Remembering Christ’s Second Coming on His First
Christmas reminds us of how faithful God has been to truly send the promised Messiah to save His people from the penalty of sin. Before the First Advent of Christ, believers had longed for His coming. How about us who live between Christ’s first and second coming? Are we yearning for Christ’s second coming? Are we prepared for His return?
Growing Up Like Christ
As we draw close to Christmas, let’s ponder more about the birth and growing up of Jesus God Incarnate. For Jesus is the most perfect man who ever lived on earth. Thus, He is our model to imitate. We read that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Lk 2:52). What does that mean and how can we grow so blessedly like Jesus too?
Born To Bear The Cross
As we celebrate Christmas, we need to remember that what matters more is not the event of Christ’s birth itself, but the reason why Jesus was born. If Jesus was merely born as the glorious, holy and sinless baby, yet He did not come to redeem mankind from the penalty of sins, then His birth would not be meaningful to us. But we thank God that Christ was born precisely to save sinners and die for our sins. How then should we respond in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?
Tackling Resistance To God’s Calling
Have you ever said “No” to God before? When God presents us with a difficult mission, what is our response? Take it up by faith, or try to dodge it? What are our common excuses to God? How should we overcome our reluctance to serve God?
Finishing Well
As we draw close to the end of 2021, how do you hope you can end the year? We know that a good start is very important, yet to be able to finish well is also not so simple. Some people have a blessed start, but they may not finish in a blessed way. What are the things that hinder us from finishing well? How can we finish well?
Do Not Try To Outsmart God
Sometimes, we can be very persistent in sticking to our preferences and plans, even if we got indications from God that what we intend to do doesn’t quite fit His will. But can we really succeed in trying to outsmart God? What happens when we treat God’s will lightly?
Failures and God’s Training
Have you been “over-zealous” before, but ended up disappointed with the outcome? Perhaps you have been trying to counsel someone but the other party found you a busybody, or you put in efforts to serve but got hurt in the end, or you thought you were contributing to God’s work but no one appreciated you. What is God’s message for you at such times? How is God training you through these?
God Can Do Far More Than All We Imagine
We do not like to encounter crisis, but often crisis provides the occasion for us to rely on God more and for God to demonstrate His great power. Have you ever experienced God doing more than you imagined? How had God proven you wrong when you acted by fear instead of faith? How had God surprised you when you trusted God against all odds?
How To Respond To God’s Secret Will?
Do you like things to be clear? Can you still trust God when you do not know His specific will or what He is going to do? Sometimes, even after you prayed sincerely and humbly, God still does not give you clear direction. What do we do when God’s will remain unrevealed? How can we respond to God’s secret will?
The More Oppressed, The More Blessed?
It sometimes seems strange that God’s blessing may look like trouble at first. Yet, the perspective and interpretation to a same matter is important. In fact, what the enemies of God meant as evil, God can easily turn it into a blessing. If God wants to bless His people, who can stop Him? In Exodus, we read about God’s people facing ruthless oppression by the Pharaoh, why did God allow that? How did He still prove His might over man’s schemes? In the face of spiritual battle, how should we stand our ground?
