1 Corinthians 12:12

    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Today's Thought: Teamwork does the work; it divides the effort and multiplies the result.


Arturo Toscanini conducted for a performance at the Metropolitan Operate House in New York City. He offered some constructive criticism to the young soloist. While she proudly accept the advice, she exclaimed: I am the star of this performance. Toscanini replied: Madame, in this performance there are no stars.


This is also true of the church. Paul's analogy was on-point. He wanted us to understand that we are all members of one body - that of Christ. While we may have different traits and duties, we must do this for the body. This is in recognition that we don't have anything, but can always work together for the furtherance of the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.


We are not stars. God is looking for workers who are willing to be servants. We must be part of that team who works for Christ.

Romans 6:17

    But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Today's Thought: The life tells the doctrine that shaped it.

John MacArthur wrote: "Nothing is more wicked than for someone to claim to speak for God to the salvation of souls when in reality he speaks for Satan to the damnation of souls." Indeed, those who teach erroneous doctrines are evil men who deceive others and lead them to the horrors of hell.

It is often said that if you want to know the doctrines of a congregation, all you need to do is examine the lives of its members. When a church follows an unadulterated pattern of teaching, the lives of people are also unadulterated, but the opposite is also true.

In this latter days, let us be aware of false doctrines that do not have the intention of making a person understand the saving grace of Jesus Christ, but deceive men to believe in the necessity of works, or in worshiping angels, or in glorifying woods and stones.

2 Peter 1:3-4
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Today's Thought: God's Word never fails in giving us the direction we should take.

Before GPS was introduced into our cars and phones, it was easy to see travelers on the side of the road with a large map on hand and tying to locate their path. Now, with the GPS system, it is not easy to make turns at right timing, but the GPS also provides a better way to navigate through and reach destinations in less time.

The Bible is more than GPS. It does not just provide us with the right and left turns to make, but it also provides us the direction to take for us to reach the destination of blessing. There are several obstacles and challenges ahead, but the GPS provides a way out through this.

According to Paul in Galatan 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Let us allow God to give us the direction of our lives. The Word of God should be the GPS that tells us the right path everytime we fall astray to the left.

Luke 22:45-46

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

Today's Thought: The people of God should be wide awake and alert all the time.

In colonial America, church services last long hours. Churches had ushers with long sticks to rouse sleepers. Obadiah Turner wrote about Allen Bridges, a church usher who had a fox tail and thorn on his long stick.

On the last Lord’s day, as he strutted about the meetinghouse, he did spy Mr. Tomlins sleeping with much comfort, his head kept steady by being in the corner, and his hand grasping the rail. And so spying, Allen did quickly thrust his staff behind Dame Ballard and give him a grievous prick upon the hand.
“Whereupon Mr. Tomlins did spring up much above the floor and with terrible force strike his hand against the wall; and also to the great wonder of all, profanely exclaim in a loud voice, ‘Curse ye, woodchuck!’ He was dreaming so it seemed that a woodchuck had seized and bit his hand. But on coming to know where he was, and the great scandal he had committed, he seemed much abashed, but did not speak. And I think he will not soon again go to sleep in worship.

People may laugh about those who fall asleep in church. However,there is nothing funny about a Christian who is not alert of the impending threat and the need of others to know the Lord Jesus Christ. We often do not realize the seriousness of the threats and the necessity of spiritual warfare we are into.

Hebrews 11:17

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.

Today's Thought: A trial faced is an opportunity to trust God. 

The first Scholastic Aptitude Test was done among more than eight thousand young students on June 23, 1926. The test was designed to test the learning potential of prospective college students. The original test dealt with math, number series, logic, analogies, and definitions.

The tests we face in life are designed to measure the opportunity of demonstrating our faith. We must understand that these tests are not meant to destroy our faith. They may be hard, but they are meant to build us up. When Abraham was preparing Isaac to be the sacrifice, he was hoping against hope that God would provide a sacrifice. And his faith stood strong.

God would never break His promises or let us down who trust in Him. God does not promise life of sweetness, but He promises grace in the times of purging amidst the storm.

Psalm 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Today's Thought: Focus on Christ and you will see the right spiritual light.

There was a woman who had difficulty with her eyes. She went to the doctor for an examination. The doctor told her that her eyes are just tired. The doctor told her to look outsider her windows for about 10 to 20 minutes and it will rest her eyes.

If we keep on focusing on our problems, we will be tired. The eyes of the soul are tired beause we focus on our problems and difficulties. What we need is to lift our eyes to the lord, to look upward and will have a new strength from the Lord.

When we pray and read the Word of God, the Lord will put our problems in His perspective and He will renew our strength that we may be able to make the most out our lives. Just lift up your eyes.

1 Timothy 1:2-4

Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

Today's Thought: Do not compromise the truth. 

The Ephesian church was one of the great churches during the New Testatement era. With mounting persecutions and oppositions, the church was able to reach people with the gospel. Timothy was commissioned by Paul to teach their sound doctrine.

There are many churches today that are infected with false doctrine. People live in sin and error because they are not confronted with the truth. Some others waiver because it is easier to bend than to stand.

The devil knows the importance of undermining the truth. We must be on guard against the father of lies. Let us not compromise the truth. It is vital to our growth and development even to the health and growth of churches.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Today's Thought: Those who trust in God will never be disappointed. 

William Carey, a shoemaker, hung a worldmap in his shop. He began to pray that God would ignite hearts of men to reach the lost. Afterwhich, he went to India himself and became the forerunner of modern missions. His tombstone reads: A wretched, poor and helpless worm, on Thy kind arms I fall.

God should be the only source of our strength. All we accomplish for Him are His and not ours. Our physical strength and mental capacity come from the Lord. The air we breath is God's. Everything we see is God's.

We can trust others, but only God is faithful to do what He has promised. We should allow God to work in our lives. The more we approach the Lord, the more we should trust Him in every sphere of our lives.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Today's Thought: The decisions we make reflect the results we will achieve. 

Harlan Sanders had seen much in life. During World War II, he fed thousands of workers at the Oak Ridge nuclear weapons facility. After the war, he tried to sell chicken, but he failed. But at the age of 65, he developed Kentucky Fried Chicken which became famous around America. He sold his stake in KFC and gave millions to different causes even after he died.

We all have the opportunity to use our time, talents and resources for the glory of God. We can choose to do little by hanging on as much as we can. Or we can do so much by giving away what we can't have.

The Lord is looking for people who will trust Him. He will honor those who give because they know it is the will of God. Sanders said: here’s no good reason to be the richest man in the cemetery.

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Today's Thought: Keep the flames of faith burning until the day of Christ's coming. 

Brendan Schweighart fought in the war in Iraq. One day he and his platoon retreived a tank when Brendan was hit by a spiner's bullet that could have pierced through his heart. The blow sent massive impact, but when he reached safety, he found himself uninjured. The sniper's bullet was stopped by the Holy Bible his mother gave him. Paul refer to the shield of faith as an important part of our armor.

Abraham was already old when he was called by God and was promised a son. Isaac's birth was already impossible and improbable, but God made it possible "for with God nothing is impossible." During these lean years and days of Abraham's life, he just kept faith in the promise of God. The delays, which are also His timings, did not discourage Abraham for he knows the God who promised Him.

Our faith is a vital part of our armor. If we lose our shield, it is easy for the devil to throw his javelins at us. The devil takes opportunities at every delay and setback to tell us that God does not care or His promises as just shallow words. But let us be strong in faith and let us give God the glory our lives.

John 1:1–5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not

Today's Thought: The world is getting darker and we must remain the light of the same.

The relevance of the lighthouse is emphasized by the darkness around if. While we can barely give notice to the importance of the lighthouse when we are near, those who travel across the sea before the dawn of radar and advanced navigation can see the lighthouse miles away.

We live in a society that is getting darker each day. John says: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Light reveals the acts and lives of men as they live. The challenge is how can we keep our light burning amidst this evil world.

We are light not for us to be famous. We are lights of the world for others not to perish. Let us keep our lights burning as we continue to give God the glory of our lives.

Matthew 15:11

What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.

Today's Thought: Let us live our doctrine - this is real Christianity. 

On June 22, 2002, a young pitching star for the St. Louis Cardinals was found dead in his hotel room. He was young, athletic and in good health. But the autopsy report says otherwise. There was a 90 percent blockage in two of his coronary arteries, blood clot in one of them, and enlarged heart. His appearance did not show any health issues.

Jesus told the Pharisees the condition of being spiritually blinded because they thought they were right with God. The kingdom of Christ is not manifested in the appearance alone, but in the heart. It is an inside-out job and not an outside-in process. Jesus talked about how people honor Him with their lips, but their heart was far from Him.

It is impossible to determine spiritual health through the looks. It is only judged through the way a person lives. Let us allow God to search our hearts and lead us in His way again.

Luke 21:29-31

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Today's Thought: The return of Christ should affect the way we live our lives.

Interest of people on the return of Christ changed over time, maybe as a result of several people trying to predict the same. The "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988" sold million of copies, but the follow up "88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1989" did not.

The fig trees were the last to bud in the late spring. This indicates that if leaves are appearing, summer is close. Fig trees were stable of the Jewish economy and many people depended on the same.

While this does not mean that the fig tree is the timeline for the return of Christ, but it says that as surely as the fig tree buds and summer is come, so does Christ. His return may tarry, but it shall surely come.

Romans 5:6

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Today's Thought: The greatness of God's love is demonstrated in the sacrifice of Christ.

In Great Expectations, a book of Charles Dickens, there was a woman named Miss Havisham. She was wealthy and she was courted by a scoundrel who only wanted her money. On their wedding day, he did not show up and sent a message declaring his true intentions. Miss Havisham stopped all clocks in the house. It reminded her of the betrayal and pain. She never moved on from that pain.

But no pain could ever be comparable to the impact of sin on the heart of God. Adam failed the Lord. Sin came into the world and it brought with it death. Yet in that situation, a rescue mission was laid out to bring in the sinful man, to give him the chance to be with the Lord.

It was the perfect demonstration of God's love. If one cannot be convinced of God's goodness, Calvary says it all. God was willing to do everything to reach out and provide sinners with a way out even when they hated Him. It is the greatest gift God has given us and it is the grandest expression of love.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen

Today's Thought: Dedication and unity are keys to successful Christian life.

Sports organization have a simple rule - to win. It is important for professional athletes to have the support that they need for them to win. Coaches, trainers and staff must have the same goal of winning. With the massive organization, dedication and unity of all people is difficult but achievable.

Divisions are hindrances to what God's people could achieve. While we must stand on our convictions and on doctrinal standards, but we must be the one looking for divisions. Paul asked us to of the same mind with him as he is with Christ. Whie there are several opinions and ideas abounding within, the primacy of Christ must be first of all.

The early church was in one accord in one place. This is the aspiration that we should have. While it is impossible to be in unison and uniform, let us endeavor to be united.

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Today's Thought: Everything else is worthless when compared to the greatness of Christ.

Perhaps the greatest denial of self, next to Christ, was Paul. Though he was a lawyer, he took no offense in abasing himself for him to exalt the greatness of Christ. Paul knew that all he'd learned before were nothing compared to the knowledge of Christ.

We see the our will and our heart are everything. True religion is only the religion of the heart "for out of it are the issues of life." Only the spirit of prayer, or the longing desire of the heart after Christ, God and heaven, breaks our bondage and lifts us out of the thoughts of this present world.

We must learn to forget our selves, to be nothing like John the Baptist. We should make prayer our life, our state, the principle of our lives.

James 4:3

 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Today's Thought: Ask wisely and the Lord will answer your prayer.

With the rise of online ordering, people can easily buy things without the need to physically visit the store. However, there are instances when the ordered item does not meet the expectation of the buyer. Some online stores would allow the return of these items with the option of substituting it with a better one.

When we pray to God, we must be tell Him to take our weak prayers and answer them according to His will. We do not see our prayers answered because they are selfish and only focuses on what we want. Instead, let make it a motive of our hearts and trust Him who knows the best to give us.

The Lord is a God of power and might and He will surely send us something far better than what we are asking Him. Let us trust the Lord to give us the best and let us hope that our prayers our answered accordingly.

Luke 24:46

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Today's Thought: The sacrifice of Jesus is an important ingredient of our salvation.

When one substitutes one thing for the original, it may work. For instannce, when one does not like to use egg in baking, a little applesauce and baking power will still yield the sam result. Whether you travel by plane or by land, one still reaches his destination. There are several things in life that could make use of substitute.

However, when it comes to salvation, there is no substitute. When it comes to redemption, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ do not have any substitute. This is a fundamental part of our faith and there is no substitute to the same as Paul declared: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

There are no alternatives for the atonement of sin and for our reconciliation with God. No man could die for Jesus, nor angels could. It was the unrelentless pursuit of God that led Him to the cross to save us poor sinners. In return, we ought to serve Him with all our hearts, mind and strength.

Luke 21:25–26

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Today's Thought: Trust God and leave fear behind.

Afterthe successful invasion of Sicily, General George Patton was interviewed and was praised fo his courage. But Patton replied: "Sir, I am not a brave man. The truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn’t so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands." The only thing that matters is that Patton was not controlled by his fears. "I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears."

The Bible is full of promises on not fearing tomorrow or the situation but trusting the Lord. It tells us that there will be troubles and pain ahead, but it will not take away the truth of the victory God has given us. Fear is not from the Lord.

Let us learn to take courage and trust God in everything. If we will be controlled by our fear, we will never see great things done for the Lord.

Luke 21:20-22

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

Today's Thought: Let us labor while waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

April 1878. It was the predicted return of Christ to earth. Charles Russel sold his businesses and spent the money in funding various publications to promote the doctrine of Christ's return on April 1878. Many believed Russell and some of them wore white robes and stood on hillsides on the appointed day as they waited for the return of Christ. But they waited in vain. Russell was absolutely wrong on the date, but also the doctrine used as basis of his prediction.

The return of Christ is sure. But let us not spend our energies and resources in predicting when He will come. Rather, let us use our time and resources instead to fulfill the command of Jesus - to tell the story of salvation throughout the land. The plan of the God is not for us to know when His return will be, but it is for us to wise in waiting for His return. Let us be excitedly serving as we wait, and let us be excitedly waiting as we serve.

Let us be careful students of the Word of God. Let us use the Word of God according to the leading of the Spirit for us to grasp what is happening and what will happen next.

Luke 22:35-36

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Today's Thought: Do not forget that God provides for the work He has given you.

A young woman brought her fiancee to meet her parents. After dinner, her father asked the young man into his study for a chat. “So, what are your plans?” he began. “I’m a theology scholar,” the young man replied. “Admirable!” the father said, “But what will you do to provide a nice home for my daughter?” “I will study and God will provide,” he explained. “And how will you afford to raise children?” “God will provide.” The men left the study and the mother asked her husband, “How did it go?” “He has no money or employment plans,” the father said. “But on the other hand, he thinks I’m God.”

What the father failed to acknowledge is that the Lord of the young man is a God of provision. When Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, he took him to Mount Moriah without any complaint. Abraham did not hesitate to obey God in his circumstance. He knew that the Lord is a God who provides for whatever need there was.

We are not like the atheist who does not have any means of support. When we trust God, we are not being foolish, but we are being faithful with our side of the agreement. He has promised it and we accepted the promise. We must be faithful to our obligation of trusting the Lord and the Lord, for sure, is faithful to fulfill His promise of provision. It is not our job to provide, but it is the Lord's. Our responsibility is to believe.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Today's Thought: Even in times of despair, the Lord gives us a new direction.

Hangar 61 in Colorado at the Stapleton Airport was slowly transformed to become a church. A rusty ship in Philadelphia was emerging to be a hotel or a marine museum. Hotels in their old age were renovated to become apartments. The purpose of these changes is to make a structure useful again when its usefulness already expired.

The Lord is giving people in the Bible new direction for them to reach a certain destination. Moses talked with the burning bush and was driven out of shepherding. Jacob had to wrestle with the angel of the Lord for him to become Israel. Of course, there was Paul who had to be blind to find a meaning and direction of his life. The Lord intervened in the lives of these people for them to have a new direction.

When we are in circumstances that would change our lives, our decisions, and our future, let us remember that our God gives us these circumstances for us to arrive at His expected end. Let us hold on to the promises of God and be ready to live the purpose of our lives.