Lent Season Daily Devotional (Twenty Four)

Pastor Latt

GOD’S WORD: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

INSPIRATION: Katherine Hsu was born in 1914 in Fuzhou, South China and she counts herself fortunate for having been raised in a Christian home. From an early age, Hsu wanted to become a doctor. Growing up, she saw the devastating effects of diseases such as typhoid and diphtheria. Then tuberculosis took the life of a younger brother and sister.

Believing that being a doctor was "a great purpose for living," she prayed that God would provide a way, promising to make the practice a ministry without charge to her patients. Soon after that prayer, Hsu won a full scholarship to Peking Union Medical College, one of three applicants accepted. The more she studied the human body, the more she marveled at God's creation and worshipped him.

Because her siblings died from tuberculosis, Hsu made the disease her primary focus. Through the years, the Lord led her to Houston, Texas to establish a clinic in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

Today, her pioneered tuberculosis-prevention strategies are now replicated around the world. "This is not my own achievement, but what God has wrought by his mighty power," Hsu wrote in 1994 after receiving the coveted Distinguished Achievement Award from the 11000-member American Thoracic Society.

True to her word to God, Hsu has not charged a patient in more than 50 years. In addition, Hsu has used all of her medical awards to fund scholarships for students and missionaries. "What you cannot do, God will work out for you," Hsu says. "Then you become an instrument in God's will. That is a great privilege."

REFLECTION: It is when we are dependent on the Lord that He can work through us to do great things. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that when we are weak that He is strong and He receives the glory.

"You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got." - Mother Teresa

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Twenty Three)

Pastor Latt

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

INSPIRATION: A pastor visited me a few years ago, and he was in real turmoil. "I've been struggling to live a victorious Christian life for 20 years. I know what my problem is. Colossians 3:3 says: "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I've been struggling all these years because I haven't died like this verse says. How do I die, Neil?"

"Dying is not your problem," I said.

"Read the verse again, just a little slower."

"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.' I know, Neil.

That's my problem. I haven't died."

"Read it once again," I pressed, "just a little bit slower."

"For you have died--" and suddenly a light switched on in his understanding.

"Hey, that's past tense, isn't it?"

"Absolutely. Your problem isn't dying; you're already dead. You died at salvation. No wonder you've been struggling as a Christian. You've been trying to do something that's already been done, and that's impossible. The death Paul talks about in Colossians 3:3 isn't something God expects you to do; it's something He expects you to know, accept and believe. You can't do anything to become what you already are."

MEDITATION: Thanks to the incredible redemptive work of Christ in your life, your old self has been replaced by a new self, governed by a new nature, which was not there before (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your old self was destroyed in the death of Christ and your new self sprang to life in the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). The new life which characterizes your new self is nothing less than the life of Jesus Christ implanted in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4).

PRAYER: Pray God today for His power of giving new life for you. Give thank to God for His spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ. Pray also to God for new power to be faithful and courageous witness for Him.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Twenty Two)

Pastor Latt

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." Genesis 28:15).



NSPIRATION: In 1789, fourteen-year-old John Marrant became a Christian through the preaching of Methodist evangelist George Whitefield. His family disapproved of his new faith and John left his home in Charleston, South Carolina and headed west. After only a few weeks on his own, he was seized by some Cherokee Indians and was condemned to death. "The executioner showed me a basket of turpentine wood stuck full of small skewers" recorded John in his diary. "He told me I was to be stripped naked and laid down in the basket, and these sharp pegs were to be stuck into me, then set on fire, and when they burnt my body, I was to be thrown into the flame, which was to finish my execution."


John immediately burst into prayer and the bewildered Indians called for their chief. John then began reading Isaiah 53 from his little Bible and then he preached the gospel. Many of the Indians were converted that day including the chief. John stayed with the tribe for the next two years and taught them how to follow the Lord.



PRAYER: No matter where you go, the Lord will be with you to watch over you. Today in prayer, give thanks to Christ that He has promised that He will never leave you.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Twenty One)

Pastor Latt

"Surely He has borne OUR grief and carried OUR sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for OUR transgressions He was bruised for OUR iniquities; The chastisement for OUR peace was upon Him, And by HIS stripes 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 53:4-6).

INSPIRATION: At the close of the Civil War in the United States, General John B. Gordon ran for the Senate in the state of Georgia. At that time, legislatures elected the senators. A former comrade of the General, who disliked him intensely, was a member of the Georgia state legislature. This man planned to vote against the General. When the day came for the roll call vote, the General sat on the platform watching. When the man who hated him rose to cast his oral vote, historians tell us that he stopped and stared at General Gordon's face. There was an ugly scar on the General's face, a war wound and a testimony to his devotion and suffering during the war. The legislator choked back tears and those near him were the only ones who could hear him murmuring, "I can't vote against him - I'd forgotten the scar!

REFLECTION: "Consider the scars of another Man... There is a scar in each of His hands left by nails driven through them into the rough timber of a Roman cross. There is also a scar in each of His feet where a single nail was driven through them, one on top of the other. There are scars upon his forehead and across his back. There is also a scar left by a soldier who pierced His side with a spear to make sure that He was dead.Through His death on the cross, this Man - Jesus Christ, the Son of God - paid the "price" for SIN. Those who place their trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), repent of their sin (Acts 26:20), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized in His name (Acts 2:38) have their sins washed away. Then those who to "walk in the light as He is in the light" will continually be cleansed by "the BLOOD of Jesus Christ His Son" (1 John 1:7).Someone has well stated: "The only man-made things in heaven, are the SCARS inflicted upon the body of Jesus, the Son of God."

MEDITATION: Remember those SCARS! Remember the reason why! Then think about what they SHOULD mean to each of us....Will YOU respond in trusting obedience to the Savior?

PRAYER: Pray God to open our eyes to see Jesus’ scars so that we may see His agape love. Pray God to open our ears so that we may hear His words. Pray God to open our hearts so that we may accept others with His love.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Twenty)

Pastor Latt

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." - James 5:16-18

INSPIRATION: In his book Miracles in Black, Dr. John C. Wengatz tells of an African convert who was left at a new mission station to carry on the Lord's work with a cannibal tribe. It was the dry season when Joao Mbaxi took over, but soon the tropical rains would be coming. Month after month went by, however, without a cloud appearing in the sky. Then came the time for the normal dry period. By now everyone was suffering, and many were on the brink of starvation.

In all the years they had worshiped their ancient gods, the rains had never failed them, and so Joao was told that he must leave the country and take "the white man's God" with him. The courageous Christian refused to go. Then, flushed with anger, the chief sullenly warned, "If your God is as good as you say and so powerful that He rules the sky, why doesn't He send us the needed showers? If it doesn't rain by sunrise tomorrow, we will drink your blood and eat your flesh!"

Recalling the Biblical account of Elijah, Joao went to his hut and prayed for divine help with the same urgency as that of the ancient prophet. Meanwhile the members of the tribe waited for the dawn when the Christian leader would become the victim of their horrible feast. Just before daylight, thunder was heard in the distance, lightning flashed across the sky, and abundant rain refreshed the entire region! As a result, Joao was able to continue his work for Christ.The prayer of someone who is totally dependent on the Lord is powerful! Today in prayer, confess any sin in your life and pray for something that is completely out of your hands for Christ's glory.

MEDITATION: "It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are: nor the rhetoric of our prayers, how eloquent they are; nor the geometry of our prayers, how long they be; nor the music of our prayers, how sweet our voice may be; nor the logic of our prayers, how argumentative they may be; nor the method of our prayers, how orderly they may be -- which God cares for. Fervency of spirit is that which availeth much." - William Lee

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Nineteen)

Pastor Latt

"I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." - Luke 13:3.
"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'- Matthew 4:17

INSPIRATION: Genelle Guzman McMillan was the last person to be rescued from the collapse of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. She had been trapped in the rubble for 27 hours when at last fire fighters heard her calling and pulled her out.

This 30-year-old single mother had only been on the job as a Port Authority clerk for nine months when the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. By her own description she was a catholic who had become a "party-girl" and was living with her boyfriend in Brooklyn.

But when the North Tower collapsed, Genelle's thoughts immediately turned to the Lord and her 14-year old daughter. She prayed that her body would at least be found so that it could be buried. Becoming bolder, she revised her prayer and asked the Lord that if she had to die, that she could at least make it to the hospital so she could see her daughter one last time. But as faith seemed to bubble in her heart, she boldly asked her Heavenly Father to be rescued alive. "I was praying to God: 'God please save my life. Give me a second chance. I promise I will change my life and do your will.'" McMillan remembers saying that prayer over and over. "God please save my life. Give me a second chance. I promise I will change my life and do your will." She had no idea now how many times she repeated it or how many hours passed before she was rescued.
Genelle has kept her promise too and has turned away from sins and has deepened her walk with the Lord.

MEDITATION: Are you out of fellowship with the Lord? Today in prayer, turn away from any sin and draw closer to Jesus Christ. "Without an ability to repent man would be unable to enter in to the Kingdom of God. Repentance always leads to a better state and always precedes a greater measure of the Presence of God." (Mike Hullah).

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Eighteen)

Pastor Latt

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." - Matthew 14:14

INSPIRED STORY: There was a story about Fiorello LaGuardia who was mayor of New York City during the worst days of the Great Depression and all of WWII. He was adored by many New Yorkers who took to calling him the "Little Flower," because of his name and the fact that he was so short and always wore a carnation in his lapel.He was a colorful character -- he rode the New York City fire trucks, raided city "speakeasies" with the police department, took entire orphanages to baseball games and, when the New York newspapers went on strike, he got on the radio and read the Sunday funnies to the kids.

One bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. She told LaGuardia that her daughter's husband had deserted her, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.But the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It's a real bad neighborhood, Your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She's got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson."LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I've got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail." But even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket.

He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous hat, saying, "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore, I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."The following day, New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 was turned over to a bewildered woman who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren.

Fifty cents of that amount was contributed by the grocery store owner himself, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.

MEDITATION: Someone beautifully said, "Sympathy sees and says, 'I'm sorry.' Compassion sees and says, 'I'll help.'" When we learn the difference, we can make a difference. Do we have real compassionate heart?

PRAYER: Pray today from God to grant compassion in our hearts to help to the poor and the needy people around us. There are many people in need of our prayers and help.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Seventeen)

Pastor Latt

“When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." (Mark 2:17)

INSPIRATION: Pastor Herman Trenholm from Charlottetown, P.E.I. had an unusual experience. He was at the radio station on a Wednesday, prerecording his Bible message for the week. But, for some reason, the words could not come out of his mouth. He had never experienced anything like it. He tried, but he could only stammer out his message.At the same time, in the same town, a pastor from a large denomination was fighting his doubts about God's existence. Finally, in despair, he opened his phonebook under the heading of churches and drew his finger hazardly down the list, stopping on a particular church.

It so happened that this was Pastor Trenholm's church. The other pastor cried out loud: "God, if you do exist, send this pastor to my door within 30 minutes!" (I do not recommend this method, by the way!)Meanwhile, Pastor Trenholm felt an urgent need to leave the radio station and drive the streets of Charlottetown. Guess where he ended up? You got it. Right at the church of the doubting pastor. Exactly 29 minutes after the pastor had uttered his prayer, Pastor Trenholm knocked on his door. When he opened the door, Pastor Trenholm said, "I have no idea why I'm here, but God told me to come here. Is there anything I can do for you?"The doubting pastor started to cry, and Pastor Trenholm was able to witness to him.

QUOTE: If our need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

MEDITATION: Do you want to serve the lord? Just find a need and fill it. Ask the Lord, “Show me a need in someone’s life that I can meet. Is there a need in my Church I can fill? Is there a hurt I can soothe? Is there a sorrow I can bear? Is there a soul I can rescue? Is there a good work I can do? Ministry begins when you recognize a need. Be ready to give an answer to those who ask for a reason for the hope within you.

Today, add a little bit of willingness of compassion in your heart to help or pray someone in who you think he or she is in need of help.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Sixteen)

Pastor Latt

"As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - James 5:11

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." - 1 Peter 3:8

INSPIRATION: Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born prematurely on August 7, 1963. His father, President John F. Kennedy, knew his second son's chances of survival were slim. Young Patrick had a lung ailment and he was rushed by ambulance to Children's Medical Center in Boston. The President visited the hospital four times a day worrying about his wife Jackie while being concerned about the baby as well.
On the night of August 8, Kennedy decided to sleep at the hospital to be near the baby. Around two o'clock in the morning, the President was awaken and told that Patrick's condition was taking a bad turn.

As the President was waiting for the elevator, he saw a baby boy in a room that was badly burned. He asked the night nurse how it happened, and how many times the mother came to see the baby. The nurse answered "everyday." He then asked for her name and while his own son was down stairs dying, the President stopped to write a note to the lady telling her not to give up faith, and to keep up her courage. Then for the next two hours, the President kept a lonely vigil over his son until he died and then Kennedy wept.

MEDITATION: If a mere man-even a president-can show love and concern to an unknown child while his own son was dying, how much more will our infinite Father in heaven take concern in us. Today in prayer, thank God that He loves you and His compassion is infinite towards you. Washington Irving said "Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart."

Today in your journey with Jesus, add a little more faith in God and act a little compassion to the needy people around you for He wants us to be like Him.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Fifteen)

Pastor Latt
“Then Peter approaching asked him, "Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21-22)

INSPIRATION: A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE." They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?" The other friend replied: "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it." LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forgive them. (Writer unknown)

BENEFITS OF FORGIVENESS: "According to the latest medical and psychological research, forgiving is good for our souls-and our bodies. People who forgive: benefit from better immune functioning and lower blood pressure; have better mental health than people who do not forgive; feel better physically; have lower amounts of anger and fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression; maintain more satisfying and long-lasting relationships." (Lifeline)

Add a little forgiveness in your daily action today, starting from family circle, in friendship, in workplace, in Church, and in society. Do it with God’s help.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Fourteen)

Pastor Latt

"After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself." - 1 Samuel 18:1-3

INSPIRATION: In September 1992, Jack Kelley, foreign affairs editor for USA Today, witnessed firsthand the famine in Somalia. One particular starving boy touched Kelley: "Our photographer had a grapefruit, which he gave to the boy. The boy was so weak he didn't have the strength to hold the grapefruit, so we cut it in half and gave it to him. He picked it up, looked at us as if to say thanks, and began to walk back towards his village.We walked behind him in a way that he couldn't see us. When he entered the village, there on the ground was a little boy who I thought was dead. His eyes were completely glazed over. It turned out that this was his younger brother.

The older brother kneeled down next to his younger brother, bit off a piece of the grapefruit, and chewed it. Then he opened up his younger brother's mouth, put the grapefruit in, and worked his brother's jaw up and down. We learned that the older brother had been doing that for the younger brother for two weeks.A couple days later the older brother died of malnutrition, and the younger brother lived. I remember driving home that night thinking, I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said, 'There is no greater love than to lay down our life for somebody else.'"

MEDITATION: Do you love others as yourself? Today in prayer, thank Christ for the love that He has for you and seek to love others as yourself. Mother Teresa said, "I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love."

GOD’S WORD: "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Matthew 22:39. ( By Peter Kennedy)

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Thirteen)

Pastor Latt

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

POWERFUL IMPACT: A true story of a young girl who lived in California in a tent. Her home life was horrible and many would just turn their nose up at her. She was ten, her father an alcoholic, sisters were prostitutes and it was during the great depression. One day this man and woman came and invited her to church. They took her to church than after they would take her home with them and feed her and visit with her. They showed her love and because of this, she eventually came to know Christ. You say one person don’t make a difference? This little girl was my grandmother and because of the love shown her 55 years ago, everyone of her descendants are Christians and working for God. Because of her, I am here. All three children Pastor Churches, Three grandchildren pastor churches, music leaders and Sunday School teachers. A whole army from one person.

MEDITATION: Tradition tells us that the aged apostle John, in bidding farewell to his congregation, admonished them to love one another. “But, we want something new,” they said. “Give us a new commandment.” John replied, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning … that we should love one another!”

PRAYER: Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen. (Prayer of St. Francis of Asisi)

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Twelve)

Pastor Latt

“For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake..” (Philippians 1:29)

INSPIRATION: The hymnwriter Fanny Crosby gave us more than 8000 Gospel songs. Although blinded at the age of 6 weeks, she never held any bitterness in her heart because of it. Once a preacher sympathetically remarked, “I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you.”

She replied quickly, “Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?” “Why?” asked the surprised clergyman. “Because when I get to Heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!”

MEDITATION: What are the blindness in my life to see the glory of God? Anger? Refusal to forgive? Self-righteous? Pride? Money? Am I willing to acknowledge there is sin in my life? Then ask God to heal our spiritual blindness.

PRAYER: Pray God to forgive our sins. Pray God for the people around us to receive spiritual blessings. Pray for the sick and poor to get mercy from God. Give thanks to God for creation us in His image.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Eleven)

Pastor Latt

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14).

INSPIRATION: A pastor was going through a crisis. His little daughter who was paralyzed was sitting in her chair as he entered the house with a package for his wife. Giving his daughter a big kiss he asked, "where is Mother?" "Upstairs," She replied. " Well, I have something for her" "Let me carry it to Mother" said the daughter. "Why, Minnie dear, how can you carry this package? You cannot carry yourself". With a big smile, the child replied, "Oh no Papa, but if you give it to me, then I will carry the packages and you can carry me". God spoke softly to his heart that this was his own position. He was carrying his burden, but wasn’t the Lord also carrying him?

MEDITATION: Seeing Jesus hanging on the cross and seeing blood and water pour from his side is not an attractive sight. But we put this on our walls - because the message to us is clear - we are healed by his wounds. You might compare it to donating blood. It isn’t pretty getting poked with a needle. It hurts. But it also gives someone else life.

PRAYER: Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. Amen.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Ten)

Pastor Latt

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

(2 Timothy 1:7)

INSPIRATION: When the Communists overran China, missionary Isobel Kuhn escaped on foot with her young son, Danny, across the dangerous snow-covered Pienma Pass. She finally arrived at Myitkyina in Upper Burma, but there she was stranded "at the world's end" without money, unable to speak the language, and still half a globe away from home. "I cannot tell you the dismay and alarm that filled me," she later wrote.

But in her perplexity, she made two decisions. "The first thing is to cast out fear," she said. "The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, `Be not afraid!"' So Isobel knelt and spread her heart before Him. "I refused to be afraid and asked Him to cast such fears out of my heart."

Her second determination was to "seek light for the next step." She had no idea how to get out of Asia, but with God's help she could figure out what to do that day to provide food and funds, to find a safe place to stay, to find a means of communicating with the outside world.
Eventually she arrived back home, safe and sound, but it came by trusting God for guidance in small increments, taking the journey one footprint at a time.

When you don't know what to do next, cast out fear and seek light for the next step. Trust God for guidance in small increments; and if you can't see what lies dimly in the distance, do what lies clearly at hand.

MEDITATION: God says, “Fear not…” (Isaiah 41:10) – don’t fear for anything. The Christian has no fear that faith cannot cancel (Luke 8:25). Fear paralyzes, It stops us our tracks and halts the advance of the kingdom of God into the kingdom of Satan; the kingdom of light into the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:12-14). Satan wants nothing more that to paralyze God’s saints – to halt their progress in holiness and to stop the spread of the gospel. If you are paralyzed by fear, ask God to deliver you. Say, “Lord, I am afraid! Deliver me from evil. Deliver me from all my fears.”

PRAYER: Pray for the spiritual strength and courage to face the future. Pray for our brothers and sisters to be covered with God’s protection. Pray also for the spreading of the gospel through us as God’s useful instruments.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Nine)

Pastor Latt

“The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer." (Psalm 6:9)

ILLUSTRATION: A little girl approached her father and asked for a nickel. The father drew out his wallet and offered her a neat five dollar bill. But the little girl, not knowing what it was, would not take it. “I don’t want that,” she said. “I want a nickel.”

MEDITATION: When we come to God with petitions, He promises to answer. But it is not always the answer we want to hear. However, it is the answer that God knows is best for us. We must believe that God will be a faithful provider, no matter what our circumstances. Psalm 111:5 says, “He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers His covenant forever.” What an amazing promise – He will never forget about our needs, and He will sometimes bless us beyond our wildest imagination. He will accept our prayers and our cries for mercy. What an awesome God we serve!

“Brother, The Grass Is Growing” The earliest African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in their private devotions. Each one reportedly had separate spots in the thicket where he poured out his heart to God. The several paths to these little Bethels became distinctly marked; and when any one began to decline in devotions, it was soon apparent to others. They would then kindly remind him, saying, “Brother, the grass grows on your path yonder.”

PRAYER: Please pray today for people who need salvation from Jesus Christ. Pray that they may open their hearts to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Eight)

Pastor Latt

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. "(John 15:13).

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

INSPIRATION: In England at The House of Commons, Princes Alice had a young daughter and her daughter had Diphtheria. Doctors told Princess Alice to stay away from her face so as to not breathe her daughter’s breath, because she then would contract the terminal disease and die.One day as the daughter lay dying, she began to choke. As Princess Alice lifted her up to help from the choking and held her in her arms, the little girl looked up, opened her eyes, and said, “mommy kiss me.” Knowing she would die, but loving her daughter more than her fear of death, she kissed her as her daughter exhaled her final breathe. Two months later, Princess Alice also died. …Diphtheria.

QUOTE: “Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing wider, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or in earth; for love is born of God, and cannot rest but in God, above all created things.” (Thomas Kempis).

WORD OF GOD: Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” (John 22:15).

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Seven)

Pastor Latt

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer andsupplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know toGod." (Philippians 4:6)

POWER OF PRAYER: Do you have a prayer list? One young girl knew thepower of specific prayer when she faced death head-on. In the midst of the sickness, she went to her pastor and asked what more she could do for Jesus in the short time she had to live. He suggested that she make a list of people in their small town who neededChrist, and pray that they would find salvation. She took his advice and prayed often for each person. Sometime later God began to stir a revival in the village. Only after the girl died, was her prayer list with the names of fifty-six people found under her pillow. Allhad put their faith in Christ – the last one the night before her death.

MEDITATION: Do not doubt the power of prayer in your life – it is true a great adventure with God that is meant to bring you closer to Him.

PRAYER: A moment in the morning,
Ere the cares of day begin,
Ere the heart’s wide door is open,
For the world to enter in, Oh,
then alone with Jesus,
In the silence of the morn,
In heavenly, sweet communion,
Let your joyful day be born,
In the quietude that blesses,
Let your soul be soothed and softened,
As the dew revives the rose!
—Selected

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Six)

Pastor Latt

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.” — Isaiah 44:22

WHAT IS SIN: Man calls it an accident; God calls it an abomination. Man calls it a blunder; God calls it blindness. Man calls it a defect; God calls it a disease. Man calls it a chance; God calls it a choice. Man calls it an error; God calls it an enmity. Man calls it a fascination; God calls it a fatality. Man calls it an infirmity; God calls it an iniquity. Man calls it a luxury; God calls it a leprosy. Man calls it a liberty; God calls it lawlessness. Man calls it a trifle; God calls it a tragedy. Man calls it a mistake; God calls it a madness. Man calls it a weakness; God calls it willfulness. —Moody Monthly

LABEL: The late Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman used to tell of a Methodist preacher who often spoke on the subject of sin. He minced no words, but defined sin as “that abominable thing that God hates.” A leader in his congregation came to him on one occasion and urged him to cease using the ugly word. Said he: “Dr. Blank, we wish you would not speak so plainly about sin. Our young people, hearing you, will be more likely to indulge in sin. Call it something else, as “inhibition,” or “error” or a “mistake,” or even “a twist in our nature”.”

“I understand what you mean,” the preacher remarked and going to his desk brought out a little bottle. “This bottle,” he said, “contains strychnine. You will see that the red label here reads “Poison.” Would you suggest that I change the label, and paste one on that says, “Wintergreen?” The more harmless the name the more dangerous the dose will be.” —The Bible Friend

QUOTE: “I’m against sin,” he said. “I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. When I’m old and fistless and footless and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition.” –Billy Sunday

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Five)

Pastor Latt

COMFORT IN SUFFERING: "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.” (2 Corinthians 1:5-7).

INSPIRATION: When the late Bishop of Madras was visiting Travancore, there was introduced to him a little slave girl called “The Child Apostle.” She had won this title by the zeal with which she talked of Christ to others. Her quiet, steady persistence in this had won several converts to Christ. But she had suffered persecution too brutal to relate. When she was introduced to the Bishop, her face, neck and arms were disfigured and scarred by stripes and blows. As he looked at her, the good man’s eyes filled, and he said, “My child, how could you bear this?” She looked up at him in surprise and said, “Don’t you like to suffer for Christ, sir?”

(Choice Gleanings)

QUOTE: It is easier to suffer in silence if you are sure someone is watching. —Warren

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Four)

Pastor Latt


“And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.” — 2 Kings 25:30



INSPIRATION: Dr. David Soper, in God Is Inescapable, suggests that basically the difference between a prison and a monastery is just the difference between griping and gratitude. Undoubtedly this is true. Imprisoned criminals spend every waking moment griping; self-imprisoned saints spend every waking moment offering thanks. Dr. Soper says that when a criminal becomes a saint, a prison may become a monastery; when a saint gives up gratitude, a monastery may become a prison.

MEDITATION: Beloved, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you. In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy.



PRAYER: “ May God give you... For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smail, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sight a sweet song and an answer for each prayer. " – Iris Quote.

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Three)

Pastor Latt

THE CROSS: “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14).

THE SCARS: Adoniram Judson, the renowned missionary to Burma, endured untold hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For 7 heartbreaking years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was thrown into Ava Prison, and for 17 months was subjected to almost incredible mistreatment. As a result, for the rest of his life he carried the ugly marks made by the chains and iron shackles which had cruelly bound him. Undaunted, upon his release he asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the Gospel. The godless ruler indignantly denied his request, saying, “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might SAY, but I fear they might be impressed by your SCARS and turn to your religion!” (Henry G. Bosch)

THE QUOTE: “I saw that just as Christian came up to the Cross, his burden loosed from his shoulders and fell off his back and landed in the sepulcher. Then was Christian glad and lightsome and said with a merry heart, “He hath given me rest by His sorrow, and life by His death.”—John Bunyan, in Pilgrim’s Progress

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day Two)

Pastor Latt

Eventually like Jesus, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29).

Jesus Christ was both God and man. While it is difficult for us to comprehend such a union, the Bible makes it clear that Christ was a man of two natures. Though He was sinless, Jesus was like us in other ways. When we fail, we can draw encouragement from Hebrews 5:8: “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

Jesus and I: Dan Crawford, the successor to David Livingstone, carried a copy of the New Testament in the pocket of his jacket. At the time of his death someone found the following verses penned on the flyleaf of that well-worn Book:

“I cannot do it alone! The waves dash fast and high; the fog comes chill around, and the light goes out in the sky. But I know that we two shall win in the end—Jesus and I. Coward and wayward and weak, I change with the changing sky; today so strong and brave, tomorrow too weak to fly. But He never gives up, so we two shall win—Jesus and I!” (H. G. Bosch)

Lent Season Daily Devotional (Day One)

Pastor Latt

Today is the beginning of the Lent season and it is Ash Wednesday. Lent season starts on February 6th (Ash Wednesday) and concludes on March 23rd with Easter celebration. It is 40 days of period excluding of Sundays, because Sundays are the days to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What is “Ash Wednesday”? “Ash Wednesday has its origins in the early Christian Church – somewhere between the sixth and eight centuries. Originally, the idea was that a Christian, as a sign of repentance, would sprinkle ashes on his or her head. In the Bible, ashes were always associated with humility and mortality, fasting and remorse.

If you had sinned against God, and you felt remorse about that sin, and you were repenting of that sin, then sometimes, in the Bible, you would sprinkle ashes on your head as a sign of sorrow and repentance. Ashes were supposed to remind you that you were mortal, that you will eventually become ashes after you die. We’re only ashes, and we need to repent of our sins now while God gives us a time of grace.”

Scripture Reading for today:
“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?” (Joel 2:12-14).


Let’s start our 40 days of meditations on our Lord’s earthly journey by prayer of personal repentances and commitment to walk His will.

The Power of Spiritual Dance

Pastor Latt

Spiritual dance is the next level of praise and worship. It is an expression of our love and spiritual joy physically. We can name it “Praise & Worship in Dance.” It is the soul and the body praising God together. It is a fresh way to glorify God’s name among God’s people and beyond. Many people are asking questions whether dancing is appropriate for worship or not. Opinion differ base on various belief and traditional backgrounds. Let us see what the word of God has to say and decide weather we should or should not.

“Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.” (Psalm 149:3). “Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!” (Psalm 150:4). “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” (Psalm 30:11). When the Ark of the Lord was brought back to the City of David, King David danced with joy with all his might. “Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod” (2 Samuel 6:14).

Dance is an art which is very important part of every nationality and ethnic groups have valued for their culture. Our church is comprised with many ethnic groups of people with rich traditional dances and arts. So, “Dance Ministry” has been one of the most attractive tools for our church ministries. Performing arts committee has collected various beautiful costumes and styles of dances to perform throughout the year whenever we need to express our spiritual joy for the love of God.

Our kids are dancing, our juniors are dancing with their own music and styles, youth and adults are dancing with joy and happiness. It gives us more unity in Christ. Among many dances, “Praise Dance Dancers” of our Church has ministered the people of God to renew and revive their faith. You are welcome to join with our “Performing Team” to serve God with your talents and Spiritual gift of dancing. Again, spiritual dance is the next level of praise and worship. Let us continue the next level to praise our Living God. Hallelujah!

With love,
Pastor Latt

The Power of Spiritual Dance

The Power of Singing Spiritual Songs

Pastor Latt
Music is the gift from God and it is an ACCESS to enter into the presence of God. "Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise." (Psalm 100:2,4). Music is a secret power to have intimate relationship with the Living God. It is also the key to open the storehouse of the blessings of God. Music has the power to give us joyful hearts, peaceful minds, healthy souls, and powerful lives with happiness. Shakespeare said that a man who does not have music in himself is not to be trusted. He added that he is "fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." Another said, "All musical people seem to be happy." Still another said, "Let me write the songs of the people and I will control the nation.”

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19). “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15).

I am so thankful to God for dedicated musicians and talented singers at our church joining together to do God’s ministry here at San Francisco. Our worship services are always filled with meaningful and inspirational Gospel music every Sunday. Musical concerts and special celebrations are also attracting many people to come to Jesus Christ each year. If you are interested in music ministry, we welcome you to join with our music team to produce creative music ministry this year. Again, music is the gift from God and it has hidden power to transform our lives.

Pastor Latt

The Power of Singing Spiritual Songs

Christmas Musical by Junior Fellowship