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

MISSION BLESSINGS

“If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, 
 
Leviticus 6:1-4 
 
6 The Lord said to Moses: 2 “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, 3 or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit— 4 when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found, 
Today’s title is “Love God Or Love People” 
 
Some people love God dearly. They even say that they can sacrifice their own life if it is for God. They are very religious. They pray quite frequently and fervently. They keep the religious regulation such as keeping Sabbath meticulously. But somehow they don’t care for other people. I am not talking about the Pharisees whom Jesus criticized harshly for their hypocrisy. I am thinking about real people that I have encountered in the past. They must have read how Jesus got angry at the hypocrisy of the so-called religious people. Jesus wasn’t impressed by people's overflowing religiosity that lacks in love and compassion for other people including families and neighbors. Jesus clearly showed His emphasis on love and compassion for people in need through the famous story of the good Samaritan. Today’s passage shows the same mindset of God. Here God says that anyone that does a disservice to the neighbors by not being faithful to them is the same as unfaithful to the Lord. If you are serious about the bible, you can’t separate being faithful to God from being faithful to people. If you love God, you love the people He loves. If you do not love your neighbor, you do not love God. You can’t have one without the other. Jesus kept this principle even in His greatest commandment. Jesus stressed loving God wholeheartedly of course. But what must have struck many Jews by surprise was His emphasis on loving neighbors in the same way. People of God do not choose to love either God or man. God clearly tells us that if you are not faithful to your neighbor, there is no way that you can be faithful to Me. How much do you love God? The answer greatly depends on how loving and trustworthy you are to the people around you.

“If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, 

Leviticus 6:1-4

6  The Lord said to Moses: 2 “If anyone sins and is unfaithful to the Lord by deceiving a neighbor about something entrusted to them or left in their care or about something stolen, or if they cheat their neighbor, 3 or if they find lost property and lie about it, or if they swear falsely about any such sin that people may commit— 4 when they sin in any of these ways and realize their guilt, they must return what they have stolen or taken by extortion, or what was entrusted to them, or the lost property they found,
Today’s title is   “Love God Or Love People”

Some people love God dearly.   They even say that they can sacrifice their own life if it is for God.  They are very religious.  They pray quite frequently and fervently.  They keep the religious regulation such as keeping Sabba

Love God Or Love People (Leviticus 6:1-4) Mission Blessings

‘If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect. 
 
Leviticus 3:1-2 
 
3 “‘If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect. 2 You are to lay your hand on the head of your offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash the blood against the sides of the altar. 
 
 
 Today’s title is “The Peace Offering 
 
All old testament sacrifices point to Christ although they vary greatly in motivations and purposes. But the fellowship offering seems to be the best reflection of what Jesus has done. Fellowship offering or peace offering is an offering that emphasizes the close communion between God and His people. Such emphasis on communion between God and people is demonstrated that people could eat the flesh of an animal that had been offered to the Lord. Fellowship or peace offering was the only sacrifice of which the Israelite could eat the meat offered to God. Eating the meat offered to God as a symbol of the relationship between God and the people restored or strengthened. People who offered the fellowship offering can now feast with God. They can now expect a special favor from God. That is exactly what Jesus has done for us. Apostle Paul clearly saw Jesus as such ultimate fellowship and peace offering. He says, “ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near (Ephesians 2:14-17)”. By presenting Himself as a fellowship and peace offering to God, Jesus brought peace and fellowship[ between God and us. As all humanity becomes reconciled to God through Christ, we gain peace with other people too. Yes, the cross of Christ is the very symbol of the reconciliation of vertical relationship with God and the horizontal relationship with other people. Jesus now calls us to follow His footstep by becoming a peace offering where we live. We should endeavor to live peacefully with God and man. We should endeavor to bring peace wherever we go. Are you such a channel of God's peace?

‘If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect.

Leviticus 3:1-2

3 “‘If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect. 2 You are to lay your hand on the head of your offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash the blood against the sides of the altar.


   Today’s title is  “The Peace Offering 

All old testament sacrifices point to Christ although they vary greatly in motivations and purposes.   But the fellowship offering seems to be the best reflection of what Jesus has done.   Fellowship offering or peace offering is an offering that emphasizes the close communion between God and His people.  Such emphasis on communion between God and people is demonstrated that people could eat the f

The Peace Offering (Leviticus 3:1-2) Mission Blessings

It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 
 
Leviticus 1:7-9 
 
7 The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. 9 You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. 
 Today’s title is “An Aroma Pleasing To The Lord” 
 
 There are basically five types of sacrifices recorded in the book of Leviticus. They are burnt offerings, grain offerings, Sin-offering, Guilt offering. and fellowship offering. Each of these offerings has its own purpose. But the most general offering is a burnt offering. In a way, it represents the most essential characteristics of all offerings. Today’s passage shows the essential features of the burnt offering. We can almost envision each step of the burnt offering. At the start, The priest lights the fire on the altar. He arranges wood above the fire. The fire began to spread to the wood. While the priest is preparing the fire, other priests or Levites prepare the animal to be sacrificed. The animal should be ritually clean without any defects. The animal was then slaughtered. The blood from the animal is carefully collected by a priest and sprinkled on the outside corners of the altar. Then Aaron’s sons arrange the pieces of the slaughtered animal over the burning fire. The fire of the woods keeps burning all the pieces of the meat until they turn into ashes. As the meats are being burnt to ashes, the smoke soars from the altar to the sky. There also arose the aroma from the burning sacrifice. What would you feel if you are present at the sacrifice scene? I imagine I would feel sad and shock more than anything else. The poor sacrificed animal represents us. We were supposed to go through the harrowing agony that the poor animal went through. I wonder how the priest went over the grim rituals day after day. Thank God Jesus replaced it with His own sacrifice once and for all. He gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesian 5:2). He pleased God with the sweet aroma. Through Him, we are reconciled to God once and for all. Hallelujah! In fact, all the animal sacrifices were merely pointing to the need for one great sacrifice that would remove such repeated rituals once and for all. Jesus did it. We just live with Him and in Him. How about you? Are you remaining in Jesus trusting in His great sacrifice? Then your life must be a sweet aroma to God. Amen!

It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

Leviticus 1:7-9

7 The sons of Aaron the priest are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, including the head and the fat, on the wood that is burning on the altar. 9 You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.
  Today’s title is “An Aroma Pleasing To The Lord”

           There are basically five types of sacrifices recorded in the book of Leviticus.  They are burnt offerings, grain offerings, Sin-offering,  Guilt offering.  and fellowship offering.    Each of these offerings has its own purpose.  But the most general offering is a burnt offering.   In a way, it represents the most essential characteristics of all offerings.   Today’s passage shows the essential features of the burnt offering.  We can al

An Aroma Pleasing To The Lord (Leviticus 1:7-9) Mission Blessings

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. 
 
Psalm 104:24-30. 
 
24 How many are your works, Lord! 
 In wisdom you made them all; 
 the earth is full of your creatures. 
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, 
 teeming with creatures beyond number— 
 living things both large and small. 
26 There the ships go to and fro, 
 and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 
27 All creatures look to you 
 to give them their food at the proper time. 
28 When you give it to them, 
 they gather it up; 
when you open your hand, 
 they are satisfied with good things. 
29 When you hide your face, 
 they are terrified; 
when you take away their breath, 
 they die and return to the dust. 
30 When you send your Spirit, 
 they are created, 
 and you renew the face of the ground. 
 
 Today’s title is “We All Look To You” 
 
 We all work hard to make our own living. That’s great. The Bible views human labor as necessary and good. It even says, “If you don’t want to work, then don’t eat either.” So we have to work to be worthy of eating and living. But we should bear in mind that the hard work in itself does not guarantee our livelihood. Labor is only a part of the process of gaining our livelihood. As a matter of fact, many people are willing to work hard, but they don’t have opportunities to do that. What I am saying is that our livelihood fundamentally comes from God although we have to do our parts in it. In short, without God’s work for us, our work can’t produce anything. We get not only our life from God but also our livelihood. Versed 27-28 sum up God’s provision for us so beautifully. “ All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Certainly we humans are one of all creatures that look to God for food at the proper time. Unless God opens His hand for us, our work avails nothing. But when He gives it to us, we can gather it up. On the other hand, when God hides His face from us, we are terrified. We see one of the great biblical examples in the Lord’s miracle of feeding five thousand in the wilderness. Jesus knew that the crowd was hungry at the time. Disciple told Him that there was nothing much they could do. But the Lord was resolute to provide for their needs. Disciples brought the two fishes and five loaves of bread. That wasn’t really much for the crowd of five thousand. But He provides more than enough for the crowd out of it. I believe the miracle of feeding five thousand shows the compassionate heart of God. He knows our deep spiritual and physical needs more than anyone else including ourselves. He is eager to provide for us. He is more than able to do it in any circumstance. The two fishes and five loaves of bread only signify our trust in Him. He does it all. Not only He provides for us but He also sustains our life by His breath. He renews our life by His Spirit. I am so glad that I am in His hands in life and in death. I trust to Him all that I am. How about you? Are you in His loving and faithful hands? 
Are you looking to Him for spiritual and physical food?

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.

Psalm 104:24-30.  

24 How many are your works, Lord!
    In wisdom you made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,
    teeming with creatures beyond number—
    living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro,
    and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
27 All creatures look to you
    to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
    they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
    they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
    they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
    they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
    they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

    Today’s title is   “We All Look To You”

        We all work hard to make our own living.  That’s great.   The Bible views human labor as necessary and good.  It even says,  “I

We All Look To You  (Psalm 104:24-30)  Missiopn Blessings

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 
 
Psalm 103:8-14. 
 
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, 
 slow to anger, abounding in love. 
9 He will not always accuse, 
 nor will he harbor his anger forever; 
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve 
 or repay us according to our iniquities. 
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 
 so great is his love for those who fear him; 
12 as far as the east is from the west, 
 so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 
13 As a father has compassion on his children, 
 so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 
14 for he knows how we are formed, 
 he remembers that we are dust. 
 
 Today’s title is “compassionate and Gracious” 
 
 We are often hurt by people. We are hurt by people’s hatred and anger toward us. We are hurt by people’s rejection and disregard for us. But we are not only hurt by other people. We hurt people too. Whom do you think you hurt most? We hurt someone who loves us most. It may sound paradoxical. But it is true. We are hurt most by someone we love most. We hurt someone who loves us most. So who is that someone whom you hurt most? Sadly, I hurt many people who loved me dearly such as families, friends, and co-workers. But the person that I hurt most is God I believe. I have rejected Him when He kept calling me. I have betrayed Him so much even after I was saved by Him. I have disappointed Him countlessly for lack of faith and trust in Him. Humanly speaking, I can’t face Him for shame and fear. But I still hold onto Him because I know who He is and how He is. He is God who stretches His righteous arms toward sinners and embraces those who rejected Him. Today’s psalm shows such compassionate hearts of God beautifully. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. What a beautiful description of God’s compassionate heart! That’s how our God is. That’s how we could go back to Him again and again shamelessly despite so many sins. He does not reject those who rejected Him. He does not betray those who betrayed Him. This psalm shows us the reason clearly. “ As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” I don’t know about you. But I am often terrified at my own sins. I am also terrified at the sins of people that I love dearly. I shudder and think “How can we face God again and ask for His forgiveness and grace?” Every time we feel such shame and fear, this passage echoes in my soul. He knows that we sinners have no other places to go even when we sinned. The Father God who knows us is already waiting for us with open arms. He indeed is the Father of all prodigals. Are you one of those prodigals? Then this God is your Father. Amen!

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103:8-14.  

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
     he remembers that we are dust.

   Today’s title is     “compassionate and Gracious” 
   
        We are often hurt by people.  We are hurt by people’s hatred and anger toward us. We are hurt by people’s rejection and disregard for us.  But we are not only hurt by other people.  We hurt people too.  Whom do you think you hurt mos

Compassionate and Gracious (Psalm 103:8-14)  Mission Blessings

wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. 
 
Psalm 104:10-17. 
 
10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; 
 it flows between the mountains. 
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; 
 the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; 
 they sing among the branches. 
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; 
 the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work. 
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, 
 and plants for people to cultivate— 
 bringing forth food from the earth: 
15 wine that gladdens human hearts, 
 oil to make their faces shine, 
 and bread that sustains their hearts. 
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered, 
 the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. 
17 There the birds make their nests; 
 the stork has its home in the junipers. 
 
 Today’s title is “Hearts Gladdening Faces Shining” 
 
 
 What a beautiful passage! As I read the passage, I feel like I am looking at beautiful nature pictures that make our hearts so peaceful. There is nothing spectacular in these scenes. Every scene is so intimate to us. It’s something that we see every day. But somehow each scene of nature warms our hearts and refreshes our minds and souls. Why is it so? I think we feel at home with these pictures because they show our earth's home. We are well acquainted with all the things that are pictured here. They are great companions of our life. All the natures depicted in the psalm are full of life with an abundant supply of water. Nothing lacks in anything. They are all sufficiently fed and quenched. Each of the creatures has secure homes at appropriate places. Like all other creatures, human hearts are also gladdened. Their faces are shining. “What a blessed life!”, you may whisper. But this is nothing but the ordinary life of all the creatures including us humans here on earth. Earth was as good as heaven when God created heaven and earth in the beginning. Today’s psalm simply shows us the pristine flow of life and grace in nature as God created. But what makes these scenes really happy and blessed in the presence of God in the flow of life. All these flows and cycles of life start from God. Life began to tumble down to all the creatures when God makes springs pour water into ravines. He waters the mountains from His upper chambers. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth. Why can’t we fully enjoy the blessed flow of life? Why isn’t our life as picturesque as this? The answer is obvious. We cut God out of this picture. And we tried to replace God’s place with something else. We even attempted to put ourselves in God’s place. That completely screwed the beautiful picture of pristine blessings and beauty. We got to bring God back to the picture. And we can. The Son of God came to reconcile us to God. Through the Son, we bring back God to the real pictures of our life. It will be full of life and full of joy again. We will see God making springs pour water into the ravines of our life. We will be flowing in the currents of life with every other creature harmoniously again. Did you get a picturesque life like this? Come to Jesus. He will restore the untainted blessings for you.

wine that gladdens human hearts,  oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.

Psalm 104:10-17.   

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
    it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field;
    the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters;
    they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
    the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,
    and plants for people to cultivate—
    bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens human hearts,
    oil to make their faces shine,
    and bread that sustains their hearts.
16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,
    the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
    the stork has its home in the junipers.

 Today’s title is   “Hearts Gladdening Faces Shining”


        What a beautiful passage!   As I read the passage, 

Hearts Gladdening Faces Shining (Psalm 104:10-17)  Mission Blessings

Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. 
2 Do not hide your face from me 
ewhen n I am in distress. 
 
Psalm 102:1-7, 17-18 
 
A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord. 
 
1 Hear my prayer, Lord; 
 let my cry for help come to you. 
2 Do not hide your face from me 
 when I am in distress. 
Turn your ear to me; 
 when I call, answer me quickly. 
 
3 For my days vanish like smoke; 
 my bones burn like glowing embers. 
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; 
 I forget to eat my food. 
5 In my distress I groan aloud 
 and am reduced to skin and bones. 
6 I am like a desert owl, 
 like an owl among the ruins. 
7 I lie awake; I have become 
 like a bird alone on a roof. 
 
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; 
 he will not despise their plea. 
18 Let this be written for a future generation, 
 that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Honest To God” 
 
 
 
 
 One thing that I like most about the bible is its honesty. Bible depicts everything as it is. It depicts God as He is. It also shows man as he is. Therefore, we know God and man most accurately through the bible. Bible also shows a very candid picture of the interaction between God and man. The biblical relationship between God and man is most straightforward and honest. A true man of God knows that God sees our hearts. No true believer dares to hide or cover up anything before God. On the other hand, God accepts every man as they are without any judgment or prejudice. WE are often marveled at the brutal honesty in the interactions between God and man. Today’s psalm is a good example of how honest and truthful man can be before God. This psalm has an unusually long title for the psalm. It says that this is a prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord. All the readers of the Bible instantly identify the psalm with themselves as they read the title. Who would have not been afflicted and has grown weak? Who would not want at times to pour out a lament before God? We all do. Then how do lay down what’s in our hearts before God? We see a good example of leveling with God in this psalm. Our interaction with the Lord must be personal and direct. We address God directly without any intervention in between. We see such examples of direct address in verses 1-2. It says, “Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. The psalmist also honestly details the trouble that he is facing to God. He reports to God what exactly he is going through inside and out. How could he do this? The answer is clear. He was confidently sure that God listens to all his plea and prayers and respond. Obviously, this was not the first time that he went through such troubles. Whenever he poured out his hearts before in this way, God responded. Whenever we pour our hearts into the future, he is sure that God will respond too. God was not only able but also available. What do you want to pour out to God? You just open up your hearts and pour them out before God. Do it honestly and confidently. He will not despise your plea. Amen!

Hear my prayer, Lord;    let my cry for help come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me
ewhen n I am in distress.

Psalm 102:1-7, 17-18

A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.

1 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    let my cry for help come to you.
2 Do not hide your face from me
    when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
    when I call, answer me quickly.

3 For my days vanish like smoke;
    my bones burn like glowing embers.
4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
    I forget to eat my food.
5 In my distress I groan aloud
    and am reduced to skin and bones.
6 I am like a desert owl,
    like an owl among the ruins.
7 I lie awake; I have become
    like a bird alone on a roof.

17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
    he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation,
    that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:


   Today’s title is  “Honest To God”




    One thing that

Honest To God (Psalm 102:1-7, 17-18) Mission Blessings

Psalm 101:2-7 “ 
 
 
 
2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life— 
 when will you come to me? 
 
I will conduct the affairs of my house 
 with a blameless heart. 
3 I will not look with approval 
 on anything that is vile. 
 
I hate what faithless people do; 
 I will have no part in it. 
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me; 
 I will have nothing to do with what is evil. 
 
5 Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, 
 I will put to silence; 
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, 
 I will not tolerate. 
 
6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, 
 that they may dwell with me; 
the one whose walk is blameless 
 will minister to me. 
 
7 No one who practices deceit 
 will dwell in my house; 
no one who speaks falsely 
 will stand in my presence. 
 
 Today’s title is “I will Lead A Blameless Life” 
 
 Jesus set us free from the law and work. We are saved not by the satisfaction of the law but by grace. That really is good news for all of us. But Jesus also said that He didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He hated the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. But He also said that if our righteousness is not better than that of Pharisees, we are not fit for heaven. It is for sure that Christians are not saved by fulfilling the law. However, Christians have a higher standard of morality. Saved by grace, we want to glorify the Lord who sacrificed His life for us. How then shall we live? Today’s psalm shows a beautiful picture of a believer’s life who seeks to honor and glorify God in every aspect of life. He is taking great pains to lead a blameless life. He tries to guard his mind pure and humble before God. He conducts the affairs of his house with a blameless heart. He painstakingly sides with the faithful and honest while he shuns those who have haughty eyes and a proud heart. He tries to shun any evil whatsoever. He is being perfect in and out, up and down. Indeed this man seems to have a much higher moral standard than any Pharisees. But if such righteous work is not for our salvation, why is he living in so painstakingly righteous manner? We see a hint of the answer in verse 2 when he says, “When will you come?” The psalmist tries to live a righteous life not to earn his own salvation but to become worthy of the presence of God. Jesus certainly searched for and called sinners. He forgives their sins no matter how heinous it was. But Jesus never wanted the sinner to remain as they are. He took them and train them to be more like Himself. All disciples need to grow more and more Christlike in words and deeds. Their relationship with God and man also need to be Christlike more and more. Of course, we might never become perfect while we are on earth. But such efforts to become better suited for God’s presence certainly is pleasing to the Lord. When the Lord is pleased with our attitudes and efforts, He surely will increase His presence in our life. Amen!

Psalm 101:2-7      “ 



2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
    when will you come to me?

I will conduct the affairs of my house
    with a blameless heart.
3 I will not look with approval
    on anything that is vile.

I hate what faithless people do;
    I will have no part in it.
4 The perverse of heart shall be far from me;
    I will have nothing to do with what is evil.

5 Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret,
    I will put to silence;
whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart,
    I will not tolerate.

6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land,
    that they may dwell with me;
the one whose walk is blameless
    will minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit
    will dwell in my house;
no one who speaks falsely
    will stand in my presence.

         Today’s title is    “I will Lead A Blameless Life”

       Jesus set us free from the law and work.   We are saved not by the satisfaction of the law but by grace. That really is good news for all of us.

I WIll Lead A Blameless Life (Psalm 101:2-7  ) Mission Blessings

Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 
 
Psalm 108:1-6 
 
 
1 My heart, O God, is steadfast; 
 I will sing and make music with all my soul. 
2 Awake, harp and lyre! 
 I will awaken the dawn. 
3 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; 
 I will sing of you among the peoples. 
4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens; 
 your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 
 let your glory be over all the earth. 
6 Save us and help us with your right hand, 
 that those you love may be delivered. 
 
 
 Today’s title is “I Will Awaken the Dawn” 
 
 
 When we are deeply in love with someone, we can take off the person from our mind. Day and night, we think about the person. All of our senses are focused on him or her. We seem to care nothing else. We may look strange to other people. But it’s ok. When we go through passionate love as such, our hearts are overflowing with songs. That’s why a good portion of all songs in the world are love songs. People show similar symptoms when they find the love of God. As soon as they found the great love of God, all of the spiritual and physical senses come alive. They get filled with joy. They feel freedom like never before. More than anything else, they want to praise God all the time. They can’t sit standstill even when the whole world is quiet and still. They awaken the dawn with praises for God. They can’t hold their tongue from praising God and His love whenever they are with people. They praise God among the nations and among the people. Have you ever felt such passionate love for God? Have you felt such uncontrollable praises in your heart? I believe everyone that found the love of God has. Even though you don’t have a voice, you would still want to praise God. As a matter of fact, I remember having seen the choir of deaf and mute giving praises to God in worship. But we often face real-life situations where it seems so hard to praise God. We might have some serious family problems. Our businesses may be in deep trouble. Our health may get deteriorated suddenly. Can we still praise at such a time? The author of this psalm seems to be facing such darkness that could possibly drive the passion for God out of his heart. But he makes up his mind not to give in, making his heart steadfast before God. We all face the same reality in our daily life. There are so many things that discourage us from giving God praises. We constantly have small and big worries. How can we make our hearts steadfast before God? We see the answers in this psalm. Remember God’s love and His faithfulness. However tough the situation is, God will help us overcome it. God, In His love and faithfulness, will not fail us. He will save us as He has done it so many times before. How dark is your life? What discourages you from giving praises to God, if any? Make your hearts steadfast and keep praising God. Awaken the dawn! You will be soon delivered by His right hand and see the bright morning. Amen!

Awake, harp and lyre!    I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 108:1-6


1 My heart, O God, is steadfast;
    I will sing and make music with all my soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre!
    I will awaken the dawn.
3 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.
6 Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.


                        Today’s title is      “I Will Awaken the Dawn”

       
       When we are deeply in love with someone,  we can take off the person from our mind.  Day and night,  we think about the person.  All of our senses are focused on him or her.  We seem to care nothing else.  We may look strange to other people.  But it’s ok.  When we go through passionate love as such,  our hearts are overflowing with songs.  That’s why a good

I Will Awaken The Dawn (Psalm 108:1-6) Mission Blessings

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 
 
Psalm 107:21-30 
 
 
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love 
 and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings 
 and tell of his works with songs of joy. 
 
23 Some went out on the sea in ships; 
 they were merchants on the mighty waters. 
24 They saw the works of the Lord, 
 his wonderful deeds in the deep. 
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest 
 that lifted high the waves. 
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; 
 in their peril their courage melted away. 
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards; 
 they were at their wits’ end. 
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, 
 and he brought them out of their distress. 
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; 
 the waves of the sea were hushed. 
30 They were glad when it grew calm, 
 and he guided them to their desired haven. 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Thank God at the Sea of Storm” 
 
 
 
 One of the major differences between Christianity and other religions lies in the role of thanksgiving. For most religions, people are obligated to satisfy what their gods require to earn the favor of their gods. But in Christianity, God first gives salvation and other favors to the people who fundamentally do not deserve God’s favor. God doesn’t require anything in return from people. But He expects them to have a thankful heart and love for God. Apostle Paul said that It is the will of God for us in Christ to be thankful in all circumstances. Today’s psalm also has the theme of thanksgiving. It starts with a similar statement to that of Apostle Paul. Verse 21-22 says, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.” But it goes on to show a dramatic example of God’s salvation for which we should be thankful. It shows what happened to some merchants who went out on the sea in ships. The ship must have sailed out in fine weather. Everybody on the ship expected a safe voyage. We can picture in mind all the people aboard as confident and happy. Then all of a sudden, a tempest stormed the ship. As the tempest rages and roars, the ship mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths in their peril. Their courage melted away. This may sound so dramatic. But a friend of mine who went through a tempest on the sea told me that this is exactly what he went through at sea. My friend said they Indeed reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Here we see merchants became totally powerless before the powerful storm. There is nothing they can do but to cry out to God. What do you think? Did you ever go through a storm like this? I am sure we all did one way or other. This sea-faring experience may look dramatic. But I believe this sudden stormy scene realistically depicts our life which we often describe as the sea of agony. In the sea of life, the exact same storm either lurks beneath us or hits us. 
If it is quiet and peaceful, it is God’s grace. If it rages and roars suddenly, there is nothing we can do but cry out to God. But thank God! When we cry out to God, He stills the storm to a whisper. The waves of the sea will be hushed. He guides us to the haven that we desired. Isn’t this amazing? 
 Yes, it is awesome. So what can you do to such an awesome God and amazing salvation? Indeed, nothing but to give thanks and tell of His great works. How is your life going at the sea of storms? How thankful are you for God who holds it down or stills it?

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

Psalm 107:21-30


21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings
    and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.


               Today’s ti

Thank God At The Sea of Storm (Psalm 107:21-30) Mission Blessings

And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 
 
Matthew 12:22-28 
 
22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” 
 
24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” 
 
25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 
 
 
 Today’s title is “God or Beelzebul” 
 
 Do you believe that there is a demon? Have you ever seen it? I personally haven’t seen it. But I believe that there is a demon. Bible shows the demon in several places. As a matter of fact, we don’t know demons by seeing it with our physical eyes for it is a spiritual being. Being spiritual like God, demons sometimes deceive people as if they are truly God. Unfortunately, some have fallen to the deception of demons. However, it is not so difficult to tell a demon from God. God and demons are totally opposite in what they do. God is good in all He does. The demon is evil in all that it does. We can easily tell who’s who by their fruits. God always bears good fruits. Demon bears evil fruits. It doesn’t have to be so confusing unless he or she is under the power of a demon. In today’s passage, Jesus healed a man who became blind and mute by the demon. We saw what happened to demons when they encountered Jesus. Demons were always terrified by the presence of Jesus. Demons knew who Jesus was. They knew His power and authority better than any humans. The demons that were oppressing the blind and mute man must have hurriedly took off from the man at the sight of Jesus. The man was instantly able to see and hear. With the miraculous healing, people came to sense the power of God in Jesus. But the Pharisees accused that Jesus was Beelzebul, the king of demons. If only they have looked at the fruits of the work of the Lord, they wouldn’t have said that. Demon destroyed the man’s life by making him blind and mute. Jesus restored it by the divine power and authority. But They said that such a miracle of driving out demons can only be done by Beelzebul, the king of demons. Obviously, this was the total distortion of the fact. In fact, the miracle was a demonstration of the power and authority of God against the power of the devil. It was also proof that the kingdom of God that prevails against all evil is now here. The kingdom of God that had come with the Lord Jesus is still at work in our time. Have you ever experienced it? I am sure many of you have. Maybe some of you even had encountered demonic assault. Where do you go for the healing? Will you go for Beelzebul for healing and restoration of your life? Of course not! Adding evil upon another evil, that’s all Beelzebul does. It will only intensify the agony. When you run into demons, don’t go to Beelzebul but to Jesus only. The demons will flee or flounder at the mere sight of Jesus. If you keep the presence of the Lord Jesus daily, demons or Beelzebul will never get closer to you. You will be safe from all evils. Are you walking daily with this Lord?

And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 

Matthew 12:22-28

22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.


     Today’s title is  “God or Beelzeb

God Or Beelzebul (Matthew 12:22-28) Mission Blessings

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 
 
Matthew 11:2-6 
 
 
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 
 
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” 
 
 Today’s title is “Should we expect someone else?” 
 
 
 Have you ever been disappointed at someone you dearly loved before? The answer will be loud yes. We all experience countless disappointments at people we loved and adored. Throughout the history of Israel, Israelites have longed for the Messiah. Occasionally a man appeared who was refuted to fit to the profile of Messiah. People got excited and followed him in great expectation. But most of the time they become disappointed. Finally, the Son of God came at the appointed time. This time, it was the real Messiah. John the Baptist knew it more than anybody else. He was the one who prepared the way for the Lord. He led people to the Lord saying “ Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” He baptized the Lord and heard the voice of God from heaven that said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” So we all are puzzled when John the Baptist who was in prison asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” What is he saying? Has something gone wrong between him and the Lord? Did Jesus disappoint John the Baptist in some ways? It doesn’t seem so. Jesus wasn’t changed a bit since He was baptized by John. He has been working exactly as the prophets had prophesied. Isaiah prophesied what will happen when the Messiah comes. He said “Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:5-6)”. Jesus simply said to the disciples of John the Baptist, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:”. There was nothing disappointing about Jesus. Instead, we get a bit disappointed at John the Baptist. After all the works of preparations for the Lord, and after all the convincing testimonies, why did he ask such a question? We would never know what was on John’s mind. In fact, Jesus never rebuked John the Baptist for asking such a question. He in fact reaffirmed the role of John the Baptist for the kingdom of God. He took compassion on the suffering that John was going through. But Jesus proclaims that the era of disappointment and disbelief is now over. Now is the time to see and believe. I believe John the Baptist was ultimately relieved at Jesus’ answer. Jesus was indeed what he thought He was. I personally share John’s final conviction. Jesus wasn’t disappointing at all in my whole life. How about you? Do you ever expect someone other than Jesus? You don’t need to. Just see what He is doing in your life. He is surely your Lord and Messiah! Amen!

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples  to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Matthew 11:2-6


2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[b] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

  Today’s title is   “Should we expect someone else?”


        Have you ever been disappointed at someone you dearly loved before?   The answer will be loud yes.   We all experience countless disappointments at people we loved and adored.   Throughout the history of Israel, Israelites have longed for the Messiah.   Occasionally a man appeare

Should We Expect Someone Else (Matthew 11:2-6)  Mission Blessings

Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” 
 
Psalm 94:16-19 
 
 
16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked? 
 Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? 
17 Unless the Lord had given me help, 
 I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. 
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” 
 your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. 
19 When anxiety was great within me, 
 your consolation brought me joy. 
 
 Today’s title is “My Rescue Story” 
 
 
 
 Have you ever been surrounded by angry mobs who violently confront you? How did you get out of them? Was there anyone that rose for you there? If the answer is yes, you are extremely lucky. There are not many such courageous people as to stand against the angry mob. We can’t blame people for such cowardly acts, for we often act in the same way. We seldom rose for anyone cornered by mobs. Luckily not many of us go through such mob activity in a country where law and order stand strong. But it‘s different in spiritual life. We encounter many spiritual gangsters in our life. We don’t necessarily see them. But we feel constantly harassed by them. Sometimes they push us to the edge of a cliff. One step further, we will fling over a cliff. What can we do? I believe the author of today’s passage is exactly going through the same experience. Somehow he is caught by the wicked mob. They keep coming at him with murderous intentions. His feet are now barely holding the edge of a cliff. It’s beginning to slip over the edge. No help is in sight. Not even a shadow of a man is seen. What can he do? He cried out to God. The Lord came to his rescue! The mobs were instantly crushed. God held him in arms gently patting his back and saying “Take heart! I am here for you.” What a rescue story! Have you ever been rescued like this? I believe every believer has a similar rescue story. The woman who was caught in adultery went through exactly the same harrowing experience. The angry mob was about to stone her to death. Unless Jesus dispersed the angry mob, she would have dwelt in the silence of death. We all go through these rescue experiences though the details may vary on each person. I personally have multiple rescue stories. Most of us do. Praise the Lord for His rescue stories for us. But don’t take off your spiritual guards yet. Most of us might encounter the angry spiritual monsters again in the future in one way or another. Are you scared? You don’t need to. Only if you have the Lord who watches over you and come to defend you with unfailing love. It will just be another rescue story. Amen!

Unless the Lord had given me help,    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”

Psalm  94:16-19   


16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
    Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the Lord had given me help,
    I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
18 When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
19 When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.

                    Today’s title is     “My Rescue Story”



         Have you ever been surrounded by angry mobs who violently confront you?  How did you get out of them?   Was there anyone that rose for you there?  If the answer is yes, you are extremely lucky.  There are not many such courageous people as to stand against the angry mob.  We can’t blame people for such cowardly acts, for we often act in the same way.  We seldom rose for anyone cornered by mobs. Luckily not many of us go through 

My Rescue Story (Psalm  94:16-19)  Mission Blessings

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 
 
Psalm 92:12-15 
 
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, 
 they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 
13 planted in the house of the Lord, 
 they will flourish in the courts of our God. 
14 They will still bear fruit in old age, 
 they will stay fresh and green, 
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; 
 he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Stay Fresh and Green Forever” 
 
 People get old. It’s a fact of life. But people don’t like it. People want to stay young. They get frustrated when they find out that they are getting old. I believe that the efforts to stay young isn’t necessarily bad. It could mean staying healthy and energetic even at old age. But if anyone just tries to avoid the reality of getting old, he is a fool. The bible tells us to be fully aware of the imminent reality of life such as getting old. But it shows a very different view of old age from the worldly view. The worldly view of old age is fundamentally negative and pessimistic. It views getting older as getting weaker and getting closer to death. The bible doesn’t deny that there are such sobering things in becoming older. But the Bible shows that there are much greater positive things in becoming old. Most of the biblical characters become far more wise and mature as they get old. They generally become godlier and have greater intimacy with God. That is exactly why Apostle Paul says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). We see the same encouraging blessings of God for aged people in today’s psalm. Today’s psalm shows the beautiful and fruitful life of old age for those who are planted in the house of the Lord. They will stay fresh and green. They will grow like a palm tree and like a cedar of Lebanon. They will still bear fruits. They will flourish in the courts of God. What a beautiful picture of old age! Whoever reads this psalm seriously wishes to be old like this. I have seen enough of sad and painful pictures of old ages in the world. But here is a totally different way of getting older by the grace of God. Why would anyone shun away from old age if this is what God has in store for us? How old are you? Are you already afraid of getting older? You don’t have to as long as you are planted in God’s house. How can you be planted in God’s house? Jesus gave us a clear and simple answer. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me!” Isn’t this good news for an old man as well as a young man who will become old in their time?

They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

Psalm 92:12-15

12   The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”


                         Today’s title is   “Stay Fresh and Green Forever”

   People get old.  It’s a fact of life.  But people don’t like it.   People want to stay young.   They get frustrated when they find out that they are getting old.   I believe that the efforts to stay young isn’t necessarily bad.  It could mean staying healthy and energetic even at old age.   But if anyone just tries to avoid the reality of getting old,  he is a fool.   The bible tells us to be fully aware of the imminent reality of life such as getting old.  But it shows a ve

Stay Fresh and Green Forever (Psalm 92:12-15) MIssion Blessings

Psalm 86:3-7. 
 
 
3 have mercy on me, Lord, 
 for I call to you all day long. 
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, 
 for I put my trust in you. 
 
5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, 
 abounding in love to all who call to you. 
6 Hear my prayer, Lord; 
 listen to my cry for mercy. 
7 When I am in distress, I call to you, 
 because you answer me. 
 
 Today’s title is “When I call you. You answer me.” 
 
 
 Do you have someone you can call anytime you want? If your answer is “yes”, you are really lucky. Not many people have such a person. Most people are busy even in taking care of their own affairs. They can't help others. There are some people who really have a genuine love for us. They are willing to do for us whatever it takes. Parents will do anything for their own children. Some friends willingly sacrifice for us. That's good. But knowing their loving hearts and willingness to help, do you call them anytime you want? Most of the time, you don’t. Why? You know enough that it can be a burden or a hassle for them if you do. If you love and care for them, you don’t want them to suffer because of you. So what do you do when you need someone desperately? If you are like me, you need that someone every day'. The answer is found in today’s psalm. Call the Lord anytime. He will answer you. The author of today’s psalm is obviously a man of prayer. He calls God all day long in times of crisis. He can boldly do so because he has confidence that God will answer to his cry. He cried out to God when he was surrounded by the enemy. God came to rescue and snatched him out of the hand of the enemy. He cried out for forgiveness when he committed sins big and small. Most of the time, God swiftly brings forgiveness. God abounds in love to all who call you. He is not bothered by ceaseless calls and prayers at all. In fact, He wants us to pray ceaselessly. Do you know that You have the wonderful Lord who answers when you call? I do. I think I know what the psalmist says from my own experience. I call God day and night. I ask His mercy ceaselessly. I cried out to God to save me from powerful enemies. He answered all my cries. I don’t think that this is only my experience. Whoever calls Gid will experience the same wonder of God’s answer. God still answers when you call. Try Him if you haven’t yet. You will see what the Psalmist talks about. There is really someone you can call anytime anywhere. Amen.

Psalm 86:3-7.   


3 have mercy on me, Lord,
    for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
    for I put my trust in you.

5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
    abounding in love to all who call to you.
6 Hear my prayer, Lord;
    listen to my cry for mercy.
7 When I am in distress, I call to you,
    because you answer me.

     Today’s title is   “When I call you.  You answer me.”
     

  Do you have someone you can call anytime you want?   If your answer is “yes”,  you are really lucky.   Not many people have such a person.  Most people are busy even in taking care of their own affairs.    They can't help others.   There are some people who really have a genuine love for us.  They are willing to do for us whatever it takes.  Parents will do anything for their own children.  Some friends willingly sacrifice for us.   That's good.  But knowing their loving hearts and willingness to help,  do you call them anytime you want? Most of the time, you don’t.     

When I Call You, You Answere me (Psalm 86:3-7) Mission Blessings

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 
 
Psalm 89:15-18 
 
15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, 
 who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. 
16 They rejoice in your name all day long; 
 they celebrate your righteousness. 
17 For you are their glory and strength, 
 and by your favor you exalt our horn. 
18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, 
 our king to the Holy One of Israel. 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Praises that Bring Blessings” 
 
 God created man to proclaim His praise. Isaiah 43:21 shows God’s original intent clearly. It says “the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” We are created to praise God and His glory. It is one of the grand purposes of God for man. That’s probably why people everywhere make and play songs beautifully without any musical training. Even new-born babies seem to respond quickly to songs than words. We enjoy making and playing songs to express and share a variety of human feelings and emotions with the innate musical abilities. But considering the original intent of God, the most appropriate use of such musical gifts is to praise God and His glory. God loves our praises. He gets glory and honor from such praises. At the same time, praising God brings back abundant blessings to us. Today’s psalm shows such blessings upon those who praise God. Verse 14 says, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you”. So we will be blessed when we praise God. But it is important to mark well that our praise must be flowing from the genuine faith and trust in the Lord. Praises that truly exalts God cannot be separated from faithful practices of godly life. The blessed souls who acclaim God are those who walk in the light of God’s presence. The light of God’s presence in turn makes them rejoice in God all day long. God fills their life with glory and strength. God shields them from the enemies. He exalts their horns. The blessed celebrate God’s righteousness and grace ceaselessly. This is the blessed cycle of praise and blessings. How earnestly are you praising God? How fervently are you celebrating His righteousness? As your genuine and fervent praise mounts for God, so will His blessings upon you. Amen!

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.

Psalm 89:15-18

15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
16 They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
17 For you are their glory and strength,
    and by your favor you exalt our horn.
18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.


       Today’s title is “Praises that Bring Blessings”

      God created man to proclaim His praise.   Isaiah 43:21 shows God’s original intent clearly.   It says “the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”    We are created to praise God and His glory.   It is one of the grand purposes of God for man.   That’s probably why people everywhere make and play songs beautifully without any musical training.   Even new-born babies seem to respond quickly to songs than words.  We enjoy making and playing songs

Praises Tha t Bring Blessings (Psalm 89:15-18)  Mission Blessings

How long will the enemy mock you, God? Will the foe revile your name forever? 
 
Psalm 74:10-17 
 
10 How long will the enemy mock you, God? 
 Will the foe revile your name forever? 
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? 
 Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them! 
 
12 But God is my King from long ago; 
 he brings salvation on the earth. 
 
13 It was you who split open the sea by your power; 
 you broke the heads of the monster in the waters. 
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan 
 and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert. 
15 It was you who opened up springs and streams; 
 you dried up the ever-flowing rivers. 
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; 
 you established the sun and moon. 
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; 
 you made both summer and winter. 
 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Remembering God in Times of Crisis” 
 
 Many non-believers often say cynically “ Where is your God? Why isn’t He doing anything when there is so much evil in this world? Is your God real?” Of course, they do not believe in God from the beginning. But indeed there are many times that even we believers couldn’t see God’s presence at all in our life. So many faithful believers cry out to God in the same way. We see a lot of outcries of the faithful in the book of psalms. Today’s psalm starts with the same outcry of a believer. The enemy is mocking God. But God seems silent. We see many occasions that the enemy of God mocks at God. Goliath of Philistine mocked God of Israel when he defeated soldiers of Israel. The Babylonians also mocked the God of Israel when they invaded Jerusalem. They destroyed and ransacked the temple of God. They ravaged the people of God mercilessly. But God seemed to remain silent. We encounter such silence of God rather frequently, don’t we? Not only the old faithful but we also face such challenging times. But very often the silence of God becomes the testing rod of true believers. Non-believers take the silence of God at the time of crisis as an excuse to deny God. Weak believers are greatly shaken in their faith. But true believers hold onto the truth of God that they have already experienced. Even at the time of God’s silence, they trust God and His promise. They are not swayed by their own feelings or judgment. They remember who God is and what they have done before. They remember God creating heaven and earth in the beginning. They remember God dividing the sea. They remember that God is the only king and savior of the world. We can add many more personal experiences of deliverances to these cosmic deliverances of God. God saved me when I was dying from sickness. God saved me when I fell into gross sin. He fed me and supplied me when I was utterly helpless. I can go on and on. I am sure you can too. In fact, there were many times that we were at the mercy of enemies but God came to our deliverance at such a time that we thought it was all over. So we stand strong in our faith even at the time enemy mocks us and our God. God’s silence is not God’s lack of care. He could be rather intensely watching over us without taking a breath. Then, in His time, He will come and make His power and wisdom known to us. Can we just persevere in faith until then?

How long will the enemy mock you, God?  Will the foe revile your name forever?

Psalm 74:10-17 

10 How long will the enemy mock you, God?
    Will the foe revile your name forever?
11 Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?
    Take it from the folds of your garment and destroy them!

12 But God is my King from long ago;
    he brings salvation on the earth.

13 It was you who split open the sea by your power;
    you broke the heads of the monster in the waters.
14 It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan
    and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.
15 It was you who opened up springs and streams;
    you dried up the ever-flowing rivers.
16 The day is yours, and yours also the night;
    you established the sun and moon.
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth;
    you made both summer and winter.



       Today’s title is “Remembering God in Times of Crisis”

       Many non-believers often say cynically  “ Where is your God?  Why isn’t  He d

Remembering God In Times of Crisis (Psalm 74:10-17 ) Mission Blessings

The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. 
 
 
Ezekiel 18:20-23 
 
 
20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. 
21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Today’s title is “No one shares Guilt” 
 
 
 Sin is the most critical issue of man. God abhors sin. Sinners must pay for what they have done. No sinner can escape from God’s punishment. God is sharpening His sword of righteousness against sinners. We have seen God bringing great judgment on sinners throughout the history of Israel. So should we fear God’s wrath on us too? I think we do to a certain extent. Certainly, fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. But we should never misunderstand God’s mind despite His fearsome judgment. What God really wants for us is to be saved and be blessed. He is willing to forgive heinous sinners if only they repent and turn to God again. He makes sure that not even one righteous man falls under judgment. He didn’t leave Lot and his daughters in Sodom and Gomora under judgment. He saved them from the fire and brimstone. God never punishes children for the sin of their parents or vice versa. Children of many vicious kings in the history of Israel were greatly blessed when they turned from the evils of their forefathers. One such example is King Hezekiah. He became one of the most righteous kings of Judah even though his father Ahaz was one of the evilest kings. Israel at the time of prophet Ezekiel was so evil that God decided to bring judgment on them. That was the background of today’s passage. But God says that the child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The point is that no righteous one will be punished for someone else’s sin. What is this act of God telling us to do? It tells us to keep our devotion to God even though it seems that everybody goes against God. It tells us to completely trust in the Lord when it seems that the whole world disregards the gospel of salvation. God know s that it is hard for us to go against the flow of time. But if we do, He will never lose sight of us. Are you in God’s watch?

The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. 


Ezekiel   18:20-23


20 The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
21 “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. 22 None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. 23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
       






   
                  Today’s title is “No one shares Guilt”   


 Sin is the 

No One Shares Guilt (Ezekiel   18:20-23) Mission Blessings

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 
 
Matthew 8:18-22 
 
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 
 
 
Today’s title is “Are you Ready to Follow Jesus?” 
 
 Following Jesus is a good proof of faith. To follow Jesus, the first disciples have to leave their works and even houses. It took a great commitment for them to follow Jesus. But it wasn’t a blind commitment. . They had sufficient reason to make such a commitment. They trusted and loved the Lord enough to make a lifetime commitment to follow Him wherever He goes. For them, it was an expression of faith and love for Jesus. So the early believers, before they were called Christians, were called simply as followers of Jesus. As Jesus kept preaching the gospel, a large crowd began to gather around Him at least for a short period. Many were deeply moved by the gospel and decided to follow Jesus. We see a few such examples in today’s passage. A teacher of the law wanted to follow Jesus. He says, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus says, Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” It seems that the teacher of the law did not insist on following Jesus anymore. Another disciple wanted to follow Jesus. But He wanted to go and bury his deceased father first. Jesus corrected his attitude. These two persons seem to be highly eager to follow Jesus. But Jesus didn’t accept them readily. What was wrong with them? The first person might have not known the hardships in following Jesus. Following Jesus is not without cost. Jesus told His disciples to deny themselves and take up their own cross to follow Him. The second person wasn’t fully aware of the urgency of following Jesus, unlike the early disciples. Jesus, of course, wants us to follow Him. He came to call us to follow Him all the way into His father’s house. But to follow Jesus truly, we have to follow Him wholeheartedly trusting Him in all. We do not follow Jesus with our own preferences or with our own priorities. Are you following Jesus? Jesus earnestly wants you to follow Him all the way to the heavenly home. But when we follow Jesus, we have to follow in His way, not in our way. Let us follow Jesus in His way step by step. He will take us through the cross, the empty grave, and to the Father’s house. We will be happy there forever that we followed Jesus. Amen!

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 

Matthew  8:18-22

18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”


Today’s title is “Are you Ready to Follow Jesus?”

                 Following Jesus is a good proof of faith.   To follow Jesus, the first disciples have to leave their works and even houses.  It took a great commitment for them to follow Jesus.  But it wasn’t a blind commitment.  .  They had sufficient reason to make such a commitment.  They trusted and loved the Lord enough to make a lifetime commitment to follow Him wherever He g

Are You Ready to Follow Jesus?  (Matthew  8:18-22) Mission Blessings

This is what the Lord says:“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 
 
 
Jeremiah 17:5-8 
 
 
5 This is what the Lord says: 
 
“Cursed is the one who trusts in man, 
 
 who draws strength from mere flesh 
 
 and whose heart turns away from the Lord. 
 
6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; 
 
 they will not see prosperity when it comes. 
 
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, 
 
 in a salt land where no one lives. 
 
7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, 
 
 whose confidence is in him. 
 
8 They 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.” 
 
 Today’s title is, “In God, We Trust” 
 
 America is fast becoming a non-Christian nation. A lot of Christian heritages that were passed down from the founding Fathers are getting lost. It’s been already quite a while that school prayer is banned at public schools. Now anything that could remind people of The Christian heritage of the nation is being forced out of public view. Even the traditional Christmas greetings such as “Merry Christmas!” is becoming rare. That is so sad not only as a Christian but also as a concerned citizen who takes great pride in the history of the nation. There’s only a few of that great American heritage that is left. One of the last vestiges of such heritage is the national motto “In God We Trust”. This phrase has been used as a national motto from the foundation of the nation without any objections. But recently some groups of people challenged to remove the phrase from public places including currencies on the pretext of religious fairness. They didn’t succeed so far. But they will keep trying. On the other hand, some southern state legislators including Florida initiated a law that suggests displaying the national motto in more prominent places. Florida recently made it a law. Mississippi followed. You can see that there is a serious spiritual battle going on between those who want to trust in God and others who want to trust in man. It is true that battle is uniquely strong in our own times. But the battle has been taking place everywhere in every era from the time of Cain and Abel. And that becomes the dividing line of the blessed and the cursed. Today’s passage clearly shows it. Why is it so? Why trusting in God is important? God tells why here. Trusting in God makes your life planted in the living water, for He is the living water that gives life and prosperity. Trusting in God makes us never wither even in times of heat, for God shadows over us with His gracious cloud and rains. Those who trust in God never fail to bear fruits. This is why America has continuously prospered for the last hundreds of years. This is why we should never let those who trust in man take away the great American heritage from us. We have to pass down the blessed heritage from generation to generation for God and for our children. Truly there is no better national and individual inheritance than "In God, We trust."

This is what the Lord says:“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.


Jeremiah 17:5-8


5 This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

    who draws strength from mere flesh

    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;

    they will not see prosperity when it comes.

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,

    in a salt land where no one lives.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

    whose confidence is in him.

8 They 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.”

     Today’s title is, “In God,  We Trust” 

        America is fast becoming a non-Christian nation.   A lot of Christian heritages that were passed down from t

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