Daily Encouragement

December 21, 2008 - The Power Of Jesus

Meditation on Matthew 8

This passage recorded the power of Jesus. He cleansed and healed a leper, He healed the servant of a centurion just by the word of His mouth without even seeing the sick, and He healed the fever of Peter's mother-in-law. He cast out demons even the most violent ones. Matthew said, "This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'" (v. 17 ESV)

In the midst of such great demonstration of power, some people believed Him, some showed great faith, yet some still rejected Him and wanted to avoid Him probably for economical reason. (All the pigs were drowned.) And some wanted to follow Him with precondition.

Who are you identified with today? What is your need today? I pray that we will all be like the centurion with great faith not only for ourselves but also for the need of those we care so much!

December 22, 2008 - According To Your Faith

Meditation on Matthew 9

Jesus would answer our prayers according to our faith and not according to our self- righteousness. How much we believe will determine how much He will do for us. Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic and healed him because of the faith of his friends who carried him to Jesus. What a tremendous comfort to us who care for our suffering friends!

He called Matthew, a tax collector to be His disciple and declared that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

He announced a new standard: Do away with our old custom and religious beliefs but put our faith in Him. (v. 14-17)

As the synagogue ruler believed, his daughter was raised from the dead. As a woman believed, her discharged of blood for twelve years was healed. "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." Jesus said to her. (v. 22 ESV)

In the next incidence, Jesus asked the two blind men who came for healing. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said yes and Jesus touched their eyes, saying "According to you faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. (v. 28)

People were marveled at the power of Jesus because He even caused a mute man to speak.

Today, Jesus is calling us to pray that there may be laborers for His harvest. I believe He wants those who have faith in Him. Only they can be touched with His power to help others.

December 23, 2008 - Instructions For The Twelve

Meditation on Matthew 10

Jesus called twelve disciples to proclaim the kingdom is at hand. These original instructions for them on where they should go, what things they should bring on their journey, what kind of persecution they will face, the heavenly Father's watching care upon them, His expectation upon them, and their reward do largely apply to all of us who are His disciples also. Later on Jesus did add on His commission to all of us to make disciples for Him even to the end of the world.

We should rejoice in the fact that His rewards to the disciples are so glad. (v. 40-42) Even those who gives a cup of water to the little ones because he is a disciple will also receive a reward! God will never forget any thing you do for His name's sake.

We should be aware of the fact that even among Jesus' disciple there is a Judas Iscariot. (v. 4) Are we following Jesus because of the promised reward only? Can we be loyal to Jesus more than anyone else in the world? (v. 34-39) These are things we need to reflect on seriously.

December 24, 2008 - A New Era Through Jesus

Meditation on Matthew 11

Matthew 11 is Jesus' message pointed out the difference between John the Baptist and Himself. John the Baptist at that time was in prison. Probably he was wondering why Jesus was not paying attention to his plight and rescued him. So he began to have doubt about the one whom he referred as the Lamb of God. (John 1:29)

Jesus used this moment to comment that John was a great man in the old era, but He was the least in the kingdom of heaven that Jesus Himself had brought in. John the Baptist preached the message of repentance and hard work and determination to follow God. But Jesus' message is "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (v. 28-29 ESV)

Jesus gives us peace and rest when we follow Him. He bears our burden together with us like a team of oxen. He knows the frailty or our determination and efforts. He wants us to lay our burden down and just learn of Him. So today, let us learn to rest in Jesus and commit our all to Him. You will have a great Christmas and New Year because Jesus had brought to you a new beginning in your life. Not to labor and do your own thing, but to trust in Him and what He can do for you and through you. And let the result be rest in Him.

In John the Baptist and Jesus' days, many did not listen to either of them. Jesus said that their punishment will be severe. (v. 16-24) I trust that you will be the understanding ones by committing your life to Jesus today and ask Him to dwell in your heart. He will begin a new era for you personally.

December 25, 2008 - The Unpardonable Sin

Meditation on Matthew 12

Matthew began to describe the serious conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus in this passage. They attacked Jesus for not keeping their law of Sabbath. They questioned why Jesus' disciples began to pick the heads of grain and eat just because they were hungry thereby breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus explained to them the importance of compassion and that He is the Lord of Sabbath. (v. 1-8)

Then the Pharisees tried to trick Jesus with the question of healing on Sabbath in order to accuse Him. It is so sad to know that these so called lawful people in Jesus' day would forbid healing right away and even began to plan to destroy Jesus because He healed the sick on Sabbath. They had totally centered themselves on their law rather than God's will and heart. (v. 9-21)

And then the worst thing they did was to accuse Jesus' authority and power to cast out demons from the Devil. For this blasphemy, Jesus said that they were not only against Him but also was against the Holy Spirit. Their sin would not be forgiven. This was called the unpardonable sin. Those who would not accept the demonstration of the power and word of Jesus in convicting, converting people, and driving out demon activities today but instead speak against it with the devil's connotation, will not be forgiven also. (v. 22-37)

Jesus clearly demonstrated in words and action that just keeping the law is not enough. Relationship with Jesus is more important. True relationship with Jesus is not to seek miracle or sign from Him, but to do the will of the Heavenly Father.

December 26, 2008 - Parables For The Kingdom

Meditation on Matthew 13

Each of these parables in Matthew 13 should be of paramount interest to us. Pick one and study it carefully for your understanding of God's program and principles.

As a whole, the emphasis seems to be on the understanding of the word of the kingdom. When we valuate the word of the kingdom of heaven, we will begin to understand it and then we will bear fruit. See the explanation of the parable of the sower. In verse 23, it says, "As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understand it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another, thirty." (ESV) Those who do not value the word will never understand it.

Then form the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl of great value. We see the great significance of getting into the kingdom that it is more valuable than all our possession.

The parable of the weed shows us that the kingdom is so valuable that Satan would try to disturb its growth by sowing counterfeit seed into it at night. But other parables tell us that the kingdom will continue to grow quietly and greatly until the end of the age when God's harvest time will come and He will send His angels to separate the sinners and throw them into the fiery furnace.

So let us pay much attention to God's word today and grow in the kingdom of God.

December 27, 2008 - Training In Faith

Meditation on Matthew 14

At this time, John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod the ruler. The political environment was dangerous for Jesus and His disciples. Jesus' purpose of His first coming into the world was not to confront the political power but to die for the sins of the whole world. So He withdrew to a desolate place. The disciples who followed Him certainly knew the difficult time they were facing. It was the opportune time for Jesus to continue His public ministry with the emphasis of training His disciples to have faith in Him.

Notice the miracle of feeding five thousand men and their families. Jesus told the disciple to give them something to eat. This was a test for them. (John 6:6) He wanted to show the disciples that He can meet man's physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.

Later on Jesus walked on the water in the midst of great winds and waves to come to the disciples' boat. The disciples thought they saw a ghost. But he immediately spoke to them, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." (v. 27 ESV) When Peter requested to walk on the water to Jesus, He was granted the permission. After a few steps Peter sank because He was afraid, Jesus reached out to take hold of him right away. Jesus instructed him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (v. 31) How important faith is!

This chapter ends with Jesus continuing His ministry of healing. Those who had faith and touched even the fringe of his garment were made well.

These accounts certainly are relevant to our conditions today. We worry about our economy and food on the table. We face many storms of life. We may have illness physically and mentally. The answer is whether we trust in Jesus or not. When we turn our eyes upon Him crying out for His salvation, He will save us at the right time.