Today's Passage - Matthew 10:40-42

You don't want to miss this.

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:40-42 He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. The Lord said, "He who receives you receives me". This verse shows how close our relationship with the Lord is. We are one with the Lord. Paul said clearly, "And he is the head of the body, the church". That's why the Lord says that whoever receives a believer also receives Him. .  On the other hand, when one persecutes believers, one persecutes Jesus. Paul was on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to persecute Christians. When on the road, he was flashed by a great light. A voice said to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Paul was bewildered, and asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." From this we should know the close relationship we have with the Lord. That's why it is said that we are the pupil of God's eye. How would you react if someone touch your pupil? Painful. Similarly, if anyone touches believers, it is as if he touches the Lord, because we are one with the Lord. If you understand this truth, you will understand how precious we are to the Lord. On the other hand, our responsibilities are great as well. If someone receives us, they receives the Lord. By the same token, if they see us, don't they see the Lord? . Is there image of the Lord on us that can be shown to others? Will others see the love, forgiveness, and joy of Jesus Christ through our lives? When one receives us, it is as if they receive Jesus Christ. They should also see the image of Jesus on us. . Finally, the Lord mentioned reward of receiving. When we receive a prophet, we will receive the prophet's reward. When we receive a righteous man, we will receive the righteous man's reward. May the Lord help us to see the importance of receiving others. When we receive brothers and sisters, it is as if we receive Jesus Christ. Of course, we are not running forward just because of rewards. May God let us have merciful hearts to see who are in need and to service them willingly, because we understand that to serve them is to serve the Lord. This is the lesson that the Lord gave us in order to help us live by the Lord's mercy and love every day. Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you. We love, because you loved us first. We serve, because you served us first. We welcome, because you welcomed us first. May you put mercy and love in us so that we see the needs of people around us, and are glad to receive them. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!  River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 Unsubscribe devotional-english@rolccapp.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by edevotion@rolcc.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Today's Passage - Matthew 10:38-39

You don't want to miss this.

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:38-39 ...And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Carrying cross is a lesson in sacrifice. Sacrifice does not require us to follow a mountain of unattainable, impossible-to-followable laws. Neither does it ask us to go into monasteries deep into mountains to live a life of asceticism. Sacrifice is not those outwardly behavior. One can live an ascetic life in a monastery for decades, and yet still be too proud of himself. That's not a lesson in sacrifice. .    Many years ago, I resigned my meteorological work to spend full time preach gospels. At first I felt very spiritual, indeed I was feeling proud. In the end, God placed me in a small rural town where I couldn't do anything. By then, I went back to God humbly admitting that I indeed was unable to do anything. So "sacrifice ourselves" is not about outward behavior. Because no matter how wonderful our outward behavior is, we could still be very self centered. "Sacrifice ourselves" is about our attitude, whether for the sake of the Lord, we are willing to remove anything that prevents God's work, so that the glorious life of Jesus Christ can manifest in ourselves. To learn the lesson of sacrifice, one first need the willingness to allow God to do His work on oneself. We always ask God for the heart of Love. But how to increase our heart of Love? It is to put someone we are uncomfortable by our side to train us, so that we have more love of God flowing within.  . A brother once testified that he was very impatient. He constantly asked God to deal with his impatience. In the end, God prepared him a secretary who was slow and patient. Thank God, he knew that this was what God wanted him to learn. So he accepted it with gladness. We believe that God give tremendous blessings to those whom God used greatly. Indeed, God give them tremendous blessings. However, what we don't see are many failures, tear, and pains that they endured. The reason that they were used by God was because they had respectful and obedient hearts, willing to learn the lessons that God gave them. . There is a movie named "Forever Faithful." In the movie, there were Christians in jail whom, despite of not able to feed themselves adequately, gave their food to others. I was very touched. I truly understood that those Christians were not born with loving hearts, neither were they born with the understanding of love. It was because they totally humbled themselves to God, willing to sacrifice themselves. As for Christians, to be God's disciples is to let Jesus be our Lord completely. It is easy to say that we are following the Lord, but are we willing to follow in our hearts? May the Lord help us to have willing hearts, and to willingly take lessons from Him. May we follow God not only in words but also in action! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you because you loved us and sacrificed for us first. May you help us in our daily lives so that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for you. May your sacrificial love flow through us so that all those around us can experience this precious love. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 Unsubscribe devotional-english@rolccapp.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by edevotion@rolcc.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Today's Passage - Matthew 10:34-37

You don't want to miss this.

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:34-37 Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me... It is specifically mentioned here that "the Lord did not come to bring peace, but a sword". It is hard to interpret this verse literally. To understand the meaning of "sword", one has to understand the Jewish culture. At that time, when two Jews couldn't come to an agreement, and the people on the sideline could not agree as well, the only way to solve is to throw a sword on the ground and then ask everyone take a stand. For those who agree with me, stand on this side of the sword. For those who agree with him, stand on the other side of the sword. Thus the meaning of "bring a sword" is not to fight with a sword, but to ask everyone to take a stand. Faith requires taking a stand. We can't straddle two boats. Bible say, "You cannot serve both God and Money", we have to take a stand. . This scripture passage is not teaching us that we shall not love our parents. But when our love for other things is more than our love and obedience to the Lord, we are walking on a worldly path, away from God. God ask us to take a stand. What's the most precious thing in life? Not to say that worldly people are bad. But we need to take a stand on the principle when it comes to authority of God. God has blessed us with our family and wonderful things in this world - Those are all God's grace. We, however, allow these blessings to become an obstacle against our following God, following Jesus Christ our Lord. The Lord mentioned that there was a person who set up a big banquet. He invited many guests. By the time the banquet started, none showed up. So he sent out his servant to invite them again. But those who were invited refused. The first one said that 'I just purchased a piece of land, I have to take look at it'. The second said that 'I bought an ox and needed to try it out'. The third said that 'I just got married'. In the end, none of the three can enjoy God's grace. This parable reminds us that not all things that prevent us from being close to God are bad things. But if we let those things prevent us from being close to God, it could be our life long regret. .. What do you value the most in your life today? The Lord did not teach us to not love our parents and children, but the most important thing is that God has authority over our life. Let us ask ourselves whether we are willing to make Jesus Christ our Lord, follow Him in our daily lives. Have you made up your mind to follow Jesus, and to be the Lord's disciple? Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you because you loved us, and sacrificed for us first. May we follow your example, sacrifice ourselves to follow you. You taught us to make your name great and we know that no earthly things can rob our love and admiration for you. May you bless brothers and sisters to follow you closely every day. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 Unsubscribe devotional-english@rolccapp.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by edevotion@rolcc.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Today's Passage - Matthew 10:24-33

You don't want to miss this.

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:24-33 ...... So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Three times the Lord said "Do not be afraid", and this is because, first of all, nothing hidden will not be made known. This passage of scripture is referring to the Lord's triumph, that in the past His identity is hidden, the Son of Man suffers while on earth. In the same manner, many believers suffer today for the Lord and with the Lord. But the identity of the Lord was not to be hidden forever; His glorious identity was made known after His resurrection from death. This is why in verse 27, "what the Lord tells us in the dark, speak in the daylight." In other words, it is no longer hidden. We can loudly proclaim that He is seated on the throne. Today we sit with Him on that throne, and Satan our enemy cannot claim victory over us, for Christ has triumph over him. . Second, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. The persecutions and attacks from demons can kill our body at its best, but as we belong to the Lord, there is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. Bible never teach us to be afraid of demons, the teaching is to be alert and of sober mind; but Bible does teach us to be fearful of the living God, for in Him we live and have our being. May the Lord help us not to be afraid, for the enemy can surround us but cannot swallow us; he can attack us but cannot conquer us, for we belong to the Lord. . Third, the Lord will care for us, since we belong to Him. If He cares about the sparrows, what more about us! A parable speaks of two sparrows watching human being and their busy lifestyle from a treetop, and one of sparrows asks: "Why are human so busy and without joy?" The other sparrow replies: "I don't know. Maybe because they don't have a loving heavenly father like us do!" Like how this loving father provides for sparrows, He will provide for us the same. The Lord says in verse 30: "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid." Let us do not be afraid anymore, and live for Him; may the Lord grant us a courageous spirit, so that we can testify for Him in this world. Pray with Pastor Tong Dear Lord, please grant my brothers and sisters a courageous spirit, so that they will no longer be afraid. By your grace and mercy, let them be courageous in testifying your goodness in their daily life, so that the world may know your truth. I give thanks and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 Unsubscribe devotional-english@rolccapp.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by edevotion@rolcc.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Today's Passage - Matthew 10:21-23

You don't want to miss this.

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 10:21-23 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. This passage of scriptures refers to how Christians will be persecuted. Christians have been persecuted and hated by the world since early church era. Many Christians in China are being persecuted today because of their faith in Christ. Ones that follow the Lord must be prepared to suffer for His sake. Jesus said in John 15:18-19, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." Indeed we will face persecutions, like how Philippians 1:29 puts it, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him." The "suffer" mentioned here does not refer to persecutions from the world only; it could also be attacks from friends, relatives, colleagues etc. When I was a kid, my lunchbox would be taken away by my schoolmates while I was saying grace. How then, could we face all these persecutions? .  In verse 22 the Lord says, "The one who stands firm to the end will be saved." There are two aspects to the "saved" mentioned here. Firstly, "saved" refers to the present salvation from the Lord. Our God is still making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland for us. When the Israelites arrived at the Red Sea, it was a critical moment for them as the Egyptians were marching after them. As the people sought after the Lord, God asked Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea, then the Red Sea was set apart and the Israelites went through the Red Sea on the dry ground. When the Egyptians horses and chariots went after the Israelites, the waters flow back and all the Egyptians died in the sea. Hallelujah! God's salvation is salvation of present moment. .  On the other hand, the Lord's salvation is also of future, referring to His second coming. During His second coming, sinners will be judged and the righteous ones will be exalted, but waiting for Him we need to learn to persevere and believe that the Lord will avenge for us. That way we can confidently bring our needs to Him, knowing that He will lead us. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so let us rest in Him! Pray with Pastor Tong Lord, I give thanks to you, for your word is our strength. I pray that you grant peace to those who are in difficult situations. Help us to believe in your word, that those who stand firm to the end will be saved. May you pour out such grace to all brothers and sisters. I give thanks and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen! River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

River of Life Christian Church | 1177 Laurelwood Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 Unsubscribe devotional-english@rolccapp.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by edevotion@rolcc.net powered by Try email marketing for free today!