TOTD, April 30

Don’t Be Anxious About Anything

These past few days, when we got the news of the outbreak of swine flu, we might get worried. This is understandable, since swine flu is now can be transferred from person to person. Lots of people scared that this disease might cause a bad effect such as SARS few years ago.
With all the information that we’ve got, we’re supposed to take precaution. Do whatever we could, but of course, for the rest, leave them to God. Believe in Him once more. Don’t be anxious about anything, but present your requests to God by prayer with thanksgiving. (-fon-)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
--- Philippians 4:6

TOTD, April 29

Same Attitude as Jesus


As Christians, the bible urged us to have the same attitude as Jesus. Be humble and even take the very nature of a servant. His extreme humbleness has even made Him obedient to death on a cross.
He is amazing! He has shown us the true obedient. Let’s try to be more like Him in our attitude each of the day. (-fon-)

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
--- Philippians 2:5-8

TOTD, April 28

Your Past Doesn’t Define Your Future

Our God will give mercy on us. Whatever we’ve done we will freely pardon. But sometimes, we still think that we’re unworthy. Our past mistakes, our past wrongdoings keep bugging us, disturbing us, and stealing our peace of mind.
We need to remember that our past doesn’t define our future. Moreover in God, we could never judge ourselves with whatever sins we’ve done before. Forgive ourselves as God has been so merciful to us. (-fon-)

Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
--- Isaiah 55:7

TOTD, April 27

Synchronize Lips and Heart

In this world, we’re getting used of the term of lips service. We sometimes see people are just talking to keep others satisfied, even though their hearts might be different, but they keep saying the good things to please the customers, the boss, the clients, etc.
But it doesn’t apply the same to God. If let say we talk so sweetly to Him in our prayers, but our hearts are far from Him, He’ll know about that.
The most important thing is our heart. He wants to see our sincerity, our honesty.
That’s why we need to synchronize our lips and hearts in our relationship with Him. (-fon-)

This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
—Mark 7:6

TOTD, April 25-26

Glorious Riches

Glorious riches according to this verse are Christ in you. The hope of glory. We need to be thankful for the gift as soon as we received Christ in our hearts as our Savior and no need to look further for other riches in life since we’ve got the ultimate one. Christ in us. (-fon-)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
--- Colossians 1:27

Surpassing Greatness

The surpassing greatness, according to the book of Philippians is knowing Christ Jesus as our Lord, so that we can consider everything a loss compared to it.
Losing all things is considered rubbish as long as he may gain in Christ (still from the same verse).
Can we apply those things in life? Can we treasure the surpassing greatness, knowing Him, more than any other things in this life? It’s not easy, but hopefully, we can go closer each day to this kind of greatness. (-fon-)

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
--- Philippians 3:8

TOTD, April 24

Stop Passing Judgment on One Another

Meet Susan Boyle, a 47 year old woman in British Got Talent show in England.
Not pretty, a bit fat, with hair like a bad–hair-day one. No one would believe that she can even sing. Not the judges, not the audience in the studio or even the TV spectators.
But now, she’s very famous. Her video in youtube has been watched more than 10 million times. She has been interviewed by CNN. The reason is simply because she has an angelic voice. Unbelievably far beyond her appearance.

So, let’s learn not to judge anyone. We can judge other people easily only when we lay our eyes on them. One sight has sometimes made us judge the whole life of others.
Never judge a book by its cover. There’s much more beyond the look. And what if we’ve been judged like that? Will we be happy? (-fon-)

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way
--- Romans 14:13

TOTD, April 23

Invisible Qualities


Today’s verse reminds us of God’s invisible qualities which was shown since the creation of this world. Those things are: eternal power and divine nature.
We know that He’s invisible, amazing, wonderful, and marvelous. It’s always good to be reminded that He is the same, amazingly the same, from previous time until forever.
He is Invisible! (-fon-)

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
--- Romans 1:20

TOTD, April 22

He Is Not Slow

Sometimes in your life, you might think that God is being slow. Slow in keeping His promises. Or sometimes we’ve even had doubt about His ability to deliver His promises in our life.
This verse is a reminder for all of us that He is never slow in keeping His promises. He is faithful. (-fon-)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
--- 2 Peter 3: 9

TOTD, April 20

Forever and Ever

The Kingdom of God, the throne, will last forever and ever. The righteousness will be the scepter of the kingdom.
We’re supposed to maintain the righteousness in our life. And let the Kingdom reign forever and ever. (-fon-)

"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom
--- Hebrews 1:8

TOTD, April 19

Fear the Lord

How many times have we hardened our hearts all this life?
How many times we’re so stubborn and always think that we’re right?
The bible reminds us he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
Fear the Lord and don’t harden our hearts. (-fon-)

Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD,
but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
--- Proverbs 28:14

TOTD, April 18

God Chose

A good reflection from the bible:

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
--- 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29

What was your condition when God first entered your life? Was it perfect? Most likely, it wasn’t. We’re not wise, not influential, we’re not noble birth says the bible, but we’re the chosen one. Even though our condition was very bad, even though you thought that you’ve done the most foolish thing in this world, yet He still loves you. So, do not regret your past but do not boast as well. Just be thankful that He has chosen us. (-fon-)

TOTD, April 17

His Love Lavished on Us

Good news: we are children of God. That’s our identity. But, the world which doesn’t know Him, doesn’t know us either.
So, we, the children needs to show that we’re His Children and make Him proud while we’re thanking His love which is lavished on us amazingly. (-fon-)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
--- 1 John 3: 1

TOTD, April 16

Shall We?

It’s easy when we’re accepting everything good from Him. We can be thankful for the success in this ladder of life.
But once we encounter adversity, what will our reaction be? Will we blame Him for those unpleasant things?
Maybe, it’s about time to accept everything, even the things that we don’t like, like the adversities as a part of this life and not blaming it on Him. (-fon-)

Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?
—Job 2:10

TOTD, April 15

Active In Sharing Your Faith

Sometimes as the disciples of the Christ, we thought that by following Him only it’s enough. But actually, the act of sharing, especially sharing our faith will make us grow, as well as the people surround us.
Today, the bible reminds us to stay active in sharing our faith. So that we will have a full understanding of every good thing in Christ.
So, have you shared your faith actively today? (-fon-)

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
--- Philemon 1:6

TOTD, April 14

Glory

The bible reminds us what we’re lack of especially when we make sins. We fall short of the glory of God.
That’s why we need to ask Him the wisdom in our action so that we can glorify His name in this life, in whatever we do. (-fon-)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
--- Romans 3:23

TOTD, April 12

Take Up Our Cross

Jesus has taken His cross. Not only that, He has also died on the cross because He loves us so much.
What about us? Do we take up our cross? Or do we only keep on complaining each of our day? Now, we need to remember that if we want to follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. (-fon-)

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
--- Luke 9:23

TOTD, April 13

By His Wounds We Have Been Healed

He has sacrificed Himself for us.
Let’s live our life in such a way that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. So that, we could treasure His sacrifice and won’t take it as a granted. By His wounds we have been healed. Thank you, Jesus for your sacrifice and kindness. (-fon-)

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
--- 1 Peter 2:24

TOTD, April 11

Praise the Greatness of Our God

This is the praise to the Lord:

Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;
hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.
I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God
--- Deuteronomy 32:1-3

In Good Friday, we need to see how good our God is. Not only He has sacrificed his life on the cross for us, but also He is great all the time. Let’s proclaim His name and praise Him. (-fon-)

TOTD, April 10

Radiance of God’s Glory

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
Yes, it’s true. Jesus has shown us the radiance of the God’s glory. And how about us, can we show God’s glory in our life? Can we glow in the dark and show this world our radiance?
That’s the challenge to do today…(-fon-)

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
--- Hebrews 1:3

TOTD, April 09

The Message of Reconciliation

Have you ever count your own mistakes today? You make your mom angry, you shouted at your child until she cried, you kept on complaining while you’re driving in the busy road of Jakarta. Even in one day, you’ve made so many mistakes/sins.

What if God counts our sins? If He writes them down, I’m sure, it will be plenty. Hundreds, thousands? Yes, maybe. But luckily, He has never count men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. So, let’s live in peace and reconcile! (-fon-)

that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
--- 2 Corinthians 5:19

TOTD, April 08

Pray for Enemies

Most people want to live peacefully with others, but meeting one or two enemies along the way is sometimes unavoidable. Whatever the reason, either the difference, the arguments, the envy, the quarrel, the fight, or anything, most people will find someone who’s contrarian with them.
A friend of mine once said that living in hatred is like drinking the poison but hoping that the other party (the enemy) would die. It’s impossible, right?
So, why don’t we start to love our enemies and pray for them? Sometimes if it’s too painful, maybe we can’t do it instantly. But, I do believe a gradual process combined with God’s healing love will be more than enough to heal our wound.
Act differently today, love your enemies…Pray for them! (-fon-)

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
--- Matthew 5:44

TOTD, April 07

Power Is Perfected in Weakness

Jessica Cox is a happy 25-year old Filipina-American woman.
But she was born with a rare birth defect.
She was born without arms.
Doctors cannot explain why. But her father, an American retired music teacher, and her mother, a nurse from Samar, gave her all the love she needed to overcome her disability.
And overcome, she did.
Today, Jessica is a licensed pilot, flying her airplane with her feet.
She also has 2 Black Belts from the American Tae Kwon-Do Federation and the International Tae Kwon-Do Association.
With her feet, she also plays the piano, drives a car, texts her friends on her cell phone, and puts on her contact lenses all by herself.
(source: Bo Sanchez's Blog)

Reading Jessica Cox’s story, I found a new strength in me- a willingness to learn and not to give up. Because if she, with a rare birth defect, has a very strong-willed to be successful in this life, why don’t I treasure what I’ve already got? In Jessica’s weaknesses, I can see her strength as well as God’s power to make everything possible for her.
While believing that God’s power is perfected in weaknesses, here I am surrendering all of my weaknesses so that His power may dwell in me. Amen. (-fon-)

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
--- 2 Corinthians 12:9

TOTD, April 06

Live for Him

Our life isn’t all about us anymore. That happens on the day when we received Christ. He has given us an example how He has sacrificed Himself for all of us. That’s why we need to live for Him because He has died for all. We shouldn’t live for ourselves anymore. We shouldn’t be so selfish anymore. Let’s live our days for Him. (-fon-)

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
--- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

TOTD, April 05

Redemption through His Blood

Don’t ever think that our life is not worthy. Lots of people might think about it and sometimes they really choose to end it.
Let this verse of the bible remind us that our life has been redeemed through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Our life, with all of its complexity, still really worthy. So, let’s remember we have redemption through His blood and live our life better each day. (-fon-)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.
--- Ephesians 1:7

TOTD, April 04

Content with What You Have

It’s all about the money.
This world has become more and more materialistic.
Lots of people will love you, liking you so much and suddenly become your best friends if you have plenty of it. But, sometimes those untrue friends will leave you, once they know that you don’t have the money anymore.
Pathetic, isn’t it? But, it happens.
I don’t deny the fact that money is important. It’s important, but not the most important thing. The bible reminds us to be content with whatever we have. Of course we need to work hard, but it doesn’t mean we’ll make money as our master.
We know that our God will provide enough for us. (-fon-)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
--- Hebrews 13: 5

TOTD, April 03

Bring Me Out of Trouble

When we think that we’re stuck in the middle of huge problem, maybe we should pray like this :

For your name's sake, O LORD, preserve my life;
in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
--- Psalm 143:11

By believing that He will be the way, we will find solution in Him. Let Him bring us out of trouble, in His righteousness. Let Him preserve our life in all times. (-fon-)

TOTD, April 02

Be Very Careful

The bible reminds us to be very careful on how we live. We need to live our days not as unwise, but as wise.
Choose a wiser step today! (-fon-)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise
--- Ephesians 5: 15

TOTD, April 01

Everlasting Light

In the darkness of this life, we’re long for a true light. And we’re just so lucky to have found the everlasting light in the Lord.
Yes, He will be our light-everlasting light- and He will be our glory.
And be a light itself! Hoping that we could lighten up this world with His love.
(-fon-)

The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
--- Isaiah 60:19