Scripture "I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
Today's Scripture & Insight:
John 15:9-179 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Years ago there was an old German professor whose beautiful life was a marvel to his students. Some of them resolved to know the secret of it; so one of their number hid in the study where the old professor spent his evenings.
It was late when the teacher came in. He was very tired, but he sat down and spent an hour with his Bible. Then he bowed his head in secret prayer; and finally closing the Book of books, he said,
"Well, Lord Jesus, we're on the same old terms."
To know Him is life's highest attainment; and at all costs, every Christian should strive to be "on the same old terms with Him."
The reality of Jesus comes as a result of secret prayer, and a personal study of the Bible that is devotional and sympathetic. Christ becomes more real to the one who persists in the cultivation of His presence. --Maltbie D. Babcock
Today’s Hymns
Draw Me Nearer
In The Garden
Scripture to Respond
Daniel 6:10
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Matthew 14:23
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
Reflection:
Daniel and Lord Jesus have shown us the key to staying strong in busy life. Praying in the secret chamber is an important discipline to be practiced for believers to build up a good relationship with God.
However busy your work, life and ministries are, are you willing to practice reserving some time every day, putting all the routines aside, to be quiet before God to pray so that your life will be filled with Heavenly powers?
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for letting me know today that the key to getting my strength renewed is to pour out my heart to you in my prayers always. Please help me make a resolution to meet you in the secret chamber even when my life is extremely busy.
Wong Wai Tung
(Chief executive officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation) &
Sam Chow
(Administrative officer of The Great Wall Education Foundation)
