Daily Encouragement

July 26, 2009 - Always Ready To Explain

Meditation on 1 Peter 3

As you read this chapter, surely you have been touched by the many truths you have learned. But there is one truth I hope that all of us should put into practice right now. That is in verse 15, where it says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you do have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (NIV)

When we revere Christ as holy in our hearts and lives, we would always be ready to explain to others the reason of the hope in Him with the proper attitude. We should share with others the gospel of salvation and changed life in Christ. Today, the people of the world everywhere need our evangelistic life style.

Peter pointed out that in Noah's day; the Spirit of Jesus did go to preach to them. Verse 19-20 says, "Through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built...." The word, ''whom" is referred to the Holy Spirit mentioned in verse 18. The spirits in prison are referred to those who are now in prison but were alive in the days of Noah.

So whether people would believe or not we should still explain to them that they need Christ. May God help us to do that.

July 27, 2009 - Dealing With Suffering

Meditation on 1 Peter 4

When Christians face suffering in the flesh, we should arm ourselves with the same attitude like Christ's suffering unto death. That is to die with him to sin so we would not sin any more. (v. 1-2, ref. Romans 6:7)

Also we must realize Christians would face severe trial at times. But we rather rejoice in the fact that we would be sharing the suffering of Christ. And it would be a reassurance that we will receive exultation at His appearance. (v. 12) If we are insulted for Christ's sake, we are blessed and we should glorify the Lord. (v.14, 16)

But of course, we want to make sure that our suffering is not because of our own sins or meddling into others' business. (v. 15) If our suffering is according to the will of God, then we should continue to do what is right and commit our souls to our creator. (v. 19)

Like in Peter's time, millions of Christians are suffering for Christ today around the world where it is hostile to Christianity. May God's word comfort and strengthen them. Let us pray for their deliverance.

July 28, 2009 - He Cares For You

Meditation on 1 Peter 5

"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (v. 7 NASB) Sometimes, anxiety may come upon a person all of a sudden. We worry about bank account, children safety, job security, the future of U.S. economy or personal health. For some believers in the world, they worry about their own safety because of persecution. But the word of God encourages us to throw over all our care upon Jesus. It is too much and too heavy for us to carry these burdens. Talk to Jesus in details and let Him shoulder your burden. For He cares for you!

Compare yourself with the birds and the flowers of the great nature. If God takes care of them, would not He take care of you more? (Matthew 6:25-34) Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) Philippians 4:6-7 commands us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayers and supplication with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 55:22 gives you the similar assurance, "Cast your burdens upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Praise the Lord.

July 29, 2009 - Christians Must Be Useful And Fruitful

Meditation on 2 Peter 1

Since Christians are partakers of the divine nature, we must grow in our Christians lives. This growing process is the work of God plus the cooperation of believers. That is the description of the Apostle Peter in verses 4-7: "....applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love." (NASB)

If we are growing in those qualities, then we will not be useless and unfruitful. (v. 8) Otherwise, we are blind or shortsighted, Peter says. (v. 9)

Quite often, we pay no attention to growing as Christians is because we do not take God's coming kingdom from God's revelation seriously. But Peter has authenticated to us that what he wrote and said were eye witness accounts and personal experiences regarding the Lord Jesus Christ. (Matthew 17:1-8) What he and the prophets wrote were moved by the Holy Spirit. Those words are forever the words of God. (v. 16-21)

As God has spoken and His kingdom is coming soon, we better obey and make every effort to grow in our Christian characters.

July 30, 2009 - Transformation Or Reformation

Meditation on 2 Peter 2

This passage described the damages and the terrible fate of the false teachers. The question everyone is interested to know is whether these false teachers were genuine Christians or not. The key verse we need to interpret is verse twenty, "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first." (NASB)

These false teachers have escaped the moral corruption of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They knew the teaching and the power of the word of God. They were convinced of them so they avoided the corruption of the world and turned around in their outward behavior at first. They may even be able to do great things in the name of the Lord like Judah, who followed Jesus but betrayed Him later. Jesus had mentioned this kind of false prophets in Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'"

Peter says this about them, "It has happened to them according to the true proverbs, 'A dog returns to it own vomit,' and, 'A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.'" (v. 22) A dog will always be a dog. And a sow will always be a sow. These people had never been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit though they may have seen that power when the Spirit transformed others and gave them a new nature.

These false teachers had tried very hard to reform their own behavior according to the standard in God's word. But they were never born again because they had never turned over their whole being to Jesus. They look like Christians outside but they are not real inside. They made profession and joined the church to be leaders and teachers. But they eventually went back to their own way and walked out of Christianity.

May we turn to Jesus without any reservation. May we admit our sins and receive a new life from Jesus.

July 31, 2009 - Where Is The Promise Of Jesus' Coming?

Meditation on 2 Peter 3

Nowadays we seldom hear a message of the second coming of our Lord Jesus in the so called seeker's services on Sunday. I guess these pastors assume that very few people would be concerned in such topic. But those who are interested in the word of God should never neglect such topic.

Peter reminds us that the holy prophets talked about the coming of the Lord. Their words were the word of God. When the word of God told us that the world was destroyed by the flood. And it was, except only eight persons were saved. So history confirmed that the word of God would be fulfilled. Jesus will come according to God's word. (v. 3-9)

Since Peter compared Paul's letter as Scriptures. (v. 16 ) , we have another proof that Paul's writing was also the word of God. And Paul's letters often discussed the coming of the Lord. So the promise of His coming is not slow. It is just that God is patient and that His looking at time is different from us. He looks at a day as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. (v. 8)

Therefore we should be sober and live a clean life to wait for His coming. (v. 14) For the time of His coming is like a thief. (v. 10)

August 1, 2009 - Christian Koinonia

Meditation on 1 John 1

The Apostle John wrote his letter to us with the purpose that we may have fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The word fellowship in Greek is "Koinonia". It has much more meaning than the English word, fellowship. It means mutual participation in a common cause, a communion, and a partnership of mutual life and love. As a result of such koinonia, our joy may be made complete, John said. (v. 4)

Christian joy is quite different from the joy in the world. Non Christians would not be able to have it. In spite of great difficulties and trials in life, we can still have joy unspeakable in Christ because of our koinonia with Him.

However there is a requirement in such koinonia. We must live our lives in the light for God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. (v. 5) We thank God that there is a provision for our sins: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (v. 9 NASB) Then we can maintain our walk and koinonia in the light.

Are you in Christian koinonia today?