Today's Passage - Matthew 2:1-6

Matthew 2:1-6   After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."   When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: "'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"   The birth of Christ should have been joyful and exciting news, but according to the Bible not everyone was excited about it.  When King Herod heard that the magi from the east were looking for the newborn savior of the world, he wasn't joyful at all, but rather he became anxious.  Even though King Herod was not a Jew, he knew about the faith of the Jews.  He understood that God promised that the Messiah and the king would come and rule the children of the king.  He was anxious because he didn't know what he would do once the messiah became the king.   Not only that, the people of Jerusalem were also anxious.  It was great that the Messiah was coming, but they were under the rule of Rome and the king of the Jews was the brutal King Herod.  It wasn't a great time for the Messiah to come, because it would surely cause some turmoil, and thus they became anxious.  Similarly, even though we look forward to the coming of God's salvation, but when God's salvation actually comes we might rebel against it and reject it.   Where was Jesus Christ supposed to be born?  The scribes and Pharisees were familiar with the Bible, which says that Christ was supposed to be born in Bethlehem; unfortunately, even though they had the knowledge, they took no part in the birth of Christ.  Bethlehem is a mere five kilometers away from Jerusalem.  I recall that when I visited Jerusalem, we went to Bethlehem to visit but the bus that was supposed to pick us up didn't show up.  So, we ended up walking back to Jerusalem, which took about one hour.  These towns were very close to each other, but the scribes and Pharisees did nothing about the most important thing that could have happened in their life.  Today, many have the same attitude towards Jesus Christ.  Everyone's busy with daily life, but neglect the most important thing in their life, which is the salvation of our soul.  Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ was born, but are you letting Him work in your life, so that He would become your guidance and give you wisdom?   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you because you have come to the world for us.  Give us an open heart to welcome your work in our daily life.  Remove any anxiety in our life so that we may receive the true joy and satisfaction in you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!        Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:21-25

Matthew 1:21-25   She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.  But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.   This passage revealed the two names of Jesus Christ.  His first name is Jesus, which means "he will save his people from their sins."  Sin is the most fundamental problem with human beings.  Sin separated us from the Lord who created all things, and it made us only pay attention to our own physical and carnal needs, instead of the need for eternal life.  The essence of sin is our self-centeredness, that's why Paul told us, in 2 Timothy Chapter 3, about the state of hearts of people in the end times: "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money..."  Isn't that the portrayal of the world today?  Our self-centeredness made us unable to see our own problems or the needs of other people.   Not only does self-centeredness break our relationship with God and other people, it even breaks the relationship with ourselves.  We seem to be imprisoned in self-centeredness and cannot be released from it, and that is the problem of sin.  People will never have real hope unless the problem of sin is solved, but the problem of sin cannot be solved by ourselves.  Only Jesus, the sinless savior, can die for us on the cross and shed His precious blood in order to pay back all the debt of sin that we owe to the law.  Anyone who receives salvation will no longer live in the bondage of sin and self-centeredness, and that's why we need Jesus Christ to be our savior in our life.   The other name of Jesus is Immanuel, which means God is with us.  The change in the circumstance around us can never bring true happiness to our lives; only the eternal Lord who lives in us can bring us true satisfaction and joy.  The name Immanuel revealed God's will for us, because there's indeed a void in the hearts of people that only God, and no one else, can fill.  Jesus, whom we believe in, is not only our savior, but He's also happy live with us, speak to us, walk with us daily, and be our best friend.  He's also the shepherd in our life.  This is such an amazing grace, so let's give thanks to Him!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, we thank you and praise you because you are a wonderful savior.  Not only did you save us from sin, you're also willing to be with us every day and never leave us, and because of you we have no fear as we face the road ahead us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:18-20

Matthew 1:18-20   This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.   This is the Christmas story that everyone is familiar with.  Virgin Mary was pregnant, and it was difficult for her to explain it because no one would believe.  Her fiancé Joseph was no exception; when Mary told Joseph about it, Joseph didn't want to humiliate Mary, but still could not believe and accept it.  If you were Mary, what would you do?  If Joseph didn't believe Mary, wouldn't God's plan be ruined?  Or, would you complain to the Lord that He should have personally explained to Joseph about the pregnancy.  We often want to interfere and take matter into our own hands so that we can influence the situation, but it often leads to the opposite outcome.   Brothers and sisters, you need to trust God and learn to depend on Him.  There's popular saying: "Let go and let God."  You need to let go and let God work.  Learn to rest in the working hands of God, because our God will never make a mistake and He's a timely God.  When the Israelites was at the Red Sea, Red Sea was in front of them and Egyptian army was behind them, and at that very moment the sea water parted for the Israelites to cross.  Verse 20 says that when Joseph was contemplating what to do, Lord's messenger appeared to him, not a moment too late or too early, so that Joseph could know the truth.  God's way is always higher than our way, and His mind is always greater than our mind.   Are you anxious about something now?  Are you complaining about something?  Are you rushing to take care of some situation?  Remember that our God will never make a mistake, and He is a punctual God!  You can totally surrender everything to His hands, and God will personally make way for you in your life according to the wonders of His hands.  He'll make way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  Just look upon Him and learn to enjoy rest in His working hands.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because you are the true God who never makes a mistake.  When we encounter any difficulty and don't know what to do, may the Lord help us to rest in your working hands, because we trust that you are always fully accountable for us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:12-17

Matthews 1:12-17   After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.  Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.   This excerpt of genealogy describes what happens after the Jews from the kingdom of Judah were captured.  The captivity was the darkest time during Jewish history.  The Jews back then had two questions in mind.  First, why did this happen to them?  Were they the chosen people of God?  Didn't God's temple demonstrate His presence among them?  Why were we captured and how could God allow such a thing to happen to them?  The author of Books of Kings tried to address this question - No matter how great a king was, when the author wrote about him he'd always include the sins that he committed.  Even though the Jews are God's chosen people, because of the sins committed by the king or the people, God had to punish them and that's why they were captured and their nation was shattered.    Actually, when we compare the King David recorded in the book of Chronicles and King David in the book of Kings, we'd see two different portrayals of the same person.  The Israelites had the second question - Is there still any hope for us?  Book of Chronicles answered this question, as the author's answer was "yes, there's still hope!"  When the Book of Chronicles talked about the kings, especially King David and Solomon, the depictions pointed them towards the coming Messiah savior, as all people were expecting the perfect king to come.  Chronicles answered this question - Yes, the hope for Israel lies in the coming Messiah.  The hope for Israel was more than the revival of the nation, but it's in Jesus Christ!   Similarly, the hope for human beings today doesn't lie in the change of our circumstance, but in Jesus Christ.  The genealogy of Jesus proved that He is the Messiah whom God had promised since the Old Testament time.  When we encounter any hardship, we might ask God why bad things happen to us.  It's all because of our sin and our disobedience against God!  We need God to enlighten us and help us to acknowledge our weaknesses, and we ask the precious blood of Jesus to come and cleanse us.  When we are weak or in hardship, perhaps we'd ask the same question like the Israelites did - Is there still hope?  God is answering you "yes", because your hope doesn't lie in the change of circumstance, but rather in the authority to be victorious through Christ.  Hallelujah!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you and I praise you because in Christ we have the authority to be victorious.  I especially for brothers and sisters who are going through tough times - may your spirit comfort them and enlighten them.  Save us from sin and give us the authority and strength to overcome any difficulty.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!       Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:7-11

Matthew 1:7-11 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.    This genealogy briefly described the process of the revivals that took place throughout the history of Israel. It started with King David and continued all the way to Josiah.  There were five revivals of God.  The first one was the revival of King David.  This was mainly the revival of worship.  In 1 King chapter fifteen to sixteen, David prepared a tabernacle for the Ark of Covenant.  In the tabernacle there was only Ark of Covenant.  There was only one ministry, i.e. worship.  David utilized every kind of instruments and poetic groups to worship God.  Worship has been kept by Jews ever since.   Acts 15:16 mentioned that David's tent will be rebuilt in the last days so that all gentiles will return to God.    Second, there was the revival of King Solomon, i.e. the revival of the temple. God called upon King Solomon to build the Holy Temple.  The building of Holy Temple is very important, because it signifies the presence of God.  In Old Testament, the children of Israel were afraid.  They witnessed all kind of enemies outside, and difficult situations.  They came to their parent asking: "Where on earth is the God that you believe in?"  Their parents would point to Holy Temple on Mount Sinai and said: "God is in that glorious place.  He is with us."  King Solomon's Holy Temple signified the presence of God.       The three revivals that followed: by King Jehoshaphat, by King Hezekiah, and by King Josiah were revivals of God's words and commands. Especially through the restoration of Passover by King Hezekiah, God once again placed obeying his words among Israelites. For a long time, although there was a Holy Temple in Israel, the ministry of the temple was neglected.  No one really followed God's commands either.  At the time of Hezekiah, people repented.  They came back to God to observe Passover, to wipe away their sins.  It brought great joy to the people.  As soon as the truth of justification through faith was restored, it brought great revival and joy to churches.  Believers were living under the power of darkness before the truth was restored.  They have no freedom.  When truth was restored, people started enjoying the true freedom brought by truth.  May God help us to praise Him in our daily lives, and to experience the revival of God's truth in our daily lives! Prayer with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you.  In past generations' revival, your truth has been restored again and again.  Whenever truth is restored, we start enjoying freedom.  May you place your truth inside of our hearts.  Let us know the truth, follow the truth, and thus enjoy the freedom and happiness released from the truth.  I thank you and I pray in the glorious name of Jesus, Amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:1-6

Matthew 1:1-6 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife...     The first verse says:  "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham."  This sentence ties up Old Testament to New Testament.  Old Testament prophesied the birth of the Messiah.  In Genesis 22:18 God promised to Abraham: "and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me".  Offspring is singular, referring to one descendent, not many descendents.  And this descendent is the Messiah.  The birth of Messiah is also related to God's promise to David.  2 Samuel 7:12 says: "..., I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom."  This kingdom doesn't refer to the Kingdom of Israel, but rather the kingdom of the Messiah.  The spirit of God made a grand proclamation to the world, this Messiah is Jesus Christ, in the first chapter,  first verse one of the New Testament.  I always feel heavy when reading genealogies.  However, trace people mentioned in the Bible, one will discover many precious truth: First, there are four sisters from verse 1 to 6: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah's wife Bathsheba.  God values sister's roles.  Even in a patriarchal society God reserves ministry position for sisters.   When Korean Pastor Choy Ong Gi was building the cell group church, there were not enough cell leaders.  God's spirit revealed to him to utilize sisters.  "When Jesus was on the cross, who was at His side?" "Sisters." "When Jesus was ministering on earth, who understood Him the most?"  "Sisters."  He realized that the role of sisters is very important in God's plan. Out of four sisters, two were gentiles.  They are Tamar, and Ruth.  God's plan of salvation are not just reserved for Jews.  He already included gentiles in his salvation.  Our salvation is not out of reluctance, but out of God's choice from the very beginning.  Let us shout out our sincere thanks and praises to God for this grace! Prayer with Pastor Tong Liu Lord, we thank you for being part of your eternal salvation.  We thank you for the sisters that you gave us.  We thank you for revealing to us your eternal plan.  Your selection is so comprehensive that all generations receive your grace, so that today we get to receive the same grace.  I thank and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!

Today's Passage - Hebrews 13:20-25

Hebrews 13:20-25 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter. I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all God's people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. Grace be with you all. God of peace is the origin of peace.  God doesn't just repair, he is the origin of peace, like the relationship between vines and branches.  A branch must remain in the vine to receive a constant supply of nutrient.  It's our responsibility to remain connected to the origin of peace.  Believers' biggest problem is that they remain in Lord only when they are in trouble.  When they are no longer in trouble they go astray from God. As such, our lives end up going from one problem to another, going from one crisis to another.  Do you search God only when you are in trouble?  What you really should do is to tightly connect your life to Lord.  You are nothing but a branch that needs to remain in the vine to receive daily bread.  Our lives need to remain in the Lord so as to fulfill God's wonderful plan.  The purpose of our salvation in God, of all trials and tribulations, is to fully prepare us to do God's will.  Let us come to God, give our lives to him, and focus our attention only on Him. Throughout Hebrews, the author constantly reminds us that salvation is precious.  We can't neglect God's salvation.  Salvation is also inherited: from Old Testament to New Testament, from beginning to end.  Salvation refers to Jesus Christ; the Great Priest, our sacrificial lamb: once offered, it became an effective sin offering forever.  Salvation can only be received through faith.  We can't just put truth in our head.  We have to receive God's truth with true faith and action.    Finally, the author ends with words of encouragement.  Although there are serious reprimands in the letter, the goal of the author is not to make us afraid.  Rather, it is to make us receive comfort such that we can move forward.  Because we were bought with a precious price by Lord, we belong to God.  God lead us with His all powerful arms for eternity. Hebrews intended to teach and encourage us.  May God's encouragement lead us to lift our feeble arms and to straighten our weak knees again, so that we can bravely follow the Lord forward.    Prayer with Pastor Tong Lord, we thank you.  Your words are as precious as light, leading us in our daily lives.  May your words be our strength, comfort, and encouragement.  Help us to keep running forward in our spiritual path.  Thank you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!