Today's Passage - Galatians 4:27-31

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4:27-31     ...At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. But what does Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.     There is something that will keep showing up in your spiritual growth process. It is that those born according to the flesh will often persecute those born by the power of the Spirit. The moment you commit yourself to follow God and walk in his path of renewal, you will always meet resistance, and there will always be people who will make fun of you, hinder you, criticize and judge you. When I encounter these situations, I see them as small things, because in the Bible the Lord has already warned us these things will happen. When we come to the Lord, not only do we need to trust and obey Jesus Christ, but we also need to suffer for Christ. We not only need to suffer for our own sins, but also for the work of God in our life. And other people may not understand that we will also suffer.    What should we do when we face these circumstances? First, we need to examine ourselves to discern whether we are following God himself or whether we are following some kind of experiences. Especially in the Charismatic Movement, there are many people who pursue experiences more than they pursue God. We need to examine ourselves, whether we are truly following God or whether we are only pursuing our own self-satisfaction. If we are only pursuing our own self-satisfaction, it is very easy to fall into fleshly conflicts. If we are following God, we will be patient and wait on God.     Second, we need to pray for our current circumstance. When we are facing persecutions, there's nothing we really can do. We need to believe only God can bring about the change. Sometimes we depend on our own power to think of a solution to solve the problem. But man's method may not be God's method. We need to pray for the current circumstance. Maybe you and I are standing firm in the truth and are doing the right thing. But the timing depends on God. We need to respect the timing of God's work. Like the farmer waiting for the crops to grow, he needs to wait patiently in order for the crops to mature and bear fruit.     Third, as much as possible we should live in peace because this is God's will. In the future we will see our brothers and sisters in heaven. Let us keep a patient heart to live in peace as much as possible. God will bring about justice for us. He will reveal his way and his will. May the Lord help us to stand firm in the faith. As we follow God, let us not be moved by the external things in our life.                                                                           Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you for suffering for me and going on the way of the cross. You also told me that I will be persecuted on earth. May you help me, give me a humble and moldable heart, and fulfill your work in my life. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 4:21-26

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4: 21-26      ...For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.                  There are two types of Christians; one type is to live the Christian life according to the flesh and blood, and the other type is to become a Christian as the result of a divine promise. Many people live their entire Christian lives according to the flesh and blood, only after the church to do this and not to do that. This mode is hard for Christians, with no breath of life, the gathering is just for the peace of mind, the ministry is just a responsibility, and so it gets more trying the more you serve. The result is bitterness for Christians living according to the flesh. The other type is Christians as the result of a divine promise; there is the relationship in Christ. Once he accepts Jesus as personal savior, then he forms a close relationship with the Lord that is a loving relationship, no longer working for the sake of work, rather it is for the sake of love. A Christian born as the result of a divine promise no longer live according to his own talents and he is willing to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and follows the leading of the Spirit, enjoying God's presence. We need to learn in God to live the Christian lives as the result of a divine promise, and let this loving relationship to become the power of our ministries.                  I once saw a card with a picture of a housewife in the act of hanging garments on the clothesline with a note below it: "Never-ending tasks". Washing and drying the clothes every day, it's never ending work, why would this housewife readily keep repeating these never-ending tasks? Because of love, she loves her family members, so all these are not sufferings. It's the same in the process of serving, in Christian lives; it's also because of love and the loving relationship with the Lord.                  Why do you attend every Sunday service? Is it for the gathering among the few friends? Is it the sense of responsibility? Or is it you really love and desire God? Then why do you serve God? Is it because the pastor has asked you to do so? Is it because you feel you have to do it? Or is it the love of the Lord that draws you? It is difficult to sustain a Christian life without the love of the Lord; ask the Lord to help us enter the ministry of divine promise, not the flesh.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we ask your Spirit to check and forgive us if we serve according to the flesh and the blood. Lead us into serving by divine promise, having a close relationship with you, and give us the desire to long for your presence. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 4:12-20

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4: 12-20    ...... My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!                                 According to Paul, it takes the pains of childbirth to lead one soul and to change one's life. It takes to pay with the cost of time to go through this process of suffering. A mother is in pregnancy for nine and a half months before the baby comes to term for its birth; similarly, when we lead our non-believer relatives and friends to God, or one soul to changing life, it takes to pay with the cost of prayers, until their lives are changed, as well as caring for their needs, offering them help in their real lives.                  Next, it takes to pay with the cost of anxiety. How anxious is a mother in labor who is eager for the child's arrival; similarly, it's also the case for the saved soul and changed life. We have to wait patiently, like the farmer waiting for the produce from the field; there are no quick fixes, only sustaining prayers. I remember knowing a couple with the husband deserting the family long ago, abandoning the wife for another woman, but his wife continued waiting for him to change his mind, praying unceasingly for thirty-three years, and finally the husband changed his mind, and the two remarried again. Thirty-three years is none too short, but this wife has this faith to wait in hope; it's really not easy.                  Third, it takes to pay with the cost of self-sacrifice. A mother would rather see herself suffer, neither sleeping nor eating well, for a smooth delivery. Ask for God's help when we guide and lead others, to pay with the cost of self-sacrifice. Not caring for our own needs, but caring for others' needs so their lives can be changed. Let us while leading others that we are willing to go through the pains of childbirth for God's sake as well as for the sake of brothers and sisters, and we can enjoy the good fruit of the childbirth.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, remember the relatives, friends or brothers and sisters that we lead; although feeling the pains of childbirth, yet it bears fruit. Let us continue to pray and wait, because you will do more than what we ask or think. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 4:12-20

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4: 12-20    ...... My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!                                 According to Paul, it takes the pains of childbirth to lead one soul and to change one's life. It takes to pay with the cost of time to go through this process of suffering. A mother is in pregnancy for nine and a half months before the baby comes to term for its birth; similarly, when we lead our non-believer relatives and friends to God, or one soul to changing life, it takes to pay with the cost of prayers, until their lives are changed, as well as caring for their needs, offering them help in their real lives.                  Next, it takes to pay with the cost of anxiety. How anxious is a mother in labor who is eager for the child's arrival; similarly, it's also the case for the saved soul and changed life. We have to wait patiently, like the farmer waiting for the produce from the field; there are no quick fixes, only sustaining prayers. I remember knowing a couple with the husband deserting the family long ago, abandoning the wife for another woman, but his wife continued waiting for him to change his mind, praying unceasingly for thirty-three years, and finally the husband changed his mind, and the two remarried again. Thirty-three years is none too short, but this wife has this faith to wait in hope; it's really not easy.                  Third, it takes to pay with the cost of self-sacrifice. A mother would rather see herself suffer, neither sleeping nor eating well, for a smooth delivery. Ask for God's help when we guide and lead others, to pay with the cost of self-sacrifice. Not caring for our own needs, but caring for others' needs so their lives can be changed. Let us while leading others that we are willing to go through the pains of childbirth for God's sake as well as for the sake of brothers and sisters, and we can enjoy the good fruit of the childbirth.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, remember the relatives, friends or brothers and sisters that we lead; although feeling the pains of childbirth, yet it bears fruit. Let us continue to pray and wait, because you will do more than what we ask or think. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 4:8-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4: 8-11   "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God-or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you."                  At that time the church valued appearance over the life in Christ. Observing the Sabbath was the most contested issue of the early church when the Jews often accused the Christians for failing to observe the Sabbath. Some also ask the same question today, since the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments, why do Christians fail to observe the Sabbath? It is to celebrate Jesus Christ's back to life from death that Christians gather in the presence of God on Sundays; the Sunday service is not for observing the Sabbath, instead it is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, it's not that Christians fail to observe the Sabbath; rather it is observing the Sabbath every day. The Sabbath of the Old Testament in itself does not bring people to rest; the purpose of the Sabbath is to bring rest, but people may not actually get to rest on the Sabbath. True rest points towards Jesus as we can find true rest in Christ only; when we live with the Lord, Jesus becomes our rest. Every day is observing the Sabbath for Christians; every day is the Sabbath in Christ.                  So what should be valued is the truth in Christ instead of the appearance, we'll fall into self-righteousness if we care only about the outward appearance. Only in Christ can we truly enjoy all the blessings from God. Like Baptism, some vouch for the practice of sprinkling while some vouch for the practice of immersion; in fact what matters is the joy of salvation through our belief in Jesus. When you believe in Jesus, the appearance is not important at all. The same goes to the Holy Communion, some say breaking bread every week, some say having the Holy Communion once a month. The importance is not the frequency, but whether our lives are united with the Lord; once the lives are united with the Lord every day, it in fact is having the Holy Communion every day. The same goes to washing the feet; some churches today still emphasize washing the feet; washing the feet is to express the loving of one another, no matter washing the feet or not, the importance is whether you have Jesus' love in your life, so that you can love your enemies, and even pray for those who persecute you.  Ask the Lord to help us not to only value the appearance; but to enter the life of Christ.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, please open our eyes, if in the past we valued the appearance, feasts or the law, help us enter the real lives, enjoy in Christ all the blessings, grace and mercy from God. We give thanks and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 4 1-7

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 4:1-7   What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.  The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.  So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.  But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,  to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.   Those who are in Christ can call our God, "Abba, Father" as the spirit of God's son is dwelling in us. What a precious promise this is!  We are no longer a slave in God's eyes but His children.  Being a slave, one is full of anxiety as we may not receive what we expect from God. I always had a misunderstanding when I was young thinking that God would not give what I wish, but what I do not wish instead.  The pastor referred this as a lesson of submission, and, as a result, I always wanted to keep God at a distance for fear that He would not give me the best.  As we keep God at a distance, we will never experience His abundant grace.   As a slave, we are always fearful that we may not please our God, which also prevents us from building a relationship with Him.  This is especially true for Chinese Christians as we all face great expectations from our parents wanting us to get "A"s  in our classes, else  we would  not be up to their standards. This type of mentality has deeply affected our relationship with God as we always feel inadequate coming before Him, and we would not  be pleasing to Him until we have achieved perfection according to His standard; little do we know that God accepts us just as we are.  God loves us as we come to Him not because of your good behaviors, but He truly loves you just because of who you are.   On the other hand, a servant always serves his master gingerly because this is his  job.    But we often forget that we are His children, and are busy serving Him without realizing that we can also sit down with Him and enjoy His banquet.   May the Lord help us recognize our own status, and as His children we can serve Him without fear and can graciously accept all His blessings.                                                                       Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, we thank You for in Christ, we have become Your children.  May You take away all our fear so that we may come before You with an open spirit, and be filled with Your joy and blessings.  With thanks we pray, in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Galatians 3 23-29

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 3: 23-29    Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.  So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ....".     We are now no longer under the bondage of the law as lives under which are failures and pitiful. According to our nature, we are unable and unwilling to abide to the law.  As parents, the more we teach your children to refrain from doing something, the more our children would attempt to do it.  Similarly as grown-ups, we can often see big palm prints next to the "wet paint" signs as we always tend to do what is forbidden.   When we have received Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we are no longer under   the law - the restrains of the "old covenant". Now we have entered into the new covenant - that is the law of Christ, which has set us free from the old bondage of the law -we no longer have to abide to the law for the law's sake which is quite painful.  But in Christ, because of love, we are willing to abide to His law as we know His has first loved us and, as a result, we love Him in return willingly.   This is all because of love.     I had a relative who used to live in Washington DC while his girl friend lived in New York City.  He frequently drove hours to in order to see her.  This was quite natural because of his love for her.  Similarly, with the life of Christ in us, due to our love for Him, it would be natural for us to abide to the law because Jesus has become our motivation as we are in this new covenant. May the Lord help us forsake the laws of the old covenant and enter into that of the new covenant, living out this new law in our lives.                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, help us with Your spirit so that Jesus' life would flow out through us. Let us no longer abide to the law for the law's sake, but because of our love for Jesus, let us lead a life like Christ.  With thanks we pray, in the name of our victorious Jesus, Amen!