I sometimes wonder what if Jesus lives in this era we live in, what would he do? Would he spend it teaching and healing more; not distracted by all the noise we have in this digital world? Would he feel the need to hurry in this instantaneous gratifying world? The answers to these questions however, will not change my faith in Jesus. What I need to focus on is the fact that Christ has died on the cross for us and because of that, we are made righteous through Him (2 Cor.5:21).  

Timing is also another question that many of us have asked at least once. Though we have heard testimonies that God is never late, sometimes we find ourselves asking, “When God, when?” Sometimes, His timing may even seem unfair but I rest my assurance on the Lord’s invitation to walk daily with Him, to cast my cares unto Him, to grow in knowledge and love Him (2 Peters 3:18).

​The Lord is working in and through all things. He only lived on earth for 33 years yet He has accomplished His mission and defeated death. Let me encourage everyone to live by faith and love and not allow questions to plague our faith in Christ’s Sovereignty and love for us.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

2 Peters 3:18 NIV
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
 
- Jenni Wang 
​

There is a vast difference between happiness and blessedness. Paul had imprisonments, sacrifice and painful sufferings up to the very limit; but in the midst of it all, he was blessed. All the beatitudes came into his heart and life in the midst of those very conditions.

On one of his concerts, Paganini, the great violinist discovered that his precious famous violin has been stolen. On that discovery, he felt paralyzed for a moment and he stepped back behind the stage's curtain looking at the old cheap violin that has been left as the replacement of his stolen violin.

He remained at the back of the stage's curtain for a moment, then came out before his audience and said: “Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul.” And he played as he would have with his precious violin. Out of the old cheap instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enchanted with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building;  Paganini had revealed to them that music was not in the instrument, be it an old or a a precious expensive one but in his own soul.

It is your mission, tested and tried one, to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that blessedness is not in the conditions, not in things, not in externals but it is through the peace and faith within your soul that trusted the Lord, your Saviour.

If peace be in the heart, the wildest winter storm will be full of solemn beauty. If peace be in the heart.

John 16: 33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

- Charles F Richardson

Colossians 1:13 NLT
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of the darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son..
 
Have you ever imagined what it was like to be in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ? Joy, peace, fulfilment and love that many are seeking but many can’t find on this earth are freely offered as benefits to the citizen of His kingdom. Don’t imagine it any longer! His wonderful Kingdom is in you!

Jesus said for behold the Kingdom of God is already among you (Luke 17:21). From the moment you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour, He lives in you. Just as Paul declared that “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20). In 2018, as I was passing through a dark moment of my life, I saw this same verse - Galatians 2:20, boldly emblazoned on the back of a random guy’s t-shirt. That very moment, I could tangibly feel the Holy Spirit administering to my spirit. Love and hope were knocking loudly in my heart that day.

If you are going through a dark moment today, surrender your pain, fear and sorrow to Him. Give Him the reins to your life. You live in His kingdom and the government will rest on His shoulders (Isaiah 9:6). This will affirms His Lordship, over your life, family, relationship, work and any activities happening in His kingdom. Let the Lord's grace flow in your life and let Him lead you to the full abundant life He has promised (John 10:10). 

Galatians 2: 20 
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.

- Annie Pisca

This year, the Lord will take care of us. The Bible has records that attest to His lovingkindness and faithfulness since the beginning of creations and the Lord Himself promises He will never forsake us, who else could make this promise to us with an everlasting credibility.

Never also implies that the Lord will always be available for us at all times, any time and everytime. Doctors, bankers and services are usually available to us from Monday to Friday and immediate appointments are not always guaranteed with them but with the Lord, He guarantees around the clock care; He will never forsake you.

​Let us heed the wisdom of the ​Bible for it is written, “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.” (Deuteronomy 11: 13 - 15). 

This year, the Lord will take care of us, obey His commandments and honour Him in all you do. Truly, you are blessed.

- Irene Soon

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” This is an infamous quote written by Corrie Ten Boom, a holocaust survivor and it is still a practical reminder to these days.

​When you look around, you become aware that everyone is fighting their own battles and it may magnify your “aloneness” in your own battles, when you look within, you are reminded of your own shortcomings but when you look at God, His peace would be your strength and you are reminded that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all. God may use people or things to bless you but He alone is your source, your provider. Yes, sometimes God may let you reach end of your rope but it will only assure you that He is all you need.

In this new year, look unto the Lord as our first source, it may even be in a form of a small short prayer or an utter of dependence on the Lord’s help and you will find His rest, His peace and His strength to move forward. Don’t look elsewhere.

Lamentation 3: 22 - 25
The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases, his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him. 

- John W.

Dear blessed friends and families, 

Happy New Year 2023

In this new year, we pray that you have the confidence and boldness of David when he penned Psalm 23.

"Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Praise the Lord that always lavishes His mercy and goodness upon us even when we feel we are the most undeserving; He doesn't see us the way we see ourselves; He condemns not. Rejoice, blessed ones, the Lord is always with you and surely, surely you are never without His goodness. Your name is engraved on the palms of His hands - "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."- Isaiah 49: 16

- Hopeful Heart team

As we listened to mostly Christmas tunes in the shops and radios, you would have come across ‘Silent Night. ‘It’s serene melody portrays a calm bright starry night that’s captivated by a heavenly peace when baby Jesus was born.

As I pondered to its lyrics, our picture of calmness surrounding Jesus’ birth could be far from a silent night as the angel armies sing the glory of Heaven announcing the birth of a Saviour. Not to mention the visitation of the shepherds, wise men, sheep and camels crowding the stable but amidst the commotion, there was baby Jesus. I pictured Him peacefully asleep in the arms of an exhausted young mother and under the watchful protection of Joseph, His father.

As we enter to the days of church, worship, gatherings and festive activities nearing to Christmas day, let’s remember amidst all these commotions and busyness, there was baby Jesus who was peacefully asleep amidst the crowds and noises around him; that there’s peace in remembering our Prince of Peace embracing the heavenly peace meant for this season. Do not let the world busyness take that away from you. Jesus, He is Immanuel, He is with us and He is the Peace to be embraced this season.

Matthew 1: 22 - 23
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel' (which means, God with us) 

- Irene Soon

I came across a writing that states, “men are better than walls and faith is stronger than castles.” I believe one of the ways our God strengthen us is by making us strong in the inward might, this is done through perseverance, quiet trust and giving thanks amidst all situations and faith, faith being our spiritual weapon; the castle and unshakeable fortress  of our inner man.

When we place our faith in the author and the perfecter of our faith, God can take the feeblest of us and make us to be courageous like David. He could fortify you better than walls before your enemies. We serve a living God who gave victory to a small shepherd boy who had only a slingshot and stones against an almost 7 feet trained military soldier. We, the armies of the living God as proclaimed by David, are not weak and hopeless, our confidence is in our living God; He makes His champions mightier than all of their enemies. Let our faith be strong, let our stance be strengthened, the Lord is our Victor and He gives us victory!

Lord, infuse Your strength unto my faith and fill me with the courage to rise above my situation and take up my victory. Amen!
 ​
Hebrew 12: 2- 3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

- John W. 

Through all ups and downs in life, I still want to testify that God is trustworthy.

I have started a new role in my team, as Assistant Prayer Coordinator (APC). It is a role that could overwhelm me with worry. Taking the role took me out of my comfort zone but I believe it is an opportunity to experience the Lord’s faithfulness and it is a learning curve for me to depend more on Him.
​
I believe there will be times in our lives when we are asked to make decision when we have several choices in front of us. We may not be an expert decision maker but I believe when we choose to obey the Lord and step out of our comfort zones, He will grace us to have the strength and wisdom daily. Even if we doubt our own ability, He would still allow us to have the opportunity to advance beyond ourselves and abilities.

Choosing to obey and trust the Lord may seem like threading a path less known, it may seem uncertain but would you challenge yourself to believe that it would be the best decisions we could make? Not because of our own intelligence or discernment but because of the Lord’s everlasting love that gifted us everlasting mercy and grace. The Lord is truly trustworthy and we can put our trust in Him.

Ephesians 2: 4 - 5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

- Jenni Wang

When Jesus first called His disciples, He told them, ‘I will make you fishers of men.’ (Matthew 4:19 KJV) Yet after hearing His promises, they went back to what they were doing before they met Him: fishing. God will use your past experiences to teach you, but He always leads you forward, never back. When fear and uncertainty make you want to go back to the security of what you know, you end up like the disciples: "That night they caught nothing."
 
But the good news is: if God has called you, you’re still called. In spite of your lacklustre performance, you’re still God’s redeemed child.

In the Bible, Jesus approaches the discouraged disciples and instructs them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. "When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish…Then, as soon as they come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it and bread (John 21: 9 NKJV). Despite the disciples going back to 'their ways', Jesus provided them abundance including cooking them breakfast. Jesus then ate breakfast with the disciples and renewed their fellowship. Jesus knows what you need before you even asked Him to, He has you always in His minds; He is your provider.
 
When you work outside God’s will, it’s like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; you wear yourself out and end up having little to show for your efforts. Are you struggling? Things will start to change when you submit to Christ, renew your fellowship with Him, and allow Him to direct you.

John 21: 3 NKJV
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat and that night they caught nothing.

- Bob Gass - Word for Today Devotional