Surpassing Love

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” –Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

Summarize in a Word: Surpassing Love

Key Principle: God loves you surpassingly

Key Application: Rejoice in all circumstances

Main point of the Passage: We can rejoice in Hope when we contemplate the love of God demonstrated for us.

Illustration: It is unthinkable to die on behalf of a criminal, a pervert, or a terrorist.

Exhortation: Be hopeful as you witness His love towards you and others. Love God, Love one another.

It looks like we have been baptized in the juice of bitter gourd because we tend to be bitter in lots of trying circumstances. Is it not because we are more concerned about the things around us than the things God has done for us. Who brings sadness to our experiences - God or the world? As long as our cares are all upon the things of the world, we will remain moody instead of being joyous.

Where there is love, there is a joy. We love to experience love and hate to experience hatred. Many people commit suicide because they are not loved. When we understand the love of God, it compels us to love others, yes to even our enemies. In Romans 5:8, we see the Love of God, which surpasses all our imaginations. It is the Love that God loves us, the sinners. It is not a feeling, nor a noble thought, nor gentle words, but an action. It is a love demonstrated towards us. This is an effectual love, which transforms us to love God and others.

This love is demonstrated surpassingly 2000 years ago when Christ died for sinners. God’s love has no condition. We often love others because we have a reason, maybe because they are our family members, or because they are gracious to us. In fact, we often tend to not love those who hate us. God loves us not because of who we are or what we do. He just loves us because of who He is (Eph. 2:4; 1John 4:8).

There is nothing that God hates more than sin. How can holy God love sinners who know nothing but to continually sin? In fact, Psalmist records (in Ps.7:11) that God is angry with the sinners every day. The wrath of God is upon sinners. God's love for sinners is evident when Jesus Christ, the Son of God bore the wrath of God on behalf of us and died on the cross. In our experience of life, it is hard to give one’s life for others. It is unthinkable to die on behalf of a criminal, a pervert, or a terrorist. Yet, Christ died for such as us. What is more loving than this demonstration that Christ died for us when we were still sinners? (cf. John15:13)

When Christ was raised again, He lives to intercede for us and imputes His holiness on us. Is it not enough that God loves us? Is it not enough that we have peace with God now? Is it not enough that we are reconciled to God? Is it not enough that nothing can separate us from the love of God? (cf. Rom 8:31-39) Is it not enough that we would be perfected in love? (cf. 1John 4:12) Rejoice in all circumstances because the surpassing love of God endures forever. Be hopeful as you witness His love towards you and others. Would you be compelled to Love God, and to love one another?

Image Scripture: John 1:12-13 (Computerized and Handwritten)

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

John 1:12-13 (Computerized)

God is Smarter!

Biblical heroes are normal man like us. They have their own pattern of weakness, sin and failures. They are heroes just because of God’s grace reaching to them. God is wise that he can use weak, imperfect people to accomplish extraordinary thing. Sometimes, we look at ourselves, and feel discouraged because of our failures. Cheer up friends! For God is smarter than us. He can accomplish wonders through us and in us when we surrender our life to him.

No Novelty In Theology

Do you have brilliant ideas? Sorry, you are discouraged to bring those brilliant ideas into the Bible.

We live in the world of updates. Surely, you cannot update the Bible. God’s word is perfect (Psalm 19:7).

Do you have a new way of preaching Gospel? You are unwelcome! The Gospel is simple enough, even for children to understand (Matthew 11:25)

The World is changing. Yes, but nothing is new (Ecclesiastes 1:10). They come in different clothing.

Do you think the Bible is outdated? Mind you! It could be you. Get updated with humility and sincere studies.

Look at this video clip, the fiery preaching of Steve Lawson about the continuity of the charge given to Timothy for us too – the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

For more of his preaching, click here

Thank you, Lord!

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” – Ephesians 1:15-16 (NKJV)

Summarize in a Word: Thank you, Lord!

Principle: Every Christian grows.

Application: Thank God for one another.

Main point of the Passage: One of the privileges of Christian is to rejoice in the growth of one another in Christ.

Illustration: Interactions in VBS makes us love one another more than before.

Exhortation: Find out through a conversation about how you can rejoice for others in the Lord.

On the last day of our VBS 2018, my friend made a remarkable statement to a group of students, “Today, I love you all more than I do on the first day!” What a privilege to rejoice in seeing God deepened our faith in the Lord and love for one another, as we know each other in Christ!

Image Scripture: Psalm 27:1

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

The other side of Facebook

Billions of people are on Facebook

Are they in the book of life (Lifebook)?

Thousands of users increasing in the former,

Numbers of people missing in the latter.

Have you ever ponder, face-bookers

That Christ wants us to be soul-bookers?

He came to the fishermen,

Calling them to become fishers of men.

They followed, leaving behind their net.

Must we not go beyond the internet?

Wait not for the comfortable time,

For we are told to redeem the time.

You may have friends more than ever

The fans of Justin Bieber.

It profits nothing,

If you do nothing,

To bring a soul to the fold.

Look! Millions of people are Christ untold.

True Worship

“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24 (NKJV)

Summarize in a Word: True Worship

Key Principle: God determines how to worship Him.

Key Application: We cannot worship God however we like.

Main point of the Passage: Worship is based on the nature of God and His revelation.

Illustration: The Jews in Jerusalem, and the Samaritans in Gerizim.

Exhortation: Ask the Lord to forgive you. Be conscious of God’s presence in the worship.

Every Rongmei believes in the existence of God until recently. The existence of God compels us to worship God. How we worship God varies because worship depends on the nature and character of the one who we worship. Though claim to be Christian, many have their own ideas of God. To them, worship is however they like. Some traditional churches set extra-biblical patterns of worship (which are not necessarily bad), that makes the worship boring to some sections of the congregation.

Image Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Christians have gone dull!?

Christians are commissioned by Christ, our Lord to preach His gospel. His gospel is not just about His death, resurrection, repentance, faith, heaven, hell. It is also about living in this world with holiness.

Human beings do not like the message of God, even Christians do not like it sometimes. God’s message is clearly accessible. In fact, it is the most available thing on earth. It is said that 50 Bibles are sold every minute. We have God’s message in our hand, yet we refuse to treasure it. Reading WhatsApp and Facebook post is more enjoying than reading the Bible, even for many Christians.