Daily Encouragement

December 6, 2009 - Everyone Needs A Close Friend

Twice in this passage, Paul urged Timothy to make every effort to come to him. (v. 9, 21) We could sense the desperate need of the apostle Paul. He recognized that he was approaching the end of his life as a result of his trial in Rome. Though he claimed that he had fought a good fight, he had finished the course, and he had kept the faith, he lamented the fact that all his friends (except Luke) had deserted him. Other faithful workers had to take care of their ministries some place else. Demas had left him because he loved the present world more than the ministry. Moreover, the weather was changing. Winter was coming soon. He must have felt cold and needed warmth. He seemed to be lacking books for reading. On the top of all these, he was facing tremendous opposition to the gospel from his enemies.

So he wished Timothy to come quickly. The aging Paul wanted Timothy to bring him a cloak and some reading materials. He requested Timothy to bring Mark too. Yes, Paul knew that the Lord was with him and had delivered him many times from persecution and even from lion's mouth. But he needed Timothy now.

In difficult time, everyone relies on a companion who is trustworthy and who knows his needs well. Have you felt that you are lonely at times? Open yourself for a good friend. If you do have someone already, then look around you to see if there is someone who needs an understanding pal and get to know him. To struggle alone in Christian life is not good.

December 7, 2009 - Pattern For Christian Living

Meditation on Titus 2

Here is a guideline for Christians in various categories how to conduct their lives. The Lord's expectation for older men, older women, young women, young men, church leaders, and employees are spelled out. We should not overlook these standards as something only for the churches on the Island of Crete. They are for all of us to adhere to. Let us read them carefully.

Verse fifteen says that, "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." (NASB) Titus, the pastor was exhorted to be responsible for teaching these standards to the congregation with authority from God. He should let no one ignore what he taught.

So it is today, we should pay attention to our personal conduct and practice in life and work that are taught in the word of God in details whether you are a man, woman, older and younger. God is speaking to you through His word.

December 8, 2009 - Accepted As Beloved

Meditation on Philemon

This great letter by Paul has a lot to teach us about relationship. Today as we talk about accepting one another in the local church which is composed of people of diverse cultures and background, we must learn from these heart-felt words to Philemon, a slave owner.

Apparently, Onesimus was a run-away slave who met Paul and became a Christian, Paul then sent him back to his owner, Philemon who was also converted by Paul. In those days under the rule of the Roman Empire, the owner of the slave had the right to kill a slave who ran away. Now Paul asked Philemon not only took Onesimus back, but also accepted him as a beloved brother in the Lord. What an example of forgiveness and reconciliation Philemon had to demonstrate as a Christian in his house which was also a church.

This letter is full of emotion and statements about the heart. Paul emphasized the love between Christians in the Lord. How we need to accept one another in the household of God regardless of the great differences existed among one another. For Christ through the cross has torn down the barrier and hatred between races and from the wrongful treatment between one another.

We can accept one another as beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.

December 9, 2009 - Jesus Is God

Meditation on Hebrews 1

The writer of Hebrews through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit emphatically reveals to us that Jesus is God. See verse three referring to the Son, "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high." (ESV)

When the Son was incarnated into the world, God the father commanded all angels to worship him. (v. 6) His throne and righteous authority is forever. (v. 8-9) He was the creator of the earth and heavens. (v. 10) He is always the same and has no ending and he will conquer all enemies. (v. 12-13)

Therefore consciously knowing who He is and what He has done for us, we should praise Jesus with our hearts and lips today. And we bow to worship Him.

December 10, 2009 - Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus

Meditation on Hebrews 3

The New International Version captures the idea of the main Greek verb in verse one very well. That is "fix your thoughts" on Jesus. The following verses then bring out the emphases that Jesus was faithful to his mission like Moses but He was superior than Moses because He is the son over God's house. So it is good for us to fix our thoughts on the faithfulness of Jesus. Our attention to His faithfulness will cause us to trust in His faithfulness by holding on to our hope and confidence in Him courageously. (v.6, 14)

If we don't fix our thoughtesus on Jesus, we would not be able to enter the rest God has prepared for us because of our unbelief. (v. 19)

Let us look at the example of the Israelite in the wilderness. They heard God's voice and experienced God's mighty work, yet they were harden in their heart and did not believe. Thus, while it is today, let us encourage one another to pay attention to Jesus' word and obey His voice. Since He is faithful, He can deliver us from the deceitfulness of sin.

December 11, 2009 - Warning And Encouragement

Meditation on Hebrews 6

Bible students have various interpretations for verses one to eight. For me, this passage is clearly talking about those who have been believers but later have fallen away. God's word says, "It is impossible to renew them again to repentance, 'since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.'" (v. 6 NASB) In the following, there is a serious warning through an analogy that these persons are like ground that yield thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed. The word "close" indicates that it is not cursed yet. But the result is that it will be burned. (v. 8) It means that these apostates will be judged seriously like what the Apostle Paul said about Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom he had handed over to Satan. (1 Timothy 1:20) Perhaps that is why 1 John 5:16 says that there is a sin leading to death.

However the word of God encourages us that we can lay hold of the hope we have in Christ who is our high priest. He understands all our weaknesses, difficulties and temptation. When we are wavering in the sea of life, we can anchor our soul in Him. He will always deliver us. (v. 20) Praise God, we can grow toward maturity in Christ through the tough trials and would not just stay in the basic like when we first believed. (v. 1-2)

December 12, 2009 - A New And Better Covenant

Meditation on Hebrews 8

God had made a covenant with the Israelite to assure them His love and protection. But they did not continue in it. So God made a new one with them through the mediation of His Son, the eternal high priest. This better covenant is the fulfillment of the prophecy that said, "I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. …, For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (v. 10, 12 NASB)

Though man may be faithless, God remains faithful to us.(2 Timothy 2:13) This new and better covenant through Jesus applies not only to Israel but also to all people who put their trust in Him. For the Scriptures says, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to a promise." (Galatians 3:29) Therefore now we can rely on what God has pledged through this new covenant mentioned above. And each of us will also have a new heart to obey God.

Let us rejoice in this new and better covenant relying only on Jesus Christ who has forgiven our sins and causes us to remember His law of love.