Today's Passage - 2 Timothy 1 12-14

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english 2 Timothy 1:12-14     "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."                  "Know what you believe" is a very important thing, do you know who you have believed? In the scriptures, the God we believe is the creator, and the Lord who gives us the meaning of life, we belong to Him. The bible describes us just like clay, God is the potter, and the clay has purpose and plan in the hands of the potter. You and I are neither born at the wrong place, the wrong era nor the wrong situation; God wants to fulfill His plan in you and me.                  On the other hand, when you realize that He is the god who creates you, and then you know you belong to Him, you must believe He will take full responsibility of your entire life. Next, the bible also says He is the Lord our Savior that will deliver us from the bondage of our weakness, sorrow and sin. We are often stuck in the bondage of sin, or bad habits and even mental distress. But the Lord can save us because the power of life, healing and cleansing are in Him. As long as we are willing to turn to Him, seek refuge in Him, He will give the power of deliverance to set us free in every situation.                  Third, He is also a king, having the absolute sovereignty to maneuver us. The best definition ever heard about the sovereignty of God is: "He is God, you aren't". The king is entitled to send troops and is also entitled to withdraw them; we are just like God's chessboard pieces, subject to his maneuverings. Only when we rest in His hands at work can we enjoy the real peace and joy in the Lord.                  Fourth, the God we believe is also the God that is with us. It says in 2 Cor. 4:7, thanks to God, although we are just like jars of clay, there is treasure in the jars of clay that the Lord be with us. Because of this treasure, we can live in power. Do you know this God? When you know Him, His nature will bring real hope in our lives.                 Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, thank you, because you are the loving savior, you give us the meaning of life, and the power to live our daily lives, such that we shall not be ashamed dealing with hardship, but rather full of glorious hope. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!