Today's Passage - 1 Thess 4:1

1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. Paul took great pains to explain this as it is an important lesson for the Christian life. Paul says, "We instructed you how to live in order to please God, now we ask and urge you to do this more and more." In other words, not only do you need to know, but you need to do as God instructs. As a Christian, you need to live in a Christ-like manner. Besides knowing, you need to act according to what you know. A person needs to have a heart of obedience to obey what God has taught him to do and to obey the leading of God in his life. Pray that God will help us to return to His Word and His teaching and to obey Him. For example in the area of tithing, I often feel that this is the commandment that is easiest to obey. God calls us to go out to preach the gospel and witness to others. If you say these things are not difficult, you probably have never really preached the gospel before. The Bible tells us to love one another and love your neighbor as yourself. If you say that is not difficult, you probably have never really loved another. There are many commandments in the Bible that are difficult to obey when you rely on yourself. However, tithing is one area that can be considered easy to obey because as long as you give 10% of what you earn, you are obeying God's commandment. If we choose to disobey God in something that is so simple, how can we say that we love God and are willing to obey God? Pray that the Lord will help us to live our lives to be a testimony for him as this is what He called us to do. Not only by preaching the gospel, but to live our lives in a way that it can be a witness to others. We need to watch what we say and do, so we can be an example to others. At home, God teaches the husband to love his wife the way Christ loves the church, and the wife to submit to the husband. Paul encouraged us to not only live in order to please God, but to do this more and more. It is not about not offending others, but also forgiving those who persecute us. Because if you do not forgive, you are the one who will suffer. We do this not by our own strength, but by the strength of God. Ask God to help us to know how to act in our lives and have the strength to act according to what we know, so that God will receive the greatest glory in our lives! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, you are the God who gives us strength each day. We pray you will help us to act according to your word each day, so that we may receive joy, freedom and deliverance, and manifest your glory to the people around us. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 3:11-13

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Here we see 3 types of love: First is the love that pastors have towards their spiritual children. Paul revealed his love for the believers and how he prayed for them day and night. This is a hopeful prayer. Paul was concerned about their spiritual life and was concerned if they will be able to stand firmly when they come before the judgment seat of God. Not only did Paul pray for their faiths to be strengthened, but also that they will be blameless and holy. A pastor has the responsibility to bring his church before God and pray fervently for them. Because we know that in this difficult and dangerous environment, only God's Word can strengthen their faith and cause them to grow and mature in a way pleasing to God. The second type of love is the love for one another. This is believers helping one another and loving one another. We need to learn to love one another in the church. Jesus said, "When you love one another, people will know that you are my disciples." We need to learn to help one another and accept one another, instead of judging one another. We need to love one another, be understanding towards one another, hold one another accountable and encourage one another to love the Lord more and to seek growth and maturity. When we have this love for one another, others will see the testimony of love and be attracted to God. Thirdly is the love for others. Not only should we love one another within the church, we need to love those around us who are not yet believers. Often, it is easy to love those who are like us, but difficult to love those who are different from us. This is the reason why the Chinese church has difficulty reaching out. When we walk into society and we see many who are not like us. Not just in terms of culture, race and status, the way we dress are also different. When we find it hard to accept others, we cannot love them. However, when Jesus came to every city, he went in the midst of sinners and people who had need to show his love for others. What the world needs today is not more teaching, but true love. The church needs to show the love of Jesus so that people's hearts may be drawn to God. May God help us to demonstrate such love in our lives! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I thank you that we love because you first loved us! Pray Lord that you will fill our hearts with the love of Christ in our lives, so that we may learn to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and those around us. We ask Lord that you teach us to love. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 3:7-10

1 Thessalonians 3:7-10 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. Paul had a big heart towards the believers in the Thessalonica church. These were his spiritual children and as a spiritual father, when he saw the persecution they were going through, he got really anxious! On the other hand, Paul definitely understood that he cannot do anything for his spiritual children, it all depends on God. In verse 9, when he saw how God was watching over the believers in the Thessalonica church, he gave thanks to God because he knew that this was the work of God and not his own work. In the same way we have the same concern for our physical children or spiritual children. Especially parents of teenagers, when they see their teenager growing up and going into the world, their hearts are filled with anxiety, and they start to nag at them. We want to use our own way and we have our own expectations for our children, but they are no longer within our control and we do not have much influence over them or ability to guide them, as such we get really anxious. We need to learn to bring all our anxieties to the Lord in prayer and learn from Paul to depend on God. We need to learn that what can strengthen us or our children is not ourselves, but God. Hence, we need to depend on Him! Paul gave us an example here. He prayed for his spiritual children day and night. In the same way, we need to learn to pray fervently and unceasingly for our children, not that God will change them, but to lift up our children before God and not interfere in God's work in their lives. Often when we come to God, we have in mind what we want God to do. When we are crying out before God, we will often discover that His way is higher than our ways. May the Lord help us to quiet down before Him and pray according to His will. When we are willing to surrender to God and trust Him, we will discover that His hand is moving miraculously in our lives. Let us trust God wholeheartedly and bring our physical and spiritual children before God and believe that He will guide us! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I thank you because in our lives you are the God who strengthens us! I pray you will comfort those who are parents so that when they are worrying about their children. Strengthen their faith so that they will depend on you, and pray for their children according to your will, so that ultimately, their children will turn back to you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 3:4-6

1 Thessalonians 3:4-6   In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.   Paul had a unique understanding of persecution and knew that persecution was unavoidable and that he must go through them. Hence when persecution came, he said, "as you well know". Most people would say, "God's promises came as you well know.", but few people would say in the midst of persecution that it came "as you well know". Paul endured suffering and persecution because he had the right mindset to endure hardship.   The believers in the early church faced much persecution and difficult circumstances. Yet, their hearts were filled with joy and could overcome these trials. In contrast, the believers in North America live in great comfort and have never experienced persecution. Yet, when they are faced with any small difficulty, they grumble and complain. The difference is because the early church believers had the right mindset to endure hardship. When you have the mindset of suffering for the Lord, you will not be surprised when troubles come, and you will not think much of it. You can stand firm for the Lord be a great testimony for the Lord and be glad that you can suffer for the Lord.   When the Thessalonica church was persecuted, Paul was anxious because he did not know if the church will be able to handle this. In Chapter 3, Paul said twice that he could no longer wait and had to find out if they were still abiding in God's love and faith. Paul's heart was indeed joined with the church and hence he sent Timothy to find out how they were doing. Praise God, based on Timothy's report, Paul knew that the Thessalonica church was still abiding in God's love and faith. Hallelujah! I believe that Paul's testimony had a great influence on the Thessalonica church; Paul was a person who could persevere in trials. His example influenced the Thessalonica church so that they can endure persecution as well.   When a leader has faith, the followers will have the same faith in Christ. It is important to set an example. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul's example greatly influenced the believers. May the Lord help us to be a good example in our faith, so that we can influence those around us.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you that you are our strength and our help in the midst of persecution. I pray you will give us perseverance to endure suffering so that we will be able to endure trials and stand strong for you and be a glorious witness for you. May you strengthen us and be our comfort and strength. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!    Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 3:1-3

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3   So when we could stand it no longer we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them.   Here Paul encourages us to persevere in the midst of trials. There are many aspects to trials. Firstly, trials come in all forms. Indeed, there are trials in the circumstances we face, there are attacks from the enemy, and there are hurts in relationships and all kinds of trials. But praise the Lord, do you know His blessings come in all forms too?   Not only does God want to give us the gift of salvation, but He also gives us the blessing of His guidance. The Bible says: He is our Shepherd and will guide us through our lives. God also has the blessing of provision. He is Jehovah Jireh and will provide for all that we need. We have blessings throughout our lives and God being our strength, our help and our salvation is an even greater blessing. God reveals His presence to us even at times when we least expect it. I remember there was one sister who was getting ready to go to Southern California for seminary. Unexpectedly, she had trouble selling all her furniture, and she kept praying for God to bring her the right buyer, but no one came. One day when she got home, she found that a burglar had broken in and took her the furniture. She was really depressed. Later on, when she was talking to her insurance company, she realized that all her furniture was insured and she was getting paid for all the stolen furniture that she had trouble selling! Hallelujah. This is a blessing in disguise!   A man's way is indeed limited. We cannot comprehend or see clearly the road ahead of us, but God often blesses us in unexpected ways. The trials that are mentioned here are predestined and Paul clearly knew that he was called to suffer for the Lord. As such, Paul had the right mindset to face all kinds of trials. Once you have the right mindset, you will discover that trials are not that difficult to overcome. All believers will face trials in life. The enemy uses all kinds of methods to attack us in order to weaken our faith, so that we may stray away from God. We need to understand the schemes of the enemy. Paul said, "We must stand strong in the midst of trials." Pray that God's Holy Spirit will strengthen our faith. No matter how the world circumstances change, our God is still seated on the throne and He never changes. Let us be comforted in the midst of our trials to encourage one another and standing firmly together in the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ to experience victory for our lives.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because although we face all kinds of trials, your blessings come in all forms as well. May the Lord comfort and strengthen our hearts so that we can stand firmly in your blessing! I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!    Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 2:17-20

1 Corinthians 2:17-20   But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.  For we wanted to come to you--certainly I, Paul, did, again and again - but Satan stopped us.  For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.   In this passage, Paul said that "you are our glory ."  He said this from the perspective of his ministry.  When parents see their children become successful, they feel proud of them.  In the same way, when those who serve God see that the brothers and sisters they led before become fruitful in their ministry, they will also become excited.  I remember that one time I went on a mission trip in West Africa and we passed by a Muslim village.  We were just going to stop by and pass out some gospel tracks because the locals are all Muslims and we didn't think we could do much.  We entered the village and lots of people came to see us, and we thought that we ought to take the opportunity to share the gospel when the villagers and invite them to accept Jesus.  I encouraged one brother in the team to preach the gospel to them, and he made an altar call after he preached; then, surprisingly six or seven Muslims in the village decided to give their lives to the Lord, hallelujah!  When I saw everything that happened, I was really excited, even more so than if I preached the gospel myself, because it was exciting to see a brothers in the Lord matured and was used by God.  It is a truly glorious moment to see that someone you have led stand before God and be used by Him.   Next, Paul also said that they are his joy.  One who has the heart of a shepherd must be able to identify with the brothers and sisters that he's leading; he will be happy and sad with them.  When he sees the believers are happy and joyful, he'd be happy and joyful; when he sees the believers mature, he'd also be happy and joyful; when he sees how God's hand works on the believers, he's even more happy and joyful.   God's hands are miraculous, and they can work in the most hopeless situations.  Throughout the years, if I hadn't witnessed how God's power of resurrection can turn lives around, I'd already be discourages and fearful.  There's great pressure that comes with work of a shepherd, especially when we see how people are suffering in difficult circumstances but there's nothing we can do except to cry out to God.  There's tremendous agony and struggle in our hearts and souls, and our faith is often challenged.  If we hadn't witnessed how God's hands repeated performed wonderful miracles, we wouldn't be able to keep on serving Him.  We thank God when we see what His hands can do miraculous work in the lives of brothers and sisters, and our hearts are filled with joy because we see that God's grace is filled in our midst.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are God who performs signs and wonders.  You are also our God who empowers us as we serve you.  Lord, please help us to serve you, love you, and follow you every day in our life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 2:13-16

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16   And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.  For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews...   Paul said that the believers of the Thessalonian church set good example for us.   First of all, they respect the servants of God.  When they heard the word of God, they received it as the word of God.  They did not reject the word of God or the work of God because of the who the messenger was.  Many people have a misconception towards ministers, believing that ministers should be completely blameless.  Certainly that is the wish and desire of all ministers, but no one is completely perfect, so ministers could make mistakes too.  May God help us not to deny the ministry of a minister just because he made a mistake, just like we won't deny a minister because his ministry is not effective enough.  May God help us to discern what is from people and what is from God.  Actually, we can learn a lot from everyone, and God can teach us through everyone.  May God let us hear His word from people and be able to discern and accept the word of God, because when we finally stand before the judgment seat we must be responsible for the state of our own spiritual life.  God has already given His word to us, and He also wants to give His Spirit to us so that the Holy Spirit will teach us how to discern the truth.  As long as we are careful and have a sensitive heart, God will always guide us.  May God help us to follow the example of the Thessalonian believers, to respect God's servants and receive God's word.   Second, they are willing to be persecuted for the Lord.  Persecution is the testing ground for faith.  We may do just fine in our daily life, but as soon as we encounter trial and persecution, many of us would withdraw.  Are we willing to come out and bear witness for the Lord?  Believers in North America often lack the determination to be strong for the Lord.  We often are afraid of acknowledge that we are Christians, to the point that sometimes we are even afraid of saying grace when eating with other people.  May God give us a courage heart, to be determined to stand up for the Lord no matter how others see us, and be willing to bear witness for our glorious Lord.  We may not end up suffer for the Lord, but we must have the same determination to endure suffering for the Lord like the Thessalonian believers.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, please give us the determination to suffer for the Lord.  Prepare us to witness for your glory in our daily life.  May the Holy Spirit guide us  to learn the lessons that we need to learn from the ministers, brothers and sisters, and the circumstance around us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.

Today's Passage - 1 Thess 2:9-12

1 Thessalonians 2:9-12   Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.  You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.  For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.   As shepherds, not only should we lead brothers and sisters with a mother's heart, but we also need to have a father's heart.  Mother's heart expresses love, and father's heart expresses truth.  As our faith grows, we not only need love, but also need to balance it with truth.  We often talk about love without truth, and it produces indulgence in love; on the other hand, when  we talk about truth without love, truth becomes a tool that binds people.  A shepherd must take care of both sides by expressing both love and truth to the brothers and sisters.  A father needs to set a good example, as Paul described "holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed."  Not only can people be witnesses for him, even God can be his witness.   A father's words and behavior can greatly impact his own children.  In the same way, a spiritual father can also impact those whom he's leading.  Jesus set the best example for us; during the last supper, no disciple was willing to wash other people's feet, because no one wants to behave like servants of others.  Without rebuking the disciples, Jesus humbly bent down and washed every disciple's feet.  Jesus always simply guided and led His disciples by example.  In 1 Timothy 4:12, we are encouraged to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."  When we lead others, we must lead by example.   Next, a father must also encourage his spiritual children,  Verse 11 says that "for you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory."  Our lives must be worthy of God's calling, which is a concept often mentioned in Paul's letters.  I often remind myself the same - Is my life worthy of God's calling?  We often behave our best in front of people, but when we are alone, are our thoughts and mind worthy of the Lord?  This is a good reminder - When we are teaching brothers and sisters, let us remind them that no matter what they do, we must live worthy of God who loves us and called us into His glorious kingdom.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you have expressed a father's love to us.  Help us to set good example in our daily life for brothers and sisters whom we are leading, and encourage us to live worthy of the Lord.  Teach us and help us to reflect on our lives so that we'll glorify you and benefit people.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!   Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow the project on Facebook ! Help us to reach our Phase I Target, and witness how God expands His Kingdom on earth!  Click here to donate online.