About one and a half years ago I was coming down a mountain late at night. It was 2 hours walk from the nearest person and all I could hear was the odd bird call and the wind, which was lacing mountain tops with snow. I was totally alone with my head torch and backpack.

As I was coming down it had occurred to me with the weather closing in that if my head torch died I would be in trouble. One little light was my guide. Though it only showed me my next few steps that were all I needed to keep away from the huge cliffs. It was my lifeline.

When I read the sermon on the mount it reminds me of this light. It’s a hard ethic for our world, but God is in it and He’s prepared to get His hands dirty by guiding our hands as our lifeline every step of the way.

There is much darkness, but, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).

Feel like a child in the dark near a cliff? Never forget who is helping you navigate your next steps with the light of His word and Spirit!

1 John 4:4
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

- Caleb Allen

Have you ever received an encouraging word when you needed it most from someone you least expected? 

 I still remember five years ago, I was waitressing at a café to earn some pocket money.

One day, an elderly couple I had served on a number of occasions called me over as I was finishing my shift and said, “We have noticed that you are such a cheerful worker and good at what you do. We really want to tip you in person to show you our appreciation!” It wasn’t the $6 tip or the nice things they said, but the sincerity of their gesture that brought tears to my eyes.

Immediately after and all the way home, I still remember hearing the words from Psalm 139 running through my head, “How precious and weighty are your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand.” I felt like God was specifically singling me out, that he had his hand upon my life. It was a tremendous, amazing moment that has become a part of me.

 You never know how your simple gesture or word of encouragement could impact someone, just like how that elderly couple would never know the full extent of what their tip meant to me. 

Psalm 139
How precious and weighty are your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand


- Susanna Tan

 

This is what I know about chess:

·         It is a game of strategy
·         It involves pawns, knights, rooks, bishops, kings and queens
·         There are two teams
·         It is played on a black and white checkers board
·         Certain pieces are allowed to move in certain directions and move a certain number of squares
·         You need to use your pieces to attack your opponent
·         You need to protect you king
·         I am hopeless at playing chess!


Although my knowledge of Chess is very, very limited I’ve had this though circling my head all week: Life is like a game of Chess.

To someone (ie. me) looking at a game of chess that has no idea of how it works would be dumbfounded as to why the knight was moved to that square and why the rook was moved to the other. You don’t know what is going on and start to doubt your chances of winning.

Or for those who have it sorted...

You go day in day out trying our best to get ahead, taking out our opponent, being strategic in what we say and do to get ahead. You can get so caught up in the game that we lose sight of what is important and what it is that actually matter.

God has the ultimate strategy in mind to make you win at life! You may not understand why there has been times your opponent the enemy has gotten you in a tight spot, but know what God knows what is going on, he is with you and will guide you and lead you and help you make the right moves.

Trust that he is the Chess Master!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8

-Sandra Iliev

With enough water, together with sunshine, the sky is literally the limit for a small seed. Given a good amount of time, the seed sprouts roots, stem and leaves, as it keeps taking in water, leaves, branches and even fruit appears. Without water, a plant tends to droop, shrivel and die.

Like plants, we were made to survive and thrive on one substance - the love of Christ. When we live, remain and dwell in Christ love, we find everything we need to live life, to grow, to overcome and to recover after going through bad weather.

The love of Christ leads us on the right path and guards us. Best of all, it cannot let us down or fail! All we need to do is KNOW we are so loved, REMEMBER the great things He has done, PONDER His Words and ASK for our hearts to be filled!

Jude 1: 20 - 21
But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal. 

Romans 5:5 
God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. 

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
 
- Jo Voon -

If there is one thing I learnt at the gym this week, its endurance and focus. Anyone can run on the treadmill, and anyone can run fast... but how long the person can run for is an entirely different ball-game altogether. The longer you run, the more energy you use from your body, and the faster the likelihood you will feel drained.  What separates a long distance runner and a short distance runner? The stamina. 

As all long distance runners will know, stamina is important in running the race- but mental endurance is equally important. If I run with the mindset that I am tired and I can't do this, the chances of me dropping out of the race becomes exceptionally high. 

This is like our race in faith. Life can sometimes throw us a curved ball, and future may suddenly seem bleak. What you used to be confident about may suddenly cease to exist, and your life may be thrown into chaos. Yes, it is difficult. In fact, what you are experiencing now is perhaps so much that it may even crush another if they were to experience what you are undergoing.

The good news is, the very substance of the stamina we so seek to run this good race of faith has been given to us. Jesus- the author and finisher of our faith- is that substance.  Therefore, from the very moment we say yes to Jesus, we have been given the ability to finish this race. All we need to do is to focus on Him. 

Peter walked on waters when he kept his eyes on Jesus. What is your miracle today?

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

- Jia Lin Ang

It is easy to be there for your friend and offer a listening ear but are we really there to listen and share their sadness?

Often the words “I’ll pray for you …” are also uttered out of a good intention when a friend cries and you just don’t know what else to say. The poet Ella Wheeler wrote in her well-known poem – “Laugh and the whole word laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.” It is not wrong to advice words of wisdom and knowledge to a friend who is hurting but sometimes words of advice lost its meaning when someone is encountering profound sadness.

While it is good to say encouraging words to those who are hurting, we need to evaluate our words. Some advice may sound like a generic Christian advice to someone who is hurting and you might actually push your friend deeper into their sadness and solitude.

Ever wondered why Jesus sat and wept at Lazarus’ tomb when HE could’ve just performed the miracles and not waste a single drop of tears? Jesus wept with those who wept; HE understands words have no meaning at times of such sorrow. Jesus shared his sadness with the mourners.

When a friend is hurting and you don’t know what else to say, it is alright to weep with them or just take their hand and offer them your company.  It helps them more than you think.

Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn

- Irene Soon

The art of canoeing down a river rapid is not about paddling hard and fast, it’s about how well you can steer. You’ve got to stay on the lookout for rocks - and they aren’t always visible. Often than not, they are lurking just below the surface, at just the right depth to trap you. The water travels faster as you get closer and sucks you in. Sometimes it can turn the canoe around so you enter into the rapid backwards and can’t see where you’re going.  

No, getting through the rapid is about steering well.

In life, we need to live deliberately, “letting our eyes looks right on (with fixed purpose), and let your gaze be straight before you” (Proverbs 4:25). If we don’t take control of where we are heading, we will be like a canoe that is picked up and  tossed in the rapids. We must be on the alert and ready. Steer away from people and things that distract and hold you back. Instead, run towards those that keep you afloat and moving forwards. We need to “Look  carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not  as the unwise and witless, but wise“ (Ephesians 5: 15).

1 John 2:17
And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings of it; but  he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

- Susanna Tan

Back in her days, Anna Anderson did not have it easy. Being an African American woman, she was constantly bombarded by the strong racial prejudice and discrimination.

Her husband passed away early in their marriage, leaving Anna with 3 young daughters and an uncertain future. Although she was vocationally trained as a teacher in the state of Virginia, she lacked the credentials to teach in Philadelphia but she did not lose hope. She took laundry jobs, ironing and floor scrubbing to put her kids to school. She taught her daughters to depend on God and be thankful in every circumstance.

When her firstborn, Marian Anderson rose to fame, Anna gave God the credit for the success. “We thank the Lord,” was the reply she gave to reporters. A humble reply uttered by a proud mother who believes that if they trust the Lord and acknowledge Him in all things, HE will direct their path. Her daughter  Marian, became one of the greatest classically trained singers of the 20th century and she was the first black singer to appear on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

Anna Anderson did not lament what she lacked in life. Instead, she expressed gratitude for all the opportunities she was given in life. Let’s follow Anna’s example and utter a sincere heartfelt “We thank the Lord,” for everything we have and don’t have.

All we need to believe is, if we trust the Lord with all our heart and acknowledge HIM in all our ways, HE will direct our path.  HE will take care of you and me.

Proverbs 3: 5 - 6 (AMP)
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

- Irene Soon

Do you remember where not too long ago, projectors looked like they had a stork-like neck decked with mirrors and ran on sheets of transparent papers? Now-a-days, projectors come in compact shapes, suspend off ceilings, connected to laptops and all that’s required is a blank white screen, wall or sheet to produce crystal clear images.

At times, situations and what people say project themselves on who we are. Sometimes we give that little hurtful comment by a friend, or a situation which may push us to the verge, or that negative, self-critical thought more than a bit of attention. Other times, we can get caught up in the same situations, on the opinions of others, or our flaws, fears, or seeming inabilities or even let the past catch up.

When these things happen to us, we must not let it define us or determine who we are. We may not choose what happens to us, but we can choose our response. We can choose to rise above the situation, to forgive, to let go, to believe the best, to keep the good fight of faith! Remember, we stand approved and validated by God! We can choose not to conform to these things which project upon us, but be transformed!

Rom 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Rom 8: 31 - 34
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

- Jo Voon

In the bible, the third epistle of John says that "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God."  

God is good. Anything that branches off from God will be good. Therefore, if we then belong to God, we should only be capable of doing good works.  

Yet, how many times have we found ourselves to fail?  Those instances where we crumbled under temptations, giving in to fear, anger, jealousy, or even outright disobedience to God.

Don't get me wrong. Even if you fail a thousand times, it doesn't mean that you are not of Christ. No. It doesn't mean that you are a bad bad christian either. No. Neither does this mean that God is angry or upset with you. No. If at all, what He hates is sin- not you. Because all sins leads to death. 

God is a loving Father. He is patient, merciful and loving. He understands what you are going through. He honours that you honour Him. However, by yourself, you are unable to do good works. After all, the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. 

The only hope we have is in Christ. He died, that we may live again. He died, that we may have heaven on earth. We are saved by Grace, everyday. Every breathe that we take, that we are alive and well- its Grace. Those moments when you receive blessings even though it is undeserving? Thats His Grace. 

How much does He love you?  Lets just say that even moments when you are faithless, He remains faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13).

So, the next time you fall short, just remember who you belong to and look to Christ again. Chains can only be broken through Him. 

Romans 8: 1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh.

- Jia Lin Ang