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

MISSION BLESSINGS

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 
 
Acts 9:3-6 
 
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. 
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 
 
 Today’s title is “The Greatest Encounter” 
 
 Turning point! Every person needs a great turning point in his or her life. Without it, there's no hope for life because we are all heading toward death and destruction. What’s worse, the dismal end could come at any time. So it is urgent to have the turning point. Today's bible verse shows the greatest turning point of a man in Christian history. Through this turning point, the murderous Saul became the great Apostle Paul. With the transformation of one man Paul, the Christianity has been greatly energized. With the power of the Christendom energized and activated by the mission work of Apostle Paul and his co-workers , the history of the world was changed for the better once and for all. How did all the historical changes have been started? The answer is simple. It all started with Paul's encounter with the risen Lord. This not only is a historic event of Christendom but an everlasting model for all individuals who need the turning point. Even today, the Great Encounter of Damascus is happening all over the world. People’s lives are being turned around from darkness to light, from hopelessness to lasting hope, and from meaninglessness to meaningful life. Did you have one of such great encounters yourself? I am sure some of you had. But If not, you must have that personal encounter with Lord Jesus Christ urgently. Encounter Jesus wholeheartedly. He is ready to come upon you as He did for Apostle Paul. Just ask God and be ready. The true turning point and transformation of our life can only come through such a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus. It will turn around your life, your family, your future, and your eternity. Are you ready for the greatest encounter and the life-transforming turning point?

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Acts 9:3-6

3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

        Today’s title is   “The Greatest Encounter”

      Turning point! Every person needs a great turning point in his or her life. Without it, there's no hope for life because we are all heading toward death and destruction.   What’s worse, the dismal end could come at any time.   So it is urgent to have the turning point.  Today's bible verse shows the greatest turning point of a man in Christian history. Through this turning point, the murderous Saul became the great Apostle Paul. With the transformation of one man Paul, the Christianity 

The Greatest Ecounter   (Acts 9:3-6) Mission Blessings

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. 
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. 
 
 
Proverbs 10:18-22 
 
18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips 
and spreads slander is a fool. 
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, 
but the prudent hold their tongues. 
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, 
but the heart of the wicked is of little value. 
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many, 
but fools die for lack of sense. 
22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, 
without painful toil for it. 
 
Today’s title is “A Tongue That Brings Blessings” 
 
 
The book of Proverbs gives us much practical wisdom. The righteous use of the tongue is certainly the most prominent one of them. It is repeated throughout the book of the Proverbs. In fact, it is repeated throughout the Bible. The Bible highly emphasizes the importance of the right use of the tongue. Today's passage says that the tongue of the righteous is choice silver. In other places, it even says that life and death, and the blessings and curses all depend on our lips. So how should we use our tongue to receive life and blessings? I will summarize it in the three most important lessons. First, learn how to hold your tongue. Be quick to listen, but be very slow to speak. Do not rush to talk. Don't let your tongue say whatever and whenever it will. Hold your tongue as much as you can. This is the first and foremost instruction of the Bible regarding tongues. Today's passage warns against multiplying words and gossiping and spreading slanders. This is one of the consistent themes of the Bible. Secondly, use your tongues positively. Use it to encourage and bless others. Today's passage tells us to use your tongue to nourish many. Use it to praise God. Never use it the other way around. Your tongue can become the most polluted part of your body. It likes to curse, complain, and ridicule. You have to conscientiously restrain it to be used for edifying and godly purposes. Don't let it slip away as it will. It can bring disaster and destruction. Thirdly, use your tongue truthfully, but with humility. Be honest in all circumstances. But don't be proud of it. Stating the truth is good. But when you state it pridefully, you diminish the power of it or even draws a negative response. Bible says that the tongue is most wicked in our body. We all make many mistakes in our words. I am no exception. But with a few good uses of tongues, we can receive a lot of blessings too. I pray that all of us bring s lot more blessings by consistently using tongues wisely according to God's wisdom. May your tongues bring greater blessings to you, your family, and to God. Amen.

The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.


Proverbs 10:18-22

18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
and spreads slander is a fool.
19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
but the prudent hold their tongues.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
22 The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,
without painful toil for it.

Today’s title is “A Tongue That Brings  Blessings”


The book of Proverbs gives us much practical wisdom. The righteous use of the tongue is certainly the most prominent one of them. It is repeated throughout the book of the Proverbs. In fact, it is repeated throughout the Bible. The Bible highly emphasizes the importance of the right use of the tongue. Today's passage says that the tongue of the righteous is choice silver. In other pl

A Tongue That Brings Blessings (Proverbs 10:18-22)  Mission Blessings

All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 
 
 
“When Most People Go Wrong” 
 
 
 
Numbers 14:1-12 
 
 
 
14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 
 
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” 
 
10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. 11 The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.” 
 
 
 
 The majority rules. That’s the basic principle of democracy. We know that there are many benefits to the rule of the majority. It prevents one or a few from dominating and dictating the power. It provides an equal opportunity for all citizens. But we also know that not a few ill-willed politicians utilized the system to promote and protect selfish ambitions. A good example of modern history will be Hitler. He brought about the great calamity to the whole world with the popular support of their own constituency. AS we see in Hitler’s case, our assumption that the majority is better failed us a big-time many times. We should not take the light of the opinion of the majority. But at the same time, we should have the courage to confront the majority when they go wrong. How do you know when the majority go wrong? What can be the basis of your judgment? We learn it from Joshua and Caleb that stand out in today’s passage. We all know this story pretty well. Moses sent out twelve men to scout the land that God has promised before they enter it. The twelve scouts came back. Ten of the scouts presented a bad report about the land. They stirred a great fear among Israelites saying, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” That was the majority report. That ‘s the background of today’s passage. At the majority report, people felt totally dismayed to the point of rebellion against their own leaders. They grumbled, criticized and started revolting. Moses and Aaron became speechless and fell facedown. At the moment, they could do nothing against these angry mobs. This is what we often see when the major goes awry. The majority becomes a lot more irrational than any individual or minority. And the impacts are much greater. It takes great courage to stand against them. Whoever stands against the angry majority can be easily swept by their anger. We see that the whole assembly was to stone Joshua and Caleb. But Joshua and Caleb had the courage to face the risk. They stood up and presented a good report about the land. Unlike the majority report, the report of Joshua and Caleb was not just about the land, it was more about God. The heart of their report was God’s promise, God’s will and God’s power. While the majority’s eyes were solely on land, people and debilitating view of themselves, eyes of Joshua and Caleb were more on God. This made the difference. If we really want to be on the side of the truth, it doesn’t really matter whether we are on the majority side of the minority side. What really matters is whether we are on God's side or not. If our eyes are firmly on God, we will not be afraid of the Big or the many or the strong. How are you behaving when most people go wrong and against God? Do you have the courage to stand alone with God? Be strong and courageous. That is the very attitude bound for the promised land. Amen!

All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 


“When Most People Go Wrong”

 

Numbers 14:1-12

 

14 That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly goo

When Most People Go Wrong (Numbers 14:1-12) Mission Blessings

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 
 
Proverbs 25:11, 18-20 
 
 
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 
 
18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow 
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. 
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot 
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. 
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, 
or like vinegar poured on a wound, 
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 
 
 
 
Today’s title is “Apple of Golds in the settings of Silver” 
 
 
 
There is an old saying that goes something like this. "A short dagger kills better". It basically means a short word that is to the point persuade the audience much better. How true? As a preacher, I often heard similar responses from the church members. So I tried to be short and to the point with my sermons. That wasn't easy. I admire those people who are very short and witty in their expression. The words and phrases used in the book of proverbs are superb and excellent in that regard. The expressions are mostly short, to the point, and witty. It is profound and compassionate at the same time. 
 
You can see how wise and witty our God is from these expressions. Today's Bible verses are good examples of such divine wittiness. As you read each verse, you will probably smile softly. That's what I do whenever I read these verses. It's just a wonderful witty expression with great life lessons. Don't you love God who can talk like this? He is just really a great writer and divine comedian. Today's verses might look separated from each other at first sight. But I believe there is one common theme that goes through all of these verses. That is "thoughtfulness and appropriateness of words and actions". This is a very practical lesson of life that we should remember all the time. Good words are good. But if it is not said in appropriate manner and time, they have no impacts. Our actions also need to be thoughtful and appropriate. We can't just say that we meant good with thoughtless and inappropriate actions. That just isn't a wise thing to do. I have seen so many people who are suffering from thoughtless actions. I have made many such mistakes too. I should have read more and paid more attention to what Proverbs said. How about you my beloved? We are all inclined to say and do what we feel is right without deep considerations on its appropriateness. If you heed to what God says in these verses, you will not only gain respect with the works you do but also save a lot of unnecessary troubles. That's what God wants for you. Keep your apple of gold in the settings of silver. You will save a lot of trouble. You will earn much greater fruits. You will glorify God far greater. Amen!

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Proverbs 25:11, 18-20


11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.
20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on a wound,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

 

Today’s title is “Apple of Golds in the settings of Silver”

 

There is an old saying that goes something like this. "A short dagger kills better". It basically means a short word that is to the point persuade the audience much better. How true? As a preacher, I often heard similar responses from the church members. So I tried to be short and to the point with my sermons. That wasn't easy. I admire those people who are very short and witty in their expression. The words and phrases used in the book of proverbs are 

Apple of Gold In The Settings of Silver  (Proverbs 25:11, 18-20)  Mission Blessings

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” 
 
 
The Good Cycle of Grateful LOve 
 
 
 
 Psalm 50:13-15, 22-23 
 
 
 
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls 
 
or drink the blood of goats? 
 
14“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, 
 
fulfill your vows to the Most High, 
 
15and call on me in the day of trouble; 
 
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” 
 
 
 
22“Consider this, you who forget God, 
 
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: 
 
23Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, 
 
and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” 
 
 
 
 
 
 Today's title is "Blessed Cycle of Gratitude" 
 
 
 
What do you think is the most significant difference between Christianity and other religions? One of the biggest differences is that God of the bible first loved us. Other religions in general require people to show their love first for their gods to earn their favor. Unlike gods of many other religions, our God requires no sacrifices and services as a prerequisite to receiving His love. He just pours out His love upon those who are completely unqualified to receive any of His love. To love is the essential nature of God. That’s why the Bible says, “God is love (First John 4:8)”. Our God loves us spontaneously out of His divine nature, not because we did anything that deserves His love. So most of us experience God’s love while we were yet sinners. God’s love is unconditional. There is no strings attached to God’s love. 1 John 4:10 says “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 
 
 
 
But personal love by nature cannot be one-sided. True love is always mutual. God’s love, albeit it is unconditional, is highly personal and mutual. When God loves a person, He expects a personal response to His love. The response that God expects is neither sacrifices nor services. It is love toward God as motivated by gratitude. “We love because he first loved us”. That’s so natural. That’s so personal. That’s exactly what God says on today’s psalm. He says, “Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?” The answer is “Of course not!”. All that God expects from those upon whom He poured out His love is thank offering, which is a grateful heart. We know how grateful king David was for God’s love. David wanted to build a temple as an expression of is gratitude for God. God didn’t allow David to do it. But God was greatly moved by David’s grateful heart. I believe that is part of the reason that the Messiah came as the son of David. If we are truly grateful for God’s love and express it toward God, we will also experience a similar cycle of love as we see in David. God initiates the cycle with unconditional love. We respond to it with grateful hearts. God responds with greater love. It can go on and on. I am sure there’s no more blessed life than that. How grateful are you to God? Are you living in the cycle of grateful love?

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,  and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”


The Good Cycle of Grateful LOve

 

   Psalm 50:13-15, 22-23

 

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

 

22“Consider this, you who forget God,

or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

23Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,

and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

 

 

     Today's title is "Blessed Cycle of  Gratitude"

 

What do you think is the most significant difference between Christianity and other religions?   One of the biggest differences is that God of the bible first loved us.   Other religions in general require people to show their love first for their gods to earn their favor.  Unlike gods of many other religions, our God requires no sacrifices and services

The Blessed Cycle of Gratitude  ( Psalm 50:13-15, 22-23)  Mission Blessings

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
 
Luke 16: 19-25 
 
 
 
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
 
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
 
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Today’s title is “The Tales of Two Rich Men” 
 
 
 
 The gospel of Jesus Christ is very easy to understand. It doesn’t require higher education to understand what Jesus preached and taught. Any ordinary people, young and old, rich and poor, could understand what Jesus has taught. The level of intelligence of the listeners was never an issue. Many times children with less intelligence but with a more open heart could understand the truth of gospel better than highly intelligent people with a narrow mind. That is probably why Jesus said, “Unless you become like children, you will never enter into the kingdom of God”. At the same time, we should be very careful not to oversimplify gospel messages. Oversimplification is a distortion of the gospel message as much as overcomplication does. Today’s passage is one of the gospel messages that can be oversimplified. In fact, I have found such oversimplification of this message frequently among believers. In this story, we encounter a rich man and a beggar who are high in contrast. The rich man indulged himself in earthly luxury while the beggar was completely destitute. And we see that the welfare of those two is completely reversed in heaven. Everybody can see the apparent spiritual lesson from the story. Selfish indulging in earthly luxury without any concern for neighbors could lead to eternal torment. But frequent oversimplification goes a little further. It demonizes the rich man. Some even used this episode to justify hatred toward the rich class. I believe that Jesus never meant that with this parable. Although Jesus had great compassion for the poor, he never advocated the economic or social classification. In fact, Jesus depicted God as a rich owner who is good and compassionate to his laborers in many of is parables. There are good and bad rich men as there are good and bad poor men. I can see the stark contrast between the two rich men in chapter 16 of the gospel of Luke. Jesus gave another parable about a rich man at the beginning of Luke chapter 16. The rich man is a complete opposite of the rich man we see in today’s passage. He is such a gracious owner. He wants His servant to use all of His own possessions to save the lost souls. Gospel is the good news for both the poor and the rich. God has equal compassion for both. What matters to Him is not who has more or less but who cares for the souls more. I wish all of my beloved people to become rich. We just need to make sure which rich men’s class you belong to. What kind of rich man do you want to be, a selfish earthly rich man or the caring heavenly rich man? The choice should be obvious.

There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Luke 16: 19-25

 

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetim

The Tales  Of  Two Rich Men  (Luke 16: 19-25)  Mission Blessings

hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 
at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. 
 
 
Psalm 55:2-8, 22-23 
 
2 
hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught 
3 
at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger. 
4 
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. 
5 
Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. 
 
6 
 
I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest-- 
 
7 
I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah 
8 
I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm." 
 
 22 
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. 
23 
 
But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not liv Today’s title is “ Fly Away?” 
 
 
 
Life is tough at times. You work hard. But nothing gets done. You never meant any harm to anybody. But everybody is hostile to you. They try to get you eagerly. Fear and anguish have a strong grip on you. Your souls are restless day and night. Have you ever felt like this? I am sure you did. In fact, we all do. Yes, if we had the wings, we would fly away. And that’s not a bad idea at all. When you can’t overpower the countless enemies and are in danger of being swallowed, what else can you do? But the question is where do you fly away to and how? This is crucial. I heard the real test of good military leaders in the battle is how they retreat when they have to rather than how they advance in the attack. It makes sense. If you succeed in the attack, you may gain some territory. But if you fail in retreat, you may lose countless lives. So you have to be really prudent when you fly away. A lot of people, facing the trouble and anguish, turn to momentary escape such as drugs or alcohol. Obviously the drug and alcohol are not your friends. They will never be. There are many other ways of escapism as such. With such escapism, we will never overcome the enemies. A wise man will retreat not to be trapped there, but to advance against the enemies with renewed strength later on. So where should you retreat? Today’s psalm shows the answer. Fly away to God. Take refuge in Him. Cast out all your cares upon Him, for He will sustain you. He will never let you fall. In fact, a lot of great people of God went through such anguish and frustration. Elijah was a great hero for God’s kingdom. But at one time, he felt totally defeated. He was exhausted. He flew away! He flew away to a Rohthem tree which turned out to be the shelter of God. God refreshed and renewed his strength. He gave Elijah a new and greater mission. God does the same for all his faithful servants then and now. So are you in trouble and fear? Are you distraught and frustrated? Do you want to fly away from all of these? Make sure that you fly away to the right place where you can truly be refreshed and renewed your strength. God is the eternal refuge and shelter for you. Amen.

hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.


Psalm 55:2-8, 22-23

2
hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
3
at the voice of the enemy, at the stares of the wicked; for they bring down suffering upon me and revile me in their anger.
4
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me.
5
Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.

6

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--

7
I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah
8
I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm."

 22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
23

But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not liv Today’s title is  “ Fly Away?”

 

L

Fly Away  (Psalm 55:2-8, 22-23)  Mission Blessings

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. 
 
 
Tears on God’s Scroll 
 
 
 
Psalm 56:1-2, 8-11 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. 2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. 
 
8 Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record? 9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. 10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise— 11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me? 
 
 
 
Today’s title is “Tears on God’s Scroll” 
 
 
 
Tears make us sad because we know that tears are an outward expression of heartbreak deep inside. We don’t want to go through any heart-breaking situation that causes tears in our eyes. We don’t want anybody to shed tears out of pain and suffering. Just looking at the people shedding tears makes our hearts sunk. We hope our eyes stay dried without any tears as much as possible. Right? But I heard from an eye doctor that our eyes will be strained if it always stays dry. A lot of eye problems stem from dry eyes. The eye doctor also said that If someone is unable to shed tears when he or she has to, it is a bigger health concern. So tears are not necessarily something that we should try to do away. That’s good to know. Such physical phenomena seem to have some spiritual implications. Today’s psalm says that tears that were shed before God are in God’s record. The tears that we shed before God are in God’s scroll. Doesn’t that surprise you? God is counting and recording our tears. It obviously shows that God values our tears that we shed before Him highly. He does not slight our tears. What would He do with the scroll of tears? I am sure He uses it to decide when and how He will wipe our tears for one thing. He will also use it to remember the genuine outpouring of our hearts before Him. Of course, God doesn’t like us go through unnecessary misery and suffering. But even the most faithful servants of God such as David sometimes go through miseries and sufferings. In fact, the more faithful you become to God, the greater trials and sufferings you will l have from your enemies. You can’t help crying out to God in tears. God meticulously records your tears in His scroll as if they are jewels of faith. The tear mark in heaven ‘s scroll will never be erased. Are you in miseries and sufferings? Are you in tears? Make sure that your tears are shed before God. The tears will never be forgotten. And He will wipe out your tears in His time. Amen!

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?  Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.


Tears on God’s Scroll

 

Psalm 56:1-2, 8-11

 

 

1 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. 2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me.

8 Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?  9 Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.  10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise—  11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

 

Today’s title is “Tears on God’s Scroll”

 

Tears make us sad because we know that tears are an outward expression of heartbreak deep inside.   We don’t want to go through any heart-breaking situation that causes tears in our eyes.  We don’t want anybody to shed tears out of pain an

The Tears on God's Scroll   (Psalm 56:1-2, 8-11) Mission Blessings

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 
 
The Fear That Breeds Blessings 
 
 
 
Psalm 25:12-15 
 
 
 
12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land. 14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. 15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Today's title is "Fear that Breeds Blessings" 
 
 
 
One of the most repeated exhortations of the Bible is to fear God. The book of Proverbs says that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge. All wisdom starts from fearing God. Why is it so? I believe It is so because Fearing God is the beginning of knowing God. Knowing God as we should know Him puts us in a position to have a right relationship with God and with a man. The right relationship with God and man brings abundant blessings in our life. Today’s passage specifically shows us how fearing God brings us blessings. We should mark this well in our hearts. If we fear The Lord, He will instruct us in the right ways. When we fear the Lord, we will humbly ask His guidance. Then God will confide with us. He will reveal to us which ways we should go. If we follow His ways, we will spend our days in prosperity. Our children will inherit the Land. We see numerous biblical proofs of this truth. Abraham feared the Lord. He trusted God with the directions of his life. He followed as God directed him even though he had no idea of what’s ahead at all. During the journey of his life, God confided with him like a friend. He blessed Abraham and all his descendants including Isaac and Jacob. David feared God. He personally asked God before he does anything. We see David asking before he makes any decision in battles. God confided with him in detail and told him what to do. If God said, “Go” David went. If God said “stop”, he stopped. It was no wonder that David was victorious in all his battles. He was invincible. How about you? Do you fear God as you should? Unfortunately, many of us are often forgetful of such a basic but critical attitude toward God. Whether we admit or not, we tend to be proud and overconfident. We are baselessly presumptive in our ways. We need to go back to the basics of a faithful life. Let us fear God with love. Enjoy confiding with Him. You will see His blessings poured upon you and your children before you ever know it. Amen!

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.   My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

The Fear That Breeds Blessings

 

Psalm 25:12-15

 

12 Who, then, are those who fear the LORD? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 13 They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.  14 The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.  15 My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.

 

 

             Today's title is "Fear that Breeds Blessings"

 

One of the most repeated exhortations of the Bible is to fear God.   The book of Proverbs says that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.  All wisdom starts from fearing God.   Why is it so? I believe   It is so because Fearing God is the beginning of knowing God.   Knowing God as we should know Him puts us in a position to have a right relationship with Go

The Fear That Breeds Blessings  (Psalm 25:12-15)  Mission Blessings

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. 
 
 
Are you lonely? 
 
 
 
Psalms 25:16-21 
 
 
 
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you. 
 
 
 
 Are you lonely? Are you in trouble? Is your heart heavy from sins you have committed and the guilt from it? If you are, you are not alone. We all go through such trouble and loneliness. What’s important to know is that you don’t have to go through such loneliness and affliction by yourself. God is willing to be at your side to help you and get you out of trouble at such a time. In fact, such a time of loneliness and affliction is a good opportunity to experience God’s presence more deeply than ever. Jacob fled from His Esau after He stole his brother’s blessings. While he was on the run, he had to sleep at a remote mountainous place all by himself. It probably was the first time for Jacob to sleep out of his house. He must have felt great fear and loneliness. He used a stone as a pillow. But the lonely moment for Jacob became the most momentous time for Jacob’s life. At the very lonely moment and place, God appeared to Him and showed the vision of heaven. God assured him that He will be with Jacob wherever he goes. We see that David who is the author of today’s psalm is in a similar situation. He is in deep trouble, probably from sins that he committed. Numerous enemies are chasing him seeking his life. No wonder He is lonely and afflicted. Did you ever felt like this before? Or are you perhaps feeling this way now? How would you get out of trouble? This psalm shows us how. Call upon the Lord. Cry out to Him. Say to God what you are going through done and where you are. Ask for His protection and help earnestly. And don’t stop hoping in God. That’s exactly what David did. And we can safely assume that God heeded his outcry. God doesn’t ignore such outcry of His people. He rescues them and guards their life. In fact, David was in situations like this so many times. He had to be on the run from King Saul who chased him so fiercely. He was on the run again from his own son Absalom. At the time, many of his close friends and soldiers betrayed him too. And This was how he got out of trouble. He cried out to God desperately and frankly. His God never fails to heed such outcries. Are you lonely and afflicted? Are you heavy-hearted with deep anguish? Turn to God. Take refuge in Him. Call upon HIm. Our God is God of the greatest compassion. He will be at your side before you know it. Amen!

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.


Are you lonely?

 

Psalms 25:16-21

 

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.

 

         Are you lonely?   Are you in trouble?   Is your heart heavy from sins you have committed and the guilt from it?   If you are, you are not alone.   We all go through such trouble and loneliness.  What’s important to know is that you don’t have to go through such loneliness and affliction by yourself.  God is willing to be at your side 

Are You Lonely?  (Psalm 25:16-21)  Mission Blessings

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below 
 
 
 “Because I Live” 
 
 
 
Exodus 20:1-7 
 
 
 
20 And God spoke all these words: 
 
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
 
3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 
 
4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
 
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
 
 
 
 Today’s Title is “Because I Live” 
 
 
 
 Today's passage shows the first three of the ten commandments that God has given to Israelites. Through these momentous commandments, we know what God wants us to do and how we should live. That’s the general goal of commandments. The commander directs those who receive the commandments in the way that he wants. But I believe that there is the deeper goal of ten commandments that God has given to us. God wants to reveal who He is or what kind of God He is. The first four of the ten commandments are more specifically focusing on it. On the surface, those four commandments also tell us what to do and what not to do. But in fact, all these commandments were given to show who He is. So who is God according to these four commandments? If I may summarize it, He is one true living God who is always in action for His people unlike all the lifeless idols. What stands out most among those key characteristics of God is “Living”. To me, it seems that God repeatedly says through the commandments that He is “living” God. Even before God gave the commandments, He introduced Himself as God who brought them out of Egypt the land of slavery. Why was He saying that? I believe He said that to reassure Israelites that He is living God who’s “in action”. In fact, all of the first three commandments emphasize that He is the living and acting God. The first commandments tells that they should not have any gods before Him because He is the only living God. The second commandment says that they should not make any lifeless image because He is living. The third commandment says that they should not take God’s name in vain as if God doesn’t care because He is living God. Who is your God? If you don’t remember anything about God, Just remember this: “He is the living God”. Because He lives, He is always with us. Because He lives, we can face tomorrow without fear. Because He lives, we should be humble and faithful before Him all the time. Because He lives, we live in His presence all the time. What a joy it is! What a wonder it is! Are you living with this living God?

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below


                             “Because I Live”

 

Exodus 20:1-7

 

20 And God spoke all these words:

2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

 

      Today’s Title is “Because I Live”  

 

     Today's passage shows the first thr

Because I Live  (Exodus 20:1-7)  Mission Blessings

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. 
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 
 
Psalm 128 
A song of ascents. 
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, 
 who walk in obedience to him. 
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; 
 blessings and prosperity will be yours. 
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine 
 within your house; 
your children will be like olive shoots 
 around your table. 
4 Yes, this will be the blessing 
 for the man who fears the Lord. 
 
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion; 
 may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem 
 all the days of your life. 
6 May you live to see your children’s children— 
 peace be on Israel. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Family is the most precious gift of God. He created it. He constantly blesses it. He supports it. He uses it for the kingdom of God. This psalm is the good proof of God's great care and blessings for the families. Some call this psalm as a family hymn. This psalm, in praising God's blessings upon a family, shows how we could make our family a blessed one. Families have three basic needs to be happy. Those three needs are the economic need, relationship need, and health and safety need. I don't think I need to elaborate on each of these needs. God knows these needs of each family. He wants to fill our families with blessings and prosperity. Think about the first family in the garden of Eden. The had all these needs more than perfectly met. They were just one happy family. Garden of Eden was full of God's wonderful creation. The family was more beautiful than any other even among that wonderful creation. But you know how their happiness got spoiled by Satan who must have been very jealous of their happiness. Since then, it became a daunting task to keep the blessings and prosperity that God originally intended for the family. Unfortunately, it still is a daunting task to build and maintain a blessed family. But thank God. He is not done with the family yet. He wanted to restore and revive the lost blessings and prosperity of the family. How? We see the simple and clear answer to that in today's psalm. Fear the Lord and walk in HIs ways! Be the family that invites the Lord and worship Him. Fear God as He should be feared with honor and respect. Teach and learn the word of God. Make the word of God the lamp unto your feet and the light unto your path. Of course, our family is not perfect and cannot be perfect. God knows it. But if we genuinely do our best to live this way trusting in His grace, you will see the blessings and prosperity passing through from your children to your children's children. Amen.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
You will eat the fruit of your labor;  blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
    peace be on Israel.

 

 

       Family is the most precious gift of God.  He created it.  He constantly blesses it.  He supports it.   He uses it for the kingdom of God.   This psalm is the good proof of God's great care and blessings for the families. Some call this psalm as a family hymn.  This psalm,  in 

Bless MY Family  (Psalm 128:1-6)  Mission Blessings

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did 
 
Genesis 39:2-5 
 
 
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. 
 
 
 
 Christians are the channels of blessings. Joseph's life as we see in today's scripture is a good example of that. Even though he was sold as a slave against his will, he served where he was faithful. Later in Joseph's life, we see him serving faithfully even when he was put in prison without any fault. God blessed Joseph and his master through him. I hope that my children would be like Joseph wherever you go and whatever you do. Why would God bless Joseph? Because no matter where he goes he lived in the presence of God and no matter what he did, he did it for God. This is the core of the Christian work ethic. Puritans who are the founders of America tried to follow Joseph's example. Such a work ethic eventually made Joseph the prime minister of Egypt. That work ethic of puritans made America great as it is today. I pray my children to follow the footsteps of Joseph and puritans, serving faithfully in whatever you do believing You do that for God in the presence of God, even today. May God bless you and your work.

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did

Genesis 39:2-5

 
2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

 

     Christians are the channels of blessings. Joseph's life as we see in today's scripture is a good example of that. Even though he was sold as a slave against his will, he se

A Servant That Blesses Master (Genesis 39:2-5)  Mission Blessings

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 
 
Psalm 91:9-16 
 
 
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” 
and you make the Most High your dwelling, 
10 no harm will overtake you, 
no disaster will come near your tent. 
11 For he will command his angels concerning you 
to guard you in all your ways; 
12 they will lift you up in their hands, 
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; 
you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; 
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; 
I will be with him in trouble, 
I will deliver him and honor him. 
16 With long life I will satisfy him 
and show him my salvation 
 
 
 Today’s title is “Trample the Great Lion and the Serpent” 
 
 
 
Do you remember the legend of Gordian Knot? When the great conqueror Alexander was campaigning in a place called Gordium, there was a legendary Knott. The knot was entangled so complicatedly that no one was able to unravel it. The legend says whoever unravels it will be the king of the kingdom. The ambitious Alexander tried to unravel it for some time. He couldn't do it with his own hands. After a few attempts, he stood up, pulled out his sword, and slashed the knot in half. The knotty knot simply unraveled. . What is the lesson of the story? It is clear. Life can be much easier if you approach it with a completely different frame of mindset with daring heart. That is exactly what God tells us. He doesn't say that our life is easy. It certainly has challenges. It can be very knotty. But God says that it doesn't have to be that way. Then He shows us a much better way. God's way works! That's the testimony of a great many people who went before us. So what is God's way? Today's passage gives us a glimpse of His secret. Say to the Lord, "You are my refuge. And make Him your dwelling. In other words, make God the master of your life. Live in Him and with Him. Then what? Read on. The Bible lists all the potential problems you can encounter in your life such as enemies, disasters, unexpected falls. Then it says "You will trample on these as if you are trampling on the great lion and the serpent. I went through some tough times in my life. And these were the words and promises that I held onto. I can happily testify to you that it worked. Yes, God sent His angels and rescued me. He made me trample over a great lion and serpent. I am not a special believer than any other Christian. If it worked for me, why wouldn't it work for you? Don't make your life harder than it is. Just take God your dwelling place and refuge. Live in Him and with Him. You will see knotty problems of your life unraveling by God’s grace. You will trample the great lion and serpent. Amen!

You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

Psalm 91:9-16


9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation
 

        Today’s title is “Trample the Great Lion and the Serpent”

 

Do you remember the legend of Gordian Knot?  When the great conqueror Alexander was campaigning in a place called Go

Trample on the Great Lion and Serpent (Psalm 91:9-16)  Mission Blessings

Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? 
 
 
Jeremiah 12:1-3 
 
 
 
 
12 You are always righteous, Lord, 
when I bring a case before you. 
Yet I would speak with you about your justice: 
Why does the way of the wicked prosper? 
Why do all the faithless live at ease? 
2 You have planted them, and they have taken root; 
they grow and bear fruit. 
You are always on their lips 
but far from their hearts. 
3 Yet you know me, Lord; 
you see me and test my thoughts about you. 
Drag them off like sheep to be butchered! 
Set them apart for the day of slaughter! 
 
 
 
Today’s title is “May I ask you Lord?” 
 
 
 
 
 
Our God is a personal God. He doesn't impose His own will forcefully upon us. He invites us to personally interact with Him. He talks to us. He reasons with us. We ask Him. He answers us. Prophet Jeremiah went through so much pain and suffering from the disobedience of Israelites. Jeremiah could fully understand why God was so angry at Israelites. They deserted the true and living God for lifeless idols. They broke the covenant. God was betrayed. He was insulted and humiliated by the people whom He had loved so much. He was hurt greatly. Israelites had no excuse. But then Jeremiah still had some questions. What about those who gives God only lip service? What about the people who don't even recognize God or bring honor and glory to God? What about the gentiles who worship even worse idols than Israelites? So Jeremiah brings those questions to God. 
 
 
"Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live more comfortably? 
 
 
Jeremiah's question is polite. But it is boldly challenging God if He is fair or consistent. What do you think? Don't you sometimes feel like asking this sort of question to God? As a matter of fact, a lot of serious believers asked these questions to God. God doesn't rebuke them for the questions. God answers to these questions. But He doesn't rush to answer these questions. He rather has the questioners to ponder and mull over the questions for some time. He waits for them to find out the answers for themselves. This is what happened to the writer of Psalm 73. The Psalmist says, "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. How about you? Do you have some questions for God? Bring them on. God doesn't mind. in fact, He welcomes them. He will show you the answers clearly. You only need to wait upon Him patiently and trustingly. 
 
 
 Amen!

Why does the way of the wicked prosper?   Why do all the faithless live at ease?


Jeremiah 12:1-3




12 You are always righteous, Lord,
when I bring a case before you.
Yet I would speak with you about your justice:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all the faithless live at ease?
2 You have planted them, and they have taken root;
they grow and bear fruit.
You are always on their lips
but far from their hearts.
3 Yet you know me, Lord;
you see me and test my thoughts about you.
Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!
Set them apart for the day of slaughter!
 


Today’s title is “May I ask you Lord?”


 


Our God is a personal God. He doesn't impose His own will forcefully upon us. He invites us to personally interact with Him. He talks to us. He reasons with us. We ask Him. He answers us. Prophet Jeremiah went through so much pain and suffering from the disobedience of Israelites. Jeremiah could fully understand why God was so angry at Israelites. They deserted the tru

May I ask you, Lord?   (Jeremiah 12:1-3)  Mission Blessings

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. 
 
 
Psalm 35:1-9 
 
 
 
1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; 
 
fight against those who fight against me. 
 
2 Take up shield and armor; 
 
arise and come to my aid. 
 
3 Brandish spear and javelin 
 
against those who pursue me. 
 
Say to me, 
 
“I am your salvation.” 
 
4 May those who seek my life 
 
be disgraced and put to shame; 
 
may those who plot my ruin 
 
be turned back in dismay. 
 
5 May they be like chaff before the wind, 
 
with the angel of the Lord driving them away; 
 
6 may their path be dark and slippery, 
 
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. 
 
7 Since they hid their net for me without cause 
 
and without cause dug a pit for me, 
 
8 may ruin overtake them by surprise— 
 
may the net they hid entangle them, 
 
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin. 
 
9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord 
 
and delight in his salvation. 
 
 
 Today's title is "Spectacular Salvation" 
 
 
 
 We live in such a visual-oriented society. It was not as much visual in ancient times. But God uses highly visual revelation to show who He is and how He helps us. Look at today's passage. The words are so vivid that you almost feel like you are watching it with your eyes in front of the scene. I believe that’s exactly what this psalm is aiming at. The psalm shows us how real is God’s salvation from our enemies. Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of the writer for a while. You are being pursued by your enemies. They finally cornered you. The enemies are grinning at you with a drawn sword. They think they finally got you! Then you shout to the Lord "Help!" At your desperate shout, God instantly comes to your aid fully armored with His shield and spear and javelin. He looks at you first and says. "Don't worry. I am your salvation. ". Then He turns around and faces the enemy. He gives hand signals to the army of angels around Him. The enemy frantically retreats. But suddenly their path is becoming so dark and slippery. They jitter and falter. Then a net that they have prepared to catch me is thrown over the enemy and entangle them in it. They are captured like rats and thrown into the bottomless pit. This is what the psalmist prayed for. I believe this is what he got as God answered. 
 
How spectacular is God’s salvation! Have you ever experienced such salvation? I think we all have and we all will. What mighty salvation of God we have! We rejoice in it. We delight in it. We can’t help shouting hallelujah at such spectacular salvation. How wonderful is it to have such God on your side! Are you being pursued by an enemy? Are you being cornered? Call upon the Lord. He will surely come to help you in a no less spectacular way. Amen!

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.


Psalm 35:1-9

 

1 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me.

2 Take up shield and armor;

arise and come to my aid.

3 Brandish spear and javelin

against those who pursue me.

Say to me,

“I am your salvation.”

4 May those who seek my life

be disgraced and put to shame;

may those who plot my ruin

be turned back in dismay.

5 May they be like chaff before the wind,

with the angel of the Lord driving them away;

6 may their path be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

7 Since they hid their net for me without cause

and without cause dug a pit for me,

8 may ruin overtake them by surprise—

may the net they hid entangle them,

may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord

and delight in his salvation.


  Today's title is "Specta

Spectacular Salvation (Psalm 35:1-9)  Mission Blessings

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; 
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you 
 
 
Psalm 20:1-5 
 
 
 
1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; 
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you 
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary 
and grant you support from Zion. 
3 May he remember all your sacrifices 
and accept your burnt offerings. 
4 May he gives you the desire of your heart 
and make all your plans succeed. 
5 May we shout for joy over your victory 
and lift up our banners in the name of our God. 
May the Lord grant all your requests. 
 
 
 
 
The Christian life is often compared to a battle in the Bibvle. Of course, it is not a physical battle but spiritual. However, it is indeed a real and serious battle. Every day we are facing spiritual challenges whatever we do wherever we go even in such familiar places as a family, school, work, or church. How can we keep our daily life in such places victorious? David was a battle-hard veteran of many wars. He constantly fought from one battlefield to another. And he won in almost all the battles he fought. What was the secret of his constant victory? The Bible shows it clearly. it was because God fought for him and with him. Why did God do so? It was because David earnestly asked God for it. He asked God before the fight and during the fight. Then he trusted God completely and had not feared enemy no matter how hard the battle raged on. As David trust in the Lord as such, God made him victorious. David gave praises and thanksgiving for such the help of God. He said in 2 Samuel 22:30 “With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. Today’s psalm seems to me to be David’s prayers for his soldiers before the battle. I envision in my mind the soldiers of the files and ranks who were lined up to depart for the battlefield. Before they depart for the battlefield, the king and people, generals and soldiers, the army and civilians all raise their hands to God and pray for each other. They pray for victory. They pray for the protection of their loved ones. I believe God answered such earnest intercessory prayers of king and people. That must have been why God fought with David and his army and for them. I am sure God will do the same for us too if we pray as earnestly as David and his people did. Every morning before you and your loved ones start a day, raise your hands quietly but earnestly toward God. Then ask God to remember them and answer them, to go with them and fight for them. Surely God will bring you victory day after day as in David’s time. Amen!

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you


Psalm 20:1-5



1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he gives you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
 

 

The Christian life is often compared to a battle in the Bibvle.    Of course, it is not a physical battle but spiritual. However, it is indeed a real and serious battle.    Every day we are facing spiritual challenges whatever we do wherever we go even in such familiar places as a family, school, work, or church.  How can we keep our daily life in such places victorious?   David was a battle-hard veteran of many wars.  He constant

Victorious Every Day  (Psalm 20:1-5)   Mission Blessings

And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 
 
2 Kings 18:3-7 
 
 
 
3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. 4 He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.) 5 Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. 
 
 
 
 "Successful in Whatever” 
 
 
 
 The history of mankind is generally not a happy one. The general pattern of human history has a brief and occasional success with a generally downward cycle with frequent conflicts, corruption, and failures. That’s why kingdoms and dynasties changed so often. The kingdom of Israel was no exception to this. Their history shows a downward spiral with a few exceptions. Kings were generally getting worse with a shorter period of reign as they pass down from one generations to the next. People were becoming more mindless of God. The trend of human history in the past clearly shows that we cannot expect a greater or better future without God. But people of God are not imprisoned in this trend of the world. They live as Romans 12:2 said. It says, “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We see such an example in king Hezekiah. He became a king in a consistently declining dynasty. Even his father Ahaz was a very ungodly worshiping many idols. But Hezekiah was completely different from his father, probably from his mother’s influence who was not like his father. It’s interesting that the bible says “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord just as his father David had done.”. Notice the word “his father David”. Physically he was immediately related to Ahaz. But spiritually he was more closely related to David. As David was successful and prevailing in every battle he fought with God's help, Hezekiah was successful in whatever he undertook. What did Hezekiah do specifically? First, he removed all the idols including the bronze snake that Moses had made. Mark this very well. People can even make idols out of a great legacy of faith. Secondly, he trusted in the Lord and held fast to the Lord. In other words, he was with God all the time for whatever he did. Then he kept the words of God faithfully. As a result, the Lord was with him. And he was successful whatever he undertook. These are well-known secrets of success. But unfortunately, many are forgetful of these well-known secrets. I pray that you and your family break the pattern of the world and walk with God. That's the secret of successful in whatever. May God be with you all the time. Amen!

And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.

2 Kings 18:3-7

 

3 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. 4 He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)   5 Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. 6 He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. 7 And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.

 

      "Successful in Whatever”

 

       The history of mankind is generally not a happy one.  The general pattern of human history has a brief and occasional success with a generally downward cycle with frequent conflicts, corruption, and failures.    That’s why 

Be Successful in Whatever  (2 Kings 18:3-7)  Mission Blessings

And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 
 
Genesis 45:2-5 
 
 
 
2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 
 
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 
 
 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 
 
 
 
 
 
 “Weep, Weep Loud!” 
 
 
 
 When was the last time that you wept to your heart’s content? Or did you hold it below your throat even though you felt it on your heart? There are so many times we feel like crying in our life. But very often, we don’t let it loose, unless we can’t help it. But there are times that we can cry to our heart’s content. Oh, what a happy moment it will be! I am looking forward to such a moment. Aren’t you? 
 
 Today's scripture should be very familiar to you too. It is a scene that Joseph finally gets to meet his brothers who sold him as a slave. It’s a climax of his life and the happiest moment. Weeping loud with tears endlessly welling up shows the happiness he felt more than anything else. Joseph raised himself up from slavery to the prime minister position. There must have been so many great and glorious moments. But he must show all smiles, but no tears like this. Whenever I read this, I feel like crying like Joseph. I mean it always touches my heart, doesn't it? I think it touches everyone's heart who reads it. Why does it so? I think it is because everybody can identify with Joseph in one way or another. In our lifetime, we go through the dream, betrayal, hurt, insult, glory, then the final realization of God’s great providence and love. When Joseph met his brothers who came to beg for food at the brink of starvation of the whole clan, Joseph realized why God has allowed him to be sold as a slave to Egypt. The dream, betrayal, suffering and glory all finally come together as puzzle pieces fit together to show a clear and wonderful picture. It’s a true moment of Aha. I believe this is good news or the gospel according to Joseph. It shows that every light and darkness in our life is an expression of God’s great love for me and for us. Did you ever have a moment like this? You might or might not yet. You may be still going through unfathomable hatred, betrayal, and suffering. But we will surely reach a moment either on earth or in heaven that all these things come together to show God’s unfathomable love for us. Then, we can all weep, weep loud l in the heart of God. Oh, how we long for the moment! Amen!

And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Genesis 45:2-5



2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

 

      

       “Weep, Weep Loud!”

 

   When was the last time that you wept to your heart’s content?  Or did you hold it below your throat even though you felt it on your heart?    There are so many times we feel like crying in our life.  But very often, we don’t let it loose, unless we can’t help it.   But there are times that

Weep Weep Loud  (Genesis 45:2-5)  Mission Blessings

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 
 
Acts 17:22-25 
 
 
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you. 
 
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 
 
 
 
 "Is Your God Known?” 
 
 
 
What do you ask first when you meet someone that you want to bring to Christ? The general answer would be “Do you believe in God?” That was what I used to do. But I changed my question after I got feedback from a missionary. The missionary told us, “if you ask anyone in the mission field with the question whether they believe in God or not, the answer will be mostly positive.” Most, if not all, people believe in god no matter where you go. The question is whether they believe in true God or false god. So the suggestion from the missionary was that we should ask “Do you believe in Jesus?” instead of the generic word “god”. That was a very helpful advice. Man is a religious being. Religion is everywhere. God is everywhere. But is your God true God whom you know personally? Does your god know you personally? Apostle Paul was visiting Athens. It was an era of the Roman Empire. But the intellectual foundation of the Roman empire was Greek. The Greek language and culture were used and respected in all territory of the Roman empire. For that reason, Apostle Paul might have expected something better from Athens than the rest of the cities in the region. But he became totally disappointed. He even felt angry. The whole city was filled with idols with various titles. They even worshipped “the unknown god”. To me, the title “unknown god” whoever made it, seems better in a sense than others. Who really knows what their lifeless idols are? Do they really know what Zeus or Athena is? They all pretend to know them by giving them fake identities. “Unknown god” at least shows some honesty. Out of anger and compassion for the people, Paul stood up and preach to the Athenians about the “Known God”. I am as much disappointed and upset at the citizens of the world today who basically wasn't changed a bit from Athenians that Paul saw. Why are they still following lifeless idols that are basically all unknown? Why don’t they come to the “known God” who revealed Himself clearly to us? This “known God of us” is the creator himself not created by human hands. This known God not only is known to us but also He knows us. He knows my name, my joy, my hurt my tears. My life. He is not a taker, but a giver of life and love. Are you perhaps Athenians of the 21st century? Is your God known? Does your God know you? Come to the true God who is known and knows you. He is calling you and waiting for you. Amen!

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

Acts 17:22-25 


22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.

 

         "Is Your God Known?”

 

What do you ask first when you meet someone that you want to bring to

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