19 August 2021 – Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
Scripture
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Reflection
In this passage, Paul is reminding us of the real enemy at work against us. He is revealing the evil forces that are at work and whose sole purpose is to destroy our relationship with God. These forces of darkness want to pull us away from the light of God. They come to steal and destroy our peace.
So, as we go through our daily life and as we encounter problems and adversaries, it is important to always remember this verse. It will change our perspective and how we respond to these daily challenges. By rebuking the enemy and turning to God for help, we are choosing to allow our problems, no matter how big or small, to pull us closer to God. We should never give the enemy a chance to plant any doubt in our minds about God’s love and goodness towards us. Resist the enemy and he must flee and always remember, He who is for us, is greater, much greater than he who is against us.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Acutely aware as I am that the Enemy wants to attack my breath, I take a few deep defiant breaths now in God’s presence, consciously exhaling fear, quietly receiving His Spirit afresh into my body, rejoicing that the breath of God brings hope, not harm, health not sickness and life to the full.
Welcome Ricca!
It is our pleasure to announce that Ricca Virria as the new Ignite Kids Director (SCF’s Children’s Ministry). Ricca and husband Daud are from Indonesia, along with their two children have been living in Shanghai since 2017. She was a volunteer at Ignite Kids as soon as her family joined SCF.
For more than a year Ignite Kids has been an online ministry led by Carson Weir along with a great team of adult volunteers. Starting Sunday September 5, 2021 Ignite Kids will be “live” and in person. We are excited about getting back to a “life-on-life”, teacher with students, children’s ministry. For more information you can write to [email protected] Let’s be praying for this vital discipleship ministry for children and for Ricca!
18 August 2021 – Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
Scripture
“But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Reflection
Joshua had called all the leaders of the tribes of Israel together and they were given a recount of the many wonderful things the Lord had done for them, from the days of Moses until then. They were reminded of the many times the Lord had saved them.
Joshua then admonished the people to put away their idol worship, to fear the Lord and serve him only. He gave them an ultimatum. They needed to decide who they would serve and he made his choice in the matter very clear to them.
It is important to pause and recount the many things the Lord has done for us during our lifetime and even before that, including the generations of our ancestors. When we look back at our past and when we can count the blessings that we see, this will help our resolve to choose to serve the Lord each day.
May we take a few minutes to do that today. Count your blessings, name them one by one.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Remembering the way that Jesus had compassion upon Mary even from the cross, I think now of people who are particularly fearful at this time -the elderly, the unwell and those without work -presenting each one to Christ on the cross and entrusting them to his love. Pray that they too will count their blessings.
17 August 2021 – Psalm 84:10 (NIV)
Scripture
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Reflection
The writer is sharing his great reverence for God and the importance of being in the presence of God. He implied that nothing was comparable to being in the courts, the place where one can encounter God. He would even rather stand at the doorway of such a place of worship, simply to be nearby, rather than dwell in a fancy place that is full of sin and wickedness.
It is a good reminder for us to always show reverence in the house of the Lord and to find joy in being in God’s presence. The presence of the GOD who loved us so much, that he sent his son to die on the cross for our sins. The God who loved us so much that He sends His Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us. It is reminding us to be in a constant posture of gratitude so that we relish every opportunity to worship our King of kings.
May we be intentional about choosing to be in God’s presence over being anywhere else.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
I focus my thoughts upon the image of Christ upon the cross, acknowledging its terror but also allowing thanks to arise in my heart for this tangible proof that love wins.
16 August 2021 – 1 Kings 8:27 (NIV)
Scripture
“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!”
Reflection
Solomon is praying a prayer of dedication over the magnificent temple that he had just constructed for the Lord. He is also recognizing that as huge as the temple maybe, God is much bigger. The temple cannot contain God in the literal sense but will God still choose to dwell there? The answer is, Yes He will. Why? Because he promised his people that He would.
The lesson to us is two-fold. It speaks to the greatness of the God we serve. We cannot limit God to the simple‘box’ of our imaginations. His ways are higher than ours, his thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Ref. Isaiah 55:9). He is more than capable of dealing with whatever problems that we might face. In addition, this same mighty, powerful, awesome God chose to dwell in our hearts. Through the Holy Spirit, He resides in our bodily temple and he is always available to guide us through everything that we face in our daily life.
May we be encouraged by this fact today. Our God dwells among us.
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Pray for the future of Hengshan Community Church, the pastor and the staff.
13 August 2021 – John 6:51 (NIV)
Scripture
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Reflection
Today’s verse falls in a conversation between Jesus and the crowd that witnessed Jesus’s miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish (John 6:10-15). Jesus speaking to them, conveys that He is the living bread from heaven that gives eternal life. If anyone eats this bread or believes in Jesus, he or she will live forever. Jesus died on the cross for us, for our sins, now our responsibility is to believe in Him, to accept Him as our personal Lord and Savior. Someone can get to know about Jesus, attend church services, hang out with Christians, without believing in Jesus.
Do you believe in Jesus? Or, have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in your current situation
Prayer
Pray for those who will make the final decision on when all of the international churches can start meeting again and where