Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: May 2021

Monday, May 31, 2021

Today's Passage - Acts 27:27-36

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

Acts 27:27-36

...When about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food - you haven't eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

It's easy to see all kinds of reactions by people during time of hardship. First, we saw the selfishness and self-preservation of the sailors. Every ship has lifesaving equipment and this ship is no exception, but there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone onboard; in fact, there was only one boat set aside to be used for escaping to safety. The lifeboat was supposed to be used for passengers, but the sailors wanted to use it for themselves and leaving the passengers onboard. They were afraid to die and selfish; they pretended to be lowering anchor but they actually just wanted to escape. That's a clear manifestation of human nature - We always just want to save ourselves. Christ, however, died for us when we were still sinners, and God's love was shown to us. Compared to the Lord's love, we can see how selfish we are by what these sailors did. We do everything for ourselves with no regard for others.

Next, we saw how others panicked. During time of hardship, people don't know where they are heading and their hearts are filled with anxiety and unease. It's sad to see how people are in such a pitiful state without faith in the true God - There's no hope, no God, no assurance, and thus they panic during any hardship.

Third, we saw that a person who belongs to God was rather calm during hardship. Not only did Paul asked people to eat something, he also acted as the minister onboard and brought comfort and encouragement to everyone - Paul essentially turned from a prisoner to a pastor! Do you see how a person who belonged to God brought forth real life change around him? Any time hardship occurs, those with real faith will manifest completely different testimonies and thus bring forth tremendous blessings to those around them.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you because you are a faithful God. We ask that you help us wherever we are, so that by your might we may become channels for your blessing to those around us and to bring the word of encouragement, comfort and strengthening to them. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Today's Passage - Acts 27:14-26

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

Acts 27:14-26

Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along... Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along... After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

The purpose of the word of the prophets is to encourage, comfort and strengthen believers. Many mistakenly believe that prophets are supposed to foretell the future, but God already clearly defined the purpose of prophecies in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 14:3: "everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."

First of all, the purpose of prophecy is to strengthen. In this passage, as soon as the word of the prophets was released, it immediately brought the hearts of people to fear God and make people turn back to God, to know that He is the master of the universe. That's the purpose of prophecies - Let the hearts of people turn back to God and eager to know God better.

Next, it's the word of comfort. When the ship was drifting around, the hearts of people were anxious. Verse 21 says that "the men had gone a long time without food," which shows that because their lives were at risk they couldn't care about eating and drinking. When God's word was released, however, the hearts of people were comforted. We thank God because He has sent the Holy Spirit so that we may be comforted. Our lives are often filled with anxiety and nothing that we can say or do will change it, but God's word can bring us peace, joy and satisfaction.

Third, it's the word of encouragement. In verse 22, Paul told the people that "I urge you to keep up your courage." To encourage is to use God's word to provide counsel so that people will head onto God's way. We are often like sheep who can easily go astray, but God's word can provide us with direction. May God help us not to reject the word of the prophets, but to test everything and let the power of God's word be manifested in our lives.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you because you are still giving us word of prophecy to provide guidance for our daily life. Please use us so that we not only receive help from your word, but also make our mouths conduits for your word to encourage, comfort and strengthen many others. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Today's Passage - Acts 27:1-13

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

Acts 27:1-13

When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us... From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia... Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also." But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship...

The presence of God was with Paul, and we can see it in many ways. First, those who are with God are filled with God grace even in the midst of hardship. Back in the ancient time, it was tough to ride on ships; as a prisoner, it must have been uncomfortable both physically and mentally. Even though he was in such hardship, Paul won favor from centurion Julius. Wherever Paul went, Julius allowed others to take care of his needs. Why was that? I believe it was from the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God has prepared His "special force" for us everywhere, so isn't it wonderful for us, the children of God, to have such a wonderful almighty God?

Second, Paul had the right attitude. He was thankful for everything, so no matter what the circumstance was he was always remarkably calm. Even gentiles could feel his calmness! He was also a humble man who wasn't arrogant because he was God's apostle. All these are reasons for the centurion to respect him more. Good attitude is particularly important during time of adversity, otherwise even special force won't be able to help you. What is your current circumstance? Do you have the right attitude under the current circumstance? Those who are with God will have special favor from God!

Finally, those who are with God also have wisdom from God. When Paul saw that they were sailing in head wind and the season has changed, he suggested that they stop the ship, rest through the winter and then sail out. Verse eleven says that, however, centurion didn't take Paul advice and still proceeded, and thus they later encountered a great storm. It's undeniable that Paul revealed his wisdom because God was with him. May God be with us and manifest his favor in our lives each and every day, so that others will see that He is a true God through our lives.

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I thank you because you are our God and you are with us. We ask that you help us and let your presence be manifested in our lives, so that even gentiles will give glory to you. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

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

Friday, May 28, 2021

Today's Passage - Acts 26:21-32

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

Acts 26:21-32

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long-I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

When Paul appeals in front of King Agrippa, King Agrippa could feel his persuasiveness. Paul's answer was admirable - he was not embarrassed and neither did he feel he owed the king an explanation. As far as Paul is concerned, the most important thing is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and everything else is secondary for him.

Do not fight the wrong battle in life. During Paul's ministry, he had been imprisoned, charged, misunderstood. From a human being's point of view, each battle was reasonable, but praise God, Paul did not choose to fight any of these battles. If Paul chose to fight these battles, each one of these battle could have consumed him and he would not have been able to finish God's work. But Paul did not fight the wrong battle, as he said in the book of Philippians, "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." Paul already knew there was a more important battle to fight, which is to ultimately preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hence, although he may be locked up in chains, attacked by his enemies or misunderstood by his friends, he knew there was a more important battle to fight, which he cannot afford to lose.

In Philippians 1:20, Paul says, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." In other words, as long as he could win the battle and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, he could give up anything. Many people often quarrel about minor details or things in life. In the end, they cause hurt to themselves and those around them, and they also lose God's blessings. Let us learn from Paul's example to focus on Jesus!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we pray you will give us a humongous heart like Paul's. Help us not to be caught up in the little things, and affect our attitude towards you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will remind us and raise us up, so we may serve you and follow you each day of our lives. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

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

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Today's Passage - Acts 26:9-20

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

Acts 26:9-20

I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem... "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' " 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you... "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven...

Paul said, "I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven." Vision and mission are inseparable. When Paul was on the road to Damascus and the light of the Holy Spirit shone on him, revealing to him that Jesus Christ is Lord. This vision brought a life-changing mission for Paul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. This mission was completely unimaginable in Paul's era. Transportation was difficult and there were cultural barriers. However the Lord gave Paul a vision, which became a source of motivation in Paul's ministry, surpassing all difficulties.

Abraham was in his hometown, Ur, when God gave him the vision of the Promised Land. Although he did not know where to go, he left his hometown and moved towards the vision. Even to death, Abraham did not see the fulfillment of this promise, but the vision continued to give his strength in life. Vision can bring direction to a person's life, and give power to overcome difficulties. If God put a vision in your life, you have to hold on to that vision and keep moving forward. If He has not given you a vision, you have to actively seek Him for one, so you may know what His plan for your life is, and finish the race strong for the Lord!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we pray that your Spirit will open our hearts, so we may understand your vision and calling in our lives. May this vision help us overcome difficult circumstances in our daily lives, so that we may accomplish what you have called us to do and you may bless each and everyone of us abundantly. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

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