Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 8:9-13

1 Corinthians 8:9-13   Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.    Paul reminds us of several principles of how to act:    First is the principle of freedom. In Christ, we are free, and we can do anything.  However, there also needs to be the principle of love. This principle of love says that the exercise of our freedom should not become a stumbling block to the weak. We should give up our freedom for our brothers, and refrain from doing certain things if it causes others to stumble.    I remember years ago when I began to pastor, the congregation was very small. At that time a sister's mother came from Taiwan to live in the United States. She was very lonely, and so I thought I would lend her a videotape of a famous Taiwanese singer so she can watch it.  Unexpectedly, when I gave her the videotape, her first reaction was, "Wow, how could a pastor watch such videos?" These words suddenly reminded me and the Holy Spirit prompted me that I need to be a witness for Christ as a pastor.  Since then, I stopped watching these types of video.  This is a demonstration of the principle of love.    Thirdly is the principle of the Holy Spirit.  Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot do anything.  One time, I was having dinner with a child. When he saw me eating beside him, he was suddenly surprised, and said, "Why would a pastor need to eat?!" I was shocked, and obviously I did not stop eating after that incident.  In the previous example of watching certain videotapes, the Holy Spirit had prompted me, and I had acted according to the prompting.  In other situations, if the Holy Spirit did not prompt me, I would not change my course of action.  As such, the principle of love needs to be guided by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  In this way, God will be able to lead us in our lives to glorify His holy name.     Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, how we need your wisdom to deal with our daily circumstances. May you personally bless every brother and sister, so that we may choose to glorify your name and seek your will, so that your name may be lifted up high. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!     Learn more about River of Life Foundation and Sponsor a Child today!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 8:1-8

1 Corinthians 8:1-8   Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge... So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one... yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.   Can we eat food that has been sacrificed to idols? Paul explained the answer in these scriptures. There are two parts to this: Firstly, in terms of knowledge and theory, as long as we eat with faith, there is nothing that can harm our body. As long as we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, and the blood of Jesus cleanses the food, and the powers of darkness and idols will lose its effect. Paul also said here that "an idol is nothing at all in the world."  The God that we believe in is more powerful than any other false gods.  All things belong to Him, including us. As such, we can eat whatever we want.  Under the authority of Jesus Christ, there is nothing that cannot be clean. Hence in knowledge and theory, we have can eat anything.   Secondly, based on the principle of love, we have to think twice before we act. Since ancient times, there has been an understanding that when we eat with someone, it represents fellowship and association.  As such, back in those days when you eat food that has been sacrificed to others, even though you may think the food is cleansed, there are people in society who may think that you are associated with the idol.  Those brothers and sisters whose conscience is weak may think that it is alright to worship Jesus and worship idols at the same time.  Therefore, because of love, we should choose not to eat the food that has been sacrificed to idols.  However, if we eat the food by accident, we do not have to worry, because it says here: "we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do".  In the blood of Christ, the powers of darkness have been broken.  Are we willing to give up our rights, and choose not to eat food that has been sacrificed to idols so that we may bring glory to Christ?     Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you for your word clearly teaches us that in every situation, we can be a glorious witness for you.  Especially in the area of food sacrificed to idols, help us understand the principle of love, so that we may choose not to eat food sacrificed to idols of food, and be a witness to our family and friends. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!        Learn more about River of Life Foundation and Sponsor a Child today!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 7:35-40

1 Corinthians 7:35-40   I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin-this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better...      Paul talked about the principle of being single and being married in this passage.  In the church during Paul's time, there were some fathers who kept their daughters single to serve God. Paul emphasized that no matter single or married, the important thing is to hold on to your identity.  The single should serve God in their singleness, and the married should do the same.    Of course, it is a wonderful thing when singles serve the Lord.  The singles do not have any burden and can focus wholeheartedly on serving God.  This is why Catholics encourage priests to keep celibacy. The main purpose is specifically to love the Lord. Yet if one desires to be married, we cannot force them to be single for the Lord, because rules cannot quench the desires of the heart.  So whether single or married, the most important thing for us is to find time to love God wholeheartedly.  Single people are often tempted by lust and loneliness, and hence fall into sexual temptations. Many catholic priests fall into this trap as well.  Hence being single is difficult as well because you face a lot of temptations.  Married people have different problems.  They are busy with family life and busy meeting the needs of everyone in the family.  As a result, they have little time, and have difficulty finding time to serve God wholeheartedly.    As such, Paul mentioned here that God wants us to focus on serving Him whether we are single or married. Being single or married, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.  The important thing is how we can love God wholeheartedly in our current life situation. May the Lord help us, whatever circumstances we are in, to learn to come before God, to focus on loving Him and following Him wholeheartedly.  Let us not judge others, but focus n letting His grace be manifested in our lives.       Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you for the beautiful freedom we have in Christ, so that we can choose to serve you no matter in what life situation we are in. May you grant us strength, and be with us personally to teach us how to glorify your name in whatever stage of our lives we are in. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!     Learn more about River of Life Foundation and Sponsor a Child today!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 7:25-34

1 Corinthians 7:25-33   Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned... I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs-how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife...      Paul talked about the teachings on virginity here.  The world today views marriage as a castle.  Those who are on the outside desperately want to get in, but those on the inside desperately want to get out. Paul clearly teaches us about being single here - it is not necessarily bad to be single. Single people have more freedom to serve the Lord, and have less to worry about. After getting married, people focus on pleasing their spouse, rather than pleasing God. In any case, we should not envy others, but we need to thank God for what we have. On the other hand, we do not need to pressurize others.  Those who are married always hope to see other singles get married. However, that is not necessarily right. Some people choose to be single to serve the Lord.  As such, we should not pressurize others, but we should learn to follow God's leading and not our own preferences.  In fact, the biggest mistake in the marriage is to expect your spouse to make your life meaningful, and to look to your spouse to satisfy all of your needs. This mentality causes conflict, friction and disappointment in marriage. In fact, we must first find meaning in our own life before we can have meaningful relationships. If you need someone else to make your life meaningful, you will eventually fall into great disappointment.  This is the biggest reason for many marriages that end up in bitterness. A lot of people do not have clear direction in life, and they did not find satisfaction in the Lord. Instead they look to their spouse to give them satisfaction.  Such marriages will not be complete or happy because only the Lord can bring help and change in our lives. Hence, whether you are single or married, the important thing is to find satisfaction in the Lord.  Otherwise, you will never find true happiness.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you because only in you can we find the true meaning and satisfaction in life.  May you fill us with your Holy Spirit and open our eyes so that we can see this truth. Help us to run to you so we can find true happiness in you.  We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!         Click here to learn more about ROLCC English ministry!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 7:20-24

1 Corinthians 7:20-24   Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.  Were you a slave when you were called?  Don't let it trouble you - although if you can gain your freedom, do so.  For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.  You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.  Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.   Paul clear taught us here that "each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him."  In other word, even though our souls are liberated, we cannot just neglect or depart from the social responsibilities that we were entrusted with.  As Christians, we still have to fulfill our responsibilities in life, and it's God will for us to serve our masters as their servants.  The only difference now is that we were merely servants of men before, but now we serve the Lord.  That why Paul said, in Colossians chapter three, that "...whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."   When one accepted the Lord, their souls are freed and become servants of Christ but not servants of men.  While on the outside we still need to play our role as servants, our attitude must be completely different.  It is the will of God for us to have different attitude at work so that we may bear witness to glorify God and to bless our master.  It should be the same in our household; husband and wife have their own roles and duties, and they cannot just forsake each other because they have accepted the Lord and have become free - that is not how Christians should behave.  A wife who accepts the Lord should love and obey her husband more; a husband who accepts the Lord should also love his wife more.  Not because the spouse is better or worse, but of love for the Lord and submitting to Him.  It is the will of God for us to come before the Lord and draw our non-believing spouses to Him.   Paul also mentioned that if we can have freedom, it is best to gain freedom.  It is especially applicable to our working environment today; if we are working in a unfair condition or bondage, we can certainly pray to God to open doors for us to change job or career.  If God doesn't open door for us, we still must uphold our position and glorify God at our workplace with our testimonies.  That's why Paul said: "brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to," until God opens new doors.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because your word has once again helped me to understand my role, position and duties in the world.  May the Lord help us, no matter what our role and circumstance are let us do our best to glorify your holy name.  We ask that you give us more strength and love.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!     Click here to learn more about ROLCC English ministry!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 7:8-19

1 Corinthians 7:8-19   ...To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.  But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.  To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.  And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.  For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband...   Paul specifically mentioned here that Christians cannot divorce at will.  By in those days, some who accepted the Lord might have despised the spouses who were still non-believers, and had conflicts with them for reasons of ideology or offering.  Therefore, they wanted to divorce their spouses using the reason of faith, but that is not God's will at all.  If the non-believing spouses wanted to leave, they should be allowed to go, but to Christians we should uphold God's principle and never forsake others even though we might be forsaken.  So, what should we do when we face our non-believer spouses after we accept the Lord?  The Bible clearly teaches us that we first need to follow conventional rule and continue to cohabit with them and love them.  On the other hand,  we need to pray for them and ask the Spirit of God to touch them. I've once heard a testimony from a sister who prayed for her non-believing husband for 33 years before he turned back to the Lord.  33 years is a long time from human perspective, but nothing is impossible in God!  God's zeal will ultimately accomplish it.  When your better halves are non-believers, do not push them, but rather look upon God in prayer and bear good testimony in life.  When our lives bear good testimonies, they cannot help but to accept Jesus Christ.  May the Spirit of the Lord help us to live out the form of Christ in our daily life.  Let the non-believing spouses feel the reality of God's presence from our respect for them so that their hearts will be touched and changed.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, you are full of grace, and I ask that you have mercy on all the married couples.  Keep our hearts and minds, and do not allow the enemy to take away our marriage.  We want to bring our non-believing spouses before you through prayer, and we ask that your will be done on them.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!        Click here to learn more about ROLCC English ministry!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 7:1-7

1 Corinthians 7:1-7   Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.  But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.  The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.  The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.  Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  I say this as a concession, not as a command.  I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.   In this passage, Paul talked about the principles for relationship between a married couple.  When God institute marriage, it is His will to have two become one.  Therefore, in Genesis God said that "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh," which is an important principle.  In the New Testament, Jesus said that husband ought to be the head in a marriage and wife should be the body.  He didn't mean that men and women are not equal; when God made woman, He took a rib - a body part closest to the heart - from Adam.  When Adam first met Eve, he said "this is now bone of my bones and flesh and my flesh."  This is an intimate union; when God created Adam He created him as a wholesome person, but then took a rib from his body and Adam became incomplete.  God, however, then brought Eve back to Adam; he recovered the part of him that was missing and became complete again.  Therefore, the complementary nature of a marriage relationship is important.  Marriage is the union of two incomplete people, but they may find completeness in each other, and that's the principle of two become one in the Bible.   It's also important to note that "two become one" also means a physical union.  Paul specifically mentioned that husband and wife must be united physically; they ought to care for and respect each other.  Since they own each other's body, they must take care of themselves and offer their bodies as living sacrifice.  In a marriage, we can no longer distinguish who's body it is, but to become one body in Christ.  We must not just seek to take care of our own needs, but to also to seek pleasure and satisfaction for each other.  This is an important lesson in marriage - We must strive to seek for each other's pleasure and satisfaction so that we will have a lasting marriage relationship.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because when you instituted marriage, you have made husband and wife as one, so that they may support one another and enjoy the pleasure from physical union.  May you bless all the marriages so that all couples will enjoy peace, joy and satisfaction given by you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Click here to learn more about ROLCC English ministry!

Today's Passage - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

1 Corinthians 6:18-20   Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.   Paul specifically reminded us here that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, where the Holy Spirit actually resides.  We must first understand that the Holy Spirit is inside us in order to manifest that the Lord is with us,  In our busy life we often feel tired and weak, and we shout out to God: Lord, who is going to help me?  Brothers and sisters, your help is actually not from someone outside, but rather from Christ who is inside you.  Therefore, you shouldn't need to seek help from outside, but to look for God who is inside.  The Holy Spirit is your prophet who speaks to you and reveals God's will to you; He is also your priest who prays for you from deep inside your heart and soul according to God's will; He is also your king who shows you the way and provides you with guidance in life.  When you feel frustrated and weak in your busy life, just come before Him!  God is with us, and as long as He is with us, His promises and power are also with us.   Not only that, this truth also brings out another precious message, which is that the enemy has absolutely no authority in our bodies.  If our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, then God must have absolute sovereignty in His temple, hallelujah!  Therefore, when you encounter attacks from the enemy and sickness, you can boldly rebuke the attack and curse from the enemy, and let the sovereignty of Jesus be manifested.  You must declare to the enemy that it has absolutely no authority in your body, because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!  When you declare it, the enemy has no authority in your body because Jesus has already redeemed you with His precious blood, so you belong to the Lord!   In addition, may God help us to live cautiously in our daily life.  Our body must glorify God in order for it not to become a tool for committing sin, so you must glorify God in everything that you do!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are with us and you live inside us.  You have absolutely sovereignty in our life so that we can rebuke all the attacks and diseases from the enemy.  Help us to be renewed with your power each and every day.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!        Click here to learn more about ROLCC English ministry!