The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." (1 Kings 19:7)

After killing the false prophets, Elijah fled for his life. At one point he asked God to take his life and God said nothing but told Elijah twice, to get up and eat for the journey ahead will be too much for Elijah to bear. God then asked Elijah what he was doing and he told God that he was the only believer left and the rest have been killed.
 
Probably most of us can identify ourselves as Elijah sometimes. We think we have done the right thing for God or that we have done our best but instead of achieving victory or a breakthrough, we felt like we have hit a big boulder or a dead end.
 
Can we listen to God’s voice when we feel exhausted and even to the point of desperation? Can we feel assured that God knows what happened, what you are currently experiencing and what you will experience in the future?
 
Just as God assured Elijah that He knew the journey is too much for him and did not belittle his response to fatigue, we can rest assured that God knows what we are going through. As He provided for Elijah’s sustenance to continue his journey, we also have the assurance to continue our journey in the midst of any uncertainty life may throw at our path. Cry out to the Lord, He is listening attentively and He will provide.  

- Jenni Wang

​We have come to that time of the year again, making New Year’s resolution that is. This time, I’m going to think small, yes you read it right, “think small.” Despite it sounding counter intuitive to the popular belief of think big, it is actually a healthier progression to thinking big.

We do not fail overnight. Simply said, failure is making repeated poor thinking and erroneous judgement/action everyday. In short term, these errors do not make much difference but the danger of such deludes us to drift from day to day repeating the same errors and wrong choices. Over time, these consistent bad actions will bring a series of failures in our lives.

The good news is the formula to success is also a similar process but instead of repeating daily errors, we choose to take good disciplined action every day. Over time, small positive choices will lead us to a series of successes and eventually, a major positive change in our new year. Ready to think small? Commit your plan firstly to the Lord and let’s think small.

Perhaps you resolve to read a full Bible this year. Make your timeline plan but instead of pressuring yourself to devour chapters within deadlines, aim to read your Bible five minutes longer than usual, daily. You can do better than five? Great, do ten minutes then. Grandiose resolution tends to intimidate and our motivation will fuse out quickly if we don’t see an immediate result or fail our goal but when we find ourselves achieving small goals daily, we are motivated to do better. Here is to your New Year and resolution making!
 
Proverbs 16: 3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.
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- John W.

A friend of mine named Paul received a brand new car from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul was walking to his brand new car, a street urchin was admiring it. “Is this your car, Mister?” he asked.

Paul nodded. “My brother gave it to me for Christmas.” The boy was astounded. “You mean your brother gave it to you and it didn’t cost you nothing? Boy, I wish . . .” He hesitated.

Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he had a brother like that but to Paul's surprise, the boy went on and said, “I wish... that I could be a brother like that.”

“Would you like to take a ride in my car?” Paul sincerely offered then. 

“Oh yes Mister, I’d love that.”

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, “Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?”

Paul smiled a little. He thought the boy wanted to show his neighbors that he rode home in a new shiny car. The boy quickly got off the car and ran up the steps of his house. Then in a little, the boy came back. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step and pointed to the car.

“There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him for Christmas and it didn’t cost him a cent. And some day I’m gonna give you one just like it . . . then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.”

Paul got out and lifted the little brother to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride.

That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what Jesus meant when He said: “It is more blessed to give . . .”

Acts 20: 35 
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

- Dan Clark

Recently, my relative responded to a distressed neighbor’s call. Together, they found another neighbor who has just committed suicide and the scene left them scarred in ways they would never forget.
 
This reminded me on how peace could be an elusive element in today’s society. Ephesians 6:12 clearly states that we are in a war-zone, whether we like it or not, we are in a war. This war is cosmic in proportions. It involves the big league, bigger than we what we can see. Everyone alive is enlisted, God is in it, so are the angels and demons.
 
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
 
These battle in our everyday lives can be chalked down to pressure of life; work, financial issues, relationship problems, health concerns and the list goes on. However, where is the actual battle? It’s in waging aggressively in our mind.
 
Jesus has promised His peace for us, “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).

When the pressures of life harangue you to the ground, do not give up. Remember the promises of God that He has given us peace not as the world gives. This is a spiritual fight where we need to stand our ground and involve God in every aspect of the battles. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not let fear reign in your mind. The Lord is our victory.

- Annie Pisca

During one weekend, dad brought our family to Esperance, Western Australia. With the pristine blue water and its white sand beach, it is a must for a beach visit. When we reached the beach, my brother ventured out into the waves like any brave boy would but I played close to the shore.

 Seemingly understanding, dad asked, “Do you want to swim with me?” “No,” I hesitantly replied. “Come on, I’ll take you,” dad extended his hand.  “The water is too deep,” I hesitated more. “Trust me, John,” dad extended both his hands by then. I took hold of it and we began walking to the water, surpassing knee deep length and soon enough my feet couldn’t touch the bottom anymore.

Dad picked me up and assured me that he’s got me. He then said, “Now let your feet down here, it is safe,” I reluctantly crawled down thinking we are still in the deep water and as I sank deeper in the water, I quickly discovered there was a rock which I could stand on. I resolved from then on, I can trust my dad.
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Do you feel that circumstances have conspire to sink you further into despair? God too is our Heavenly Father and He is extending both of His hands, asking you to trust Him. He doesn’t promise us that we will be sheltered from the oppression that life might throw at us but God does promise He will never leave you nor forsake us. We can be assured and trust the Lord is trustworthy to keep His promises during turbulent trials. Now, would you take another step forward with a renewed confidence that the Lord’s got you? Do you resolved, yes I can trust Jesus? 

Deuteronomy 31: 6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

- John W.

Would you be excited to receive a free gift? As God’s child, Jesus gave us a free gift; he promises to give us an advocate to help us and He will not leave us comfortless. His very free gift that is unseen by the world – the Holy Spirit. 

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” – John 14: 16-17.

Holy Spirit is a free gift that everyone has access to, it is a gift that is redeemable by everyone. To receive the Holy Spirit is to access the supernatural power of God in your life, it is a gift of the Spirit and it has the ability to bring God’s reality into your life. God wants to do much good to you and through you.

​If it has been in your heart to invite the Holy Spirit into your life, all you have to do is ask for them to come and believe that Jesus is your Saviour.  It is a gift that will change your life for the better and you will always have an advocate who understands you like no other. 

The person who speaks in tongues is strengthen personally… (1 Corinthians 14: 4). Would you invite and allow the Holy Spirit into your heart today? He will be your Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counsellor and Strengthener.

Acts 19: 5 – 6
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 

- Irene Soon

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers
 
How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers.

Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter -"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”  Jesus didn’t conclude by saying "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing but no, Jesus said "But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not."

We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God have led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth? How shall we thank Him because he never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice.

O Jesus, what a comfort it is that You have pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. 

- Writing of Charles Spurgeon (@Heartlight)

It is a normal experience for the modern world we live in. With constant distraction and options; variety of choices as we go through our days.

This is how God prompted me about the battle in my mind... and how indecision and double-mindedness drains my energy and capacity. It is that constant background chatters; that static noise that eats away at your ability to focus and concentrate. It is time to step up and decide, be steadfast in the choices we made; choosing righteousness over fleeting emotions or mood.

James says that those who are double-minded will not receive anything from God, they are unstable in ALL their ways. Being double-minded permeates all aspects of our life not just that one area we think we struggle with. 

But let “Steadfastness have it’s full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let her ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given Her...” (James 1:1-27)

- Susanna Tan

The day of miracles from God is not of the past. God still reigns, loves His children no matter how broken they are and working just as powerfully from the days of Abraham to our current time. He promised us in His Words, “I’am the Lord, I do not change (Malachi 3:6)

God promises to heal us regardless what ailment our body or mind may have. To heal His children is a small thing for God who created all parts of our beings. “I’am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” He knows when your flesh is hurting, when you are weak and he knows your demons, the ones whom you thought you will never be able to overcome. 

Your demon may be that big mountain of debt, that sickness that you have prayed for healing for ever so long, a wayward child, a stale career, a broken relationship or it could a mental torment within you. Whatever it may be, God knows the story better than your own heart and mind. He knows how hope deferred makes the heart sick and when we will reach a weary, worry-full state, thinking if God will ever come through for us.

God can and wants to heal us. He wants to provide for us but we must first make the decision that we want what He wants and knows His plan is the best for us, without reservation. In following through that decision, let us faithfully do our part to address the physical or spiritual problems that may be a contributing factor. Perhaps this is where the saying comes in, do your best and let God do the rest. Prayerfully surrender what you can’t do; tell Him the pain you feel and watch God’s supernatural power swept you up to His embrace. The day of miracles from God is not of the past.
 
Jeremiah 32:27
I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
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- Irene Soon

When we read the Bible, we could easily presume that men and women of the Bible seems to be so confident. Unwavering faith despite their impossible situations. Perhaps all these are easily presumed as we are seeing their miracles in hindsight.

Look at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were thrown to a fiery furnace for not bowing down and worshipping Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.

In this, we could see that their faith isn’t the absence of fear; faith overcomes fear. Their faith didn’t seem to be based on any assumption that their bodies would miraculously be fire-proof. They said, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

They didn’t know what would happen, but their faith was in the fact that no matter what, they knew God had a plan and they weren’t setting conditions according to what seemed best to them.

You may feel afraid of what you’re facing. Situations may seem impossible and when faith enters, you are assured that God will not leave you despite not knowing what the outcome may be. What faith knows is that Jesus will not leave us comfortless; He’ll be there walking with us through the fire, as He was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
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​Daniel 3: 17
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand.

- John W.