As we approach the end of the year, many of us will be reflecting of the changes that we've undergone in our lives, our learning and experiences.

No matter how this year has panned out for you, whether it was filled by beautiful moments or challenges filled with tears and sorrows, let us remember that what matters to us, matters to God (1 Peter 5:7).

Many times in our success, we forget that it is God who lifts us, provides us with the wisdom, favors, strength and health. He is the one who allows us to have the opportunity to be in our successful position. Do we acknowledge Him in all our joyful and successful moments?

In our sorrow, it was God who loves us and cares for us but we may be too discouraged to notice His hand of provision uplifting us, protecting us. He is always there behind us, watchful of us even a word of prayer is all we could utter during the difficult times, He will hear us and uplift us with His mighty strength so we could wake with a new grace for another day.

So, whether this year has been a joyful or tearful year, let us keep on looking upon our God and continue to say our prayers because what matters to us, matters to God. 

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up...
1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:8 - Be alert and of sober mind...

- Diven

People who make money, have good looks, are clever or humorous or talented are often looked up to and envied in our world. The characteristic of integrity is not often praised or acknowledged. Yet, a person of integrity has great ability to lead, to influence and be trusted - by men and by God.

Integrity is defined as the quality if being honest, adhering to one's values, to be upright and undivided. It is being the same person in public as one is in private; it is keeping ones word; it is having the same values at home and outside; it is working one's best when no one is around; it is standing up for what is right instead of passively letting something pass.

It doesn't mean being perfect or sinless. It just means that once we sin, we acknowledge we have failed and don't hide what's wrong.

King David in the Bible is a man who was described by God as having "integrity of heart and uprightness". As a result, God entrusted the throne, not just to him, but to his descendants. As we know, David became the ancestor of the heavenly King - Jesus. 

It is our turn to walk in integrity. It's not a feeling but it is the challenging decisions that we choose to stand for, which truly makes God proud!

Psalm 41:12 
Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.

- Jo Voon -

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas Day.

Traditionally this is the day where workers and servants receive gifts from their master or employers. Today, it is a day where everyone heads out to town to seek any worthy bargains or shop with the assurance of generous discounted prices from the stores.

What would you like to buy? A friend of mine has listed a few house items she needed for the new house she has just shifted into, another friend looked forward for new addition to her wardrobe and another is enthusiastic on just seeking for any worthwhile bargains.

Apart from hunting for some bargains, let us focus on the original tradition of Boxing Day - the day of giving. God has blessed us with the many choices of material goods; surely there are more than few items you could afford to buy. If that is true, would you extend a generous hand to those who may need it?

In Leviticus 23, God encourages us to display a trait of generosity during festive times. During a time of your abundance, share the blessings God have bestowed to you. You may see what you could give as minimal but to someone, it may mean more than just a gift but the thought that someone cares. Whatever it may be, let us share the joy of the Lord this season by giving generously to those who needs  it.

Leviticus 23:22
When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God


- Irene Soon

Singapore – Orchard Road 2012, decorated beautifully with colorful lightings and other decorative items. Not to mention the glowing Christmas trees that are scattered around the city. The ambiance comforts me as I remember God’s love for us and my heart is flowing with so much gratitude to the Lord.

Like those lights that brighten the street of Orchard, Christ, the " Light of the World " came to the world 2000 years ago to bring light unto our life; the light of hope to this darkened sinful world,  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” - Roman 3 : 23.   His mission was to do the will of the Heavenly Father that “Not wanting anyone to perish".

His sacrifice, the nail pierced hands, the 39 lashes that broke His body, the crown of thorns, the insults and the excruciating pain that He endured on the cross on our behalf, the sinners, has brought Eternal Life to us who believe in Him.

Christ has become the reason for this season, as many people from all over the world are celebrating " Christmas ", the birthday of the "Savior of the World".  

As we celebrate this season, let's count our blessings and think of God's love and His goodness in our lives. Let's praise and thank Him with grateful hearts, rejoicing for His mercy and grace, to enjoy and experience Him in a greater way!

John 8 : 12
... I am the Light of the World. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

- FY

During this festive season, my heart is singing one word – Emmanuel. My God is watching over me. He is Emmanuel, He watches over me like a loving father who never slumbers. Not only during this Christmas, Jesus Christ is Emmanuel in all the days of our lives.

He watches my trembling steps towards the unknown. Often frightened, I look back and seek the approving look of my Father and yes, I see Him. He smiles and nods at me.” My child, I’m watching over you,” He whispers.

Emmanuel, my Holy God is holding my hand. He speaks of forgiveness when a wrong turn is made. “Take another faith step. You will not fall under My watch, “ He added.

Emmanuel, my Father watches over me. My heart sings and it is comforted. Emmanuel, the word is my melody during the rainy and stormy days. My Father will never let me go out of His sight, I’m His and He promises to always take care of me.

My heart sings, My Father loves me and He will love me always. Emmanuel, He will never let me go.

Emmanuel, God is with us.

Matthew 28:20
… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age

- Irene Soon

This is the season to be jolly! For many of us this is finally a time we can savour holidays, let loose on great food and drink, celebrate with friends, go over-the-top on sparkly Christmas decor and splurge on luxurious presents.

In Psalms 37, the Bible says we are to delight ourselves in The Lord.

The English word delight really doesn't do justice to its true meaning. In Hebrew, it means to celebrate, to take exquisite pleasure, to let loose with enjoyment in and together with The Lord!

No matter who you are or what may be happening in your life, through Christ's work on the cross, we can freely come to The Lord, take delight and celebrate together with Him. 

As we perpetually and continually have our delight and affections set on Him, prepare to see Him satisfy the desires, requests and needs of your heart!

Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.

-Jo Voon-

Reflecting with a group of Children that I teach in Sunday School, I asked them what Christmas means to them: Presents, food, family and of course Jesus made the majority of the responses I received. I then shared about how to me, Christmas meant that I could share about the love of Jesus to my family that don't have a relationship with Jesus. A girl then put up her had so bravely and started to share about how she was shy to talk about Jesus. I asked the group if anyone else had felt that way when they have wanted to share about Jesus. Quite of few of them put up their hands… Including me!

Sometimes we can become timid when it comes to sharing about Jesus. If this is you are well, you are not alone! But where do we go from there? We know from the word that fear and timidity do not come from God. The first thing that I do is pray- Firstly I pray that God will prepare the hearts of those who I speak to. Secondly for the Holy Spirit to speak through me and thirdly, that I will aware of how God is working and prompted when to speak out in faith.

I was reading a book by Henry and Richard Blackaby called Spiritual Leadership and two sentences really resonated with me: "Jesus has cultivated such a close relationship with his Father that he could recognise his Father's activity even in the midst of a large crowd. Whenever and wherever he saw his Father at work, Jesus immediately joined him."

This quote has now become of my daily prayers, particularly at the time of the year when talking about Christmas on a daily basis can become so mundane. But it is not just a day that we celebrate with gifts, but the only day in the year where families and communities unite because of Jesus Christ.

What opportunities has God given you this year to share with others about the greatest gift of all?

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

-Sandra Iliev

Christmas day is in the corner and every shopping mall is full with Christmas decorations but I sometimes wonder do people know the true meaning of Christmas.  

I asked some of my colleagues and acquaintances who are not believers and they said Christmas is holiday season where they could have time to relax and spend some quality time with their families.

There is nothing wrong with that opinion, but let’s not lose the perspective of what Christmas really means.

Christ's love is the reason for the season. Jesus came to the world for us, died for our sins and then raised again during the Sabbath. Why don't we take time to give thanks to Him, despite our circumstances, for He so loves us? And will we spend our time or money or what we have, during this season, for someone who don't have the privilege as we have; to show them Christ' love, to let them know that they are the reason Jesus came?

Christmas is all about sharing the love of Christ. Jesus came to the world when we were still enemies to each other. He came to save us because we cannot save ourselves. 

Let us proclaim to the world that they are the reason Jesus came. Let’s share the love of Christ to strangers and the unfortunate. Don’t contain the joy to only our family members and friends. Share it to everyone.

Romans 5: 10-11  
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life?  Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

- Jenni Wang

Sometimes temptation can range from a seemingly harmless distraction to a range of serious threatening dependence such as addictions. Which one is your’s? You could answer this in all honesty in the space of your room and your own heart.  God will be your witness and your only helper.

Don’t be deceived. All temptations lead to destructive paths.  It may not be the easiest confession you could make but God knows the beginning of it and how it will end so why don’t you tell the only One you can truly trust?

Remember you are not alone in many ways. This one thing that you thought is just a personal temptation to you is a struggle for many others too. Just like you, they may not speak about it but I encourage you to talk about it. Talk about it to God and He will help you as your day progresses.

Trust in God and lean on Him for the strength to overcome them each day. Only he can make you stronger than you think.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted  beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

- John W