TOTD, August 31

May He Strengthen Your Hearts

Feeling so weak and don’t have enough strength to go on? It’s normal in one stage of your life but don’t be too carried away… Because the Lord’s power is enough to give you strength for today and the future.
Let Him strengthen our heart so that we will be blameless and holy. We need to trust Him to do so. We need to trust Him with our faith, even the present situation is very hard, He will give us enough strength to live our life. (-fon-)

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
--- 1 Thessalonians 3: 13

TOTD, August 30

Shrewd but Innocent

Living in the world as the children of God is not easy. But God’s words keep reminding us to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
We need to maintain our sharpness plus wisdom and intelligent without lacking any innocence and purity of heart.
Let’s make our Father proud. (-fon-)

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
--- Matthew 10:16

TOTD, August 29

Wise

We need to obey the Lord. And at the same time we need to be wise as well about what is good and innocent, about what is evil.
We’re living in this world with so many standard or bench mark. But let our heart be the bench mark, with a pure heart, we can tell what’s good or bad. We can act wisely with a sincere heart, a heart that’s focused to the Lord.
We need to be wise in living our daily life. And let the wisdom comes from our obedience to the Lord. (-fon-)

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
--- Romans 16 :19

TOTD, August 28

The Spirit Helps Us

It’s good to know that we got the Spirit, the Holy Spirit who will help us how to pray. Because sometimes we don’t know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself will intercedes for us for the things that words cannot express.
Many times, I also become speechless in prayers, but I do enjoy some silent time in prayers rather than keep on talking. I’m also aware that prayer is a two way communication, and I know that in times of deep sadness, sometimes we lost in words, we can’t say anything to the Lord.
But the Spirit will help us, whether it’s a cry, a sigh, a thought, the Spirit will deliver the message to the Lord, and He will understand. (-fon-)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
--- Romans 8:26

TOTD, August 27

We Are Called to Peace

We often see people argue. Sometimes it’s just a simple and not important argument, while some other time we could see people argue for a very principle matters.
It’s not easy to find peace while we got our own thoughts, interests, and principles.
But let’s be reminded that we are called to peace, and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.
It’s not easy to find peace in this world. We can find problems of misunderstanding everywhere. Either it’s at the church, in the office, at school, or elsewhere, there are lots of arguments.
We can argue because we’re different, but we need to respect the differences with others. And finally let His peace rule in our hearts so that eventually we can solve the difference in peace.
We need a peaceful life in a peaceful world. Why don’t we start now from ourselves…
(-fon-)

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
--- Colossians 3: 15

TOTD, August 26

From Him, Through Him, and To Him

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
--- Romans 11:33-36

Let’s be reminded that He is the source of all things. From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things. That’s why we should glorify Him forever and ever.
There is none like Him. (-fon-)

TOTD, August 25

He Turned His Ear to Us
Everyone has ears, but not all of them want to listen.

Our God is different. He hears us, He will hear our voice, even though it’s only a small whisper in His Ears. And He turns his ear to us.

It’s good to know that He is so faithful, He will never leave us and will be a shoulder to cry on for us. Whether it’s only a sigh, a whisper, or a heartily laugh, He will listen to us. He’ll be there for us.(-fon-)

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
--- Psalm 116:1-2

TOTD, August 24

Your Love Supported Me

Read these wonderful verses from the Psalm.

When I said, "My foot is slipping,"
your love, O LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul.
--- Psalm 94:18-19

There are phases in our life when our foot becomes slipping or anxiety was great within ourselves. But those times actually are also the time when we can seek more of God and let Him console us. Life is unpredictable and it’s good to know that we got someone whose love supports us. Yes, Your love supported me, Lord. Thank You for loving me! (-fon-)

TOTD, August 23

Blessed Are All Who Wait for Him

Until today, maybe you’re still waiting for His promises in your life. Until today, maybe you haven’t really seen what your future might be. But the verse from Isaiah reminds us to wait on Him. Because blessed are all who wait for Him.
He longs to be gracious to us, He will show us compassion.
Today, whatever our present condition might be, even it’s very bad at the moment, be faithful to wait on the Lord. Blessed all who wait for Him! Because He is faithful.
(-fon-)

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!
--- Isaiah 30:18

TOTD, August 22

Make Music in Your Heart

Each of us has our own interest in what kind of music we love to hear. Some of us like to hear jazz, while some others love classic. Well, I myself love the R and B type of songs…
Music makes a difference in our life. It gives new strength, new atmosphere, new mood, and usually a better one.

Each kind of songs that we love to, we can play it over and over again. And that applies the same to our relationship with the Lord. We can sing and make music in our heart to the Lord. We can praise Him, be thankful to Him with our singing and music.
It’s also a kind of prayer that will build a closer relationship with Him. We can explore many things, including music to increase relationship’s quality with the Lord.
So, have you make music in your heart to the Lord today? (-fon-)

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord
---Ephesians 5:19

TOTD, August 21

Devote Ourselves in Doing Good

These verses are from Titus 3.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.
--- Titus 3:3-8

We were saved by His mercy, not because of the righteous things we had done. He saved us through the renewal of the Holy Spirit. And nothing more we can do for Him, just devoting ourselves in doing what is good. He has already been so kind to us, it’s our duty to devote ourselves to Him by doing good things. (-fon-)

TOTD, August 20

By Faith

WYSIWYG, is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get, used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed during editing appears very similar to the final output,which might be a printed document, web page, slide presentation or even the lighting for a theatrical event. (Source:Wikipedia).

Maybe we’re familiar with WYSIWYG. The term or even the program itself. Well, talking about faith, it’s really different with WYSIWYG. Because faith is being sure what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1).

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:2-3).
So, we can’t expect WYSIWYG in our faith. But, by faith, we need to believe the unseen. We need to hope for the things we haven’t seen and be sure that He will grant us the best thing in His plan for us. (-fon-)

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
--- Hebrews 11: 1-3

TOTD, August 19

Christ’s Supremacy

I remembered, one of the movie that’s been my favorite, Bourne Supremacy, it’s a spy mystery thriller telling the stories about Jason Bourne, played brilliantly by Matt Damon. Maybe, it’s his multi-languages ability that made me amazed. But, the movie itself was quite impressive for me.

Talking about supremacy, there’s none like Christ’s supremacy. And to tell you the truth, it’s even more impressive than other supremacies in this world. Because like what’s written in Colossians, He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
Wow, that’s really really amazing. Christ’s supremacy is like no other. He’s so special, simply because He is Christ who has supremacy in everything. (-fon-)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy
--- Colossians 1:15-18

TOTD, August 17-18

Talking About God’s Faithfulness…

Taken from the book of Genesis chapter 28, let’s read and see His faithfulness to Jacob. Jacob had a dream…

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."
--- Genesis 28 :10-15

God’s faithfulness to us remains unchanged. He’s faithful when He talked to Jacob through his dreams and right now, he’s saying the same thing to us. “ I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until H have done what I have promised you.”
Amen, Lord! Thanks for your promises in our life and thanks for your faithfulness.
(-fon-)


Forgive and Reconcile.

It’s not easy to forgive and reconcile for adults. But that’s easier for kids. I’ve seen my daughter playing with other kids and oh they forgive each other easily. They make things up on that very spot, at that very time.

And that’s also the message that God repeats all over again. He reminds us, even if we want to offer gift at the altar but remember that we still have grudge or hatred inside of us, we need to reconcile first.
Of course for some of us, it’s not easy to do so. But, we need to try our best to forgive and reconcile, because we’re also human, we can make mistakes easily.

What if others don’t want to forgive us for the sins we’ve done? It will be uneasy, won’t it?
Let’s try to be more like kids in this forgiveness and reconciliation. (-fon-)


"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
--- Matthew 5:23-24

TOTD, August 16

We Belong to the Lord

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
--- Romans 14:8

So, whether we live or we die, we belong to the Lord. Let’s live our life to the fullest and give our very best to Him. Do our best in every move we make in this life. (-fon-)

TOTD, August 15

Let All Who Seek God Rejoice

I’ve seen and heard many stories of faith. Most of them were about a turning point when they became really serious in seeking God. It’s usually when they face deep problems. Either in a relationship, in job, in their finance condition, or losing the loved ones. But there is a big problem that can’t be solved by them and they begin to seek God seriously.

Whatever your first reason, whatever your first turning point in seeking God, let the Psalm 40:16 give you encouragement. Let all who seek God rejoice and be glad. Because we know that He’s the source of the true happiness. There’s no other thing or person could bring an eternal gladness. Only Him and Him alone. (-fon-)

But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"
--- Psalm 40:16

TOTD, August 14

Love Is Not Easily Angered

To tell you the truth, it’s not easy to maintain our tantrum. Sometimes we throw it easily, especially when we’re angry. Even though to the one we love most, sometimes we get angry easily.
Reading today’s My Paper by Singapore Press Holding, I found this article:

Tot Starved to death for not saying “Amen”
Philadelphia: A toddler whose remains were found inside a suitcase was starved to death by members of a religious cult --- including his mother --- in part because he refused to say “Amen” after meals.
Ria Ramkissoon, 21, the mother of Javon Thompson, was charged on Monday with first-degree murder in her son’s death. Three other members of a cult called 1 Mind Ministries have been similarly charged. According to court documents, Ramkissoon joined the cult after Javon was born.
From police interviews with two school-aged children who were later taken away from group members, it was learnt that the adults stopped feeding Javon in December 2006, after he refused to say “Amen” after dinner.
Members also viewed Javon --- then 19 months old --- as a ‘demon.’ He died in his mother’s arms.

It’s really illogical, isn’t it? How could a person, a mother do that? But it happens, under a religious cult’s influence. We need to love, and not easily angered. Not easy to do so, but we need a real love, a sincere love from the heart, so that we could forgive others. So such case above doesn't need to happen. (-fon-)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
--- 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

TOTD, August 13

Bring Glory to Him in Your Body

Because we have experienced His great love for us, we wanted to glorify Him in every breath we take. And that includes glorify Him in our body. It’s interesting to find this verse from the bible:

Shun immorality and all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)
If we want to love God in everything we do, that includes the sexual purity. I know this is not easy to do while so many things in this world including the cyber world offer such an easy way to do sins, such as internet porn sites. But we need to stay clear and stand firm in our faith that we will glorify Him through our body and seek God’s help in case we find that we’re unable to resist the sins. God will understand us and help us. The most important thing is we need to change our habit, our impurity in thoughts, words or deeds.

Bring Him glory in everything we do and that includes bring glory to Him in our body. He has paid the expensive price for us and He calls us His children, so don’t disappoint Him.
(-fon-)


Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
--- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

TOTD, August 12

Good Shepherd

Living in this world, sometimes you might feel lonely. Sometimes you feel that you’re lost without knowing where to go or what to do, you lost your sense of direction in this life.

That’s when we realized that we need a good shepherd to go on in this life. And you don’t have to look very far, because the Lord is a good shepherd. As what’s written in John 10:12, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. And that’s what He has down for us, He sacrificed Himself for us.

We’re lucky to have such a good shepherd in this life. And we must treasure Him, be thankful for Him and reflect it in our daily actions.(-fon-)

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
--- John 10:11

TOTD, August 11

Let the Heavens Rejoice, Let the Earth be Glad

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
---1 Chronicles 16:31

Rejoice and be glad! It’s our duty to do so because we know that our Lord, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings reigns forever and ever. His never ending power, His limitless strength, should give us assurance that He deserves our praise, glory, and honor.
He reigns! (-fon-)

TOTD, August 09-10

You Are Worthy

In His eyes, you’re worthy. In case you forgot how much you worth or will He care about your needs? Just remember the verse from Luke 12:6-7. None of the sparrows is forgotten by God. And you’re worth more than many sparrows. Even the very hairs of our head are all numbered. It’s amazing, isn’t it? It’s also fascinating…to think that God loves us so much.

In case one of these days you’re experiencing low self-esteem problem, just remember that you are worthy. He will take care of you and will never leave you. (-fon-)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
--- Luke 12:6-7

You Know Me

The Lord has searched our soul, and He knows us. Yes, He knows me…

O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
--- Psalm 139:1-3

Lord, You know every single thing about me. You know my thoughts, my actions, my wishes, my hopes, and my dreams. While at the same time you know my anxieties, worries, fears, and weaknesses. Nothing is hidden from you. Lord, it’s a blessing to know you and to be known by You. (-fon-)

TOTD, August 08

What Do You Do When Your Best Plans Don’t Happen?

I took the title from Bo Sanchez’s blog. He’s one of my favorite preacher as well as writer from Philippines. Recently he asked the question as my title today to his readers. And he gave the answer a week afterwards.
Actually, it’s our decision. We could curse God in anger or we could sigh in surrender. Bo, of course suggested the second one. Many times we become so speechless of this reality while so many plans don’t happen and we have to live with something that we’ve never planned before.
But we need to trust God, that He will give us nothing but the best eventually. He will give us the best in His plan. (-fon-)

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
--- Jeremiah 29:11

TOTD, August 07

God’s Help

To this very day, I found myself in deep problems many times in my life. But then I realized that it’s God’s help that made me survive.
Many times, I thought that I can’t go on, but His way gives me new hope and new strength.
Well, there are many times that I feel really stressed out, depressed, and frustrated. And those were the times when I wondered whether God’s help would be there. Would His faithfulness be there to see me through? I’ve asked those questions before… only to find that I can’t cling on to anyone else besides Him. His help will make us stand strong in this stormy life. (-fon-)

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike…
--- Acts 26:22

TOTD, August 06

Enough Trouble of Its Own

In case today that you’re having so many problems to handle and you’re just so afraid that you can’t make it, here’s a very good verse from Matthew: Each day has enough trouble of its own. Sometimes it’s our thinking that limits us. We’re so afraid as well as worry about this moment, about tomorrow and about our future.
If only we can concentrate more on today, living each day at a time in His guidance, I’m sure there’s nothing too much too handle. For each day has enough trouble of its own.
(-fon-)

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
--- Matthew 6:34

TOTD, August 05

Live as Children of Light

Today’s verses are from Ephesians chapter 5.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
--- Ephesians 5: 8-14

Let’s be reminded that we’re God’s children, we’re light in the Lord. So, we need to live our life in goodness, righteousness, and truth. We need to maintain our behavior so that it will reflect in our life as the children of God, as His children of light. Turn back from all the darkness that we’ve been through before, and turn over a new leaf. Live in His Light.
(-fon-)

TOTD, August 02-04

The Lord Looks at the Heart

Today when I read the verses from 1 Samuel, I begin to put myself back in the time of Samuel saw Eliab. He thought and was so sure of his thought, that Eliab was the one that would be anointed by the Lord. But then, the Lord told him not to consider his appearance or his height, for He had rejected Eliab.
Many times we thought that we’re not worthy. We can’t even see ourselves to be compared with others because definitely we’re going to loose. Don’t worry, God won’t look at us that way. He will not look at the outward appearance, but He will look at our heart instead. What really important is we need to make sure that our heart is pure and sincere. (-fon-)

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
--- 1 Samuel 16:6-7

Delay

I just had two delay experiences recently. The first one, my mother’s plane from Palembang to Singapore, it has been delayed. I need to go back to the airport while at the same time I was also trying to go to church on time for my daughter’s baptism.
The second one, my husband’s plane from Taipei, was also delayed for around 4 hours. So, within one week, I got 2 delay experiences.

To tell you the truth, if something’s can’t be done right away, I sometimes become impatient. I need everything to do according to its schedule. But I learn that in this life many times we need to wait. Many times we need to experience this delay thing.

Sometimes, God wants us to learn to be patient. He wants us to wait on His time. Wait on His promises. He will delay if it’s not the best timing yet. But once He fulfills, it shall be fulfilled without delay. Just trust Him that when His time is arrived, He won’t delay a single thing. He is trustworthy. (-fon-)

But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious house, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.'
--- Ezekiel 12:25

Faithfulness and Righteousness

Reading this psalm today, made me realized that God, the righteousness Himself looks down from heaven.
He will take care of us with all the righteousness that He has. And all we need to do is just stay faithful to Him for He Himself is forever faithful. His faithfulness is without a doubt, will be there until the end of time- from this earth to eternity. (-fon-)

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
--- Psalm 85:11

TOTD, August 01

He Gave the Authority

We know that we’re the children of God. If you have doubt about it, just be sure that you’re His child right at the moment you receive Him in your heart as your Savior.
For His children, He gave the authority--- which means power, privilege, and right to become the children of God. It’s our duty to trust in Him. It’s our duty to keep our faith in Him no matter how hard the present condition might be.

Just remember He gave the authority to be His children. His power will be with us. He will give us the power to carry on, the strength to go on, in this life.
(-fon-)

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
--- John 1:12