Today's Passage - John 21:17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21:17    The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."    Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my sheep."  Serving the Lord and serving people obviously cannot be separated. You cannot say I love God and yet you do not serve other people.  One who loves God will naturally love other people and be considerate to the merciful nature of our Lord.  When Jesus told Peter to, "Feed my sheep" , He did  not mean "Feed your sheep."  Who are Peter's sheep?  Perhaps Peter and we prefer the same kind of sheep - ones that are healthy, don't we?  The sheep that do not need our persuasion and encouragement in reading the Bible and those who tithe one-tenth automatically; we prefer those who listen and are healthy.   But Jesus says here, "Feed my sheep." Who are Jesus' sheep?"  They are those who need our help.   There are many needy people in U.S.: many elderly people are watching TV if not taking care of children; nobody would understand that they are isolated and   lonely.  The same is true to many American families, mid-aged couples have to face health, family, work and even spiritual crisis; in addition, single people also face many struggles although it sounds terrific to be single, yet often times it is quite hurtful as it may be more difficult for them to enter into marriages because they tend to isolate themselves in order to be protected, as a result, they are less open thus making it even more difficult to meet others.   Many teenagers grown up in U.S. have suicidal thoughts. Why does this happen in this material rich environments? It is because these teenagers could only see what is happening this week which, often times, can give them neither comfort nor satisfaction - thoughts of committing suicide thus arise.  They are many around us who are needy.  Our Lords has instructed us to feed them and care for them unselfishly.    Brothers and sisters,  many a time we only want to care for those we like as in the church we often ask those who we have not seen for a while, "I did not see you last week."  - we only care for the their attendance.  May the Lord help us learn to feed His sheep with a heart of mercy like our Lord.                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, grant us a heart of mercy.  Forgive us for neglecting your desires and the need of your sheep.  Open our eyes so that we may see different needs of the people around us and willing to care for them.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 21:7-15

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21: 16   Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."                  One who loves the Lord will serve the Lord. Whenever Peter answered Jesus "I love you", the Lord commanded him: "You have to take care of my sheep", because loving God and obeying God are always together. Someone who loves the Lord will actively follow the Lord's command. Ministry for him is no longer a burden and responsibility, and it's not an obligation to fulfill the pastor's orders, rather it is an offering entirely on his own. The meeting is no longer a formality that you really need to push yourself to attend; the meeting is there because of the hunger for the presence of God. Offering is no longer given in reluctance because the offering bag is being passed in front of you.                  I used to haggle with God about tithing. Upon getting the paycheck, I used to take out 10% right away and told God, "God, this 10% is yours that I would never dare to touch. But that 90% is mine, so you better leave it alone." Very often I counted what was mine and what were yours with the Lord, so I was not a very happy Christian during that time, because I often felt the Lord was not satisfied with my 10% offering.                  Once when I was struggling in my mind: "Oh Lord, this is mine and that is yours", suddenly the Lord from within sternly rebuked me: "Forget about what's yours and what's mine! They are all mine!" then I realized that everything that we own actually comes from God! Now He lets us manage time, money and energy, shouldn't we return to God everything that He has given us? Once I realize this truth, I become more willing to offer myself to God, not only in money, but even my time and energy. Not only that, I become happier, because all these giving in love become natural and spontaneous.                  Brothers and sisters, when you love the Lord, you will take the initiative to serve the Lord; you will see the needs of the ministry and fill the gap. Have you passionately served the Lord in your lives? More importantly, do you love the Lord? Many people say, "Yes, I love the Lord." But if there is no example of giving yourselves and serving in your lives, it is difficult for people to know that you truly love the Lord. In love, you must give up yourself, without it, you don't understand love.                  Jesus Christ loves us, because he gave himself for us. As Jesus gave himself on the cross for us, so we can grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love the Lord. Do you love the Lord? How much have you given yourself for the Lord? Are you willing to offer yourself for the Lord such that God would receive the highest glory in you? Today the Lord also asks us this question, "Do you love me more than these?" What are these to you? May the Spirit shine upon us, let's offer our lives once again to the Lord to serve His purposes.                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, thank you, because you love us first, give up yourself for us. May the Spirit of the Lord again inspire and help us, so we give and offer up ourselves again, such that others will receive God's blessings through us. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 21:7-15

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21: 7-15    ...When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.  Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."                  When the disciples landed, the Lord prepared for them a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread, that was perfect for those tired and hungry people who had fished all night. When I think about this bible passage, I really see God is so full of mercy and grace. The Lord gave Peter fish because he went fishing, but also gave him 153 fish, even when they landed hungry and tired, there was already a fire of burning coals with fish and bread on it. It seemed Jesus was telling Peter, "Peter, do you want fish? I'll give you fish, and it is a lot of fish. Are you afraid of a life of no guarantee? I can also give you contentment; there is fish and bread here. But I have to ask you: Peter, do you love me more than these?"                  Why would Jesus question Peter three times: "Do you love me"? It's not because Peter has denied the Lord three times. The Lord Jesus questioned Peter three times because Peter thought he loved the Lord, just as we thought we loved our Lord Jesus. When you think carefully, when you love somebody, you will always want to know where he is, what he is doing now, and you want to find him when don't see him. But Peter was not aware that Jesus stood there watching them fishing that night.                  "Simon Peter, do you love me more than these?" Brothers and sisters, the Lord also asks us the same question. Do you love the Lord? I'm not asking whether you come to Sunday Service every week, read the Bible, pray, tithe; I'm also not asking if you have joined the church ministries. If you really love God, you will care about other issues. When you are in a meeting, you'll ask, "Oh Lord, can your Spirit move freely in our meeting?" In daily living, you'll ask, "Oh Lord, what can I do for you? Will the things that I do make you sad?"                  Brothers and sisters, when we desire to love the Lord, we'll discover our daily lives are no longer the same. Do you really love the Lord? Let God put the desire to love Him in our hearts, let our lives be fully transformed by Him, and let us present our full being to the Lord.                                      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please forgive us, we think we love you, but in fact we love ourselves more than you. Ask the Lord to shine upon us, let us see our deficiencies, and live for you with our whole heart and mind. Thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 21:4-6

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21: 4-6    Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.              While the disciples were busy fishing, someone was watching them on the shore. That person said, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" It seems the Lord Jesus always asks superfluous questions, isn't it? Just as Jesus once asked the invalid of thirty-years lying near the Bethesda pool, "Do you want to get well?" Isn't it non-sense? Why would you let someone carry you to the Bethesda pool every day if you don't want to get well?              While we are in this situation, however, we do not really want to leave it, just as many people found themselves in sinful situations, but they do not want to leave the sins behind them; or even enjoying the feeling of self-pity while in sickness, unwilling to leave this self-pity situation. So Jesus plainly asked him, "What exactly do you need?" Here Jesus let the disciples recognize their own poverty, not only the physical poverty, but rather the spiritual poverty. We feel content easily because we own this, we own that, but we often don't see how poor our spirits are!              Psalm 43 mentioned "I'll go to God, my joy and my delight", sometimes we have difficulties to understand: Is God really my joy and my delight? We will feel happy when visiting brothers and sisters at their homes, or having a sumptuous meal with some good friends, but it seems not as joyful while in the presence of God. Paul said, "I desire to depart and be with the Lord, which is better by far." It's hard for us to understand: Is heaven really better than this world? Brothers and sisters, we must acknowledge that we are poor in our hearts, such that we don't pursue spiritual blessings, but rather putting worldly things in place of godly things.              When the disciples were fishing while catching nothing, the Lord ordered them to throw the net, and when they did, there was such a large number of fish and they were unable to haul the net in! In fact the Lord had prepared for them aplenty, more than all they asked or imagined! Ask the Lord to help us, once again seeing all the riches in Him, and let us return to the presence of the Lord, because the Lord says, "But seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Let us arrange our life priorities according to the will of God, His blessing will come upon us!                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, thank you, you are the God full of grace and mercy, once we return to your presence; your grace will come upon us. Ask the Lord such that we recognize your grace and abundance, and we are ready to follow. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 21:1-3

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 21:1-3    Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.  "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.     The first verse says "afterward", which is in fact the third time Jesus Christ shows himself to the disciples. Why did Peter still go back to fish after Jesus shows himself to the disciples? If we are in the same situation, we should be rushing to spread the gospel! However, at this moment they shrink back a lot, even Peter escapes by going back to fishing. I believe they are very confused at the time. Even though they clearly know Jesus has resurrected, but nevertheless after Jesus' resurrection, he is still not by their side. He is not yet with them through the Holy Spirit. No wonder they are so confused because they do not know how this can be fulfilled.     They are also very disappointed, especially Peter. He is once so passionate for Jesus. When Jesus asks, "Who am I", Peter clearly answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!" Peter once has dreams.  He knows he is following the right person, so supposedly great master should produce great disciples! But after what happened in Jerusalem, is it like he has just come out of the dream. Peter's disappointment towards the Lord is like he has followed the wrong person. Even when the Lord is betrayed, Peter thinks he can rescue Jesus, but the Lord stops him, which is something he can't understand. On the other hand, he is disappointed in himself. He thinks he won't abandon Jesus and run away. Who knows that in front of the slave girl he will deny the Lord three times! Not only this, he feels lost because even though the Lord has already resurrected, who knows if the old thing will play itself out again?     Peter doesn't want to be disappointed again. This time he wants to find what is real, something he can catch, and what he can think of is to resume his old fishing trade. At least this is something he has control over. But strangely enough, that night they did not catch one single fish, even though they are veteran fishermen! Thus, they are exhausted spiritually and physically. They come up empty handed in both spiritual and worldly things. Brothers and sisters, this is truly the life story of many Christians. We want to straddle both the worldly and the spiritual boats, but we end up even more lost. May God help us to only seek the Lord, to put our hope in God because only he is the answer and satisfaction for our lives. Let us together come to put our hope in him!                                      Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you are the satisfaction of my life. Even though many times I am like the disciples straddling two boats, but may God help me to turn back to you, to receive new life, strength and satisfaction. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 20:24-26

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 20:24-26    A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"   After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he comes and says "Peace be with you!" to the disciples many times. What a precious word! Peace is just what the disciples need at the time. During those days, the disciples are very confused, especially by what happened in Jerusalem, which anyone would be surprised. When the disciples follow Jesus in the past, they know Jesus will always be there even if the sky falls down. Now there's no one they can depend on. They are very discouraged as well. Even though Jesus already told them about what he will suffer, but they still think the kingdom of God is to be on earth.       Therefore, when Jesus dies, they are so disappointed and their dreams are almost completely shattered! Not only are they disappointed about the Lord, but they are also disappointed about themselves. Especially for Peter, before he thinks that he can courageously acknowledge the Lord. But he denies the Lord three times in front of the slave girl and servants. He is utterly disappointed in himself. At the same time, they are fearful because they do not know what will happen next. The persecutions of the officials cause them to keep the door locked when they assemble together. Peace is truly the message they need.     When Jesus says, "Peace be with you", he is not only greeting them. He is the Prince of Peace. He not only gives peace, but he is peace. People are often filled with fear because this is our old nature. Of course it is also because of the lies of the enemy. Some people say, "If God shows up, then I will not be afraid." However, in reality the person who says this has never experienced God showing up, because in the Bible every time when God reveals himself to people, their first reaction is fear. Even when the disciples see the Lord walking on the water, they think it's a ghost! They did not think this is all from God's work.     Fear is our old nature. However, after the Lord shows up, the Spirit of the Lord touches us and brings such a great peace! Brothers and sisters, do you have peace in your life? Maybe you are currently in the situation like the disciples, in the midst of confusion, disappointment, and fear. May the Lord touch you with his resurrection power today! Hallelujah! Let us receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ's resurrection truth and let us receive the peace from the Lord. When we receive this by faith, the Lord will himself be our peace no matter how big the storm is around us. Through the Lord, we don't have to fear!                                     Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you not only give me peace, but you are my peace. If I am currently in fear or worry, I ask you to set me free and let my heart once again be filled with your peace and joy. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - John 20:19-23

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 20 : 19-23   ...Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you!  As the father has sent me, I am sending you."...   The God who we believe in is one who "sends".  In this Trinity God, our Father God is a "sending" God as it is written in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He sent His one and only son."  To whom did He send?  To this world He sent His son!  When Jesus was on earth, He made reference to God many times as the "Father who sent me."  It is apparent that God is the one who "sends" and so is Jesus as indicated here, "As the father has sent me, I am sending you."  Mathews 28:19 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations."   Jesus sent His disciples into this world.   In addition, the Holy Spirit is also the one who "sends".  In chapter 8 of Acts of the Apostles, Philip, filled with the Holy Spirit, was sent to the wilderness to preach to the Ethiopian eunuch; similarly in Act 13  Paul and Barnabas were also  sent by the Holy Spirit to preach in Europe. The Holy Spirit continues to "send" till today.  If not for the Holy Spirit who sent missionaries into China, you and I might not be Christians today; without the sending by the Holy Spirit, no one is willing to forsake all their possessions going into primitive villages to bear witness for the Lord.    In fact, if we examine the Bible and the church history closely, we will notice that this almighty God is willing to work together with us who are weak to fulfill His eternal plan; this is not because He cannot do it alone, but He chooses to work together with His people instead. God actually paved the way for Jesus Christ ever since the Old Testament times, but the Israelites rebelled against God time and again. Yet God had been patiently waiting until the time Jesus was born.  It seemed that God was victorious at the time, I believe even the angels and heavenly hosts were holding their breath until Jesus' mission on earth, His sufferings and His eventual sacrifice on the cross were all accomplished.   The work of salvation has been fulfilled and satan's power was crushed and it is high time to take advantage of this victory to promote the kingdom of heaven.  I also believe that the angels and heavenly hosts are all ready to fight on God's behalf!  But instead, after His resurrection, Jesus entrusted the mission of extending His kingdom to His eleven disciples.  I believe the angels and heavenly hosts were somewhat perplexed, "Lord Jesus, is this your plan? What if these people fail you, would everything be lost?"  But we thank God because He is willing to send us so that His power can be manifested through us who are weak!   May the Lord help us so that we are willing to be sent by God!                                   Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, we thank you for you are willing to send us into this world to bring this good news to its people. Grant us the faith and courage so that we may accomplish this great commission you have entrusted us.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!