Reading bumper stickers on car window screen is one of my to do thing when I’m caught in traffic. Among the many, I came across one that says “Jesus loves you,” and it made me wonder would I too have the same sticker on my car.

I must confess that I felt convinced as I pondered on the implications of having the sticker on my car and why I would not have them on it.  To not have the sticker on my car gives me the freedom to react to any situation on the road without Christ’s love in the equation; relieving me to not love others as Jesus have love me even with the many flaws and imperfections I have.

Reading that simple message has reminded me that we are truly the ambassador of Christ on and off the road. Some people may have a bolder approach, some may be more subtle but what matters is we are to love others and not hide our true identity of being a believer behind anonymity and lose our influence to bring them to the knowledge of Christ and His love.

Jesus Christ loves you.

2 Corinthians 5:20
So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

- John W.

Galatians 6:9 
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not

Recently I have just finished reading a remarkable biography of Hudson Taylor, ‘a Man in Christ’. His heart for China is clearly revealed in his saying, “If I had a thousand pounds China should have it- if I had a thousand lives, China should have them. No! Not China, but Christ. Can we do too much for Him? Can we do enough for such a precious Saviour?” 

Hudson’s love for China does not flourish from nothing. When his parents got married and they prayed to God for their first born, even before it was conceived that if it is a boy, then he may work for God in China. It is all because China- one of the oldest civilization and greatest empire had always fascinated his father. Then Hudson was born and his father took the time to educate him of China amidst his busy time attending to patients as well. 

In the Bible, God told king David about His plan to build the temple but God clearly told David that it would not be built by him (1 Chronicles 28:3). It was through Solomon, King David’s son that God built the temple, but the preparation has started as early as the time when David was still alive and Solomon was young and inexperienced (1 Chronicles 22:5). 

 God has His own timing. Sometimes we pray and we feel that God is not listening to our prayer and He is just silent. We then think that God is too slow and we try to do things on our own but through the stories in the Bible, we can see God took time to prepare His great work. 

Are we ready to be His agent of change in this world? Clinging to Him no matter what the circumstances we are facing? Even when He does not call us to climb to the top of the mountain, but just to go around the valley to prepare the way for the one who will climb to the top of the mountain, would we too obey? Trust in God’s timing, His great work is on the way. 

- Jenni Wang

When was the last time you were amazed? Was it at a sunset, a breath taking view? An unexpected kind act, or a wonderful surprise?

Wherever Jesus went, people were amazed at Him. They were amazed at His miracles, they were amazed at the way He taught, they were amazed at His attitude, His authority and they were amazed at His life.

God wants us to be amazed at Him everyday! He orchestrates the seasons, the days, the growth of a baby in the womb, even the funny little things that make us laugh! Let's take time to be amazed be Him!

Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭32 And they were amazed at His teaching, for His word was with authority and ability and weight and power.

-Jo Voon-

Whether you are married, in a relationship, single, separated or widowed, everyone can feel lonely at times. Jesus understands this and He provides answers and comfort through His words.

1. Do not fear (*Isaiah 41:10) - Satan often uses loneliness against us, leading us to sadness and fear, distracting us from the fact that we're loved by God.

2. I will not forget you (*Isaiah 49:15) - Today's busy lifestyle makes it hard to spend time with our loved ones. Though surrounded by people all the time, not many truly cares and understands. We forget and miss so many important moments. However God has promised that He will not forget you.

3. The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed ( Deuteronomy 31:8)

4. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9)

*Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

*Isaiah 49:15
Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

 - Diven

Recently I met a childhood friend and we spoke fondly of old times. As we went through some of our faded childhood photos, we were instantly swept back in time to the carefree memories of the times spent at school, the teachers, excursions and memories we both share. Though those days felt just like yesterday, I was reminded on how easily I have forgotten them as life goes on. I moved on and get occupied with present issues forgetting how good God has been to me all those years; how He has blessed me all these times to this very moment.

King David knew the forgetful human nature all too well when he wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits.” Time passes, life goes on but let’s not forget it is God who continues to carry us on. It is only beneficial to us to recall all that God has done for us and surely we will be encouraged to trust Him in this present time and for the future. Bless the Lord O my soul.

Psalm 103: 1 – 2
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits

- Irene Soon

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four puppies and he felt a little tug on the corner of his shirts as he was painting. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. "Mister," the boy said, "I want to buy one of your puppies. I have only 39 cents, may I take a look at your puppies"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else coming out of the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.

Down the ramp it slid. Then in a awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up. "I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would." With that the little boy reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "Sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands." With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. "How much, sir?" asked the little boy. "No charge, son," answered the farmer, "There's no charge for love."

We too could be a blessing to others who is hurting. Our condition may not be perfect but it is a perfect setting for a heartfelt empathy to others who is going through similar experience. You may hobble and run slower than the others but remember that we are not the only one with our ‘conditions’, be a friend.  I’m convinced this is one of the reasons God created friends, so we could walk together sharpening each other in the love of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

- Unknown Author

We get bombarded with ads that tell us to lose weight, eat healthy and exercise. There's plenty of books giving us advice on how to improve our lives, invest, make money, plan for the future. And when we get sick we see doctors, physios, pharmacists and so on...

All these things are excellent help. But there is only one and only compass that will tell us where we are, where we are heading, and how to live in the present. This compass is the Bible.

Whenever there is confusion or uncertainty, coming back to the Bible points us in the right direction and grounds us on the truth. 

When we base our thoughts around it, God is revealed. No longer do we have to be swayed by clever arguments or doubtful thoughts or impossible situations. Instead, we can be sure that God's word is certain and solid, and so becomes our lives as we build on His Word!

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ NIV)

-Jo Voon-

Whenever anyone asks me how I can be so certain about who and what God really is, I am reminded of the story of the little boy who was out flying a kite. It was a fine day to go kite-flying, the wind was brisk, and large billowy clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and up until it was entirely hidden by the clouds.

"What are you doing?" a man asked the little boy. " I’m flying a kite," he replied. "Flying a kite, are you?" the man said, "How can you be sure? You can’t see your kite." "No," said the little boy, "I can’t see it, but every little while I feel a tug, so I know for sure that it’s there!"

Don’t take anyone else’s word for God. Find Him for yourself, and then you too will know by the wonderful, warm tug on your heartstring, that God is there, for sure. 

Psalm 100:3
Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

- Writing of Billy Graham

The ringing alarm that sounds the onset of yet another day, the slow driver ahead of you in a slow moving traffic, a burnt cup of coffee, and in general a very boring plain day.

The familiarity of the mundaneness is almost creepy and perhaps most of you might have gone through a similar experience. Yet how we respond to those same circumstances may in fact lead to a very different outcome or experience inwardly.

God promised that He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28) but that does not mean life will always go our way or be smooth sailing. How we receive rest is directly related to how we give meaning to things around us.

What have you been feeding your mind about your circumstances around you? Was that information framed based on your tainted perspective, or was it truly the truth? Sometimes, we put ourself down by giving a greater voice to our inadequacy and negative thoughts… mistaking them as constructive criticism rather than considering them deeply as we should have. Is it a spirit-led conviction for an area of your life that needs some adjustment? If so, it will be uncomfortable – but never condemned.

When voices attack your being and have you reconsider your standing with God, consider first who you are in Christ Jesus. For one, I know you are created to be more than a conqueror, a work of art, and in Him there is now therefore no condemnation.

My challenge today, is for you to saturate yourself with His words and be inbued with His power.  

Romans 12:2 NLT
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

- Elizabeth Tan

Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

What would it look like to live completely confident and secured in the love of God, and to literally be guided by His eye?! Is it possible to be so convinced and perceptive and to know His heart and nature for humanity so well that with one glance from Him, our whole behavior, countenance, and expression could change? 

As you get to know a person, their thoughts, and feelings toward specific things, you become more aware of how you are influencing and affecting people around you. On my personal journey of marriage and in relationship, I have found security and courage in my husbands glance. Behind his eyes is what communicates expression and a silent communication of deep knowing and union. I am convinced that this was the desire of God for us as well. When your gaze locks with His, there is a transfer of His mood and essence that is imparted to us. This is what keeps our hearts soft to His Spirit, and what instructs and teaches us to become as He is, move as He moves, and be guided into the truth and love of His likeness. 

With this comes a yielding and recognition that He is sovereign, He is good, and to just lean into Him trust in His goodness, as we allow His lordship and leadership to route our entire lives. 

- Carly Andrews