Have you ever encountered a colleague or work mate who was only nice to you because they needed help, or a boss who wanted a favor, or a friend who imposed expectations or a family member who only rang when they needed a hand? Perhaps Jesus understands... 

The bible tells the amazing story of how Jesus encountered 10 blind men while on His way. The begged to be healed and Jesus healed everyone of them, however, only one returned to give thanks to Jesus!

Like the blind men, There are times in our lives where we may unknowingly treat Jesus the way our friend/family/work mate treated us, we may seek the gift rather than the giver or the provision rather than the provider. It is something I myself have been convicted of. Let us take this opportunity to seek Him, to desire Christ and Him alone!

Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God. My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?

- Jo Voon-

The higher you climb in life, the more people will try to assert their control over you. Their threats sound lethal and the consequences of ignoring them may seem intimidating.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s commitment to God landed them in a fiery furnace heated seven times over. But it also promoted them to a place of great blessing and influence. Their story teaches us that for something to be an authentic test of character, it must be a situation in which the outcome is not in your hands. You simply make the choice to do what is right before God and leave the consequences to Him.

It's a trial by fire, a fire of refinement, and on the other side of it you come out stronger. Each time you do the right thing; choosing to embrace rather than escape the path God has called you to walk; you enter a new level of freedom.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego discovered three things through doing the right thing:

• You are set free from the 'Nebuchadnezzars' who claim to have control over the outcome of your life. 
• You are set free to say 'no' to those who would try to use and manipulate you. 
• You are set free to serve the real King and say 'no' to all the other pretenders who really have no power over you at all. 
  

In that moment you not only gain insight into who you are, but more importantly, whose you are. God will do one of two things: develop you in the fiery furnace or deliver you from it. Indeed, He may do both!

Daniel 3:18
Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

- Bob Gass (Word of today)

God is the only one who is able to turn our regrets and mistakes for our own good. Yes, He is the only one who is able to give us beauty for ashes.

Trials will bring out the best of us through character pruning and making mistakes is just an inevitable part of our character pruning’s journey and growing in Christ.

However, if we keep holding on to our mistakes or the remnants of the past, we will not emerge from our past failures and shortcomings. Let’s release our ashes unto God’s hand and reach for a new beginning.

God is willing to use our mistakes for our own good if we are willing to let go of our ashes. There is another chance to make everything better. Yes, you can have a second chance, a third, a fourth and even a fifth chance to try again today, beauty for ashes can be yours.

God will give you all the chances you need, His mercy and loving kindness will follow you in all the days of your life. It’s never too late; give God your ashes today.

 Isaiah 61:3
And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair

- Irene Soon

Matt6 :22-23

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

What do you see? I’m not talking about what our physical eyes see because the word ‘eye’ in the verse does not mean physical eyes but it speaks of a deeper connotation of the ‘eye’, meaning perspective or viewpoint.

The verse above mentioned that our ‘eye’ (our perspective) is the lamp that provides the light (the way out) for our ‘body’ (our life). If our eye is good, our body will be filled with light (solutions/ discernment to overcome our trials) but when our eye is bad, our whole ‘body’ will be filled with darkness (no way out and a feeble character for the future)

Our perspective (what we see) determine our choices (what we do) which will determine our future (what we will be).

Now, what do you really see?

- Limi Halim

I was driving around a very expensive suburb with beautiful heritage cottage houses and grand mansions. After a while I caught myself getting enthralled in wanting a house ‘like that’. I was getting frustrated and bitter! Upon realising this I was really taken back. I ask for forgiveness and started praying and reflecting on having a lot or a little. I battled my thoughts and re-aligned my thinking onto God as my provider and the one who knows the desires of my heart. I was certain of it.

That evening I went to my cousin’s house and we started talking about income. She started talking about high paying jobs and what she would do with the money. After she finished I started to make a case that you don’t need that much money and that I trust God- He will provide for me. So she stated making up scenario after scenario, trying to pressure me into saying that I would like a ridiculously high income. My answer every time was “No, God will provide”.

God set me up for that conversation I was going to have with my cousin. If I did get a fresh revelation of God as my provider and have that battle with my fleshly desire, I wouldn’t have been able to adequately argue my case. He prepared me for that moment.

He knows what is going to happen next. He knows what you are going to do after you read this! Our lives are not made up of coincidences. If you find that God is challenging you, don’t dismiss it. You may need to understand the lesson behind it sooner rather than later.

Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.
Proverbs 8:32-33

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

-Sandra Iliev

Over the last few months, a few of my girl friends have given birth to babies and have said it is an incredible, indescribable experience to birth a new life into the world.  I often love looking at their baby's pictures to indentify where that sharp chin, thick hair or pudgy nose came from. It is truly amazing how a tiny sperm and egg was all that was required to carry the DNA, genes and characteristics that each of us have!

The word born is defined as: brought into existence, or brought to life by birth, or created. When we believe in Christ, the Bible says we are born of God, that is, we are brought into existence, we are given life - no, not just life, but the supernatural life from God our heavenly Father becomes the very DNA which we now carry!

Everything which Christ has done, His supernatural works, His wisdom, capacity, strength, power and victory is in us! In every season, in every area, we can rise as Christ was raised to life! Realize you are born of God!

1 John 5:4-5  For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. Who is it that is victorious over [that conquers] the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on that fact]?

-Jo Voon-

The bible is the ultimate go-to "weapon" a believer has. It records stories that sheds light on the Father's character, important history, prophecies, testimonies, promises, wisdom, and the living word of God that transforms. 

At one point or the other, most of us would have said to God to transform us into His own image, or transform us such that we will no longer have this or that bad habits. Sometimes, despite this, we even have our own "action plan"! We consciously decide that "I shall not do this from today onwards" but subsequently struggles and finding ourself doing just the thing we said we shall do no more of.

You see, when we become performance oriented, we fall back under law and not under Grace (Galatians 5:4)!
The bible says that transformation comes by beholding the Lord. When we focus on what we should or should not do, we are no longer beholding Christ but taking our eyes off what He has finished at the cross. 

Just so you know, His eyes are always on you. He always watches out for you, and cares for you. He loves you deeply. So therefore, cast your cares on Him and rest in Him.

2 Cor 3:18
"18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Romans 10: 17
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

-Elizabeth Tan

When we read about Dirk Willem, we read about an Anabaptist man who died tragically in flames.  He gave up his chance to escape prison and death when he turned back to help one of his pursuers.

In opposition to Dirk Willem’s act, A North Korean snitch – Shin Dong Hyuk saw his own family as his rivals and he spoke against them to the North Korea’s authority. Due to his own action, he witnessed his family’s execution and he lives to tell the tale of injustice and prejudice between the South and North Korean.

Upon reading on these two men’s profiles, I was reminded that God’s love makes a distinct difference in one’s life. God's love changes a person’s life and actions.

Dirk had been taught that he should love his neighbor and enemies which was why he went back to help his "enemy" and sacrificed his own life. Shin was born in Korea’s concentration camp and he never learned anything about love. He was referred as someone with no hope to lose, no past to mourn and no pride to defend.

What makes Christian different from others? Jesus said in the bible that we will be known by our love (John 13:35). Author Philip Yancey reminded us of Jesus’ word when he wrote that we are to have one distinguishing mark, neither political correctness nor moral superiority, but love.

So if we think we can do nothing in this world or we are too insignificant to do any important work, as I myself also come to this point sometimes, love is what we have to share. God's love is what we need to show the world.

There are still countless people who need to know about God's love and if we are still here today, we know that God wants to work through us to show His love to those people.  If God still has not given up on this fallen world, should we give up on our lives and their lives? 

John 13:35 
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another

1 Corinthians 13:13 
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love

- Jenni Wang

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22)

I wonder how many times we have asked God the same question. “Where were you God when this happened in my life?”, “Why You did not do anything?”, “Where were You when this happened?”

Though we know God cares and loves us, it is often hard to think of the real truth when we are hurting. “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”  King David even continued to say,” why do I cry out to you but you do not answer?” King David felt God had abandoned him.

Job too shared the same frustration after losing his families, friends, wealth and his health in one day. Job was angry with God.

Despite the reactions given by these two men, God loves them still. Even after they expressed their anger and frustration, Jesus sees them no less and He came through for them and blessed these two men in their latter days.

Jesus can handle our emotions and frustration; nothing is too overwhelming for Him. Be honest with him. He cares to listen to the good and bad, the praise and the groaning.

In the end, all things will work out because Jesus is the author and the perfecter of our faith in all trials. If it hasn’t worked out, then God’s work in you is not finished yet. He will bless your latter days, that is the truth promised in the Bible. King David and Job had that victory.

Psalm 22: 1 - 2
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

- John W

Peace. Everybody wants it. Whether it is world peace, inner peace or peace and quiet, the prospect of the ‘peace’ transpiring can seem impossible in some situations. There is the peace that we desire to see in our world that unites foes and there is also a profound need in us to seek peace in our hearts and minds.

I am talking about the peace that melts every bit of worry, doubt and uncertainty away. That confirming and unmistakeable feeling which renders you certain that you know that you know it is right and it is God.

Seek the Holy Spirit in your life. Become familiar and know His promptings over your own feelings. Ask God for peace in your heart in uncertain times and remind yourselves Philippians 2:6-7 daily:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It will cover you and protect you and keep you focussed on the Lord. In the most craziest time in your life the Lord can settle your heart, replacing your burdens with his light yoke (Matthew 11:28-30) and walk in the peace that has been given to us through Christ.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

- Sandra Iliev