MATTHEW 16: The D.T.F PRINCIPLE

 

In this world, we have so many principles in life that we live by. Like celebrate your success, follow your passions, make the best use of your time, stay away from doubt and fear, feed your brain with positive thoughts and so on..

 Principles are rules that guide our life. Extension of values converted into actions. Principles that get you want out of life. It is essentially our recipes for success – as citizens of this world.

 Spiritually, the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we’ve become citizens of God’s Kingdom. Our identity had been shifted to become children of God who follows and obeys the father. And our purpose in life shifts from..

 SELF to SERVICE

TEMPORARY TO ETERNAL,

OUR PLANS TO HIS PURPOSE.

 ALL LEADING FOR US TO HAVE THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.

 Following Christ has a cost.

Jesus has given us a principle for us to follow Him. Making us align to God’s purposes.

 

The D.T.F PRINCIPLE

 

SCRIPTURE

 ²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

 

 OBSERVATION

 Jesus told His disciples..

 Jesus is addressing His twelve disciples directly-specifically after rebuking Peter.

 

DISCIPLE –  a devoted follower and learner of Jesus

Whose:

-          Trusting in His teaching

-          Imitating His life

-          Committing to His mission

 

If anyone would come after me,

-          Jesus extends this requirement to all future followers, not just the original twelve.

 

If anyone would come after me, let him (needs action).. deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

 

3 key action principles

D – eny

T- ake up

F- ollow

 

Jesus lays out the cost of being His disciple. He makes it clear that following Him isn’t about seeking comfort or ease-it involves sacrifice and commitment.

 THIS CALL IS FOR ALL WHO DESIRE TO FOLLOW JESUS.

A CALL TO SURRENDER DAILY.

 APPLICATION.

 

 (D.T.F PRINCIPLE)

 

1.      DENY HIMSELF

 -          Abandoning SELFish desire, SELF-centeredness, SELF as the center of life to live for God’s purposes.

 Jesus denied Himself by consistently placing less importance of His own human will, desires and rights to the will of God the Father. Just like Jesus, we too have to deny ourselves.. Self denial is not meant to destroy us, but to align our life with a higher purpose.

 And our PURPOSE is to be CHRISTLIKE. In order to be like Jesus – where there is humility, obedience and submission, we need to constantly, deny ourselves.

  Let’s deny the thoughts that is on our heads that we are that we are still weak, lazy, unworthy, unlovable, unable to do things for God. Let’s deny that we are in this world and can still do unpleasant things. Believe that we have been changed from OLD to NEW self. Believe that HIS WORD IS ALIVE, ACCURATE and TRUSTWORTHY. Believe that you and I are just like Jesus, who undergo series of pain, trials, struggles, sacrifices, and overcomers and victorious in the end. Believe that you are not alone in this journey and that you are able to do things God would like you to do and that God is always with you.

 

DAILY, LET US ..

 o   RENEW OUR MIND WITH THE WORD OF GOD.

o   DAILY SURRENDER

o   DIE TO SELF

o   CREATE MORE TIME FOR GOD.

o   PRIORITIZE OTHERS BEFORE YOUR OWN.

   

2.      TAKE UP HIS CROSS

 To take up our cross is to totally die to our own self and flesh,& totally surrender to God and His will with being obedient and in walking by faith with love whereas we will bear the fruit of the Spirit rather than doing the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-23.

 Jesus is telling us that we must be willing to endure hardship in this life for our faith in Him.

 “God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.” - James 1:12

 o   SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL DAILY.

o   ENDURE SUFFERING

o   DAILY SACRIFICE

o   SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL

 3.      FOLLOW ME (JESUS)

(Join me, walk with me, come after me, accompany me)

 - walking the path He walked which includes humility, obedience and faithfulness.

 o   It means to adopt His way of life, values and mission, leaving behind previous lifestyles, careers and priorities.

o   It is making Jesus the leader, or manager of your life.

o   It means actively loving, serving and sacrificing for others.

o   It is a continuous, daily decision to follow, not a one-time event.

 We are blessed to have different ministries in the church in which we can show our ways to follow Jesus. In evangelism and mission minsitry wherein this is the heart of Jesus for lost souls where he preach the gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons. Prayer which is the backbone of the church which shows dependency of Jesus to the Father. Education ministry- Jesus commanded us to teach what we have learned from Him and also disciple others. Jesus also insisted on welcoming the children for the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them as well. In finance that teaches us to become a faithful steward of what God has entrusted to us. And also, worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth through a singing hymns and songs for He is worthy to be praise.

 Praise God, for we know that we just don’t belong to one of the ministries of the church but he exposes us in all ministries. These ministries help us know who Jesus is. It also helps us to act, walk, behave like Jesus. It helps us to keep align with God’s purpose in our lives.

 ____________________________________________________________________

 Following Jesus is costly, sacrificing one’s old life for Him, leads to TRUE, ETERNAL LIFE.

 This verse reminds us that following Jesus is not always easy, but it is deeply rewarding. It calls us to surrender our lives to God’s purposes, trusting that His love and grace are sufficient for whatever challenges we face.

  

PRAYER,

 Heavenly Father,

Help us to surrender our self centeredness and to place our trust completely in your plan for our lives. Give us strength and courage to take up our cross and endure hardships. Empower us to live a life that reflects your love, grace, and your unwavering commitment to your people. Thank you for your grace, your guidance and your love.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

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PASTORA PAULA – JCRC CAMBODIA

MATTHEW 15: LORD, HELP ME

 

MATTHEW 15:21-28

LORD, HELP ME

When feeling overwhelmed, scared, or unsure, the simple, honest prayer "Lord, help me" is a powerful cry for strength and guidance. It is a humble acknowledgment of needing divine support to find peace, wisdom, or endurance during difficult times.

✝️ DESPERATE NEED

❇️ HUMILITY TO SUBMIT

v21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. v22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” v23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.

When life hits hard and you have nowhere else to go, you’ll cry out in faith, even if you don’t have it all together. 

📍Silence: Pause / Reflect

📍Testing: Faith / Patience

📍Grace: Trust His Timing

PSALM 18:6 - In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears. 

✝️ ONLY HOPE

❇️ RELIANCE TO GOD

v25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.

When all our options have been exhausted, our only hope is Jesus. He is always present, He will never leave us, particularly in dark times.

📍Recognize the Source: Jesus is the Way, the Truth & the Life

📍Trust Completely: Reliance on His will and Authority

📍Unwavering Faith: Believe in prayer and His divine power

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

✝️ NEVER GIVE UP

❇️ PERSISTENT FAITH

v27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.

Persistent faith is an enduring, unwavering trust in God's promises that refuses to give up, even during trials, delays, or contrary circumstances.

📍Strength in Jesus: Admitting our own limitations

📍Confidence in His Promises: Faith that can’t be moved

📍Trust in His Timing: Weather the storm

MATTHEW 7:7

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

True faith never gives up even when God seem silent. The Canaanite woman’s persistence showed that faith is not about where you come from or how worthy you think you are. It’s about believing that Jesus can do what no one else can. With faith, nothing is impossible.

God hears the cry of anyone who seeks Him with a sincere heart. 

Her story isn’t just about healing. It’s about a Savior who responds to faith. Despite facing silence and initial rejection, her bold persistence and trust in Jesus led to her daughter's healing, earning her praise for "great faith".

❇️ DESPERATE NEED – Silence and Testing

❇️ ONLY HOPE – Reliance and Trust

❇️ NEVER GIVE UP – Persistent and Confidence 

Reflection

📌 When was the last time you ask God for His help?

📌 Have we fully surrendered all our worries to Him? 

📌 Are we still in living in fear, doubt - unbelief? 

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”.

Glory to God! 🙏🙌🙏

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Elder Joel 

JCRC Riyadh

Matthew 15: Worship with the Heart

 

Worship with the Heart

 Matthew 15:8-9

[8] “ ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. [9] They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ ”

 Worship is showing intense love, reverence, and devotion. If so, how would it be worship without one's heart?

 How deep sadness would it be in the heart of the Lord to see people come to Him giving an act of worship and honor with their lips but in vain (fruitless, to no purpose, pointless) because they do things with empty hearts. They appear to draw near to God but their hearts are far from Him.

 Matthew 15:8

[8] “ ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

 Imagine a person saying I love you and giving you flowers or chocolates as an act of love without truly having you in their heart. People see it romantic but is merely external. You would ask if he/she is truly sincere and really having you in his/her heart. But if you know it is only an act, would you be glad?.. but since you cannot see internally, you would not be heartbroken right away.

 

But for God is different because He sees our heart instantly. He knows our thoughts, He perceives what is true and real when we say I love you, I worship you, I honor you, I give you glory and praise, when we sing to Him, when we do things for the Lord, He immediately knows if it's for Him and if it is real and if it is with love... Therefore, an act of showing our devotion, reverence and love without the heart is saddening for we do not think of the One we are giving our love and worship to.

 Knowing that He is real, living, alive and truly cares for us personally, then He truly receives the kind of worship we do, whether in pretense or of a true heart.

 Matthew 15:9

[9]  They worship Me in vain;

 Worship would just be in vain if it is just to do and obey without one’s heart.

 

Reflection: HOW IS YOUR HEART?

-going to church, kneeling/bowing down to God

-praying, reading the scripture and doing bible study to know Him

-equipping & trainings in preparation for work in His field

-mission and evangelism work

-obedience in God's word, singing of praise and worship songs

...does it have a heart for the Lord?

...do you think of the Lord, acknowledging Him as you go through the activities?

...does it shows God your love, reverence and devotion internally within?

… May puso ba ang ginagawa natin para kay Lord o eto ba ay pagsunod lng sa mga tuntunin?

 

Matthew 15:9b

[9b]  their teachings are merely human rules.’ ”

 

Matthew 15:3

[3] Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

 

Moreover, when we obey traditions and human rules over God’s commands and teaching and practicing worship that is not from God’s heart because He did not establish it Himself but by people being blind guides to false worship, this further leads us away from true worship.

 

It would be pitiful if not only that the heart is not in true worship but also the ways of worship is not from God. May we not follow blindly to these false worship practices. Let’s follow the right teachings of worship and practice it with true love, reverence and devotion to our God.

 

Since God sees all truths of our being, then let us freely show our heart and thoughts to Him when we worship Him; directly expressing our love towards God, not of pretense but of real worship.

 

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PASTORA LODY – JCRC CAMBODIA

 

 

MATTHEW 14 - ''MOVED WITH COMPASSION''

Matthew 14:13–14
“Now when Jesus heard this, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed Him on foot from the towns. When He went ashore, He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

The true meaning of compassion is not simply defined—it is demonstrated. Jesus showed compassion by healing, teaching, and feeding the multitude.

In Matthew 14:1–12, we read that John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod. Jesus withdrew to a desolate place to mourn and to find peace—“His whole being was stirred to its deepest depths.” Instead, He encountered a vast crowd eagerly seeking what He could offer.

Jesus and His disciples could have made many excuses:
“This isn’t the right place.”
“This isn’t the right time.”
“The people can take care of themselves.”
Yet, Jesus still chose to have compassion on them.

Are you also wondering….

• Why would people follow Jesus on foot to a desolate place? (Matthew 14:13)
• Why would they stay with Him until evening? (Matthew 14:15)
• Why would they go for days without food just to be with Him? (Matthew 15:32)
• Why were they so desperate to see Jesus? (Matthew 14:13)

Jesus understood them-their needs, so He shifted His focus from Himself to the crowd. He knew that:

• People are hungry
• People are seeking truth
• People need healing
• People need direction

Seeing them travel long distances on foot, driven by desperation to see Him, moved His heart. This compassion led Him to heal, teach, and feed them. He did not send them away until they were nourished both physically and spiritually. 

Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowd—and He is also moved with compassion for you. He knows your needs and your story. He knows your cries and desperation for help. He knows how you’ve come this far to obey, serve, and seek Him. 

You are among that crowd—fully known and understood by Jesus. As you continue to seek after Him, God’s heart is moved.

Reflection:

• How has Jesus shown compassion in your life?
• Are we moved with compassion for others,
• Or are we still focused on ourselves?

Compassion chain: 

Because Jesus has shown compassion to me, I choose to show compassion to others. 

- PAS MATET JCRC HANOI

MATTHEW 13: HEART CHECK

 

HEART CHECK

In the Bible, the “Heart” (Leb/Lebab in Hebrew, Kardia in Greek) refers to the center of a person’s inner life.

The heart is where thoughts and decisions are made before they become words or actions (Mark 7:21).

 

Apart from the heart’s importance on having a proper function for our body’s overall health, this is much more vital in our Spiritual life as it is where the Holy Spirit dwells and where God writes His will and test human intentions.

On today’s daily devotion, Matthew 13 discusses many parables, particularly the Parable of the Sower strikes me.

Jesus, we can also say Pastor, Preacher or Man of God preaching His word is the SOWER

God’s teaching is the SEED

Humans heart is the SOIL

 

Jesus describes the 4 types of soil (the heart v4-8) and its condition (v19-23)

Wayside (Hard heart v4)

A roadside stepped by many feet and is hardened against the penetration of any seed.

Condition: Hear God’s word but not understanding so the evil snatches the word away (v19)

     Pride takes over: “I don’t need to study the word, I feel quite satisfied spiritually.

     I come from a long line of church people, so I heard all of it years ago!

     Fear and complacency “I don’t want to hear new thing that will change my way of life that I’m already contented

     I’m no worse than others I know. I will just commit sin when I go to Church and see sinners

     I’m afraid the Word might upset me, so I’d rather not have anything to do with it.

     Spiritual Death - dead in trespasses and sins, life completely detached from God

Stony Ground (Shallow heart v5-6)

Condition: Hear and receive the word with joy but no root, endures only for a while, stumble when struggles and persecutions come (v20-21)

     Unresponsiveness - incapable of feeling true spiritual emotion or conviction, remaining cold and insensible to spiritual reality.

     Attends the service and equipping only when convenient, when there is free time and never commit

     Resistance to God - disobedience, rebellion, and a stubborn refusal to repent.

     Love to hear God’s word, understands God’s will that need to put in action daily but still justify the worldly desires and comforts

     Listening to different resources but never meditating on it, no digging deeper, no reflection, the word just enters the left ear and exits to the right

Thorny Ground (Crowded/distracted heart v7)

Condition: Hears the word, but the cares of the world choked the word and become unfruitful (v22)

     Crowded Heart - Filled with worldly priorities and stresses.

     Equipped to surrender life but due to life and personal priorities such as work, gatherings, lifestyle cannot be submitted to the leaders on task assigned

     Distracted Heart - Focused on material gain, success, or anxiety rather than God.

     God said do not fear and do not be anxious but always afraid of what can happen next and living worried

     Unfruitful Ground - A heart that hears but does not bear maturity.

     Understood tithing as God’s command but with fear of lack cannot obey

 

Good ground (Receptive heart v8)

Condition: Hears, understands, bears fruit in 30, 60 and 100 (v23)

     Committed and consistent to learn more of God’s word even needed to sacrifice

     Open and accepts correction believing that he is already living for God and not in his own self

     Persevere to obey apart from weakness and impurities

     Admits that Man needs God above everything and pursue to be Christ like

     Bears the work and the fruit of the Holy Spirit

     Transformed and continuously growing in Christ, a salt and light to every place and people

The seed in good soil flourishes because it takes deep root, intentionally cultivating and overcoming worldly worries. Just like water or healthy food, or relationship or even work that sustains us, receiving God’s word is intentional so we can be assured eternity in heaven.

We are called to actively listen and apply the message in our daily lives rather than just hearing it passively. Not listening and putting on the side until forgotten and never really encountering the Lord.

The focus is to hear God’s word and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23)

God’s word in our lives is consistent, we are so blessed with our Church through daily devotions, equipping’s, Bible studies, discipleship and resources that can access easily. But what is our response to God’s word? Let us check our hearts -

Ø  Do I hear the word like seed sown on wayside soil, rejecting the Word of God?

Ø  Is my heart stony and has not been renewed apart from the constant grace from God?

Ø  Does my heart still with thorns that needs to be cleared to make room for God's word and produce spiritual maturity aligning to God’s will?

Ø  Is my heart humble, open and ready to obey God’s Word. A "good soil" that hears, accepts, and acts upon the truth, bearing spiritual growth and fruitfulness partnering with the Holy Spirit?

Let v12 reminds us “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”. Keep the word growing and making it visible in our lives, don’t let the seed taken from us.

Many hear but don’t perceive because their hearts become “calloused”, dull, willfully ignoring the message (v14-15) This is a real danger of separating oneself from God, thus, walking to the path of hell.

Let us pray:

Father God, we praise and thank you for your constant grace, for feeding us with your word daily and for working in our hearts in whichever state it is now. If we have a hard heart, help us to soften it and break it if needed so we may find your real purpose for us. If our heart is shallow, expose to us oh Lord the lukewarmness within us and help us to turn to you completely. If our heart is crowded and distracted, help us to fix our whole being to you and remove the idols in our lives. If our heart is receptive, remind us always that everything is from you and everything is for you.

Lord God, we believed in your word, your word is you and we need you every second. Set our hearts on you alone Lord. All glory is yours Father God, in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen
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ELDER ERNELYN – JCRC CAMBODIA

Matthew 12: Mercy Over Sacrifice: A Heart Check

 

Mercy Over Sacrifice: A Heart Check

Scripture: Matthew 12:7
“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”

In Matthew 12, Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees over two Sabbath incidents:

·       His disciples picking grain while hungry (vv.1-8)

·       A man with a shriveled hand being healed (vv. 9-14)

To the Pharisees, both situations were clear violations of the law. Their focus was clear: rules must be protected, even at the expense of human need.

But Jesus reveals that something deeper is missing in their understanding. He says, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”

In other words, God is not impressed by outward religious performance when the heart is absent. The Sabbath was meant to bring rest and restoration, not restriction. Yet instead of seeing hunger and brokenness, the Pharisees saw only rule-breaking. Instead of mercy, they chose judgment.

This becomes even clearer when Jesus heals the man with the shriveled hand. He asks a simple question: if it is right to help a sheep on the Sabbath, how much more valuable is a person? Then He tells the man to stretch out his hand, and he is completely restored.

Where Jesus brings healing, legalism brings resistance.

A hurting man receives life, while hardened hearts respond with anger.

The Warning

 

Jesus exposes a sobering truth: a person can be deeply religious and still be distant from the heart of God.

The Pharisees knew Scripture, practiced discipline, and guarded tradition, but they missed mercy. They had sacrifice without compassion.

And this is where the passage confronts us.

We can attend Sunday services, church equipping, activities, Bible study, read the Bible, give our tithes, serve in ministry, and maintain spiritual habits—and still become insensitive to people. We can be “right” in practice, but wrong in heart.

 

A Heart Check

Jesus doesn’t just correct the Pharisees—He invites us to examine ourselves.

1. Do I value mercy over rules? (Matthew 12:1–8)

• Do I notice what people are doing wrong, or who is hurting?
• Do I protect my routine, or interrupt it to help someone?

Truth: People matter more than rules. Mercy matters more than performance.

2. Am I more concerned with being right than with healing? (Matthew 12:9–14)

You can win every theological argument and still miss the heart of God. The Pharisees knew the Scriptures — but when Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand, they cared more about being correct than seeing a life restored.

• Do I prioritize winning arguments over helping people?
• Does inconvenience stop me from doing good?

Truth: Doing good is always right.

3. Do I recognize God’s work or resist it? (Matthew 12:22–32)

You can be active in ministry and still miss what God is doing. The Pharisees saw a miracle and called it evil — because it didn't fit their religious system.

• Am I quick to criticize what I don’t understand?
• Or do I remain humble and open to how God is working?

Truth: A hard heart explains away what a humble heart receives.

4. What do my words reveal? (Matthew 12:33–37)

You can read your Bible, give your tithes, and serve faithfully — but Jesus says your words will expose what is really inside.

• Are my words critical, harsh, or careless — especially toward other believers or those who disagree with me?
• Or do my words bring life, encouragement, and truth in love?

Truth: A transformed heart produces life-giving speech.

5. Am I waiting for more signs instead of obeying? (Matthew 12:38–42)

You attend services, listen to sermons, Bible studies, or years of spiritual habits. Yet like the Pharisees, you ask God for more proof while ignoring what He has already shown you.

• Am I delaying obedience, waiting for perfect clarity?
• What has God already shown me through His Word or through my circumstances that I have not yet obeyed?

Truth: The issue is rarely a lack of evidence—it is often a lack of surrender.

The Call

Jesus defines His true family simply: Those who do the will of the Father (v.50).

A true follower is not marked by appearance or activity, but by a transformed heart.

 Jesus invites us to cultivate:

• A merciful heart – One that sees needs and responds with compassion rather than judgment.

• A humble heart – One that values people over pride, and restoration over reputation.

• A truthful heart – One that speaks good things because it is filled with good (Matthew 12:35).

Faith is not just what we do for God— it is how we reflect Him to others.

Reflection:

• Am I practicing faith out of love or just habit?
• Am I attentive to the needs of others, or focused mainly on my own spiritual routine?
• Is my faith visible through compassion?

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for the times I have chosen rules over love, routine over compassion, and outward appearance over a merciful heart. Teach me what it truly means that You desire mercy, not sacrifice.

Open my eyes to see the needs around me—the quiet struggles, the hidden pain, and the opportunities to love. Soften my heart where it has grown hard, and remove any judgment that blinds me to others.

Give me hands that bring healing, words that bring life, and a spirit that reflects Your kindness. Help me not just to know Your truth, but to live it with humility, compassion, and obedience.

Shape my heart to look more like Yours each day.

In Jesus name, Amen.

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ELDER HANNA – JCRC CAMBODIA