh, formality or tradition, but we may not be serving according to God's will.  We often follow our old habits when we serve, but we are seldom sensitive to what Lord Jesus Christ needs today.  Have we come before God to seek His will?  Maria was one who seeks the will of God; not only did she serve God, she also sought the Lord's will, that's why she was serving according to God's will.  Brothers and sisters, may the Lord help us, not only let us offer ourselves to Him, or serve Him in our own ways and zeal, we also must ask God to let us seek His will with a humble heart, so that God's will may be satisfied!

                                                

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Lord, we thank you because you are willing to reveal your will to us.  May you give us a softened heart to seek your will; help us to serve you in the spirit so that we may touch your heart.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

  
   

       

  

                                                                       
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River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054

Friday, May 30, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 11: 47-57

 

...Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was a high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all.  You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish."  He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, not only for that nation, but for the scattered children of God, to bring them together to make them one. So from that day on, they plotted to take his life....

 

When the Pharisees were squabbling about the miracles that Jesus had performed, the high priest Caiaphas then prophesized, "Jesus will die for the people so that the Jewish nation will not perish and this is to your benefit." The Lord specially revealed here that his prophecy about Jesus did not come from himself but from the Holy Spirit.

  

When God speaks through a person, often times this person may not realize he has been God's vessel. Even in the days of the Old Testament, God spoke through a donkey to prophet Balaam.  The Bible also mentioned that when Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit, he proclaimed Jesus Christ was the son of the living God as he was moved by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus, therefore, said, "  ... for this is not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven."

 

Shortly after Peter had   made such  proclamation, he tried to stop Jesus from going to go to Jerusalem when he learnt Jesus was going there.  Jesus rebuked him saying, "Satan, get behind me!" All through this ordeal, Peter had no idea that he was moved by the Holy Spirit making such a prophecy, nor did he understand how Satan had crept into his life making him to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem, and as a result he was rebuked by the Lord.

 

It is clear that we need to discern: what are from the Spirit of God? What are the deceptions and accusations from Satan? We need to be sensitive to God's voice so that we would not fall into the traps our enemies and become their tools. May God help us to follow Him closely in our daily lives, listening to His voice and following His guidance so that God's desires will be revealed and accomplished

                                                

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, we thank you for you are the one who speaks to us. We pray that we may be sensitive to your words, follow your desires so that your wills be done through us. With thanks we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

 

  

 

         

  

                                                                       
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River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 11: 41-46

 

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have hear me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."  When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Larzarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet were wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them,"Take off the grave clothes and let him go!" ....

 

Lazarus' resurrection happened in two stages.  The first stage was when Jesus commanded him saying, "Lazarus, come out!"  The second stage was He asked that the grave clothes be taken off.  This actually symbolizes two important stages in our Christian lives: First, we needed to be born again.  We were in the valley of death and the kingdom of darkness  in the past, but because of the salvation of Jesus on the cross, we are freed from the power of sin.  Just like Lazarus, he was under the power of death, but all of a sudden, upon Jesus' command, he was freed!  When the power of death was broken, it could no long contain Lazarus, so he could walk out alive!

 

In reality, just walking out is not enough.  He was wrapped with strips of linen all over; he needed to be freed from these wrappings.  Similarly, Christians needs to be born again, and in addition, they need to be freed from their old lives.  Even though we have been Christians for a while, but we are entangled by our many traditions and experiences - perhaps because of our religion, or wounds in our spirit.  Even though we have been born again, we can hardly move forward because of all these burdens we carry. In the victorious name of Jesus Christ, we should therefore break away from the bondages caused by such traditions, religion and even from our old habits and wounds.

 

Jesus   said, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has gone and the new has come!"  Not only do we need to be in Christ, we should also rebuked and cast away the old in the name of our victorious Jesus!  We deeply believe we have this power of victory in Christ!  Hallelujah! The old has to depart, but with our permission.  If your lives have not been renewed due to, perhaps, old traditions in your lives, you can certainly proclaim in the name of victorious Jesus Christ and demand that the old be gone, and everything  be renewed!

                                                

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, we thank you for not only have you given us a new life, but also the strength to lead this new life.  In the victorious name of Jesus Christ, we command the old to leave us so that we may be renewed.  With thanks we pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen!



         

  

                                                                       
This email was sent to devotion1.98hfr734@blogger.com by edevotion@rolcc.net |  
River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 11: 28-40

 

....When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said," Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  "Where had you laid him?" he asked.  "Come and see, Lord," they replied.  Jesus wept.  Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"  But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes for the blind man have kept this man from dying?' Jesus, once move, was deeply moved, came to the tomb.  It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.  "Take away the stone," he said.  "But Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God."

 

It is recorded in this passage that Jesus was much troubled twice.   Why was He troubled?  First, He saw the ignorance of these people because they recognized not the sovereignty of God, his fullness and power.  To them, Jesus was a God who could heal because they had seen his healing power by touching the sick. But they could not envision he could raise the dead because to them death is an obstacle impossible to overcome.

 

 When Mary came before the Lord Jesus, she knelt before him and lamented, "Lord, if you have been here, my brother would not have died, because I know you are the God who heals.  But he is dead now, there is nothing you can do."   Jesus was troubled because of Mary's faith and understanding for him was so limited.

 

Not only did Mary behave this like, the Jews at the time also did.  The Jews said, "Could not he who opened the eyes for the blind man have kept this man from dying?"  They felt that if Jesus truly loved Lazarus, he would never let him die, but now Lazarus was dead, there was not anything he could have done.  Again Jesus was troubled because of their ignorance and disbelief.

 

So when Jesus instructed that the stone of the tomb be removed, Martha reacted immediately, "But Lord, by this time, there is a bad odor." Although Martha had heard Jesus preached before, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he who believes in me, though he was dead, yet shall be live,"   Martha could not remember this, but Jesus reminded her once again, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God."  Brothers and sisters, how much do you know God? How much faith do you have in Him? May the Lord help us to follow Him closely everyday! 

                                                

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Lord, we thank you because you are the God who raises the dead, and you can also revive our spirit from all situations!  We pray that our faith will be strengthened so that we can  trust  you always.  With thanks we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

 

           

  

                                                                       
This email was sent to devotion1.98hfr734@blogger.com by edevotion@rolcc.net |  
River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 11:17-27

   

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she replied, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

   

Even though Martha knows all the biblical truths, yet she did not truly believe them. That's why when Jesus says that her brother will rise again, Martha comes up with a piece of doctrine in response, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Again Jesus says to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." In other words, Jesus is saying that Lazarus will be alive again even though he died. Once again, Martha thinks that the Lord is reminding her of some theological teachings. That's why Martha answers, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." Martha thinks that the resurrection Jesus is talking about is at the end times.

  

Indeed, when the Lord comes back again, we will be resurrected. However, the Lord is not talking about the end times here. He is saying that Lazarus will rise from the dead now. Even though Martha hears this, but in her heart she finds it hard to imagine that this could be true. Likewise, it is hard for us to imagine what God will do. Even though the Lord has already said it very clearly, but we still find it hard to accept. Hebrews 11:6 says that "without faith it is impossible to please God." When we come to God, we need to not only believe that there is a God, but we need to believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek him. A lot of people only have the first kind of faith, which is to believe that there is a God. But to only believe that there is a God is not enough, because in the Book of James the Lord tells us that even the demons believe in God and shudder. Therefore, we not only need to believe that there's a God, but we also need to believe that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. This kind of person is truly blessed!

  

Brothers and sisters, do you believe in God? Do you believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek him? You can truly bring all your needs to God! You need to believe deeply in your heart that God can personally with his ingenious hands guide and lead you and provide for you. Not only this, but you need to deeply believe that when you seek God, he will reward those who earnestly seek him. Hallelujah! This is such a precious promise! We need to come to God with a true faith and not with a lot of creeds and doctrines. And also in our life, we need to truly believe that God rewards those who earnestly seek him! 

                                                

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, I thank you because you listen to my prayer and you answer me. You are glad to reward those who earnestly seek you. I am willing to open up my life to you Lord.  Please personally guide and lead me, so that I may experience your riches, your almighty power, and your love. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!  

 

             

  

      
                                                                 
This email was sent to devotion1.98hfr734@blogger.com by edevotion@rolcc.net |  
River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054

Monday, May 26, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 11:7-16

  

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."

   

There is a reason why the Lord Jesus purposely delayed two days before going to see Lazarus. It says here that he did this for the sake of the disciples, so that the disciples may know in advance that the Lord has the power of resurrection and would believe that he is the Lord of the resurrection and is the Christ. Even though the disciples followed Jesus, yet their hearts are still filled with many doubts. They were not able to completely believe the words that the Lord said. Or perhaps it is because they did not have the Holy Spirit to open up their minds, so they were always not understanding what Jesus was saying.

 

Many of the things that Jesus said have a spiritual meaning, but the disciples often listen to his words from a rational viewpoint. That's why Thomas has this kind of response, "Let us also go, that we may die with him." He did not know that Jesus can raise Lazarus from the dead. So when he hears Jesus say that Lazarus is dead and that they will go to him, the rational Thomas could not figure this out. "How can we go to him? Where is Jesus referring to? Is it to die with Lazarus?" Not only do they not know what Jesus is going to do, but they also do not believe that the Lord can raise people from the dead.

  

This is why the Lord Jesus Christ delayed two days to wait until after Lazarus had died to raise him from the dead. This is also to prove to the disciples that he is the Christ, the Messiah and Savior. Of course, this is also to prepare the disciples' hearts in advance for his resurrection later. Despite all this, Thomas is still full of mistrust. Even after the Lord had really been resurrected, he still finds it hard to believe.

   

Our Lord is very able to sympathize with our weakness. Even though we are so weak and often doubt God with our rational thinking, but God is always so patient to guide and teach us. He does not criticize us. He sees how Thomas is so full of doubt and struggling to completely believe, but he did not scold him, but guides him step by step and leads him patiently.  Do you know that God leads you in this same way? The Lord is always patiently guiding and constantly revealing things to us, until we can truly understand God's will. Therefore, let us offer up to God our thanksgiving for his love and mercy!

                                             

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, I thank you because you are a loving and merciful God who patiently guides us. May you grant me a discerning heart to enable me to co-work with you, so that your name may be lifted high and you may receive all the glory. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

 

 

              

  

      
                                                                 
This email was sent to devotion1.98hfr734@blogger.com by edevotion@rolcc.net |  
River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd. | Santa Clara | CA | 95054