Authentic spirituality requires real friendships with people of God.

September 30, 2013 - 2 Timothy 4:9-22

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly, ¹⁰ for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

   ¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. ¹⁵ You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

   ¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

    ¹⁹ Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

   ²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

The Apostle Paul as he wrote the letter of 2 Timothy knew that he would soon end his life and meet with the Lord. Paul faithfully fulfilled God's plan in his life and he did not have regret as he would finish his race. Paul faced a lot of attacks from his enemies, like Alexander, and even desertion from the fellow workers, like Demas. A faithful servant of the Lord is not to be exempted from the spiritual attack from the devil and his followers. Nevertheless, Apostle Paul had built up a strong friendship with numerous God's people, like his spiritual mentorees and other fellow workers, Timothy, Luke, Mark, Silas, Tychicus, Priscilla and Aquila, and not to say some other names that we are not so familiarized with, like Onesiphorus, Erastus, Trophimus, Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, etc. Authentic spirituality is never without real and deep friendships with people of God. Paul completed his race with the intimate presence of Jesus as He still stood by his side and gave him strength. Paul after he was converted experienced the rescue and presence of Jesus with him and now he soon entered into the glory of being with his Lord Jesus forever. 

My Master Jesus, apostle Paul became the model of godly servant of God whom I want to follow and imitate. Imitate his heart and determination to gain Christ; imitate his passion and love for building up the new generation of leaders; imitate his intimate relationship with Jesus; and imitate his perseverance as he stood firm against the enemies, and imitate his authentic spirituality as he built up spiritual friendships with people of God within his entire ministry life. 

Jesus is near! Gain the crown of righteousness from the Lord.

September 29, 2013 - 2 Timothy 4:1-8

¹ In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

   ⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Apostle Paul had only one goal in his life, i.e. to gain the crown of righteousness from the Lord Jesus. He committed his life to Jesus and determined to finish it well as approved by Jesus, like fighting the good fight as a loyal soldier of Jesus, finishing the race as an marathon athlete, and keeping the faith as a good and faithful minister. Paul charged his mentoree Timothy to follow his model and to prepare himself and his works to face Jesus as the Lord will judge the living and the dead very soon. He exhorted Timothy to preach the words of God faithfully no matter it is in season or out of season. Faithfulness, courage, patience, gentleness, and wisdom are all required for a faithful servant particularly in the end times while people are moved away from the truth of God. 

My Master Jesus, I totally rely on your strength and grace to keep me faithful to be like Paul and Timothy, that I can discharge the duties of being your servant. Draw me closer to Your love and presence daily that my spirit is always refreshed by Your Spirit. Help me focus my eyes on my Lord Jesus that I know that He is always beside me and also leading me at my front in order to fulfill His work as I faithfully adjust my life and obey His plan, not my plan. 

Modeling and teaching words of God to your mentorees.

September 28, 2013 - 2 Timothy 3:10-17

    ¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵ and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Apostle Paul's life was transparent to his mentoree, Timothy, in all areas of his life, including his teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,  persecutions, and sufferings in his past ministry locations, like Antioch, Iconium and Lystra. Paul mentored Timothy through his life influencing about how he actually lived our his ministry life in all kinds of circumstances. His life becomes the strongest encouragement for Timothy to continue living out what he learnt from Paul. On the other hand, Apostle Paul referred Timothy back to the Holy Scriptures, the holy words of God, that led him to God's salvation and also equipped him to do good work for the Lord. Paul's modeling and teaching to Timothy was actually reflecting what was taught from the Holy Scriptures.

My Master Jesus, thanks for showing me the way to grow myself to be another person's mentor as I also persistently experience the words of God, faithfully teach the words of God to others, and courageously live out the words of God in all kinds of life's difficult circumstances that my life can become a model to my mentorees. 

Beware of the danger and deception in the last days.

September 27, 2013 - 2 Timothy 3:1-9

 ¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

   ⁶ They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, ⁷ always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.⁹ But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Apostle Paul warned his mentoree, Timothy, about the danger in the last days. People become loves of money, lovers of themselves, lovers of pleasure and all kinds of evil desires, rather than lovers of God and of good. Even people may have the external form of godliness but without the inner power or essence of true godliness. False teachers will also arise to deceive and cause people stumble into all kinds of sins and traps. 

My Master teacher Jesus, help me to be a truth-teller apart from being a grace-giver. People need truth and the illumination from the Spirit of God. Give me also spiritual ability that I can discern the states of people's spirits and also the deception from the world's spirits. Last but not the least, let me continue to experience the power of Jesus' blood and His cross in converting people's hardened hearts and also transforming people's old habitual habits of sins through the daily crucifixion of the cross. Only Jesus You can cleanse people's sins and transform people's inner souls.  

Be a holy instrument of our Master Jesus - pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

September 26, 2013 - 2 Timothy 2:14-26

 ¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

   ²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

   ²² Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy how to be a faithful minister in all kinds of great details. He taught Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel and to correctly handle the word of truth as one approved worker. Paul encouraged Timothy to pursue righteousness and sanctification, fleeing from the evil desires of youth, that he could become a holy instrument that was used by the Master Jesus to do His good work. Though Timothy might face opposition from the people, Paul exhorted Timothy to keep his good conscience before God, continuing to teach people correctly with the word of God, and at the same time, gently instructing those who oppose him, believing that God had His own time to convert people back to His truth. Timothy's confidence must always be in Jesus who changes people's lives.

My Master Jesus, I also desire to be like Timothy, pursuing the mentoring and teaching gifts You have endowed to me that I can build up more people's lives in my ministry. At the same time, You also remind me through Paul's exhortation that pursuing righteousness, faith, love, peace together with my soul friends is the foundation of all my ministry life. Continue to grant me the patience and gentleness, like Jesus and Paul, that I can instruct or inspire those who may oppose or share totally different views from me. May I continue to experience Your presence and instructions in my life today as I open my heart and ears to You.

Fulfill your calling from the Lord for the sake of the gospel.

September 25, 2013 - 2 Timothy 2:1-13

    ¹ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

   ⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

   ¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

   If we died with him,
   we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
   we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
   he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
   he remains faithful,
   for he cannot disown himself.

Apostle Paul enhorted his mentoree, Timothy, to stand strong in the grace of Christ Jesus, and followed Jesus in the ways of: (1) Being a teacher - receive the teaching, and at the same time entrust to those who are faithful and capable to pass the teaching to others; (2) Being a soldier of Jesus - not to be distracted by the earthly things that will pass away; (3) Being an athlete who completes the race according to the plan of the Lord; (4) Being a hardworking farmer. Paul again exhorted Timothy to suffer with Jesus and him for the sake of the gospel that would lead them to eternal glory. 

My Master Jesus, You have laid out the life plan before me as I follow Your way. You call me to converge my ministry life to focus in teaching and mentoring young leaders, to please only the Lord, to persevere and stand firm in the midst of difficulties and oppositions, and to finish my race well that I can receive the eternal reward. Continue to strengthen me in Your power and grace that I can fulfill Your calling to be a loving and encouraging mentor and teacher, to be a faithful soldier who pleases only my Commander, to be a patient farmer who cultivates the transformation of people, and to be a marathon athlete who can finish the race well and receive the eternal crown from the Lord. 

We all need authentic spiritual friendship.

September 24, 2013 - 2 Timothy 1:15-18

    ¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

   ¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Apostle Paul ministered to the Lord together with many people who were around him. Apostle Paul had ministry partners before when things were smooth but they - like Phygelus and Hermogenes - had deserted him while Paul was put into jail and held in chains. This kind of ministry relationship could not pass the test in severe trials. On the other hand, Apostle Paul still had loyal friends, like Onesiphorus, who faithfully stood by his side no matter how the situations were so bad and Paul had even become a prisoner in jail. This kind of trusting friendship was more than a simply ministry relationship and persevered and could last for a life-long time. Paul modeled himself before his mentoree Timothy that ministry involved suffering and sometimes even betrayal from his ministry partners. Nevertheless, true trusting friendship that developed in the ministry life could last for a life-long time and passed the trial. Onesiphorus stood besides Paul though he was put into jail;he was not ashamed of Paul's chains; and he supported Paul and refreshed him while Paul was mostly in needs.

My Master Jesus, I hunger for Your Presence and mercy in my life but at the same time I also desire for true friendship that surpasses merely ministry working relationship. I want to keep my friends accountable to God but also keep myself accountable to my spiritual friends as well. Authentic Christian life requires authenticity that I can be transparent to my God and my soul friends as well. 

Jesus is able to guard what we have entrusted to Him until that Day.

September 23, 2014 - 2 Timothy 2:6-13

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

   ¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Apostle Paul, being the mentor of Timothy, patiently encouraged him to fan into the flame the gift of God that had been endowed to him through the laying on of Paul's hands. While Timothy faced the discouragement from his ministry at Ephesus, the encouragement of his mentor strengthened his faith and passion in continuing his pastoral ministry. Paul affirmed Timothy that he had received the Spirit, not of timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline. Paul drew Timothy's attention back to the God who was able to guard what Timothy had entrusted to him until to that day when Jesus returns and ultimately establishes His Kingdom on earth. Paul modeled himself to his mentoree Timothy and invited him to join with him to live out a ministry life that was not ashamed of Jesus, but suffering for the gospel of Jesus and living out a sanctified life by the power of the Spirit. 

My Master Jesus, thanks for letting Paul to be my historical mentor and teaching me how to follow Jesus to be a minister but at the same time modeling myself to young emerging leaders that You place besides me. You are my Lord and also the only glory that I await and desire for while I finish the race of my life and fulfill the works You entrust to me and the destiny that You plan in my life before the beginning of time. 

Loving your mentoree and trusting God's work in mentoring.

September 22, 2013 - 2 Timothy 1:1-4

¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

   ² To Timothy, my dear son:

   Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

    ³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Apostle Paul's mentoring of young Timothy was not merely dependent on a set of skills but rather a deep relating relationship with his mentoree. Paul constantly remembered Timothy in his prayers; he recalled his tears - his difficulty and burden in his ministry at Ephesus; he longed to see him as like his true son. Paul deeply related with Timothy that he loved him as his only true son and always lifted him in Paul's prayers. Nevertheless, Paul also saw how God worked in Timothy's life according to His sovereign work. God had already chosen Timothy through his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. Timothy's sincere faith was inherited from his ancestors far beyond he was born on earth. Paul mentored Timothy to be the servant of God but at the same time believing that God had commenced His work in Timothy's life far beyond his mentoring work. Loving Timothy and trusting God's work in him was the key essence of Paul's mentoring with Timothy.

My Master Jesus, keep on strengthening my passion and equipping my skills in mentoring young leaders. But at the same time, cultivate in me a strong sense of faith in trusting God's sovereign works and the Spirit's continual guidance to all leaders' lives. And also imitate Paul to have a clear conscience and sincere love for all mentorees whom God put besides me. My Lord, may Your will be done through my mentoring and coaching works to all people You entrust to me. 

The importance of exhortation in mentoring relationship.

September 14, 2013 - 1 Timothy 3:1-12

  ¹ Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

   ⁸ In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

   ¹¹ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

   ¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Apostle Paul exhorted to his mentoree, Timothy, in terms of how he should select overseers and deacons of the church. The future prospect of the church rests on the qualities of the key leaders - overseers and deacons. They are required to demonstrate the various kinds of spiritual qualities before the believers and even the outsiders in different areas, including the marital relationship with their spouses, parenting relationship with their children, personal integrity, character maturity and perseverance as affirmed by the congregants, and the heart and ability of teaching as particularly required of the overseers. Paul modeled himself and exhorted Timothy to pursue all these qualities as he was instructed to choose the overseers and deacons of the church. Mentoring is a kind of dynamic relationship between the mentor and mentoree. This is not a matter of skill or technique only but a commitment to each other that they can grow in the same direction. Paul, the mentor, modeled himself and also exhorted his mentoree, Timothy. Timothy, the mentoree, imitated his mentor, Paul, and also followed his teaching. Timothy, became another mentor of his church's leaders, exhorted them to follow and modeled himself that others could imitate. Mentoring is also a kind of discipleship but particularly occurs in the leadership development process.

My Master Jesus, thanks for giving me Paul as one of my historical mentors that I learn from his teachings and also imitate his modeling. I now also receive the calling from the Lord to continue this mentoring process for church's leaders. My Master Jesus, thanks for giving me the gifts of teaching and mentoring that I can continue this process of developing church's leaders. Help me sharpen my skills but also deepen my heart in training and also loving the leaders You choose for Your church. 

Mentor your Timothy through your exhortation and modeling.

September 13, 2013 - 1 Timothy 2:8-15

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. ⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

   ¹¹ A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵ But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Paul mentored young Timothy in his personal growth and ministry through Paul's exhortation and modeling. Paul exhorted Timothy in teaching men (or husbands) in the area of prayer life, and women (probably wives of families) in pursuing good deeds rather than superficial beauty and adorning with clothes or jewelry. Paul at the same time modeling himself in his prayer life of sincere faith and humility. Paul humbled himself before God and even before men, praying for the church of Corinth which he planted with love and patience but now treated him as their enemies. Paul prayed for his fellow Jews to the point that he even wanted God to delete his name from God's Book of Life for the sake of their salvation. Paul prayed earnestly for advancing God's Kingdom in the territory of enmity against him and fighting the spiritual warfare with the demonic force. Paul even appealed brothers and sisters to pray that he would be bold enough to persevere in his mission from God. Paul devoted himself to be the mentor of the young generation, exhorting them to follow the Will of God, and modeling himself in all kinds of areas that the young leaders, like Timothy, can imitate and follow.

Dear Master Jesus, thanks for giving me Apostle Paul as one of my historical mentor. Paul also modeled himself to be my mentor that I grow myself to be like him, and develop young people around me through my gifts of teaching, mentoring, and coaching.

The heart of a mentor - sharing your life story with the mentoree.

September 12, 2013 - 1 Timothy 2:1-7

 ¹ I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Jesus is God,the Savior, and the One Mediator between God and mankind. Apostle Paul experienced how he was saved miraculously by Jesus while he was still a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man. As he became the mentor of young Timothy, Paul instructed him to pray for all people, including the authority, that all could be saved because of knowing Jesus. Apostle Paul earnestly desired that people could know Jesus and experience the salvation just like him. He experienced that how Jesus out of sheer grace saved him, and even chose him to be the herald and apostle of the Gentiles though he did not deserve. Paul's heart, passion, desire flowed out from his life as he mentored Timothy to be the next generation leader of the church.

My dear Master Jesus, You are also the One who saved me while I was still a sinner who walked according to my own ways and was ignorant of Your truth. You shaped me and transformed me with Your patience and wisdom, and even chose me to be Your servant and a pastor of Your holy church. You continue to reveal Your good plan in my life, and all I can offer back to You is to love You with all my heart, my strength, my soul, and my mind, and to share my testimony and experience with the new generation through building up more loving and trusting relationships with them. May Your will be done in my life and all glory belongs to You. 

Keep your sincere faith and good conscience by constantly recalling your God's Calling.

September 11, 2013 - 1 Timothy 1:18-20

    ¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ²⁰Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Apostle Paul charged his true spiritual son, Timothy, to keep with the prophecies that once had been told about him from other people of God. The prophecies were come from God through God's people to Timothy when he was still young. As Timothy was to shepherd God's church at Ephesus, he faced all kinds of difficulties that challenged his calling from God. Apostle Paul urged Timothy not to forget his calling from these prophecies and he must constantly recall these prophecies in order that he could fight this spiritual battle well. Paul also urged Timothy to hold on his sincere faith and good conscience before God, contrary to some people who could not finish well by rejecting their faith. 

Dear Lord, You have called me through Your words that I know that I am only a pilgrim on earth with my final destiny in your heavenly dwelling; You have also spoken to me through Your people that You will surely keep all those things that I have entrusted to You; and I also recall the prophecy to me that I shall be renewed in my inner soul by Your Spirit before I can renew the spiritual conditions of Your church and servants. Continue to keep my sincere faith, pure conscience, and good heart before You as I recall my gracious calling from You. 

The Lord's abundant Grace and Mercy are always our Strength.

September 10, 2013 - 1 Timothy 1:12-17

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

   ¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Apostle Paul's life became an example of God's mercy and patience to save sinners though Paul considered himself to be the worst of the sinners - the blasphemer, the persecutor, and the violent man. Having served the Lord for more than thirty years, Paul reflected on his own life, praising God with deep gratitude regarding on how God had saved him out of his wretchedness, considered him as trustworthy that he never deserved, chosen him as His servant for the Gentiles, and continued to empower him to fulfill his ministry responsibility. Paul felt that the Lord's grace had been abundantly poured out onto him together with the faith and love in Jesus Christ. 

My dear Lord, Apostle Paul also became my mentor as he modeled a life to me that I must also rely on God's patience, mercy, and grace in all my life. Thanks for calling me while I was still a sinner who was dead and disobedient to You; choosing me to be Your servant as You are trustworthy though I do not consider myself to be trustworthy; and strengthening me on this way of pilgrimage with the faith and love of Jesus Christ, and the empowerment of the Spirit. Lift up my spirit that I can praise You from the bottom of my heart as You are the God of eternal and mighty King. 

Where is your Timothy - your true spiritual son?

September 9, 2013 - 1 Timothy 1:1-11

   ¹ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the commaWhnd of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

   ² To Timothy my true son in the faith:

   Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

    ³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. ⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

   ⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Apostle Paul invested his life in his successor, Timothy, also called his true son in the faith. Paul taught Timothy by his modeling as well as his teaching. He particularly exhorted Timothy to keep his pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith before God as Timothy served in the city of Ephesus that was full of spiritual challenges, including controversy of doctrines and all kinds of temptations from the lusts among the congregation. Paul, apart from carrying out mission works by himself, also selected and developed Timothy to be the successor of his pastoral ministry especially at Ephesus. He intensively developed personal relationship with Timothy as a means but also a goal of all his ministries. He saw the potential of Timothy of being the next generation leader though he was still young and not mature enough. Paul modeled himself in both words and deeds, taught Timothy about the truth of God, encouraged him while he was frustrated in his ministry, and truly loved him as his true spiritual son. Paul passed away some years later, but God's works still flourished because of Paul's passing the baton to Timothy who had grown up to be the key pastoral leader of the city of Ephesus. 

My dear Master Jesus, thanks for giving me another mentor, apostle Paul, to be my spiritual model. Cultivate in me to have eyes and a heart like that of Paul, seeing the potential of emerging leaders around me, and loving them from the bottom of my heart as my true spiritual sons and developing them to be the next generation leaders. I will pass away one day but the Lord's works will still flourish because of all these new leaders. Dear Master Jesus, I deeply desire to make my major contribution to advance Your Kingdom through developing Your people to be the new generational leaders. May Your Works and Will be done through me. 

Christ's glory shines on our faces.

September 8, 2013 - Exodus 34:29-35

²⁹ When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. ³⁰ When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him. ³¹ But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them. ³² Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.

   ³³ When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. ³⁴ But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, ³⁵ they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.

Moses' face was changed and became radiant as he had been with the Lord for a prolonged period of time. In fact, his face actually reflected the glory of the Lord. But when he spoke to the Israelites, he put a veil on his face that the people could not see the radiant light of his face. We today may not be able to see the Lord face to face again like Moses did on the Mount Sinai. But in the New Testament's time, We believers, through the Holy Spirit, can gaze at the face of Jesus Christ who dwells in our hearts. As we enter into the most secret place of our inner soul, we can meet with our Lord Jesus Christ, gazing at His beauty and subsequently reflecting His glory on our face. Believers in the New Testament's time can all be transformed in our life as we allow Christ's life to dwell in us and Christ's glory to shine on our face. 

My dear Master Jesus, You are the Light and Glory of God. As I enter into the most secret room of my inner soul, gazing on Your beauty and holiness daily, transform me to be like You from inside out. Draw me to enter into Your Presence and Love as You manifest Yourself in all circumstances I encounter in the present and future journey of my life. 

Our Lord is the most Compassionate, Gracious, and also Jealous God.

September 7, 2013 - Exodus 34:1-28

 ¹ The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. ² Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. ³ No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.”

   ⁴ So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. ⁵ Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. ⁶ And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

   ⁸ Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. ⁹ “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

   ¹⁰ Then the LORD said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. ¹¹ Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ¹² Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. ¹³ Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. ¹⁴ Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

   ¹⁵ “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land; for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you and you will eat their sacrifices. ¹⁶And when you choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons and those daughters prostitute themselves to their gods, they will lead your sons to do the same.

   ¹⁷ “Do not make any idols.

   ¹⁸ “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt.

   ¹⁹ “The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock. ²⁰ Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem all your firstborn sons.

   “No one is to appear before me empty-handed.

   ²¹ “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest.

   ²² “Celebrate the Festival of Weeks with the firstfruits of the wheat harvest, and the Festival of Ingathering at the turn of the year. ²³ Three times a year all your men are to appear before the Sovereign LORD, the God of Israel. ²⁴ I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your territory, and no one will covet your land when you go up three times each year to appear before the LORD your God.

   ²⁵ “Do not offer the blood of a sacrifice to me along with anything containing yeast, and do not let any of the sacrifice from the Passover Festival remain until morning.

   ²⁶ “Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God.

   “Do not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

   ²⁷ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.

God revealed His Name to Moses - He is the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,maintaining love to thousands of generations, but punishing sins for the third and fourth generations. The Lord also show that His Name is Jealous - He is a jealous God. The Lord promised to Moses that He would show wonders to His people, driving out all the enemies before them while they obeyed to Him. God would do wonders that had never done before and His people would know how awesome was the Lord. Moses was on the mountaintop with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, writing the words of the covenant - The Ten Commandments - on the two stone tablets. 

All servants of God need to have the most intimate relationship with the Lord before God's works can be accomplished through them. Moses spent forty days and nights with the Lord alone; Jesus, being empowered by the Holy Spirit, stayed alone with the Lord for forty days and nights before facing the most severe temptations from the devil. Our God is the most compassionate and gracious God, but He is the Jealous God, who alone shall receive our worship and deepest desire alone. 

My Lord, You call me to be with You and be Your people through the everlasting covenant You make with me through Jesus Christ. You promise to show wonders that You have never done in my life before as I obey You wholeheartedly. You promise to drive out all my enemies that I know that You are the awesome God. Loving You with all my strength, all my heart, all my mind, and all my soul is the only response that I offer to You. You are my God alone!

God's Presence distinguishes God's people from the world.

September 6, 2013 - Exodus 33:12-23

¹² Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ ¹³ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

   ¹⁴ The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

   ¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. ¹⁶How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

   ¹⁷ And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

   ¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

   ¹⁹ And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

   ²¹ Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²² When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

Though no one had ever seen God's face before, Moses still requested to have a glimpse of God's glorious face. People thinks of God as a remote, a hot-tempered, or an abstract divinity, but Moses thought of God's beauty, compassion, mercy, and holiness. He desired God's Presence as his best friend, companion, and mighty Savior more than any blessings he could receive from the Lord. He wanted to see God's glory and God's face. God granted the earnest request that came from the spiritual hunger of Moses. Though Moses could not see God's face directly, he still could have a glimpse of God's glory through seeing His back.

Dear Lord, You are the most beautiful and glorious God. You have mercy and are compassionate on Your people. You even condescend Yourself in order to dwell in us through Your Spirit. Without Your Presence, all other blessings mean nothing in Your eyes; without Your Presence, we also lose our identity and witness to be Your people. You will never fail to satisfy the hunger of Your people. Dear Lord, also grant me the favor to see Your glory and experience Your Presence as I walk with You daily by Your Spirit.

Where is our "Tent of Meeting" with the Lord?

September 5, 2013 - Exodus 33:7-11

 ⁷ Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. ⁸And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. ⁹ As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. ¹⁰ Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. ¹¹ The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Moses' tent of meeting became a place where the Lord appeared to Moses and also spoke to him face to face, as friends speaks to each other. Moses served God faithfully for the last forty days of his life, bearing on his shoulder the responsibility to deliver people out of Egypt from slavery, lead them to enter into promised land, set up the Laws and all kinds of sacrificial systems, and most importantly build up the next generation of faithful Israelites and his successor, Joshua. Moses' strength came from the tent of meeting where he could pray to the Lord, listen to His voice, enjoy His Presence as an intimate friend, and be empowered to carry out his ministry. Even the pillar of cloud descended on Moses' tent of meeting whenever Moses entered into the tent and met with the Lord. God's Presence with Moses was the most important sign for authenticating Moses' ministry and empowering him to fulfill his ministry responsibility assigned by the Lord. 

My dear Lord, thanks for giving Moses to be my another mentor, apart from Apostle Paul and Nehemiah. I earnestly desire to be like him that my own "tent of meeting" is also a place and a time that I encounter with You. Your Presence is what I desire and Your Empowering is a must if I have to carry out Your ministry as I follow Your way. Show me Your mercy as I faithfully carry out Your works today and continue to follow Your path.

Seek for God Himself alone.

September 4, 2013 - Exodus 33:1-6

¹ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ ² I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. ³ Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

   ⁴ When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. ⁵ For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” ⁶ So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.

Israelites worshiped the golden calf and aroused the anger of the Lord. The Lord forgave their sins and withdrew His punishment on them. The Lord still promised to send His angel to bring them into the promised land but He would withdraw His Presence with these people. The people still could receive the blessings from the Lord but the Lord would not go with them to the promised land. People began to mourn and now they realized that without God's presence the blessings they would receive - the land flowing with milk and honey - means nothing to them without the Presence of the Lord. 

Our dear Father God, You deliver us from the evil and slavery of sins. We have been receiving Your countless blessings but let us know that no other blessings can replace Your Presence with us. The Presence of the Lord with us is like what the lyrics of the hymn "Himself" describes:

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted, Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Dear  Father God, come and fill us with all Your Presence and Yourself alone. 

Jesus honors our simple trust in Him.

September 3, 2013 - Marks 7:24-30

    ²⁴ Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. ²⁵ In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. ²⁶The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

   ²⁷ “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

   ²⁸ “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

   ²⁹ Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

   ³⁰ She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. (NIV)

 ^24-26 From there Jesus set out for the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house there where he didn’t think he would be found, but he couldn’t escape notice. He was barely inside when a woman who had a disturbed daughter heard where he was. She came and knelt at his feet, begging for help. The woman was Greek, Syro-Phoenician by birth. She asked him to cure her daughter.

   ²⁷ He said, “Stand in line and take your turn. The children get fed first. If there’s any left over, the dogs get it.”

   ²⁸ She said, “Of course, Master. But don’t dogs under the table get scraps dropped by the children?”

   ^29-30 Jesus was impressed. “You’re right! On your way! Your daughter is no longer disturbed. The demonic affliction is gone.” She went home and found her daughter relaxed on the bed, the torment gone for good. (Message)

A Greek Syro-Phoenician's daughter was possessed by a demon and sick. This woman once noticed that Jesus was there, her faith in Jesus' power and mercy pushed her to come forward to Jesus to ask for healing. Jesus' reply turned her down at first but her faith kept her pleading for Jesus' mercy with her deep humility, knowing that only Jesus was God and all other means of help was useless ultimately. Her faith even impressed Jesus to praise her faith though she was a Gentile and to immediately promise her seeking for her daughter's healing. The essence of faith is the same for all people, no matter what our background or circumstances maybe. Jesus sees through people's faith in our inner souls. 

My Master Jesus, let me come freely to You with a simple faith like this Phoenician woman. Seek for Your help without delay. You know and discern our heart, and You also honor our faith in trusting You. You are the God of mercy and You are the God who is always ready to help those who pray to You with honesty and simply trust. 

Risk our faith and put our simple trust in Jesus?

September 2, 2013 - Marks 5:25-34

^25-29 A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.

   ³⁰ At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”

   ³¹ His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”

   ^32-33 But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.

   ³⁴ Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”

The woman with a hemorrhage of twelve years had heard about Jesus before, but now she decided to take a risk of faith, stepping forward to touch Jesus' robe with her hands, believing that she could get healing simply by this touching connection with Jesus. A crowd of people touched Jesus but nothing happened to their lives, while this woman touched Jesus with her simple faith and her disease was immediately healed. Jesus even felt that energy or power was discharged from his body. This doesn't imply that Jesus is only a source of power. Should anyone touches him, power will be discharged from his body like the electric source of power. But rather, simple faith of people in Jesus' Name and Power can really move Jesus to heal and restore people's wholeness, like the healing of this woman. Jesus healed and restored this woman's physical health and intimate relationship with Him. She was asked to testify and meet with Jesus face to face, experiencing that Jesus had the power to heal and also the compassion to restore her well being. 

Dear Master Jesus, all the fullness of God dwells in You. Your fullness is never fully comprehended by us. Stretch my faith again that I can fully experience Your power of healing in restoring the well being and wholeness of Your people. Let me foretaste the glory and bliss of the heavenly Kingdom on earth as I take a risk of my faith and put my simple trust in Your Compassion and Infinite Power over all the physical and spiritual realms.