Thursday, July 31, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 18: 19-24

  

Meanwhile, the high priests questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to this world," Jesus replied.  "I always taught in synagogues or at the temples, where all the Jews come together.  I said nothing in secret,.  Why question me: Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said. "When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest, "he demanded.   If I said nothing wrong," Jesus replied, " testify as to what is wrong.  But I spoke the truth, why did your strike me." .....

  

Jesus was maintaining the truth under all these interrogations; he knew clearly what he stood for and was not apologetic for his answers: "I am standing firm on what I had said in the past."  As we are facing the decline of morality, the value of this world is at the brink of bankruptcy, the greed for money at this end time as depicted in the Bible as well as selfishness, the role of the church today is to be steadfast for the truth and reverse the tide of darkness.  We should all stand firm on the value presented in the Bible in this crooked and evil world.  May the Lord help us in submitting to Him and refrain from going with the tide. 

 

When facing all these heresy, we need the help from God so that we will be faithful to the truth.  There are many cults that deny the deity of Jesus: Jehovah Witness knocking on your doors, giving you "Watch Tower" magazines, and they believe Jesus is the highest creation between man and God, denying Jesus is God; Mormons who wears black and while clothes, riding a bike to your home for Bible studies, they believe that Jesus is only one of the prophets, not one of the Trinity God.

 When facing these cults, we do not have to compromise your belief, but be steadfast on the truth we believe in and appropriately respond according to

 I Timothy: 3:16. You can raise four questions to those who knock on your door next time: Do you believe in the Trinity God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe that the Bible is inspired by God? Do you believe in justification through faith?  If you get roundabout answers, you better say, "Good bye" and save yourself some time

 

Brothers and sisters, holding on to the truth is not only the responsibility of the Pastors, it is also the responsibility of all the believers.  We need to build on God's word, understand the truth and be faithful to our beliefs in our daily lives in order that we may bear witness for this truth in turning the tide of heresy in this world, and   that our lives and families may be in tune with God's desire bearing  glorious testimonies for God. 

                               

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, we thank you for Jesus Christ is the standard for truth.  As we live according to this standard, and loyal to the truth in this crooked age, we may bear glorious testimonies for you.  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

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 18: 15-18

 

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus.  Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter went to wait outside at the door.  The other disciple who was known to the high priest, came back spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.  He replied, "I am not." ......

 

When Jesus Christ was arrested, Peter and another disciple were following Jesus.  The other disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest, so he could follow Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. In other words, all the people in this courtyard and even this girl on duty might know that this disciple was a follower of Jesus.  Even though she knew of this disciple, she did not confront him.

 

Meanwhile, Peter was anxious to follow Jesus, but he stayed way behind instead.  He had a deep fear: "What if somebody recognizes that I am a follower of Jesus, what will they do to me?"  His fear prevented him from following Jesus at a close distance.  Even though there was another disciple who had been going in and out of the courtyard without any repercussion, Peter was still under the of shroud of fear and was reluctant to follow closely. So when the maid asked, "Aren't you one of his disciples?"  Peter denied immediately.

 

The fear in our hearts often prevents us from following Jesus. What happened to Peter often happens to us also. The unspeakable fear in our hearts prevents us to be close to Him and seek after Him fervently: "Uncertain of what would happen if we do; would we be better off?" Many Christians also follow Christ at a distance, not willing to follow closely until all our goals are fulfilled; we are afraid of the consequences after we have been fully committed. 

 

Brothers and sisters, do you have the same fear in your hearts? You can imagine 

the situation Peter was in at that time: another disciple had already entered the courtyard, and because of his fear, Peter hid outside the entrance  without  knowing what to do - that led to his eventual denial of  Jesus.  What is our spiritual state today? Even though we may not deny Christ, but we are afraid to openly acknowledge Him; we are afraid of confessing we are Christians in front of our friends and relatives; afraid of passing out gospel tracts and openly admitting we are Christians outside.  Not confessing our faith openly is like denying our faith indirectly.  If we are in this situation, may the Lord help us and take away this fear in our hearts. 

                              

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, forgive us as we are often afraid to acknowledge you in front of others.  We pray that the Holy Spirit frees us from this fear and restrain so that we are willing to be a glorious witness for you.  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

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 18: 10-14

   

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servants name was Malchus).  Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away!  Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" ....

  

Before this event, Jesus brought His disciples to pray in the Garden of Gethsamane.  When Jesus found the disciples had fallen asleep, He said to them, "Rise, let us be going."  To Jesus, He rose up after praying, but to the disciples, they rose up after sleeping - the same "rose up" , yet two different consequences.

    

Jesus was filled with peace and assurance when facing the arrest of the soldiers, the interrogations by the officials, and even being shackled and whipped.  Because He spoke with such authority, even the soldiers were smitten and Pontius Pilate did not know what to do with Him. Ironically, it was His disciples who were in great anxiety after being awaken; Peter, thinking he was in a combat, took a sword and cut off the ear of a servant of a high priest!  Peter was filled with fear, he denied knowing Jesus three times, while rest of the disciples left in a hurry because of their precarious situation.  What a difference it makes with prayers!

   

After Jesus had resurrected, the disciples had been praying in an attic for ten days waiting for the descending of the Holy Spirit. When they have received the Holy Spirit, they were empowered with wisdom and authority.  Just imagine, the apostles together with the disciples in the four Gospels were immediately transformed!  The disciples in the gospels were weak and tardy looking to become prosperous and wealthy, but afraid of sufferings and death like you and me!  Yet in the Acts of Apostles, they were neither afraid of persecution nor death; they were able to sing in jails, preach and cast out demons with great authority!  Prayers make such a big difference!

   

When facing pressure in trials and tribulations, if we were to be alert in prayers like Jesus did, we would certainly come before God asking for His help in giving us the desire to spend time with Him.  We can also experience the help and power from God through our prayers.  Many people like to ask, "How do I know God's will?"  I used to prepare a lot of materials on this topic, but now I only post a single question, "How much time have you spent praying before God?" Do you really want to understand God's will? Knowing His will is not at all difficult.  You only need to pray: pray with urgency, pray with fasting, pray all night; God will never hide His will from you.  Many a time we are bewildered not because of God, but because of ourselves.  It is only when we seek after Him earnestly, we shall find.  

                               

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Lord, have pity on us as we are always weak, not knowing to pray before you.  May you help us understand the difference what prayers can do  so  we may come to understand that  we can be close to you, receive help and strength through prayers.  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

Monday, July 28, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 18: 1-9

 

....... Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?" "Jesus of Nazareth," they said. Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go." .........

                

When those people came to look for Jesus, he told them clearly, "I am the one that you want." Jesus clearly declared the eternal truth, no matter the situation, Jesus's answer always is," I am he." Jesus is the never-changing truth. Eastern philosophy is the quest of the way, western philosophy is the quest of the truth, only Jesus Christ says, "I am the way, the truth and the life." And only through Jesus Christ, we can find eternal love, justice and significance.

                

Until now, Jesus Christ is still the only answer for people's heart. Rev. Billy Graham once said, he traveled all over the world, facing the different cultures, politics and races, but his message has never changed, because even though society changes, civilization changes, but the problem of people's heart has never changed. People have lived in the bondage of sin, for they do not do what they want to do, but they do what they do not want to do. What the people's heart needs today is still sin forgiven by the gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as the real freedom that Jesus Christ brings.

                

People of this world like to talk about freedom. The United States talked about sexual freedom in the sixties, leaving the traditional family values behind, today in retrospect; they found only the broken families, suffering children, even the aids disease. In the nineties the Unites States talked about the freedom of homosexuality, woman's rights, even suicide among the youth was popular, because they wanted freedom. But when the world talked about rights and freedom, they ignored the sovereignty of God. Humanity's greatest tragedy is in people's quest for freedom, rejecting the God that gives freedom to humanity; people need only freedom, but they don't need the truth that set us free, so people instead lost their freedom.

                

Humanity needs not freedom only on the surface, because externally you can move away from some unjust systems, but the heart in still in bondage of bitterness and resentment. What humanity needs today is freedom of the heart, set free from the bondage of sin, and this freedom only comes from Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, do you have the truth of Jesus Christ in your life? Let us find peace, joy and freedom in truth, and follow the truth in everyday life!

                               

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, thank you, because you are the eternal, never changing God. Let us follow you every day, follow your ways in our daily lives, listen to your heart, so that your will is made complete in us. Thank you and 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

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Daily Devotion

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

John 17: 22-26

  

"....... I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."

                

The Lord said here, "Then the world will know that you have loved them even as you have loved me." God the Father loves Jesus is perfectly justified, because this is his only begotten son,  but if God the father loves us as he loves Jesus, this is worthy for us to think about. By nature people always love their children, but God reveals to us that He loves us as He has loved Lord Jesus Christ. Even so it says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Such love is so hard for us to comprehend.

                

Such love is beyond the love of this world, so it says in Roman 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." When Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross, it proves that God loves us with sacrificial love, because the world loves only the lovable, righteous and honest people, but only Jesus Christ died for us when we were still sinners, such love is beyond the love of this world.

                

Brothers and sisters, ask God to help us come before God's throne; let Him surround us with His love. God not only gave up His beloved son to save us, but God loves us with the intense communal love among the Trinity to love us unworthy sinners, how precious it is! It is God's intention to use us to spread love in this love-starved world, how can we not obey God's commands, witnessing God's love?

                

Do you feel God love you? Are you willing to share this love? Once we obey God's command to love one another, and the world, the love of God will find the vessels in us, overflowing from our lives. Are you willing to commit to love the people around you? Let the people around us, even the non-believers, experience the love of God today!

                               

Pray with Pastor Tong     

    

Dear Lord, thank you, we love because you first love us. We ask you to fill us with your love, let us not just enjoy your love, but spread your love from our lives. Thank you and 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