Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 9:14-15

2 Corinthians 9:14-15 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! Have you counted God's blessings in your life? You will realize that God has spiritual gifts, salvation gift and many other kinds of blessings. The more you count, the more your heart will be filled with joy. At times we are not able to be joyful, primarily because we fail to count God's blessings and instead we count the faults of others. The Bible says, "Love keeps no record of wrong", but yet we keep counting the faults of others, causing our hearts to be trapped by the schemes of the enemy. Psalm 107 mentions that God has done wonderful deeds for mankind. First we receive the blessing of His guidance. When we look back at our lives, there are many points in our lives when we are wandering in the desert. We feel lost and not know where we should go or what we should do. However, He has been guiding us according to His miraculous ways, to help us walk a straight path and satisfy our needs. Secondly, He has released blessings into our lives. Before we were saved, we were often trapped by sin, lies, traditions and the power of idols. The Lord has done a work of release in our lives, broken the chains and open the gates, rescuing us from the hand of the enemy. Thirdly, God gives us the grace of healing in our lives. Our God is glad to heal. He is glad to heal our spirit and heal our sickness, saving us from death. All who come before him and ask will not be forsaken. Four, He gives us the grace of protection. Whether you are driving outside, on a boat or plane, it is because of God's protection each time you return home safely. We give thanks for any near-death experience we may have, but we often forget to thank God for his daily protection. Five, we need to remember God's common grace in our lives. God grants us a planet to live in, He causes food to grow, and gives us all kinds of property. God also grants us our families and church, becoming our support. No wonder Psalm 107:43 says, "Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord." Brothers and sisters, are you wise? Ask God to awaken us to count His multiple blessings together. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I thank you because you have indeed poured out countless blessings. We want to give thanks for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Thank you for your past provision, guidance, protection, help and healing. May your faithful hand continue to lead us in the way ahead of us, and we will give all the glory to you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 9:11-13

2 Corinthians 9:11-13 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. God has made us rich in order for us to give generously. In this materialistic society, we often emphasize blessings and prosperity. But the principle of the Bible is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Because when you give, your heart begins to understand God's heart. God's love is in your heart and can bring joy to your giving. Secondly when you give, you can supply the needs of God's people. God's blessings flow out through you so that you can take part in God's work. This is so precious. Perhaps you and I do not understand the importance of this matter, but if you understand that God will reward us according to our work, you will be filled with joy when you serve. Jesus gave this parable about the judgment day when God will separate the sheep and the goats. To the sheep on the right he will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,(I) I was in prison and you came to visit me." Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?" The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Hence, when we give, we are giving unto the Lord. When you are thinking, I wish the Lord could come to my house for dinner. In reality, when you entertain brothers and sisters at our house, we are doing it unto the Lord and He will be our reward. Lastly, when we do that, God will be glorified in our midst. Because when we speak about love, the world does not see our love, but when we give, they will understand "love" in real action, and start to feel God's grace and give glory to God. Brothers and sisters, are you willing to start to follow God's Word today? Pray with Pastor Tong Lord Jesus, we thank you because you have given us all kinds of blessings, so that we lack nothing. Lord, help us to be sensitive to the needs of others, and give according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that your name may be glorified. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 9:8-10

2 Corinthians 9: 8-10 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. Our God is willing to make all grace abound to us, but his grace may not be what we imagine. On one hand, God wants to supply of our all needs. On the other hand, he wants us to enjoy what we have labored for. These two principles do not contradict each other. Verse 10 says, "God supplies seed to the sower. He will provide enough seeds. But God wants us to take the effort to sow the seeds and He will reward our labor by giving us the bread to eat. In other words, God does not want us to enjoy what we did not work for. He wants us to take the step of faith to pay the price first, before He will bless us. Rockefeller is a famous American millionaire. Since young, he had to work to support his mother. His wages each week was only $1.50. The first time he brought it to his mother, his mother sat him on her lap and said, "If you give 10% of this to God, I will be even happier." Hence, Rockefeller did that. Since then, he has abided by this tithing rule. For $1.50, he will give 15 cents. But when 10% became a million dollars, it was not an easy thing. Henry Crowell, the founder of Quaker Oats, did not go to school when he was young because of his pneumonia. He listened to Moody preached and was encouraged. He prayed and said, "Lord, although I cannot be a preacher, I can be a good businessman. If you let me make money, I will use the money to serve you." Later in life, he bought a factory in Ohio. For every dollar he made, he gave 10% of it. 10 years later, Quaker Oats became a well-known product. Along with the increase in his income, his giving increased. From 10%, he increased his giving to 60-70%, and God's blessings continued to flow in his life. Brothers and sisters, do not think that giving is a sacrifice. God's blessings will always exceed what you can imagine. Do you believe that this generous God can bless you today? Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I thank you because you have given us all kinds of blessings and we have multiple resources in our hands. May the Lord teach us how to be faithful stewards in handling the wealth you have given us, to offer them for your use. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

2 Corinthians 9:1-5 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow... So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.    Paul reminded the Corinthian church that although eagerness to help is good, it needs to be translated into real actions, in order to bear fruit. We often stop at the "sitting and talking" phase, but fail to "get up and act" accordingly. We can all sit down and discuss how to love one another. However, without any action, it is just like clanging cymbals or resounding gongs. This brings no help. The church often talks about caring for our society, but if we do not step out of our doors, caring becomes just talking. The church often emphasizes unity, but if all we do is criticize others, how can we be united?   Many Christians often stop at being eager to help, but fail to really give of themselves. How many times have God called you to draw close to Him and serve Him? When you were young, you said, "Although I'm willing, I need to study. It is not convenient!" When you graduated, you said, "I need to establish my career and family now. It's not convenient!" When you are settled and have a family, you say, "Lord, I am eager, but I have 3 kids to take care of. It's not convenient!". When you reach middle age, you are busy with starting a business and investing in the stock market, it becomes even more inconvenient. When you grow old, you say, "Lord! I am willing, but my body really can't take it anymore! It's really not convenient!" Do all these excuses sound familiar? We allow too many inconveniences to stop us from serving. In fact, God never said, "Follow me when it is convenient!" God's command is always for the present time. His presence is the same way. He has given us the willingness in our heart and we need to respond immediately.    Brothers and sisters, are you willing to have faith and depend on God, to rise up and accomplish His will in your life? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is moving in your heart now to serve in a particular area? No matter how unqualified you may feel, are you willing to have faith to respond to his calling and offer yourself? Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I thank you because you are the Lord who touches us. Our eagerness to serve comes from you. May the Holy Spirit touch us once again, so we may act on it today to finish the work you have given us, and we can give the glory back to you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!     See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 8:22-24

2 Corinthians 8:22-24     In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you.  As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.  Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.   Paul said here that zeal for ministry must be proven.  The Bible teaches us that only the zeal of Jehovah can accomplish great things; therefore, the test for our zeal is to see whether we have died from our human zeal, but are living with God's zeal.     Paul has experienced many tests for his zeal.  When he first accepted the Lord, he had great zeal and he went around Damascus to preach about Christ.  The Jews talked about killing him, but according to Paul's zeal and his personality he wouldn't have been afraid of no one because he thought truth was on his side.  God, however, didn't work that way, but instead wanted him to sneak out through the wall of Damascus using a rope.  To the young and energetic Paul, that was a real blow to his esteem.  That's why in 2 Corinthian 11:30-33 he mentioned about 'things that show my weakness," which was referring to his escape from Damascus.  Later on, he went to Jerusalem and he wanted to work for the Lord, but the Jerusalem church didn't accept him because Paul persecuted them before; when Paul wanted to serve with them, however, the Jerusalem church didn't know what to make of it, so they kept distance from Paul.     Also, Paul didn't really understand the principle of serving with others, so he encountered many failures and setbacks.  Shortly after Paul went to Jerusalem, some local non-believer Jews saw that he could refute all the people, so they wanted to kill him.  Paul then had to escape to Tarsus for over ten years.  The Bible didn't say what he did during all those years, and it seemed like everyone, including God, forgot about him.  Why did he have to encounter all these things?  Hudson Taylor said in his diary that if it wasn't for the years of trial, the dreams and passion of Paul the young man wouldn't have matured.  It was in essence a test of his zeal. If you are encountering the same kind of tests in your path of serving the Lord, you need to accept them with joy.  1 Peter 5:9 says that "standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."  God will ultimately restore us and make us strong, and empower us to serve Him.    Pray with Pastor Tong    Lord, I ask that your Spirit touch the brothers and sisters who were relying on their own zeal but became discouraged and disillusioned.  May your Spirit pour down and fill them, encourage them again so that they will turn back to you.  Let them have the zeal from you once again.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 8:16-21

2 Corinthians 8:16-21     I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you.  For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.  And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel.  What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.  We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.  For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. Titus is a man with a caring and merciful heart.  Not only did he care about Paul's needs, he also conveyed to Paul concern from the Corinthian church.  Also, he went to the Corinthian church on behalf of Paul and encouraged them.  Considering the constraints in transportation, he had to pay a hefty price to fulfill his mission, which showed that Titus was willing to go the extra mile.  We should follow the example of Titus.  When we are helping others we often think that we are doing too much, and sometimes we might even feel that we're just doing a thankless job.  In verse twenty, Paul said that "We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift."  Actually, Paul did not collect the offerings for himself, but some people criticized them for the gift.  Both Titus and Paul understood that they were serving God, thus they could overlook the criticism and judgment from others.  They solely focused on God, so they could continue to work on what God entrusted them with.     Are there people in need around you?  Sometimes a quick phone call can bring help and comfort to others, and practical assistance can go even further.  Many years ago, when church building was been remodeled, the license of our contractor, who's a good brother in the Lord, was suspended by the government because they had owed money.  When the building committee heard what happened, one brothers immediately wrote a check to the contractor for paying off his debt so that his license could be reinstated.  Because of this experience, the contractor's spiritual life was renewed, he continue to come to church and kept a positive relationship with the church.    Brothers and sisters, may the Lord help us so that our love is not just lip service, but in practical action.  Are you willing to be such a channel of love?  May the Lord help you to do it starting today!     Pray with Pastor Tong    Lord, we ask that you make us learn from Titus so we may help others often.  May the love of the Lord flow through us, make us a channel of love so that people around us may receive practical help.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       See Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - on Facebook!

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