TOTD, December 30-31 : Year-End Edition

Build Ourselves in Him

But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

--- Jude 1:20

The year ahead is full of hope. It’s the optimism that we need to keep alive. We need to build ourselves in faith, make progress, and flying higher in this life with His guidance. Let’s build ourselves in Him. Let’s build a stronger relationship with Him. (-fon-)

My Hope is in You

Here’s my prayer for the year ahead…

Guide me in your truth O Lord and teach me. Never let met go. For all my hope is in You. In the year ahead, in the next few years, in decades… I trust in You, Lord. (-fon-)

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

--- Psalm 25:5

TOTD, December 29- Our Father Knows Our Needs

Our Father Knows Our Needs

And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

--- Luke 12:29-31

Have you ever been worried? Worried about a lot of things including what you will eat or drink, about your future, about your financial matters, about your job, about who’s gonna be your soulmate, about your children, etc? Trust me, you’re not alone. Each of us has already experienced that every now and then.

The verses from Luke 12, taught us to trust our God. Do not worry. It’s a very strong message. Why? Because Our Father knows our needs. Every single one of it. All we need to do is just to seek His kingdom first and trust Him, then those needs will be fulfilled according to His plans for us. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 27-28: Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord, My Soul

If you’re not feeling well or maybe if you’re not in a good mood while you wake up this morning… If you’re facing a big problem that make you almost forgotten to say thanks to the Almighty… Let us remember this verse:

Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—

--- Psalm 103:1-2

For He’s good, no matter what happen to our life. He’s worthy to receive all praises. Let’s praise Him. (-fon-)

Praise be to God - From Everlasting to Everlasting

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

--- 1 Chronicles 16:36

He’s the God that’s faithful. From everlasting to everlasting. So, let all the people praise the Lord! (-fon-)

TOTD, December 26: Righteousness-Faith-Love-and Peace

Righteousness-Faith-Love-and Peace

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

--- 2 Timothy 2:22

According the verse above, we need to flee the evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with a pure heart. Let’s begin to do that this very day… (-fon-)

TOTD, December 24-25 : Christmas Edition

Merry Christmast, friends!

Live at Peace

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

--- Romans 12: 18

May the spirit of Christmas and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead us to live in peace with everyone. We should try our best even though we might find some obstacles in our daily life. But, it’s our task not to give up in spreading peace of God to this world. (-fon-)

Glory to God for Jesus Was Born

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

--- Luke 2:11-14

Let heaven and earth praise Him for today, Jesus Christ was born… Glory to God in the highest and let the peace of Christmas be with us always. Amin. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 23 – God So Loved the World

God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

--- John 3:16

Remembering the essence of Christmas is that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live, should make us thankful for Christ. He was born to help and save us. Let’s also prepare our hearts to welcome Him. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 22 – Honor Your Father and Mother

Honor Your Father and Mother

In Indonesia, 22^nd of December is Mother’s Day. Remembering our mother, the one who gave birth and raised us until we’re becoming what we’re right now. We need to show respect to our mother and father. As the Bible said: honor your father and mother. This is definitely what we’re supposed to do.

Happy Mother’s Day for all the mommies… And let’s honor them and respect them (as well as our fathers). (-fon-)

“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

--- Deuteronomy 5:16

TOTD, December 21 – He Gives Strength to the Weary

He Gives Strength to the Weary

The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
--- Isaiah 40:28-29

Tired and weary… Maybe we’ve been facing those conditions quite often in our life. We sometimes become so weak, without any strength to carry on in our daily life. But, we need to remember that our God will not grow tired or weary, He will give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Let’s search for no other… In times of weary, let’s surrender our weariness to Him. Let Him give us new strength. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 18-20: Overcome

He Has Overcome the World

We may have peace if only we believe that even this world we’ll have trouble, but He has overcome the world. By trusting Him, we know that we’re in the safe hands of His and will be able to walk in peace in our life with Him. (-fon-)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

--- John 16:33

Overcome Evil with Good

On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

--- Romans 12:20-21

The Bible reminds us to overcome evil with good. Of course, it’s never an easy task but we need to try our best to do so. (-fon-)

Overcome My Unbelief

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

--- Mark 9:24

Sometimes in our life, we might face some part of unbelief. In this world: seeing is believing. If only we see something, then we’ll believe. But faith needs more than just seeing first. We need to believe, even though we haven’t seen anything yet because we put our trust in God. Let’s pray that we can overcome our unbelief. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 17 – Start Today with Blessing

Start Today with Blessing

[Mary’s Song] And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”

--- Luke 1:46,47, 49

Let’s start today like what Mary did: glorifying the Lord and rejoicing His Name by understanding that the Mighty One has done great things for us. It’s always good to start the day with blessing and praising rather than cursing or complaining. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 16 – Our Help is in the Name of the Lord

Our Help is in the Name of the Lord

Search for no other-not in the psychic, not in our own strength. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.(-fon-)

Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

--- Psalm 124:8

TOTD, December 15 – God Works for the Good

God Works for the Good

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

--- Romans 8:28

Having a bad day or having such a big problem in your life? Well, we might not see what God see. Our task is just believe in Him that He will work for the good of those who love Him. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 14- Don’t Speak Such Arrogance

Don’t Speak Such Arrogance

Do not keep talking so proudly
or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the LORD is a God who knows,
and by him deeds are weighed.

--- 1 Samuel 2:3

We need to remember that there’s no need to talk so proudly or in such an arrogant way. What we have is God’s gift. Even it’s our wealth, health, fame, talent… Everything comes from the Lord.

So, there’s no such a need to think too highly of ourselves or keep the arrogance as our attitude.

Stay humble and thankful to the Lord. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 13 – Glorious Splendor

Glorious Splendor

They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

--- Psalm 145:5

The glorious splendor of Your Work O Lord is amazing…

And let us spend the rest of our life meditate on your wonderful works. While trying our best to live our life humbly but yet fantastically, in Your magic wonders of love. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 12 – Shine Like Stars

Shine Like Stars

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”^c]"> Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.

--- Philipians 2: 14-15

To shine like stars in the sky, we need to prove to this world that we’re the children of God who are blameless and pure. We’re supposed to do everything without grumbling or arguing.

Well, if currently we’re happened to be the person who likes complaining a lot, maybe this is the right time to reduce and minimize it. Complainers won’t go far in this life. Hoping that we’ll have a change of heart and attitude which shows that we’re fit to be called His Children. (-fon-)

TOTD, 11 December - Forgiveness

Forgiveness

The Bible reminds us to forgive our brothers and sisters even if they sin against us seven times in a day and seven times come back to us saying, “ I repent,” we must forgive them.

Practically, it’s kind of hard to do so. Especially giving mercy the one who has hurt our heart deeply over and over again. But maybe, we need to realize that we can make mistakes over and over again to the same person, such as our loved ones-the ones who interact with us every day. And what if they won’t forgive us? It will be very sad, right?

So, as we need them to forgive us, we also need to ask for God’s grace to forgive others. It might be painful to let go the hatred, but it’s worth it to do so. Forgiveness from our heart will invite peacefulness inside of us. Try to bring our hatred and vengeance to the Lord and let Him guide us into forgiving others.

(-fon-)

If your brother or sister^a]"> sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

--- Luke 17:3-4

TOTD, December 09- Jesus is the Way

Jesus is the Way

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

--- John 14:6

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Look for no other when it comes to confusion in choosing which ways in this life. Well, life could give us so many options to choose - which way that we’re going to take. But, let’s remember that there’s no better way than His ways.

(-fon-)

TOTD, December 07- He’ll Take Care of Us

He’ll Take Care of Us

I have it all planned out—-plans to take care of you, not abandon you.

---Jeremiah 29:11

If we’re worried about our present situation or our future, let’s remember the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 above. He has planned every single thing for us. And those plans are meant to take care of us, not to abandon us. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 08 – Beware of Our Tongue

Beware of Our Tongue

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

--- James 3: 9-12

Beware of our tongue.

As what the book of James said: with tongue, we praise our Lord and with it we curse human beings. Well, we’ve been doing that many times. It’s not easy to control our tongue. But, if only we want to be better God’s disciples, try our best to control our tongue in each and everyday. Of course, it’s not an easy task… But, we should try to do it with all our heart. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 06 – Be Humble

Be Humble

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

--- Luke 14:11

A good reminder from the book of Luke, that we should stay humble. For those who humble themselves will be exalted.

We need to remember that everything we have in this world is only temporary. It’s been given to us by God’s grace and kindness. So, no need to boast about anything, but be thankful instead. (-fon-)

TOTD, December 05 – He’s the Gate

He’s the Gate

Jesus is the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through Him will be saved. Said the book of John chapters 10 verses 7. He’s the gate, if we want to live our life to the fullest, let’s seek Jesus more. (-fon-)

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

--- John 10:7, 9-10

TOTD, December 04 – Light of Life

Light of Life

Maybe you’ve searched the light of your life all this time.

You’ve tried so hard to get out of the darkness and the darkest valleys of your life, but you don’t know how.

Here’s the good news, Jesus said that He’s the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness and will have the light of life.

Let’s follow His paths… Let Him be our guide. (-fon-)

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

--- John 8:12

TOTD, December 03 – Lavished His Great Love

Lavished His Great Love

Abba Father has been so good to us.

He has lavished us His great love then we can be called children of God. Let’s living our days by treasuring His love and do our best, so that we’re fit to be called children of God. Somehow, it will be better if we can reflect the title of God’s Children in our daily life. Let’s do our best!(-fon-)

See what great 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, December 02 – On Guard Against Greed

On Guard Against Greed

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

--- Luke 12:15

Money is not everything.

Even though it is important, but to put it on top of our list in this life won’t be a wise thing to do.

Be on guard against all kinds of greed. Like what the Bible said, life does not consist in abundance of possessions. We need to treasure what we have and consider it as God’s gifts in our life. Working hard as well as grateful to God hopefully won’t make us trapped in greed. (-fon-)