Today's Passage - Luke 1:18-25

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 1:18-25   "Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.'  The angel answered, 'I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.'   ...After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.  'The Lord has done this for me,' she said. 'In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.'"   People will forget our pleading, but God will never forget.  We might have prayed for some things for a long time and thought that perhaps God will never answer.  Sooner or later we start to forget these things and no longer pray for them, but God will never forget.  We may look away from God, but God will never look away from us; He not only will answer prayers for the Kingdom, but He's willing to accomplish small things in our homes.  In the prayer of Zechariah, we saw that God was willing to accomplish his pleads before God.  Verse 14 says that "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth."  For many years Elizabeth was unable to face people around her; she took all the blame from the family and was viewed as odd by others, but God removed the humiliation Elizabeth had suffered by answering their prayer.  The time came, God answered her prayer, and her shame was gone.  Our God is full of grace and mercy, for He truly understands the weakness of people, and He's also willing to accomplish what we prayed before Him.   You can bring anything you need in life, whether it's big or small, before God in prayer.  God is willing to listen to your prayer, not just for the purpose of His Kingdom, but also to bring you joy.  He can also remove all the shame from your life.  Hallelujah!  If you sense that you are surrounded by the power of darkness, then in the victorious name of Jesus Christ rebuke all the deception and accusation from enemy Satan.  You can receive God's love today, and enjoy God's grace today!      Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you because you are the God who can turn our sorrow into joy, and you can remove all the shame we have in the world.  Come and protect us with your love, because in your love all the shame and fear will be removed, and we can enjoy your abundant grace once again.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Luke 1:8-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 1:8-17   "Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.  Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John."   The altar of incense represents our prayer before God.  When Zechariah was serving God, he went before God and prayed.  God listens to prayer, and He will also respond with wonderful work on us.  In verse 13, Lord said to Zechariah: "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John."  The meaning of the name John is "God's gift"; not only did God listen to his prayer, He also gave him a gift.   Your prayer before God is not done in vain.  God will listen to your prayer and also give you a gift.  He will do wonderful things in your life.  When God accomplishes something for you, He's actually doing it for His Kingdom and His will.  Verse 14 says that many will rejoice because of the birth of Jesus, and John the Baptist will be the pioneer for Jesus Christ who will prepare the way for Him, so that His salvation can come upon all nations and all people.  Even today, we are blessed by the prayer of Zechariah that God listened and responded to.   The ministry of John, as described in this passage, was to turn the hearts of the Israelites back to God, and let the Father's heart turn back to the children.  Bible often describes turning back in both directions; on the one hand, God will cover His eyes from seeing our sins in order to welcome us back; on the other hand, we are happy turn back from the path of disobedience and stubbornness to run towards God's arms.  God is happy to let us encounter Him and He's waiting for us to meet him.  You might think that you have been waiting for God, but that's not quite true, because God is also waiting for you.  God expects you to turn back to His arms so that His grace can come upon you.  He wants to listen to your prayer and also make you a part of His eternal plan, to become blessing for many, much like the family of Zechariah.      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you because you are willing to listen to prayer.  Not only do you listen to our prayer because you sympathize with our weakness, but you also want us to take part in your eternal plan.  I once again give you thanks and praise, and I bring all my needs before you.  May you answer our prayer by your glorious and abundant riches.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Luke 1:1-7

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 1:1-7   "Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.  In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly."   The purpose of the Gospel of Luke is to outline the chronicles of Jesus Christ for the future generations to read, and so people would know that everything they've been taught are true.  We thank the Lord because our faith did not come out from nothing, but it is a proven faith.  When Luke recorded the events of Jesus Christ in chronological order and historical context, we know that our faith has historic proof that carries factual evidence.   Zechariah was a priest that serves God in the temple.  He was old and had no children, and such a person was not respected in the society of his day.  He, however, was very faithful, as he routinely fulfilled his responsibilities as a priest before God whenever his turn came up.  There were lots of priests back then, and they didn't live in the temple, but they just waited at home, for they did not have that many opportunities to serve in the temple in their entire lifetime.  He was an ordinary man, but God likes to listen to the prayer of ordinary people.  We can see in the Bible that God often revealed Himself to ordinary people; not only did the resurrected Lord reveal Himself to the twelve well-known disciples, in 1 Corinthians 15 we also see that He revealed Himself to more than five hundred believers whom were mostly unknown ordinary people.   We sometimes feel that we have many flaws, thinking we are not beautiful and smart enough, thinking we are too ordinary and no one really values us.  Lord Jesus Christ, however, came to the world to tell you that He values you, and God has chosen to love you.  This is such a precious message!      Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, although we are as ordinary as Zechariah, we thank you because you love each one of us.  No matter how ordinary we think we are, may your love speak to us and touch our hearts.  Let us bring forth thanksgiving to you, and we love you because you have first loved us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Romans 16:25-27

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 16:25-27   "Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him - to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."   At the end of Book of Romans, Paul said that only God can establish our hearts.  This is a precious promise in our life of faith.  The "you" here refers to all the children of God - you and me - and it didn't say that we can establish ourselves.  We can't deny the fact that our will is weak and our feelings change.  Just like Elijah, one minute he came out victorious against the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, but the next minute he lied under a broom tree and wanted to die.  Peter was no better; one minute he said in front of Jesus that he would never stumble, and the next minute he denied the Lord three times.  Human beings are weak and we cannot possibly establish ourselves.  We thank God, however, because God will establish us as Holy Spirit will establish our heart.  The Bible says that Holy Spirit is like a seal in our heart.   What does having a seal in our heart means?  First, it shows that we belong to God.  When you place a seal on an object, it shows that the object belongs to you.  When God places a seal in our life through the Holy Spirit, it shows that we belong to God.  The world can surround and attack us, but it cannot overcome us.  Second, the seal is one that represents guarantee of quality.  God will take full responsibility for our life so that we may come out victorious again and again as we grow up, until we take on the form of Jesus.  May our heart be comforted in God, and may the glory of God be completely manifested in our life.       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I thank you because you are the God who establish us.  As we face attacks from the world, temptation of sin and difficult circumstances, our hearts can easily become weak and tired.  Nevertheless, we can come before God again and again, set our eyes on Christ who is the beginning and end of our faith, and you will come and establish us.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Romans 16:21-14

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 16:21-24   "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.  I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.  Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings."   After years of serving in the church, I increasingly recognize the importance of the coworker team.  Ministry cannot be a solo act; not matter how great you perform, once you are gone the act is finished.  Throughout church history, there have been many revivals at various times; some revivals last a long time while others fade away quickly.  If we examine the history closely, we would see that the coworker team plays an important role in prolonging the revivals.  In some cases, coworker teams were not established, and the revivals ended shortly after the leader left or passed away.  On the contrary, the revivals that had solid coworker teams were able to experience continuous waves of God's revival.  Therefore, no matter in what capacity we are serving, we must proactively look for coworkers and establish coworker teams.   What should be our criteria for finding coworkers?  There are some clues from the names that Paul brought up in this passage.  First, Paul looked for those who are faithful.  Timothy was not exactly gifted and courageous, but according to the Bible he was faithful in offering himself.  Faithful doesn't just mean doing what we are supposed to just in order to get things over with; we must also have the attitude of doing our best by making the most effort.  Second, we need to look for learners.  Timothy was a disciple, which means a student.  In other word, he was willing to learn and practice.  Many people like to serve and they are good at what they do, but they lack a teachable heart.  They have their own ways and it's hard for them to team up with others in ministry, God doesn't necessarily lead us the same way every time, and God may not lead others the way He leads us.  If we want to establish a solid coworker team, everyone in the team must have a humble and teachable heart so that we will seek God's will together.  Third, Paul sought those who had good testimonies.  Timothy had testimonies - not just spiritual ones, but also testimonies in life.  One who serves God may not be a spiritual superman, but he must desire to pursue spiritual matters and others should see such determination in him.  On the other, the person doesn't need to be perfect, but must be careful in life and willing to be disciplined.   Faithful, teachable and have good testimonies are the three principles that Paul looked for in coworkers.  Do you have such a coworker team in your life and ministry?  May the Lord give us a humble and soft heart so that we will learn to be good coworkers and also proactively seek to partner with others.      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for showing us an example in Paul as he had so many great brothers and sisters to partner with in ministry.  May the Lord give us good coworkers whom we can learn to support and partner with, all for further spreading the gospel of Kingdom of God.  Give us a humble and teachable heart so that we would depend on your in our daily life and ministry.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Romans 16:17-20

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 16:17-20    Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.     Obedience is good, but it is different from following blindly. Paul said that we should be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. In other words, we should be obedient in what is good, but be resistant in what is evil. What is good mentioned in the Bible is not to build roads and bridges, but to do what God has asked us to do, which is from what God tells us through the Bible. Many people just follow their impulses. Actually they need basis for their impulses; otherwise the world will become chaotic if everyone just follows his impulse. If what is inside us is contradictory to the Biblical teaching, then it is the lust that we need to reject. We must go back to the Bible and use it as our guide for daily life. On the other hand, we should be resistant in what is evil. The so-called evil is the temptation and attack from the evil one. In the early churches, Peter and John were taken to the officials, who then threatened them not to preach in the name of the Nazarene Jesus. But Peter and John replied: "Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!" In other words, they refused to listen to the world, but they listened to God.    God has already given us the power to overcome the evil. But when we are under all kinds of threats, we would always be afraid to say no, nor follow the truth. We would always be trapped in the stage where we know but we can't do. But our Lord has already conquered all the enemies and fears. The Lord says that he is "the Lord that gives peace", and "the God who crushes Satan under our feet". Hallelujah! What a privilege we have to come to God and only trust in Him!      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we praise you, for you are not only the God that gives peace, but also the God that crushes Satan under our feet. May the Lord give us a brave heart so that we choose only to obey truth, and resist the evil and all temptations from the evil one, so as to just come back to you and follow your Words every day. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Romans 16:3-16

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Romans 16:3-16   "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. ...Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings."   Not only was Paul God's favorite servant, he also knew how to make friends. If you count carefully, Paul greeted more than one hundred people in his letters. And he never did group greetings; instead, he greeted everyone specifically. It shows that they were not just ordinary friends, but people who fellowshipped in the Lord.   A phrase was used a lot in this passage, namely "in Christ". This term is very crucial in Paul's theology. When he met the Lord on his way to Damascus, the Lord shed light on him and a voice asked him: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" At that time Saul was puzzled, for he knew whoever spoke to him in the light was the Lord of his life. But he didn't understand when he ever persecuted the Lord. So he responded: "I never persecuted you. Who are you? I just persecute Christians!" Surprisingly the voice in the light said: "I am Jesus, who you persecute." He suddenly realized that Jesus was in unity with his believers. He persecuted the Lord by persecuting the disciples of the Lord. From then on, the concept of "in Christ" was burnt into his heart. He knew that the Lord was always in unity with his believers. In addition, when Ananias came to pray for him, Ananias addressed him by "brother Saul". Then he suddenly realized again how close they were in the Lord, closer than siblings to each other in a family. In Jesus, we become brothers and sisters in God's family. What a blissful grace it is!   Do you have spiritual friends in the Lord? We really lack such friends nowadays. When you come to the church just to attend service or meeting, you lack the opportunity to fellowship openly. Even sisters are the same. In the old days, they gathered together to wash clothes and talk with each other. But nowadays women are just as busy with their work. We also lack the spiritual partners. Let us pray for your spiritual partner whom God will provide to you. You need to attend the cell group in the church, as well as all activities, so that you can find the spiritual partner God has prepared for you during the process. Let's stay in unity in the Lord and march forward hand in hand.      Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank you for your grace, so that we can be part of your family. We thank you for providing many sisters and brothers to us. May you provide a spiritual partner to us, so that we will never be lonely in our spiritual pursuit. We thank you and we pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!