Today's Passage - Phil 2:1-2

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 2:1-2   Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.    Paul brought up several important principles of church life for Christians - Encourage one another in Christ, comfort one another in love, share in the Holy Spirit and have tenderness and compassion in our hearts.  Why do we need to share in the Holy Spirit?  Because Holy Spirit is what binds up together.  We accept the Lord and enter into the Kingdom of God individually, and each of our lives is accepted into Christ.  Holy Spirit, however, serves like the glue that tie us together.  Even though we are all different, but because of the Holy Spirit we are one in Christ.  Sharing in the Holy Spirit enables u to break down the walls of culture, language and personal background.  It gives us the same thoughts and mind.  Over the years I've gone to many churches to minister and talked to many brothers and sisters, and it amazes me to find that even though many of us have never seen or spoken to each other, we all see the same picture and have the same burden in the spirit.  It's like we were all taught by the same teacher!  We indeed have the same teacher, which is the Holy Spirit that brings up into the truth.   Finally, we must have tenderness and compassion in our hearts.  Compassion is not just sympathy, but the mercy of the Lord.  In the four Gospels, we've repeated seen how Jesus saw many people and had mercy on them.  When Jesus was walking and He heard a blind man crying out to Son of David for help, the Lord stopped and healed the blind.  Today, we see so many people in need walking by before us, but we're too used to our busy life and it's hard for us to stop.  We allow the prompting of the Spirit in our hearts to disappear and soon we don't even have any prompting when we see a need, as if the mercy in our heart has been stifled.  In our church life, we must learn to stop and follow the prompting for mercy form inside.  Once as start practicing it, we will find that the river of Holy Spirit will flow through the entire body of the church; we will be "like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."   Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord, I thank you because your mercy has first touched me so that I may become a child of Father God.  May you fill me with your mercy so that I won't be bound by my selfish desires, but let the river of Holy Spirit flow through me.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 2:1-2

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 2:1-2   Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.   In this passage, Paul mentioned a few principles of church life for Christians.  First, we must encourage one another in Christ.  We must do it in Christ because we are united as one body in the Lord with other believers and we are inseparable.  We need to encourage one another in Christ because it's easy to turn into criticism and judgment.  Only encouragement in Christ will help us to truly encourage one another.  What does it mean to encourage one another?  I think of it like cheerleading during a ball game, except it takes place on a spiritual journey.  If a sports team is playing with anyone cheerleading, there's no one to cheer when they score and no one to pad on the back when they lose and encourage them to try again, the game would seem rather dull.  I have, however, found this to be the case in churches.  When brothers and sisters are strong in serving the Lord, no one is there to tell them "Good job!  Well done!"  When brothers and sisters are weak, no one is there to tell them "It's ok, I'm here to support you!"  In fact, some would even ridicule those who are weak.  It's no wonder that the more we serve in the Lord, the lonelier we become.  This is really our inadequacy, so may the Lod help us to learn to encourage one another in Christ.   Next, we must comfort one another with compassion.  Comforting must take place in the love of Christ in order for us to understand the hearts of people.  Understanding doesn't mean agreeing with them, or doing what others are expecting.  When others know that we are willing to understand them, they will feel respected and comforted.   Is there anyone around you who needs to be encouraged or comforted?  After reading this devotional article, I encourage you to call a brother or sister who's in need.  You don't need to preach anything, but just listen to his or her situation and pray together.  Are you willing to do it?      Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord Jesus, I thank you because you give me many brothers and sisters to that we may courage one another.  May the Lord help me to not only receive grace from you every day, but also be willing to reach out and touch those who are in need.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen

Today's Passage - Phil 1:28-30

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:28-30   ...without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God.  For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.   What does it mean to suffer for Christ?  In verse 30, Paul clearly explained that it's the spiritual battle that Christians face daily.  Christians often have the wrong concept that only pastors and ministers will engage in spiritual warfare.  Paul said here that "you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."  The circumstances in life that we encounter daily are actually the battlefields for spiritual warfare!  When John the Baptist was imprisoned, the difficult circumstance was beginning to shake his faith, so he sent his disciples to ask Jesus: "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"  The Lord asked the disciples to tell John about all the signs and wonders He performed, and then told them: "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."  Is it possible for people to stumble because of the Lord?  Of course!   When God doesn't answer our prayer according to our expectation, we can easily stumble because of the Lord.  That's how the enemy often attack us and accuse us in order to shake our faith.   How do we overcome the enemy in our daily spiritual battle?  First, we must stand firm.  If Jesus is rooted in the word of God, then we also must stand on the promises of God and proclaim by faith: "I belong to the Lord Jesus!  No matter where I am, my God is always with me!  I can do all thing in the One who gives me strength!"  Also, we must understand that because we long to the Lord, the enemy can only intimidate us, but it cannot take away what we have; it can only attack us, but no overcome us.  Therefore, we can boldly rebuke the enemy by faith.  The Lord's promise also says that as soon as we reject the devil, it will flee from us!  Hallelujah!  Are you also in a situation where you are surrounded by the enemy?  Don't forget that as long as you stand firm, there's no reason to be intimated by the enemy!     Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord, I thank you because I can proclaim by faith that my God is always with me!  May the Lord strengthen my faith and never let my heart depart from you.  Let me stand firm on the foundation of your promises and proclaim victory against the enemy each and every day.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 1:25-27

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:25-27   Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith...  Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, together as one for the faith of the gospel   When Paul discipled the fellow believers, his two goals were to "continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith."  First, he wanted brothers and sisters to make progress in faith.  Paul said that they ought to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ."  Progress is not necessarily a result of how many sermons were heard or how much knowledge was learned.  When I was studying in the seminary, there were two Chinese classmates who always got A on exams and reports.  They had, however, personality conflicts and were fighting all the time.  Even though they were familiar with the Bible, their knowledge did not make them grow.  Paul told us here that growth means living out the truth of Christ.  Everyone likes to listen to sermon, particularly to listen on someone else's behalf.  After Sunday service, we often hear that "the pastor was talking to you."  No wonder it's hard to us to grow spiritually.  The book of James says that we must live the word, not just listen to the word and fool ourselves.  If you have grown in your spiritual journey for a long time, you must start obeying God starting with the most trivial commandments.  Even it's a small thing like saying sorry someone, you'll find that your life inside will be renewed again!   Second, not only did Paul expect all believers to grow, he also hoped that they will be joyful.  Why is joy so important?  Because it proves that our life is from the Holy Spirit.  A person can live out the teachings of Christ through natural life and disciplined personality; he can serve and make offering faithfully, and even sacrifice himself for others, but he might not have true joy in his heart and faith becomes the law that binds him.  When a person is serving by the power of the Holy Spirit, however, the Lord's life will naturally prompt him in the heart, the Holy Spirit will remind him with soft voice.  Spiritual life of the person will naturally flow out and bring forth joy of freedom.  I often use joy as the indicator of a Christian's spiritual life.  In the letter to the Philippians, Paul repeated described the condition that Christians ought to be in as joyful or happy.  So, all truly mature Christians should be filled with joy - Not just in theory, but also in daily life.  Do you have joy in your life?  If not, you must welcome the Holy Spirit to come and work inside you, to remove any darkness and bondage inside you, and bring forth joy of freedom!    Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord, I thank you because your word carries power as soon as it's spoken.  May the Lord help me to obey your word by the Holy Spirit.  Not only do we listen to the word, or just listen for other people, but actually become a Christian that lives the word.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 1:21-24

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:21-24   For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ...I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.   Paul described his dilemma in this scripture passage.  On the one hand he'd rather leave this world to be with the Lord, but on the other hand he felt that his mission on earth hasn't been accomplished yet.  "Depart and be with Christ" is his real wish, as he even described it as "better by far."  When we read this, we might feel that it's difficult to comprehend, especially for the Christians that are living in North America.  We might spontaneously question whether the heaven is really better than the U.S.  When our family or friends are gone to be with the Lord, we always ask why the Lord took them.  We only ask why when we think one is going to an inferior place; when we ask the Lord why, we mistakenly think that the earth is better than the heaven, but Paul clearly saw that the Lord's presence is far better than the treasure of the world, even better than fame and love.   The mission of Paul is summarized in his statement that "it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."  Even though he longed to be with the Lord who loved him, but he also understood the mission that the Lord had entrusted him with.  To Paul, it was his mission to evangelism; he lived not only for the Lord, but also for the brother and sisters.  He knew that he needed to spend more time to train, disciple and strengthen them.  Do you know the mission that God has entrusted you with?  It might not be evangelism, but god has already placed many brothers and sisters around you that need to be care for, so don't you think you need to live for them?  May God give you the heart of Paul which longed for Him, and also put the mission to keep going for brothers and sisters in our heart, so that we won't ever be discouraged, but will run toward our goal for the Lord!   Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord, we thank you because you have chosen us to follow you.  May you draw me to you so that I may follow you closely.  Lord, please give me a sense of mission to keep running for the kingdom of god, so that I will not be tired on my spiritual journey, but my strength will be renewed.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 1:19-21

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:19-20   ...for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  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.   The reason for Paul to experience God's victory in his life is that he has determined to live for the Lord, as he said "Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."  What a heroic aspiration!  There is only one thing in his life, and that is to live out the form of the Lord.  He has no fear whether it's by life or by death, as he's determine to not let anything hinder him from achieving this goal.  When the circumstance is smooth, he will live like Christ; when the circumstance is rough, he will suffer like Christ.  Isn't that the kind of testimony that God wants us to live out?   When you are happy, have you considered that you should be a happy Christian?  Many people leave Jesus at home when they go on vacation; they would have fun in whichever way they want and they forget that they are Christians.  Some people would say goodbye and "see you next week" to Jesus as soon as they leave church.  Also, when you are suffering, did you consider suffering like Christian?  Many people lose their faith as soon as they encounter hardship; they stop going to church and stop serving God.  Moreover, do you live like a Christian when you are alone?  One time I was waiting alone for a flight in Seoul, Korea, and I thought no one could possibly know me there.  But the Spirit of the Lord reminded me: "Even when you are all alone, are you will to obey faithfully?"  Since then, I often reminded myself to live like Christ even when I am alone.   Are you willing to be determined to live for the Lord?  The brothers must pay special attention because we are often burdened by things of the world and we'd do whatever it takes to make a better living, but are we willing to have great aspiration for the kingdom of God like Paul did, that "now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death?"   Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord, please forgive me, for I often neglect your calling for my life, which is not only for my life to be delivered but also for me to live for you.  May the Lord constantly remind me and give me a willing heart to live for you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 1:15-18

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:15-18   It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.  The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  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.  Yes, and I will continue to rejoice...   Paul was suffering from physical bondage when he wrote the letter to the Philippians.  He was also facing pressure in his mind, which was criticism from others.  It's hard for us to imagine that disciples like Paul would be criticized.  In fact, Paul was faced with much misunderstanding and attack.  It's hard to accept criticism; when people are right in criticize, our ego doesn't want to acknowledge it; when people are wrong, we are offended and won't ever forget.  We are often hurt by criticisms that are unfair; the more we think about it the more we pity ourselves, and we might also become disillusioned, thinking that we might as well give up.   Paul did rush to his own defense, and he also wasn't disillusioned and withdrawn because of the criticism by others, because he valued the Lord's will more than he valued his own ego, "but what does it matter? The important thing is that...  Christ is preached."  The secret of Paul to overcome criticism is to value Christ more than he values himself.  It's like a person who enters a running race, his eyes would always focus on the finish line.  When the spectators clap and cheer for him, he won't stop and shake every hand to thank them; when the spectators boo and toss eggs at him, he won't stop and yell madly at them or start fighting them.  The runner knows where the finish line is and what his prize will be.   What is our goal in life and the reward for us?  Once I know the importance of this question, I totally saw the light!  I am no longer bound by situation of being criticized and I no longer hold any grudge against others.  I learned from the example of Paul - "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."  Are you still in a situation of being criticized?  Did the wounds in your past still leaving shadow in your heart?  Let me tell you in the name of the Lord: "Lay them down and let them go!  Let the Spirit of the Lord release you and uphold you; focus again on the will of the Lord and follow Him closely!"   Pray with Pastor Tong          Lord Jesus, I ask that you help me, I had many wounds and shadows from the past, and because of them I am not free.  I am willing to lay them down and I don't want to stay where I am.  May the Lord help me to continue to run forward towards to finish line.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!