TOTD, April 01

By His Wounds We are Healed

Welcoming Easter. Let’s be reminded that He was pierced, crushed, for our transgressions and iniquities. We’re just so lucky that by His wounds we are healed. Let’s repent and prepare a new heart- the heart that surrenders to Him and try to be His wonderful children (children of virtues) in this world. (-fon-)

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

--- Isaiah 53:5

TOTD, March 31

God of Miracles

We know that God perform miracles and sometimes we want Him to show us those miracles. Especially when we’re in such a deep trouble. Sometimes, we might say, “ If you’re a God of miracles, then show me! Do something about this problem.”

And you wait. One day, one week, one month, one year. Nothing happens. The problem grows bigger. Then you begin to wonder: “ Is He the God of miracles?”

Finally, after waiting for 5 years, you can see that His Ways or His Plans are the best for you.

Sometimes, you don’t have to wait on miracles, don’t underestimate His ability to perform miracles. All you have to do is just: really see….There are miracles in simplicity. There are miracles in our daily life. There are miracles called good friends, baby, child, tree, flower, sky, rainbow, or even inside a cup of coffee. Maybe you’re just too busy to see:). (-fon-)

You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.

--- Psalm 77:14

TOTD, March 30

Give Your Best

The verses from the Bible today showed me that we need to give our best. The poor widow has proved it and it’s our chance to give our best in this life. Not only the money, but also our knowledge-our talent-ourselves. Let’s give our best!

(-fon-)

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

--- Luke 21:1-4

TOTD, March 27-29

New Life

I DO NOT BELIEVE [that God] ever wants us to live a life of deep, stifled unhappiness. The Spirit always calls us to rebirth, new life.

- Flora Slosson Wuellner
Miracle: When Christ Touches Our Deepest Need (source: the Upperroom website).

Let’s live this day with full joy. We are called to live a happy life. Happy, not because of there’s no trouble in it. But happy because we know the way of life, the one who will show us how to get through all those problems. In His guidance. Let’s live a new life! (-fon-)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

--- Romans 6:4

Show Mercy

He’s the one who show mercy. Unlike human, we can stay in anger for long time. We can burst to anger easily and then regret our action while we’re angry. Many books or articles we’ve read about this. That anger isn’t really good for our body and our mind too. In the mind that’s full of anger, we can hardly think about anything logical. We tend to do things emotionally. Of course we need to acknowledge the feeling, it’s the way to show it -is all that matters.

Well, I’m not saying that I’m a perfect person who never throws my tantrum. It’s sometimes very hard to handle and I’m experiencing the same struggles of how to deal with it. But, let’s learn it from God –the source of true Mercy. The perfect love and mercy that comes from Him alone. Show mercy to others as He has shown it to us. And try to live that enables us to manage our anger well. (-fon-)

Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.

--- Micah 7:18

Critics

Lots of people don’t like to be criticized. They think that it’s the way to show that others don’t like them. Sometimes they take it personal and become enemy with the one who gives them. Well, it’s how they communicate the critics to the other party. Sometimes, it’s like too hard to handle for those who accept it. But, I’m sure that no one will refuse if they are criticized with love.

The book of Proverbs reminds us to stay open to correction. Let’s stay open to positive critics for the better. (-fon-)

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

--- Proverbs 12:1

TOTD, March 26

He Will Forgive Us

He will forgive us, no matter how bad our past was.

He will forgive us, no matter how stupid our mistakes were.

He will forgive us, as long as we confess our sins and repent.

He will love us just the way we are, even though it doesn’t mean that we can take everything as a granted.

That’s why we need to draw ourselves near to Him, and live more righteously in His guidance. (-fon-)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

--- 1 John 1:9

TOTD, March 25

God So Loved the World

In this Lent period of time, let us be reminded that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. So that the ones who believe in Him will accept the gift of God-eternal life-in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let’s repent our sins, let’s be reminded what He has already done for us. (-fon-)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^a]"> Christ Jesus our Lord.

--- Romans 6:23

TOTD, March 24

The Real Comfort from God

Last Sunday while I was with my friends from Indonesia who visited Ho Chi Minh City, I suddenly felt dizzy and (almost) fainted. Historically, this has been happening every now and then. Some of the times I fainted but this time I was fine after few minutes of rest and the help of the owner of the Vietnamese restaurant in district 1. I was very grateful and thankful. It’s probably because of the lack of sleep, lack of food, and very tired condition after traveling to an island here in Vietnam as well. I know what is faint. Physical faint that I’ve experienced every now and then along the journey of my life.

Interestingly, I found that the book of Jeremiah chapter 8 showed me the faint of heart. Imagining the heart faints, of course we need a Comforter. The condition is really sickening, wounded, and hurt, so faint is the way to get out temporarily from the sorrow. But never find another Comforter, another strength besides the Lord. If you try to find another maybe you’ll find it, but you will never satisfy. Only the real Comforter knows the way to heal you. Trust the Lord, He knows what to do with all your wound, all the faints of heart that you’ve experienced before. (-fon-)

O my Comforter in sorrow,
my heart is faint within me.

--- Jeremiah 8:18

TOTD, March 23

Be Strong in the Lord

Things might change, things might get worse. But for God’s children, stand strong in the Lord. Put on the full armor of God, so that we can stand against anything bad that comes from the devil’s plans. Seek more strength from Him.

(-fon-)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

--- Ephesians 6:10-11

TOTD, March 22

Put Your Confidence in Him

I was climbing the hill, where the statue of Jesus was up there. Here, in the land of Vietnam, in a small island called Vung Tau. The steps were like thousands, I didn’t count. I find it very tiring to climb, but I did it anyway. Along the journey, the confidence and trust inside of me suddenly grew. More and more. I prayed along the way, to ask Jesus to guide me. And finally, I can see His statue perfectly. Tired but was very satisfied.

Then, if I reflect the things in my life, it’s like climbing the hill too. Sometimes the road is just like so easy to climb. While in other times, we find it so hard to do so, almost giving up. But we need to do is just believe in Him. Put our trust in Him and somehow He will show us different ways to get us motivated to get through our life. Put our trust in Him. (-fon-)

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

--- Jeremiah 17:7-8

TOTD, March 20

Cast Your Cares Cast your cares on the Lord. Because He’s the one who knows the best answers for your problems. Cast your cares on the Lord. Because He’s the one who will not let you down. Your best friends, your family might let you down, but God won’t do that. Cast your cares on the Lord. And have a new strength in Him each day. And you’ll face the problems with brand new strength from Him. (-fon-) Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. --- Psalm 55:22

TOTD, March 21

Crave for Spiritual Milk

Like newborn babies, crave for spiritual milk.

I find today’s verse is really interesting! I know how it feels because somehow I’ve seen it when my baby did craving for her milk.

Well, as Christians, we need to crave for spiritual milk in order to grow up in our salvation. That helps us to realize and taste how good our Lord is! (-fon-)

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

--- 1 Peter 2:2-3

TOTD, March 19

May Joy and Peace be with You

You’re in the middle of big problems.

My prayer: May joy and peace be with you.

You’re in the midst of uncertainties.

My prayer: May joy and peace be with you.

You’re in pain, sickness, and deeply hurt.

My prayer: May joy and peace be with you.

Whatever condition you’re facing right now, especially when you’re at the lowest point of life.

My prayer: May God be with you. May His peace overflow your life. Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

--- Romans 15:13

TOTD, March 18

Little or Much?

Maybe what you have right now is very little.

Either talent, money, job’s promotion, fame, etc. But, when God trusted us with little things, try to be faithful, while waiting that if someday He trusts us with something bigger or even huge, we still can be faithful. Now matter little or much, it’s our attitude that matters most. (-fon-)

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

--- Luke 16:10

TOTD, March 16-17

Clothe Yourselves

Clothe yourselves, not with all the branded and expensive things. But also with virtues- the good qualities such as: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. That’s what we should do as God’s chosen people. (-fon-)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

--- Colossians 3:12

What is Seen…

We tend to believe something until we see it. But as the bible wrote: what is seen was not made out of what was visible. So, why try so hard to see something then believe? By faith, it’s not always like what is seen (or what we thought). By faith, we can believe in Him even though we haven’t seen the beauty of His Plans. What is seen-sometimes-isn’t always the best thing in His Plans. He knows better than us. (-fon-)

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 11:3

TOTD, March 13-15

God of Truth

WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE the truth of God with you in your workplace, you can become an empowering manager.

- Patricia Wilson

The Mindful Manager: The God Factor at Work (the Upper Room Website).

Our God is the God of truth, we can rely on Him everywhere we go. Including our workplace, including at home if we’re stay at home mom, including your own business if you’re self-employed. Into Your Hands, I surrender my life. (-fon-)

Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

--- Psalm 31:5

Fear the Lord

Charm and beauty (or handsome) is fleeting. But a woman (a man) who fears the Lord is to be praised. Let this be a character that we want to build. (-fon-)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

--- Proverbs 31:30

Add to Your Faith

This is a perfect day. To make every effort to add to our faith: goodness-knowledge-self control – perseverance- godliness – brotherly kindness – and love.

Let’s fill this day with good things! (-fon-)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

--- 2 Peter 1:5-8

TOTD, March 12

God Keeps His Covenant

God keeps his covenant of love to us. From generation to generation. He has show us that He’s faithful. There’s none like Him. (-fon-)

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

--- Deuteronomy 7:9

TOTD, March 11

Renew Me, O God!

As we put our trust in the Lord who will renew our strength, this is our perfect prayer for today.

RENEW ME, O GOD, by your far-reaching grace. Restore me, O God, to your life-giving truth that the kingdom, power, and glory are yours at this moment, on this day, for all time. Amen.

- Pamela Hawkins

The Awkward Season: Prayers for Lent

(Source: the upperroom website)

Renew me, O God! Restore me, O God, so that we can fly like an eagle in this life. (-fon-)

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

--- Isaiah 40:31

TOTD, March 10

Repay Evil with Blessing

God’s words today remind me to repay evil with blessing. Repay insult with blessing as well. Those things we do, in order to live harmony with one another. And if we learn to do it well, we may inherit a blessing too! I know it sounds impossible and very hard to do, but it’s worth to give a try. Spread blessings more and more! (-fon-)

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

--- 1 Peter 3:8-9

TOTD, March 09

Anger Management

THERE IS NO WOUND WITHOUT PAIN, and no pain without anger. And that anger, whether buried or exploded, is what we must learn to pay attention to and to pray if we are to offer the whole self to God.

- Kent Ira Groff
Anger: Minding Your Passions

Pain, wound, and anger are unavoidable in this life. It’s so true that we need to pay attention to them and pray to the Lord as our offering ourselves as a whole to God. And we need to learn more of His character: slow to anger. Hopefully, we can do it better in facing our daily life. (-fon-)

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power;
the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,
and clouds are the dust of his feet.

--- Nahum 1:3

TOTD, March 06-08

God of All Comfort

Jesus Christ is the God of all comfort. His ability to comfort the ones who open their heart widely for Him is amazing. Let’s seek for no other, He’s the God of all comfort.

(-fon-)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

--- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

He Protects the Simplehearted

In the midst of shrewd world, shrewd mind, being simple sometimes is just a sign of foolishness. But is that really so? Being simple against the materialism and wicked ways of gaining wealth and popularity is still the good thing to do. So, don’t be afraid, God will help us. He will protect the simplehearted. (-fon-)

The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.

--- Psalm 116:6

More Understanding in the Lord

According to the footnote of the bible: the Hebrew words rendered fool in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote one who is morally deficient. So, we need to avoid in becoming the foolish ones, the ones who are morally deficient. Watch our acts, watch our words, watch whatever we do-think-and say. Hopefully, we’ll gain more understanding in the Lord. (-fon-)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

--- Proverbs 1:7

TOTD, March 05

God Be With You

Remembering my first days in Vietnam, it was lot of confusions. No friends, language barrier, and didn’t really know the places here (such as: the doctors, the hospitals, etc). And moreover: not familiar with the situation here. It’s not easy to get through, but here I am stepping my feet on the 4^th month in Ho Chi Minh City.

It’s God who gives me the strength. It’s God who gives the courage. He is with me. He is with you. He is with us.

I’m sending a prayer that may God be with you in everything you do. Wherever you are. Amen. (-fon-)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

--- Joshua 1:9

TOTD, March 04

Live by the Spirit

Sinful nature desires is contrary to the Spirit. And it’s the other way around. We need to make sure that we live by the Spirit and led by it. Everyday of our life. Each step that we make. (-fon-)

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

--- Galatians 5:16-18

TOTD, March 03

His Ways Are Higher than Our Ways

We can never possibly imagine the magic of His thoughts, the wonder of His works, and the beauty of His ways that He has already prepared for us. (-fon-)

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

--- Isaiah 55:8-9

TOTD, March 02

Do Things Without Complaining

Complaining, grumbling words carry destructive power. They destroy the joy of the one doing the complaining and can also affect other people who have to listen to them. (Joyce Meyer).

If you always complain about this and that, well you’re not alone. You’ll have a long list of friends that could possibly join you right away. But, of course as Christians, we need to develop this positive attitude. Being thankful, being grateful for whatever we have. For whatever God has given to us. Do things without complaining! And you’ll see that life will love you back. (-fon-)

Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves].

--- Philippians 2:14