Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: August 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Today's Passage - Hebrews 7:11-15

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

Hebrews 7:11-15

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood-and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood-why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears.

The priesthood and the law of the old Testament cannot make a person complete, nor can they satisfy our hearts. They were only foreshadowing the work of Jesus. Hence in verse 11 it says, "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood-and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood-why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?" Here it says a "need for another priest to come", referring to Jesus. Hence we see that priesthood or law cannot save us, but only the Lord can bring about real change in the depth of our heart. Many read the Word of God as if it was for mere knowledge. However, the letter of the law brings death. Only the Spirit of God can bring the salvation of Jesus into our lives.

Some people say that the Word of God is like rice. Reading God's Word is like eating uncooked rice. When you put uncooked rice in your mouth and chew, it does not break apart. Even when you swallow it, you cannot digest it. There are many whose devotion life is like this. When they try to read God's Word, they find that they cannot understand or digest it. When we read the Bible, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us. Some people say the Holy Spirit is like flashlight that cooks the rice so that when you eat it, you can digest it. Many others read the Bible and do not understand what it means. However, when the light of the Holy Spirit shines, they discover that the Bible is full of God's will and strength.

May the Lord help us to ask the Holy Spirit to give us revelation as we read God's Word. "Lord, help me to see what your heart is in this passage." When we pray in this way and ask the Lord for help, we can see how the Bible can be applied to our lives and help us. When we come before God with such an attitude, allowing the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, we will discover how precious the Word of God is and allow it to transform us. Do not focus on the knowledge of the Bible because knowledge puffs up and knowledge brings death. Only God's life will cause us to life. Is there the life of Jesus in you? Do you ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten you when you read God's Word? May the Lord help us to depend on Him to understand His will!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, may your Spirit enlighten us, so that when we read your word we are not focusing on mere knowledge, but able to understand the deep spiritual truths and see your eternal will. May you bless every brother and sister so that they may draw strength from your word each day. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

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

Monday, August 30, 2021

Today's Passage - Hebrews 7:7-10

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Hebrews 7:7-10

And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

The Jews have traditionally always respected Moses and Aaron; however, because they firmly held the rules of law but neglected revelation from God, they ended up missing many blessings from God. First, they missed the true blessing. Since Abraham received blessings from Melchizedek, it seems that blessings from Melchizedek are greater than those from Abraham. The mistake made by the Jews was that they received blessings from Abraham and Aaron, but didn't receive blessings from Jesus Christ, or blessings from high priests like Melchizedek. This is our weakness as well; it's easy for us to receive blessings from people, but we neglect true blessings from God. We're happy when people give us gifts and we feel they're great blessings; however, we seldom come before God and joyfully receive His blessings. We often have doubt and bitterness in our hearts, so we don't proactively seek God's blessings. We overlook the fact that it is God, not people, who can truly bless us! The Jews back then only received blessings from people, and neglected blessings from Jesus; in the same manner, we often welcome what others can do in our lives, but neglect what God can do in our lives, and as a result we miss the greatest true blessing.

Furthermore, we neglect our everlasting savior. We try to find salvation in the rules of law that are bound for death, but neglect the fact that salvation is from our everlasting savior. The morning that Jesus resurrected, some women went to look for Him in the tomb. Suddenly, angels revealed to them, and asked them why they were looking for the savior in the tomb, because He was no longer there and He has already resurrected from death. We like to find salvation in the tomb, but we forgot that the Lord has already resurrected. He's the everlasting savior, and we don't need to find salvation and savior in traditions and doctrines. We just need to come to the resurrected Lord, because we can only have true salvation and satisfaction in Him!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, please open the eyes of brothers and sisters, so that they won't neglect the greatest salvation and blessing in their lives. Let us stop looking for salvation from manmade doctrines and traditions, but to only look upon you. Only in you will we find lifelong blessings and eternal salvation. I thank and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Today's Passage - Hebrews 7:4-6

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Hebrews 7:4-6

Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people - that is, their brothers - even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.

This passage says that Abraham was the great ancestor of the Israelites, and he's also the father of faith. Even Abraham, however, had to offer one tenth of the best of what he collected from people to Melchizedek, which shows that Melchizedek had a rather honorable position, one that is even higher than Abraham. He was so honorable just as the foretold Christ, so wouldn't the actual Christ be even more honorable than the high priest on earth Aaron? We must pay close attention to these distinguished men of great faith. We need to watch how they honored and followed the Lord, follow their examples in attitude, so that we may also follow Jesus Christ the same way every day.

Next, we must follow the example of how these men of great faith in terms of offering. In the case of Abraham, not only did he offer one tenth to Melchizedek, he did it willingly and he offered the best that he had. This also taught us that in our faith life we must offer the best to God, and we ought to offer one tenth of what we have. The Bible teaches us to we ought to tithe. This amount is not big nor small, and it's always exactly how much we'd miss for our life. Many find tithing rather difficult, for they are afraid that they might not have enough money to use. This, however, is what makes it a lesson of faith. When we firmly believe that God is abundant, and every word of His is trustworthy and carries power, we will hold on to his promise by faith. When we tithe by faith, God will open the gate of heaven and pour down His blessings on us.

Do you believe in God's promises? I often feel that among all the commandments of God, tithing is the easiest one to follow. Other commandments, such as loving one another or spreading the gospel, are pretty difficult to follow, and tithing is relatively straight forward. All you need to do it to offer one tenth of what you make, and you've fulfilled God's commandment. If we can't even follow such a simple commandment, how can we say that we love God and obey God? May God help us, and if you feel that tithing is difficult, pray that He will give you strength and faith so that you might overcome this spiritual hurdle. Once you overcome it and move forward, you will see how God's abundant grace is laid out before you!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you, because you've shown us an example of tithing through Abraham. If we feel that tithing is difficult, we ask that you help us, open our eyes and our heart so that we can see your abundance. Help us to overcome our hesitation by faith so that we can see the coming of your abundant grace. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Today's Passage - Hebrews 7:1-3

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Hebrews 7:1-3

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

This passage is somewhat difficult to interpret. What kind of person is Melchizedek? Although he was a king in the Old Testament, he also foretold Jesus Christ. Verse one says that he was the king of Salem, and Salem means peace, therefore his title was king of peace, which foretold Jesus Christ as the king of peace. The Bible tells us that "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus is the origin of peace, and through Him people can receive peace from God. John 14:27 says that the peace He gives us is different from the peace of the world. Those who are in Him and pleads Him will receive peace that surpasses understanding.

Melchizedek is also the "priest of God Most High." The job of a priest is to manage all things of God and seek redemption for people. In the Old Testament time, priests first received annoying through a ritual, then they take the position. Melchizedek is the priest of God, but he wasn't anointed like Aaron. So, he didn't receive his position through anointing like Aaron, but God anointed and appointed him in a unique method. In the same way, Jesus is also the priest of God Most High, but He wasn't anointed according to the law, but instead He was appointed by God in a different way - Through the Spirit of resurrection, so that He might become high priest forever.

Melchizedek also blessed Abraham. In Genesis 14:8-20, after Abraham defeated four kings, the first one who welcome him back was the king of Sodom, but Abraham refused to accept any gift from the king of Sodom. Later on, Melchizedek welcome Abraham with bread and wine so that Abraham and his people could regain their strength. Melchizedek blessed Abraham so that Abraham could be blessed in body and spirit. This shows that Christ is the high priest who cares about our weaknesses. He often supports us and gives us strength when we are tired. He often receives the believers who overcome sin and reject temptation from the world with spiritual blessings, and give them even more strength.

Melchizedek not only blessed Abraham, he also accepted a tithe from Abraham, which mean he had a higher position than Abraham. If Abraham offered tithe to Melchizedek, isn't Christ also worthy of our tithe? In the New Testament, not only should be offer one tenth, Romans 12:1 says that we ought to offer all that we have like a living sacrifice before God's altar, so that He can use us. Melchizedek foretold the Lord's work in our lives, so let us solely look upon Jesus!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you, because through Melchizedek you've shown us that you are the origin of peace, the high priest who cares for us, and the Lord who's worthy of our offering and worship. May you be with us and be our strength and help in our daily life. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Friday, August 27, 2021

Today's Passage - Hebrews 6:19-20

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

Hebrews 6:16-18

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

In this passage, "this hope" refers to the two things in verse 18 that will never changed - God's word and God's promises. God's word will always stand in heave, and every piece of it carries power; God's promise is His will for us that never changes, much like the anchor in our life. An anchor can stabilize a ship in rough waters. In the midst of storms in your life, can you depend on God and do you have the assurance that His promises are still true? When Taiwan was hit by a massive earthquake more than a decade ago, a sister was staying in a hotel back then. The whole building shook like a boat; she was shocked and thus she hid under a table, hoping that the earthquake will stop soon. Nevertheless, the earth shook harder, and she faced a tremendous test of faith. She cried out: "Lord, are you taking me back to heaven?" The question of life and death suddenly became very real before her.

While in the storms in your life, do you have a spiritual anchor that you can depend on and can give you hope? If so, where is your anchor? Is it in shallow water or deep water? The Bible says that we must enter the tabernacle, to come before the Lord, be close to Him, and rest in His working hands. If your anchor is in shallow water, you still won't be able to enjoy restful peace; if your anchor is in deep water, and you have a close connection to the Lord, you will be able to enjoy peace in the arms of the Lord even if you encounter all kinds of storms in life.

Two artists wanted to draw a painting that represents peace. One of them came up with a scene of tranquility and harmony, but the other one drew a stormy scene with two little birds resting in a bird nest on a tree. It's actually the second artist that truly portrayed peace, because there's no way for us to live without any storms. We will have pressure in our daily life, but the important thing is that we are protected and comforted in Jesus Christ no matter what how harsh the pressure and storms are. Do you have such assurance? Let us come before God together to look upon Him!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you because you provide us with assurance in life and we can depend on you. You are the anchor for our soul, so whenever encounter difficulty in our life we can always enter into you and be protected by you. In your name I bless all brothers and sisters, I ask that no matter what storm they encounter in life, they'll be able to enjoy peace in you. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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