“I remember the days of old. I meditate on all that you have done. I ponder the work of your hands. I spread out my hands to you, my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.”
—Psalm 143:5–6

In the opening of this Psalm David is not just tired. He is being hunted. He describes an enemy who pursues him and crushes his life to the ground. Historically David spent years running for his life in caves and deserts while powerful men tried to kill him. This was a literal high stakes survival situation. When he says his spirit is fainting and his heart is numb he is describing the final stages of a soul that has been in flight mode for too long.

While most of us are not running from literal soldiers we are often pursued by modern enemies. These enemies might be crushing debt, a toxic work environment, a broken relationship, or the constant pressure of impossible expectations. Your brain does not know the difference between a physical hunter and a psychological one. Both trigger the same alarm system. When you are chased by these enemies for months or years you end up in the state of burnout that David describes. You feel like you are living in darkness and your heart goes numb as a way to protect itself from the constant threat.

The secret to breaking out of that mental prison is found in verse 5. David makes a deliberate choice to look away from the people chasing him and look back at his history with YHWH. He says: I remember the days of old. By intentionally meditating on what God has done in the past David provides his brain with evidence that his current enemy is not the end of the story.

This shift in focus leads to a powerful transformation in verse 6. David moves from feeling numb and crushed to feeling a deep thirst. He compares his soul to a parched land.

When you are in a state of burnout your heart often goes numb because it is trying to protect itself from feeling any more pain. It is a biological shutdown. But a numb heart cannot feel God’s presence. David’s solution is to intentionally create a thirst.

A desert does not stay dry forever. It only looks that way because it is waiting for the rain it has seen before. David remembers the rain of God’s help in his past. He is able to wait with expectation in the present. He spreads out his hands not in defeat but in a request for the God he knows will answer. The memory of the days of old is the spark that turns a cold numb heart into a thirsty one. When you start to thirst for God again it is a sign that your heart is coming back to life. You are no longer just a victim being chased; you are a seeker waiting for the Rain.

This thirsty waiting is what happened on the Saturday between the death of Friday and the life of Sunday. It was the ultimate parched land day. The followers of Jesus were in the same dark room that the Psalmist describes. Their spirit was fainting and their heart was numb with grief. All they had left was memory. They had to remember the bread they broke and the miracles they saw while they waited in the silence for the rain of the Resurrection.

Take a moment to name what is pursuing you today. What is the thing that makes you feel like you are being hunted or crushed? Acknowledge that you are currently in your own personal Saturday. The noise of the pursuit has gone silent and all you have is the wait. Use this time to search your history. Think about a time when a different enemy was chasing you and God sustained you. Visualize one specific moment where the rain fell in your past. If you are in silence today, let that memory move your heart from feeling numb to feeling a thirst for the Sunday that you know is coming.

The Gospel Tip: The Proof Folder:

When you are being pursued by stress your mind struggles to find proof that you will survive.

Do This: Open a new note on your phone or find a small notebook. List five times in your life when you were at a dead end but things eventually worked out. Include the small details of how help arrived. Whenever you feel your heart going numb or your spirit fainting read through these five stories. It acts as a physical Safety Signal that tells your nervous system that while the pursuit is real the outcome is in God’s hands.

Let’s Pray Together

Blessed are you, our Father in Heaven. I thank You for the hope of the Resurrection. I admit that I am currently in a season of silence and my heart feels numb from the pursuit of this world. Today I choose to look away from the things chasing me and look back at the days of old. I remember Your faithfulness on the cross and I remember Your power in my own life. I spread out my hands to You in this parched land. I am thirsty for Your presence and I believe that the same God who brought life on Easter morning will bring rain to my desert today.

In the name of our resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

By: Dean Chao

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Day 24

March 17, 2026

Finding God in the Wilderness

“I am like a vulture of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake, I am like a lonely bird on the housetop… for thou hast taken me up and thrown me away.”
—Psalm 102:6-10 RSV

The wilderness is a common theme in the Bible.  For the Israelites, it was a period of forty years marked by wandering and uncertainty.  For Jesus, it was forty days of temptations.  Often, like the Psalmist in today’s passage, we don’t know the meaning of our wilderness seasons while we’re going through them.  We just know that we’ve been pulled away from comfort, away from peace, perhaps seemingly away from God himself.

One wilderness season in my life was in my early teenage years as I wrestled with the intellectual side of faith.  I pored through the gospels, hoping to find one of the miracle stories that I could embrace as incontrovertible, but some form of doubt always came in.  I wrestled with questions that seem so trivial in retrospect.  My mother told me at the time that going through this experience would leave me with a stronger faith.  Though I came to eventually realize how true this was, it made no sense to me at the time.  I had assumed the only way it could possibly be true was if somehow I found all the answers to all my nagging intellectual questions.  But instead, this wearing down of my attempts at a faith rooted in my own logic allowed me to see the value in something far greater: a humble embrace of truths accepted as gifts from a God whose message spoke to my heart, and who I realized I could trust even when I didn’t have all the answers.

The Bible acknowledges the vexation we feel in our wilderness experiences, and doesn’t mince words, as we see in Psalm 102.  But every so often it also gives us a glimpse to see what the wilderness looks like from a different perspective, as in Hosea 2 when God speaks of how he will deal with unfaithful Israel:

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her… and in that day, declares the Lord, you will call me ‘My Husband’… And I will betroth you to me forever.”
—Hosea 2:14-19

We experience the wilderness as a place of loneliness, a place where we’re lacking the resources we need, where it feels even God has thrown us away.  But when we come to see it from God’s perspective, we realize it’s the opposite of all those things.  It’s a place God brings us in order to see him, in order to have the other defenses and illusions of life stripped away and to realize that we have everything we need in Him.

Far from loneliness, it is a place where God calls us to unashamed covenant love.  It’s a place where we’re free to give ourselves to him, and to perceive more clearly how he has given himself to us.  Though we can’t see it at the time, may we learn to trust him through these seasons, and use them to grow deeper in him.

P.S. An additional bit of encouragement for those who may be struggling in the particular wilderness of doubt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skOJMUYhgQ8

By: Matt Thomas

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Day 23

March 16, 2026

God Never Let Go

Whaaa… Whaaa… Whaaa… I was suddenly jolted awake by the fire alarm. “Not again” I thought. People are constantly activating the fire alarm as a prank. It is so aggravating. On this particular night I was really tired, struggling to open my eyes. I was a college freshman living alone in a dorm room on the top floor of a 12-story high rise. I tried to convince myself I could get away with being disobedient this one time, and stay asleep in bed. And since I had no roommate to talk sense in to me, it seemed like a pretty good idea. However, there was this small matter of the loud alarm horn that was not going to quit blasting me, so I finally craved in. I got up, grabbed a jacket, and headed out the door. I turned to look down the hallway, but I could not see the end of the hallway, it disappeared in a cloud of smoke! The fire was real this time!! “What?” A sudden rush of adrenaline. I flew down the hallway to the stairwell. “Wow, the stairs are empty, I think I will be ok, I will be out of the building in no time”. Go Chris go, floor 11, floor 10, floor 9, I was really flying. As soon as I reached floor 8, I was stopped by a wall of people, packed, moving so slowly it felt like we were not moving at all. People were growing anxious, some yelling, others pushing. I looked behind me, basically nobody, I had waited far too long to leave my room. This was not my only mistake. In my panic I did something completely foolish, I ran to the stairwell I could see, forgetting that around the corner from my room was a closer stairwell. This was in the days before personal phones, so there were no means of communication in or out. Was the fire behind us? Was it ahead of us? We had no idea. I later learned it was neither behind us nor ahead of us, it was right next to us on the other side of the wall, burning in the trash chute adjacent to the stairwell. Here I was, feeling trapped. An awful pit of the stomach feeling.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
—John 16:33b

Psalm chapter 102 opens this week with the Psalmist in dire physical hardship. In very weak health, reduced to mere skin and bones, hardship is closing in quickly. The needs of the Psalmist are being laid bare before God in a desperate plea. Why? Because when our insecurities mount, when our situation overwhelms us, we find security in God’s presence.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:20b

The last of us made it out of the building after about 20 minutes stuck in the stairwell. I was a little queasy from smoke inhalation, but otherwise ok. Everyone made it out that night.

Prayer:

Dear God, when we feel weak, when we feel exhausted, when we feel scared, give us strength. Keep our faith shining brightly for you! Amen.

By: Chris Thomas

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Day 22

March 14, 2026

The Broken Spirit

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
—Psalm 51:17

For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.
—Isaiah 57:15

What image comes to your mind when you think of a “broken spirit”? For some reason, the image that comes to my mind is of sports fans when their team is losing a high stakes game:

A broken spirit to God, however, isn’t just sadness over losing a game – its a deep, internal repentance and reconciliation with God.

There was a time in my life where I felt like I had control over things like school and relationships and was cruising through college (perhaps you might be feeling the same). It took some hard stumbles for me to realize that I really do not have control. I can only rely on God and I need to rely on God’s mercy across all aspects of my life.

As a parent, I feel this even deeper – it’s hard to believe there is a human way for me to raise godly children. Only through prayer, obedience and God’s mercy can I hope to see my children serving the Lord in the future.

I don’t think a broken spirit this means we go through life “sad” all the time. During high points, rejoice and be glad – not out of pride and self-sufficiency, but because we feel God’s power and mercy in our lives. In times of sin and trial, we humble ourselves, repent and receive His grace. At our lowest and most broken points, we find God because he was there all along.

Let’s consider and reflect:

1. Are we in a season where life is good or we feel in control? Let us reflect on how God’s mercy and goodness might be displayed in our lives and rejoice not out of pride but out of praise for His goodness. I’m reminded of these lyrics during these times:

“When my heart is filled with hope
And every promise comes my way
When I feel your hands of grace
Rest upon me
Staying desperate for You God
Staying humbled at Your feet
I will lift these hands and praise
I will believe”
—Love Came Down, Kari Jobe

2. Are we in a season where we are broken or in the valley? Let us repent and come before Him. Trust in His plan and reorient our lives to Him. It’s strange but God finds us at our lowest points. I’m reminded of these lyrics during these times:

“My whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart”
—Fall Apart, Josh Wilson

By: Daniel Chen

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Day 21

March 13, 2026

The Joy of Salvation Returned

From Brokenness to Restoration
Psalm 51 is written after the prophet Nathan confronted David about committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband (2 Samuel 11-12). The guilt of David’s sin weighs heavy on him. This guilt comes because he loves God and he knows he has done wrong. Not only that, David knew that before committing adultery with Bathsheeba, he knew it was wrong but he did it anyway. David feels filthy. David pleads for mercy from God.

The Heavy Heart of the Believer
Suffering is often the lens through which we finally see the true magnitude of Christ’s love. In Psalm 51, we find David in the aftermath of his greatest failures: adultery and murder. But the weight David feels isn’t just the fear of being caught; it is the crushing grief of a man who loves God and realizes he has wandered far from Him.

When we love God, our sin feels heavy because we know we’ve wounded the Heart that loves us most. David knew his actions were wrong long before he took them, yet he chose his desires over his Devotion. Now, feeling “filthy,” he doesn’t run from God—he pleads for a way back to Him.

Mercy: Compassion of forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish

David acknowledges his guilt without making excuses (Psalm 51:3-4). He knows he deserves judgment, yet he appeals to God’s unfailing love. He doesn’t ask for a “second chance” based on his own merit; he asks for a complete “wash” of his sins spiritually and physically.

The Cry for a Clean Start
Sin creates a spiritual “grime” that David feels even in his bones. He asks to be cleansed with hyssop—a plant used by priests in purification rituals. He isn’t asking for a surface-level apology; he is asking for a deep cleansing of his heart and soul [Psalm 51:10].

Restoring the Joy of Salvation
Psalm 51: 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit

David’s prayer is the final step in a profound spiritual cycle:

1. The Fall: Committing the sin.
2. The Weight: Feeling the stagnant “filth” and heavy guilt of a broken bond.
3. The Confession: Acknowledging the wrong without making excuses.
4. The Plea: Begging for a mercy he knows he hasn’t earned.

It is only after David navigates this valley of brokenness that he asks to be restored. This request reveals a deep truth: we often don’t fully grasp the magnitude of Christ’s love until we realize the depth of the debt He paid. The “joy of salvation” is sweetest to the person who remembers what it felt like to be lost.

The Gift of a Conscious Heart
We feel the crushing weight of sin specifically because we love God. If we didn’t care for Him, our disobedience wouldn’t hurt. God uses this holy “heaviness” as a signal. By giving us a conscious heart, He allows us to recognize our distance from Him, not to condemn us, but to create in us a desperate desire to be made clean.

Suffering is the prerequisite in which our understanding of God’s love takes understanding. We feel His presence most deeply not when life is perfect, but when His grace is the only thing holding us together.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I thank You that even in my brokenness, Your mercy is greater than my mistake. Forgive me for the moments I chose my own path over Your presence. I am grateful for the ‘holy heaviness’ I feel when I wander—reminding me that I belong to You and that my heart was made to love You.

Lord, do not just wash away my guilt; create in me a brand-new heart. Sprinkle my soul clean and restore to me the vibrant joy of Your salvation. Grant me a willing spirit today—one that delights in Your Word and finds strength in Your grace. Hold me close, so that I may walk in the freedom of being fully known and fully loved.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Song: I Know You Love Me – Mainstream Worship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIM96kMOYAg&list=RDbIM96kMOYAg&start_radio=1

By: Kelsey Chen

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Day 20

March 12, 2026

The Need for a New Heart

In Psalm 51, one of the most renowned penitential psalms, David confesses and repents of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. In the midst of his plea for mercy, he cries out:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
—Psalm 51:10

Initially, David asks for purification—for God to blot out his transgressions and cleanse him from his sin (cf. Ps. 51:2). Here, however, he asks for something greater: the creation of a new inner self. David understands that his sin cannot be solved by correcting surface behaviors, restraining sinful desires, or building better habits—that would simply be changing a wicked heart. Instead, true repentance requires a new, clean heart.

This inward transformation of the heart is what every believer supernaturally experiences upon placing their faith in Jesus—when God removes our heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. Yet asking for a clean heart is not a one-time event; it is part of a continuous process of sanctification and regular renewal for the believer. Even after we receive new life, we are prone to stumble into sin and find our fellowship with our Creator tainted. Time and time again, we must confess and repent of our sins and ask God to give us a heart fixed upon Him.

Maybe we haven’t committed physical adultery or murder as David did—but how many times have we had lustful or malicious thoughts, spoken cursing instead of blessing, or grumbled in discontent within our hearts? No sin is too small to confess and repent of, and no sin is too great for God to forgive. Our God is holy—He is immeasurably righteous, and also immeasurably gracious.

It is this grace that allows David, even while openly acknowledging his guilt, toboldly ask God for a clean heart and a renewed spirit. He trusts that God willremove his sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Under the newcovenant, we have even greater confidence: Christ has fully paid the penalty forour sin and satisfied the wrath of God. Because of this, we know that God willforgive us—He is faithful and just to do so (c.f. 1 John 1:9).

And so, may we follow in the footsteps of this man after God’s own heart. Whenwe stumble, may we not dismiss our conscience or dwell in our shame, but runquickly to our gracious Father. And as we come before Him in repentance, mayour prayer echo David’s own: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew aright spirit within me.” 

By: Michelle Liou

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Day 19

March 11, 2026

Whiter Than Snow

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! … Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (Ps 51:2, 7)

As a young monk in his early life, Martin Luther wasn’t like the others.  Every day they would each go into the confessional to name their sins and receive formal forgiveness, a process they believed was key to having a clean slate before God.  While most of the monks were quickly in and out of the booth, Luther would be in there for up to six hours.  His exhausted confessor was said to have complained, “bring me some real sins!”.  But Luther realized that being truly clean before God couldn’t simply be a matter of removing the big itemized offenses from his record one by one – he perceived the deeper ways in which sin had crept in, subtly corrupting the motives even behind his ‘good’ deeds, that ever-present selfish nature throwing off his responses to situations in ways that could not easily be named.  And so, confronted with thoughts like these, he settled in, digging deeper and deeper into his heart.  And each day he managed to reach a point where he could convince himself he had done it.  He had uncovered everything, achieved his clean slate.  And then he walked away from the confessional, floating on air — for a few minutes, until inevitably some other sin would make itself apparent to his conscience, and his world would come crashing down again.  Day after day the process repeated.

I might be getting some details of Luther’s story wrong.  Reading it years ago, I found it so relatable that I began to fill in the blanks with my own experience.  The times when I’d felt the most like Luther were the times when I had the responsibility to review the performance of myself or others at work.  Had I truly been fair, or were my assessments infected with my own biases, my own pride, my own culpable ignorance?  I learned day after day just how fragile my “righteousness” could be when it depended on the answers I wanted for these questions.

We might be tempted to pity poor Luther (and ourselves when we encounter such anxieties), living and dying on every twitch of his scrupulous conscience.  We might even be tempted to encourage him to see things more like the others – to learn to be satisfied with his own efforts, to tell him that that must surely be enough in God’s eyes.  But how sad it would be to settle there, to learn to play that game well enough that we never break free from trying to find our acceptance in it.  Luther’s ability to perceive the possibility of a higher righteousness, and his continual failure to achieve it on his own, was a blessing.  Though it caused him pain, it ultimately set him free from trying to earn his own righteousness, when he realized the only place it can truly be found.

This week as we study Psalm 51, we hear David cry out for that righteousness: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”  Hyssop was used in ritual sacrifices that God had established in order to point forward to the sacrifice he would ultimately make on the cross.  But here, rather than coming to God with his own ritual act, David asks that the hyssop be applied by God himself.  And indeed it would be, and still is, for us.  It is the sacrifice of Christ that earned for us, and grants to us, our clean slate before him.  Nothing less can make us “whiter than snow.”

And so, when like Luther we’re confronted with how fragile other forms of righteousness can be, may we consider that realization a blessing, remembering the words of Jesus that he made true with his own blood: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Mt 5:6).

Prayer: Lord, we thank and praise you for the righteousness that you’ve made available to us through Christ.  Grant that we might build our hope on nothing less, but that we might walk in the joy and peace of this righteousness, reflecting it all around us for your glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

By: Matt Thomas

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Day 18

March 10, 2026

Sin Against God Alone

Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
—Psalm 51:4

In this solemn confession, David cries out in repentance to the Lord for committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the murder of her husband, Uriah, to hide his sin. Despite his numerous military achievements, David realizes he has abused his power to pursue his own sinful desires. He sins not only against Uriah and Bathsheba, but at the core, against God. 

Whenever my relationships with others deteriorate, my first reaction is to vindicate myself, stubbornly telling myself that “its the other person’s fault!” Yet deep inside, I realize that I am weak in humility to take responsibility over my actions, too afraid to examine my own heart and how I have hurt others in my actions and thoughts. I realized that the root of broken relationships with other people is a broken relationship with God. 

Only when I read God’s word and truly listen to his commands do I realize how flawed I am. God’s perfect holiness and righteousness magnify my sinful nature, opening my eyes to see how my selfish intentions have led to conflict with others. 

Later in the Psalm, David writes:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
—Psalm 51:10–12

Let us, like David, recognize the true gravity of our sins and humbly come before the Lord to ask for His forgiveness. Let us ask God for a “pure heart” that is blameless before Him, so that we do not once again fall into sin’s temptation. Let us cry out for his mercy so that he can restore us to the “joy of [His] salvation”, so that we have the ability to repair broken relationships through His enduring love. 

By: Jane Liou

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Day 17

March 9, 2026

Blotting Out the Past

I first encountered Christ in the 4th grade, a time when my heart was open and I felt God’s presence easily. After moving to the U.S. in 8th grade, church became a chore. By the time I was an independent adult, I became completely disconnected. I would only go to church to make my parents happy. I didn’t go to church because I wanted to, but
because I was pressured to.

Then came the Blotting Out.

The big tech layoffs hit me not once, but twice. Suddenly, the professional identity I had built was gone. During those dark days of job interviews and constant rejections, I felt truly powerless. That was when Justice asked if I was interested in visiting this church. I thought given I had more time, maybe I could rekindle something. Week by week, there
were always messages I found inspiring and uplifting.

In the book of Lamentations. It was written by the prophet Jeremiah while he sat in the literal ashes of his destroyed city. He had lost his home, his security, and his community. Everything had been blotted out. Yet, in the middle of that wreckage, he made a deliberate choice to “call to mind” who God is. He wrote:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
—Lamentations 3:22–23

Fortunately, I didn’t sit in ashes of our cities like Jeremiah, but my life was turned upside down. I had to realize that while my career path had been “consumed,” but I was not. The fact that I was still standing, still breathing, and still being led to a new community was proof of God’s faithfulness.

My “spiritual reset” wasn’t a magic button that fixed all my problems. It was a change in mentality, stop focusing on what I had lost and start looking forward to what I still have. After this ordeal, I learned to trade my negativity into resilience. In the future when I encounter more speedbumps in life, I know that as long as I try my best and leave no regrets, God has a plan for me.

By: Joey Chou

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Day 16

March 7, 2026

Do Not Forsake Me

The Discipline of Silence
“But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.”
—Psalm 38:13-14 ESV

In verses 13–14, David models a “holy deafness.” When we are confronted by our failures or our accusers, our instinct is to shout our defense. Instead, David chooses to be like a mute man. He isn’t being passive; he is being submissive. He accepts the weight of his sin and the reality of its consequences without making excuses.

The Patient Wait
“But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!”
—Psalm 38:15-16 ESV

While David is silent toward his accusers, he is not silent toward God. Waiting is, in itself, a form of discipline.

• True Faith: David has the confidence that God will answer, but he allows God to choose the timing.
• The Slip: He acknowledges his vulnerability—that his “foot slips”—and asks that his enemies not be allowed to gloat over his fallen state.

The Broken Heart
“For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.”
—Psalm 38:17-20 ESV

David reaches a breaking point. He describes himself as “ready to fall.” His physical and emotional pain has become a constant companion.

• Honest Confession: He doesn’t just say “I made a mistake.” He says, “I am sorry for my sin.”
• The Contrast: Even as he tries to follow what is good, his enemies render him “evil for good.” He is caught between the internal weight of his guilt and the external pressure of his foes.

The Final Cry: Do Not Forsake Me
“Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”
—Psalm 38: 21-22 ESV

When we have failed God, we often feel like hiding in a corner of shame. We feel we have lost the right to ask for anything. But David shows us that while we shouldn’t ask for a “get out of jail free” card, we should ask for God Himself.

Summary
Sin takes a massive toll on our bodies and minds. That pain is “holy discipline” designed to bring us to our senses. We shouldn’t try to defend our way out of the consequences, but we should cry out for the Lord’s hand to hold us through them. Our greatest need isn’t just the removal of pain—it is the return of our Savior’s presence.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your “holy discipline.” When I feel the weight of my sin and the pain of my failures, help me not to run away in shame or lash out in self-defense. Give me the strength to wait patiently for your timing. Lord, I confess my sins to You today. I am sorry for my sin. In the moments where I feel “ready to fall,” please do not forsake me. Be not far from me, but be my salvation, my deliverer from my sin. In Jesus name, Amen.

By: Kelsey Chen

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Day 15

March 6, 2026

Confessing Anxiety

I have a lot of admiration for people willing to share their testimony with the congregation. Every person on the devotional list has done this, sharing personal experiences from their lives that reflects scripture’s truth. Whether it has been pain, or hope, or joy, it helps us grow in Jesus. It’s not an easy task to share deep self-reflection. I believe that in the age of technology and social media, it’s actually harder to share the truth if you feel lost or low. We might experience social anxiety about sharing negative feelings, fear judgment from others, or be exploited for our weakness by putting our feelings out there. In those times, I hope you can confide in the Lord:

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
    to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for a man that he bear
    the yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone in silence
    when it is laid on him;
let him put his mouth in the dust—
    there may yet be hope;
let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,
    and let him be filled with insults.
—Lamentations 3:25–30

But wait, what is verse 28 about? “Let him sit alone in silence?” God wants us to suffer in silence and avoid sharing? To give some context, Lamentations is written by Jeremiah after he witnesses the destruction of Jerusalem and its people for committing grave sins against God. When we sin, we must confess to God, show repentance, and ask for him to transform us. We should first spend time to meditate and humble ourselves in order to be able to accept new ways.

Trusting God with my inner anxiety and darkness is one of the most pivotal footholds for me in my faith. In times of crises, I lean on him and give him my burdens. I used to attend Chinese school in my youth, but I was not able to learn it, getting confused with the Cantonese words. I feared in my heart when my parents told me I was missing out on a vital skill. I despaired that I was cursed with a Chinese face without the language; I was ashamed about it. But I still love Chinese culture and people. I love to make and eat Chinese food. I think Chinese memes are really funny. I still listen to Jay Chou songs. I try to review my HSK 4 flashcards everyday now. When I think about how I felt back then compared to now, I remember this passage:

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
—1 John 4:18–21

Are you attending a Bible study group or the Wednesday prayer meeting currently? What truly weighs on your heart and soul?

Do you find yourself able to summon up the courage to bring the things you have been struggling with to God?

It may sound counterintuitive, but ask God to give you the strength and confidence to reveal your weaknesses with those you value as brothers or sisters in Christ. This is what it truly means to let the light in. I want to close with one last passage also from Lamentations 3:

I called on your name, Lord,
    from the depths of the pit.
You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears
    to my cry for relief.”
You came near when I called you,
    and you said, “Do not fear.”
You, Lord, took up my case;
    you redeemed my life.
—Lamentations 3:55-58

Let’s pray:

Dear Lord, we come to you with our head bowed and heart open for change. I’ve been struggling with this part of me that I want to bring light upon. Please help me endure the turbulence in my heart as I grapple with it. Your will be done as I turn my fear into love and overcome the bad with the good, just as you have done when Jesus became a symbol of love and goodness. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

By: Andy Lui

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Day 14

March 5, 2026

Admitting We Cannot Save Ourselves

For believers, affliction can—but not always (as in the case of Job or Paul’s thorn)—be a consequence of our own sin, as God disciplines those He loves (cf. Hebrews 12:6). However, while the external consequences of disobedience are often visibly felt, the weight of guilt within can be even more crushing and profound.

For David, awareness of his defiance against a holy God becomes his heaviest burden—heavier than the affliction itself—causing his bones to groan and his wounds to fester. His lament in Psalm 38:3-4 “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me” is echoed by Paul in Romans 7:24: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

Isn’t this often our groaning too? In our daily struggle to deny ourselves and follow Christ, we too find our flesh weak and our best efforts falling short. Knowing that a holy God knows our every awry thought and every sinful intention brings us to our knees in holy fear, as we realize that we deserve nothing but His just wrath.

In agony, David cries, “My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me” (Psalm 38:10), and again, “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin” (Psalm 38:18). Like David, our affliction causes us to admit that our strength fails. We cannot save ourselves—not from the hardships of life, not from the sin that once separated us from God, nor from the indwelling sin that remains even after we are saved.

In an age of self-help books and rhetoric of self-sufficiency, we are tempted to believe that we are capable of saving ourselves. But David—the king of Israel, who had far more reason to rely on himself than we do—reminds us that what God delights in is a broken spirit and a contrite heart (cf. Psalm 51:17). Time and time again in Scripture, it is the humble and broken to whom God draws near. When we humble ourselves and confess our need, God is faithful to uphold us.

The One who inhabits eternity says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). David writes: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:8). Peter exhorts: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7). Our Savior Jesus invites us: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

What a reason to rejoice! That our God is so gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love, that He shies not away from us but draws near to sinners. How prone we are to forget the grace that is so freely available to us — the grace that David took hold of and the grace that we now stand in because we have been justified through faith in Christ, clothed in Jesus’ righteousness before God (cf. Romans 5:2).

So, in times of our affliction, whether physical, emotional or spiritual, let us humble ourselves before Him, trust in His promises, and cry out to Him in confident hope as David did. If it is the burden of sin, let the promise of escape from temptation and certainty of our future glorification bring us comfort. If it is the burden of earthly trials, persecution and hardship, let the promise that our Father works all things out for the good of His children and of our future inheritance guard our hearts.

Let us cry out:
Do not forsake me, O LORD!
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! (Psalm 38:21-22)
… knowing that our Lord hears and delivers.

By: Michelle Liou

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Day 13

March 4, 2026

The Weight, The Response, and The Heart

1. The Weight of Discipline (Psalm 38:1-11)

In Psalm 38, David offers a raw confession. He isn’t just describing a bad day; he is documenting the physical and mental deterioration caused by unconfessed sin and the heavy hand of God’s discipline.

Physical Suffering: David describes God’s “arrows” sinking into him (v. 2) and a “heavy burden” that is too much to carry (v. 4). His body feels the friction of his spiritual state: “There is no soundness in my flesh” (v. 7).

Mental & Social Isolation: His heart throbs, his strength fails, and the “light of his eyes” is gone (v. 10). Perhaps most painful is the social fallout—his friends and kin “stand aloof” (v. 11).

The Purpose of Pain: This suffering isn’t arbitrary. Godly discipline is designed to make the “way of the transgressor” hard so that we do not wish to return to it. To change, we must first understand the true cost of our departure from God.

2. The Humble Response (Psalm 38: 13-14)

How do we react when our sin is laid bare and our accusers gather? David provides a radical model of humility:

“But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.”
—Psalm 38:13-14 ESV

When confronted with the consequences of his actions, David doesn’t offer a defense. He doesn’t create excuses or try to explain away his behavior. He accepts the weight of his sin in silence.

Reflection: 

1. When you are caught or confronted, do you immediately build a case for your defense? 
2. Or can you sit in the silence of your own guilt long enough to let God’s discipline work?

3. Godly Grief vs. Worldly Regret (2 Corinthians 7:8-10)

For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
—2 Corinthians 7:8-10 ESV

True silence before God leads to Godly Grief. Paul distinguishes from the “sorrow of the world” 

Godly Grief: Produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. It creates a “stain” on our hearts that reminds us why we never want to return to doing that sin. Godly grief turns us toward God.

Worldly Grief: Produces death. It is the sorrow of being caught, not the sorrow of having sinned.

The “C-Drama” Illustration: Think of a classic Chinese drama where a jealous rival relentlessly bullies the protagonist. The “other woman” only begs for forgiveness once the CEO threatens her with prison. She isn’t sorry for the pain she caused; she is terrified of the cell. That is worldly sorrow—a desperate attempt to avoid consequences while still harboring a heart that loves the sin.

Final Thought: David’s silence was his strength. By refusing to rebuke his accusers, he left his defense entirely in the hands of God. 

Reflection:

1. Is your current “suffering” a result of God’s discipline intended to lead you back to Him?
2. In your prayers, are you talking over God to defend yourself, or are you quiet to hear His verdict?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I admit that when our sins are laid bare, my first instinct is often to speak up in my own defense. I make excuses, I shift the blame, and I try to outrun the weight of my sin. Today I ask for the grace to be still and to listen. Give me courage to be “like a deaf man” before my accusers and a “mute man” before Your throne. Help me not to fear the silence of confession, but to trust that in that silence, Your mercy is speaking for us. 

Lord, transform my worldly regret into Godly grief. May I be truly grieved by the distance my sin has created between us. I thank you Lord that your discipline is not meant to destroy me, but to refine me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Song for Reflection:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA-Wi4fdcVE&list=RDBA-Wi4fdcVE&start_radio=1

By: Kelsey Chen

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Day 12

March 3, 2026

When Friends Stand Afar

The Orfield Lab in Minneapolis holds an anechoic chamber deemed the world’s quietest room with a background noise of -24.9 dBA. It is well known to cause weird effects for humans with people claiming disorientation and vertigo and reports of being able to hear your own heartbeat and blood flow.

This level of physical isolation can sound scary… but even if we are not completed isolated physically, many people (including us) may experience social isolation at school, work and even at home.

In elementary school, I had a circle of friends that would hang out and play games during recess and lunch breaks. Even though we were not all best of friends with each other, we formed a little clique among us due to the amount of time we spent with each other. One day, for some reason, one of the members of our group was “expelled” for reasons which I still do not know to this day. Members of the group were all told to not hang out with him and even throughout high school, this person was isolated socially and had few friends.

I hope this does not happen to you but we may all deal with social isolation during seasons in our lives. As we look to the cross, we can be reminded of Jesus and how he connects with us through the social isolation he dealt with.

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
—Isaiah 53:3

Let’s consider and reflect on the following:

1. Are we experiencing a season of social isolation? We can bring our needs to Jesus and be assured that he can relate to our pain. My hope is our church would also be a place where you can find a community to help in these times.
2. Are we socially isolating people in our lives? Perhaps this is a case of Jesus in disguise. We can be reminded of Jesus’ words regarding the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:40) to invite the stranger in.

By: Daniel Chen

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Day 11

March 2, 2026

Weight of Consequence

Recently, my 17-year-old daughter was completing a scholarship application that asked, “What does it mean to be an adult?” The first word that came to our minds was responsibility; being responsible for your daily life, choices, and actions.

It sounds straightforward but living it out is far more challenging. Our society often ignores petty offenses or condones behaviors that God clearly calls sin, such as stealing or sexual immorality. The Bible repeatedly reminds us of the consequences of sin: separation from God’s kingdom, defilement of the body, legal repercussions, and emotional pain (Exodus 20:15; Leviticus 19:11; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Matthew 5:28; Proverbs 6:32-33).

Reflecting on my own life, I notice a stark contrast in how I experience consequences with and without the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, my words sometimes appeared proud, resulting in broken relationships. With the Holy Spirit, I am reminded to remain humble, quiet my impulses, and let God work in His timing.

Every day we make choices, big and small. Lent is a season that calls us to pause and consider the weight of those choices. God invites us to live responsibly, serve others, and steward His creation well, so we may experience His blessings instead of bearing the burden of consequences (Deuteronomy 28:1-2; Matthew 7:11).

Prayer:
Lord, help me to recognize the weight of my choices and the impact they have on others. Fill me with Your Spirit so that my words and actions bring life, not pain. Teach me to live responsibly, humbly, and faithfully, trusting You to guide my steps and restore broken relationships. Amen.

By: Mandy Lau

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Day 10

February 28, 2026

Shouting for Joy

Often when I think of the word repentance, I picture something quiet, heavy, and even mournful marked by deep self-reflection. As Christians we are taught to honestly acknowledge our sinful nature. We are taught to turn away from sin and most importantly to focus our sights back on God. While this understanding of repentance is essential to the Christian life, it is important to recognize that true repentance is much more than pure regret or guilt.

In Psalm 51, David cries out to God after recognizing his sin. In the midst of his plea for forgiveness he prays, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” David does not ask only to be cleansed, but he longs for joy to be renewed within him. This reminds us that repentance is not meant to leave us weighed down, but restored.

Throughout my Christian journey, I have learned that God greatly rejoices when sinners return to Him. Repentance is a two-way movement: as we turn back to God, He welcomes us with joy. Our relationship with Him is restored and that restoration leads us into renewal and celebration.

Just as Jesus teaches in the parable of the lost sheep, heaven rejoices when even one who was lost is found and brought back into His family.

Prayer:

Lord, we turn back to You with repentant hearts. Thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation, and help us walk in renewed freedom.

By: Winfield Zhang

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Day 9

February 27, 2026

The Gaze vs. The Harness

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.
Psalm 32:8-9

In this passage, God presented us with two very different ways to be guided through life. It is the difference between moving because we are connected and moving because we are controlled.

1. The Loving Eye: Guidance through Connection

“I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

This is the gentlest form of direction. Think of a parent and child, or two close friends, who can communicate across a room with just a look.

• The Heart of it: This kind of guidance requires you to be looking at God. It is based on a relationship where you are so in tune with Him that a slight “nod” or a “look” is all you need to know which way to go.
• The Result: You move freely and willingly. You aren’t being forced; you are being led by love and trust.

2. The Bit and Bridle: Guidance through Force

“Do not be like the horse or the mule… which must be controlled by bit and bridle.”

A bit is a piece of metal placed in a horse’s mouth. When the rider pulls the reins, the bit creates pressure or pain to force the animal to turn.

• The Heart of it: This is the backup plan for when we stop listening. If we refuse to pay attention to God’s “eye,” He may allow life to become difficult, like a tug on a bridle, to keep us from running off a cliff.
• The Result: You move because you have to, not because you want to. It is guidance through discomfort and restriction.

The difference between these two choices is understanding. The passage says the horse and mule “have no understanding.” When we act without thinking or without seeking God’s perspective, we are acting like those animals. We lose our ability to be guided gently and instead require the “bit” of hard circumstances to steer us.

A Heart Inquiry: Instead of just asking, “Am I doing the right thing?” try asking: “In what parts of my life am I feeling ‘hemmed in’ or pressured, and could that be because I’ve stopped looking for God’s gentle lead?”

The “bit and bridle” aren’t there to hurt you; they are there to keep you safe when you’ve stopped paying attention. But how much better is it to simply look up, meet His eye, and walk together in peace?

By: Dean Chao

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Day 8

February 26, 2026

Spiritual Training

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.”
‭‭—Psalm‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭ESV‬

In a marathon, you train so your body doesn’t fail you at mile 20. In our faith, we train so our spirits don’t fail us when life gets heavy. Lent serves as our “pre-season”—an intentional window to strip away distractions and recalibrate our hearts to the rhythm of God’s grace.

True training requires focus, self-discipline, and consistency. While the process can be painful, the reward is a life transformed. As Christians, we are constantly in training, conditioning our hearts and minds to stay fixed on Christ so that His character becomes visible in our actions.

However, our human nature often resists this spiritual conditioning. In Psalm 32, we see two common pitfalls: the horse and the mule.

• The Horse: We might run ahead impulsively, rushing into decisions and actions before waiting for God’s “go.”
• The Mule: We might become stubborn, digging in our heels and refusing to move when the Spirit prompts us to change.

Which one are you today? Are you trying to gallop past God’s timing, or are you stubbornly refusing to let Him lead you into a new season? Or are you in sync with where God wants you?

Fortunately, God is not like a coach who watches from the sidelines with a stopwatch and a whistle. The Psalmist tells us that God counsels us with His “eye upon us.” His gaze isn’t one of cold judgment, but of intimate care. He isn’t shouting instructions from a distance; He is walking the path beside us. He doesn’t desire to break our spirit with “bits and bridles”—He wants to guide us with the gentle authority of His voice.

Reflect & Respond

1. Identify the Resistance: In what area of your life are you currently acting like the “horse” (rushing ahead) or the “mule” (holding back)?
2. Listen for the Voice: What “distraction” can you strip away this week to better hear God’s counsel?
3. Trust the Gaze: How does knowing God’s eye is on you for care—not just critique—change how you view your mistakes this week?

A Closing Prayer

“Lord, thank You for being a Teacher who leads with love rather than force. Forgive me for the times I have galloped ahead in my own strength or dug in my heels against Your leading. During this Lent season, soften my heart and steady my pace. Help me to trust the ‘eye upon me’—knowing that Your gaze is full of grace, not judgment. Teach me to walk in step with Your Spirit today. Amen.”

By: Kelsey Chen

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Day 7

February 25, 2026

Finding the Hiding Place

Have you ever watched the devastating footage of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011? In those videos, you see the massive waves surging through streets, sweeping away cars, homes, and everything in their path. You can hear people shouting, “Flee! Hurry! Flee to higher ground!” Sadly, not everyone reached safety in time. Some were overtaken by the flood and disappeared in the rushing waters.

Imagine yourself in that horrifying situation—water surging around you with nowhere to go. In that moment, wouldn’t it be a mercy to know exactly where the high ground is so you could rush to it before the waters reach you? If we don’t identify those “safe places” during the calm of normal life, we may not find them when disaster strikes. By the time we start looking, it may be too late.

This is the urgency behind the psalmist’s prayer:

“Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.”
— Psalm 32:6-7

His prayer reminds us—We must seek God while He may be found. We need to know where our refuge is every day. If we wait until the crisis hits to begin looking for a safe place, we risk being overwhelmed by the surge.

Have you found your hiding place today? Have you spoken to Him?

Don’t wait for the flood to start climbing. Take refuge in Him now.

By: Jeremy Liou

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Day 6

February 24, 2026

I Will Confess

In Genesis 2, after God created Adam, He brought the animals to him to see what he would name them. Adam named every living creature. This was not a small detail. In the ancient world, and throughout Scripture, to name something was to exercise responsibility and delegated authority over it. By allowing Adam to name the animals, God was giving him authority to govern creation on His behalf. Naming was an act of responsibility; it meant, “I recognize what this is, and I take responsibility for it.”

So here is the question: Have we named our sins?

Many of us avoid naming our sins because doing so feels painful, shameful, or threatening. But when we refuse to name our sins, we remain under their power. We let them stay hidden, undefined, and unchallenged. As a result, they continue to rule us.

This is why confession is so important.

By confessing our sins—that is, naming them before God—we are no longer hiding from them. We are bringing them into the light. We are saying, “This is what it is. I will not cover it anymore.”

Confession is the first step toward freedom.

The psalmist understood this:

“I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
— Psalm 32:5

Notice the movement: acknowledge, do not cover, confess—and then, forgiveness from God.

We confess because we want to receive grace. We confess because we know we need help. We confess because we believe there is truly a God who is both willing and able to help us to overcome our sins. So let us confess our sins to God—not vaguely or generally, but specifically and honestly:

Dear God, we acknowledge our sins before You. We will not cover them. Hear our confession, forgive us through Christ, and give us the power of Your Holy Spirit to put our sins to death and walk in obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By: Jeremy Liou

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Day 5

February 23, 2026

The Heavy Burden of Silence

I’ve been working with a morning trainer to lose weight, and having someone know exactly how to get me in shape has been great. But several months ago, I started missing sessions. It began as an occasional absence, but my attendance eventually dwindled to just once a week. The unaddressed absences slowly created an uncomfortable tension between us. Because my backlog of unused sessions was burdening the gym, my trainer eventually had to pull me aside and exercise the most uncomfortable part of his job: accountability. He asked why I was missing so much time. It was a difficult conversation. I could easily point to early work shifts for a few of the misses, but the truth was that I had slept through the rest. Owning up to the oversleeping was incredibly hard because it was entirely my fault, and I had kept it a secret from him. Carrying that unspoken failure took a toll on me, and actually admitting it brought a heavy, sinking feeling of shame straight to my stomach.

That sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach is a universal experience. It is usually fear, stress, anxiety and most importantly guilt coming out from within. That feeling of having done something wrong, and knowing it, is a burden humanity has carried since Adam and Eve first knew right and wrong. It’s not only an emotional burden, but also physical and visceral. Psalm 32:3-4 states:

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer”
—Psalm 32:3–4

When we sin and choose silence instead of confession, it doesn’t just damage our spiritual walk. It drains us and burdens us with those feelings. Like ignoring a mounting backlog of gym sessions, ignoring our sin creates a barrier between us and our Creator. And perhaps that is why this feeling is felt the worst spiritually, especially as a Christian, where you know you have sinned in some way against God. Most of the time, it seems like our natural instinct is to run away and hide from God, which is exactly what Adam and Eve did. It’s something that is ingrained in us somehow, even as children, to run from what we have done. We can’t do anything about it, or it will cost us something to fix the wrong. As a result, we feel trapped and can’t face the person or people that we have wronged.

We hide because of this shame. Unable to face our own unworthiness before God, we retreat, and the exhausting cycle of guilt self-perpetuates. When we run away and try to steer away from our sins, we also feel as if it is a failing of our character and succumbing to weakness that causes this. As a result, our spiritual growth paralyzes. Unconfessed guilt acts as a crushing weight, leaving us too exhausted to take another step forward. The only way to go forward is to confess our wrongs, and we may even fear it more than holding to that guilt and shame. But the good news is even though things seem bleak, we have Jesus there to help us. 1 John 1:9 states “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” That is a strong statement that Jesus is able to blot out all the shame and guilt, lift this burden from our shoulders and make us completely clean before God.

After I admitted my oversleeping, my trainer was understanding and drafted some next steps to fix this and helped me negotiate with the gym on what to do with my missing sessions. We were able to work out how I could stay on track which has helped me remain consistent. In the same way, Jesus understands us, helps us, and stands as the mediator between us and God. But unlike my trainer, Jesus is so much more. God sent him, His only Son, to come to earth and become a man. As a human, Jesus was subjected to the same weaknesses and temptations that everyone else faces as a human and can therefore relate to our struggles at a personal level. His perfect, holy life bridges the impossible gap between us and God. Since Jesus came and suffered innocently at the hands of others and died for all of our sins, he is able to also wipe us all clean through him. Hebrews 4:14-16 states:

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

This high priest we have in Jesus works to give us mercy and grace even when we don’t deserve it. We no longer have to hide like Adam and Eve did, because through Jesus we are free to come before God again. Because God already knows our sins, confession is never about informing Him of what we did wrong. It is a declaration that we are returning to Him. And in this way, we can continue to walk in God as we live our lives as imperfect beings, with the cost that was paid through Jesus to make it so. In Isaiah 43:25, it states: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” How wonderful it is that we have a God who is able to forgive us in this manner. We are able to walk with God again because of Jesus and we no longer need to be crushed under the exhausting weight of our guilt, our strength dried up by not confessing. We can step forward in confession, knowing that through Him we are forgiven, restored, and welcomed back into the presence of God.

By: Simon Lui

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Day 4

February 21, 2026

The Turning Point

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
—Job 42:4-5

When I graduated and started to look for a job, I sent out many resumes but there were no responses. My phone did not ring, the reply emails were only automatic receiving replies. I prayed, friends prayed for me, our church prayed for me, but still, many days passed, there were no leads. One morning, I prayed, “Dear God, please make the phone ring so that I know you care for me!” Then I waited and waited. The day went by, about 6:00 pm, I was thinking, “the day is gone, the phone has not rung at all, now what?”

By then, I had been reading the Bible for about 2 years. Actually I liked reading the Bible, the Old Testament was like history stories that I had not learned in my history classes in China, and the New Testament was teaching me how to be a good person living in the USA although many scriptures were hard. I had heard many testimonials that God helped people in all ways, but how come God did not come to help me?

So many thoughts came to me and the “now what?” pounding me. My heart was like the clock’s pendulum from “God cares for me” to “God does not care” and back and forth. Then suddenly, the phone rang, “Who could this be, all the companies offices should be closed by now?” I wondered. I picked up the phone, “Kathy, how are you, I am Pastor Lai.” It came Pastor Lai’s voice. Wow! All I knew was “God cares for me!”

This was the turning point of my faith, and my life! First time, I knew God personally and I never forgotten it! I had learned the Bible stories; I had heard people’s stories, now I have my own. (And for your information, not long later, God provided me a job.)

Prayer:
Dear God, I praise You that You are everyone’s God! Thank you for Your love and care to me! May anyone who seeks You find You with their own experiences! Amen!

By: Kathy Thomas

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Day 3

February 20, 2026

Crying Out in the Night

‘Make a joyful noise!’ I was making a noise, but it was not joyful, it was just, well, noise. That was me, little Chris, in Music class, trying to play the recorder. Our Music teacher, Miss Mathews, had told us we would spend the entire rest of the school year learning the recorder. This was not a pleasant experience for me. I simply could not play it. At first my predicament did not bother me, but as my classmates seemed to actually be learning it and even improving, I
started to get concerned. What happens if I fail music class? Would I need to go to summer school?

I was slowly headed down the road of worry. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months. I was too shy to talk to our teacher, and too ashamed to talk to my parents. This was not smart of me. I had no plan, no clue what I was going to do to get myself out of this one. At my young age the world was small and my problem was big.

Finally one night, consumed by worry, I prayed.

Perhaps it was the years of Sunday School lessons, perhaps it was the lyrics
“Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.” Something stirring in my heart made me believe God would be merciful to me if I confessed and asked for His help. Was this prayer the seed that planted my faith? It was the first time I recall praying for God to deliver me from trouble. I cannot remember how I worded my prayer, but I remember having the faith
that God was there with me, that He heard me.

I told nobody about my worrying or my praying. It was the following week when we had our next Music class. Miss Mathews walked in and we all brought out our recorders to get started. At first nothing changed, but then in an instant everything changed. Miss Mathews said to put our recorders away; she said she had been thinking about it and decided we would not use our recorders for the rest of the school year. Wow! (And she was true to her word!)

Who is like our God? There is no one like our God! He heard my prayer and miraculously delivered me!

In Psalm 8, the Psalmist notes “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold…” later the Psalmist asks “…what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you that you care for us in our every need. May you be the first place we turn to for help, rather than the last. Draw us close to you! Amen!

By: Chris Thomas

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Day 2

February 19, 2026

Praying Through Disappointment

Whether we realize it or not, we often see our relationship with God as a transaction—a contract: If I do good things, God rewards me and good things will come; if I do bad things, God punishes me and bad things may occur. That’s the deal.

The problem with this logic appears when we do everything “right”—we pray, attend church, give, and try to live faithfully—yet bad things still happen, and there seems to be no apparent reason for them. This is when we grow angry and frustrated, because it feels like God has violated the contract; He has broken the deal.

Then we begin to think: “God is not reasonable.” “He is not fair.” “Maybe He was never real.” “Maybe I imagined Him wrong.” “Maybe there is no God.” Or, “If there is a God, He must be a mean God.” “Maybe He isn’t mean to others, but He surely feels mean to me.”

When we get caught in thoughts like these, we miss the true meaning of the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ never promises a trouble-free life. Instead, it assures us that when troubles come (and they will), God is still with us, and He will never leave us. The gospel does not promise a spiritual vending machine where we insert “good behavior coins” and expect “good life results.” Rather, it promises an eternally open door into God’s presence—an invitation to receive His love, mercy, and faithfulness no matter the circumstances. And that is the real deal.

In moments when our prayers feel unanswered, turning away from God is not the solution. Because we know: outside of Him, there is no goodness. The only way forward is to keep praying: pray with anger, pray with anguish, pray with groaning, pray with complaint, pray with frustration, pray with desperation—but pray nonetheless. And keep on praying, just as the psalmist did:

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
—Psalm 6:2–4

Let us pray:

Dear God, turn our frustration into yearning for You. Remind us that apart from You there is no salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By: Jeremy Liou

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Day 1

February 18, 2026

Facing Our Fragility

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me ins your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord – how long?
—Psalm 6:1-3

God’s Discipline : The Path of Repentance

Sin comes naturally to us; it is the path of least resistance. Asking for forgiveness is difficult. Why is that so? Sin offers immediate pleasure and gratification, while repentance demands we dismantle our pride and humble ourselves before the Lord. Sometimes asking for forgiveness can feel like how David is feeling in the first of the passage:

Psalm 6:1
O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.

David is likely asking the Lord to forgive him without harsh punishment. David likely has sinned and is acknowledging it. He is shifting his mindset from himself to the Lord. 

Auditing the Heart

David’s vulnerability teaches us to audit our own hearts when we seek forgiveness. We must ask ourselves:

• What is my intent? Am I asking forgiveness out of fear of consequences (self-intent), or is it our genuine grief that we have offended the Lord and will accept the consequences in whatever form the Lord gives.

• Do I see the Cross? Do we truly understand that Jesus bore our sins on the cross?

• Is there a desire for change? Do we truly understand what it means to be sorry for the sin we have committed, and commit to step away from repeatable sin and pursue a Chris-like life?

Languishing in a Tempting World

I believe the world around us is a constant source of temptation, from many forms of instant gratification to high political tension. It is far too easy to “blend in” with the crowd. 

Psalm 6:2-3
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O lord for my bones are troubled.

To languish is to fail to make progress or to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant situation. Often, we languish because we try to follow the crowd instead of the Creator.

The Word as Our Guidebook

Transforming our mindset to focus on Christ is difficult. We often see people acting out of anger or disregarding the law simply because they disagree with it. However, as followers of Christ, our standard is not to “follow the crowd” – it is the Word of God. 

The Bible is our guide book for behavior. The Lord has provided “law and order” to help us discern right from wrong. If a popular behavior contradicts Scripture, we must consider it carefully. “Following the crowd” is rarely the path that pleases God.

Discipline as an Act of Love

If there were no law, there would be no need for discipline. But because the Lord loves us, He allows us to bear the consequences of our sin through His discipline. It is a refinement process. 

Even when we face earthly authorities or laws we find difficult, we must remember the sovereignty of God. While we often think of Daniel in the lions’ den, the lessons remain the same: these men stayed faithful to God’s character when the world’s “law” was against them. They didn’t rebel out of pride; they stood firm in their identity as Christ followers. 

True repentance means having the courage to stand apart, even when the path of least resistance is to join the noise. 

I finish with this very meaningful passage from Hebrews 12:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may now grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 

My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. 

It is for discipline that you have to ensure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seems best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Song for reflection: https://youtu.be/AbywdJOkR40?si=9E_y2KgQwJg9ivJd 

By: Kelsey Chen

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2025 Lent

Day 40

April 19, 2025

The Lord’s Favor

Taipei is famous for wedding photography. We were in one of those studios, dressed in traditional costumes, ready for some glamorous shots.

My fiancée stood beside me, listening to the photographer’s instructions. I glanced at her, captivated. She looked radiant—her makeup done just right, her big eyes twinkling, long lashes fluttering, lips ruby-red, cheeks glowing. She looked like a star from a classic film. And she was right next to me.

She was giggling the whole time, unaware of my gaze. I knew why she was so happy—she had chosen to marry me, to spend the rest of her life with me.

I said to myself quietly, “Jeremy, you know—you are a lucky man. Really, really, really lucky.”

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.” (Proverbs 18:22)

Marriage is a gift. A wife is a blessing. It is a favor from the Lord. But it’s only one of many. God, in His immeasurable love, has offered us the greatest favor of all: His Son, Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18–19)

Friends, do you understand the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection?

It means He was vindicated. He should not have died. He did not deserve to die. He was sinless. Yet, He willingly laid down His life in exchange for God’s forgiveness of sinners. And in raising Him from the dead, God declared to the world: Jesus was right. His sacrifice was accepted. Sin has been paid for in full.

His resurrection proves that every promise He made is true. Sinners can be set free. Those who believe in Him are fully forgiven—completely pardoned—because He took their place. Every mistake, every failure, every sin has been wiped clean. Forever forgotten. Never accounted for again. In Christ, we are given a new beginning, a second chance. And this time, it’s not just for the better—it’s for eternity.

Christ’s resurrection means that all of God’s curses on humankind are now removed. And every blessing God has promised is available in Jesus to those who love and trust Him. The year of the Lord’s favor has indeed arrived!

“For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Let’s pray,

Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for us and for rising again. As we now receive all of God’s favor in You, let us always say Amen to God through You, for His glory, into eternity! Amen.

By: Jeremy Liou

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Day 39

April 18, 2025

Look to Him Crucified

In 2003, when SARS swept through Taiwan, fear gripped my dad. He watched the news obsessively—images of people screaming, crying, trying to flee from quarantined hospitals. Knowing his lungs were weak and seeing the death toll rising each day, my dad dreaded he would be next.

That fear eventually consumed him, pulling him into severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Desperate for a change of environment, my mom brought him to my home in the United States. But by the time he arrived, the depression had already settled in. He murmured constantly, his words forming an endless stream of anxious thoughts. My mom, exhausted, cared for him as best as she could.

One afternoon, needing to prepare dinner, she placed him on the couch, turned on a videotape of a Jesus movie, and returned to the kitchen. As she cooked, his murmuring continued, an unbroken hum of distress.

Then, suddenly, silence.

Curious, my mom peeked out to check on him. There sat my dad, completely still, his eyes fixed on the screen. The scene showed Jesus, nailed to the cross, being lifted up for all to see. My dad’s murmuring stopped.

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14–15)

Jesus was referring to an event during Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. When venomous snakes bit the people, God instructed Moses to lift up a bronze serpent on a pole. Anyone who looked at it was healed. Jesus used this story to foreshadow His own crucifixion—telling us that those who look to Him in faith will find healing and eternal life.

My dad was not instantly healed that day, but something shifted. He did not murmur any more. In time, with continued treatment, he recovered completely. Before returning to Taiwan, he chose to be baptized in my church, together with my mom.

Friends, do you believe this testimony? Do you believe that faith in Jesus brings healing—not just in this life, but for eternity?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, You were lifted up so that we may find healing, hope, and eternal life in You. Help us to fix our eyes upon You always. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 38

April 17, 2025

The Highest Agenda

I asked ChatGPT about some unsettling trends in American politics, and it gave me an insightful answer:

“In politics, who the person is often matters less than how the case fits into a broader agenda.”

Right on.

Doesn’t that also explain Jesus’ case?

Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. (John 18:37–40)

Barabbas was a known criminal. So why did the crowd want a criminal to be released so badly? Because he fit into their agenda.

Barabbas was probably leading some sort of Jewish uprisings against Rome—the kind of things they wanted Jesus to do. But Jesus didn’t act on their expectations. So, they rejected the true Messiah and chose Barabbas instead.

And Pilate? Though he found no guilt in Jesus, why did he still hand him over for crucifixion? Because it was politically expedient. By appeasing the crowd, he avoided riots, silenced potential Jewish complaints to Rome, and secured his governor job. Just as he cynically retorted, “What is truth?” To him, truth mattered less than self-preservation. In fact, Pilate even became friends with his enemy Herod that day (Luke 23:12), because their interests aligned in condemning Jesus.

So Jesus was crucified; it suited everyone’s political agenda. Yet, unknowingly, they fulfilled God’s agenda—His plan to redeem mankind.

He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5–6)

Barabbas, the guilty one, walked free because Jesus took his place. Likewise, we, guilty of sin, are set free because Jesus bore our punishment. His crucifixion exposes the perversity of human justice, where agendas reign and truth is sidelined. Yet God used this very injustice to accomplish His salvation. The world’s upside-down justice was turned right-side up by the Son of God through His self-sacrifice.

This is the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray:

Father, thank You for turning the world’s injustice into our salvation. When we grow tired of this broken, upside-down world, remind us that You work all things together for the good of those who love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 37

April 16, 2025

Abandoned

There had been growing concerns about the pastor in our church, and as elders, we felt the weight of responsibility to address them. We scheduled a town hall, preparing to reveal what we had discovered to the congregation.

Leading up to the meeting, the church staff met with us to discuss what needed to be shared. To my surprise, they hesitated. Some refused to recount what they had witnessed in the church office. I was puzzled. These were the very same individuals who had voiced concerns before. Why were they reluctant now? Weren’t they the ones who came forward? Why the silence?

They remained quiet. Some avoided eye contact.

Then it hit me: they were afraid. The pastor had supporters. The staff didn’t want to be seen as siding with the elders.

In that moment, my thoughts went to a garden long ago—a place called Gethsemane:

“And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And they laid hands on him and seized him. And they all left him and fled.” (Mark 14:43, 46, 50)

Jesus knew this would happen. He had foretold it. He understood that when faced with the threat of death, His closest friends would abandon him, choosing self-preservation over loyalty. Yet, this was precisely why He came—to lay down His life on the cross and rise on the third day, destroying the fear of death forever.

I did not press the church staff further. They did not want to risk offending an angry crowd during the meeting. If I were in their place, I might have done the same.

Jesus understood the frailty of human courage. He did not harbor resentment against His coworkers for their failure. He accommodated. He forgave.

And because I believed that Christ had stood firm before the crowd in Pilate’s courtyard, I trusted that He would strengthen our church in the meeting to endure and overcome.

The town hall proceeded as planned. There were angry voices, even moments of near chaos. But in the end, peace prevailed. Several weeks later, the pastor resigned.

Do you feel abandoned right now? Betrayed by friends, coworkers, or people you once trusted?

Jesus knows. He’s been there. He understands the sting of rejection, the weight of isolation. And He will help you overcome.

Let’s pray:

Lord, You know the pain of betrayal. When we feel abandoned, remind us that You have overcome. Strengthen us to walk with integrity, even when others falter. Help us to extend grace and forgiveness, just as You did. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 36

April 15, 2025

True Religion

We had a fellowship of young professionals in the city. One evening, a member brought a visitor. He introduced himself, said he was a pastor, shared briefly about his ministries, and then pulled out an offering bag, asking us for donations. We were stunned. We had just met him. We didn’t even know him. Yet here he was, asking for money in God’s name.

Religion can become a means of exploitation. And Jesus saw this clearly:

“And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.”’ (Mark 11:15–17)

The temple’s animal sacrifices, intended to cleanse people’s conscience before God, had turned into a lucrative monopoly for the priests. Pilgrims, often traveling great distances, were compelled to purchase animals for sacrifice at inflated prices, creating hefty profits for the priestly class. What was meant to be devotion had become exploitation.

By cleansing the temple, Jesus challenged the corruption head-on, exposing the priests’ greed. This act enraged the religious leaders, fueling their plot to kill Him. Yet, in His divine wisdom, God used their evil intentions to accomplish His redemptive plan. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, offered Himself once and for all on the cross—rendering animal sacrifices obsolete and opening the way for all to be reconciled to God through faith in Him.

This is the gospel: that Jesus gave His life so we don’t need to buy our way to God. The price has already been paid. And the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus gives to all who believe, transforms our hearts from a love of money and self-gratification to a love of God and others.

True religion isn’t about what we can get. It’s about what we’ve already received, the unconditional love and forgiveness of God, and how we may respond with gratitude, faithfulness, and love.

Will you accept this gift from Jesus?

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice. Overturn the tables of greed in our hearts. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we become the true temples, where You are honored and others are loved. In Your name we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 35

April 14, 2025

Opposition to Obedience

I held my three-year-old daughter’s arms in the swimming pool, but my mind was elsewhere—Why, Lord? Why have You closed all the doors in my job search?

Then, in the quietness of my heart, the Spirit spoke: “If you take that job, your daughters will be lonely. Who will teach them to swim, as you’re doing now? Who will be there for them when they need you?”

I paused to think. That was true. My wife was already working full-time. If I also took a corporate job, we’d have to hire help, just as my parents had done when I was a child. I still remember the loneliness of those early years, not to mention the two serious accidents I had due to the maid’s neglect.

I didn’t want that for my daughters, not during these tender years when they needed my love and presence the most. So, I made a choice: I stopped chasing corporate jobs. I would stay home and raise them full-time.

My choice was met with opposition, especially from my parents and in-laws: “How can you not work?” “You are a man! Your responsibility is to provide, to make money!” “What about your future? Your pension?” “You’re just sponging off your wife!”

Their words stung, cutting deep into my pride. In the traditional Asian culture, a man staying home was unthinkable, a betrayal of societal norms.

I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Scripture reminded me of someone who understood:

“He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.” (Mark 8:31-32)

Jesus faced opposition for obeying God’s will, not just from enemies, but from those closest to Him. Yet Jesus pressed on, trusting His Father’s plan.

Like Jesus, we may face rebukes when we choose God’s path, whether it’s prioritizing family over career, stepping into ministry, or making sacrifices that seem foolish to the world. Friends and family may question our decisions. They may mean well, but they don’t always know God’s will.

For seven years, I stayed home, pouring into my children. Those years were grueling. Doubt crept in, and the weight of judgment pressed hard. Yet, deep down, I believed I was following God’s call for my family. Then, in His perfect timing, after both of my daughters started attending school, He called me back to seminary. Today, I serve as a full-time church pastor, pouring into God’s children.

What once looked like a dead end was God’s way of preparing me for His greater purpose. God’s will always prevails—for our good and His glory.

Are you facing opposition for obeying God? Maybe your calling doesn’t make sense to others. Maybe even loved ones question you. Remember: Jesus understands. He, too, was misunderstood. But He trusted the Father’s plan, and so can we.

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, when others oppose us for following You, remind us that You had walked this path. Give us courage to obey, even when it’s difficult. Help us know that Your will is always worth it. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 34

April 12, 2025

Hosanna

Tomorrow we celebrate Palm Sunday, the day Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Crowds welcomed Him with shouts of excitement:

“And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mark 11:7–10)

The word hosanna is from Hebrew. It means, “Save, now.”

The people believed Jesus was their long-awaited Messiah, a triumphant king who would overthrow the pagan powers that had oppressed them for centuries. They envisioned a glorious reign, with Jesus enthroned in Jerusalem, restoring Israel’s freedom.

Remarkably, Jesus did not silence their shouts. Throughout His ministry, He often urged His disciples to keep quiet about His identity as the Messiah. But now, in the final week of His earthly life, He did not hide anymore. He accepted the crowds’ praise. His supporters, caught up in the moment, reveled in the belief that His coronation in Jerusalem was imminent.

But only Jesus knew what was awaiting Him: betrayal, arrest, and trials. He would be handed over to the Romans, mocked in a purple robe, and crowned with thorns. That would be His coronation.

Indeed, that’s how God would make Jesus King, not by defeating Rome, but by defeating sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection.

Will you receive this salvation? Will you let Jesus free you from the bondage of sin, grant you new life, and one day raise you to eternal glory?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, just as the crowds cried out to You, I call on You now: Save me! Forgive my sins, renew my heart, and help me follow You as my true King. Thank You for loving me enough to suffer in my place. May I live in the freedom of Your salvation every day. In Your name I pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 33

April 11, 2025

Breaking Through the Rigged System

To make America’s showers great again, the President signed an executive order to repeal the regulation that limited water flow from showerheads. 

Some found this funny. Others were outraged. But to me, it was revealing. It answered a question I’d long wondered: Why are showers in the U.S. so weak?

Every time I returned from traveling abroad, I noticed how feeble my home shower felt compared to the strong streams I’d enjoyed elsewhere. I often wondered if something was wrong with my plumbing. But now I know the truth: the system was rigged. The government had imposed a limit, and without realizing it, I had accepted it as normal—even though better was possible.

This is a picture of our world. We are born into a rigged system, bound by a limitation we didn’t create: death. We’re trapped in this fallen order—corrupted by sin, ruled by death. No matter how successful, healthy, or powerful we become, death comes for us all. It has the final say, rendering all achievements meaningless and reducing everything to dust.

Hence the lament:

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

Death drives desperation. We grasp for fleeting moments of significance, often at others’ expense. We compete, hoard, and strive for a temporary advantage—just to fare a little better than our neighbors. In doing so, we become slaves to sin, the very force that aligns with death and reinforces its dominion

Until Jesus came.

He, the only innocent and righteous one, was crucified by the world’s injustice. He bore the weight of this rigged system upon the cross. But three days later, He rose. His resurrection wasn’t just a personal victory—it was a decisive blow against death itself, breaking its power over all who believe in Him.

Jesus shattered this rigged system forever.

“Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.” (Hebrews 2:14)

Now, Jesus invites us into a new system—the Kingdom of God. A kingdom not rigged for failure, but rooted in righteousness and love. A kingdom where death has no power, and its citizens—the children of God—live forever.

The apostle Paul foresaw our glorious future:

“The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God… that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:19–21).

Do you want to be part of this new system? Say yes to Jesus, and you’re in.

Let’s pray:

Father God, we confess we’ve tried to live on our own, trapped in a broken world bent against us. Open our eyes to see that true freedom is found only in Jesus. Break the chains of sin and death in our lives. Fill us with hope, knowing that Your Kingdom is coming—unshakable and eternal. We put our trust in Your Son Jesus today. In His name we pray, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 32

April 10, 2025

Fan into Flame

What is your gift?

What sparks joy within you? What activities make you lose track of time? What comes effortlessly, almost as if it’s a natural extension of who you are? Is it the way your brushstrokes bring a canvas to life? The melodies that pour from your voice or instrument? Perhaps it’s your knack for unraveling complex puzzles, your ability to recall intricate details, or your unique way of deciphering hidden meanings. Maybe your gift lies in your infectious laughter, your deep empathy for others, or your talent for making people feel seen and understood.

We often think of gifts as talents, but a true gift goes deeper. We call it a gift because it’s exactly that—given. We don’t earn it. We didn’t work for it. It’s a grace God places within us. And because it’s a gift, we are called to use it not for ourselves alone, but as a gift to others—to uplift, to bless, to heal, to love.

The apostle Paul encouraged his protégé Timothy with these words:

“I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6–7)

Paul’s words are a call to action. Our gifts aren’t meant to lie dormant or be hidden out of fear or doubt. They’re meant to burn brightly, fueled by the spirit of power, love, and self-control that God provides.

So, what gift do you think you have? What strengths do others recognize and affirm in you? Are you willing to embrace this gift fully, to “fan it into flame” so that its light shines ever brighter?

This isn’t about personal aggrandizement, but about the positive impact you can have on those around you, about building up the community, and ultimately, about directing praise and thanksgiving back to God, the Giver of all good things.

Let’s pray:

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 31

April 9, 2025

Cost and Reward

Given the latest tariffs, analysts project that the iPhone 16 Pro Max, mostly made in China and currently priced at $1,199, could jump to $1,874—a whopping increase of $675. If that happens, consumers will need to rethink their choices: delay their purchase or upgrade, stick with their current iPhone a bit longer, switch to cheaper Android options, or, if they’re truly set on the latest iPhone, tighten their budgets—cutting back on gas, groceries, movie tickets, and other extras—to save up for their dream device.

When things get costly, we pause to reconsider our priorities.

Unfortunately, Jesus tells us, there is a cost to being His disciples:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

This might be why some believers, even those who’ve been baptized, choose to keep a safe distance from Jesus. They fear that loving Him too much may become too costly.

But here’s the catch: despite the cost, there’s also a reward. And that’s exactly the mystery of God’s kingdom, as Jesus illustrates in this parable:

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)

Those who bear the cost of discipleship aren’t foolish. They’ve glimpsed the hidden treasure—His presence, His grace, and the satisfaction that comes from a relationship with Him. They’ve tasted His love, the joy of doing His will, and His purpose that brings meaning to every part of this life. They understand that following Jesus leads to more of this reward—both now and in eternity.

So they willingly pay the cost. They deny themselves today because they trust that the reward awaiting them far outweighs any sacrifice they make now.

Friends, may God open your eyes to see this hidden treasure and stir in you a willingness to follow Jesus despite the cost, so that you may receive the reward He so lovingly promises.

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for opening our eyes to the treasure of Your kingdom. Give us the faith and courage to follow You, trusting that the cost we bear today pales in comparison to the reward You have prepared for us. In your name we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 30

April 8, 2025

He Hears Us

When I was nine years old, my parents had a fierce quarrel one night. My mom packed her things and was ready to leave. At the door, my dad grabbed her arm, refusing to let her go. I panicked. I dropped to my knees in front of my mom, begging her not to leave.

I was too young to understand what was happening. Years later, I found out they had been arguing because of financial distress. But back then, all I knew was that my world was about to fall apart if my mom walked out that door.

That night, after everyone went to bed, I quietly went into a corner of our home and began to pray. My parents weren’t Christians. We didn’t follow any religion. I had never prayed before, and no one had taught me how. I didn’t even know who I was praying to—but I believed, somehow, that there might be a supreme being out there, someone high above, who could help.

So I prayed, a very simple prayer: “Please don’t let my parents separate.”

Then something happened. An elder in our extended family got involved. He invited my parents over for a meal. As I watched him counseling them around the dining table, a sense of hope and peace settled within me.

Around the same time, I started noticing a church down the alley from our home. I didn’t know why, but its people coming in and out kept catching my attention. I was just a kid, and too scared to walk inside. But twenty years later, I finally stepped into a church in Chicago, heard the good news of Jesus, and was baptized.

The Bible assures us of this truth:

This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Yes, God hears us. Even when we don’t know who He is yet. Even when we don’t know His Name. Even when our prayers are clumsy and our understanding limited. Yes, He hears us. He is never far from us.

Today, what burdens your heart? Perhaps you’ve never considered prayer. Would you be willing to try? You don’t need fancy words. Just speak from your heart.

Pray with me:

Father God, thank You for hearing us—even when we don’t know You yet. Thank You for meeting us in our confusion, fear, and longing. Today, we bring our needs before you. Please show us who You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 29

April 7, 2025

Pray, Not Curse

The stock markets are in turmoil these days. Many people are frustrated and quick to curse political leaders. Are you doing that too?

Moses gave clear instructions to the Israelites:

“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28)

You might object: “But my leaders are not like Moses. They weren’t directly chosen by God in the same way, and they don’t seem to follow God’s principles.”

That’s a valid point. Today’s leaders often fall short of Godly standards. We feel the weight of their arbitrary decisions—especially when those decisions clash with our values or lead to unwanted consequences.

But consider the early church. Christians then lived under ruthless, tyrannical rulers—emperors who persecuted them mercilessly. Yet, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, urged believers not to curse, but to submit to and pray for those in authority:

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1)

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Political leaders, no matter how much we disagree with them, are not demons. They are humans—flawed, fallible, and prone to mistakes, just like you and me. Give them the benefit of the doubt, even when it feels difficult. Consider that, despite their flawed approaches, they may genuinely desire the well-being of the country and the world.

Leaders stumble often—just as we do. That reality doesn’t excuse their errors, but it does make our prayers for them all the more important.

You might scoff at this idea: “Pray? Are you serious? That guy’s still going to do something stupid, no matter what I say to God.”

That might be true. Your prayer might not change that leader. But it will change you.

When you pray instead of curse, you become a person of peace, not bitterness. A person of intercession, not condemnation. An ambassador of heavenly grace, not a slave of earthly rage.

And there’s a bonus: you’ll probably find yourself happier when you pray instead of curse.

Shall we pray now?

Father God, give our political leaders wisdom and discernment as they make decisions that affect nations and lives. Help us to trust Your sovereignty, even when we disagree. Turn our anger into prayer, and our frustration into intercession. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 28

April 5, 2025

Enter by the Narrow Gate

Tens of thousands gathered in Itaewon for Halloween. On one slope, the surging crowd created a bottleneck. When a group of young men began to push others, people started to fall, crushed by the weight of the crowd pressing from above. Tragically, over 150 people—mostly young adults—died, and hundreds more were injured.

Be careful about following the crowd. It may cost you your life.

Jesus warns:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14)

The wide gate is attractive—it’s comfortable, popular, and requires little effort. Following the crowd is easy because it demands no thought; you simply go along with others. This path offers no obstacles or resistance. Instead, it often provides worldly pleasures and instant gratification. With so many on this road, you feel like you can’t be wrong. There’s a false sense of security—until the final moments, like the last minutes of the Itaewon stampede, when you realize it’s too late to turn back.

As believers in Jesus, our allegiance is to God, not to the masses. What the world deems popular, easy, or exciting is often contrary to God’s truth. The way of Jesus is not always popular, but it leads to life. It demands discipline, faith, and surrender to God’s will. It may mean standing alone, resisting temptation, or trusting God when the road ahead isn’t clear.

Squeezing through the narrow gate requires intentionality. It takes effort. It calls us to let go of our baggage: ego, pride, and selfish ambitions. But this path—the one that’s hard and unpopular—is the one that leads to eternal life with God.

What choices are you making right now? Are there areas in your life where you’re choosing the easy way over the right way? Are you being swept along by the crowd, or are you intentionally seeking the narrow gate that leads to life?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, help me choose the narrow gate that leads to You. Give me the strength and wisdom to resist the pull of the wide gate and, instead, to trust Your way—even when it’s difficult. Thank You for being my guide and my salvation. In Your name I pray, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 27

April 4, 2025

Suffering Before Rejoicing

A video on social media shows two Indian men competing in a game. Twenty bottles are arranged in a straight line, with a bucket placed close to one end. The objective is for the two men to collect all the bottles into the bucket in the shortest time possible.

Each man adopts a different strategy: one begins with the bottle farthest from the bucket, while the other starts with the closest. The man who starts with the farthest bottle clearly falls behind once the game begins. However, as the game nears its end, the faster man must run a greater distance to retrieve the remaining bottles, while the slower man can easily grab the nearby ones and place them into the bucket. Ultimately, the man who works harder and slower at the start finishes first, winning the game.

Which path in life would you choose? One that starts easy but becomes more difficult? Or one that begins with hardship but ends in ease and reward?

In the Bible, every hero of faith walked the path of suffering before experiencing God’s promises: Abraham endured years of waiting and testing before holding his promised son; Jacob fled for his life, lost loved ones, and lived in grief before being reunited with Joseph and dying in peace with a large family; Joseph was betrayed, enslaved, and imprisoned—yet in God’s time, he became the second most powerful man in Egypt; Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before leading Israel out of Egypt by God’s mighty hand; David was a fugitive, hiding in caves, before becoming the king of Israel; Job lost everything—his children, his wealth, his health—before God restored him with double blessings.

And what about Jesus? He was despised, condemned, and crucified. But on the third day, He rose again and now sits at the right hand of God.

One of the psalmists understood this mystery and declared:

“My suffering was good for me.” (Psalm 119:71)

Character is formed in the crucible. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, often uses suffering to shape and refine us. It is in the difficult seasons that we learn obedience to His commands, develop a deeper reverence and fear of Him, and cultivate essential virtues like perseverance, grit, and patience. Suffering strips away our self-reliance and forces us to lean more fully on Him. It reveals our weaknesses and compels us to seek His strength. It shapes us into the people He desires us to be, preparing us for the blessings and victories He has in store.

Are you going through a season of suffering right now? Know that you are not alone. Many before you, including our Lord Jesus Christ, have trod this path. May you receive an extra measure of God’s strength to endure. May you know that God is working in the waiting, refining you through the fire. Your story is not over. God will bring forth good from your struggles.

Let’s pray.

Father God, thank You for doing good work in our suffering. Help us trust You in the hard places. Strengthen our hearts to endure with hope. Remind us that You are with us, and that through every trial, You are preparing us for joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 26

April 3, 2025

Consistency

Many step into church service ablaze with passion and excitement. Their energy is contagious, their plans are ambitious, and their enthusiasm inspires those around them. But as time passes, reality sets in. Challenges arise: difficulties at work, struggles in life, or simply the fading of that initial fire. What once burned brightly now flickers, and before long, they step away, leaving behind unfinished work and unmet commitments.

This pattern of starting strong but finishing weak is a common human struggle. We are prone to emotional highs and lows, easily swayed by circumstances. But God calls us to a higher standard—a life of consistency.

Consider this moment from Scripture:

“And they all left Him and fled.” (Mark 14:50)

In His darkest hour, as Jesus approached the cross, His closest disciples deserted Him. Yet He pressed on, completing His mission of salvation with unwavering resolve. He remained faithful to the very end.

This is consistency.

Consistency is a cornerstone of character. Our character is not defined by occasional good deeds or bursts of passion, nor by fleeting moments of brilliance or grand declarations of intent. Rather, it is revealed through what we do consistently—in both the highs and the lows. Consistency shines in what we do day after day, through and through.

Are you currently serving with consistency, or has discouragement or difficulty caused you to step back? Where in your life—church, work, relationships—do you struggle with consistency? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more consistent heart?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, help me serve You with faithfulness and endurance. Keep my heart steadfast, even when I feel tired or discouraged. Let me follow Your example of consistency, so that I may glorify You in all I do. In Your name I pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 25

April 2, 2025

Worth More Than Rejections

A Korean American student in Massachusetts took his life last Friday after being rejected by all ten of the top colleges he applied to. Despite being an exceptional student at a nationally recognized high school, with an outstanding record of community service and leadership, he felt that these rejections had taken away his future.

Two years prior, Stanley Zhong, a similarly accomplished student from Palo Alto, experienced a comparable wave of rejections. With a 4.42 GPA, a near-perfect SAT score of 1590, and the impressive initiative of launching his own startup, Stanley was rejected by 16 of the 18 universities he applied to.

However, Stanley’s response took a different direction. Instead of succumbing to despair, he accepted a full-time software engineering position at Google straight out of high school. This year, he took action by filing a lawsuit against the University of California, alleging racial discrimination against Asian American applicants.

Have you ever faced rejection? How did you respond? Did you allow it to define your worth, or did you find ways to learn and grow from the experience? Some people, like Stanley, turn rejection into motivation for a larger purpose. Others allow it to consume them.

Rejection is painful—there’s no denying that. But even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, experienced rejection:

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” (John 1:11)

Jesus, the very Creator of the universe, was rejected by the people He came to save. They handed Him over to the Romans, who crucified Him. But the story did not end there. Three days later, He rose again, and through His resurrection, His disciples were emboldened. With His Holy Spirit descending and dwelling within His believers, the Church was born, and the message of salvation spread across generations and nations.

What seemed like the ultimate rejection became the foundation of eternal hope.

The world’s rejection is not always a bad thing. When worldly acceptance eludes us, we are often more open to seeking true acceptance in Him. If rejection compels us to turn towards God, to experience His love, His forgiveness, and His total acceptance of us in Christ Jesus, then it is not a loss—it is a gain.

Are you facing rejections in your life right now? May you experience God’s unconditional love for you. Remember—your worth is not determined by college admissions, job offers, relationships, or human approval; it is not in the opinions of others or the outcomes of your endeavors, but is found in Christ, who loved you enough to die for you and give you eternal life.

So come to God! Experience the power of His resurrection in your own life! He will enable you to run this earthly journey with renewed strength, joy, and a heavenly purpose that He alone can provide.

Let’s pray:

Father God, comfort us in our moments of rejection. Remind us that our value is not found in worldly approval but in You. Help us trust Your plans, knowing that Your acceptance of us in Christ is greater than any rejection we may face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 24

April 1, 2025

Run with Perseverance

I wanted to propose to her before we headed to Hong Kong to see her parents. So I bought a necklace, prepared a lunch, and took her to a beach.

It was a beautiful day—sunshine, a gentle breeze, and the lulling sound of waves. After we finished our lunch, I opened my Bible and read this passage to her:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

I took out the necklace, looked into her eyes, and asked: “Would you marry me and run this heavenly race together?”

She said yes.

We left the beach to see a musical in the city and meet up with some friends. After parking my car on a street, I called my parents to share the news. They weren’t home, so I left a message on their answering machine while she giggled joyfully beside me. It was a perfect day.

We have now been married for twenty-one years. The heavenly race together has not been easy. We have experienced bereavements, job losses, and a precarious childbirth. But Christ has been our daily help, giving us strength to keep running with endurance and hope.

Looking back, the beginning of our journey felt like the first gleam of dawn—dim, cloudy, but tinged with rays of hope. As the years passed, our path grew brighter and brighter. And I know that one day, at our final destination, we will stand in the full light of day—brighter than the noonday sun, face to face with our Savior.

Friends, the heavenly race is difficult, and you were never meant to run it alone.

Run it with your spouse.
Run it with your family.
Run it with your friends.
Run it with your church.
Run it with God.

Endure the cross.
Despise the shame.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Let’s pray:

Father God, thank You for the daily strength to run this race. Help us fix our eyes on Your Son, Jesus, who has founded our faith and is perfecting it. In His name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 23

March 31, 2025

Standing Firm in Trials

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2-3)

For the last eight days, I have been gripped by anxiety about flying in the near future. For the last seven weeks, I have been waiting for my back to fully heal. For the last six years, I have lived without my mother.

Constant anxiety, back pain, and grief.

Tell me, James, how can I count these things as joy? Isn’t it enough that we have to go through trials?

Isn’t it enough that I am still here? Must I rejoice, too?

I don’t want to pretend. I don’t want to force something that isn’t true.

I don’t want to count these things as joy. Can you let me be?

Counting our trials as joy sounds like an impossible command, especially in the midst of one. When I am hurt, all I feel is hurt, not joy. I want to keep touching the bruise. I become fixated on the ache that won’t go away. When I recover, I can’t help but touch the scar, reminding myself of what I went through. Joy and trials do not seem to go hand in hand.

Thankfully, this devotional does not end at James 1:2 but goes on to James 1:3.

It is not about finding joy in the trials themselves, but in what the trials bring: steadfastness of our faith. God loves us so much that He doesn’t leave us as we are. Unfortunately, the process is full of growing pains, wounds, and heartaches. In certain moments, we may resist being molded and refined, and that’s where it really hurts, where we face our biggest battles of faith. But if we cling to God and remember He is making us better, then we will find the strength to go on and endure.

I promise you that the process is worth it. Every tear that was shed. Every dream that was lost. Every person that we mourned. Every trial will be worth rejoicing over because it will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. 

What kind of trials are you going through right now? How is God using your trials to bring you closer to Him? 

By Dorcas Chang

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Day 22

March 29, 2025

Walk with the Spirit

I met up with my childhood friends. Sharing a meal, we bantered like the old days. But soon something brought me unease. They used foul language in almost every other sentence. The profanity bothered me.

Then it dawned on me—I used to talk like that too.

Before I encountered Christ, those words were a natural part of my speech. They flowed effortlessly from my lips, and I never thought twice about them. But since experiencing the renewal of the Holy Spirit, something changed. Swearing no longer felt right. Every time I slipped up, a discomfort stirred within me—an inner conviction that left me feeling guilty and ashamed.

The Bible explains why:

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:29–30)

When I allow corrupt speech to flow from my mouth, I grieve the Holy Spirit within me. He convicts me and, with a gentle but firm nudge, guides me toward holiness. Over time, I have learned that when my heart is pure, my words follow. When my speech is clean, it brings joy to the Holy Spirit dwelling in me. And as He rejoices within me, I rejoice too—with a joy that stays, a joy that no one can take away.

This is the fruit of walking in step with the Spirit, and it is called the Rebirth, becoming a whole new being in Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray:

O God the Holy Spirit, guard our heart and our lips. Let ours words be pure, filled with grace, and pleasing to You. Help us to speak in a way that builds others up and reflects the transformation You have worked in us. May our speech always bring joy to You, and may we walk in the joy You so freely give. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 21

March 28, 2025

Retaliate Not

A car, out of nowhere and without signaling, cut in front of me on the highway, almost sideswiping my car. How would you normally react? Would you speed up and cut in front of them to teach them a lesson? Would you roll down your window, shout in anger, or make an obscene gesture?

Moments like these test our patience and self-control. Our visceral response is often to retaliate—to give them a taste of their own wrongdoing. But Jesus holds us to a higher standard:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.” (Matthew 5:38–39)

There are plenty of reckless drivers on the highway—people who speed, cut others off, and bully their way through. In those moments, it might feel unfair to let them get away with such behavior. But often, the wisest option is precisely what Jesus suggests: do not resist. Let them go. Engaging in road rage only escalates the danger for everyone involved.

It’s understandable that such encounters can stir up righteous anger within us. We can get angry, but we should not sin. What if we used that moment to pray? What if, instead of cursing them, we blessed them? We can pray for their safety, for their eyes to be opened, and—yes—even for them to get caught if that’s what it takes for them to repent.

This isn’t about condoning bad behavior. It’s about recognizing that retaliation often perpetuates a cycle of negativity and can even put us in harm’s way. By choosing not to respond in kind, we break that cycle and entrust the situation to a higher authority. We choose peace over conflict, even when our instincts scream for retribution.

Not just on the highway, but in all areas of our lives where we face injustice, let us choose the path of non-retaliation, trusting in God’s justice and the power of prayer to bring about positive change—both in others and within ourselves.

Shall we bring these feelings and intentions before God?

Father God, help us resist the urge to retaliate when people wrong us. Teach us to trust in Your justice instead of seeking our own. Give us the grace to pray for those who offend us, even when we are angry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 20

March 27, 2025

Carry Each Other’s Burdens

Have you ever helped someone move? When a church member moves, they often ask their church family for help. Brothers and sisters gather at the old place, lift furniture, and load up the moving truck. Then, they caravan to the new home, where they unload everything again.

It’s usually a three-hour job, almost like a field trip. There’s laughter, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. You get to see where someone has lived and celebrate the fresh start they’re stepping into. And you feel like you’re part of this new chapter in their life.

In the same way, we are encouraged to carry one another’s burdens:

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1–2)

Just as we help friends lift heavy furniture, we are also called to help when they struggle under the weight of sin, temptation, or hardship. Some burdens are too heavy to carry alone, and God designed the church to share the load.

At the same time, Scripture warns us to be careful, lest we fall into the same struggles. Just as we might overestimate our strength when lifting a heavy box and strain our back, pride can make us vulnerable to the same temptation.

Is there someone in your life who is struggling right now—a friend, a family member, a fellow believer? How can you come alongside them and help carry their burden? Maybe it’s through encouragement, accountability, or simply listening and praying with them.

We don’t have to bear these weights alone. We can ask our Greatest Burden-Bearer to help:

Father God, open our eyes to those around us who are struggling, and guide us to offer both practical and spiritual support with Your wisdom, gentleness, and humility. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 19

March 26, 2025

Use Our Wealth Wisely

Ken Shimura (志村けん) was the most famous comedian in Japan. When he passed away during the pandemic, he left behind a mansion worth millions of dollars. Now, his grand house is set to be demolished because his aging brother is unable to maintain it.

No matter how much we accumulate in this world, it all has an expiration date—just like us. When we take our final breath, we leave behind everything we once owned. Our possessions do not follow us into eternity.

So, how should we use the wealth that is only temporarily in our hands?

Jesus gave this parable:

“There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’

So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’

Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.

For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (Luke 16:1-9)

At first glance, the master’s commendation of this manager might puzzle us. Why praise someone who appears to be acting unethically? Because this manager did two things right:

Firstly, he recognized that his wealth was not his own; it belonged entirely to his master. He was merely a steward, entrusted with its care for a limited time.

Secondly, since the money wasn’t truly his, he chose to use it generously, alleviating the debts of his master’s debtors and thus building relationships that would benefit him in the future.

Friends, do you also admit that your wealth doesn’t really belong to you, but to God, our true Master? Are you wise enough to use it well—to ease others’ burdens, to show kindness, and to be generous—so that you will have treasure in heaven when your time on this earth is done?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for this parable. Help us to be shrewd in using our wealth. May we invest in what truly matters and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 18

March 25, 2025

The Power of Kindness

Chiune Sugihara (杉原千畝) began his diplomatic career at the Manchurian Foreign Office. While stationed in Harbin, he became a Christian and was baptized in a Russian Orthodox church. In 1939, he was assigned as vice-consul at the Japanese Consulate in Lithuania.

A year later, Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis swarmed into Lithuania, desperate for a way to escape. They pleaded with Sugihara to issue visas so they could travel through Japan and find safety in the Western Hemisphere.

Sugihara dutifully sought guidance from his superiors in Japan three times. Each time, the response was “no.” Torn between obedience to his government and compassion for the suffering refugees, he and his wife struggled with the decision. Then one day, when Mrs. Sugihara saw the exhausted children among the refugees, a Bible verse came to her mind:

“Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.” (Lamentations 2:19)
町のかどで、飢えて、息も絶えようとする幼な子の命のために、主にむかって両手をあげよ。（哀歌 2:19）

Faced with a clear moral imperative, Chiune Sugihara began issuing visas. For weeks, he worked 18 to 20 hours a day, handwriting life-saving documents. He produced in a single day what would normally take a month. It is believed that the Sugihara visas ultimately saved between 2,000 and 6,000 Jewish lives.

Years later, when asked why he risked his career to help strangers, Sugihara simply replied: “I do it just because I have pity on the people. They want to get out, so I let them have the visas.”

Jesus teaches us:

“As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31)
人からしてほしいと思うことを、そのとおり人にもしてあげなさい。（マタイの福音書 7:12）

Sugihara embodied this Golden Rule. His kindness changed lives.

Is there someone you can show kindness to today?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, thank you for the countless ways you have shown us grace and mercy. Inspire us to look beyond ourselves and see the needs of those around us. Give us the courage to act with compassion, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. In your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 17

Forgive

March 24, 2025

Corrie ten Boom was a Christian and a Holocaust survivor. She traveled the world to tell people God’s forgiveness and love. But one day, at a meeting, she came face-to-face with a former German captor—the very man who had worked at the concentration camp where her sister had died. He didn’t seem to remember Corrie among the thousands of women prisoners, but she remembered him.

After her talk, he approached her and asked for forgiveness. Corrie hesitated. The face of her late sister surfaced in her mind. Those few seconds became her greatest struggle. Then she remembered Jesus’ words:

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14–15)

Still, her heart felt cold. That’s when she realized—forgiveness is not an emotion; it is an act of the will.

She reached out her hand to him, mechanically. And all of sudden, God’s healing warmth flooded her entire being. Tears welled up as she uttered the words, “I forgive you, brother.”

Friends, do you want to experience God’s healing power?

Forgive now.

When we forgive, when we let go, when we set others free—We set ourselves free.

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, help us to forgive, just as you have forgiven us. In your name we pray. Amen. 

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 16

Humility

March 22, 2025

When we visited Taipei last year, my sister gifted us coupons for a foot massage. We went to the lounge, where the masseuses seated us, placed our feet in warm water, and began gently scrubbing and washing them.

I have to admit—it felt pretty good.

While Jesus was with His disciples, He did something to their surprise:

He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (John 13:4–5, 12–14, 15)

In Jesus’ time, people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads, making their feet constantly dirty. Washing another person’s feet was a task reserved for the lowliest servant. Yet, Jesus—God Himself—knelt down and did it willingly.

This is humility.

Humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves; it’s about choosing to serve others out of love. It means lowering ourselves willingly to lift others up—to make them feel valued, restored, and refreshed.

As Jesus demonstrated, humility isn’t self-abasement; it’s a powerful act of love, a passion to see and serve the needs of others, even in the most mundane and overlooked ways.

Humility is true greatness. Do you want to be a great person? Practice humility.

Who are you willing to serve out of love today?

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with your loving humility so that we may serve those around us with kindness and grace. Help us bring refreshment and joy to others, just as You did. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 15

March 21, 2025

Love Jesus, Our Neighbor

A lawyer once approached Jesus, asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus directed him to the Law of Moses. The lawyer, drawing from Deuteronomy and Leviticus, responded:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Jesus affirmed his answer, urging him to act accordingly. But the lawyer questioned further:

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

In response, Jesus told this parable:

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” (Luke 10:30–35)

Jesus then asked the lawyer:

“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:36)

The lawyer answered correctly:

“The one who showed him mercy.” (Luke 10:37)

Friends, do you understand this story?

We are the ones who fell among the robbers—robbed by this fallen and sinful world, robbed of the divine image God instilled in us, robbed of the righteousness, mercy, and love God calls us to live out.

Jesus is the Good Samaritan, our loving neighbor, our kinsman redeemer. He is the one who shows us mercy. He is the one who laid down His life for us. He is the one who restores our humanity and divine image, offering us not just temporary aid, but eternal life.

That’s what Jesus was trying to tell the lawyer:

“Love me because I am your Neighbor. I am the one who shows you mercy. I am the one who is willing to die for you because I love you. Love me and you will receive my salvation—your eternal life.”

Shall we love Jesus? Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus, you are our true Neighbor. May your love fill us every day, so that we may love you in return and love your people as you have loved us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 14

Love the Lord Your God

March 20, 2025

The next morning, as my younger daughter and I waited for the bus, my older daughter surprised me. She walked up to a boy who was also waiting and said, “My sister had no one to sit with yesterday. Would you be her friend and sit next to her today?” The boy, with a kind nod, readily agreed.

That morning, I felt blessed. My older daughter didn’t just hear my concern—she acted on it. I felt her love for me and for her sister.

When we truly love someone, we want to know his heart and fulfill his desires.

That is what Jesus asks us to do:

And one of the scribes came up and . . . asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:28-30)

Loving God is not work—it’s an invitation to intimacy. To love Him is to know His heart, understand His desires, and take actions to fulfill them.

Do you love God? Do you take time to know His heart? Do you seek to understand His desires, revealed through His Word and the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you actively pursue what pleases Him?

Let’s pray:

Father God, help us to truly understand what it means to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Reveal Your heart to us, and grant us the wisdom, courage, and will to fulfill your desires. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 13

Fear Not

March 19, 2025

My younger daughter just turned one year old, and I took her out one day for a walk. I strolled her on a quiet country road when, probably having had a bit too much water, I suddenly needed to use the restroom. We were out in an open field in the middle of nowhere, so I decided to duck behind a large bush a few feet from her stroller, hoping to avoid her seeing me.

I went as fast as possible, but barely a minute passed before she started crying. She did not understand why I had vanished and that she was all by herself. I quickly finished my business and rushed back to her side, calling out, “Daddy is here. Don’t be afraid. Daddy is right here.“ As soon as she saw me, her sobs subsided and she looked relieved.

Many times we fear because we thought we were alone.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised His people Israel:

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Centuries later, this promise took on flesh and blood in the person of Jesus Christ, whose very name, Emmanuel, means “With us, God” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus didn’t just offer words of comfort; He became the embodiment of God’s presence. And as He prepared to ascend back to the Father, He left us with this assurance:

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

While Jesus is not physically walking beside each of us in the way He walked with His disciples, He has provided His abiding presence through the gift of His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God dwells within us believers in Jesus, a constant companion, comforter, and guide.

Have you experienced God’s company when fear gripped you? Perhaps it was a sudden sense of calm amidst chaos, an unexpected word of encouragement from a friend, a Scripture verse that leaped off the page and spoke directly to your situation, or simply an inner knowing that you were not facing your challenges alone.

Our perception of being alone fuels our anxiety. But God’s Word and His Spirit assure us that we are never alone. Let us continue to lean into the truth that our Lord Jesus is always near, always caring, and always ready to uphold us.

Shall we pray?

Lord Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, “with us, God.” Help us to be more aware of Your nearness, to recognize Your hand at work even in difficult circumstances, and to trust in Your unfailing love and strength. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 12

The Power of the Word

March 18, 2025

The day after my father passed away, I experienced the longest morning of my life. My mom and I sat in the living room, completely stricken by grief. Sorrow filled our hearts and pain gnawed at our bones; we could hardly move. I watched the clock ticking, waiting for time to pass—but it didn’t. Each second felt painfully long. I never realized how slow time could be.

There was a Bible on the table next to my couch—my dad’s Bible. I wanted to read it, but I couldn’t bring myself to open it. I knew that inside, I would see my dad’s handwriting—his notes, his underlines, the traces of the moments we had spent reading it together. Seeing them would remind me of the sweet times we shared and, meanwhile, of the painful reality that I could no longer sit with him and do that again.

The weight of grief crushed me. I felt devastated and lost. A big part of my life had been torn away. Desperate for relief, I picked up my phone, opened the Bible app, and played the audio of Psalm 42:

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.
(Psalm 42:11)

As the audio played, something changed. The weight on my heart lifted. The crushing sorrow eased. I glanced at my mom—her face was uplifted too. I knew, in that moment, that the Lord had ministered to us through His Word. His Word comforted us, strengthened us, and reminded us that even in the deepest sorrow, we have a living hope.

Moses testified:

“Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:3)

God’s Word is more than ink on paper. It is alive, active, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It speaks into our hearts when nothing else can. It breathes hope into lifeless situations and shines light into the darkest valleys. Have you experienced the power of God’s Word? If not, I encourage you to open your Bible today. Read, listen, and meditate on Scripture. It is the inspired, living Word of God—able to strengthen, heal, and transform. No matter what we are facing today, His Word is our refuge and strength.

Let’s pray:

Father God, thank You for the power of Your Word. Help us to seek You daily through Scripture, to find comfort in Your promises, and to rely on Your truth in every season of life. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 11

Seek First God’s Kingdom

March 17, 2025

The new president’s trade wars seem to change everyday. When he raises tariffs, the stock market crashes; when he cancels them, the market rebounds. Wall Street analysts, fixated on these shifts, find themselves chasing a moving target. Frustration and anxiety grow as uncertainty clouds their economic forecasts.

If we get hung up on the stock market’s volatile ups and downs, we, too, will be filled with worry. The uncertainty of tomorrow can easily consume us.

But Jesus wants us to take a different perspective:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” — Matthew 6:25, 32–34

How do we seek first the kingdom of God?

It means recognizing God’s rule, His sovereignty, and His will—both for the world and for our lives. It means aligning our values with those of His kingdom: love, justice, humility, and faithfulness. It means seeking His good purposes and living in step with them. It means trusting Him completely and prioritizing Him above all else.

When we put God first, He takes care of us.

Still anxious about tomorrow? Let’s ask for His help:

Father God, remove our worries. Help us trust that tomorrow is in Your hands. Lead us to make decisions based on faith, not fear. In Your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 10

Rest in Christ

March 15, 2025

Two Stanford engineering students worked in the same lab. One attended church on Sundays, while the other stayed behind, believing that extra hours in the lab would give him an edge. More time at work meant faster progress—right?

Surprisingly, after a few months, the second student began attending church as well. Later, he gave his reason:

“My lab mate always went to church on Sundays, while I stayed in the lab. Yet, my project didn’t advance any faster. It seemed like he wasn’t losing time at all by spending Sunday in church. I realized that working on Sundays was kind of pointless, so I decided to come to church too.”

His testimony reveals an important truth: God calls us to rest.

The early church transitioned from observing the Sabbath on the last day of the week (as in Jewish tradition) to worshiping on the first day—the day of Jesus’ resurrection. Yet, the principle remained the same: God invites us to set aside a day for rest, just as He did after creating the world (Genesis 2:2).

As people created in His image, we are not meant to run endlessly without pause. Rest is not wasted time. It is an act of trust. When we stop striving and honor God with our time, He provides for us in ways we cannot always see.

Rest is acknowledging God’s faithful provision. Rest is believing. Rest is worshipping.

Jesus invites us to find rest in Him:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

What heavy burdens are you carrying right now? Are you willing to lay them at Jesus’ feet? He may lift the weight entirely, He may transform your heart to let go of it, or He may give you the wisdom and strength to carry it in a much easier way.

Shall we enter that rest now?

Lord, I come before You weary and burdened. I lay my worries, fears, and struggles at Your feet. Help me trust in Your perfect provision and deliverance. Teach me to pause, seek You, and find my strength in You. Thank You for the rest that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 9

Thy Will Be Done

March 14, 2025

In his book The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis wrote:

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.”

In other words, Hell is where people insist on having their own way, completely separated from God. Those who go there do so by choice, prioritizing their own will over His. In rejecting Him, they ultimately choose to be apart from Him forever.

But Jesus calls us to something different. When He taught His disciples to pray, He included these words:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:9-10

Heaven is the place where God’s will is always done perfectly. When Jesus asks us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth, He invites us to participate in bringing the reality of heaven into our earthly lives. To pray this way is to embrace God’s infinite wisdom, His goodness, and His perfect design for all things.

Yet, we all face moments when life doesn’t go as expected—setbacks, disappointments, and seasons of uncertainty. In those times, it can be tempting to question God’s plan. But it is precisely in those moments that we learn patience, deepen our trust, and witness His faithful providence. Over time, we come to understand what the apostle Paul described as God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Are there areas in your life where you resist God’s will? Are you clinging to your own plans instead of surrendering to His? True peace is not found in controlling our own destiny, but in yielding to the loving will of our Father.

Let us pray:

Father God, help me to trust You completely. Teach me to desire Your will above my own, knowing that Your ways are always higher and betters. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 8

Follow Jesus

March 13, 2025

In most religions, people don’t listen to their god—they expect their god to listen to them. They want their prayers answered, their desires fulfilled, and their problems solved. So, they build temples and place statues of their gods, shaping them according to their imagination—whether in the form of a man, a woman, or an animal. Then, they enter into a transaction with it:

“Look, I will offer sacrifices, pay for the temple’s upkeep, and perform religious duties. In return, you must bless me, protect me, and give me what I ask.”

What happens when their god doesn’t deliver? They either try harder—offering more, praying louder, performing additional rituals—or they simply abandon that god and look for another one that better suits their needs.

This is how most people approach religion: a negotiation, a contract, a deal. The underlying message is always the same: “God, you exist to serve me.”

Imagine how shocking Jesus’ words must have been to His first listeners:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” — Luke 9:23–24

Following Christ is not about making demands or striking bargains. It’s about total surrender. Jesus doesn’t call us to manipulate God to serve our ambitions. Instead, He calls us to abandon them. In fact, He calls us to follow Him into death!

In Jesus’ time, the cross was not a religious symbol—it was an instrument of brutal Roman execution. To carry a cross meant walking toward a humiliating death. Yet, Jesus told His followers to take up their cross daily. He was calling them to live as though they had already died—to their own will, their own desires, and their own control.

This is no metaphor. This is real. I have followed Jesus for more than twenty years, and there have been times when I felt like the world had executed me. Times of suffering, rejection, and loss—moments where following Jesus cost me more than I ever imagined.

But here’s the Good News: death is not the end.

Yes, dying to ourselves may feel like the end. Losing control may feel like the end. Sacrificing our plans, our comfort, and even our reputation may feel like the end. But it is not the end.

Jesus didn’t just die on the cross—He was raised to life on the third day. He is the Lord of the Resurrection!

And that means His followers, though they may endure death-like suffering, will also experience resurrection. They will experience a renewed, re-created, and repurposed life ordained by the good will of God.

Are you willing to follow Christ—not to get what you want, but to lose everything for His sake? Because if you lose for Jesus, you will gain in Him. And the rewards? A hundred times more—both now and in eternity. (Mark 10:30)

Pray with me:

Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to You. Help me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow You. Even when it costs me, even when it feels like death, I trust that You are the God of resurrection. Yes, let me walk in the power of Your risen life! Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 7

Be Holy

March 12, 2025

In our church kitchen, the communion trays are stored separately from all other utensils. They are kept in a different pantry, not mixed with common kitchenware. Why? Because they have a dedicated purpose—to serve the sacraments during communion. That is their sole function, their holy mission. They are set apart, not to be used for anything else.

This is what holiness means. To be holy is to be set apart—not mixed up with what is common, what is profane. The Hebrew word for “holy,” קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh), means “set apart for God,” “dedicated to God,” because God alone is the source of all holiness.

“You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” — Leviticus 19:2

Are you holy? Do you live a life set apart for God? Do you allow yourself to be mixed with what is unholy?

The Apostle Paul warns us:

“The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality.” — 1 Corinthians 6:13, 15–18

Let us flee from sexual immorality! We were created by God, in His image, to reflect His holiness. Let us dedicate ourselves to God. Let us be holy.

Let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, sanctify us through and through. Set us apart for You. Deliver us from sexual immorality and any unholy use of our bodies. Unite us with Your Son, that we may be holy and blameless before You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 6

Ask, Seek, Knock

March 11, 2025

My first two quarters in business school were stressful. Adjusting to an all-English environment, I struggled to keep up with reading assignments and team projects while also updating my résumé and attending job interviews. Securing a summer internship was crucial, as it often determined the likelihood of a full-time job offer after graduation.

But there was a problem. I had no offers. Not even one. The only opportunity still available was with a consulting firm that had an office in Taipei. I thought my interviews had gone well, but weeks passed with no response. Anxiety consumed me.

At the time, I was a new believers in Jesus. So I prayed every day. Every time the thought crossed my mind and worry crept in, I turned to God in prayer.

And then came that evening.

I was walking back to my dorm after dinner with classmates when suddenly, a thought came to me: You got the job. An overwhelming sense of peace washed over me—so real and undeniable, as if God Himself had whispered those words. The anxiety that had gripped me for weeks dissolved instantly.

I returned to my room, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The weight of uncertainty was gone. I lay down in bed, completely at ease, and drifted into a restful sleep.

Then, in the middle of the night, my phone rang. Half-asleep, I reached for it. On the other end was the head of Greater China from the consulting firm. With a cheerful voice, he offered me the summer internship.

Jesus reminded us:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” — Matthew 7:7-8

Are you searching for a job? Update your résumé, knock on doors, and—most importantly—pray. Are you hoping to buy a house? Go house hunting, make offers, and—most importantly—pray. Are you longing to meet your future spouse? Prepare yourself, join Christian communities, and—most importantly—pray.

Shall we pray now?

Father God, remind us to pray consistently and persistently, without ceasing, knowing that You will answer in Your perfect timing and in Your perfect way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 5

Don’t Be a Hypocrite

March 10, 2025

During my college years, a classmate and I were walking down the street when a man holding a stack of flyers tried to hand me one. I shook my head and kept walking—I didn’t want to take it only to throw it away later.

My friend looked at me with disapproval. “I always take one,” he said. “I have compassion for them! I used to do this kind of job, and I know how hard it is to stand there all day, trying to get rid of those flyers.”

I didn’t argue, but in my head, I thought: “Good for you. But you don’t get to impose your personal standards on me.”

Looking back, I now realize my friend was virtue-signaling.

Virtue-signaling is when someone publicly expresses moral values or performs good deeds—not necessarily because they care, but to appear morally superior. Today, it happens all the time: posting a hashtag or changing a profile picture to support a cause, making sure others see our donations, or criticizing people for not doing enough—just like my friend did to me. Some even go out of their way to remind everyone how kind, generous, or socially aware they are.

In Jesus’ time, fasting was often used for virtue-signaling. People would make a show of their suffering to appear extra religious and earn the admiration of others. But Jesus warned against this:

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” — Matthew 6:16-18

Do you ever virtue-signal? Do you showcase your good deeds? Is it because you truly care, or are you seeking approval and admiration from others?

Jesus calls us to do good in secret, not for applause, but for God—because He alone sees what truly happens in our hearts.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, deliver us from hypocrisy. Help us to seek Your approval and Your reward above all else. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 4

Find God

March 8, 2025

When my daughters were little, we often played hide-and-seek together. Our flat in Hong Kong was tiny, but I managed to find a way—slipping under a bed, behind the shower curtain, or inside a closet. Then, with a playful call, I’d shout, “Can you find Daddy?”

They would search eagerly, checking a few places before finally discovering me. Their laughter filled the room and I would scoop them into my arms, laughing along with them.

I always wanted to be found.

In the same way, our Creator God is our loving Father. And He longs for us to find Him. Though our human eyes may not see His glory, He continually invites us to seek Him.

The Apostle Paul said:

“And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him.” — Acts 17:26–27

Look around your life—what signs of God’s love, mercy, and kindness do you see? Do you recognize His hand in the blessings that surround you? Are you curious to know more about the good God behind them all?

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.“ — Jeremiah 29:13

Let’s begin our search today:

Dear God, You are our loving Father. You desire our trust, fellowship, and worship. Lead us daily to seek You and to find You. In Your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 3

Confess Our Sins

March 7, 2025

At least once a year in elementary school, we had a dasaochu (大掃除)—a deep cleaning. We’d pull everything out of storage, sweep every hidden corner, and scrub every surface. Without fail, as we emptied the dark, forgotten spaces, cockroaches would scurry out in a panic. Exposed to the light, they had nowhere left to hide. And once we could see them clearly, we’d stomp them out or sweep them away for good.

And honestly? It felt pretty satisfying.

Confessing our sins works the same way. Like those cockroaches, sin thrives in darkness. But when we confess, we drag it into the open, expose it to the light, and name it for what it is. With God’s help, we can confront our sins and clear them away, one by one.

Scripture reminds us:

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:8–9

When we bring our sins into the light and surrender them to God, we can breathe easier. The guilt and shame that once weighed us down begin to lose their grip. We step into freedom—free to walk in the light.

Pray with me:

Spirit of Truth,
Lead us into honest confession.
Give us the courage to bring our sins into the light,
And with Your help,
Sweep them away for good.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 2

A New Heart

March 6, 2025

If you’re an engineer or scientist familiar with the second law of thermodynamics, you know that in a closed system isolated from external energy, order inevitably collapses into disorder, ultimately leading to complete chaos—that is, death.

This principle explains why our New Year’s resolutions often fail, despite our best intentions and sincere desire for change. Left to ourselves, our efforts wane, and we fall back into old patterns. We need an external source of strength to sustain us. Willpower alone is not enough. We need help—a Helper beyond ourselves. We need God.

Therefore, the psalmist cries out:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10)

As we turn to God—repenting, mourning our sins, and asking Him to cleanse and rebuild us—we must also ask Him to remain with us and complete His work in us. We need His Spirit, His very presence within us. And that is exactly what Jesus promised to all who believe in Him:

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” — John 4:15–17

So let us ask God: 

Father, send Your Spirit to us, just as Your Son Jesus promised. Let Your Holy Spirit remain in us to complete the good and recreating work You have begun—until the day we see You face to face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Jeremy Liou

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Day 1 (Ash Wednesday)

Return to God

March 5, 2025

Tearing garments, or kriah (קְרִיעָה), is a Jewish tradition of expressing grief by rending one’s clothing. It symbolizes the pain of loss and the broken heart of the mourner. Reuben tore his clothes upon discovering that his younger brother Joseph had been sold into slavery (Genesis 37:29). King Josiah, upon hearing the words of the Law and realizing the sins of his people, did the same (2 Kings 22:8). But over time, what began as an outward expression of true sorrow became just that—outward. A ritual. A performance.

Yet God desires more than symbolic gestures. He seeks authenticity, not spectacle. He calls for a transformation of the heart, not just the fabric.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;  and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. — Joel 2:12–13

True repentance is more than an outward display—it’s a surrender, a breaking open of the heart before God. Are you willing to expose the dark corners of your heart and let Him come in to cleanse, heal, and restore you?

Lord, search our hearts and reveal those hidden places where sin lingers. Lead us into true mourning, that we may return to You wholeheartedly. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

By Jeremy Liou