Today's Passage - Matthew 26:31-35

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 26:31-35   Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.             Jesus prophesied that Peter will deny Him three times before His arrest, but Peter declared that he would never fall while others may. Peter was reckless and relied on himself; a classic representation of our nature and flesh. It is easy for us to rely on ourselves when we are serving. Maybe we are not as reckless as Peter, but many times we rely on ourselves the same way Peter did. Rationality also belongs to the flesh. If we try to accomplish the work of God through our natural lives, we will eventually find ourselves in complete failure.             When I was the president of Chinese Bible Study Fellowship of Philadelphia, I was eager to serve the Lord and wished the fellowship would grow. Since all the coworkers were busy with school works and have not much desire to serve the Lord, I started writing a letter every week to them. In the letters, I encouraged them to love the Lord, at the same time I rebuked them for not being faithful to the ministry. Soon I wrote these letters more frequently as I saw no improvements. One day I went to a coworker's home to have a meal with him, during the meal he said to me, "To tell you the truth, I never open your letters, for I know that it must be heavy. I just threw them away every time I receive them." I was very hurt when I first heard this, but the Lord taught me: a ministry that relies on flesh produces no fruits.             A successful ministry doesn't rely on personal abilities but on the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you feel discouraged in ministry? Let us reflect if the difficulties we face are a result of us relying on ourselves in serving God. May the Spirit of the Lord help us to move away from serving like Peter, who relied on flesh, but turn back to God and trust in Him. Only in Him we will see that He is our strength, our help, our wisdom, and our fortress.     Pray with Pastor Tong     Dear Lord, I thank You, for You are full of compassion even when we fall. May You teach us once again to rely not on our flesh and talents to serve, and help us to rely on Your Spirit to serve and glorify You. I thank You and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!