Monday 30/12/13

Philippians 1:7 ESV

It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

What did Paul talk about his coworkers? What did they partake?
_ in imprisonment & persecution
_ in the defense of the gospel
_ in the confirmation of the gospel

Which of these have we done?
Who partake with us?

The common works that we do create a bond among us. The more common works a church does, the closer the fellowship in the church.

Tuesday 24/12

Luke 2:14 ESV

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Today is Christmas day - Christ' mass, the mass of Christ to celebrate His coming into the world. He came into the world, full of God's spirit, to reveal how God is like in the body of men, and how men ought to be as the image of God. Moreover, Christ came to die on the cross to pay for the sin of humankind, so that those believe in Him can be cleansed of their sin, and can be adopted as God's children. They will not be perished, yet have eternal life with God in heaven.

So Christmas is a history changing event, the glorious act of redemption of God that brings comfort & peace to all who love Him & seek His favor.

Friday 20/12/13

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

God will always finish what He has started. No difficulty can stop Him. Therefore, we can rely on Him to help us complete our work. As we acknowledge Him in our work, we ought be strong & take courage, pray for His help & guidance to overcome difficulties, and persevere. It may take long, but God is in charge, and He will complete what He has started.

Thursday 18/12/13

Philippians 1:4-5 ESV

always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

Christians ought to be partners in prayer and in the gospel. Partnership and fellowship with other brothers & sisters in Christ are blessings from God. They help us bond & unite which each other, practicing God's love & teaching each other His way. It's in this partnership & fellowship that we experience God's grace to grow & mature in the faith.

I personally think a church's health & discipleship level are proportion to the level of partnership & fellowship in prayer & in gospel work of its members

Tuesday 17/12/24

Philippians 1:3 ESV

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

The memories of the righteous are a joy and an encouragement to others. Their good deeds, their moral integrity, their stand against evil remind people that righteous and goodness are still in this world. They motivate people to follow their examples. Their stories are the light & the salt against the darkness & corruption of this world. Blessed are those who hear their stories.

It's good for us to learn the deeds of the righteous. Better still, we should strive to do what are right and make stories that are a blessing & an encouragement to others

Tuesday 17/12/24

Philippians 1:3 ESV

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

The memories of the righteous are a joy and an encouragement to others. Their good deeds, their moral integrity, their stand against evil remind people that righteous and goodness are still in this world. They motivate people to follow their examples. Their stories are the light & the salt against the darkness & corruption of this world. Blessed are those who hear their stories.

It's good for us to learn the deeds of the righteous. Better still, we should strive to do what are right and make stories that are a blessing & an encouragement to others

Friday 13/12/13

Ephesians 6:9 ESV

Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Masters have natural tendency to threaten their workers with harsh words, violence punishment or salary cut to make them work harder. But this abusing power is wrong. A Christian master ought to remember that God is the heavenly master of both them and their workers. As a result, they must not use threats, but instead, exhort their workers with Biblical work principles, encourage them with just rewards, and improve their productivity with better tools and effective management.

Whatever a Christian master does to his workers, or the workers do to their masters, God will judge. Therefore, the Christian masters must be responsible before God for his conduct. Similarly, the workers must also be responsible before God for his conduct. God is the ultimate heavenly judge for both.

Thursday 12/12/13

Ephesians 6:7-8 ESV

rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

As Christians, we ought to work (i.e. serve) with dedication and with good will. We must keep in mind that our serving is to the Lord, and not to men. Therefore, our rewards are also come from the Lord, and not from men. So we can be at peace even when our work seems so fruitless, because it's the Lord who rewards us, not men. Our rewards will come in ways cannot be seen from worldly perspective.

Having said so, the Lord can change our work or our place of work. As a result, we don't need to stay in a work forever. If we sense it's time to move on, and after we have sincerely prayed, and God has opened a door to a new work & opportunity, we can move on.

Wednesday 11/12/13

Ephesians 6:5-6 ESV

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

As Christians, our employment and our provision ultimately come from God. Human factors are the channels God has chosen to provide for & supervise over us. Therefore, we ultimately work for Christ, with our employers as the channels.

As a result, we ought to take our work sincerely, even with fear & trembling. We ought not to work to please our colleagues or our boss, but to please God who see all things we do, even in secret. We also don't need to worry about our employers' just rewards, for our ultimate rewards are from God, who is just & generous. We ought to acknowledge God as our Lord, our Boss, the ultimate giver & supervisor of our work.

But God is our heavenly mentor & father, too. He is not a boss who just give jobs & never give help. Often, He gives jobs above our current abilities to build us up, and help us to meet the new requirement. As a result, we are not alone but we can seek help from Him any time. We ought to talk with Him in prayer about our work, our thankfulness & our problems, seek His help & teaching & guidance to do the job well.

Tuesday 10/12/13

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

As it's children's duty to obey, parents also have duties to nurture, watch & care, and raise up children in the Lord. Father must not abuse their right, must not be harsh and cruel to children which provoke them to anger. Instead, they ought to bring them up in discipline and instruction, with love, patient and exhortation toward what're good in the Lord.

Monday 9/12/13

Ephesians 6:1-3 NET

Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.  “ Honor your father and mother , ” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely,  “ that it may go  well with you and that you will live  a long time on the earth . ”

This commandment is very clear: children must obey their children. Children are small, naive, unaware of pending dangers. God has ordained parents to watch over them, teach them what's right to do, and dangers to avoid. Therefore, children who listen to their parents will learn the right things and avoid dangers. As a result, all will be well with them, and they will live long on earth as the Lord has promised.

Sunday 8/12/13

Ephesians 5:28-31 NET

In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,  for we are members of his body.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become  one flesh.

Here the Bible relates the husband-wife relationship as a body. Wives ought to submit to their husbands as the body to the head. Husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. Every men take a good care of his body, feed it, care for it, build it up... not neglect it, hurt it or be harsh against it. In the same manner he ought to treat his wife.

Thursday 28/11/13

Ephesians 5:25 NET

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her

Just as the Bible teaches wives to submit to their husbands as the Church submits to Christ, the husbands need to love their wives as Christ loves the church.

What is love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET describes love according to the Bible as

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up.  It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful.  It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Thus it is imperative that men are to be kind, patient, humble, calm, forebearing, enduring while hoping for the best of their wives. Men are to love God, love our neighbors, love our wives as ourselves, if not more than ourselves.

Wednesday 20/11/13

Ephesians 5:22-24 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

In Ephesians 5:21, the Bible instructs Christians to submit to one another, not because the other is more right, but because of reverence to Christ. Similarly, here God instructs wives to submit to their husbands, not because the husbands are more right, but because that's God's ordinance.

The reasons can be similar to Ephesians 5:21 previously: 1. Submitting, patience and forbearance are the acts of love, 2. Peace and unity are generally preferable to quarreling & strifes, even if the common path is not completely right to us, 3. Conflict resolution ought to follow a proper protocol, angry reaction just makes things worse.

Moreover, God desires husband & wife to be one flesh. There can only be one driver in a car, one leader of the group. The others can contribute their opinions for consideration, but all need to submit themselves to the leader decision. For two to be one, one must be leader, and the other must submit. God gives the duty to lead for the husband, to submit for the wife.

Monday 18/11/13

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Are we having conflicts with other Christians, or disagreeing with the church direction? If so, the Bible commands us to bear with one another and submitting to one another, out of reverence to Christ, even if we don't feel right or agreeable to do so.

The Bible doesn't give any explanation here. However, other places give us some hints:
_ Forebearing and patience with others are the signs of love. They show that we are practicing God's love.
_ Our humanly anger cannot bring the righteousness of God. It mostly leads us to sin. Instead, the Bible gives us the conflict resolution protocol: in private, via the elders and leaders, and finally, via the church. And we ought to respect & submit ourselves to the community.
_ There is strength and peace in unity. So being united and working together is more important than being more right yet having quarrels & strifes. Unless something is utterly wrong, it's better to submit ourselves & bear with one another than to have quarrels & strifes.

As God is forgiving & forebearing to us, we should do the same to one another via practicing love, keeping unity and peace, following a good conflict resolution protocol. Moreover, both sides can be wrong. Therefore, all must look toward God and seek His Will via Bible and prayer.

Thursday 14/11/13

Ephesians 5:20 ESV

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

What can we gain without the blessing of God? We tend to overestimate our contribution in our achievements. Indeed, we have some skills & put in lots of effort. However, as the Bible says in  Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

We contribute the skills & efforts, but God gives us the external factors like time & chance, opportunity & help, guidance & support... Therefore, we must be thankful to Him in all good things & all our achievements.

Moreover, as we know God plays a deciding role in our successes or failures, we ought to seek His will & His blessings in all we do. And as we walk close to Him, commune with Him in prayers and obey His commandments, we can trust that everything that have happened, good or bad, are for our good and our refinement.

Monday 11/11/13

Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Worldly people fill themselves with wine spirit to have fun and find comfort.  But that likely leads to debauchery. Christians ought to fill themselves with the Holy Spirit instead.

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit? By addressing one another with Psalms, spiritual songs, singing to the Lord. Just like wine, song and music can lift up one's spirit and make one merry. But unlike wine, they will not lead to debauchery. Instead, psalms & hymns & spiritual songs point our eyes to God, the source of our joys, our comforts and our providence. They strengthen our commitment to do good deeds and keep to the righteous path.

Monday 4/11/13

Ephesians 5:17 ESV

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

As Christians, we must not be foolish. The opposite of foolishness is to understand the will of the Lord. But how can we understand the Lord's will?

First, we must diligently study His Word. His Will will always align with His Word. Not knowing His teachings & commandments, we have no basis to make our decisions. How to act according to His Word is the basis to understand His Will.

Second, we need to walk close to Him. That's to be mindful of God in all our deeds, knowing that He searches us inside out and know what we do in secret. By thinking of God before we do a thing, we will be sensitive to His Will whether we ought to do it.

Third, we need to seek His Will and His guidance in our walk, through asking in prayer, through asking advices and modeling Godly people.
When we seek His Will in our walk, He will lead us in the right path for the sake of His reputation. He will bless us, provide us and protect us. He will make all things work out for our good (although not for our easy & comfort). So it's important for us to study His Word, walk mindful of His watching, and ask Him in prayer & through Godly people. With that, we will live a blessed life under God.

Thursday 31/10/13

Ephesians 5:15-16 ASV

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

We are to walk as children of the light, and also as wise. God gives wisdom. As children of God, we ought to ask wisdom from Him and learn from Him.

It's difficult to describe what's walking as wise. However, here Paul lists 2 aspects:

_ be carefully how we walk.
we ought to be mindful, think & evaluate our walk, not just walk mindlessly without consideration. We need to evaluate whether our walk is wise or unwise & according to God or not

_ redeeming the time:
We must not waste time, but make the best of it. Each minute wasted is one less minute to do useful things. One hour per day means 365 active hours per year, almost 30 days if we active 12 hours per day.

May God remind us, convict us and help us to follow His Word

Tuesday 29/10/13

Ephesians 5:11-12 ESV

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

As the light has nothing to do with darkness but instead expose their shameful hidden things, we ought to do the same. We need to remember God is light, so we need to stand for the light whenever we are called.

As in the book of Job, we may be persecuted and suffer loss for righteousness' sake. But ultimately, what Satan can do to us must be according to God's permission. God is with us, and He controls our situation. As in Job, He can help us gain back what we have lost, and much more. It is always more profitable to accept persecution & loss for the light.

Not just that, suffering helps us learn valuable lessons in life. It develops in us patience, characters, the hate of sin and the love of righteousness, and experience the faithfulness of God.

Thursday 24/10/13

Ephesians 5:10 ESV

and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

As children of God, and as we call Jesus our Lord, we ought to know what is pleasing to Him. It's important & proper to know what is pleasing to our neighbors, to our bosses, so is to our Lord. Doing what please Him is our duty, our pleasure and our rewards, especially when we love Him. And if we please Him, He will bless us and give us joy and peace.

What is pleasing to God? As He told us in His Word, God is pleased when:
_ When we do His commandments
_ When we love each other and love our neighbors
_ When we pray, give thanks & worship Him
...
There are more in His Word. We ought to study, build up our list and be attentive to do them when opportunity arise.

Wednesday 23/10/13

Ephesians 5:8-9 ESV

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Whatever darkness we are before, we are now light in the Lord. We are to be like the light. Light is bright & clear, pure & honest, productive & helpful, illuminating & ... Light brings all that are good & right & true. We are to walk as children of the light. Whatever good we find in the light, we are to mimic it.

Tuesday 22/10/13

Ephesians 5:5-7 ESV

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them;

Since the garden of Eden, the evil usually tempts us to sin by deceiving with empty words that sin is fun and trivial, sin rewards desirable things, sin has no consequences. However, we can be assured that sin and disobediences have consequences and will bring the wrath of God. Continue in sexual immorality, impure living, greed and covetous ... will bring God's wrath and will not get the inheritance from God. Just approving & partnering with them put us in danger. So we must fear God and shun evil, be assured of the consequences of disobediences, be afraid and stay away from them. Our willpower may not enough to overcome the flesh, we need to seek God's help in prayer to overcome devil's temptations.

Monday 21/10/13

Ephesians 5:4 ESV

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Many people enjoy dirty and crude jokes. However, a Christian must stay away from these, and instead be gracious and thankful. Whatever come out of a person's mouth is from the heart, and God will judge every idle words of men. Therefore, taming the tongue is taming the heart, and a gracious & thankful tongue signifies a similar heart, and that will save us from many evils and judgements.

Friday 18/10/13

Ephesians 5:3 ESV

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Again, Paul reminded us to put off the old self and stay away from evil deeds. He categorized them into 3 classes:
_ sexual immorality: e.g. lust, adultery, fornication...
_ impurity: e.g. dishonesty, cheating, no integrity...
_ covetousness: e.g. greed, envy, jealous, steal, thief ...

And we must stay away from them in our heart, in our mind, not just in our actions. Nurturing evil thoughts is playing with the devil and keeping fire in our heart. Sin in the mind will find its way to manifest in the deed, eventually lead to death.

Thursday 17/10/13

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

As Christians, people of Christ, God's beloved children, our duty is to imitate God and Christ. To imitate Christ, we are to walk in love: kind, caring, patient, forbearant, humble, gracious. We imitate God by studying and practicing His Word. That's our duty before God and Christ.

Wednesday 15/10/13

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

After putting away our anger and bitterness, we are to put on kindness and forgiveness. This is not a should, it is a must. As God has forgiven us our sin, we are to forgive others similarly. This is not easy. The worldly thinking points us to take revenge so people will afraid to take advantage of us. And our flesh wants to strike back 7*7 times the hurt. They are sinful thinking. If God is like that, no one will live. If all men follow that principle, we will live in constant fear and anger from each other. It's only with forgiveness and kindness, even when being wronged, that we can live in peace and brotherly love.

Monday 13/10/13

Ephesians 4:31 ESV

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

This is a summary of what we need to put off:
_ the vengeful spirit: bitterness, wrath and anger
_ the unruly tongue: clamor and slander
Instead, we need to practice Godly love: patience and endurance, kind, forgiving and forbearance, willing to rejoice in repentance & in truth

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Friday 10/10/13

Ephesians 4:30 ESV

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

As we believe in God, repent and receive His salvation in Jesus Christ, God gives us the Holy Spirit to be our Counselor in all things, such as in learning His Word, in prayer, and in our steps in life. If we are counselling and people refuse to listen but continue in their errs, we grieve. In the same way, when the Holy Spirit gives guidance, He wants us to follow as His way is vastly superior than us. It's our duty and for our best that we need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance and follow His advice. That will bring blessings from God and save us from many sorrows.

Wednesday 8/10/13

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Another concrete area to put off our old selves and put on our new selves is in our manner of talking. If our talking manner is corrupting, harsh, vulgar, cutting... we must put off that manner. In contrast, our words must be
_ building up: we need aim at helping the listener to grow in knowledge and spirit, rather than condemning and bringing down people.
_ fitting for the occasion: we need to be aware of the context and the mood of the conversation, rather than saying things out of context & out of mood.
_ give grace to those who hear: our words must be sweet and gracious, giving peace, rather than provoking anger and hurting ego.

Tuesday 8/10/13

Ephesians 4:28 ESV

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Another concrete area where we should work to put on our new selves is our work. We ought to labour honestly with our own hand. Labour honestly means not cheating, appear laboring but not. Labour honestly means delivering what is promised, not something different of worse quality. Labour honestly means not hiding back what we afraid our customers do not know.

The goal of our labour is not just for ourselves or our family. We must labour also for those who are in need and for the society around us. Therefore, we must labour hard and honestly for God.

Thursday 2/10/13

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Another area where we need to put off the old self and put on the new self is managing our anger. Anger is not bad in itself, God and Jesus were angry many times in the Bible. However, letting anger cause us to sin is sin. God and Jesus when angry never act harshly, call down thunder or rain down fire and burning sulfur. Instead, God kept sending prophets to call people to repent, and Jesus continued healing the sick. In the same way, we can be angry, but do not sin, be patient and forbearance, continue to do good and call for repentance.

Furthermore, we must let our anger go as soon as possible, before the sun goes down. The longer we keep the fire of anger in our heart, the more likely we get burned. Anger helps us detect sin against us. However, it may tempt us to respond with sin, but we must not. We must let it go once it has done the job, and respond with grace and call for repentance.

Wednesday 1/10/13

Ephesians 4:27 ESV

and give no opportunity to the devil.

This short and often neglected instruction is actually our best defense against the devil. Fighting against temptation and shunning the devil may display heroic righteousness and faith, but the devil is likely too strong for our weak flesh and soul. The easiest and surest way is to stay away from him, giving him no opportunity to tempt us.

Jesus taught it's better to throw away our eyes or cut away our hands than our whole body going to hell. It maybe an extrapolation, or maybe not. But it's important to remove the clues or the tools to sin around us. Destroy that game DVD, don't hang out with that group or stay around that area. Their dangers are worse than their benefits. Give no opportunity to the devil is the best way to fight him.

Monday 30/9/13

Ephesians 4:25 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Having exhorted us to put off the old self and put on the new self, Paul now gives us some concrete areas in our lives where we can work on.

The first area is honesty. We must put off any falsehood or lie, and put on truth and integrity. This is especially important in the church and in the neighborhood. As Christians, we are all members of the body of Christ - the church. For the body to function properly, all members must communicate the truth and be honest to one another. Similarly, for a close & peaceful neighborhood, each neighbor must be honest and true to one another.

However, honest and truth is not a ticket to be brute and inconsiderate. Our words must be gracious, seasoned with salt. Our corrections need to be in private, only involve the elders when necessary. We can be both honest, gracious and considerate at the same time.

Saturday 28/9/13

Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV

and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

As Christian, having learn the truth from Christ, we ought to live out the truth. As we learn, the spirit of truth from God will gradually replace our worldly thinking, thus renewing our minds. When our new mind is lived out, we put on a new self. The new self is created according to the teaching of God and the Holy Spirit, so it reflects God's characters which is righteous and holy.

We will not be able to completely put off our old self and put on our new self while in this world and in our weak flesh. Nevertheless, we should strive to align our way to God's teaching, thus live it out. To do so, we need to study the Bible diligently, follow the good models, avoid the pitfalls, and act according to what is taught. The more we live out God's teaching, the more blessed our life become and the more we understand and rejoice in God.

Wednesday 25/9/13

Ephesians 4:20-21 ESV

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

As Christian (people of Christ), we are to learn Christ. Men have many speculation about heaven, but most speculation are false. Jesus descended from heaven, so He knows the truth about God and to reveal to men that truth. Therefore,  when we heard about him and were taught in him, we heard the truth and were taught in truth. If we continue to learn from His Word, we will know the truth about God, and it will free us from all false speculation.

Saturday 20/9/13

Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

What is the way of the Gentile who don't know God?
_ Their minds are filled with futile & vain things - e.g. fame & recognition, wealth & money, power & status, showy achivements...
_ Their understanding is darkened by wrong perspective, e.g. the world is created by a random process which the strong destroy the weak.
_ They are alienated from the life of God - the life of peace, hope, love, and faith - because of their ignorance & hardened heart.

With a futile mind, a darkened understanding, an ignorant & hardened heart, they freely follow the desire of their flesh and become callous to their conscience, given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Tuesday 10/9/13

Ephesians 4:13-14 ESV

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

The goal of God's diverse gifts and diverse roles in the church is to make us united in faith and in knowledge of the Son of God and mature to manhood. Our measuresment is the stature of Christ, our model and the image we ought to conform with.

Wednesday 11/9/13

Ephesians 4:14 ESV

so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

The children do not have the unity and maturity in faith and in knowledge. Therefore, they follow whatever attractive to them, not knowing whether they are sincere truth or cunning deceit. So they are blown to and fro by the winds of doctrine. And we get nowhere in going to and fro.

To avoid this, we need to know the truth, united and matured in faith and knowledge (not by sticking to one way). For that, all of us must do well our roles and use best the gifts God gave us, especially the pastors, teachers and apostles.

Monday 9/9/13

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

As a body has multiple roles, the church - the body of Christ - has different members serving different functionalities. It is God who determines the role that one has, and equips us for service. Therefore, our duty is to find out our gifts and our place to serve in the church. Then we faithfully do it well, just as the eyes, the hands, the feet dutifully do their roles for the body. We also ought to do them quietly, without comparing to others. Serve faithfully and quietly our roles with our gifts like the members of a body as God has designed, that's pleasing to God and fit His ordinance.

Thursday 29/8/13

Ephesians 3:19 ESV

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

As Christians (i.e Christ's people), we should learn to know the love of Christ. Christ left the heavenly throne, born and lived a poor life, endured all the suffering, shame and pain, then accepted to be crucified at the cross. He did all that to pay for our sin even while we haven't known Him.  That love surpasses all human knowledge.

Knowing the love of Christ, we are compelled to love Him back, have faith and trust in His loving kindness to us. Being rooted and grounded in His love, we will have the strength to comprehend and live out His Word.

Tuesday 27/8/13

Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV

that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

God can strengthen our inner being - our heart, our spirit and our soul - through His Spirit. Therefore, when we feel weak, when we lose heart, when our soul faints within us, we must pray to God to strengthen us, give us power through the Holy Spirit to deal with the trial or the temptation. Our best way to deal with difficulties and temptations is not willpower, but prayer and faith. As we sincerely pray and earnestly seek Him, God promises to hear us and be with us.

God dwells with us through faith. Faith is the channel through which we commune with God and receive power from Him. Through faith, we believe God exists and hears our prayer. So we pray with the expectation that God will answer us, and act in trust that He will make things work out according to His will.

Monday 26/8/13

Ephesians 3:14-15 ESV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

Whenever we pray, we are bowing before the Lord God, the Creator of all, the Sovereign God who rules the angels on His lofty throne. We need not be afraid or tense when seeing them because while He is the most high God to all, He is our Father in Jesus. What we need is to be aware of His power, and ask in faith & trust. He promises to hear us, and will answer our prayer.

So as we pray, we need to remind ourselves who we are talking to, the Lord God, the Creator of heavens and earth, the Allmighty God, and above all, our heavenly father.

Friday 23/8/13

Galatians 4:6-7 ESV

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

One of the sign, probably the earliest sign, that the Holy Spirit is within us is our ability to cry to God as our Abba Father. That is the beginning of our faith, and the initial of our relationship and communion with Him - the sign that we have become His children.

Wednesday 21/8/13

Galatians 4:1-2 ESV

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

As Christian, we are the children of God. However, since we are still children, we are not mature enough to handle freedom and authority. So God put us under the guardian of angels and His management. As we grow in Him, He will gradually give us more freedom and authority. It's God who set the date, and it's our duty to do well what are given to us.

Tuesday 20 Aug 13

Galatians 3:26-29 ESV

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Ideally, there should be no distinction among Christians for we are all baptized into Christ and have put on Christ's image. There is no male or female, slave or master, Jew or Greek, but Christ's. God commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. A way to do it is not having distinction between ourselves and our neighbors. We are all Christ's, all children of God, all citizens of heaven...

We are all parts of the same church body. Each may have different roles and status, but as the eyes are no higher than the feet, no one is higher than others. All are equally important for the well being of the body

Thursday 15/8/13

Galatians 3:15, 19-20 ESV

Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.

If the law cannot make one righteous or help one achieve salvation before God, why did God give the law? Because of transgressions. Without the law, human don't know they are sinners. Even for the Pharisee who know the law but misunderstood and selectively keep them, they are still sinners while thinking themselves righteous. Those who understand the law correctly, understand their sinful state and their need for forgiveness and salvation.

Then, the purpose of the law is to show us the godly standard, and how we have failed horribly. The law then points us to Christ, the forgiveness and salvation of God.

Tuesday 13/8/13

Galatians 3:11-12 ESV

Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."  But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them."

The Bible calls those who live and keep the laws as doers of the laws, not the righteous. However, those who live by faith are the righteous. The laws are the standard of right behavior. However, as the heart of men are wicked and prone to evil, no one can keep all the laws without fail. The laws then just show us our fallen state. If we adamant on keeping the laws, we may become like the Pharisee: focus on the outward parts but neglect the inner parts, judgemental and hypocrisy toward others. Therefore, while the laws show us what righteousness is, it is faith, hope, love, merciful and forbearance that guide us there.

Wednesday 14/8/13

Galatians 3:13-14 ESV

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

God gave the laws together with the blessings and the curses. Those who keep the laws will receive blessings, while those who fail will be cursed. As none of us can consistently keep all the laws all the time without fail, physical part and spiritual part, even the two basic love God with all our heart and love our neighbors as ourselves. Therefore, we are all cursed and the weight of sin is death.

Then comes Jesus Christ, faith and promises which deliver us from the curses of the laws, of sin and death. Christ paid for our sin and redeemed us from the curse by dying on the cross for us. Through Christ, God gives us promises of forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life and the Holy Spirit as our guide and counsellor. Through faith, we believe and receive the promises.

Wednesday 7/8/13

Galatians 3:5-6 ESV

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"?

God works miracles in our lives because we hear & ask in faith and prayer, not because we do good works or keeping the laws. Just as Abraham, we are counted as righteousness because we believe in God, that He exists and He will do what He says.

We are not counted righteous because we keep the laws, for we will inevitably fail. God does not work miracles in our lives because we do good works, for our good works are never enough to force a favor from God. God counts us as righteousness and work miracles in our lives because of Jesus, because we hear and believe, and because God loves us.

Tuesday 6/8/13

Galatians 3:4 ESV

Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

This question asks us if we have suffered anything in vain as Christians? As Christians, we must follow God's Words, love, do good and shun evil. Although it involves denying the flesh and the worldly mind, they are all for our good, and keep us from harm. In all our suffering in God's name, is there suffering that bring out no good - either for us or for others?

God allows us to suffer. However, He also brings good from suffering. For us, suffering brings patience, patience brings character, which refines us. For others, our suffering is an effective witness for them to see God's glory and receive eternal life from Him.

Tuesday 30/7/13

Galatians 3:1 ESV

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

How should we portray Christ to those who don't know Him? A great teacher? A prophet of God with many miracles? First and foremost, Paul and other Apostles portrayed Christ as being crucified on the cross, buried in the grave, and after 3 days raised up from the death. That is the uniqueness of Christ, and the power of God for our salvation and resurrection. That is the first thing we should portray Christ.

Friday 26/7/13

Galatians 2:21 NET

I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

Human simply cannot obtain righteousness through the laws. No one can keep all the laws and do all the commandments. How many of us can say we really love God more than our job & procession? Like the rich "good" man, are we willingly sell all we have to follow Jesus? Is there any of us can say we love our neighbors as ourselves and treat the poor around us as we would treat ourselves or our children? If we are not willing, we have failed the 2 basic commandments and therefore, not good, cannot live with God in heaven and must go to hell after we die.

God knows our weaknesses and our slavery to our flesh, the worldly thinking and the spiritual  force of evil in this world. Therefore, God sent Christ to die for our sin. If anyone can be considered good, Christ died for nothing, unnecessarily. But Christ must die so that through Christ, we can be justified as good on God's eyes and can come to Him as His children.

Thursday 27/7/13

Galatians 2:17-20 NET

But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not!  But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God’s law. For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

If we are justified by Christ's work at the cross, not by our good deeds or keeping the laws, then can we go on sinning? No, that will make Christ encouraging sin, which is wrong. When in Christ, our flesh is supposed to be crucified with Christ. We are died to our flesh, no longer response to its desires. Instead, Christ lives in us, thus we response to the commandments and the spirit of Christ. So being justified by Christ, we die to sin and to the laws, but we live with the mind and the spirit of Christ.

We may not be fully conform to the image of Christ in our flesh, but we need to learn and apply God's Word to grow in Christ as much as we can.

Monday 22/7/13

Galatians 2:16 NET

yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

To be justified by the laws, we must love God with all we are, and love our neighbor as ourselves. Besides, we must keep all the laws without fail, and follow all the commissions in the Bible (e.g. Genesis 1:28, Matthew 28).  We may even need to withstand the temptationd after the 40-day fast. Anyone of us can say he has faithfully followed all these?

No, not even Abraham or Moses or David can do these. Only Jesus Christ can, thus only He can be victorious over death. Therefore, we need to seek righteousness in Jesus, not in our good work. We may fail time and time again, but thank be to God, our justification in Christ remains the same.

No one can keep all the laws, the commandmemts, and commissions of God to be justified as good in God's sight. Therefore, all need the saving grace of Christ.

Friday 19/7/13

Galatians 2:11-14 NET

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.   Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision.   And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy.  But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

What should we do when we see believers not acting consistently with the Gospel? Even the high profile like Peter and Barnabas? We must confront them to preserve the truth of the Gospel. We are to fear God not men, God's Word rather than worldly wisdom.

Here Paul opposed Peter first to the face, then in front of many people. Peter and Barnabas once had done correctly in fellowshiping with the Gentiles. However, they feared some Jews from the church of Jerusalem (represented by James), stopped the fellowship, then demanded the Gentiles to follow the custom of the Jews. So Paul fearlessly opposed and corrected them to preserve the truth of the Gospel.

Nevertheless, this correction must be done with discreet, strongly based on the Bible and lots of prayer. It also must be done first in private, then with the elder meeting. Public rebuke is just the last resort. It is not to bring someone down, but to bring a brother back to the way of God.

Thursday 18/7/13

Galatians 2:10 NET

They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.

How often do we have the poor in our mind, especially our poorer neighbors? Or do we think mostly of our work, our money, and our family? Do we like the rich man who feast wastefully while Lazarus - the neighbor in front of his door -  eats crumbles fall out of the table? If we are like that, be careful, the rich man goes to hell and suffer eternally.

We must think of condition of the poor around us, first in our church, then in our neighborhood, and in the society in general. Even as Paul was very busy as the appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, he always remembered the poor, even those who were far away. He arranged donation from one church to support other church having difficulties.

Wednesday 17/7/13

Galatians 2:4-5 NET

Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves.   But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

We all want peace and harmony. However, if peace & harmony are achieved by surrendering truth to falsehood, righteousness to false pretense, freedom to forced behavior... then it is slavery. But there is no real peace in slavery, only suppression and hypocrisy.

Therefore, we ought not to surrdender to the false brothers with their false teaching, not for a moment. We must do our best to preserve the truth of the Gospel. That is more important than peace and harmony.

Tuesday 16/7/13

Galatians 2:2 NET

I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running – or had not run – in vain.

When there is a dispute, we need to seek private meeting with the influential people first to seek their opinions. Paul received the revelation to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. He himself is a person full of wisdom and spirit of God. He also has a successful ministry. Nevertheless, he also saught advise from influential people in the church to make sure he is not running in vain, e.g. pursuing wrong goals. If Paul must seek advice to confirm his direction, even more so should we.

Tuesday 18/6/13

Galatians 1:13-14 ESV

For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

We must not tell a person by his past, especially after his genuine conversion. Before following Jesus, Paul was a renown Pharisee. He had studied under the best teachers of Judaism, and trusted by the high priest Ananias to persecute the church. Nevertheless, after the conversion, he became a devoted apostle who did great work for Christ.

Everyone has certain skills / talents which can be used to serve good or evil. The world used Paul's zeal, devotion for evil, but God used them for good. So as a Christian turn to God, we need to help them use their gifts for good.

Friday 14/6/13

Galatians 1:6-9 ESV

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

We must constantly on guard against the different gospels, or the distortions of the Gospel of the grace of Christ. These distortions may be taught to us by some ministers in the church, some famous teachers, or even some angels appeared to us. We must be discern between right & wrong, and guard ourselves against distortions of truth. Among us, Satan will raise up wolves who are blinded by the things of this world such as recognition of men, wealth, personal ambitions. They may have had a good start, became famous but later falling into Satan's temptations. The angels appearing to us maybe the fallen angels, Satan's minions. So we mist be on guard and discerning. We mist understanding the Gospel in detail and be alert of the things contrary.

Thursday 13/6/13

Galatians 1:3-4 ESV

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Why did Lord Jesus give Himself to be crucified on the cross?

_ to pay for our sins.

_ to deliver us from the present evil age.

_ in obedience to God the Father

Wednesday 12/6/13

Ephesians 6:23-24 ESV

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

The world can give us richest, fame and power. But they will force us to toil without rest and live a life filled with care and anxious. Moreover, these worldly gifts are fleeing. We don't know when they disappear

Peace, love, faith, hope, grace - they are the spiritual blessings of God to all Christians.  Peace in the midst of trouble, love in the hostile environment, faith in uncertainty, hope when we cannot see anything good, grace in our failure - these gifts of God are more than anything the world can offer. These blessings of God give us rest and assurance, and lead to eternal life.

Tuesday 11/6/13

Ephesians 6:21-22 ESV

So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we ought to share with each other how we are doing, what are going on in our lives, and what we are planning to do. In that way, we can encourage each other, pray for each other, and counseling each other in Christ.

Monday 10/6/13

Ephesians 6:19-20 ESV

and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Beside praying for ourselves and for our daily supplication, we also need to pray for others, especially for those who are proclaiming the gospel. As Christians, we are God's ambassadors in this fallen world. The main reason God let us remain in this fallen world is to fulfill His Great Commandment. Therefore, we ought to proclaim the gospel boldly, whether in comfort or in chain, in the market or in prison - or support & pray for those who are called to do so.

Tuesday 4/6/13

Ephesians 6:17 ESV

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

The last two pieces of the spiritual armor of God for our spiritual battle is the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

The helmet is to protect our head. Without it, any attack that strikes our head will critically injure us. Modern soldiers no longer wear armor because bullets are too strong to block, but they still wear helmet. Similarly, salvation, the thought that we are saved from sins and now have eternal life in God, guard our mind from the evils' scheme. The expected eternal joy of heaven gives us strength to endure the temporal tribulations in this evil world. As long as we keep the thought of salvation in our mind, the temptations and trials of this world can only harm our earthly body but not our soul.

The sword is our weapon to attack. It slashed through and destroy our enemies. Our battle is in spirit, so we must fight using spiritual sword - the Word of God. God usually compares His Word to a sword which cut through the confusing mess to split good from evil. Grounded on the Word of God, we can see right from wrong, discern evil from good and expose the trap the evils laid. The Word of God helps us walk in the right path and stay away from evils so we can have spiritual victory & win souls for Him.

Monday 3/6/13

Ephesians 6:15-16 ESV

and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

The next two pieces of the armor of God are the shoes of the gospel and the shield of Faith.

Shoes are for mobility. With the shoes protecting our feet, we can go anywhere - any thorny ground, any rough terrain. The shoes also protect us from slippery ground and help us walk firm. Similarly, the Gospel is our spiritual shoes. With it, God will protects our feet so we can go anywhere without slipping or pain. The Gospel helps us go through rough mountains, slippery slopes and thorny grounds.

As the breastplate passively protects us, the shield actively defends us. We use it to block incoming arrows and swords. Similarly, our faith helps us defend against the fiery arrows the devil shooting at us.

Unlike the breastplate, we must use our shield. We must stand firm, look straight at the incoming dangers and  put pur shield forward. A good shield will not fail us. So we must apply our faith, stand firm and show it at the incoming attacks. God's shield will not fail us, it cannot be broken.

Wednesday 5/6/13

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Our final weapon is prayer in the Spirit. As our sword is the sword of the Spirit, prayer is the way we attack. Think of each prayer as a slash to the evil spirit. We must pray at all times, and pray perseveringly, pray long and patiently for the answer of God. We must pray not only for us, but for our neighbors, the society and the Kingdom of God also. God assured us that He hears our prayers. He will answer us and guide us to victory.

Friday 31/5/13

Ephesians 6:14 ESV

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Truth is our belt, the equipment to keep our armor stay in place. Without the belt, the armor will become loosy and easy to fall apart. With it, every pieces stay firm regardless of twist and turn. Without truth, our spiritual armor is just fake. It will fall apart when attacks come. With truth, it remains steady and in place even when the evils blow and twist.

Righteousness is our breastplate, the equipment close to our body to keep us from harm. Without the breastplate, any attack that we fail to block (e.g. with shield) will be fatal. With it, although we may not see the evil attack coming and fail to block, we remain unharmed for our righteousness protects us.

Friday 24/5/13

Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

As our battle is in spirit, against the spiritual forces of evil which are ruling the heart of men, we must equip ourselves with spiritual weapons - the armor of God:

_ the belt of truth.

_ the breastplate of righteousness.

_ the shoes of the Gospel of Peace.

_ the shield of faith.

_ the sword of the Spirit of God.

We will win the spiritual fight not by our own strength, but by holding fast to these spiritual weapons God has given us and stand firm. As long as we keep to these, the evil will gradual lose.

Thursday 23/5/13

Ephesians 6:11-12 ESV

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

We are not fighting a physical battle, but a spiritual battle. We do not wrestle against men of flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil who are ruling and holding authority in the spirit & mind of men in this world. Therefore, we must armed ourselves with spiritual weapons - the armor of God - so that we can stand against the attack of the devils, spiritually via scheming and materially via motivating men under their control. Our goal is not to win physically, but to liberate souls from the evil spiritual rulers via the Gospel of God.

Monday 20/5/13

Ephesians 6:7-8 ESV

rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

All that we do for other people, for our company or for the poor and the aliens, are the service we do for the Lord. We are not doing that service for men, even though men are the receivers of it, and our rewards are not from men either. We do it for the Lord, and we will receive our reward from the Lord. The Lord is our judge, our employer and rewarder.

Thursday 15/5/13

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

God ordained the father as the head of the family. However, fathers are not to rule by force and tyranny, suppressing the children. Instead, they must guide and lead, teach and instruct the children the Word and wisdom of God. As the heart of men is prone to evil, the fathers also must use discipline to keep their children in the right path and turn away from sinful things and evil thoughts.

Tuesday 13/5/13

Ephesians 5:31-33 ESV

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. "

Husbands are commanded to love their wives. However, we are also commanded to love God with all our heart, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. So what's the different between loving God & neighbors vs husbands and wives?

Here the Bible says husbands and wives must be as one flesh. They must be like just one body, everything in unity under one head. God has given the husband the headship, as Christ to the church. Therefore, the husbands must lead and plan for the good of the whole family. The wives must respect and listen to their husbands.

Friday 9/5/13

Ephesians 5:28-30 ESV

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body.

Here the Bible instruct husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. Elsewhere the Bible also instructs us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It means we should not separate others from ourselves, their suffering from our suffering. Like in the story of a rich man and Lazarus, who is partying luxuriously next to the suffering poor will be put into hell. We should treat others as with our own, starting from our family members to people around us.

Thursday 9/5/13

Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

The Bible calls the church and all Christians as the bride of Christ. Christ so loves the church that He gave Himself to save and sanctify it, teach it and guide it with water and with the word. It is so that the church can be purified, from a group of sinners to the congregation of saints, without spots or blemishes

In the similar way, Christian husbands ought to love their wives (and guide them & teach them?)

Wednesday 8/5/13

Ephesians 5:22-24 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Submission to the leadership is a virtue. As an army has to follow the leader in order to win, each soldier must submit to his commander instead of his own idea. Even if the commander makes sub-optimal decision, there is strength and safety in number and in unity. The army still can overcome the obstacle better than a disunited army.

Therefore, we all must submit to the leadership. The church members  submit themselves to Christ and to church leaders. The family members submit to the family leader - the husband. Even of the leadership may not always make the best decision, there is strength in unity which is stronger than better decision but act in disunity.

Tuesday 7/5/13

Ephesians 5:20-21 ESV

giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

As all good things we have come from God, indeed a man cannot have anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. From our breath of life, to the creation we live in, to the forgiveness & salvation in Christ, to any good thing we have ... all are the free gift from God. We just do a little part in getting it. Therefore, we ought to give thanks always for everything we cherish. Not just for good things, but for evil things also. They also come from God to teach us faith, patience and reliance on Him.

Knowing that all we need and have come from God, we should seek to please Him, seek His righteousness and His Kingdom rather than our own achivements or status. As Christians ought to work together for the common purposes of God, we need to submit to the leadership and to one another in God's name. God ultimately is the one who ordained the leadership and authority, we need to submit ourselves to the ordinance of God, and keep the unity in fellowship. We submit because God has put the leader in the leadership position, and we submit to God's decision.

Monday 5/5/13

Ephesians 5:18-19 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

People like to drink wine for enjoyment. However, wine makes us unable to control our thoughts and actions which may lead them to sin and debauchery. Therefore, Christians ought to refrain themselves from getting drunk with wine.

Instead, Christians ought to be filled with the Spirit, meaning having a mind filled with the Word of God and a heart to practice them cheerfully. To become so, we should diligently study the Word of God, singing psalms and hymns and making melodies in our heart to God. These make our heart glad and rejoice in the Spirit of God, and make us ready to do God's will.

Monday 29/4/13

Ephesians 5:15-17 ASV

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

What is walking wisely, not unwise?

_ it means using our time effectively, focusing on important goals and avoiding any vain or needless pursuit. It also means able to perceive the time and the trend, so as to know what is best to do know to avoid losing the opportunity.

How do we know the important goals to focus on? We need to understand what the will of the Lord is. How? Through Bible study and meditation, through communing with God via prayer and applying His Word in our daily life.

As we walk close to God and be in tune with the Holy Spirit, we will be able to hear His voice and understand His will. Then we can make it our important goal, which we ought to do as effective as we can.

Thursday 25/4/13

Ephesians 5:11-12 ASV

and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.

As children of the light, we should refuse to take part in any sinful activity which bear no fruit of goodness or righteousness. Instead, we ought to reprove them and bring to light the shameful things they did in secret.

Wednesday 24/4/13

Ephesians 5:8-10 ASV

For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

Before we knowed God, we were darkness, walking in the way of the world. Now we know God and His Word, we have light in Him to guide us and help us discern good and evil. Since we know the light and God adopted us as His children, we ought to walk worthy of our knowledge & calling. As we walk in the light, we will bear the fruit of goodness and righteousness, all that are pleasing to God.

Tuesday 23/4/12

Ephesians 5:5-7 ASV

For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them;

God is the source of love, but He is also the source of righteousness. He hate sin and cannot let heaven be tainted by sin like the earth. Therefore, unless a sinner repents, acknowledges and turns away from his sin, and asks for forgiveness, he will not enter heaven. The wrath of God abides in that sinner.

As Christians, we are called to be holy - separated for God, and be the light and the salt. Therefore, we must not be partaker with them. Instead, we should gently warn them of sin, fight against the corruption of sin, and help them see the right way in God.

Monday 22/4/13

Ephesians 5:3-4 ASV

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.

Here is the list of worldly things which Christians ought to put off.

+ fornication & uncleanliness: we ought to keep ourselves pure and free from immoral deeds.

+ greed and covetousness: we ought to be content with our lot and not to compare ourselves with others. While generally considered an acceptable sin in worldly mind, greed - envy - covet are among the deadly sins according to God. The love of money is the root of all evils, those who love it will inflict themselves & their neighbors with many pains.

+ filthy talks: Christians ought to talk with grace, gentleness and self control. We are to avoid dirty and angry words, thoughtless or useless talking. Even humour should be thoughtful and befitting, not dirty or profane.

Finally, Christians must never take things for granted but always be thankful. We should thank God for everything we have, and thank others for what they give us, for they are the channels of blessing of God to us. To know how important one is to us, we can just imagine what if we never meet them and lose all things we are taking for granted.

Wednesday 17/4/13

Ephesians 4:29-30 ASV

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

As Christians, we must put off the old manner of speech, and learn from God. Our speech must not have any profane or corrupted or angry words. Instead, it must be gracious, gentle, as good and edifying as it can be. If we must edify or correct, do it as considerate and gentle as we can.

Overall, God has sent the Holy Spirit the indwell in us to teach us and remind us of His Word. He will grieve & convict us when we do wrong, and rejoice when we do right. Therefore, we must be sensitive to His evaluating, and listen to His instructions. We also must study the Bible regularly to store up God's Word so that we can differentiate the Holy Spirit guiding with our own thoughts.

Tuesdays 16/4/14

Ephesians 4:28 ASV

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

As beloved children of God, Christians must labor and work with their hands. God makes men labor so that they are properly occupied and avoid being idle which leads to sin. Labor trains us and helps us fulfill the purpose God created us, to work and keep the garden of God, to rule over all creation.

Moreover, we must mind the things we work, whether it is good and make our world a better place, or it promotes evil and damages to our neighbors like casino, drunkenness. God is good and righteous, we must labor for God, not for money.

Additionally, we work not just to provide for ourselves, but also to help our brothers who are in needs. Therefore, we must be generous and willing to share. Not just sharing our extra things, we can share our knowledge & skills to help others meet their needs, and the needs of the society.

Thursday 11/4/14

Ephesians 4:25-27 ESV

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

To put off the old body and put on a new one in God, we must stop doing the old things and practice the new things.

The first thing to do is to put away falsehood & lie. We must always speak the truth to one another. Here Paul compared us with members of a body. Billions of cells all have a common well-being in the body, and they must be completely truthful to each other. If some cells decided to cheat & lie at the cost of others, they become cancerous cells and can destroy the body if not properly cured. Similarly, if some of us act like those cancerous cells, the body of Christ will suffer harm & danger. We must be like healthy cells, each cooperate and do their functions in unity and truth.

Wednesday 10/4/13

Ephesians 4:23-24 ESV

and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

As we hear the Word of God and believe, we are called to put off our old selves and put on a new self. The old self thinks and act in the manner of this world, which is corrupted through vain and deceitful desires. The new self is created after the likeness of God in true righteousness & holiness.

To put on the new self, we must be renewed in the spirit of our mind. The spirit is the fundamental emotional & activating principle of something. So we must let God and His Word transform our mind and change its principles, change the triggers to our emotions and decisions. A worldly mind chooses worldly things and delight in them. A Godly mind chooses godly things and enjoys them. To do this, we must study God's Word and come to Him in prayers, so we can see things like Him, think like Him, and delight in what He delights.

Tuesday 9/4/14

Ephesians 4:20-22 ESV

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

Before knowing God, we also only know the way of the world. But in Christ, we can learn the Word and the way of God. Therefore, we must diligently apply ourselves to learn and practice God's Word.

As we renounce our worldly thinking & acting, we put off our old self, which belongs to our former manner of life. That life is corrupt through deceitful desires. As Solomon in Ecclesiastes said, it is vanity and will ultimately frustrate us. But the way of God, of faith, hope, love leads to enduring wealth, peace and joy and love, and above all, eternal life.

Monday 8/4/14

Ephesians 4:17-19 ESV

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

As Christians, we ought to walk in the way of God, not as the Gentiles who don't know Him. Because of their ignorance and of their hardened heart, their way is futile, their achievements are vain, and their understanding is darkened. What have the Pharaohs gained with their pyramids? They cause great suffering to their people while building up their judgements in hell. And what do people gain with their great wealth? How much can they spend for good and for the benefits of their body? How much do they spend wastefully and for pleasures harmful to their bodies & their souls?

Not knowing the eternal life of God, people will focus on what they can get in this life "...Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die..." They will get carried away by the sensuality of drunkeness, debauchery, lust, greed and many other impure things. That's all people can gain in this life, but these are harmful to their bodies and their souls. So we need to share the Good News of God, of forgiveness and salvation, and of eternal life.

Friday 5/4/13

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Christians are to grow up in every way into Christ. We ought to speak the truth in love, not in condemnation.  We also must study the Word and the way of Christ / the wisdom of God so we can understand Him. Christ said we are His friends, not His servants. The difference is that a friend knows what his friend is doing, the servant knows not.

Similarly, we need to build the body up in love. Each joints must be properly equipped, each parts must functions properly. All are held together and joined together in Christ, the head of the body. And that must be done in the spirit of love and gentleness, and the way of God.

Thursday 4/4/13

Ephesians 4:13-14 ESV

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

What are the end goals for building up Christians and the body of Christ?

_ to attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God: I think it means we are all fully understand and united in faith and knowledge of God.

_ to mature manhood: meaning we are not like children, but able to take responsiblities, to think and plan, to work and keep, to supervise and correct... like a grown man.

_ to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: to understand how great our God is.

When we have matured, we will achieve understanding and stability, able to see through and not being tosses around by waves deception and craftiness and scheming. We can resist fall doctrines,  and correctly follow & apply the faith in our lives

Tuesday 2/4/12

Ephesians 4:7-8 ESV

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

We are united in God, but each of us has different gifts given by God. We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But God gives each one of us different gifts to help us play our role in the church as a member of one body.

Our differences should help us rely on each other abd support one another in love. We must not let it become a source of envy and contention. The eyes, the mouth, the arms and legs, they all play an indispensable role in the body. Yes, the eyes & the mouth are at higher place, get better treatment and more protected than the arms and legs. But the whole body cannot be consist only of eyes & mouth, majority must be arms & legs. Each part is equally important to the body. No part can be proud and think lowly of other parts. Each should focus on doing best its functionality. Like wise, each of us should focus on using our gifts for the body of Christ, and not comparing with others.

Wednesday 3/4/13

Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Just like a body has many members with different functions: eyes, mouth, ear... a church also has many members with different functions: apostles, prophets, teachers... God gives us spiritual gifts and skills so that we can work together for ministries, for building up the body of Christ and every Christians.

In a body, very parts are equally important, and all parts must work together in harmony and do their roles for the body to work. Similarly, each of us is equally important in God and we must work together in harmony for the church to prosper. We must not think ourselves higher, or lower, or envy with others. Instead, we must mind our gifts, our roles, our ministries and do it well.

Monday 1/4/13

Ephesians 4:4, 6 ESV

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Christians may come from very different backgrounds and conditions, of different tongues and cultures, having different preferences and economic capabilities... However, we all have one important core in common: one God father of all, one Saviour delivered all, and one Holy Spirit swelled in all. The Trinity are the thread that binds all Christian, the strong and defining thread that make us into one body. Our differences then help us to complement and support others. Like the eyes, the mouth, hands and legs, we have different functions, but all for a common goal in a common body of Christ.

Thursday 28/3/13

Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

God has called us to be His children and redeemed us from the wage of our sins, which is death. From sinners put aside for judgement, we are now God's saints - the people who know Him, hear His Word, citizens of heaven, witness for Him on earth.

Therefore, we must walk in a manner worthy of this calling, which is:

_with all humility and gentleness:

we must not think of ourselves higher or better than others, better not comparing at all, like body parts - eyes, ears, arms, legs - should not compare with each others. Instead, we must consider ourselves lower and be gentle & considerate in everything.

_ with patience, bearing with one another in love:

we must be slow to speak, slow to anger, willing to bear & endure provoking behaviors. Instead of reacting angrily, we must bless our enemies, do good to those hate us, pray for those who persecute us... that we maybe children of God.

_ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace:

We should always try to keep the unity & peace, in our church, in our family, and in our community. Few conflicts are irreconcilable or cannot be compromised. Unity and peace are more important than most, especially our pride or our petty opinions.

Tuesday 26/3/13

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

We tend to underestimate what God can do and limit them to what are feasible to men. God can do far more than what we think. In the Bible, before God acts, He always sets things up to impossible circumstance, so that when He acts, it is a clear miracle can only be done by the almighty. Therefore, we should ask and pray often. Pray for our needs, for our plans, but more importantly, pray for His Kingdom and His will be done. If we are sure that He is with us, we can be sure that He will work things out. In the end all will work out for our good.

Monday 25/3/13

Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV

that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

To have the strength to comprehend all depths, to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, we must be rooted and grounded in love. Why?

One reason I think of is to comprehend all depths and to know the love of  Christ, we must go through hardship & trials. We can not easily & comfortably gain them. Being rooted in the love of God gives us strength to go through these difficulties without fainting & becoming bitter. Grounded in God's love, we know He is with us with His rod & staff as we walk through the shadow of death. And that He has approved the trail to build us up.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Another is that all wisdom & commandments in the Bible is to help us love God & love our neighbor. Therefore, only by rooted & grounded in love that we can comprehend them correctly. Otherwise, we may fall to legalism - keeping the outward appearance of the laws and the ceremonies, but empty of love andfull of envy and hypocrisy. The inner & spiritual parts, loving God & loving our neighbors, are more important than the external parts.

Friday 22/3/13

Ephesians 3:14-17 ESV

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith

Our bodies are the temple - the dwelling place - of God on earth. God's Spirit dwells in our being and Christ in our heart. Therefore, we can be assured that God hears us and cares for us. He can answer our prayer and provide us with His heavenly richest and the authority of the Creator. Moreover, God can strengthen us and give us skills to do what He want us to do for He is the Maker of the eyes and the ears.

Therefore, we must come to Him regularly in our prayer and seek His help in faith. We must not seek for ourselves, else it won't be answered. Instead, we must seek them for our calling, what God wants us to do for His Kingdom, for our neighbors, and for the creation. He will hear us and gradually enable us to do what we need to.

Wednesday 20/3/13

Ephesians 3:11-12 ESV

This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.

Our redemption & salvation in Christ have always been in God's mind, even before the Creation of the world. He allowed the Fall to happen, so that we can learn good & evil, and can relate to Him not just as the Creator, but also our Provider, our Saviour and our Counselor.

Therefore, in Christ, we can freely access Him through faith and prayer. And we should boldly do so, regardless of our background and sins. He knows our weaknesses, and He is willing to forgive us when we confess and repent. He also hears our prayers and He can provide us with skills and knowledge, with physical & moral strength to help us live a good life in Him.

Tuesday 19/3/13

Ephesians 3:7-9 ESV

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,

What has a Christian accomplished when he shares the Gospel and teach the Word of God?

+ He is ministering God's grace to others. He is serving God, and helping others to receive the unsearchable richest in Christ.

+ He is giving light for others to see the plan of the Creator, to help them find the better way to follow than what they are seeing.

Monday 17/3/13

Ephesians 3:4, 6 ESV

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ... This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The church is not exclusive. Gentiles are those who don't know God, or not believe (yet). They do not share our believes & values, neither do they follow God's way nor involve in Church activities. Like Saul, they may even go against God and persecute Christians to protect their believes. Nevertheless, we need to keep in mind they may some day be Christians and become a co-heir, member of the same body of Christ, and receiver of the same promise.

Therefore, we must love our neighbors and treat them with gentleness & patience as with a brother or sister in church, whether they believe or not.

Monday 17/3/13

Ephesians 3:4, 6 ESV

When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ... This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The church is not exclusive. Gentiles are those who don't know God, or not believe (yet). They do not share our believes & values, neither do they follow God's way nor involve in Church activities. Like Saul, they may even go against God and persecute Christians to protect their believes. Nevertheless, we need to keep in mind they may some day be Christians and become a co-heir, member of the same body of Christ, and receiver of the same promise.

Therefore, we must love our neighbors and treat them with gentleness & patience as with a brother or sister in church, whether they believe or not.

Friday 15/3/13

Ephesians 3:2-3 ESV

assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.

Paul is a steward of God's grace. God revealed to him and made him know the mystery of the Bible. With that knowledge and understanding, he then minister to everyone around him. To the church & the believers, he helped them to grow and mature in faith. To the non-believers, he shared the Gospel and tried to convince them.

While we are not gifted with skills, knowledge & understanding as Paul, we nevertheless are also the steward of God's grace and those around us. All of us are given spiritual gifts to serve the church and serve our community for the glory of God.  It's important for us to know our gifts and exercise them, to fulfill our duty as steward of God's grace to others.

Thursday 14/3/13

Ephesians 2:20-22 ESV

...Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Where is the temple of God? Where is the dwelling place of His Spirit? Heavens and earth cannot contain Him, His presence is everywhere. Here the Bible says God dwells within His believers. When we believe in the Gospel & receive salvation in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes and dwell within us. Our bodies then contain our spirits and the Holy Spirit (and sometime visiting evil spirits to tempt us to sin). He is God's Spirit dwelling within us, through Him we have contact with God. The Holy Spirit then teaches us, guides us, and help us in our prayers. Through Him and through us, other people can know & communicate with God.

As God dwells within His people, the community of believers forms His temple, where God is worshiped, His teaching is taught, and His ministries are carried out. Through us, His love & power are shown. Through us, people can come to Him. So we need to be aware of our duties and privileges to fulfill God's role for us.

Tuesday 12/3/13

Ephesians 2:18-20 ESV

For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

The church is the community of believers, of saints, of fellow heaven citizens, of members in the household of God. We have many things in common: Jesus Christ as our savior, God as our father, the Bible and the work of the apostles & the prophets as our guiding words. Therefore, we are not strangers and aliens. We are brothers and sisters, and we ought to think and behave as such.

Monday 11/3/13

Ephesians 2:13-14 ESV

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

We once were sinners without God and without hope in this world. But by His blood, Christ has redeemed us and brought us near to God. And Christ does not just reconcile us to God, He also reconcile us to each others, break down the dividing wall of hostility.

What Christ has broken down, we must not built up again. We must keep the peace, the harmony and reconcile the errors according to the Bible, in the spirit of gentleness.

Moreover, we must strengthen & make the best of the unity Christ has formed. We need to do things together, pray together, fellowship together, etc ... Else even though there is no wall, still no binding.

Thursday 07/03/13

Ephesians 2:11-12 ESV

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

We need to remember who we are before we received Christ, and who we could have become without God. That's the best way for us to see the blessings and the work of God in our lives. That helps us avoid taking Him for granted and being ungrateful, but be grateful and love Him more.

Before receiving Christ, we "were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." But after receiving Christ, we received these previous gifts from God:

_ we were connected to Christ, and from Christ connected to God as His children, inherited the rich heavenly blessings reserved for Christ and the children of God.

_ we were joined to the commonwealth of believers, the church, and could enjoy the fellowship of the saints.

_ we can learn the rich promises of God to those who love Him, and can claim them through faith and prayers.

_ we are no longer alone in this world. We have God and can always hope in Him, and come to Him in prayer. The Almighty Creator promise hear us and act for our good and edification.

These are the very first gifts of God for those who believe in the Gospel. We once didn't have it, bit now we have in Christ.

Wednesday 6/3/13

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Why did God create us? There are many reasons, among them is "for good works, which God prepared before hand". Therefore, it is important for us to think and reflect on what God has gifted us, and how we can use them for good in our circumstance. We also need to pray God to reveal what He calls us to do, the way which we should walk in them.

Tuesday 4/3/13

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

This verse reminds us that our salvation is the gift of God. We only hear, believe and receive. It's God comes down from heaven, take on human form as Jesus Christ to die for us and pay for our sin. We have done nothing to boast.

All the good works we've done are also nothing compared to what we have received from God. What can we give in exchange for our salvation, eternal life, the relationship with the Creator? The whole earth and everything we have are from Him. He gives them to us in His pleasure, for our living & enjoyment, not for us but for all mankind. It's our duty & natural response that we love Him with all we have, and obey His commandment to love our neighbors.

In all cases, we must not boast of anything we have. We must acknowledge they are His blessings, given to us for His glory, our wellbeing, and to do what He wants us to.