Ask Our Heavenly Father - He will give the best to you.

April 30, 2013 - Luke 11:5-13

^5-6 Then he said, “Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old friend traveling through just showed up, and I don’t have a thing on hand.’

   ⁷ “The friend answers from his bed, ‘Don’t bother me. The door’s locked; my children are all down for the night; I can’t get up to give you anything.’

   ⁸ “But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.

   ⁹ “Here’s what I’m saying:

   Ask and you’ll get;
Seek and you’ll find;
Knock and the door will open.

   ^10-13 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

Jesus encourages his disciples to ask God directly for what they need. Jesus promises that - Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock and the door will open. Jesus points us to God who is our beloved heavenly Father - He will certainly give the best to his beloved children; He gives the best gift of Holy Spirit to His children. 

My dear Jesus - my Savior and also my best friend on earth, thanks for encouraging me to ask God directly for I need. My Heavenly Father, I ask for Your transformation of my life - convert me to really know that You love me from the inside out without requiring that I must not make mistakes and have to satisfy Your requirements in order to earn Your love. Let me know that I am your little boy - You will give the best for me as I ask you directly - You will give Your Holy Spirit to fill up my heart that my heart is converted from a stony heart to a flesh heart, getting rid of my unbelieving heart and being moved by Your love and compassion. My Father, help me grow like you, also loving my family and other people close to me unconditionally, loving them as they are and praying for them to be transformed by Your love. 

Pray to Our Heavenly Father.

April 29, 2013 - Luke 11:1-4

    ¹ One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

   ^2-4 So he said, “When you pray, say,

   Father,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”

The disciples saw Jesus was praying. They were also moved by Jesus to pray that they asked Jesus to teach them to pray like him. We pray because our Lord Jesus prays. We pray to Father as Jesus prays to Father. We pray from the bottom of our hearts as Jesus prays from his heart. Jesus prays to His most intimate Father - the Father is in Jesus, and Jesus is in Father. Jesus prays that Father's Name to be revealed in this world. People know Father's Name. Jesus prays that the Father provides his daily needs; Jesus prays that his disciples be forgiven with Father and they in turn forgive the others; Jesus prays that the disciples are safe and protected from the attack of the Devil. 

My Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning and thanks for your unconditional and compassionate love to me that You call me as your beloved son. You know me well from the inside out but You still love me without any more or less and still call me your beloved son. I pray that I am filled with Your Fatherly love in my life and walk with You daily - calling You my beloved Heavenly Father from the bottom of my heart as well. You created me through my earthly father and mother. They love me with their strength and I thank for their care in my life. They may not be perfect but You will never frustrate me and You are able satisfy me with Your love, affirmation, and acceptance. My Father, help me to relate with You that I will be more and more like You, also becoming a better earthly father to my children, just like You. I want to exalt Your Name by demonstrating Your love and preaching Your words. At the same time, I need You to guide my future path by providing my needs and protect me from the Devil as I determine to preach Your Name through teaching your words, healing people's diseases, and proclaiming Your Kingdom. 

The Most Essential of Life - Be Aware of the Presence of Jesus with us.

April 28, 2013 - Luke 10:38-42

^38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

   ^41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

As the disciples followed Jesus in their itinerary travel, they preached the Kingdom's Message, healed the sick, and cast out the demons. The disciples saw the power and compassion manifested by Jesus, and they also accompanied him to enjoy rest and quiet life in the home of Martha and Mary. Martha loved serving Jesus but over-serving to a point that her worries replaced her initial passion and heart for serving. Mary chose the essential, sometimes even sacrificing the works of service. Jesus admires being served but loved more his people being with him first - i.e., the most essential of life.

Life is complex in real life and people of God have a lot of life responsibilities, but losing the most essential of our life - losing the intimate relationship with Jesus and losing the awareness of the Presence of Jesus in our life, can not be compensated by any other achievements of our ministry or life success. My Jesus, continue to manifest Your Presence in my life; strength my faith in trusting and following You; seeing what you are doing and hearing what you are speaking; and following your way of living and serving God in my daily life.  

Be owned by the Eternal Life of Jesus.

April 26, 2012 - Luke 10:25-28

    ²⁵ Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”

   ²⁶ He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”

   ²⁷ He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

   ²⁸ “Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”

   What is an eternal life be lived out for a disciple of Jesus? Jesus answered to a religious teacher with the Greatest Commandment of God: To love the Lord our God with all our passion (heart), all our prayer (soul), all our muscle (strength), and all our intelligence (mind); and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Continually living out this life (the life of Jesus) daily is to get eternal life - not owing eternal life but to be owned by the life of Jesus. Jesus lived out the eternal life by loving God with all his passion, all his mind, all his strength, and all his time; and he lived out the eternal life by loving sinners like us with all the sacrifice of his life - even exceeding the demand of the law. 

My Lord Jesus, I want to have the eternal life like you and with you - walking with Jesus every day and learning how to love my God with my life, and to love people with a compassionate heart like you, and practicing faith to walk as a stranger or pilgrim on earth as I know that I have been called by Jesus to enter into God's Kingdom that will be fully manifested as Jesus returns to inaugurate His kingdom on earth.

Rejoice in God's Authority over us and God's Presence with us.

April 25, 2013 - Luke 10:1-24

Lambs in a Wolf Pack

    ^1 1-2 Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:

   “What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands.

   ³ “On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You’re like lambs in a wolf pack.

   ⁴ “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage.

   “Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.

   ^5-6 “When you enter a home, greet the family, ‘Peace.’ If your greeting is received, then it’s a good place to stay. But if it’s not received, take it back and get out. Don’t impose yourself.

   ⁷ “Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don’t move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town.

   ^8-9 “When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, ‘God’s kingdom is right on your doorstep!’

   ^10-12 “When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, ‘The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we’re giving it back. Did you have any idea that God’s kingdom was right on your doorstep?’ Sodom will have it better on Judgment Day than the town that rejects you.

   ^13-14 “Doom, Chorazin! Doom, Bethsaida! If Tyre and Sidon had been given half the chances given you, they’d have been on their knees long ago, repenting and crying for mercy. Tyre and Sidon will have it easy on Judgment Day compared to you.

   ¹⁵ “And you, Capernaum! Do you think you’re about to be promoted to heaven? Think again. You’re on a mudslide to hell.

   ¹⁶ “The one who listens to you, listens to me. The one who rejects you, rejects me. And rejecting me is the same as rejecting God, who sent me.”

   ¹⁷ The seventy came back triumphant. “Master, even the demons danced to your tune!”

   ^18-20 Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”

   ²¹ At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. “I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.

   ²² “I’ve been given it all by my Father! Only the Father knows who the Son is and only the Son knows who the Father is. The Son can introduce the Father to anyone he wants to.”

   ^23-24 He then turned in a private aside to his disciples. “Fortunate the eyes that see what you’re seeing! There are plenty of prophets and kings who would have given their right arm to see what you are seeing but never got so much as a glimpse, to hear what you are hearing but never got so much as a whisper.”

Dear Lord Jesus, we are all like one of the seventy who were sent by you in pairs to proclaim the message of God's kingdom. This world is sick and people needs your healing and liberation from the evil, the diseases, and the bondage of sin. You have given your authority to your disciples over against the evil and power of sin. We are proclaiming a message of joy and good news to people. But Jesus reminds his disciples that our greatest joy is not our authority over evil but God's authority over us and God's Presence with us. It's not what we are doing for God but God, through His Holy Spirit, manifesting His healing and liberation work through us. That is the main reason for our rejoicing. 

My Lord Jesus, I thank for your selection as one of your seventy. You choose me and my wife to be a pair for doing the healing and liberation work for people who are enslaved by evil and diseases. Let us rejoice in your selection and Your works and Presence through us. Continue to draw us to come closer and closer to you that we dwell in you like the relationship between the vine and a branch. Let us draw the ultimate source of compassion and power from Your divine life to heal people whom we meet and to liberate people who needs Jesus. Forgive me of the heart of unbelief as well that I truly know that Your Gospel is the wisdom and power of our God. 

First things first - proclaim God's Kingdom

April 24, 2013 - Luke 9:43-62

    ^43-44 While they continued to stand around exclaiming over all the things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Treasure and ponder each of these next words: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into human hands.”

   ⁴⁵ They didn’t get what he was saying. It was like he was speaking a foreign language and they couldn’t make heads or tails of it. But they were embarrassed to ask him what he meant.

   ^46-48 They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.”

   ⁴⁹ John spoke up, “Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t of our group.”

   ⁵⁰ Jesus said, “Don’t stop him. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally.”

   ^51-54 When it came close to the time for his Ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem. He sent messengers on ahead. They came to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for his hospitality. But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality. When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, “Master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?”

   ^55-56 Jesus turned on them: “Of course not!” And they traveled on to another village.

   ⁵⁷ On the road someone asked if he could go along. “I’ll go with you, wherever,” he said.

   ⁵⁸ Jesus was curt: “Are you ready to rough it? We’re not staying in the best inns, you know.”

   Jesus said to another, “Follow me.”

   ⁵⁹ He said, “Certainly, but first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.”

   ⁶⁰ Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!”

   ⁶¹ Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.”

   ⁶² Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”

Jesus calls us to follow him - the urgency of announcing God's Kingdom - first things first, and our business is life, not death. Jesus demands us to seize the day of proclaiming God's kingdom - no backward looks, follow immediately our Master Jesus. We have numerous reasons not to follow Jesus immediately. We know that and we also agree that we need to follow Jesus but we always have our own reasonable excuses. 

Dear Lord Jesus, thanks for calling me to be your disciple and your messenger for proclaiming God's kingdom. Help me seize every opportunity to participate into your works; help me discern life and death and the urgent and important issues of my life; help me look forward with faith and courage on your coming kingdom; help me follow You my Lord and love being with You for the days to come no matter where you are leading me to go.  

Life Transformation By Jesus

April 23, 2013 - Luke 9:28-43

    ^28-31 About eight days after saying this, he climbed the mountain to pray, taking Peter, John, and James along. While he was in prayer, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became blinding white. At once two men were there talking with him. They turned out to be Moses and Elijah—and what a glorious appearance they made! They talked over his exodus, the one Jesus was about to complete in Jerusalem.

   ^32-33 Meanwhile, Peter and those with him were slumped over in sleep. When they came to, rubbing their eyes, they saw Jesus in his glory and the two men standing with him. When Moses and Elijah had left, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, this is a great moment! Let’s build three memorials: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He blurted this out without thinking.

   ^34-35 While he was babbling on like this, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them. As they found themselves buried in the cloud, they became deeply aware of God. Then there was a voice out of the cloud: “This is my Son, the Chosen! Listen to him.”

   ³⁶ When the sound of the voice died away, they saw Jesus there alone. They were speechless. And they continued speechless, said not one thing to anyone during those days of what they had seen.

   ^37-40 When they came down off the mountain the next day, a big crowd was there to meet them. A man called from out of the crowd, “Please, please, Teacher, take a look at my son. He’s my only child. Often a spirit seizes him. Suddenly he’s screaming, thrown into convulsions, his mouth foaming. And then it beats him black-and-blue before it leaves. I asked your disciples to deliver him but they couldn’t.”

   ⁴¹ Jesus said, “What a generation! No sense of God! No focus to your lives! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring your son here.”

   ^42-43 While he was coming, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into convulsions. Jesus stepped in, ordered the vile spirit gone, healed the boy, and handed him back to his father. They all shook their heads in wonder, astonished at God’s greatness, God’s majestic greatness.

Peter accompanied Jesus to the mountain top to pray to the Father, but while he was asleep, Jesus transformed into the glorious appearance and talked with Moses and Elijah. Peter awoke and shocked for what his eyes were seeing. But more shocking news is that, they were enveloped by a cloud and the Father spoke from the heaven, commanding Peter and other disciples to listen to Jesus. Peter accompanied Jesus again to come down from the mountain top but immediately they were met by a father whose boy was seized by a evil spirit. Jesus delivered the boy by casting out the spirit. Peter and other disciples were astonished and couldn't comprehend the majestic and great power that Jesus demonstrated. Peter was called by Jesus to shepherd His flock but his life must go through different stages of transformation by Jesus - be transformed from an observer to be a follower of Jesus; be transformed from a self-righteous person to a sinner who asks for Jesus' cleansing; be transformed from a follower to a worker of Jesus, who experienced and also demonstrated the power of the Kingdom of God, following the footpaths of Jesus; be transformed to a person, faithfully following Jesus and shepherding the flock of Jesus, and even to the point of sacrificing the old self daily but at the same time living out the new and real self in Jesus Christ. 

My Lord Jesus, I would like to follow your footpaths, like Peter, knowing you and experiencing You daily in my life. You are my Lord and the Desire of my heart. 

Jesus leads - die to our old but live out our new/real self.

April 22, 2013 - Luke 9:18-27

    ¹⁸ One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”

   ¹⁹ They said, “John the Baptizer. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.”

   ^20-21 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

   Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet. They were to tell no one what Peter had said.

   ²² He went on, “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.”

   ^23-27 Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way,my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”

Jesus set himself as a model for his followers. He is the Messiah of God but he suffered for people's salvation. He calls now his followers to let Him lead their life. He calls his followers not to lose courage in suffering for the Kingdom of God. He calls us to follow him everyday. He calls us to self-sacrifice - to die to the old self which seeks for people's approval, human's achievement, pursuit of comfort rather than truth of God, indulgence in our sinful nature and our self-pity, etc. He calls us to live out our real self - the resurrected life of God which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and the life of Jesus - that is our real and new self in Christ. 

My Lord Jesus, I delight to be like your disciple, Peter, praying with you, seeing how you live in God's will, asking you questions about life and kingdom of God, and following your path by faith in your kingdom ministry. I pray that Jesus, You are the One to lead me, helping me to die to my old self but living out the new self in You, and achieving the ministry you assign to me - liberating the captives, healing the sick, and preaching the good news of the Message. 

Five Loaves and Two Fish - Believe in Jesus' Blessing.

April 21, 2013 - Luke 9:12-17

    ¹² As the day declined, the Twelve said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the farms or villages around here and get a room for the night and a bite to eat. We’re out in the middle of nowhere.”

   ^13-14 “You feed them,” Jesus said.

   They said, “We couldn’t scrape up more than five loaves of bread and a couple of fish—unless, of course, you want us to go to town ourselves and buy food for everybody.” (There were more than five thousand people in the crowd.)

   ^14-17 But he went ahead and directed his disciples, “Sit them down in groups of about fifty.” They did what he said, and soon had everyone seated. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread and fish to the disciples to hand out to the crowd. After the people had all eaten their fill, twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.

Jesus commanded his disciples to feed five thousand people by using five loaves and two fish. He blessed the people and fed the people, and with twelve baskets of leftovers after the feeding. Jesus has compassion on people no matter they are believers or not. He continues to heal, to feed, to liberate, to transform, and to proclaim the message of the Kingdom. His divine life satisfied the hunger of the people he met. 

My Lord Jesus, I know that you today continue to do your work through us. Get rid of all our unbelieving heart, faithfully serving you and trusting in your good will and power in feeding the hungry people (spiritually, emotionally, and physically), healing the sick by prayers, proclaiming the message of kingdom, and demonstrating power and presence of Jesus through preaching your words, living a kingdom life, and praying for this fallen world. With Jesus' blessings, five loaves and two fish become a miracle for feeding people's hungry life. 

Jesus' Kingdom Ministry - Power and Suffering

April 20, 2013 - Luke 9:7-11

^7-9 Herod, the ruler, heard of these goings on and didn’t know what to think. There were people saying John had come back from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, still others that some prophet of long ago had shown up. Herod said, “But I killed John—took off his head. So who is this that I keep hearing about?” Curious, he looked for a chance to see him in action.

   ^10-11 The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida. But the crowds got wind of it and followed. Jesus graciously welcomed them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. Those who needed healing, he healed.

Jesus continued his healing and preaching of the message of the Kingdom of God. His disciples also experienced His power and continued the kingdom ministry. But at the same time, Jesus knew that his ministry required suffering - his pioneer John the Baptist was killed by Herod; the prophet Elijah was persecuted by Jezebel, etc.. My Lord, You remind us that the servant is not greater than the master, and the disciple is not greater than the teacher.  We demonstrate Your kingdom not only through the power but also through the weaknesses as we suffer for your kingdom. But lead me to experience more about how your grace and strength can be sufficient and perfect in my weakness. Follow Jesus as my master but also as my dear friend on earth. 

We are commissioned by Jesus with his authority - Preach the gospel and heal people's diseased life.

April 19, 2013 - Luke 9:1-6

  ^1 1-5 Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick. He said, “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.”

   ⁶ Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went.

The Twelve were commissioned by Jesus to preach the news of the Kingdom of God, cure the diseases, and cast out the demons. They were called to live out a simple life, and be content to live out and witness the gospel. They were asked to obey the instructions of Jesus and not seeking for the approval or welcome of the people they serve. They only have one goal of their life - advancing the Kingdom of God through the preaching and demonstration of the power of the Kingdom of God.

My Lord Jesus, I still remember I was called by you nearly twenty years ago to be your servant of the church, and now I know that You again call me to preach the message of the Kingdom of God and also bring the transformation and healing of people's lives through the power of the Spirit. That's a new journey of my spiritual life, but knowing that Jesus is my commissioner and not me, but Jesus' demonstration of His Presence and Power in my life through the Holy Spirit, I can take rest in Your hand, living out a simple life with my wife and experiencing together how Jesus is present in our life as we faithfully follow Your leading in us. 

Trust in Jesus - Don't Lose Our Hope.

April 18, 2013 - Luke 8:40-42; 49-56

^40-42 On his return, Jesus was welcomed by a crowd. They were all there expecting him. A man came up, Jairus by name. He was president of the meeting place. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his home because his twelve-year-old daughter, his only child, was dying. Jesus went with him, making his way through the pushing, jostling crowd.

     ⁴⁹ While he was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher.”

   ^50-51 Jesus overheard and said, “Don’t be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right.” Going into the house, he wouldn’t let anyone enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s parents.

   ^52-53 Everyone was crying and carrying on over her. Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She didn’t die; she’s sleeping.” They laughed at him. They knew she was dead.

   ^54-56 Then Jesus, gripping her hand, called, “My dear child, get up.” She was up in an instant, up and breathing again! He told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were ecstatic, but Jesus warned them to keep quiet. “Don’t tell a soul what happened in this room.”

Jairus was a God-fearing Jew, felling at Jesus' feet and begging Jesus earnestly to heal his beloved dying daughter. His faith was tested as Jesus was interrupted by the crowd and the woman who had hemorrhages for twelve years. His daughter was dying and time was passing while Jesus seemed to be distracted by some other people. Finally, someone reported that his daughter died and there was no need to have Jesus to come to his house to heal. All hopes were gone. His daughter died. His heart was frozen and he was totally confused - merely listening a lot of people's noises; but what am I doing right now? Suddenly, a gentle and firm voice was heard. Jesus said, "Just trust me and you will see God's healing and miracle in your family." Jairus recovered his hope and Jesus accompanied him back to his home. Jesus extended his hand, gripping her daughter's hand and commanding his daughter to raise up. Jesus' life and power resurrected his daughter's life again and Jairus received back his daughter. In Jesus, everything is possible. Don't lose hope in Jesus. 

My Jesus, I want to know you and experience you more and more. I want to hear your affirming voice in my heart; I want you to accompany me in all my life's difficult situations; I want to see your power in people's transformation. Without you, I will quickly lose my hope and my passion in following God's will. Please choose me as one of your three disciples - like Peter, James, and John - that I can always be with you and experience your manifestation of the kingdom of God on earth. Amen.

Jesus' Touch and Healing

April 17, 2013 - Luke 8:40-48

    ^40-42 On his return, Jesus was welcomed by a crowd. They were all there expecting him. A man came up, Jairus by name. He was president of the meeting place. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his home because his twelve-year-old daughter, his only child, was dying. Jesus went with him, making his way through the pushing, jostling crowd.

   ^43-45 In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, “Who touched me?”

   When no one stepped forward, Peter said, “But Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you.”

   ⁴⁶ Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me.”

   ⁴⁷ When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed.

   ⁴⁸ Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

Miracles happened when Jesus interacted with people. People got healed when Jesus touched the patients, like the lepers, the blind, the diseased, etc. But the miracle even occurred when a woman with hemorrhages for twelve years touched Jesus' robe. Energy from Jesus discharged to heal the bleeding through the woman's faith in trusting Jesus. 

Jesus touches us when He has compassion on us. He touches, cleansing us, showing his love to us, affirming his acceptance to us, and healing all our past wounds or hurts. At the same time, when we touch Jesus with faith, our life is connected with Jesus' divine life - our life will never be the same. My Lord Jesus, may I see Your touching hand in my past hurts or wounds - cleanse me and completely heal my wounds that I know that I am absolutely a beloved son of my Abba - heavenly Father. There is nothing that needed to prove before my Father - He loves me and affirms me as His beloved son. Also let me touch my Lord Jesus with complete trust - He is my Lord; He is the Source of my life. Let my hand touches the hand of Jesus. 

Walking with Jesus - Experience His Mighty Power in Transforming People's Lives

April 16, 2013 - Luke 8:26-39

The Madman and the Pigs

    ^26-29 They sailed on to the country of the Gerasenes, directly opposite Galilee. As he stepped out onto land, a madman from town met him; he was a victim of demons. He hadn’t worn clothes for a long time, nor lived at home; he lived in the cemetery. When he saw Jesus he screamed, fell before him, and bellowed, “What business do you have messing with me? You’re Jesus, Son of the High God, but don’t give me a hard time!” (The man said this because Jesus had started to order the unclean spirit out of him.) Time after time the demon threw the man into convulsions. He had been placed under constant guard and tied with chains and shackles, but crazed and driven wild by the demon, he would shatter the bonds.

   ^30-31 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

   “Mob. My name is Mob,” he said, because many demons afflicted him. And they begged Jesus desperately not to order them to the bottomless pit.

   ^32-33 A large herd of pigs was browsing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged Jesus to order them into the pigs. He gave the order. It was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the lake and drowned.

   ^34-36 Those tending the pigs, scared to death, bolted and told their story in town and country. People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had been sent, sitting there at Jesus’ feet, wearing decent clothes and making sense. It was a holy moment, and for a short time they were more reverent than curious. Then those who had seen it happen told how the demoniac had been saved.

   ^37-39 Later, a great many people from the Gerasene countryside got together and asked Jesus to leave—too much change, too fast, and they were scared. So Jesus got back in the boat and set off. The man whom he had delivered from the demons asked to go with him, but he sent him back, saying, “Go home and tell everything God did in you.” So he went back and preached all over town everything Jesus had done in him.

The disciples sailed together with Jesus to Gerasenes, experienced how Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, and now seeing how the spiritual demonic force were so real to them - a mob of evil spirits were cast out by the command of Jesus. The mad man was recovered to a normal person again. Who is Jesus? Those tending the pigs knew about the mad man before and they joined the holy moment and became more reverent to Jesus' power over the demons. But other people from the city later asked Jesus to leave them as they were too scared and considered too fast to receive the manifestation of the kingdom of God upon them. 

My Lord Jesus, I thank you again for calling me to be one of your disciples, having the opportunity to see what you do; to hear what you speak; and to experience how you demonstrate your power of Kingdom on earth. Give me faith to believe what you are doing on earth; give me a heart of reverence and awe in your works; and give me courage to overcome my fear as you show your mighty transforming and healing works in people's lives. 

Who is Jesus? He silents the storms.

April 15, 2013 - Luke 8:22-25

^22-24 One day he and his disciples got in a boat. “Let’s cross the lake,” he said. And off they went. It was smooth sailing, and he fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in, and they were about to capsize. They woke Jesus: “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   Getting to his feet, he told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down!” They did it. The lake became smooth as glass.

   ²⁵ Then he said to his disciples, “Why can’t you trust me?”

   They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering, “Who is this, anyway? He calls out to the winds and sea, and they do what he tells them!”

Our life is sometimes like that of the disciples - we were smooth sailing and felt asleep and everything was going smooth. But unexpectantly, terrific storms occurred and even causing us danger and without control. We cried out to Jesus but thanks God, Jesus is always with his disciples and us in the boat no matter it is in smooth and dangerous situation. Disciples experienced the power of Jesus in calming down the chaos - silent the wind and quiet down the waves. God is here in our lives and ministries. He is always there. 

My Lord Jesus, I know that I can only experience Your wonderful presence and power when I am not in control. Chaos occur when the evil attacks us; chaos occur when we want to take over our life; chaos occur when we have no preparation of them; chaos may occur at any time. But knowing that Jesus is always in the same boat with me, just take rest and focus on Jesus who demonstrates His Power in conquering all kinds of attacks and sufferings that happen in me. Focus on Jesus and work with Him for continuing the Kingdom ministry in the church and on earth. 

Living out what we hear from Jesus.

April 14, 2013 - Luke 8:16-20

^16-18 “No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a washtub or shoves it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter the room can see their way. We’re not keeping secrets; we’re telling them. We’re not hiding things; we’re bringing everything out into the open. So be careful that you don’t become misers of what you hear. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

^19-20 His mother and brothers showed up but couldn’t get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.”

Jesus invites His followers to witness Him in the public - just like a lamp on a lamp stand that people can see our testimony. All the message that we hear from Jesus should be revealed in the open. Living out what we hear is the way to grow our Christian life into maturity. Jesus asserts that, "Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes."

My Lord Jesus, this is another day to be with You - hearing what you speak to me; seeing how you interact with people; going where you are; and feeling what your heart feels; and praying what you pray to the Father. May You be my Model and Guide into your life and love with the Father God through Your Spirit. 

Are we listening to the words of Jesus?

April 13, 2013 - Luke 8:1-15

8 ^1-3 He continued according to plan, traveled to town after town, village after village, preaching God’s kingdom, spreading the Message. The Twelve were with him. There were also some women in their company who had been healed of various evil afflictions and illnesses: Mary, the one called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod’s manager; and Susanna—along with many others who used their considerable means to provide for the company.

^4-8 As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He addressed them, using this story: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

⁹ His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”

¹⁰ He said, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:

Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing.

^11-12 “This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.

¹³ “The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.

¹⁴ “And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.

¹⁵ “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.

Are we listening to the words of Jesus? Jesus warns us with a story of seed about how our hearts respond to His words? Some hear it but abandon it quickly; some hear it but just keep it at the surface without roots and no soon are the words scratched away from the evil; some hear it but the words are choked because of worry and other temptations; and only some hear it and hold on until the words bear the harvest.

Am I also listening to the words of Jesus. Hold on the words of Jesus and keep on praying to Jesus, bringing all my concerns, worries, anxieties back to Jesus. Allow Jesus' words through the Spirit shape my hearts and transform my worries and anxieties to prayer and trust to God. This is a composting process, just like the sprouting of seed and growth of plants. It requires patience, trust, practice of the listening prayer and the Presence of Jesus, until my spiritual life can grow and take roots in Jesus, bearing harvest of spiritual maturity as the time is completed. 

The forgiveness of our sins turns our life upside down.

April 12, 2013 - Luke 7:36-50

    ^36-39 One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

   ⁴⁰ Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

   “Oh? Tell me.”

   ^41-42 “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”

   ^43-47 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”

   “That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”

   ⁴⁸ Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.”

   ⁴⁹ That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!”

   ⁵⁰ He ignored them and said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

The woman show how she loved Jesus as she had experienced a great forgiveness of her sins. She wept before Jesus and used the most precious perfume to anoint Jesus' feet. The observers, Pharisees, never experienced this kind of forgiveness and considered that the woman's response was too weird to be acceptable in their religious points of view. 

My Lord, experiencing the amazing forgiveness of sins is the most desire in my heart. Am I a Christian? Yes, I do believe that my sins had been forgiven as I put my faith in Jesus. But have I completely experienced the forgiveness by Jesus? I think the answer is No. My old self is not completely dead yet. In the past, I understood the forgiveness of sins in terms of the removal of the penalty of sins - no more judgment and no more guilt before God - I am justified and saved. But God's forgiveness of sins is more than that. Jesus comes to heal the consequences and condemnation of our sins as well. He comes to reconcile us with God and also helps us to reconcile with our true self - to accept our new self in Christ. We nail our old self on the cross with Jesus but accept our new self in Christ. We love Jesus more as we experience His love more in redeeming us from our old self to a new person in Christ - experience His removal of our sins; His healing of our past wounds or hurts; His power of liberating us from the slavery; His Presence in our life; His unconditional love to us - no more guilt feeling, no more comparison with others, no more inferiority of feeling, etc. 

Being a messenger of Jesus - Friendship with Jesus

April 11, 2013 - Luke 7:24-35

^24-27 After John’s messengers left to make their report, Jesus said more about John to the crowd of people. “What did you expect when you went out to see him in the wild? A weekend camper? Hardly. What then? A sheik in silk pajamas? Not in the wilderness, not by a long shot. What then? A messenger from God? That’s right, a messenger! Probably the greatest messenger you’ll ever hear. He is the messenger Malachi announced when he wrote,

   I’m sending my messenger on ahead
To make the road smooth for you.

   ^28-30 “Let me lay it out for you as plainly as I can: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer, but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. The ordinary and disreputable people who heard John, by being baptized by him into the kingdom, are the clearest evidence; the Pharisees and religious officials would have nothing to do with such a baptism, wouldn’t think of giving up their place in line to their inferiors.

   ^31-35 “How can I account for the people of this generation? They’re like spoiled children complaining to their parents, ‘We wanted to skip rope and you were always too tired; we wanted to talk but you were always too busy.’ John the Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy. The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush. Opinion polls don’t count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

John the Baptizer was commended by Jesus as the messenger of God, who prepared the road for Jesus. The ordinary people or sinners heard his message and were being baptized into God's kingdom. John lived out a life that people might not approve and called him crazy and out of mind. But he became one of the greatest messenger for Jesus. This generation needs Jesus and His messengers who live out a life that simply seeks the approval of Jesus, not human's popular opinions. 

My Lord Jesus, as I begin a new day, may I focus my eyes again on You as my model and pattern of life. See how You relate with people, and I follow. Hear what You speak to me, and I speak Your words. Feel how You are compassionate toward people's plight, and my heart follows with Your heart. Continue to pursue a loving relationship, a friendship with my Jesus, and experience Your presence in my life today. 

What do you expect from Jesus?

April 10, 2013 - Luke 7:18-23

^18-19 John’s disciples reported back to him the news of all these events taking place. He sent two of them to the Master to ask the question, “Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?”

   ²⁰ The men showed up before Jesus and said, “John the Baptizer sent us to ask you, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?’”

   ^21-23 In the next two or three hours Jesus healed many from diseases, distress, and evil spirits. To many of the blind he gave the gift of sight. Then he gave his answer: “Go back and tell John what you have just seen and heard:

   The blind see,
The lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed,
The deaf hear,
The dead are raised,
The wretched of the earth
   have God’s salvation hospitality extended to them.

   “Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves fortunate!”

What do we expect from Jesus? John's disciples saw how Jesus healed people from diseases, distress and evil spirits. They saw from their first-handed experience how Jesus did miracles to heal, to raise, to liberate, to cleanse, and to restore people. What do we expect from Jesus? Was he only a teacher, a philanthropist, a religious man, a magician, etc. No! He is the Son of God who absolutely changes people's lives and demonstrates the power of the coming Kingdom of God. 

My Lord Jesus, stretch my faith to trust that You are the God in whom everything is possible. You are the One to change people's lives and subjugate the evil power of Satan. You are the Messiah who can save this world from degeneration into destruction. 

Jesus is in us - We are in the Holy Mystery

April 9, 2013 - Luke 7:11-17

^11-15 Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.

   ^16-17 They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.

God is back! Jesus performed miracles that even dead was raised to life again. People realized that they were in a place of mystery. Jesus is still alive today through His Spirit. He dwells in us. He sees people's misery. His heart still breaks just like when he saw the woman lost her only son. Jesus is a compassionate God - He is powerful and at the same time his heart goes with our hearts. No one asked for healing or miracle; no one interceded to God for miracle; no one came to him for help. But as Jesus heard a woman's painful cry, his heart broke. His compassion moved him to go and touch the coffin, and to proclaim the resurrection of the dead man. Jesus is back and looking to the needs of His people. 

We believers are living a mystery of Jesus' powerful Presence. May our hearts open to His heart, feeling His compassion on people in plight. May our eyes open to His hands, seeing His touching hand on people in needs; and may our ears open to his voice, hearing His mighty words in deliverance of people's bondage and healing of people's illness. 

The Power of Intercession and Simple Trust in Jesus

April 8, 2013 - Luke 7:1-10

    ^1 1-5 When he finished speaking to the people, he entered Capernaum. A Roman captain there had a servant who was on his deathbed. He prized him highly and didn’t want to lose him. When he heard Jesus was back, he sent leaders from the Jewish community asking him to come and heal his servant. They came to Jesus and urged him to do it, saying, “He deserves this. He loves our people. He even built our meeting place.”

   ^6-8 Jesus went with them. When he was still quite far from the house, the captain sent friends to tell him, “Master, you don’t have to go to all this trouble. I’m not that good a person, you know. I’d be embarrassed for you to come to my house, even embarrassed to come to you in person. Just give the order and my servant will get well. I’m a man under orders; I also give orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

   ^9-10 Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd: “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know about God and how he works.” When the messengers got back home, they found the servant up and well.

Luke records how a servant of a gentile centurion was healed by Jesus - Jesus' presence and healing occurred in a servant. We don't see the servant prayed for healing; we don't see Jesus planned to heal the servant; we even don't see Jesus met with the centurion. But we see the power of intercession - the leaders of the synagogue urged Jesus to heal the centurion's servant; we see the simple trust or faith of this centurion in the healing power of Jesus that even Jesus was surprised of this centurion's simple trust. 

We believers can experience the power and presence of Jesus in our lives as we faithfully intercede; and we make a simple trust in Jesus. Jesus, the Son of God, is compassionate and powerful. He is willing to dwell in us through His Spirit, and He is here to transform us. Jesus, let me follow you and encounter you in what I do, and who I meet today. 

It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts

April 7, 2013 - Luke 6:43-49

    ^43-45 “You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

   ^46-47 “Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

   ^48-49 “If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.”

My Lord, thanks for giving me another new day for serving You. Your works in my life may not be in the sense that it's dramatic in every instance. But You are working continually in my life - healing my injury, strengthening my life, speaking to me with Your words day by day. You keep on reminding me that the characteristic of a believer's life is to experience Your Power in this clay jar like me. You want to shape my life - my inner being - more than what I can just achieve for you. Jesus says, "It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts." Pl. continue to build me up that I can become the person to be like Christ - inner being, inner strength, inner relationship with God are the essence of who I am. Let me continue to work the words into my life today. Amen.

God brings out the best of our life - sacrifice our self

April 6, 2013 - Luke 6:24-42

    ²⁴ But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. 

   What you have is all you’ll ever get.

   ²⁵ And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself.
   Your self will not satisfy you for long.
And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.
   There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.

   ²⁶ “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

   ^27-30 “To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

   ^31-34 “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

   ^35-36 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

   ^37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

   ^39-40 He quoted a proverb: “‘Can a blind man guide a blind man?’ Wouldn’t they both end up in the ditch? An apprentice doesn’t lecture the master. The point is to be careful who you follow as your teacher.

   ^41-42 “It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this I-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Jesus spells out what a kingdom life is looked like:

- Your self will not satisfy you for long.

- There’s suffering to be met.

- Do not live only for the approval of others.

- Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

- When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.

- Practice the servant life.  Live generously.

- Give away your life; you’ll find life given back.

That's the power of the Holy Spirit, working in a believer's life, and transforming the life to be like Jesus Christ who lived such a life on earth. Jesus intends to bring out the best in us through our suffering, our sacrifice of self, our prayer response to our enemies, our servant ministry, etc. that our life is to be gradually transformed to be like Him. My Jesus, I pray to you in the Spirit that You continue to grant me faith to pray to you; and love to follow you as my example - so that I experience Your presence, protection, and transformative power in my life today.