Daily Encouragement

November 29, 2009 - Christ, My Mind

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (v. 5a), God's words says. What kind of mind is the emphasis here? It is a mind of humility, lowliness and preference for others which leads to unity in the church. (v. 1-4 NKJV)

The Apostle Paul describes Christ's mind like this: "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (v. 6-8 ESV) It takes a mind that is confident and assured of oneself to be able to manifest this kind of humility. People can see that. This is the kind of mind that will eventually shine as star in this dark world. This can be the blessed mind that would minister to the needs of the church. This is the mind that would inspire trust.

Like Jesus who has been highly exalted by God, (v. 9-11) we too will be granted a crown to rule with Him when He comes. (Revelation 3:21, 22:5)

November 30, 2009 - Christ, Preeminent

Meditation on Colossians 1

The letter of Colossians was written by the apostle Paul to refute the false teaching of putting Christ lower than God Himself. Today, we still hear this kind of cult. They would use the phrase in verse fifteen referring Christ as "the first-born of all creation" to prove that Christ existed later than God.

But they have totally misinterpreted the meaning of "first-born". This expression was used to define privilege and right rather than the order of birth in the Bible. For example, firstborn was appointed in Psalm 89:27, "I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth." (NIV) When Jacob gave his last blessings to Joseph's two sons, he purposely gave the blessings of the first born to the young one, Ephraim rather than Manasseh, the first son. Therefore the Scriptures says in Jeremiah 31:9, "...and Ephraim is my firstborn son." Also, Israel was called God's firstborn in Exodus 4:22 though they were not the first people born. For they held first place in God's heart.

So Colossians 1:15 just emphasizes the fact that Jesus owns the right of all creation because all things were created by Him. (v.16a) And in Him all things are held together. (v. 17) Jesus was before all things and will rule over all things in heavens and earth.

Let us praise Him and dedicated our lives to "Christ first."

December 1, 2009 - Spiritual Leadership

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 2

It is so interesting that this chapter describes spiritual leaders as parents in the family. The Thessalonians’ church was such a good model to other churches was because of the leadership team of the apostle Paul. He said, "But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children." (v. 7 NASB) The leaders of the church care for the congregation like a mother nursing her baby with tender care. A mother would have fond affection for her child to the point of willing to sacrifice her life for him or her, Paul said.

Then in verses ten to twelve, Paul compared him and the leaders as a father who exhorts, encourages and implores the Thessalonians’ congregation as their own children in the faith. The spiritual mentors wanted to train the new believers to walk in a manner worthy of God.

The job of a spiritual leader in the church is not just to do a manual task or exerts some control over the church. All the leaders must show their love to the new believers under their care like a father and a mother both. The leaders should be tender and sacrificial as they feed the followers. He or she must also discipline and guide the new believers to the right path too.

Spiritual leaders are spiritual parents in the church family. Are you serving as a leader in your church?

December 2, 2009 - Prelude To Second Coming

Meditation on 2 Thessalonians 2

During the first century, there were false teachers telling the Thessalonians that Jesus had already come back and that was why they were suffering from persecution. So the apostle Paul wrote to remind the Thessalonian Christians what he had already instructed them before. This time he spelled out clearly that a great falling away which is the Apostasy will come before the second coming of Christ. (v. 3)

At such time, the son of perdition which is the Antichrist will appear and exalt himself as God. (v. 4) He will perform the work of Satan with power, deception and wonders causing many people to believe him. Eventually the coming of the Lord will cause his destruction. (v. 8) Those who believe his lie will be condemned also.

Right now the Antichrist is prevented from appearing. The only person who can prevent the appearing of this lawless one, is, I believe, the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit would have the power to do so. But he will be taken away someday. (v. 7) Then the lawless one will be revealed. He will sit in the temple of God which will be in Israel and show himself as God. This would be the situation before the re-entry of Christ to the earth.

While we are carefully watching the condition of the world to anticipate what is being predicted in the Bible, we should be like the Thessalonian church in standing fast of what we have been taught in the word of the Apostles. We know that we would be comforted and established by our loving Father through His word. (v. 16-17)

December 3, 2009 - Prayers For All Men

Meditation on 1 Timothy 2

All Christians are urged to pray for the world and for those who are in control of the governments so that we may have a peaceful life to share our Savior's message to all people. Here is what the apostle Paul wrote, "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authorities, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (v. 1-4 NASB)

When Paul wrote this, his world then was ruled by Nero, the unstable and very cruel ruler of the Roman Empire. Yet he pleaded that prayers would be offered for Nero too. Therefore we can certainly pray for government and officials whose political view points which we don't like at all. Christians should stand up for our belief and preach the gospel like Peter and John did in Acts. But we should not engage in activities that are subversive to our own government. Romans 13:1-5 and 1 Peter 2:17 clearly teach that. Titus 3:1-2 also reminds us that Christians should be subject to authorities and to be uncontentious.

May we pray that the unbelievers, no matter who they are, will all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by inviting Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of their lives through prayer.

December 4, 2009 - Leadership In The Church

Meditation on 1 Timothy 4

The instruction for Timothy should apply to all leaders in the church as well. They must be examples for all believers. Only then would the church will grow spiritually. The word of God gives specific instruction in verse 12: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (NASB)

Those who want to be leaders in the church ought to set good examples in these five areas: conversation, righteous behavior, God's kind of love, faithful trust in God, and clean mind and heart. These should be the standard for any office in the church.

Timothy was around thirty-five years old when he received this letter from Paul. Yet he was considered a young person because people who were under forty were still labeled as youthful. So today if you are not quite forty yet, you should thank God that you are still young. And you should take up the leadership responsibility in your church by setting those good examples in your life.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)

December 5, 2009 - Serve God With Confidence

Meditation on 2 Timothy 1

Through Paul's encouragement to Timothy, you can be sure of two powerful motivations for our service to God:

Number one, "... God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (v. 7 NKJV) What an assurance for you as Christians who serve the Lord. The grammar of this verse indicated that God's action has completed. You have been provided by the Holy Spirit in your spirit the power, love and sound discipline to do His work. He is with you to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

Motivation number two, "… For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day" (v. 12 NASB) You do not need to worry about whether you can be successful or not because you also believe in the Lord Jesus whom Paul believed. You can know for sure that He is powerful and gracious enough to keep that which you have committed to Him for keeping until you see Him face to face. You can entrust Him with you life. You can depend on His safe keep when you turn over all your ministry to Him. You can rely on Him for your future salvation. You can trust in Him for your family. Nothing can separate you from the love of God. (Romans 8:38-39)

The only question is this: Do you entrust all those to Him?