TODAY'S RHEMA Isaiah 50:4 "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned."
John Sung is renowned as Asian Torch of God who played an instrumental role in the Asian revival movement during the 20th century. However, one might never know that he ever experienced a spiritual decline. That period was when he got a scholarship to study in America during which he bagged his doctorate in 6 years. He often missed his quiet time with God in the midst of his busy schedule while studying and working at the same time. His spiritual life further plummeted when he enrolled at the Union Theological Seminary. The seminary had abandoned many clear teachings of Scripture and substituted with modern theology i.e. the idea that God is dead. John began to doubt everything that he had been taught while growing up and this troubled him so much. He wrote, "My soul wandered in the wilderness" to describe his crisis at that point of his life.
In his darkness and confusion, John decided to pray and study the Bible in search of answers instead of going to the seminary. As the days passed, he finally had an encounter with God. Whenever he read the Bible, the words were alive and spoke directly to him. That was such an amazing experience that he ran around the dormitory, praising God. When John returned to China, he did away with all his diplomas, certificates and awards, keeping only his doctorate for his father's sake. From that moment on, he dedicated his life to soul winning. Sung understood that God gave him that responsibility and he was ready to accomplish it. Though many people thought he lost his mind, the truth was Sung found the true life (Matthew 16:26).
The place where we invest our time, energy, heart, and thoughts, there we also will reap. Unfortunately, many of us only are concerned with our worldly affairs. If we commit to our devotion to God, He will bring us into deeper intimacy and experience with Him. Our spiritual sensitivity is sharpened and we receive revelations as well. God will also give divine encouragement so that we can step out in faith all day long. God has prepared a powerful and victorious life for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
REFLECTION Saudara Terkasih, THE LEVEL OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE of GOD depends on HOW MUCH PRICES YOU ARE READY TO PAY.
APPLICATIONS 1. How much price have you paid to know God? 2. Why do you need to pay the price to know God better? 3. What steps are you going to take to pay the price to know God more?
TODAY'S PRAYER "Father, I confess that I've been reluctant to pay the price to know you. God, help my commitment, so I can have a heart that longs for you always. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."
YEARLY BIBLE READING Ezekiel 9-12
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