Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:21-25

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

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!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Monday, October 25, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:18-20

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

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!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:12-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

Matthew 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 should actually be 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 with "yes", because your hope shouldn'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 pray 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!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:7-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

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, and it 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.

Them three more revivals 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 life, and to experience the revival of God's truth in each and every day!

Pray 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 the 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!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website

Friday, October 22, 2021

Today's Passage - Matthew 1:1-6

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english

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 of this passage says: "A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham." This statement 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 descendant, not many descendants. 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 truths.

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 such amazing grace!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you for being part of the plan for eternal salvation. We thank you for the sisters that you gave us, and we thank you for revealing to us your eternal plan. In your plan you allow all generations receive your grace, so that today we get to receive salvation by your grace. I thank and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

River of Life Christian Church | office@rolcc.net | ROLCC Website