Mission Blessings is a daily devotional to bring a blessed day for viewers.

MISSION BLESSINGS

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.2 Kings 5:1-4 
 
 
 
Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said. 
 
 
 
 “Nameless Heroes Never Forgotten ” 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 We need great heroes to defend and fight for a nation. It is God’s grace that a nation has such heroes. Every nation owes greatly to such heroes. It is natural that such heroes left great names in history. However, the bible shows that very often a nameless person did an invisible but critical role in the history of God’s kingdom. The boy who brought five loaves of bread and two fished to the Lord Jesus and a woman who killed the vicious king Abimelech in the book of Judges with grinding stone are those nameless heroes. We see another good example of a nameless hero from today’ s passage. Naaman was a great general who was a hero for his own country. The king the people of his country loved him dearly. But great hero as he was, he had leprosy, which he could not overcome with his own strength. Then a slave girl taken captive from Israel came to his aid. Knowing that Naaman found no cure in his own country, the girl suggested to Naaman’s wife to see the prophet Elisha in Samaria. Naaman eventually received the healing through Elisha and began to worship God oof Israel. The highlighted characters in this episode are Naaman and Elisha. One is a great general. The other is a great prophet. But the bible reader can’t miss the work of names slave girl. Without her, the hero Naaman had no chance of meeting Elisha and healing. We do not know her name. But what she did was the same in nature what Joseph did when he was sold to Egypt as a slave. Both Joseph and the girl saved the country where they served as a slave. To God, the nameless slave girl must be valued as precious as Joseph. I believe this is how God shows the values of many nameless heroes. We don’t know the little slave girl’s name. But her name must be written in the history of heaven as life-saver. Christian history is full of these nameless heroes like the slave girl. One of my seminary professors had a Scandinavian heritage. He said his ancestor were Vikings. The savage Vikings ruthlessly invaded all over Europe thousands of years ago. They pillaged countless villages. They kidnapped many girls who were Christian. At the turn of the centuries, the girls who were kidnapped converted their kidnappers to Christianity. Similar stories abound in the history of faith. God remembers the names of many heroes of the bible. But He equally remembers the nameless heroes of faith such as slaves girls and kidnapped girls. What is your current life like? Are you perhaps living somewhat like a slave little girl or kidnapped women? does nobody recognize you and your work? Take heart. God knows. And God might use you as an ambassador of His kingdom there. Amen!

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.2 Kings 5:1-4

 

Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.     2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.   3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”   4 Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.

 

                            “Nameless Heroes Never Forgotten ” 

 

        

 

        We need great heroes to defend and fight for a nation.   It is God’s grace that a nation has such heroes.   Every nation owes greatly to such heroes.   It is natural that such heroes left great names in histor

Nameless Heroes   ( 2 Kings 5:1-4 )  Mission Blessings

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 
 
Acts 10:1-5 
 
 
 
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 
 
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. 
 
 
 
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 
 
 
 
 
 
“Breaking Down the Walls” 
 
 
 
 Jesus came as the light of the gentiles. That was one of the messianic prophecies of Isiah. Like the prophecy, Jesus was born of Mary who lived in Nazareth. Nazareth was almost considered as gentile territory for its proximity to the northern border. The mainstream Jews looked down Nazarenes as impure Jews. Jesus was often called as Nazarene by His criticizers. During His public ministry, Jesus broke the long-standing barrier between Jews and gentile. The most famous case was the meeting with Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus saved the Samaritan woman by offering the living water. He also preached good news to other Samaritans when the woman introduces Jesus to the town people. Jesus’ work of breaking down the walls between people and nations continued and dramatically expanded when the Holy Spirit came. As the Holy Spirit came at the Pentecost, the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in tongues which were real language spoken in foreign countries. This miracle symbolically showed that the barrier between peoples who speak different languages was broken. This was indeed the reversal of the tower of Babel where God confused the language when people arrogantly attempted to reach the heights of God. The Holy Spirit broke the curse. We cannot become God by massing up people with false unity. God makes us one breaking the walls by the cross of Jesus Christ. Today’s passage shows the continuing work of God to break down the barriers. God chose a devout Roman centurion Cornelius and brings him together with Peter. Despite the initial hesitance, Peter witnessed that the Holy Spirit came upon and filled the gentiles and Jews alike. Where there is the spirit of the Lord, there is no barrier. As the Spirit moves freely among the nations and peoples, we should recognize and render freedom to one another. Jesus broke all the walls by His cross. The Holy Spirit carries us freely by the power of the cross. Hallelujah! Are you rejoicing in freedom? Do you share the freedom with your neighbors near and far? Amen!

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 

Acts 10:1-5

 

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

 

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.

 

 

“Breaking Down the Walls”

 

                     Jesus came as the light of the gentiles.   That was one of the messianic prophecies of Isiah.    Like th

Breaking Down the Walls  (Acts 10:1-5)  Mission Blessings

Proverbs 30:24-28 
 
 
24 “Four things on earth are small, 
yet they are extremely wise: 
 
 
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, 
yet they store up their food in the summer; 
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power, 
yet they make their home in the crags; 
27 locusts have no king, 
yet they advance together in ranks; 
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand, 
yet it is found in kings’ palaces. 
 
 
 
God wants us to thrive. He tells us "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth ( 3John 2)". “But how can we thrive? We are too small, weak and lacking in wisdom. It is not easy even to survive.” If that’s what you are thinking, this message is for you. God makes you not only survive but thrive by putting His wisdom into you. Wisdom is what makes us survive and thrive, not muscle power or size. 
 
If we have His wisdom, we can be sufficiently surviving and thriving even in the most hostile world. Today's passage shows proof of the truth. Today's passage talks about four little animals which at first seem so difficult to survive in the world where the survival of the fittest is the norm. They look too small to compete with the bigger creatures in the jungle of life. But When these little creatures are equipped with God-given wisdom. They can survive and thrive. Little Ants know how to survive the severe winter even though they cannot get food because God gave them the wisdom to work hard during the summer. They know the time to work. Hyraxes, though small they are, know how to protect themselves from the stronger animals, for God gave them the wisdom to build their house in the crags. Locusts know how to live together and work together, for God has given them the wisdom to do that. Lizard, as though it is an ugly little animal, knows how to get into the king's palace where only noble people can enter. How? God gave them the wisdom to know the secret way. Wisdom made these four little animals survive and thrive better than any gigantic creatures. That’s why we need wisdom. And God is willing to give you wisdom freely and abundantly if you only ask( James 1:5). And If you have wisdom, you are a little giant. Are you feeling small in the world? What makes you feel small? Don’t feel small. Just go to God and ask God for His wisdom. You are indeed a little giant. Amen!

Proverbs 30:24-28


24 “Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:


25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

 

God wants us to thrive.   He tells us "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth ( 3John 2)".  “But how can we thrive?  We are too small, weak and lacking in wisdom.  It is not easy even to survive.”   If that’s what you are thinking, this message is for you.  God makes you not only survive but thrive by putting His wisdom into you. Wisdom is what makes us survive and thrive, not muscle power or size.

If we have His wisdom, we can be sufficiently surviving and thriving even in the most hostile world. Today's passage shows proof of the t

Little Giants ( Proverbs 30:24-28 )    Mission Blessings

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 
 
Acts 5:1-5 
 
 
 
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. 
 
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” 
 
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 
 
 
 
 “Dared to Insult Spirit” 
 
 
 
 Gospel is good news. It gives life to the lifeless and hope for the hopeless. Gospel is also wonderful news of God’s love. God so loved us that He gave His only son for us. But, the bible, which is the book of God’s love, sometimes shock us with a horror story. In the Old Testament, we see the loving and caring God sometimes order to annihilate an entire nation including animals. How can God be so cruel and merciless? So some people thought that can’t be our God. An ancient theologian named Marcion and his followers even argued that we should exclude such stories from the Bible. But the Bible is what God gave us. We can’t pick and choose only what we like. Some New Testament readers can feel the same way with Ananias and Sapphira. It’s such a shocking story. How can loving and forgiving God can put the pitiful couple to death even though it is true that they cheated with the offering? Isn’t it too harsh for the petty sin? What do you think? It is true that it appears to be a petty sin to us. But Peter viewed it as far more grave sin than us. Peter said to Ananias, “Satan has so filled your heart and you have lied to the Holy Spirit?”. What Peter said was that Satan took complete control of Ananias. Ananias became a slave to Satan. And that was why Ananias dared to lie to the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit was another Comforter that Jesus had promised to send. The Holy Spirit came at the Pentecost as Jesus has promised. Then the powerful work of the Holy Spirit began. The Holy Spirit filled the disciples and the church with great power visible and invisible. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples were transformed into fearless witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church that was divided became completely united in love. Even though they couldn’t see the Holy Spirit, the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit was clearly visible. The church and disciples trusted in the Holy Spirit as they trusted in Jesus. The Holy Spirit was working more powerfully in them. Satan knew this. It didn’t like it. It wanted to stop the work of the Holy Spirit as it attempted to stop Jesus as Jesus began His ministry. Satan must have deceived Ananias to work for him. When Anania's mind was filled with Satan, he dared to lie to the Holy Spirit who looks into our hearts. It’s a sad and scary story. But it’s something we always have to keep in mind. When we are tempted to think that we can deceive God, we have to instantly turn away from the thought and humbly repent. God will gladly forgive us. If we don’t, we might fall into the temptation of Satan. Beware of Satan!

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Acts 5:1-5

 

5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

 

                             “Dared to Insult Spirit”

 

           Gospel is good

Beware of Satan (Acts 5:1-5)  Mission Blessings

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 
 
Acts 4:18-21 
 
 
 
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 
 
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. 
 
 
 
 "God or Man?” 
 
 
 
 
 
 God created heaven and earth. Then He rules over them. He is constantly involved in the history of mankind. That is what the bible tells us. I know that there are some people who argue that God only created the world, then He left it alone. But that’s not what the Bible says. According to the Bible, God called Abraham and told him to go to the land that He chose for him. God visited Moses and commanded him to lead His people out of Egypt. In the same way, God interacts with individuals and nations constantly. God eventually sent His son to save the world. On the other hand, there were people who constantly attempted to separate God from man. They deny God’s authority over men to keep their own selfish gains. The tension between men and God was at its peak when Jesus was on earth. Jesus declared the kingdom of God. He manifested the genuine power and authority of God through His ministry. On the other hand, the religious leaders denied Jesus and the kingdom of God. They eventually crucified Jesus. But the kingdom of God that Jesus declared continued and demonstrated its power and authority through the disciples. Peter and two other disciples miraculously healed the lame from birth at the gate of the temple. The religious leaders tried to silence them again. But the disciples who now were filled with the Holy Spirit could not be put down. They boldly asked before the Sanhedrin, 
 
 “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judge?” 
 
How courageous and how triumphant they were before the enemy! How could they do it? Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit. They firmly knew that they live in God’s kingdom, and they are always in God’s eyes no matter where they are. 
 
 The tension between God and men still exists in our time, individually and collectively. We are often threatened and cornered to deny God to protect human pride and selfish gains. How are you making your choices? Are you confident as Peter and John were? Can you say it like Peter? You can do it too when you become filled with the Holy Spirit as they were. Nothing can silence you. Amen!

But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! Acts 4:18-21 18 Then they ...

God or Man  (Acts 4:18-21)  Mission Blessings

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. 
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up, those more righteous than themselves? 
 
Habakkuk 1:13-2:1 
 
 
13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; 
 
 you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. 
 
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? 
 
 Why are you silent while the wicked 
 
 swallow up those more righteous than themselves? 
 
14 You have made people like the fish in the sea, 
 
 like the sea creatures that have no ruler. 
 
15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, 
 
 he catches them in his net, 
 
he gathers them up in his dragnet; 
 
 and so he rejoices and is glad. 
 
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net 
 
 and burns incense to his dragnet, 
 
for by his net he lives in luxury 
 
 and enjoys the choicest food. 
 
17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, 
 
 destroying nations without mercy? 
 
1 I will stand at my watch 
 
 and station myself on the ramparts; 
 
I will look to see what he will say to me, 
 
 and what answer I am to give to this complaint 
 
 
 
God graciously revealed Himself to us. He let us know a significant amount of information that would not have been known unless He revealed. He let us know what He intended to do very often before He does it. Amos 3:7 says, “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” In our times, most of God’s intentions and His plans are already known through the Scripture. But when it comes to specifics and details, there are times that we have no idea at all what God is up to. Why is it so? The reason is simple. We have knowledge of the plan and will of God either through His servants or through the written revelation, but our knowledge of God always has limits. Our knowledge of God is neither comprehensive nor extensive. Therefore it is no wonder that we face situations that are beyond our comprehension. A lot of biblical characters such as Moses, David and Job faced such situations. What did they do? They asked God. Habbakuk is doing the same in today’s passage. Habbakuk says that he knows who God is. God is righteous and almighty. God hates idols and those who worship idols. Habbakuk knows that God is angry at the people of Israel for their disobedience. But he couldn’t understand the situation that the worse idol-worshipping nations rampage throughout Israel with the mass destruction of people and land. The invaders fill the land with worse idolatry. So Habbakuk is asking God why? We can’t find a clear answer to Habbakuk’s question in the book of Habbakuk. It seems what matters to God is Habbakuk’s attitude in such situation. He is asking God and waiting upon Him. Even though God doesn’t give specific answers to Habbakuk’s question, He honors Habbakuk’s attitude. I feel as if God is saying to us, “Will you do the same as Habbakuk in the same situation? Ask Me. Trust Me. And wait for me.” We want an answer. And fast, even from God. We think that is our faith. God is asking, “Is it really? Can you trust Me and wait upon Me?” What would you say to Him?

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;  you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.
Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up,  those more righteous than themselves?

Habakkuk 1:13-2:1


13 Your eyes are too pure to look on evil;

    you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.

Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?

    Why are you silent while the wicked

    swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

14 You have made people like the fish in the sea,

    like the sea creatures that have no ruler.

15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks,

    he catches them in his net,

he gathers them up in his dragnet;

    and so he rejoices and is glad.

16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net

    and burns incense to his dragnet,

for by his net he lives in luxury

    and enjoys the choicest food.

17 Is he to keep on emptying his net,

    destroying nations without mercy?

1 I will stand at my watch

    and station myself on the ramparts;

I will

When Faith Matters  (Habakkuk 1:13-2:1)  Mission Blessings

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 
 
 
1 Kings 19:11-13 
 
 
 
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” 
 
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 
 
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 
 
 
 
 “Gentle Whisper” 
 
 
 
 One of the benefits of knowing God is to be able to see His grand scale. Our God is big. Whoever comes to know Him will see the grander scale of God. But God is not only big but gentle and detailed too. There is a wonderful balance of big and small, power, and love in God. Although God is big, God does not make us megalomania who is obsessed with big and grand things. Knowing God deeper makes us able to appreciate the small and tiny things such as nameless flowers and small birds. Elija was one of the greatest prophets who knew the greatness of God. He had a great vision to restore God’s reign in Israel. He fought hard and accomplished a lot including the great victory at Mountain Carmel. But he was not a man without human frailty. He expected the great victory and a miraculous rain would turn around the king and people from following the false god Baal once and for all. They saw who true God was and what He could do. But it turned out that the great victory and miracles worsened the situation. The queen Isabell adamantly decided to kill Elijah to make even for the killings of the prophets of Baal. She began to chase Elijah harder. Elija became so frustrated. And his frustration turned into skepticism toward God. He knows that God is all-powerful. He demonstrated it at the Mountain Carmel. Then, why did He become suddenly quiet as if He is not interested in this critical spiritual fight anymore? He went to God with the grudge and question. God didn’t rebuke Elijah. Instead, God taught him a gentle lesson. God showed the great and powerful wind that tore the mountain. The wind should be enough to destroy the ungodly nation. But God was not in there. Neither was He in the earthquake that shook the earth nor in the fire that could burn and swallow the ungodly peop[le and nation. Surprisingly He was in the gentle whisper which was barely audible. Did you get the message? What is God saying? He is saying that it is true that I have all the power and authority to destroy the ungodly kingdom and people. But I would rather build and restore them with a gentle voice. Will you understand my heart? When do Do you think Elijah fully understands what God says here? I believe Elijah fully understands it when he met with Jesus at the mount of transfiguration. There, the glorious son of God who had all authority of heaven and earth gives Himself up meekly and gently at the cross to save the nations and people. Oh, what a mystery, what a paradox it is! We are saved by the gentle whisper not by the wind that tore the mountain. How much do we appreciate the gentle voice? Did we stop grumbling like Elijah yet?

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.


1 Kings 19:11-13 

 

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 

                     “Gentle Whisper”

         

           One of the benefits of knowing God is to be able to see His grand scale.  Our God 

Gentle  Whisper  (1 Kings 19:11-13 )  Mission Blessings

So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 
 
 “At the Darkest Night” 
 
 
 
John 18:3-5, 10-11 
 
 
 
3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 
 
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 
 
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. 
 
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 
 
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 
 
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” 
 
 
 
 It was the darkest night. Jesus prayed so hard at the Gethsemane. His sweat turned into blood. He even prayed to Father whether this cup can be avoided. The Father was silent. Jesus wanted the disciples to join Him in the earnest prayers. They were all sleeping. Finally here comes the betrayer and the haters armed with weapons. This was the night that the power of darkness was engulfing the Son of God. He was going to be handed over to the power of darkness. This seems to be the night that absolutely no wishes of Jesus Christ were heard. Jesus must have been completely drained physically and spiritually. But He didn’t wait to be discovered. Jesus rather voluntarily disclosed His identity to them. . As they found out who Jesus was, Malchus might have hurriedly run toward Jesus in an attempt to forcefully arrest Him even though Jesus never intended to run away. After the bloody exhausting prayers, He came to know the will of God, And He now was now ready to drink the cup. Peter drew the sword and struck him. Jesus calmed him down and healed the wounded servant. At the darkest night, although the torches and lanterns of the soldiers were dimly lighting the night to search for Jesus. Their lights were useless. It was Jesus Himself who outshined everything. By giving Himself voluntarily and peacefully, He saved everybody on the scene. He healed the wounded Malchus. He saved Peter and other disciples from harm. He saved the lives of soldiers and officers by avoiding confrontation. He told us before, He overcame evil by good. He overcame the darkness with eternal light in Him. We all do not want the darkest night of our life. But it can come. It will come. What would you do on the darkest night in your life? We see what we could do from today’s passage. When the darkest night of our life comes, we should hold the hands of the Lord who overcame the darkest night of al l ages. Let Him shine our way through step by step until we reach the brightest place. I am sure He will gladly guide us through the darkest night to the brightest day when we call upon Him. He already went through it before. Amen!

So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

 “At the Darkest Night”

 

John 18:3-5, 10-11

 

3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

 

         It was the darkest night.  Jesus prayed so hard at the Gethsemane. His sweat turned into blood.   He even prayed to Father

At the Darkest Night  (John 18:3-5, 10-11) Mission Blessings

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 
 
 Matthew 26:66-68 
 
 
 
66 What do you think?” 
 
“He is worthy of death,” they answered. 
 
67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 
 
 
 
68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” 
 
 
 
 
 
You would still remember the movie "The Passion of Christ". Even though it was A Christian movie, it was rated X, prohibiting young viewers from watching it in public. Why? As far as I know, it was because the movie had many scenes that were so gory. In fact, when I watched the movie, I felt so uncomfortable. Sometimes I couldn’t keep my eyes on the screen. I wondered if this movie was realistically picturing the biblical truth. I read the bible again. And I found that it was in fact much worse. Christ, the Son of God suffered so violently and cruelly. Today's passage shows the beginning of the Lord’s suffering. It says that Jesus, the son of God was spit, blindfolded and struck. Jesus was arrested at the garden where He prayed with disciples. Then He was taken to the Sanhedrin where all His enemies gathered. They angrily accused Jesus with all the false testimonies. They heaped up abusive words against Him and finally condemned Him to death. Jesus instantly became a criminal to be crucified. On the spot, they began to torment and taunt Him. They spit on His face, and struck Jesus with their fist and slapped Him. They blindfolded Him and ridiculed Him. Then they took Him out for more beatings. Horrible! Isn’t it? How could this be? How could they spit on the glorious face of the son of God? How could they strike the gracious Lord with fists? His glorious divinity was brutally violated. How painful and shameful it must have been! I shudder every time I encounter this scene. Why did He have to go through this painful and humiliating violence even before the crucifixion? Jesus kept silent. But we know that He has these silent messages for us. “This is for you.” I was spit lest you be spit. And when you are spit in the world, I will cleanse your face with my tears. I was blindfolded lest you be blindfolded. And when you become blindfolded in the world, I will make you see through my blindness. I was struck lest you be struck. And when someone struck you with their fists, I will heal your bruises with my scars." I believe that's the quiet message of this scene. Have you ever been brutally violated by the sinful world and people? Jesus knows your pain. He will restore and revive your dignity with His nail-pierced hands, for He was spit, struck and blindfolded for us. Amen! 
 
www.missionblessings.com

Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him Matthew 26:66-68 66 What do you think?” “He is ...

Spit, Struck and Blindfolded (Matt 26:66-68)  Mission Blessings

Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. 
 
 
1 Kings 8:27-30 
 
 
 
27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. 
 
 
 
 “ Desperate for God “ 
 
 
 
 One of the biggest problems for man is pride. Pride caused the first couple, Adam and Eve, to sin. They wanted to be like God. Of course, the serpent tempted them they can become like God if they eat the fruit that God has forbidden them which was not true. The serpent’s argument was very sly and effective. It attacked the weakest spot of man, the pride. The serpent tried to falsely elevate the pride of man with lies. It said, “Why would God prohibit you from eating the fruit? Is He afraid of you becoming like God? The man fell to the temptation. Man’s problem of pride didn’t get better after the fall. People still want to get better from God. They made a lot of idols which are basically their puppets. Many times they tried to make even true God idol that they can control. When Moses was delayed from a meeting with God, Moses’ brother Aaron and Israelites made golden ox and declared it as their god. The same mistakes have been repeated throughout history. People who asserted to believe in God made different types of idols, whether they are statues, temples, churches, other institutions or nations. Then they mastermind those idols behind. What’s intriguing is that they believe that they can deceive God in such away. Solomon didn’t make that mistake. He finished the first and most glorious temple and was dedicated to the Lord now. And hear what he said, “The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day”. He wasn’t trying to be humble. He indeed felt so desperate. He was a young and inexperienced king with a lot of challenges. Without God’s help, he felt that he was bound to fail. The temple of God that he was dedicating was not a symbol of his own might but a confession of his desperation. That was why God accepted the temple and filled it with His presence and grace. This was what made the temple truly glorious. That was indeed what made the glory of Solomon. What will make God fill our life with His presence and grace? A lot of animals? Mega-temples? Great accomplishments? What He wants from us. Are broken hearts and souls that are desperate for God. Do you have such a desperate soul for God? God is not far away from you.

Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.


1 Kings 8:27-30 

 

27 “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

 

                           “ Desperate for God “

 

       One of the biggest problems for man is pride.    Pride caused the first couple, Adam and

Desparate for God  (1 Kings 8:27-30 )   Mission Blessings

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 
 
 
 “Abide in Him” 
 
 
 
John 15:4-7 
 
4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 
 
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Our faith in God has some mysteries. Most of us still find it difficult to logically explain it. But those mysteries do not bother believers anymore because we fully know our finiteness and God’s infinity. It is only natural that we don’t fully understand who God is and what He does. The mysteries might be stumbling blocks to unbelievers. But It rather makes us honor God and make ourselves humble before God. One of such mysteries is the trinity. We have one God in three persons. That’s a mystery. No one can explain it fully. But we have no problem believing it. The mystery makes us revere God in greater awe. Another such mystery is the unity between Christ and believers. Believers are in Christ. Christ is in believers. How can that be? That’s a mystery. But that’s what Jesus emphasized repeatedly. Today’s passage is the best example of Christ emphasizing the unity between Him and us believers. The context of this teaching is the impending crucifixion of Christ. Jesus was talking to the disciples about His departure and return. But that does not mean either temporary suspension or closure in His relationship with disciples. Jesus tells them to remain in Him as He remains in them. He also said that He will be with them until the end of the world. How would He do that? It is a mystery. There is something that we don’t fully understand. But Jesus mentioned some preparations to bridge the gap between His departure and return. First, He mentioned the coming of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, He talks about the mystery of abiding in each other. He even said that we can not bear fruit if we don’t remain in Him. But How do we remain in Jesus when He departed us and is being seated at the right hand of God? That’s a mystery. I believe it doesn’t just mean that we remain in His words only, although it is partly true. The unity is more personal one. Jesus visited the disciples after the resurrection in person. Jesus appeared to Peter after ascension, telling him what to do about Cornelius. He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Jesus continues to remain in us and with us in person. Of course, He does not remain with us in bodily form as He used to. But that doesn’t really matter, does it? Jesus remains in us. He sees and hears us and shares our joy and sorrow. What matters more is whether we remain in Him or not. He made all the preparations for us to remain in Him. We can continue to remain connected to Him through the Holy Spirit, through His words and more. I personally seek His presence and enjoy it so much. Remaining in Him or being in His presence gives me such comfort and strength every day. How about you? I am sure Jesus is more than eager to remain in us than we are eager to remain in Him. He is even knocking at the door of our hearts to be with us. Are you open to Him? I pray that you remain in Him and enjoy His presence everyday and bear fruits. Amen!

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 


                                           “Abide in Him”

 

John 15:4-7 

4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

 

 

        Our faith in God has some mysteries.   Most of us still find it difficult to logically explain it.   But those mysteries do not bother believers anymore because we fully know our finiteness and God’s infinity. 

Abide in Him  (John 15:4-7) Mission Blessings

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 
 
 
1KINGS 2:10-12 
 
 
 
 
 
10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established. 
 
 
 
 “ Live well and Die Well" 
 
 
 
 David lived one of the most blessed lives in bible history. He lived well and died well. He became the ancestor of the coming messiah. More than anything else, he touched the heart of God deeply. God not only blessed David while he lived on earth. He remembers David eternally. We have many kings after David both in Judah and Israel. Whenever God saw them, He wanted them to be like David. In fact, God’s criteria of good kings and bad kings was whether they were like David or not. For the most part, God was disappointed because most of the kings were not like David. But God pities some of them because He remembered their ancestor David. If we live like David, it is guaranteed to be a blessed life. What was it that made God love David and remember David so much? It won’t be easy to summarize who David was to God. But I will try it for your blessings. First and foremost, David loved God deeply and passionately. Asked about the greatest commandment, Lord Jesus said, “Love your God with all your hearts, all your mind, and all your souls.” David showed such love for God in reality. God knew it. God felt it in His heart. Secondly, because David loved God so much, he loved to be with God and talk with God. David had a constant fellowship with God. He asked God about every major and minor things in his life. God loved this. Thirdly, David had overflowing thanksgiving for God. His psalms are filled with thanksgiving. When he made a plan for the temple worship, he made the priests keep saying thanksgiving to God around the clock. That shows his hearts. Fourthly, David was a genuine repenter. He wasn’t a saint. He made many mistakes. Some of those mistakes were serious in nature. But when David came to know that he was in error, he genuinely repented it with tears. He knew that it was much better to fall into the hand of God rather than the hands of men. How wise! Finally, David was a fervent worshipper. He loved to express his love for God in worship and praises. His eyes and minds were all on God when he worshipped. He even didn’t know that his dresses are loosening. We can probably make acronym like LFTRW using the first letters of David’s characters to make it mnemonic. God still remembers David. He is waiting for someone like David. If you and I live “like David”, God will remember us too. Amen!

Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David.  He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 


1KINGS 2:10-12

 

 

10 Then David rested with his ancestors and was buried in the City of David. 11 He had reigned forty years over Israel—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. 12 So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his rule was firmly established.

 

                  “ Live well and Die Well"

 

            David lived one of the most blessed lives in bible  history.  He lived well and died well.    He became the ancestor of the coming messiah.   More than anything else,  he touched the heart of God deeply.   God not only blessed David while he lived on earth.  He remembers David eternally.   We have many kings after David both in Judah and Israel.  Whenever God saw them, He wanted them to be like David.   In fact,  God’s criteria of good kings and bad kings was whether they were 

Live Well and Die Well ( 1Kings 2:10-12)   Mission Blessings

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 
 
 "The Dividing Line" 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 25:31-35 
 
 
 
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 
 
 
 
 One of the most sensitive words in our society is discrimination. Discrimination is not only condemnable personal action but also it is against the law. Whoever commits the crime of discrimination instantly becomes the target of public criticism. We have the law of equal opportunity to guarantee equal opportunity for all. But does the law really accomplish its objectives? I believe the law of equal opportunity is one of the best laws that we have. But a law can only do so much. To really prevent discriminating people and treat them equally, you have to have a new heart that does not discriminate. How can we have a new heart? You can have the new heart when your heart is renewed by the love of Christ. Christ has a heart of compassion. He healed the sick. He fed the hungry. He has bled and died for the sinners. And when He comes back, He will judge all the people sitting at the glorious throne. There He draws one great dividing line for all the nations and peoples. What is the dividing line? The dividing line is “What did you to the least of your brothers? What did you to the most underprivileged people in your community?” In other words, the dividing line is whether you have a Christlike heart renewed by His Spirit or not. He called those who have compassionate hearts like Him “sheep” and put them on His right. He called those who do not have the compassionate heart “goat” and put them on the left. The sheep heard the shepherd’s voice. The goats didn’t. The sheep know that they were healed, fed, and forgiven by the shepherd. They follow the footsteps of the shepherd. The goats don’t. Where do you belong to? We want to be on the right side. Then Jesus would gently ask us. “Are you following me in serving the least?”. That question should awaken us all. Helping the hungry and needy isn’t just a good will. It is a dividing line for eternity. Are we surely following the footsteps of the good shepherd?

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 

      "The Dividing Line"

 

 

Matthew 25:31-35

 

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.   34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

 

          One of the most sensitive words in ou

Dividing Line (Matt 25:31-35)

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 
 
Luke 2:1-7 
 
 
 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 
 
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 
 
 
 
 Do you have any interest in history? I believe Christians have more interest in history than nonbelievers. History shows not only how the earthly kingdoms come and go but also how God rules the world and people. History not only shows how the great people come and go but also shows how the Messiah came to the world, died and rose again for us. Christians believe in historic Jesus and historic gospel. Gospel is not an invented story but the truth based on historical facts. This is why Peter said in his letter “ For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain (2Pet 1:16-18). Luke the gospel writer was a doctor. He was an excellent historian too. He said that he wrote all his gospel based on historical facts. Luke states this clearly at the beginning of his gospel. “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4). Will it sound too much if I say God is the greatest historian? I am saying that because I feel there is a great historical coincidence when Jesus was born. Today’s passage shows that Jesus was born in the days of Caesar Augustus. If you are a student of history, you will know who Caesar Augustus is. He is the first and greatest emperor of Rome. Roman emperor worship basically started from his reign. The census ordered by him was to unify all the subjects of the Roman empire and strengthen the power of Rome. Under the reign of the great emperor, baby Jesus was born in a manger wrapped in cloth. What a contrast! I almost feel the historic irony in this. I feel that Luke the historian is also feeling the irony. Don’t you? Caesar Augustus ruled the world with absolute earthly power. Baby Jesus seems absolutely powerless. He is the least in terms of earthly power. But who is the real ruler of the world? Luke’s task was to answer this question through a careful study of history. It must have been an exciting journey. I am sure you already know Luke’s conclusion. Baby Jesus, not Caesar Augustus is the real ruler of the world. The census in heaven by Jesus, not the census by Caesar Augustus really matters to us all. Do you know King Jesus?

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 

Luke 2:1-7
 

 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

 

      Do you have any interest in history?    I believe Christians have more interest in history than nonbelievers.   History shows not only how the earthly k

Caesar Augustus and Baby Jesus (Luke 2:1-7)   Mission Blessings

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 
 
 
Luke 24:36-43 
 
 New International Version (NIV) 
 
 
 
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 
 
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 
 
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 
 
 
 
 
 
People all over the world are restless these days. Coronavirus is threatening every corner of the globe. People are becoming more and more alarmed and scared as they look at the skyrocketing numbers of infected people. Everybody fears if and when the virus would infest them. I try not to be overwhelmed by it. But honestly, I can’t help it either. In the midst of this global and personal crisis, the only thing that gives me peace is the name of Jesus. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ must have turned the world upside down and made the disciples restless. Jesus raised the dead Lazarus not far from ago. The whole city of Jerusalem went ecstatic at the unprecedented miracle. But in a few days, Jesus gave Himself up to the lawless to be crucified. He died and was buried. The hope ad dream of all the disciples seemed to have died with Him too. Then, the reports of Jesus rising up from the grave began coming through. Soldiers of the chief priests were saying that someone stole His body. The disciples didn’t know what to believe. At the very moment, Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, “ Peace be with you!”. “Peace be with you” in fact, is one of the most frequently used words by the risen Lord. Why? Jesus knew that the disciples were still broken-hearted and frightened. They weren’t sure if Jesus has really risen again. And they didn’t know what it meant to them if He has indeed risen. Finding answers to those questions starts with restoring peace in their mind. With peace, comes the assurance of the resurrection. And with the assurance of resurrection, comes the knowledge that His resurrection is for us. Do you have this peace that the risen Lord proclaimed to the disciples? I am sure that the peace that the Lord proclaimed was for us too. He knows that we will be frightened and restless like disciples in the world. He proclaims peace for us. In fact, He is our peace. who has broken down every wall. Cast all your cares on Him for He careth for you. He is our peace. Do you have this peace?

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”


Luke 24:36-43

 New International Version (NIV)

 

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

 

  

People all over the world are restless these days.   Coronavirus is threatening every corner of the globe.   People are becoming more and more alarmed and scared 

Peace  Be With You!  (Luke 24:36-43)  Mission Blessings

On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 
 
 
“Sun. stand still!” 
 
 
 
Joshua 10:9 14 
 
New International Version (NIV) 
 
 
9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. 
 
12 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: 
 
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon, 
 
 and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” 
 
13 So the sun stood still, 
 
 and the moon stopped, 
 
 till the nation avenged itself on[a] its enemies, 
 
as it is written in the Book of Jashar. 
 
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a human being. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel! 
 
 
 
 When Moses was about to die, he told Israelites what to do when they enter the promised land. He assured Israelites that the Lord will go ahead of Israelites to the promised land and He will fight for you. What Moses said was not an empty promise. When they entered the promised land, Joshua could see that a great warrior of God was already there. As God promised through Moses, God fought for Israelites and with Israelites. The conquest of the promised land was clearly combined efforts of Israelites and God. Today’s passage shows it very clearly. Israelites are now facing the joined force of the five kings of Amorites. Joshua and Israelites did their parts. They marched all night from Gilgal and took them by surprise. That was a very daring attack. But Joshua and Israelites could be so daring because God was fighting with them and for them. God threw the Amorites into confusion so that the surprise attack could be effective. God also hurled hailstones down on them. Although the five kings of Amorites joined their forces to build a great army, they were no contest to the joined force of God and His people. In fact, no army would be able to withstand the joined force of God and His people. Joshua, greatly encouraged by the presence of God, even did something unthinkable. He commanded the sun to stand still and the moon to stop. Joshua knew that no human can do it. Only God can do it. So it was as if he told God to do it. And God did it! The sun stood still. The moon stopped. What a marvelous sight it must have been! Awesome! Don’t you wish that you were there? Remarkable and amazing as it was, this wasn’t just a one time show of force. I believe God still does the same. Jesus said that He will be with us until the end of the world. He is not just there. He is still fighting for us and with us. People with genuine faith experience similar miracles to the sun standing still even now if you dare to say it to God. I love the sun and moon rising up and falling down. But I wish I could see the hand of God holding it for once. How can we do it? I believe we should invite God to fight with us and for us every day like Joshua did. Then we will see the unthinkable with our naked eyes too. Amen!

On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:  “Sun, stand still over Gibeon,  and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”


“Sun. stand still!”

 

Joshua 10:9 14

New International Version (NIV)


9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.   10 The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.

12 On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,

    and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

13 So the sun stood still,

    and the mo

Sun, Stand Still!  ( Joshua 10:9-14)  Mission Blessings

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 
 
Genesis 37:5-11 
 
 
 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. 
 
 
 
 There are some people who think that Christians believe in something unreal. They also believe that the bible is full of myths and fantasies. What do you say to them? We know why some people think so. They basically view their reason and experience as an absolute standard in everything. If there is something that they cannot reasonably understand or experience, they treat it as if it doesn’t exist. If they can’t measure something by the ruler of their reason and experience, they categorically reject it as unreal or fantasy. A lot of biblical truths fall into that category. We cannot measure God, Heaven, eternal life and resurrection and many miracles through human reason or experience. But all the authors of biblical books testify that they simply record what they have seen and heard. They humbly admit that they couldn't fully understand what they have seen and heard. But they simply couldn’t help speaking about what they have seen and heard (Acts 4:20). Were they dreaming? They were! Joseph had a dream. That looked so unreal. He told his dream to his brothers which only stirred anger and hatred toward him. Joseph was eventually lynched by his brothers and sold as a slave to Egypt because of this. Was Joseph too childish and lacking in a sense of reality when he told his dreams to his brothers? Would he have been better if he kept the dream to himself? Some would think so. But we know the whole story of Joseph and how his whole dream became an amazing reality. Joseph wasn’t childish. He wasn’t exaggerating. He was just faithful to the dream that God has given to him. Joseph was a dreamer as his brothers ridiculed him. But his dream was not of his own but of God. And because Joseph’s dream came true, all of his families could be saved. We see so many similarities between Joseph and Christians. In fact, we have to be kingdom dreamers in our generation as Joseph was for his generation. Like Joseph, we have to proclaim the real dream when people are driven by many empty dreams. We might be ridiculed and persecuted by our own. But let it be, for it is the only way to save those who ridicule and persecute us. We will reach the glory of God only through the ridicule and persecution. Are you a kingdom dreamer like Joseph?

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.  He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had:

Genesis 37:5-11

 
     5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”   8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.  9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”   10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground befo

Dream On! (Genesis 37:5-8)   Mission Blessings

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39: 5) 
 
 
Psalm 39:4-7 
New International Version (NIV) 
 
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end 
and the number of my days; 
let me know how fleeting my life is. 
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; 
the span of my years is as nothing before you. 
Everyone is but a breath, 
even those who seem secure.[a] 
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; 
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth 
without knowing whose it will finally be. 
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? 
My hope is in you. 
 
Do you know what's most surprising in our life? "The brevity of life." That's what late Billy Graham said in his nineties. Even the spiritual giant felt surprised at how fast our days and years have gone by. When I was in my early teenage which must be in the 1960s, I read an article in student magazine that talks about the future. They talked about what will happen in the year 2000. "The Year 2000, new millennium ". Saying that I laughed to myself. It seemed such a distant future that I can't even imagine. But the year 2000 is already gone a long time ago. Yes, there's a time that time doesn't seem to move a bit at all. I remember that I murmured myself "when will they grow?" Looking at you when you were toddlers still in diapers. But look at you now! You are still young and energetic. I hope you keep the vigor and strength for a long time. But let's not forget how fleeting is our life either and pray as humbly as psalmist "Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; 
let me know how fleeting my life is." 
By the way, why does he want to know it? Isn't it better not to know about the future and just enjoy today? Someone might say like that. What do you think? The Bible emphasizes that you should enjoy your given days. It says "Rejoice always." But that doesn't mean you should ignore the undeniable reality of life. If you do, you are fooling yourself. Christians should not shy away from reality. Instead, they face it most calmly and courageously. This is what the psalmist prays for. He wants to know the true reality of life no matter what it is and how it is. Why? It's because he can live best in the given days and years when he was equipped with the true knowledge of reality. So what is the reality? The reality is that our days are a mere handbreadth, our years are as nothing. Everyone is but a breath. Yes, that is a cool and cold reality. Got that? Then what? Then you should ask yourself "Where then is hope in my life?" Bingo! That's the point. When you are faced with the true reality, you will look and find true hope. Where is the true hope? Nowhere else but in God! There we reach the solution for the mystery of brevity of life. God made your days s mere handbreadth for you to look for Him and come to Him and dwell with Him for eternity. Hallelujah! Once you reach this eternal hope, it doesn't really matter how long or how short is your life. You just rejoice in Him day by day. I pray that you all have such a wonderful balance of eternity and temporality and rejoice every day. Amen!

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;  the span of my years is as nothing before you.  Everyone is but a breath,  even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39: 5)


Psalm 39:4-7
New International Version (NIV)

4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure.[a]
6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
without knowing whose it will finally be.
7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.

Do you know what's most surprising in our life? "The brevity of life." That's what late Billy Graham said in his nineties. Even the spiritual giant felt surprised at how fast our days and years have gone by. When I was in my early teenage which must be in the 1960s, I read an article in student magazine that talks about the future. They talked about w

A Mere Handbreadth  (Psalm 39:4-7)   Mission Blessings

Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. (Job 38:1-2) 
 
Job 38:1-8 
New International Version (NIV) 
 
 
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: 
 
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans 
with words without knowledge? 
3 Brace yourself like a man; 
I will question you, 
and you shall answer me. 
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? 
Tell me, if you understand. 
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! 
Who stretched a measuring line across it? 
6 On what were its footings set, 
or who laid its cornerstone— 
 
 
One of the biggest mistakes of people is to put God in a box. This is not a mistake of ordinary people only. Even a great philosopher such as Immanuel Kant made the same mistake. He said that man should devote to things that can be reasoned within the framework of the human mind. If anything does not fit in the framework, we should discard it. This is a very rough representation of Kant's philosophy. But that's the main idea of his philosophy. The result is that he removed God from 
Man because God doesn't fit in the framework of man. I am not sure whether that was what Kant intended or not. But it is clear that such a man-centered mindset influenced the humanistic western culture. Job, despite his righteousness, made a similar mistake. He had his own box of ideas and experiences. He tried to understand God through his own framework. It didn't work. He couldn't fully understand what God does. That made him restless despite his faith in God. Finally, God breaks His silence. He began to speak to Job out of the storm. Basically what God said to Job was "why do you attempt to put me in your tiny box? I can never fit in there. ". Job, in the biggest storm of his life, complained and asked where was God. God Spoke in the storm as if He is saying that He was there all the time! What's your impression of this scene? Do you get the message? I am sure you do. Yes, our God is awesome God. He is the creator, controller, and caretaker. You may do well to trust your life in His hand even at the storm of life. He is there, all the time! Amen!

Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.   (Job 38:1-2)

Job 38:1-8
New International Version (NIV)


38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:

2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—


One of the biggest mistakes of people is to put God in a box. This is not a mistake of ordinary people only. Even a great philosopher such as Immanuel Kant made the same mistake. He said that man should devote to things that can be reasoned within the framework of the human mind. If anything does not fit in the framework, we should discard it. T

The Voice In The Storm  ( Job 38:1-6) Mission Blessings

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (Daniel 6:23) 
 
 "My Darius" 
 
Daniel 6:19-24 
 
New International Version (NIV) 
 
 
 
 “My Darius, the God-Fearer” 
 
 
 
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 
 
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 
 
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 
 
24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 
 
 
 
 I love Christians as brothers and sisters. I believe all Christians are united by the blood of Jesus Christ. Loving fellow believers in Christ is an act of faith. God encourages us to do that. But that doesn’t mean we should disassociate with nonbelievers. Lord Jesus mingled more often with people who were considered outcasts by the contemporary Jewish community. Jesus clearly declared He came to call the sinners not to call the righteous. Like Jesus, we have to actively reach out to the unbelievers for the evangelical purpose. But I see that there is another reason that we have to keep friendly contacts with nonbelievers. There are a great number of God-fearing people among nonbelievers. By God-fearing, I mean the person who has a positive view of God even though they do not have a deeper knowledge of God and do not have a personal relationship with God yet. If you read the Bible carefully, you will encounter a good number of God-fearing gentiles. We see one of a good example of that in today’s passage. The king of Persia in Daniel’s time was one of those God-fearing persons. Darius was a Persian. In other words, he was a gentile. He was a very powerful king who sometimes considered himself as god and commanded people of the Persian empire to worship him. Strangely enough, he had a very positive view of God at the same time. Daniel’s wisdom and purity definitely have influenced the king. But we see much more of God’s influence upon Darius. That was why King Darius worried about Daniel who broke his own edict to the point of becoming sleepless. He was overjoyed to see Daniel staying alive at the lion’s den and lifted him out it. The king Darius does much more than that. We don’t know whether the king Darius was a believer or not. Most probably not. But he is surely a God-fearing person. And God uses him for the kingdom of God and his people. I saw a lot of God-fearing people in real life situation including my won life. They were not believers yet. But they render greater help for God’s kingdom and His people like Darius. I am personally indebted so much to them. I am sure many of those God-fearing people would eventually become believers. How about you? Did you encounter any God-fearing person in your life? I am sure that you did, and you will. How did you treat them? God wants us to receive them, honor them and treasure them. They could be disguised angels of God for you. Amen!

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (Daniel 6:23)

                                           "My Darius"

Daniel 6:19-24

New International Version (NIV)

 

                                               “My Darius, the God-Fearer”

 

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no w

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