We can say both Joseph and Mary are good Christians. Mary listened to God and received the baby Jesus by Holy Spirit. It is a very difficult task because having a baby is already not easy and she might not know if her fiancé, Joseph, would understand and believe her. Joseph was a righteous man. He always obeyed God and wanted to do the right things before God. When he found out that Mary was pregnant, he was shocked but he did not want to hurt her. He tried to divorce her quietly. But God sent an angel to explain to him and ask him to marry her. He obeyed too and did exactly what he was asked to do. Both of them showed to us what it meant to be a good Christian – obey and follow God!

Everyday we have so many things to do – school, homework, eat, sleep, read books, housework, play games, watch TV/Netflix/Disney+/Youtube…. What a long list! Jesus if I have time, I would read Bible and go to church… but then usually we find out that we don’t have time. It is not because Jesus has given us lots of thing to do. It is all because we have such a long list of OTHER things to do. Be fair to Jesus. It is not Jesus that makes us so busy. Let’s think about what happens if we spend less times on some unnecessary things. Maybe we will have more time for parents, siblings, friends, and definitely Jesus!

Angel Gabriel came to visit Mary who should be a teenage and never-married girl. She was engaged to Joseph but according to Jewish tradition, she would get married with Joseph probably a year later. She might think about the new life after marriage but hardly it is believed that she would think about having a baby before wedding, let alone a baby conceived by Holy Spirit. No other human shares the same experience in human history. So when Angel Gabriel came to tell her the message that she would conceive a baby by Holy Spirit, plus the baby is called the Son of the Most High, how could she being a teenage girl understand this message and the idea of having the Son of Most High as her own baby? But Mary responded in a way that all of us should admire her faithfulness and submission. She said ““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”” (Luke 1:38). Mary, you are so amazing!

We may sometimes wonder why we need to go to church and what we are doing in the church. And sometimes we feel that staying at home to watch TV/YouTube or play games is more interesting than going to church. It may be true that there are many other activities more interesting and fun than going to church. Let’s ask Jesus Christ to help us see the true beauty of going to church – connecting with other brothers and sisters and with God through prayer, worship and fellowship. We cannot do it by ourselves or ask church to continually prepare exciting activities for us. We need Jesus to help us! Let’s look upon on HIM and trust HIM to help us grow together in His church!

Thank you Lord that we can always pray to Jesus. This is the first thing we can connect with Jesus. Indeed, it is Jesus Himself who connects with us all the time because HE is always watching over us even some times we may not want to think about HIM. In addition, when we connect with Jesus especially through prayer and His words, we bear the fruits e.g. kindness, gentleness, goodness, as Jesus wants us to have. More amazingly, Jesus promises us that we will have our joy in full when we always connect with HIM. So let’s always connect with Jesus through prayer and reading His words. Amen!

Thank you Jesus for guiding us to God! We cannot find God by ourselves no matter how smart we are! Indeed, we are never smart enough to find HIM. HE is too holy and almighty for us to find HIM by ourselves. But now thank you God! You provide us the clear image and path. Jesus represents the perfect image of our God. When we see Jesus, we are able to see You! And Jesus also gives us the truth (His teachings) so that we are not distracted by the world’s too many different ideas. And finally thank you Lord because you give us the true and eternal life. My time on earth is just to prepare us to meet you forever! Thank you, Lord!

There is no better lesson from Jesus other than Lord’s prayer – HE helps us to connect with Heavenly Father. It is so amazing that we can pray to God and HE would listen to us! Indeed HE is more than listening to us. HE cares for our daily needs and gets ready to forgive us! Then HE would protect us and keep us away from evil. Jesus shows to us what matters to Heavenly Father – HE cares about us everyday! Thank you, Lord!

What a great promise from Jesus Christ! Yes we do die one day but it is not the true end of our lives. Jesus had shown again and again that HE has authority over every thing in the universe – HE can heal; HE can calm down the storm; HE can drive out the demon. Now HE says HE is the resurrection and the life. And then HE raised up Lazarus from his death. This is a proof to who Jesus is and what HE can do! Let’s believe HIM! Let’s look forward to the day when JESUS raises us up from our death to live forever with JESUS in the heaven!

Jesus said He is the good shepherd. Why? It is because the good shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep and would know his sheep. It is so true as Jesus did lay down His life for us on the cross to cover our sins. It is also true that Jesus knows us because He knows our every thought and every act. Indeed because He knows everything about us, He also knows we are sinners but He does not judge us. Also His salvation is not only for Jews but also for the people, including us as we are not Jews. He is truly our good or the best shepherd! Thank you Lord!

Jesus used a very interesting imagery to represent HIS care and protection to us. We may not be familiar with the sheep business but we can imagine how important the gate is. Without the gate, the sheep can run away. The predators can go in and steal or kill the sheep. The gate keeps the sheep safe inside. When it is opened, the sheep can go out to eat. Because of JESUS, we are protected, and we are saved. We find rest and care in HIS hands. May God open the door for us to get into HIS pen! Amen!

Jesus, you are very interesting?! How come you would describe yourself as bread and light?! If you describe yourself as being kind, gentle, good, etc, we would understand it. But you say you are the bread and the light of the world. What does it mean? Well definitely I can’t imagine what happen to me if there is no light and bread. I may not die right away but my life is for sure getting worse and worse. Now maybe this is your point. Without Jesus, I may survive but not live well. I need Jesus to help me live a life full of joy, purpose and love. Jesus is truly my bread and light. Thank you Jesus!

JESUS died on the cross to take away our sins. HE even asked Heavenly Father to forgive the people who crucified HIM. The forgiveness of GOD is tremendous when we think about how many sins people have been sinning against GOD. But then the possible greatest forgiveness may be one that JESUS gave HIS disciples after HIS resurrection. Why? It is because JESUS had told them many times that HE would rise from the death but none of HIS disciples truly believed and embraced; otherwise they should have gone to the tomb to welcome HIM. And even though Mary Magdalene told them she had seen the resurrected JESUS, they still not believed it. Then JESUS showed up before HIS disciples. Instead of condemning them, JESUS comforted them and encourage them. More importantly, JESUS entrusted them to spread HIS good news to the world. Now we read and learn that JESUS had risen from the death. Let’s not disappoint JESUS. Go and let the world know JESUS! Amen!

JESUS was beaten heavily and brutally the whole night. JESUS was humiliated by the soldiers, the priests, the scribes and the crowd. He was hit & spitted. His clothes was taken away. HE was so tired but still HE was beaten to ensure that HE had to carry the beam of the cross. Finally, HE was nailed violently and brutally on the cross. Every breathe meant tons of pains. HE was hanged on the cross for 6 hours under the burning sun. But JESUS did not complain. Instead, HE asked Heavenly Father to forgive the people around HIM. HE appointed HIS beloved disciple, John, to take care of HIS mother, Mary. HE promised to see the sinner crucified beside HIM because he admitted his sin. This is our Lord! HE always remembers us no matter what happens to HIM! Thank you, LORD!

Jesus was badly treated after HE was caught. The high priests treated HIM unfairly by making false accusations. Pilate chose to submit to the request of the people to crucify JESUS. His disciple, Peter, denied HIM three times, even that he swore that he never knew the person. What a terrible night to JESUS! However, we know JESUS did not send any angels to save HIM. HE did not blame Peter for his heartlessness. He was like a lamb to be slaughtered. Let’s remember that JESUS is not weak. HE chose to accept all these unfair treatments all because of HIS love to us!

Jesus always presented an image of calm and confidence before HIS disciples. HE could clam down the storm. HE would easily walk away from an angry crowd. HE would confidently face people possessed with demon. It seems nothing can bother HIM. But after the Passover dinner (Last Supper), Jesus led HIS disciples to Gethsemane to pray. Out of HIS disciples’ expectation or imagination, JESUS was completely broken down. The Bible said HE was so upset and troubled – “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death”. What made JESUS so upset?! It is our sins. HE was going to carry all of humankind’s sins from Day 1 to the end of the world. This is the worst and the most horrible task all over the time. Holy Son never sins once but now HE knows HE would carry all the sins. Without tremendous unlimited love, HE would not accept this task! However, this task or burden was so heavy that HE sweated with blooddrop. This is our Lord, Jesus. If JESUS only gives us the image of calm and confidence, let’s remember this special image of JESUS: HE fell on the ground and prayed; HIS soul was so sorrowful that HE sweated with blooddrop. Thank you, Lord!

Even though the lady in this passage did not say one word, Jesus Christ praised her for what she did and reminded all the people to remember her when we go to share the gospel. I don’t think Jesus wants us to tell people how much she prepared or bought the perfume. Indeed this is what the other disciples were concerned, not Jesus’ concern! Jesus praised her for her dedicated heart and listening ears that she did believe what Jesus had mentioned about HIS coming death. She poured the perfume over Jesus’ head to prepare for HIS burial but Jesus was alive at that moment It actually sounded a bit weird. But JESUS knew her heart. When we serve Jesus, not many people may understand us. We are so thankful that JESUS always knows our hearts!

It is so wonderful to know that JESUS will come back in the future. We may want to ask HIM many questions. We may want HIM to solve many issues in the world. I believe that JESUS is able to answer all our questions and resolve all the problems we have right now. But JESUS warns us to be careful when we are waiting for HIS 2nd return. Many people might pretend they are JESUS or they know when JESUS would exactly come back. But JESUS says it is true that HE will come back but we should not listen to anyone who claim they are JESUS or they know the exact date of HIS 2nd coming. We should believe when JESUS comes back, HE would let all of us know at the same time without any doubt because HE is God. Thank you JESUS for giving us the clear reminder and promise!

In school, we are tested or quizzed very often. Sometimes, we would feel very stressed or frustrated especially when the results are not good. But let’s remember that these tests or quizzes are good for us as they can tell us what school materials we don’t understand and tell the teacher which students need more help or what the teacher needs to change in order to help the students better. However, the scribes, Pharisees, or Sadducees came to test JESUS out of bad motives as they all wanted to find out the mistakes of JESUS and trap HIM. They did not come to get help from JESUS. We may not follow their steps to test JESUS but sometimes we may say “Jesus if you love me, you should….” This may not be the appropriate attitude to ask JESUS. We should not test JESUS. So we should ask JESUS “Jesus thank you for loving us. Can you help me….”. JESUS loves to listen to our requests when we have the right attitude.

The first gift that God gives to us is our parents. Our moms definitely carry a special position in this beautiful picture. Our moms were the ones to bring us to the world directly and physically. On the other hand, our dads also carry a special role in this picture as well. They help our moms, take care of the family together with our moms & love us as much as our moms do. Our dads deserve our thanks and loves too. While Father’s day is coming, let’s give thanks to our dads. Also pick one verse from the Bible as a gift for your dad. Pray that GOD would fulfill what HE promises in that specific verse for your dad. Amen!

Jesus was so mad when people used the temple to do business, let alone preparing people to worship GOD. Those people were selling stuff in the temple area, which made the place a mess, noisy and disrespectful. If Jesus visits our rooms, what does HE see? Well I believe Jesus is merciful, so HE may not be as straight as our parents who would always want us to clean up our rooms. However, if JESUS visits our hearts, does HE see a mess – some inappropriate thoughts, words, plans, etc? Let’s ask JESUS to help to clean up our hearts. Let’s make our hearts become clean and ready to accept HIS love and words! Amen!

Jesus is always so nice and kind to the children. We can even say HE can be the best children pastor in the world because HE loves children so much and HE always sees the true hearts of the children – their kindness, purity, honest, obedience and love. These are the characters or attributes that Jesus treasures a lot. HE wants everyone to carry the same kinds of characters, no matter that they are adult and children. That’s why HE says we should receive the kingdom of God like a child. It doesn’t mean we act like children but instead we should approach God like a child with the above characters Jesus treasures. Let’s pray that God helps us to keep or develop HIS treasured characters in our hearts when we follow Jesus! Amen!

We may know quite a lot about Jesus Christ. We have four Gospels talking about the life, teaching, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He lived amongst His disciples. His disciples were able to touch HIM, have meal with HIM, talk to HIM. But then before HE was ascended back to heaven, HE promised to send us Holy Spirit. Who is Holy Spirit? What is Holy Spirit looked like? The Bible did not give us too much details. However, at two special occasions in which the Bible shows us Holy Spirit rest on Jesus like a dove at His baptism and rest on HIS disciples like the tongues of fire at the Pentecost. Pentecost is the day to celebrate the first harvest 50 days after Passover. God used this special occasion to send Holy Spirit to His disciples to “harvest” HIS work of salvation. HIS disciples since then were empowered to go out to share the good news of Jesus Christ. We also receive the Holy Spirit when we truly believe and accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior. We are also empowered to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our friends. Are you ready?

Jesus taught His disciples many things but now it was closer to HIS crucifixion. HE told His disciples again about HIS death and resurrection but it seemed HIS disciples paid no attention to it. Instead they talked more about their own concerns, e.g. who would be the boss afterwards, who should have authority to drive out the demon. We might have similar problems. When we attend school or church, we may not pay attention to what the teachers say. Or when we read the Bible, we may not really pay attention to what the Bible says. Then we forget what we hear or read. We always need to ask Jesus to help us pay attention at school and during the worship. HE can help us! Thank you Lord!

Last Sat, our MJCCC kids learnt a few samples of prayer for mom. They learnt that they can pray for their mom when she is anxious, she is burdened, she is tired, etc. Also the kids learnt that they can give thanks to God for their wonderful mom. Mother’s day is coming. There is no better gift than making a prayer to God for their mom by themselves. May God help our kids treasure the amazing relationship between them and their moms. May God help our kids to see what their moms are going through! Amen!

MJCCC Children Devo (every Wed – May 01 2021) by Pastor Sunny Wong
Real look (Mark 9:2-14)
Jesus went up to the mountain and He was transfigured before HIS disciples. HIS face and HIS clothes shone like the sun. This is really a very special revelation of the real look of Jesus Christ. However, Jesus reminded HIS disciples not to tell anyone about this transfiguration until HE was raised from the death. Without the acceptance and understanding of HIS resurrection, His transfiguration just meant a historical event but now because of HIS resurrection, we can see Jesus’ real look too in the future.

Even though Jesus is able to heal a blind man, it is not good to be blind. Kids, protect your eyes as they are so precious and important to you. Blindness means more than that you cannot see. It results in a total change in your life. Just imagine what happens to you for what you can do every day – e.g. you go to a public washroom and you can see whether it is clean but now if you are blind, how do you know it is clean?; you feel so safe to enjoy your meal at the dinner table but now how do you know what you eat is clean & good if you are blind?; you walk joyfully on the street but now how do you know there is no hole, rock or even poopoo right before you?... your life would be completely changed when you become blind. So take good care of your eyes especially when we are living in the digital age. We easily spend lots of time watching TV, computer, tablets, smartphones, without giving our eyes good rest. Protect and treasure what God has given to us!