Sunday, June 29, 2008

TOTD, June 29-30

His Purpose

Sometimes life could be unpredictable, and you feel lost of control of it. You thought if life isn’t going the way you want it to be, it will be a failure.
But, in this life, many times we can’t have what we want, because God thinks it’s not the best for us. We think we know the best, but trust me, God knows the best for us.
One disappointment after another in our daily life, will make us realize that we’ll live our best if only we cling to Him. If only He fulfill His purpose for us. (-fon-)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
--- Psalm 138:8



He Cares

Have you ever experienced a heart-broken experience? That’s when you feel you had no strength to carry on in this life. You thought that life is unfair while so many people could feel the happiness while it’s been very far away from you?
After all you’ve been through or what you’ve been facing at the moment, the only thing that’s sure is He Cares.
He’s close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). So no doubt, even at our darkest days where our energy level has touched the low battery ones, He still cares. He will not leave us in this condition by ourselves. He will support us and give the strength needed, as long as we draw closer and closer to Him. (-fon-)

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
--- Psalm 34:18

Friday, June 27, 2008

TOTD, June 28

Good Times and Bad Times

Have you been in a condition where once the good thing is happened, and then the bad one follows?
How’s your reaction? Were you so happy and then suddenly turning so sad and cried yourself out?
All is temporary. Good times and bad times will be there, filling each day of our life.

The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us to be happy when times are good, but when times are bad, we need to remember that God has made the one as well as the other.
Good times and bad times are a part of our life, it’s unavoidable. So, we need to train ourselves well to face both of them. (-fon-)

When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one
as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover
anything about his future.
--- Ecclesiastes 7:14

Thursday, June 26, 2008

TOTD, June 27

Learn to Say NO

We’ve seen a lot of Yes Man in our life, or maybe we’re one of them. We might be the kind of person who’s afraid of saying No. Afraid that the person that we rejected may dislike us. Afraid that we can’t please that person. Afraid of etc… etc…

I was once a people pleaser. I read that Bo Sanchez, the famous preacher from the Philippines was also a person who couldn’t say NO previously, but now he has changed. Well, being a people pleaser is a very tough job. I need to sacrifice myself most of the time just to please others.

Then, I learn to say NO. I found that it’s not easy to do so, because for me, saying No was so hard to do. I couldn’t say NO in a proper or good way. Sometimes I said NO and became emotional. But finally after lots of failing experiences, I can manage to do so, one step at a time.

Of course, we need to learn to say NO in a good way. Reject the person without hurting him. Because we need to be frank and honest. Let our “Yes” be yes, and our "NO”, be no. (-fon-)


Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.
--- James 5:12

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

TOTD, June 26

No Secrets in God
Maybe you’ve this experience before. You made a mistake or a sin, and you hid it so that no one knew. But there’s a voice in your heart that kept reminding you over and over again. And you felt so bad, you felt guilty.
That voice inside your heart is somehow a gentle reminder from God. It’s a proof that nothing can be kept from Him. No secrets in Him, even though you hide in secret places or even though you hold your secrets deeply, He knows.

He always knows. And that means it’s better for us to trust Him, rather than hiding ourselves from Him. It’s better for us to believe in Him. Believe that He will forgive us, no matter how bad our mistake or our sin was. No secrets in God.
Let’s believe in Him more… (-fon-)


Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?"
declares the LORD.
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the LORD.
--- Jeremiah 23:24

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

TOTD, June 25

Who Is Like YOU?

As God’s worshippers, we need to realize that there’s no one, not even a single thing in this world among the gods that can be like Him.
In Exodus, the question was very wonderful, “ Who is like YOU?”

And we know the answer, there’s no one like YOU, Lord. Majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders.
You’re amazing, Lord! (-fon-)

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ?
Who is like you—
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
--- Exodus 15:11

Monday, June 23, 2008

TOTD, June 24

Shine!

What makes us different in this world?
Well, as God’s disciples as well as His children, we need to shine, that will make a huge difference in the darkness of this world.

In Daniel, it’s written that those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like stars for ever and ever.
So, be wise and righteous, keep shining wherever we are! (-fon-)

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
---Daniel 12:3

Sunday, June 22, 2008

TOTD, June 22-23

The Lord Will Keep You from All Harm

Thinking and watching disasters, riots, or even wars experience through out the world right now or in previous times, we might scared of them.
But the good thing is the Lord, our God, will keep us from all harm. He will watch over us now and forever. Of course, the kind of protection that He has is sometimes different than what we’re thinking of, but of course, it’s the best that we can get. It’s the best in His plan for us. (-fon-)

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
--- Psalm 121:7-8


Everything in Heaven and Earth is Yours

Everything in this world, everything we have is Yours, O Lord.
And it’s being described beautifully in 1 Chronicles 29:11. All the greatness, the power, the glory, the majesty, and the splendor are yours. Everything in heaven and earth is yours.
And let Him be exalted all over the world, all through our life. Everything is Yours!
(-fon-)

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
--- 1 Chronicles 29:11

Friday, June 20, 2008

TOTD, June 21

Our Hope Is in the Lord

Trust the Lord with all our hearts!

We know that it is our God who sends down the sun, the moon, the rain in this life. As certain as the sun rises and sets, that’s the certainty of His love for us.

We know that we can’t put our hope in others, even to our loved ones. It might end up in disappointments. Knowing that we’re all only human and we can’t satisfy everyone with our limitations, we need to put our hope in the Lord. He won’t disappoint us. (-fon-)

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?
Do the skies themselves send down showers?
No, it is you, O LORD our God.
Therefore our hope is in you,
for you are the one who does all this.
--- Jeremiah 14:22

Thursday, June 19, 2008

TOTD, June 20

Be Imitators of God

This world and its knowledge might teach you how you should live. Some of them ask you to do this and that, in order to live this life the way it should be.

As children of God actually we need to become imitators of God. We need to live a life that’s full of love just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Be imitators of God and not be imitators of anyone else. (-fon-)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
--- Ephesians 5:1-2

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

TOTD, June 19

True Faith

If seeing is believing, that’s not faith. When you want to see something happens first in reality then you decide to believe afterwards, that’s just a common thing. Everyone does that.

But the true faith is really different. It has been described very well by 1 Peter 1:8-9. Though we haven’t seen God, we love Him. Even though we don’t see Him now, we believe in Him and we’re filled with inexpressible and unspeakable joy.

Let’s make our true faith grow each day. Love Him more, believe in Him more, and we’ll find glorious joy that can only be provided by Him. (-fon-)

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
--- 1 Peter 1:8-9

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

TOTD, June 18

Spend Time with the Lord

If we already have a good communication through prayers to the Lord, we’ll feel that it’s really relieving, encouraging, and soothing those moments are.
We’ll feel that we want to spend time with the Lord more frequently. And that’s when we feel a single day in your courts, Oh Lord, is better than a thousand anywhere else! (Psalm 84:10).

And of course to build such a strong communication with Him we need to spend more time with Him. So, let’s spend more quality time with the Lord, and let’s start today.
(-fon-)

A single day in your courts
is better than a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God
than live the good life in the homes of the wicked
--- Psalm 84:10

Monday, June 16, 2008

TOTD, June 17

Repent and Turn from All Transgressions

We all make mistakes. Sometimes intentionally, many times unintentionally. But the fact that we make mistakes all the way in this life is unavoidable.

I don’t intend to make all of us feel guilty and then keep blaming ourselves for our sins and mistakes, but I’d like to remind all of us to repent because we’re only human who are not perfect and let’s turn from all our transgressions.
Mistakes are unavoidable, that’s why we need to repent and turn over a new leaf.
(-fon-)

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin and so shall they not be a stumbling block to you.
---Ezekiel 18:30

Sunday, June 15, 2008

TOTD, June 16

Wisdom and Knowledge

Wisdom and knowledge, what a wonderful collaboration! But where can we find it in this world? Many people who are clever or smart-full of knowledge- many times lack of wisdom.

In Christ we can find the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. That’s why we need to seek Him more through our prayers in order to get closer to Him. (-fon-)

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
--- Colossians 2:2-3

Saturday, June 14, 2008

TOTD, June 15

Sons of God

We’re all sons of God. Once we were baptized into Christ, we have clothed ourselves with Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27).

Many times we don’t act like sons of God. We get angry easily, we gossip around, we can’t forgive others.
But today, let us be reminded that we’re sons of God and we have to act like His sons. And that means we need to act with love, His love that He has already shown to us.
(-fon-)

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
--- Galatians 3:26-27

Friday, June 13, 2008

TOTD, June 14

He Bends Down to Listen

God will always listen to our prayers. Many nights when you prayed with the tears all over your face, you might wonder, will God listen to you? You felt that He’s so distant and you might begin to feel that He won’t be there for you.

But the Psalm, reminds us to keep on praying. God is listening. And even more than that! He bends down to listen to our voice and our prayers.

Let’s pray all the time, in all condition. Let’s pray as long as we're breathing.
(-fon-)

I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
--- Psalm 116:1-2

Thursday, June 12, 2008

TOTD, June 13

The Glory of God

How to express the glory of God? Maybe it’s not that easy to show it for some of us. But actually we can see it from the nature who speaks for God’s glory. We can see the sky, the rainbow, the moon, the sun, the mountain, the lake, the river, etc…Everything can reflect the glory of God.

His glory might be found everywhere in this earth. The problem is that we sometimes can’t see His glory because we concentrate more on our troubles and ourselves and we don’t have enough time to feel His presence.
The glory of God is fantastic. It’s also very simple, we can find it in our daily life. Try to seek His Glory more and more each day. (-fon-)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
--- Psalm 19:1-2

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

TOTD, June 12

Do the Will of God

Many people will say to the Lord that they have been doing prophesy, driving out demons in His Name, and perform many miracles (Matthew 7:22), but the important question along with all the big things they’ve done is: “Did they do the will of God all their life in this world?”

Because we know that not everyone who says to Him, “Lord, Lord, “ will enter the kingdom of heaven. So, we need to make sure that we do His will. We'll try our best to act according to His Words, His Love, His principles in every step we take in this life. (-fon-)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
--- Matthew 7:21

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

TOTD, June 11

A New Heart

Before we know God, our heart might be stony. We’re hard to please, hard to handle, hard to understand others.
But after we accept Jesus as our Savior, we need to believe that He will give us a new heart. As long as we also try to do better things with God’s love in our heart, I believe He will be delighted in giving us a new heart that’s full of His love to spread to others.
(-fon-)

And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God]
--- Ezekiel 11:19

Monday, June 9, 2008

TOTD, June 10

The Light of the Gospel

In this world, many people have their own gods. It might be money, fame, power, wealth or possession, or any other things. And most of the time, they are being blinded by them, by thinking that they’re the most important and valuable things in this world.

But for us, as believers, we only have one true God. He’s the Lord, Jesus Christ. That’s why we need to show the light of the gospel to this world, especially to unbelievers to display the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. It’s our duty to do so. (-fon-)

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God
--- 2 Corinthians 4:4

Sunday, June 8, 2008

TOTD, June 08-09

Decide To Be Happy

What happens when everything goes wrong in our life? Will we stay in positive attitude?
Well, happiness is a decision. It’s our decision to stay happy or sad in all circumstances that we’re facing.

Rejoice or not rejoice, it’s our choice. Let’s rejoice in the Lord in whatever condition we’re facing now. (-fon-)

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
--- Habakkuk 3:17-18


Opportunity

As long as we live in this world, as long as we still breathe the fresh air that we’re breathing at the moment, we still have the opportunity to do good things, to care for others, to make our Lord proud to see us as His children behave according to His will.

Take today as the opportunity to be a better man in Him. (-fon-)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
--- Galatians 6:10

Friday, June 6, 2008

TOTD, June 07

Love That Surpasses Knowledge

In real life, you might have heard of a woman who has been facing a tough time in her married life. She had been betrayed over and over again by her husband with his several affairs and many times she had to put up with the beating and kicking-domestic violence- from her husband.
You thought it sounds crazy, but she did it. She forgave him and accepted him again after what he has done to her. And finally he turned over a new leaf and they’ve been living a much better life than previous time.

In this life, we might see such an unbelievable love does exist. Logically, we have certain thoughts about love: sharing, understanding, communicating, etc. So, when we heard of such love that has been shown by that woman, we’re speechless, amazed, and shocked.

How about God’s love through His son Jesus Christ? His love is more than any other love that we could see in this world. His love is not only so strong but surpasses all knowledge. We need to be reminded over and over again about the length, the height, and the depth of His love. Yes, His love is amazing, marvelous, and perfect…! (-fon-)

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
--- Ephesians 3:17-19

Thursday, June 5, 2008

TOTD, June 06

The Joy is Our Strength

At one point of our life, we have experienced the feeling of exhausted.
Sometimes, we’re just so tired of this life, so tired of all the problems, and fed up of the situation that we’re facing. That leads to exhaustion and depression.

We can easily feel the pressure in this life if we rely too much on ourselves. But we need to rely on God more. Because the joy of the Lord is our strength and stronghold.
Be joyful today! (-fon-)

Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.
--- Nehemiah 8:10

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

TOTD, June 05

For Everything in Heaven and Earth is Yours

I know the feeling of losing something.
I’ve lost my bag with all the contents inside: wallet-ATM cards-credit cards and ID- at a church in Jakarta while I was having a rehearsal for my best friend’s wedding. I’ve lost my job once due to monetary crisis. And I’ve lost my father who passed away 15 years ago.
And those experiences were not easy to handle. They left some sadness or for some cases, losing something left bitterness inside of us.

But as we live in this world, we know that all of things are not eternal. They have their expiry date. Only God’s love is eternal.
Experiencing those things made me realize that everything in heaven and earth is Yours, Oh Lord!
We can only be thankful for what He has given to us. Treasure them but don’t be too attached to them.
Everything is His. (-fon-)

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
--- 1 Chronicles 29:11

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

TOTD, June 04

Faith With Action

Even you have a huge faith that can rock the mountain, but you don’t have any good deeds which follow the faith, it will be useless.
What’s the point of having such faith with no action?
Yes, we need the faith. But we need the deeds as much as we need the faith to become a good disciple of God.

Let’s put our faith into action. Let’s do something good today, let action accompany our faith. (-fon-)

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?... In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
--- James 2:14, 17

Monday, June 2, 2008

TOTD, June 03

Permanent Residence in a Life of Love

I like the title above as much as I like the Word of God from 1 John 4:17-18.
As someone who’s living in Singapore, I’m quite familiar with the word Permanent Resident or PR. It also applies the same for those who live in Australia.
After one year plus in this country, I’m still a foreigner, not a PR yet.
But the good thing is, if I can take up permanent residence in a life of love, I live in God and God lives in me. I can get a PR from God! :)

And as a believer, I know that if I live in love, there won’t be any fear. Fear has got no place in the midst of love. Fear could lead to many things, one of them is crippling.
Of course, we’ll still meet some fears in this life, but we need to face them and conquer them.
So, try to live a fearless life in God by trusting Him more. (-fon-)

God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we're free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ's. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
--- 1 John 4:17-18

Sunday, June 1, 2008

TOTD, June 02

Good Gifts

The most dangerous criminal on earth is able to give good gifts to his children, and that applies the same to the most powerful villain in this world.
And how could our Father in heaven ignore us? He will give good gifts to those who ask Him.
But, of course we need to ask something good which will empower us along the way in our lifetime ministries.
So, don't worry… God will care for all of us and He will give good gifts according to His Plan for each of us. (-fon-)

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
--- Matthew 7:11

TOTD, June 01

In All Things May God be Praised

Do you have any idea how exactly we should speak? Or if you're doing a ministry, do you have any idea how should we serve?
In 1 Peter 4: 11, I found those answers. That we need to speak the very words of God and we need to serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.
It's very true. Let all the good things that we've done, we devote all of them to the glory of God and let Him be praised. And we can say proudly, to Him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. (-fon-)

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
---1 Peter 4:11