Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: November 2020

Monday, November 30, 2020

Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Believers have a special status as ambassadors for Christ. Perhaps you feel that you are not worthy of this title, but the truth is you are the ambassador that Jesus has appointed in your surroundings. Think about your home, coworkers and friends. You may be the only Christians that they know, so that you can tell them about the glory of God's kingdom. God gave us different areas of ministry and different burdens. No matter what, we are ambassadors of God. Just like ambassadors of United States who are sent to Germany or to China, each one has a different territory, but they are all United States ambassadors.

Similarly, you and I are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. Since we have such an identity from God, we cannot take this lightly. Especially now, people list their work and identify on business cards, Christians should include being an ambassador of Christ on their business card. That is the most important work that we do. Of course, we also engineers and accountants, but these occupation are only to make a living. Our primary identity is "Christ's ambassador". This is like Paul's days on earth. Although he was a tent maker, he wrote to various churches stating that he was God's servant. He clearly knew his identity and could live according to it.

In addition, as ambassador of the Kingdom of God, there are several aspects to note. First, as ambassadors of the kingdom of God, our action and speech represent the kingdom of God. When an ambassador makes mistakes, people rarely point to the person himself, but refer to his identity as ambassador for that particular country. We cannot separate our being from our identity. Secondly, as others less refers to this person make a mistake, and is the ambassador of a country make mistakes, our people and identity can not be separated. Secondly, as ambassadors of the kingdom of God, our responsibility is to preach the glory of God's kingdom. No matter how narrow and dark your surroundings are, you need to show the love and light of Christ in that place.

Today, whether we are in the company or at home, we need to preach about God's mercy, so that many longing hearts may be satisfied. Are you ready to take on the mission of preaching the gospel? Pray that God will give you plenty of strength to accomplish His work!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you because you have chosen us as your ambassadors. I pray you will grant all brothers and sisters wisdom and power to live according to your way. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Paul said God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. This ministry is not only for Paul and his co-workers, but also for every believer, because God's will is not meant for just you and me, but for all men to be saved, and none to perish. The ministry of reconciliation has been given to us. Reconciliation requires a price and requires wisdom to do. When we meet people who do not believe in God, are we anxious and are we willing to think really hard, so that that person can receive God's grace? Paul says this ministry has been given to us. In other words, whether or not we are ready or willing, you and I need to bear the responsibility to preach the gospel, to make reconcile men to God.

There was a young couple who was happily married. The husband was not a believer. During the fifth wedding anniversary, the wife told the husband, "I'm very satisfied with our marriage in the past five years. However, it'll be even better if you can promise me one thing." Her husband asked, "What thing?" She said, "I hope you can believe in Jesus, and become a Christian." Her husband replied," Well, but let me first ask you, do you kill people?" "Of course not!" she answered. "Do you set things on fire?" "Of course not!" "Do you lie?" She hesitated for a while and answered, "Sometimes when things are difficult, I say a couple of lies to make it go away." Her husband said, "I am the same. I only lie if I have to. Do you play mahjong?" She hesitated again and said, "Occasionally, just for socializing." Her husband said, "Me too!" After asking lots of questions, her husband said, "We do not kill, steal of commit arson. We lie occasionally and play some mahjong. What's the difference? Why do we need to believe in Jesus?" After hearing this, she knelt down before the Lord and cried bitterly. Since then, her life was changed drastically and her husband came to know the Lord. Can people around you see that you are different? Let us take on the responsibility God has entrusted us to preach the gospel!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I pray you will give me a heart of compassion to see the needs of people around us. I ask that you give us a sense of mission to understand that the ministry of preaching the gospel has been entrusted to us. Help us to be diligent and finish the race for you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Paul said: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." We often think that this verse is only for the non-believers, which is not true. First of all, the verse says "if anyone", which means as long as you are willing, whether you are a Christian or not, you can be a new creation in Christ. Secondly, "if anyone is in Christ", Paul used the present tense, no matter who you are, as long as you are willing wish, today, at this present moment, you can be a new creation in Christ. Thirdly, the new creation is not something that one can become by sheer determination. In fact, the spiritual life needs to be renewed daily. Being a new creation is not a one-time experience, but a daily experience. No matter how long you have been a Christian, as long as you are willing, you can experience the renewal of God each day and be a new creation.

Why do we need to be renewed each day? The important thing to remember is that spiritual warfare is going on. Although we have experienced new birth when we confessed our faith in God, and we may be growing steadily, there may be many different aspects of our life where we have not completely surrendered to the Lord. For example, our thoughts, emotions, habits, the powers of darkness, bondages and relationships that have brought bitterness and hatred, all need to be renewed each day. This is why we need to come to Christ each day.

When Paul said "If anyone is in Christ", he is referring to the present and being in Christ at this present moment, a person becomes a new creation. This is such a precious promise. The old has gone and the new has come. The only condition is that you need to let go of the past and not hold on to it tightly. Do not bear grudges in your heart, but allow God to renew you. Not only so, you must believe that God will open a door for you in your present situation because He is a God who does new things. He wants to make a way for you in the wilderness, open up rivers in the desert, so that your environment can be renewed!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we praise you because you are the God who does new things. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will break any bondage in my brothers and sisters lives so that they will no longer be subject to the powers of darkness and things of the past. May you do something new in their lives. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Friday, November 27, 2020

Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Paul was raised under strict Jewish traditions and taught to obey the Jewish law since he was little. He was taught by a well-known Rabbi, Gamaliel, and did everything according to the Jewish law. We can imagine Paul teaching in their synagogues others and debating with the Sanhedrin. However, it is hard for us to imagine Paul, as he says in verse 13, being out of his mind for God. Paul was rational and intellectual, a hero and idol to the Christian theologians. How could he be considered out of his mind?

The truth is because Paul was touched by the love of Jesus Christ. As such, he lived as though he was crazy for the Lord. In Verse 15, Paul particularly mentioned that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf, hence those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him. This truth should not only be a mere doctrine, but it should inspire you and I to live for God. Jesus was born for the world and died on the cross for all mankind. The purpose was not only to defeat the enemy, but to demonstrate his love for the church and for you and I on the cross. Once we understand this love, we can be compelled to live for God.

Paul was once touched by this love. As such, he gave up his position in the Sanhedrin. This was something that his peers did not understand. Paul was able to endure all kinds of suffering in his ministry not because of the perfect doctrine, but because of the love that was burning inside him. Do you have the same passion in your heart? The fundamental question is, "Have you ever been touched by God's love?" Paul said He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. Brothers and sisters, the most important thing in our lives is not doctrines or rituals, but your love for the Lord. The Lord said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." If you love the Lord, this love will be the motivating power for your ministry in life.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you because you first loved us. May your love compel us once again to not focus on mere doctrines or rituals, but let us be filled with joy and strength each day as one who is being loved, to live for you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Today's Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:11-13

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

2 Corinthians 5:11-13

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.

Everyone will stand before the judgment throne of Christ one day and be judged. For Christians, when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we become justified by faith and are pardoned from the penalty of death. Although we do not face the judgment of death, God will still judge us for our works. How should believers face this judgment?

First, we must maintain a good conscience. As verse 11 says, "What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience." In other words, we can face God and men calmly, without any darkness in our hearts, and can be an open book.. However, in order to maintain a good conscience, we must ask ourselves in everything we do, "Is what I am doing pleasing to God?" If the answer is yes, we can go ahead and do it. Although we make mistakes in the process, God will eventually lead you back on track.

Secondly, we should not rely on other people's praises. Verse 12 mentions that there are many people who take pride in what is seen rather than what is in the heart. A pastor once said, "Praises of men are like perfume. It may be alright to smell it for a bit, but do not drink it." This is such a wise saying.

Thirdly, do not be too concerned about criticism from others. Verse 13 says, "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you." Many people thought that Paul was out of his mind back then. The truth is the more you serve, the more you discover that no matter what you do, there will be people who would criticize you. The important thing is to know where the bar is set and what your motivation is, not whether you are criticized or not. When Pastor Moody was shepherding the church in Chicago, his nickname was "Crazy Moody". In the midst of the unbelieving generation, he was indeed like a lunatic. However, as time passed, he became an example for preaching the gospel. Today no one remembers those who criticized him, but appreciate what he has done for God. Let you and I prepare ourselves to face the judgment of God!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you because you are not only the Lord who saves us, but also the Lord who judges. May you release me from the bondage of other people's opinions of me, and help me to live with a clean conscience before you. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website