TOTD, November 26

Blessed is the Man…

A good reminder from the Psalm 1:1-3:

Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

--- Psalm 1:1-3

I just had this ‘withered’ experience in a game called FarmVille in Facebook. Because of my inability to access this site around a week ago, I couldn’t harvest my roses. They withered instead. But, if only we delight in God’s law, we’ll be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season. Whose leaf does not wither. So, never count on others. Count on God. (-fon-)

TOTD, November 24

Give Thanks to Him

Since you woke up this morning, have you given thanks to the Lord?
Have you just stopped for a while in the busy activities of your life and just say, “ Hi” to Him? Really, we need to pause for a while from our neverending busy things and send our praise to Him. Giving thanks for the things He has given us. Give thanks for this life.
Have you give thanks to Him today? (-fon-)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
--- Psalm 100:4-5

TOTD, November 25

Do it All in the Name of Jesus

Whatever your position in the office right now, either it’s only a staff, a new staff or Director.

Whatever your role right now, either it’s a stay at home mom or working mom. Whatever you do, do it all in the name of Jesus. Whatever word or deed, just devote it in His Name. Hopefully, we can do all things better today because we know that we do it for Jesus. (-fon-)

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

--- Colossians 3:17

TOTD, November 21-23

Choose Praise

We can complain and remain, or praise and be raised.

(Joyce Meyer).

It’s easy to complain when everything is going wrong and nothing is right. It’s easy to grumble when things run out of control and far from the original plan. But it’s always our choice to complain or praise. If we have to choose, choose praise! (-fon-)

Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

--- 1 Chronicles 29:13

A Good Advice from Proverbs

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that God corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.

--- Proverbs 3:5-12 (the Message)

I’m sure that those verses have already reminded us to listen to God, run to Him, honor Him, give Him the best and be happy if He disciplines us. It’s for our own good. Love Him no matter what! (-fon-)

Peace Be With You

This is my prayer for you today…Let the peace of the Lord be with you always. And hopefully as the members of one body we can live peacefully with one another. Stay faithful, stay thankful, and hopefully stay peaceful. (-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, November 20

Trouble

Yesterday I just found out that Facebook has been banned in Vietnam. For some of the expats here, it’s kind of problem. I can see their comments about this, how upset they are about the blocking of the FB. I myself find it quite troublesome. Because somehow I need FB for reaching my friend who wants to read my article through Facebook notes. And finally, a friend came and helped me. By giving me some information about proxy. And I did the search on the internet about the proxy that is safe for Facebook. Finally I found one proxy that enables me to get through FB. But, I can’t publish any notes, I just can put inside the draft. Then, I try to import my blog to FB notes. And voila! It worked. Now FB notes got my articles directly from the blog.

It’s just a simple thing actually. It’s just an FB, and yet it made me try so hard. Many times, we need to struggle with more difficult things in this life. Complicated ones. Seems no solution ones. But, we know that whatever happens for today, we need to trust the Lord. Let’s try to be peaceful, at least inside our heart. Don’t let worry steal the peace. Everyday has got the trouble on its own. We need to keep the faith, be strong, and face all the problems with Him. Nothing is too difficult for God. (-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, November 19

From Generation to Generation

The Lord, the Most High is great. His kingdom is eternal one. His dominion endures from generation to generation.

We see this world is having a lot of disasters. We became scared, worried, and began to feel that our faith isn’t as strong as it used to be. But, we need to work on it. So that we can put our trust in Him. Only in Him we can find peace. By trusting Him and His faithfulness from generation to generation. (-fon-)

It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

How great are his signs,
how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
his dominion endures from generation to generation.

--- Daniel 4:2-3

TOTD, November 18

Cling to What is Good

LOVE IS THE CAPACITY TO SEE both the good and evil in people but to love the good; to see both the excellent and mediocre but to encourage the excellent; to see the wellness and the sickness and to strengthen the wellness. Before all else, love is the capacity to see everyone and everything as interconnected, “held together” in one cosmic embrace.

- Robert Corin Morris
Provocative Grace: The Challenge in Jesus’ Words

Love is the abilitiy to see both sides of everything: the evil and the good, but cling to what is good. See the wellness in spite of sickness. Encourage the excellent despite mediocre. Love is the ability to see the positive sides. Love is the ability to accept weakness and love the strength. Let’s try to love in such ways starting this day. (-fon-)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

--- Romans 12:9

TOTD, November 17

With All Our Heart

We need to trust Him. And the Bible tells us to trust Him with al our heart. Maybe for some of us that means cast aside our current fears and trust Him to lead the way. While for others, put our trust in Him for our future. Yes, we need to learn to trust the Lord with all our heart, and not on our own understanding. (-fon-)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

--- Proverbs 3:5

TOTD, November 14-16

You Are My Delight

Stressful and troubled. We got no one to turn to. Maybe we have our best friends, spouse or family members in between. But, I have to admit as well, that sometimes they have other important things to do as well and can’t be with us. Maybe when your child is sick, your wife is on a business trip. Or it’s the other way, when you really need your husband to take care of his mother who’s in hospital but he’s not in town. Many other examples can describe this thing. The only one that can come to our rescue is God. So, let’s put our hope in God. Knowing that He is able to plan everything best for us. You are my delight! (-fon-)

Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands are my delight

--- Psalm 119:143

Becoming Wiser

At one point of our life, we might found that we made a very stupid mistake and yet when that thing occurred we thought that we’ve done the right thing. It’s natural, we’re only human. But if only we want to become wiser, we need to seek for advice. From our trustworthy friends and family, from our spiritual mentor and most of all from God. Hopefully, we’ll become wiser and wiser in each day of our life. (-fon-)

The way of a fool seems right to him,
but a wise man listens to advice.

--- Proverbs 12:15

Rest for Your Souls

When your body is tired, all you want to do is take a good rest. Take a good nap or sleep. That’s when your entire physical strength will be back to the normal condition.

Then, how about the soul? Lots of people are restless. Many sleepless nights and insomnia. Depressed, frustrated, stressed out. In anguish, in anger, in deep vengeance. Bitterness and hurtfulness. All in one. Make us very tired and in heavy burden.

As your body needs a rest, the same thing would apply to your soul. The best way to rest your soul is in Jesus. He cares about the people who are weary and burdened. And He promised to give us a rest. Take a good rest of soul in Him!

(-fon-)

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

--- Matthew 11:28-29

TOTD, November 13

Blessed Are You

Maybe you’re very stressful now. All you can do is just weeping and crying yourself to sleep. Maybe, you’re in a financial problem now. So, buying some milk for your baby is becoming a problem too.
But, whatever your condition now, God keeps saying: Blessed are you! Blessed because things will change. The hungry won’t be hungry forever as long as they fight for their life. The sadness won’t be with you all the time, because there’ll be laughter next time. God bless you! (-fon-)

Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
--- Luke 6:20-21

TOTD, November 12

Check Your Thinking

Joyce Meyer once said that: when you feel depressed, check your thinking. It is not God’s will for you to be depressed.

One day, you might feel this way. You’re so depressed. You don’t know where it comes from. Or maybe you know something about it. But, it’s just like the accumulation of little things that you thought as nothing a.k.a you won’t be affected by them. And yet, they made you feel depressed and frustrated. Maybe it’s living with your arrogant family’s member, maybe it’s (just) working with someone dominant who feel he’s always right all the time. Maybe it’s just a grumpy baby that cries every hour. Maybe… and maybe…
You thought they’re just simple things, you won’t be bothered by these things.
But then, you finally found that you can’t take it anymore. You’re stressed out. Joyce Meyer reminds us to check our thinking. And what kind of thinking that we need to fill our mind with? According to bible, it’s the true thing, noble thing, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst. The beautiful, not the ugly. Things to praise, not to curse. Positive ones not the negative ones. It’s easy to stay negative, because human tends to think this way. But, overall…Stay positive! It will help us a lot. If you think you can’t, ask Him for more positive things in your mind. (-fon-)

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse
--- Philippians 4:8

TOTD, November 11

He Has Come to Call the Sinners

I think that I’m a sinner. Together with all of the people of this earth, we’re all sinners. Big sins, small sins, tiny sins, huge sins…We all make mistakes.

But, it’s not good to dwell in the guilty feeling all the time. Yes, we all make mistakes, but the good thing is: He has come to call all the sinners, not the righteous. We are all ‘sick’ and need His healing. It’s not too late to turn over a new leaf. It’s not too late to repent because we know that His mercy will be there for us. Always. Don’t let the guilt drag you down, but come to Him in humble, realizing our sins… He’ll help us. (-fon-)

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

--- Matthew 9:12-14

TOTD, November 10

Let My Words be Few

You are God in heaven
And here am I on earth,
So I'll let my words be few-
Jesus I am so in love with You.

And I'll stand in awe of You,
Yes I'll stand in awe of You,
And I'll let my words be few-
Jesus I am so in love with You.

The simplest of all love songs
I want to bring to You,
So I'll let my words be few-
Jesus I am so in love with You.

(taken from the song Let My Words be Few, written by: Beth Louise Redman; Matthew James Redman)

A very good interpretation of the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 5 from Beth and Matt Redman. Nice song as well. I’m always think that sometimes we’ve talked too much rather than praying much. Complaining to much rather than enjoying the intimacy of the relationship with Him. Sometimes, when words are few, maybe that’s the time where we can enjoy His presence more and more. Let it be simple, few words only, to show that we’re so in love with Him. Yes, Lord I am sooo in love with YOU! (-fon-)

Do not be quick with your mouth,
do not be hasty in your heart
to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
and you are on earth,
so let your words be few

--- Ecclesiastes 5:2

TOTD, November 07-09

About God

Here is a picture of the Bible.

It is the best book in all the world.

It tells about God, who is the most important person in all the world.

(I can learn about God in easy words and pictures by Kenneth N. Taylor).

God is the most important person in all the world. If only people would understand it as what the Children’s book has stated, it will be fantastic. But many people put God on their middle priority not to mention the last one. It’s always me, myself and my family as the center. Then, my friends, my money, my wealth, and lots of my and my… (Oh My God!).

While the Bible also reminds us that the most important thing is loving our God will all our heart and soul, with all our mind and strength.

God is important, the most important! And doing what’s important to Him is all we need to do. Love Him more with all our heart! (-fon-)

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'

--- Mark 12:28-30

Be Kind

Here are two children who love Jesus. They are picking flowers to a neighbor who is sick. They are being kind. The Holy Spirit inside them is helping them to be kind. (I can learn about God in easy words and pictures by Kenneth N. Taylor).

One of the signs of the person who love Jesus is kind. The Holy Spirit is helping them to be kind. Like what the Bible said, fruits of the spirit, and that includes kindness. Never say that you love God without trying to be kind. To spread His Love to this lonely world. Yes, we might sometimes fail to do so, but eventually…hopefully we can choose the act of kindness to fill our life each day. Amen. (-fon-)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…

--- Galatians 5:22

God is the Most Powerful

Who is the strongest person you know? Even the strongest man on TV is not as strong as God. God is more powerful than anything on earth. That’s because He made the world and everything in it. No one is more powerful than God. (I can learn about God in easy words and pictures by Kenneth N. Taylor).

Never doubt about God’s strength or power. He’s the strongest of all. There’s none like Him. Don’t ever count on yourself too much. Not even your influential or powerful friends. Because a man’s power is temporary and got limitation. Only His power are strong until eternity. Forever and ever. Amen!(-fon-)

"O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

--- Deuteronomy 3:24

TOTD, November 06

“ I am Making Everything New!”

I am experiencing new chapter of life since 1^st of November, that’s when our family moved to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. I’ve never thought about it before, it never crossed my mind that eventually I’ll be staying here. But, I’m sure that our God is always wanted to give us surprises. That means by making everything new. Yes, Lord, Your words are trustworthy and true! Let’s embrace ourselves for a new beginning in chapters of life that He has prepared for us. (-fon-)

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

--- Revelation 21:5