Today's Passage - Acts 13:33-37

Acts 13:33-37   "...he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.'  The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.'  So it is stated elsewhere: 'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'  For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.  But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay."   Verse 36 says that "when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep."  This is such a wonderful testimony!  First of all, in each generation, God has His specific plans and the people that He's looking to save, and God is always searching for suitable vessels for accomplishing His plan.  A person who serves God must seek His will, not just follow his own aspiration or do whatever he likes to do; he ought to submit to God's will and serve whomever God wants him to serve.  Throughout the generations, God has used those who could see what God wanted to do in their generation and were willing to offer themselves for God to use.  That the only way they can become channels of God's blessing.  Spiritual giants such as Wesley and Calvin were raised up by God because they could see what God wanted to do in their generations.   In fact, the beginning of each denomination is marked by people who saw the new things that God wanted to do in their generation.  Many are willing to work with God, but some are always looking back to God wanted to do before, but cannot understand what God wants to do in the current generation.  Many denominations began knowing what God wanted to do in their generation, but they are neglecting what God wants to do in this generation, and they inevitably end up living in their own denominational world.  May God help us to become more sensitive to His work in each generation; let God renew us and change us so that we won't neglect what God's is doing today and thus miss the opportunity to participate in it.   Second, people who serve God are those who serve people.  We cannot only serve God without serving people.  David served his generation according to God's will, and we need to learn from his example.  Today, many are teaching Christians to be more intimate with God, but overlooked God's will for us which calls us to serve our generation.  A person who loves God will love whoever God loves; because we love God, we must go out to people and serve the generation that God has given us.  May God help us to be determined to follow Him!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you because you are always moving forward in every generation.  Lord, give us the spirit of renewal so that we may understand your will for this generation; let us offer ourselves for you to use so that we may bless those around us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:24-32

Acts 13:24-32   "Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.'  Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.  Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.  When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead..."   Paul especially mentioned two reasons why people would reject Jesus:   First, people reject Jesus because they don't know Christ.  Knowing God is the foundation of faith; many do not believe because they don't know this wonderful savior.  The word "knowing" in this context does not just mean knowing someone as an acquaintance or just by name.  We might "know" the American president, but he probably doesn't know us.  The kind of "knowing" in the Bible refers to an intimate relationship, such as between a couple.  If we want to know God today, we cannot just observe Him from a distance, but we must become intimate with Him and to listen to His word, so that we may understand His will.   A long time ago, I brought the kids out for shopping, and the 3D pictures just came out as a new product.  My two kids were curious, so they got close to the pictures and were excited when they were able to see the 3D image inside.  I looked from a distance and couldn't tell what it was all about, and they told me that I would only be able to see the 3D image if I went closer.  I then found out that I could only see the 3D image if I stood closer and focused on it.  Suddenly, I realize that understanding God works the same way - If we want to know God, we must stay close to Him for a while, and then we will understand His will.   Next, people reject Jesus because they don't understand God's word.  When we read the Bible, we must welcome the Holy Spirit to work inside us.  God's word is like uncooked rice which takes a lot of effort to chew; the Holy Spirit, however, is like a rice cooker that will make the rice edible and digestible.  Therefore, when you read God's word, you need to welcome the work of the Holy Spirit, so that you may truly understand the will of God and let your faith grow.  May the Lord help us to learn to live by the Holy Spirit.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, please help us to know you in our daily life.  We welcome the work of the Holy Spirit so that we may understand the mysteries in your word, and let your word become the foundation of our faith.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:13-23

Acts 13:13-23   From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.  From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down.  After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."  Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me!  The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert...  "From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised."   When Paul and Barnabas were moving forward, John left them.  This John was also named Mark, and his departure dealt a heavy blow to Paul.  When a ministry is in its infancy, it's frustrating to experience departure of coworkers.  Not only will it inflict deep guiltiness, the enemy will also attack and accuse those involved.  When you encounter such a situation, you can learn a few things from this passage.   First, this is a process of growth in life.  To Paul, he needed to learn through the hard way how to work with others; to Mark, his youthful temperament needed to be dealt with.  Regardless of what happened, God's hands were still guiding them.  Therefore, when we confront such defeat, may God give us an open heart and bring ourselves before His working hands.  Whenever I read about Paul, Barnabas and Mark in the Bible, it reminds me of all types of brothers and sisters in the church.  Mark returned later and wrote the Gospel of Mark before God, and in the later letters we also see that his relationship with Paul was restored, and he became a good coworker of Paul.  Therefore, we don't need to be in despair because there's always hope that we will ultimately see God's hand working in everyone's life, and our hearts will once again rejoice.   Second, we need to continue to serve loyally.  The ploy of the enemy is always to have us give up, so we must not fall for it.  Paul gave us a great example - Even though he encountered defeat in ministry, he still continued to take any opportunity to preach the gospel.  Loyalty is the most important test in serving God, because ministry is about the Kingdom of God, not about our feelings.  The most important thing is always whether the Kingdom of God can continue to expand, so may God place such faith inside us.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I want to especially pray for brothers and sisters who are encountering defeat in life or ministry.  May you comfort and encourage them again through this passage, so that they will understand this is a process for growth in life.  Help them not to feel frustrated or fearful, but let them keep on moving forward by depending on you, so that they will ultimately experience breakthrough in life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:4-12

Acts 13:4-12   The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.  ...The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.  But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,  "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?  Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.  When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.   The Book of Acts is indeed the Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit, because the gospel did not spread out because of the zeal or talents of people, but by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.  That's why after the Lord ascended to heaven, He asked the disciples to wait upon the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Acts chapter two describes how the Holy Spirit came down and empowered the disciples to stand up and testify for the Lord; they preached the gospel and led three thousand people to accept the Lord.  In Acts chapters three and four, by the power of the Holy Spirit the apostles were able to heal the sick and preach the gospel.  In Acts chapter five, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the sin of Ananias was revealed and it became a warning for the early church.  In Acts chapters six and seven, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the apostles were able to resolve a crisis in the church.  In Acts chapter eight, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit Philip was taken to the wilderness and shared gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch and led him to the Lord.  In Acts chapter nine, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Ananias was sent to minister to Paul, and Peter was filled by the Spirit that he healed all kinds of illnesses.  In chapter ten and eleven, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter entered the house of Cornelius to share the gospel with them.  In Acts chapter thirteen, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas were sent to gentile land to preach the gospel, and God's will is accomplished around the world because of their obedience.   God is still searching for obedient vessels today.  Even though He can always accomplish things in His own ways, the principle of God is to always choose vessels to work with Him.  God is now looking for those who are willing to break out from traditions, disregard the plans and methods of people, and follow the guidance and ways of the Holy Spirit.  The gospel has been spreading out by the early church, even till today, because they were obedient.  Similarly, when we are obedient to God, his grace will also flow out to all places through our lives.  Are you will to become such a vessel?   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you for the privilege of allowing us to work together with you.  Help us to become vessels that obey you, and may your will be manifested through us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!    Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:3

Acts 13:3   So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.   Holy Spirit often speaks to us when we are praying.  It might not be exactly during your time of prayer, because you might be praying silently in your heart all the time, asking God questions.  It's the kind of prayer that takes place inside the heart, not the prayer life on the outside.  The four gospels often talk about how Jesus retreated to the wilderness to pray, but our prayers are often influenced by utilitarianism; we pray so that we may receive power and blessing, else we feel that we're wasting time.  When Jesus prayed, He seldom asked for more wisdom or strength, but He just wanted to be closer to Father God, and that was the greatest incentive for His prayer.   Often times we can't hear God's voice when we pray because our attitude is wrong to begin with.  God is more than happy to talk to us, but we must be willing to become closer to Him.  When we are close to Him, we'd find that it's not all that difficult to seek His will.  The apostles gave us a great example here; after they fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke to them and sent Barnabas and Paul out for the work of evangelism.  The church immediately laid hands on their heads and sent them out.  As soon as we know God's will, we must proceed boldly.  The church at the time could have deliberated their move, perhaps send the less competent ones out first, and send out the best ones only after the other coworkers are well trained.  Nevertheless, they obeyed God immediately without holding anything back.  May God help us, let us obey God in our lives as soon as we hear His voice.   One time a prophet prayed for me, and he cleared prophesied that God wants me to preach the gospel to those who believe in folk religions and break the authority of darkness from the folk religions.  As soon as I received such message, many churches started to invite me to conduct evangelistic meetings.  At first I hesitated, but then I thought about the message from the prophet and I knew that if I obeyed I would see the results of my obedience.  So, when you come before God to seek His will, you must first ask God to grant you a submissive heart, and you will see how the Holy Spirit opens doors for you on whatever you are praying for.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are willing to speak to us, and you are willing to have your promises fulfilled in our lives.  May you bless each brother and sister, give them an obedient heart so that they would be willing to follow you and experience how you fulfill your promises in their lives.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:2

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." When the early church fasted and prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke to them. Although we all believe that in theory, we rarely experience such a breakthrough in reality. How does the Holy Spirit speak to us? There are three ways: First of all, the Holy Spirit speaks to us directly, through thoughts and impressions. Sometimes, when reading the Bible, we may be deeply touched by the Holy Spirit, and know that it is God's guidance. Francis Schaeffer is a mighty servant of God. When he was a student in the seminary, he was very poor and could not afford any lodging one year when he was in seminary. He came before God and prayed, asking for guidance for his future. During his prayer, he heard a voice in his heart which he thought was his Uncle Harrison. Although he had not spent much time with this uncle and had not been in contact with him for many years, he decided to write a letter to this uncle explaining his need for accommodation, given the prompting by the Holy Spirit. To his surprise, his uncle replied offering him a place for him to stay in. God used this to solve his accommodation problems. Indeed, the Holy Spirit will guide directly by His prompting in our hearts. Let us remember not to extinguish the Spirit's prompting. Secondly, the Holy Spirit often speaks to us through our brothers and sisters. In Acts Chapter 9, Acts, God sent Ananias to tell Paul about what He is planning to do. Many times God wants us to humble ourselves, to stop relying on ourselves, but to learn to humbly receive his guidance. Thirdly, the Holy Spirit can speak to us through meetings and discussions. In Acts Chapter 15, at the council in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit spoke through a debate. Through the process of the debate, the human heart is exposed and the obstacles people face are also exposed. When the Holy Spirit to reveals these obstacles, we can humble ourselves to listen to the voice of God. Let's pray that God will help us to learn to humble ourselves each day, to desire for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we pray that you will soften our hearts so that we may hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. I pray blessings over every brother and sister that each time they seek you, you will speak to them. Remove any obstacles that prevent them from hearing you, and make your will known to them. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 13:1

Acts 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. The Antioch church had a variety of gifts that were working together. This was not an easy task because it is hard for people with different gifts and different personalities to work together. A prophet typically has a very strong and decisive personality, whereas a teacher tends to very cautious and always thinking twice. The church has all kinds of gifts, personalities, and should not say "I do not need you". The Bible clearly tells us, "Do not despise the words of the prophet" because the prophets can better hear the voice of God. At times, God also uses visions, pictures and dreams to lead us and guide us. A prophet's words need to be tested. Although he may be right in 99 prophecies, his 100th prophecy may not be correct. Sometimes the words of the prophet come with conditions and require you to act according to God's promises in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled. At other times, the words of the prophets may relate to different timing. The Old Testament prophets spoke about the first coming and the second coming of Jesus altogether, which can be confusing. Although it may seem clear to us now, it was difficult for the prophets back then to distinguish between the two. This does not mean that the prophet's words were wrong. It was merely the result of discussing two different things at one time. Ultimately, we still need to respect the prophets. Although the prophets can release God's people by their words, spiritual growth still requires a longer-term and more systematic teaching. Jesus gave us the Great Commission, saying, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." God's primary focus is on teaching, and although sometimes teaching can be very boring and time-consuming, it is an important foundation to build. Prophets can discern the will of God and move God's people forward. Teachers can strengthen God's people to ward off the attacks of the enemy. In reality, every gift that God gives to the church is very important. Just like each key on a piano, although some are used more than others, every key is important, and you will not be able to play some beautiful songs with any key missing. Let's pray that God will give us humble hearts to accept one another. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you for the different gifts that are operating within the church in order to accomplish your will. We pray, Lord, that you will grant us humility to accept one another so that your glory may be manifested in the church. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 12:18-25

Acts 12:18-25 ...Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to increase and spread... "Herod" is the king appointed by the Roman government over Palestine. King Herod is an Edomite and a descendent of Esau. In the Old Testament, Esau and Jacob had been in rivalry and the hatred between them built up over generations. The Edomites and the Israelites hated each other and do not get along. For this reason, the Roman government deliberately put King Herod over the Israelites, to rule over the Israelites. The Bible refers to several Herod. Herod the Great was king during the time Jesus was born. When the Magi from the east told him that Jesus was born, he ordered that all children below two years of age be killed. After his death, King Herod was succeeded by his son, Archelaus. The reason King Herod died was because he did not give God the glory that was due to Him, even considering himself to be God. As such, an angel of the Lord immediately killed him. The early church often witnessed an immediate punishment of people's wrongdoings. As in the case of Ananias in Acts Chapter 5, God's purpose is to use this to serve as warning. Those who follow God need to understand that God is not to be mocked. They must be led by the Holy Spirit, and act in accordance with God's will. We really need to thank God, that he no longer does that today. However, we still need to be careful, and not steal the glory of God. How do we give God the glory that is due to Him? The easiest way is through praising God. The book of Psalms teaches us to praise God seven times a day. Of course, the important part is not the actual number of times. The number seven represents perfection. In other words, we should praise God every moment. Open your mouth to praise Him. Praise Him first thing in the morning because when you start the day by praising God, your day will be filled with victory and joy. When our mouths are filled with praises of God, it brings much life and energy to our lives. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you because you are a faithful and true God. You are holy and not to be mocked. Help us, Lord, to learn to praise you each day with our mouths. Let our hearts not be polluted by evil, but let our mouth be filled with joy. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!

Today's Passage - Acts 12:9-17

Acts 12:1-8 ...After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. In Acts Chapter 8, an angel appeared to Philip and brought him to the Ethiopian eunuch. In Acts Chapter 10 and 11, an angel appeared in a vision to Cornelius. We see from these passages that the work of angels is very important. Hebrews 1:14 tells us clearly that angels are ministering spirits, and are different from the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, but an angel is just a ministering spirit. Angels can only appear on the outside, and help to protect us from the outside, but the Holy Spirit can change us from inside out. Although the angels can protect us from the outside, they cannot change our hearts from the inside. Only the Holy Spirit can live within the hearts of the people, to bring about change. For each believer, God prepared for us a guardian angel. Matthew 18:10 tells us that God has indeed prepared to angels to protect us, just like in this passage - Peter was in prison, and an angel rescued him. Several years ago, the church youths went camping in Yosemite. I was driving back from the Yosemite mountains and was stepping on my brakes all along the way. It did not take long before I started to smell the burning tires. I pulled over to the side, and told the youths to get off the car, planning to rush the car off to the garage for repairs. Unexpectedly, when I started the car and stepped on the accelerator, the car started to slide backwards. There were small wooden sticks on the road behind my car, but these did not stop my car from sliding down the hill. At this time, I heard what sounded like a loud thunder, and the car suddenly came to a stop in the middle of the slope, stuck among three trees. When I saw this scene, it was like a hand had grabbed hold of my car. I suddenly realized that it was the work of angels that saved my life. Do you know that God has sent an angel to protect you on your way today? Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you because you sent angels around us to help us and protect us. We pray, Lord, that you open our eyes to see that your grace and protection is always in our lives. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!          Participate in Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - by Donating a Seat for a future new believer!