"Amazing love, how can it be, that you my king would die for me." are the first few chorus lines of Chris Tomlin’s beautiful hymn, Amazing Love. Who are we that Jesus should die for us? What have we done to deserve this? Nothing.

God is truly amazing. He sent His only son to die for our transgressions. Jesus didn’t have to die for us. He could have chosen at anytime to back down. So why did Jesus die for us? Because none of us are blameless, faultless or perfect, nothing that we do can help us attain salvation. It is only through God’s grace and amazing love that we are saved. 

Jesus was sent as a living sacrifice to atone for our sins so that we are without blemish. No-one else could do it for us, Jesus was blameless and without sin. We have no condemnation in Christ Jesus because He died for us and rose again. He is our living saviour.

All we need to do is believe in Christ as our Lord and  Saviour.

1 John 4:9-10 
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

 Romans 8:1 
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

- Zhen Ang

There is one thing in common that people like Isaiah, Abraham, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, David, Daniel and many more have searched for and longed to experience. It is the same thing the ancient astrologers or wise men were looking for. It is also the very same thing the holy angels desire to look into! This very mystery was what God had prepared before the foundations of the world was created.

Yes, this mystery is Christ revealed. God had chosen Him to become a man, to know and experience the sufferings, helplessness, sin, pain and sickness; what it means to be human. And not only to know, but to bear, carry, take away, to erase; and then not only to take away, but to exchange, to give in place of, His life, His power, His authority, His glory, perfection and Oneness with God.

This was unheard of through the ages. This was so foreign to the laws of the heavens and the earth.
Yet, you and I have what the prophets had not, you and I have free access to what angels wondered at.
Let us remember this Easter what He has done and who we are because of Him!

1 Peter 1:10-12 
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow... Even angels long to look into these things. 

1 Peter 1:20 
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 

-Jo Voon-

Listening to some amazing men and women of God share about their missionary experiences always stirs something in my Spirit. But at the end it always comes back to one thing- obedience!

It may sound so simple but it is something that we have to confront or chose on a daily basis. We have to make the daily decision to obey Jesus and the Word that he gave us. We take for granted the power of obedience and the blessings that follow. 

God is always faithfully pulls through when we simply say yes to Him on a daily basis. Obedience takes perseverance. Things don't always happen the way that we want them to. Life can take sudden turns and we are tempted to try and do things our way and on our terms instead of sticking to God's plan. Take heart that bad things are happening as they are can be a sign that you're on the right track and disturbing the devils plans!

When I first became a Christian, my connect leader or cell group leader wrote me a quote that I still think of often. It said "Obedience unlocks what God has for me tomorrow". If we are obedient with the little God has given and say yes to the small things and the big things, we will reap the benefits! He doesn't have mediocre things for your life. 

He has grandiose plans and things for you to do, abundantly more than you could ask or imagine! Obey Him and enjoy the ride!

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us"
Ephesians 3:20

"However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name"
1 Peter 4:16

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."
2 John 6

-Sandra Iliev

Two young women, who were good friends, were out on a boat near dusk. Then unexpectedly, the boat stopped working. The women did not have the means to return to shore and they began to be concerned for their safety. They then determined to pray throughout the night and they were a support for one another.

The younger woman, at a time during her prayer, did not perceive the waters to be choppy, even though she was standing in the boat. Then Jesus came to them in another boat, saying “Be not afraid, it is I!” It was shortly before dawn. The older woman smiled knowingly, she knew that the waters had, in reality, been choppy.

There is a depth of inexhaustible meaning in Scripture- the beauty of exploring its richness is hard to put into words. Stories too provide layers of depth and meaning to the reader. However, to help give focus to the story above, Psalm 23 speaks of the faithful person fearing no evil in the knowledge that God is a Good Shepherd to us. 

Each one of us struggles with suffering and dark times in our lives. Even when God appears not to be visibly active or present in such a situation, God's love can empower us with a confident, expectant trust in God acting in our lives and responding to our prayers ( Matthew 7:7-11). Such confidence is a pure gift of love that God wants to give to us and to experience with other faithful people.

 Matthew 7:7-11
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

- Kent Hodgson

Are you a person who struggles with self-control? 

Do you have a problem in controlling your temper, moods and the words that you speak? 

Are you a person who would be there to comfort your friends when they are in trouble, but find yourself feeling down and discouraged once in a while? Or do you feel impatient sometimes and say things that you might regret later?

In this whole universe, there is only One Person who has a perfect humanity and perfect character, and He is Jesus himself.

All we need to do is to spend more personal time with Him. Not just as a routine and not to seek Biblical doctrines. We need to pray and read the Bible with a seeking spirit to know Him and a willing heart that wants to please Him. 

May His Spirit fill us day by day with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. May we be today's Enochs who walk with God.

Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control ...


- Diven

"In such a hurry, what can I write? I have not much in my mind apart from work this morning. What about that meeting I have to go to, the report is not completed. Oh wait … I have a list of people to call before the meeting and then schedule that overdue appointment with suppliers for events for the next few months. I have to do this and that and I hope I could have lunch too." 

What a day to look forward to but how could I want it to end before it even begins? Oh, I forgot one thing; I forgot to pray about today. I just rushed off to work without taking the time to pray.

Could we take a few minutes to just say a simple prayer?

"Thank you Father for today. Thank you for You are the source of my strength and wisdom. In all that I need to do, please remind me that I have your favour and guidance to complete any given task, today.  Help me to keep my hopes in You and be steadfast when negative thoughts come and distract me from Your goodness. I surrender my today unto Your hands, Father. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen."

Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

- Irene Soon

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of day - Genesis 32:24

Imagine being left alone.

What different impressions those words conjure up to each of us. To some, they spell loneliness and desolation, to others rest and quiet. To be left alone without God, would be too awful for words, but to be left alone with Him is something our soul need daily.

The Master set us an example. Note how often He went alone with God and He had a mighty purpose behind the command. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”

Jacob wrestled alone with God before he got his breakthrough. The greatest miracle of Elijah and Elisha took place when they were alone with God. Joshua was alone when the Lord came to Him (Josh 1:1). Moses was by himself at the wilderness bush (Exodus 3:1-5). Cornelius was praying by Himself.

Covet to get alone with God. If we neglect it, we not only rob ourselves but others too, of blessing. When we are blessed, we are able to pass on blessings to others. So, are you lonely? That is the best time to spend with God. Encounter Him in your time alone with Him.

- Author unknown

Have you ever felt bored reading the Old Testament book? It is mostly filled with genealogy of names that we may sometimes find hard to pronounce. Well, I have. In all honesty, Old testament book is the book that I explore the least.

One day, I find myself crying to the Lord in my distress and He worked in my heart. He didn't answer my question and free me from all my problems but He did open the eyes of my heart to know Him better. He showed me that He is a personal God that cares for each and everyone of His children by name.

The long list of names in the Old Testament is just one among the many other manifestations of His love; of how He remembers everyone by name and their origins. God know us by our names and call us to have personal relationship with Him.

Though I still struggle with my troubles, God has given me this revelation. He has lovingly reminded me that He is God who sees everything I am going through and He cares to know my name and to call me back to Him. 

He also cares for you and He is calling you back to Him. We are created to be one in communion with Him. If we still haven't responded to His calling, this is the time to go back to the One who knows us by our name, know all of our flaws, but still choose to love us and is longing to be with us. He is a personal God who is calling each one of us to return to Him.

Isaiah 46:3-4 
Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,  all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

- Jenni Wang

A few years ago, I received a vision from God, reminding me that I was a princess of God with all these unopened gifts. I sat there with all these unopened presents, not knowing what to do with them.

I felt that God was telling me that I have given you all these gifts and yet you do not know what to do with them, just open them up. Like me, some of you may have gifts that you have forgotten about or didn’t even know you have. Not knowing what is in the box or what God has in store for you?

If you have the faith to open it up, you will receive God’s wonderful blessings in return. Step out in faith and receive, remember you are royalty in God’s eyes.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

- Zhen Ang