The month of June has always marked a turning point of my life. I remember he sleeps in the storm but today, decades ago, I sent him off in a white wooden casket. He had a peaceful smile on his face, his storm has passed but losing him marked the start of my self-discovery’s journey. The memory of his casket being lowered down to the soil humbles me.

There laid my hero, my father; lifeless and free from all pains. Who are we to clench our fist to God asking why He did so, which I freely admit that I did so for many years or who are we to boast a list of promises we could do? A man's heart plan his course but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16: 9).

Looking back in hindsight, the tragedy birthed courage within us, taught us a new level of humility and surrender to the Lord. Through the change of perspectives and trust, we watched together as a family on how God restored us; spiritually, financially, emotionally and mentally.

​Yes, plan the course of your lives but in all that you do, remember to prayerfully lay all of the plans at the throne of the Most High. It is through His grace, we could achieve a milestone and complete any task or wake to see another day. Let us give thanks for such gift and in time, He will reveal to you the silver linings of all sorrows

- S.I.L 

Let us rejoice and claim our victorious stand!
The Lord has conquered death and He has risen!
Victory is here and now.
The Son of God has set us free and we are free indeed.

Wishing you a joyful Easter Sunday.

- Hopeful Heart team

I once read a story that I kept as a good reminder  The story started with a company who sent two shoe salesmen to Africa. The first salesman wrote to headquarter saying, “Nobody wears shoes here,” and turned in his resignation. The second salesman wrote in with excitement and said, “Everybody here needs shoes!”
 
The first salesman’s negative mindset cemented his decision to resign from the company His mindset caused him to give up in despair. In contrary to the first salesman, the second salesman beamed with confidence that there is much work to be done as no one wears shoes in Africa. What a difference a mindset could make.
 
The same scenario happened when Moses sent the twelve spies to the Land of Canaan for 40 days. Only two spies brought back good news whilst the other ten spies came back with negative reports focusing on the giants of the land. Where the ten spies see impossible situation, Joshua and Caled saw endless provision. Joshua and Caleb responded in faith; believing in the unlimited power of the Lord.

Against the negative murmuring majority, Joshua and Caleb proclaimed, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14: 7 – 9)
 
It is essential that we re-evaluate any negative mindsets that may hold us back and refocuses on our Lord Jesus Christ’s Sovereignty. The boldness of Caleb and Joshua rested on their understanding of God’s mighty power to conquer the land, the majority rested their confidence on israel’s capability to conquer the land.  Needless to say, Joshua and Caleb made it to the promised land.
 
Let us respond in a positive, faith filled manner when any challenges come our way. Our breakthrough does not come solely from our own doing, it has everything to do with the power of the Lord God we serve. 

- Irene Soon

During one weekend, dad brought our family to Esperance, Western Australia. With the pristine blue water and its white sand beach, it is a must for a beach visit. When we reached the beach, my brother ventured out into the waves like any brave boy would but I played close to the shore.

 Seemingly understanding, dad asked, “Do you want to swim with me?” “No,” I hesitantly replied. “Come on, I’ll take you,” dad extended his hand.  “The water is too deep,” I hesitated more. “Trust me, John,” dad extended both his hands by then. I took hold of it and we began walking to the water, surpassing knee deep length and soon enough my feet couldn’t touch the bottom anymore.

Dad picked me up and assured me that he’s got me. He then said, “Now let your feet down here, it is safe,” I reluctantly crawled down thinking we are still in the deep water and as I sank deeper in the water, I quickly discovered there was a rock which I could stand on. I resolved from then on, I can trust my dad.
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Do you feel that circumstances have conspire to sink you further into despair? God too is our Heavenly Father and He is extending both of His hands, asking you to trust Him. He doesn’t promise us that we will be sheltered from the oppression that life might throw at us but God does promise He will never leave you nor forsake us. We can be assured and trust the Lord is trustworthy to keep His promises during turbulent trials. Now, would you take another step forward with a renewed confidence that the Lord’s got you? Do you resolved, yes I can trust Jesus? 

Deuteronomy 31: 6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

- John W.

The best evidence of God's presence is the devil's growl. So once wrote Charles Spurgeon in The Sword and the Trowel.

That little sentence has helped many a tried and tired child of God to stand fast and even rejoice under the fiercest attacks of the enemy. We read in the book of Second Samuel that the moment David was crowned at Hebron, "All the Philistines came up to seek David. And the moment we get anything from the Lord worth contending for, the devil comes to seek us.

When the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for the Lord, let us accept it as "a token of salvation" and claim double blessing, victory and power. Power is developed by resistance. The cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance. In the powerhouse, electricity is produced by the magnetic resistance of the revolving armature. Even so we shall find some day that Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing.
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Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

- Writing of Charles Spurgeon

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers
 
How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers.

Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter -"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”  Jesus didn’t conclude by saying "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing but no, Jesus said "But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not."

We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God have led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth? How shall we thank Him because he never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice.

O Jesus, what a comfort it is that You have pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. 

- Writing of Charles Spurgeon (@Heartlight)

January; widely recognised as the National Thank You month by most US calendars. To most of us, it is a widely encouraged practice; starting the New Year with gratitude is the best way to reflect on the gift of life and the goodness of the Lord.
 
Psalm 136 begins and ends its passage with “Oh, give thanks.” The Psalmist penned each line to reflect on the goodness and deliverance of God for His people. What a way to start the new year, let us spare a few minutes and reflect on this passage. Let us continue to proclaim that the Lord’s love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord.                          

As the days are leading to Christmas, it has been a leading to share what has been the core heart of Hopeful Heart. Hopeful Heart started on a mundane night of August 2011 where God has been speaking much about hope unto our seasons.

Hope through Christ has been such a key message we delight in sharing to believers. When we as believers speak of hope, it resonates deeper that any earthly desires but it is an affirmation that our hope is made certain and it rests on the finished work of Jesus to bring us forgiveness, eternal salvation and reconciliation of humanity's brokenness in a fallen world. We are not left in this world to fight our own battles, Christ is the anchor of our soul, He has come to this world to be a Saviour and a secure hope in times of need and hopelessness.

Through the coming of Jesus, He has secured us hope in many ways. We are able to hope for the future; that we will be redeemed through the free gift of salvation, we could hope in the present that we are sustained, upheld and loved by a God who loves unconditionally. We are also enabled to hope for reconciliations over the scars and consequences of past mistakes; failures are no greater than God’s restorative power.
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As we were led to the verse of Hebrew 16: 20 about hope, it brought about the name of Hopeful Heart. The word Heart is derived from Proverbs 4: 23 NLT. It instructs us to guard our heart above all else as it will determine the course of our lives. So dear friends, as we anchor our hearts in Christ Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer in this month where Christ needs to be celebrated more than gifts and festive activities, we will find His Words to continually guard our hearts through the providence of insightful wisdom and deeper Biblical understanding. May you always find hope in Christ, your living hope and continue to spread His Good News. Jesus is the real reason for Christmas, it is because of His birth, we have Christmas; let Him be at the center of it.

Hebrew 16: 20 NIV
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf...

- Irene Soon

​I just want to share a short reflection after reading about what happened on 16th November to John Allen Chau - (http://www.bpnews.net/52019/crazy-or-called--missionarys-death-debated). The story of Chau probably reminded us to the story of Jim Elliot and his four other friends who died trying to reach the Huaorani in the Ecuador. But it also reminded me to a question I got from a colleague many years ago when I was still in research: Is Jesus’ death a sacrifice or a suicide?

I shared the story of Jesus at that time and one said: Supposed that Jesus did once walked on earth and went to the cross, I think He was crazy to go to the cross. It was suicide not a sacrifice. At least you serve some higher purpose if it is sacrifice, but it is suicide! Who wants to believe in someone who committed suicide? It is difficult to accept that Christ’ death is necessary for our forgiveness of sin and to take away God’s wrath.

With the controversy of his death, we do not know the impact of Chau’s story yet but one thing for certain, we know the impact of Jesus’ story. The story of Jesus’ death keeps on transforming lives including my own life. God’s way to reconcile His justice, wrath, mercy and love through His one and only Son is the most remarkable story I have ever heard and we believers have the assurance of truth in the story of Christ that transforms us daily.

If Chau’s story can stir the heart of many believers, should not the story of Jesus be even more powerful to compel us to be His witness to people who have not heard of His good news? God has called His people from every generation to be His witness. Will we learn from Jesus’ obedience and pick up our cross to share the good news of Christ in this month of December?
 
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

- Jenni Wang