Acts 15:26

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today's Thought: Let us be willing to sacrifice for Christ - this is real discipleship.

Bob Simmons had just led the Oklahoma State football team to their first victory in ten years. However, a serious kidney problem put his career at stake. To save his life, his wife, Linda, gave her kidney to him. The surgery was successful thanks to the risk Linda Simmons took for her husband.

We love the Lord as a response to the love he has extended to us. The result of the Lord's love to us should be a life being lived for the glory of the Lord. It should not be a life for self alone.

Commitment to Christ is not a guarantee that one will not face hardships and suffering. There were always be people who will oppose God's work. We should pay the price sacrificially and joyfully.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Today's Thought: Just live the Bible, the very Word of God.

Sir Walter Scott understood the importance of the Word of God. On this deathbed, he asked a friend to read him the Bible. With his vast library of histories and novels to choose from, Scott simply said: There is but on book - bring the Bible.

There are several resources to be found right now. A single click can bring us several information on anything we want to know. But the most precious resource we can have is the Word of God. While there is a wide access to the Word of God, only few people take time to read the Book.

Many Christians failed miserably to take notice the importance of the Bible in their lives as if they are not yet born again. The Bible is perfect and we must allow the Word of God to mold our lives the way God wants it. We should read it and treasure it.

Exodus 35:21

And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Today's Thought: You should give and not lose it.

A chaplain visited soldiers seriously wounded in battle. When he came to a young soldier who lost his arm, he offered some comforting words: You have lost an arm in a great cause. The young man answered: No, Sir, I didn't lose it, I gave it.

The Christian life is best lived when we don't cling to everything and anything for ourselves. It is the recognition of the grace of God being extended to us that allows us to be grateful for the opportunity to do so.

Christ didn't lose His life on the cross, but He gave it. This should inspire to be a willing sacrifice to anything God wants to do with our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:5-8

Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Today's Thought: Following the Word of God will never go wrong.

Corrie ten Boom once said: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Rather than trying to understand our future, let us learn to trust God and just live according to His Word. It is not about seeing the obstructions ahead, but it is knowing whom you are listening to.

We cannot clearly see the path in front of us. But the Lord does. He knows full well what will happen tomorrow, next week or next year. He knows every part and event of our lives. God knows the exact place and moment of our death, even. We don't need more information, we need more faith.

If we will walk by faith and not by sight we will have confidence on our Lord. Let us try to understand what is happening around us, but let us learn to trust Him who understands it all.

James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Today's Thought: If are grounded on the promise of Heaven, we can rejoice when trials come.

The Decian Persecution tested the faith of Christians in 249 AD. Emperor Decius ordered every Roman citizen to perform an offering to the Roman gods before a magistrate. The penalty of disobeying the decree was death. While there were Christians who succumbed to the pressure of the Roman power, there were those who chose death than deny Christ.

While most of us don't face life and death, most of us have to endure trials and struggles. Rather than seeing these trials are unfair and surprising, we should see them as the faithfulness of God. We should remember that God remains in control.

Jesus says: "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." While we are not asking for trials and sufferings, we must focus our eyes on God when they come.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

Today's Thought: Let us be on our tour of duty.

When the Darius invaded Greece to expand his empire in 490 BC, Athenian army successfully routed the invaders. To take the news of triumph back to Athens, a dispatch runner named Pheidippides was sent. He ran twenty-six mils without stopping to rest. When he arrived, he breathed his last with these words: Joy, we win.

We are not in a cruise ship voyage of pleasure and rest. But we are traveling on a battleship as a tour of duty. The cause of Christ is always worthy of the sacrifice we make. Paul served the Lord with all he could and he had.

With this thought, let us allow God to renew our strength in this distance race. We need the strength of the Lord to keep us running and fighting this fight. Otherwise, we will fall out in the way.

Philippians 2:17

Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Today's Thought: God deserves every sacrifice we make for Him.

Missionary Hudson Taylor had been monumental in reaching China to the Lord. But a woman spent her time with the missionary - his wife. Maria taught, wrote, witnessed and gave birth to nine children, only four survived. All four children became missionaries to China. Maria died in 1871 from cholera. On her gravestone, they wrote:

AN EARNEST CHRISTIAN AND DEVOTED MISSIONARY,
A FAITHFUL AND AFFECTIONATE WIFE AND TENDER MOTHER,
A SINCERE AND WARM HEARTED FRIEND,
TO HER TO LIVE WAS CHRIST, AND TO DIE WAS GAIN

We must endure for the glory of God. The very things we give up for the Lord are surely remembered by God. Our faithfulness will be rewarded by the Lord. This is the promise of God for sacrifice. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Jeremiah 4:3

For thus saith the Lord to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Today's Thought: God's Word and grace can only grow in our hearts if we are willing and ready for its nourishment.


One of the basics in farming is breaking the ground and preparing it for the sowing of seeds. A wise farmer would not plant on a hard ground, but will make sure that the ground is properly broken and soil nutrients are mixed and distributed throughout. It takes patience and labor to prepare the ground for the seeds.

This is also the process of our hearts for the Word of God and His matchless grace. We need to break our hearts, get rid of weeds of sins growing, thoroughly mix the soil, and make sure the sun and air are able to pass through freely. Only then will the Word of God can take root in our hearts. It will be a laborious process, for sure, but it will make sure that the Word of God can find a place in our hearts and grow thereby.

If we want to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to labor. We need to rid of the sins growing in our garden. We need to labor in reading the Word of God. We need to be patient in our prayers. And we need to be open to the leading of the Lord.

Philippians 4:17

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Today's Thought: Our financial investments in the work of the Lord speaks of our heart for Him.

The primary reason Paul wrote to the church at Philippi was to thank them for their generosity in supporting him even when he was in prison. Philippi and Rome were separated by around eight hundred miles. The church at Philippi sent their support even if they know how far it would be.

Giving can be very sensitive. Christ talks about money several times. When we cling to the resources that we do have, we are missing out on so many good things. We miss the opportunity to take part of the Lord's ministry.

God does not need our help for His work. That's the truth. He is not dependent on us to do His work. But God wants to us to give and take part in the ministry of the gospel. Giving should not be a burden or an obligation, but it should be an opportunity to take part in eternal gains.

Lamentations 1:18

The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.

Today's Thought: Do not dig up a grave for your fall.


You are digging your own grave. These are words to describe how a person is destroying himself unassisted by others. It is like a death sentence and yet you are the one signing the order. It is a common scene in movies and villainy characters would often employ this to threaten the protagonist. But Christians are protagonists who are digging their own graves as well.

You and I know that the Lord is righteous. And because He is righteous, He will not do anything that would put us harm for His thoughts toward us are always good. Yet, in this passage of the Bible the righteousness of God is paired with the rebellion of the nation of Israel, their captivity and their ruin. Jeremiah acknowledges that it is the fault of man when he is in deep sorrow and pain. The trials of the Lord are always within His grace and what man can bear. But the punishments of the Lord are always severe and almost unbearable, even death.

Let us always remember how righteous the Lord is. This righteousness should keep us in His presence. Let us not look for ways that could lead us to ruin. But let us be diligent in our well-doing as much as we know that the Lord will one day reward us.

1 Timothy 1: 12

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry

Today's Thought: Let us consider it a privilege to be part of the Lord's ministry and be counted faithful.

Dr. Lee Roberson gave his life for God. He could have had a good recording contract, but he chose to preach the gospel. After fifty years of pastoring, he became an evangelist up to his nineties. Dr. Lee Roberson could have done more and all, but his faithfulness is more important.

Our faithful and consistent service to the Lord can never be discounted. We don't need talents. We don't need abilities. We need more faithfulness. Paul admonished Corinthian believers: Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

God allows us to take part in the ministry. We must be dedicated and devoted to such. Whatever we have - gifts, talents, money - we must give it to the Lord and be faithful to what He has called us to do.

1 Chronicles 29:3

Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house.

Today's Thought: The way you look at the house of God reflects the way you look at God Himself.


Title 4 of the United States Code is considered as the Flag Code of the country; other countries have their own flag codes or even laws. The Flag Code provides a comprehensive regulation and restriction on the use and display of the United States flag. This is specifically laid out because the flag represents the nation. If one disrespects the flag, it is a direct assault to the nation's honor.

In the final days of David, he reminded his son, Solomon, to build the house of God as he had already prepared the materials needed. In 1 Chronicles 29:3, David talks of his love for the house of God, that his heart years for the house of God. In one of the his psalms, David announces how he enjoys going to the house of God. This passage asks us how much reverence and love do we have for the house of God. The way we love and look at the house of God is also the way we love our God. Though God dwells in our hearts, all things that are holy to God reflects the majesty of the Lord.

In these days when people have already forgotten and neglected the importance of the house of God, Christians should be reminded on how we should behave in the house of God, as Paul said. We can only show our deep love for God whom we do not see by giving love and reverence to a tangible manifestation of God.

John 3:30

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Today's Thought: The glory of God is our priority and nothing else.


People around us want to be at the top. There are thousands of tips on how to gain attention or how to stand out in a ground. In fact, our culture dictates how we treat those who had accomplish more in life than those who don't. There is nothing wrong in big ambitions and dreams as well in succeeding, but it should not be our ultimate goal.

John the Baptist was a famous preacher of his day. Multitude would come to hear him speak on repentance and faith in the Messiah. But when Jesus started His ministry, John followed Him. John understood the meaning of the glory of God.

F.B. Meyer would say: The only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ. We can never become what God intends us to be unless we lose ourselves in Christ.

Deuteronomy 29:18

    Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

Today's Thought: Turning away from the Lord costs too much more than one can bear.



"Among the signs of backsliding are indifference to prayer and self-examination; trifling or unprofitable conversation; neglect of public worship; shunning the people of God; association with the world; thinking lightly of sin; neglect of the Bible; and often gross immorality." This is how the old minister of times Charles Buck described the way of turning away from the Lord. It does not happen in an instant, it is a process. If you have these symptoms, you should be alarmed. Ask the Great Physician for healing.

Otherwise, when we turn our backs from following the Lord to serving other gods, the sure wrath of God is ready to consume us. The cost of turning away from the Lord is too much. Deuteronomy 29:18 talks about a man, a woman, a family and a tribe whose heart is turning away from Him. And when they turn away from God, even if they do understand the curse coming their way, they still think that they have peace (Deut. 29:19). And of all a sudden, the anger of the Lord is poured upon that man, woman, family or tribe. Add to that, the curse on a man, woman, family or tribe was also extended to the entire land, that other nations asked "what had been done by the Lord to this land?"

Before we turn our back from the Lord, let us remember that cost of backsliding. It will cause pain to our family, our church, our future children and so on. Much more, it will consume us to the very end. Let us always desire to seek God and Him alone. If we have the signs of backsliding, let us seek God's healing and let us not wait for the wrath of God. God's grace is always enough.

Habakkuk 3:18

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

Today's Thought: As much as you know the Lord, you should rejoice always.

There was a fellow who was about to jump from a bridge. An alert police officer slowly and methodically moved toward him, talking with him all the time. When the officer got within inches of the man he said, “Surely nothing could be bad enough for you to take your life. Tell me about it. Talk to me.” The would-be jumper told how his wife had left him, how his business had gone bankrupt, and how his friends had deserted him. Everything in life had lost meaning. For thirty minutes he told the sad story—then they both jumped. (-Anonymous)

Sometimes life will overwhelm you with troubles and sufferings. Habakkuk fully understood the meaning of trusting the Lord and not being defeated by despair. The entire book was a song of praise and trust to the Lord. In the preceding verse, Habakkuk mentions that even if the fig tree does not blossom, the vines do not bear fruit, the olives do not anything or the field does not produce any food, the Lord is worthy to be praised.

You can only rejoice in the Lord always amidst of all these troubles when you are fully grounded in Him. If you do not know who the Lord is in your life in an intimate manner, you also don't know His majestic power. And by and by, despair will engulf your life and you cannot find meaning on why you should rejoice.

Psalm 60:11

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. 

Today's Thought: Only the Lord Jesus Christ is trustworthy to help us.


The story of George Muller always fascinates Christians. He was a man of prayer, who always depended God for the provision and direction of the ministry God entrusted him. Muller emphasized the importance of presenting needs to the Lord instead to men. In asking others for prayers, he would usually tell them of the need without presenting the amount or the specific volume of needs.

Often times, if we are bombarded with troubles at all sides, we would put God the last option. As if God is the "court of last resort". But Psalm 60:11 reminds us today that while men can help us in times of trouble in the limited capacity they could, it is only the Lord who can provide us with an all-proof help in times of trouble.

Let us always endeavor to seek God and ask for His guidance on everything that we do as He is our very present help in the times of need.

Lamentations 3:39

Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? 

Today's Thought: As much as we sinned against the Lord, let us be ready for the spanking.


The greatest problem of most Christians is the inability to know when God sends His trials and when He punishes us for our sins. Even if we are already rebuked by the Lord, we always say we are tested by God and we shall come forth as gold. It is a tragedy of self righteousness that God prolongs the punishment we are in.

When we are sinning against God, let us expect for the punishments of God as well. And when we are punished, the right response is to accept our shortcoming and ask God for mercy, rather than complain for what God has put us into because of our hardheadedness. It will not do us good, but only the acknowledgement of our sins and the forgiveness of God can put us through.

Even more, when we are punished and acknowledged our sins, let us remember that while God causes us pain in our punishment, the compassion and mercies of God are always enough.

Nehemiah 9:2

    And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

Today's Thought: Before confession, there should be a complete separation.



Reverend J.C. Ryle talked much about separation. He preached:

    No doubt you have had many a battle, and made many a false step. You have sometimes felt ready to faint, and been half disposed to go

 back to Egypt. But your Master has never entirely left you, and He will never suffer you to be tempted above that you are able to bear. Then

    persevere steadily in your separation from the world, and never be ashamed of standing alone. Settle it firmly in your mind that the most

    decided Christians are always the happiest, and remember that no one ever said at the end of his course that he had been too holy, and

    lived too near to God.

Confession is a vital element in forgiveness. There should be an acknowledgement of sins through confession for forgiveness to be effectual. Otherwise, forgiveness is a ready but rejected gift. Without separation, it is impossible to have a 180-degree turn away from sin making the confession process bogus, a sham, and a show.


If a gambler wants to confess his sins, he should stop associating with other gamblers. If a drunkard wants to stop drinking, he needs to stay away from bars. If we want to show the seriousness of our confession, let us begin with separation.

Psalm 44:20-21

    If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

    Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Today's Thought: God searches the heart when we forget the name of our God.



The story of the nation of Israel is filled with running away from God, worshiping other strange gods, and forgetting the goodness of the Lord. But it is also a story of the grace of God, of His everlasting love, and relentless pursuit of His chosen people.


Often times, backsliding away from God starts with the simple slipping away from the intangible and invisible aspects our Christian life especially prayer and communing with God. Then it progresses with the decline in interest of the Word of God, and even the fellowship with the brethren. The end of it is forgetting the name of our God and worshiping strange gods.


But let us not forget that God searches the heart. He knoweth the hearts of man. It is impossible to get away with God or even completely erase Him from memory because God searches and reins the heart of man.

Daniel 9:18

    O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do no present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, but for thy great mercies.

Today's Thought: We pray not because of our own's sake, but because of God's nature.



Peter, as typical as he was, asked Jesus for him to walk on water like Jesus did. Just few steps away from the boat, Peter started sinking. But thank you for Jesus and Peter was saved.


Commonly, we would think that the call or prayer of Peter saved him from sinking. Others would even attribute the saving to the 'returning' faith of Peter. But only few would think that Peter was saved from sinking because of Jesus. The nature of God, His compassion and His mercy saves Peter and not his own self.


Daniel knew well about prayer. For certain, the credentials of Daniel would be easily equated with answered prayers. Yet, Daniel acknowledged in his prayer that it was not his righteousness, but for the great mercies of God that his prayers were answered.


Let us remember this as we present our supplications unto God. It is not because of us, but because of God's nature - His unfailing compassion and mercy.