The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you; the Lord
turn His face toward you and give you peace.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
We pray the blessings of the Lord be upon your life in this new year. May we always be assured of the certainty of the Lord's unchanging love for us. He is our good Shepherd, take heart and be enoouraged.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
0 Comments
In Mark 8: 14 – 21, the disciples were worried when they realised they have brought no bread except for one loaf. Jesus who was aware of the discussion, replied, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? The disciples who followed Jesus in His earthly journey, have experienced many of His miracles and yet slow to comprehend who Jesus really was. They had already seen Jesus fed over 5000 people with five loaves and two fish (6: 35-44) yet they doubted whether he could feed another large group. In most time, we are slow to comprehend the Sovereignty of the Lord although Christ has brought us through trials and temptations in the past. It is easy to doubt He will do it again in the future. Is your heart hardened and doubtful in what God could even do for you? Don’t be like the disciples. Recall the goodness of the Lord in the past and have faith He will indeed do it again. Mark 8: 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? - John W. Growing up, I have always been the one who likes to rebel a little. When dad or mum says no, I would wander my own way and so it goes. I will then come back in tears or understanding why I shouldn’t have and to hear mum says, “I told you so.” As a Christian, same habit follows. How this shows that we are in need of God’s grace everyday. In humility, I submit my own will power to the Lord’s strength. World philosophy may say with will power, you can achieve anything. Will power could only get us so far if we would humbly admit. Rebelling against God's will gets us nowhere. The key of successful perseverance and obedience requires supernatural intervention where we lay it at the foot of the Cross and allow God to strengthen us when we are at our weakest. Would you humbly admit that your victories are unachievable without God’s intervention and strength? Receive the meekness and gentleness of Christ that brings rest to our souls as we take on God’s yoke and lean on Him. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. - Irene Soon There two pans heated next to each other on the stove. The pan with water was boiling at 100 degrees while the one with oil was heating faster but its boiling point is higher at 300 degrees. The heat capacity of oil is faster than water and its element is more appropriate when it is faced with heat. When heated situation comes our way, do we respond aggressively like water splashed onto a heated pan, only producing splatters of water and hot steam? Proverbs 29:11 writes “a fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.” James 1:19 reminds us, “My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” Christ-like character encourages us to develop the fruit of self-control and this will enable us to be slow to anger and discern our respond or words in a heated situation. Is this something that you need God to guide you in? Pray for wisdom and our God who gives generously will give it to you; enabling you to hold your temper and be slow to anger. James 1: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. - May Inu Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, Jesus has died for me; Firm on the Rock of Ages Ever my trust shall be. I had never imagined that those beautiful lyrics from my favourite hymns, filled with praise and thankfulness, were written by a blind person. 'Safe in the Arms of Jesus', 'Blessed Assurance', and more than 9,000 hymns were written by Francis Jane Crosby (Fanny Crosby). In the matter of her blindness, Fanny Crosby said: "When I was six weeks old a slight cold caused inflammation of the eyes. Our usual doctor was away from home, so a stranger was called in. He recommended the use of hot poultices, which practically destroyed my sight. When this sad calamity became known, the unfortunate man thought it best to leave the neighbourhood, and we never heard of him again." "But," she added, "I have not, for a moment, in more than eighty-five years, felt a spark of resentment against him; for I have always believed that the good Lord, in His infinite mercy, by this means consecrated me to the work that I am still permitted to do. When I remember how I have been blessed, how can I repine?" Fanny Crosby's life story and her hymns has deeply touched my heart. Just like the aspostle Paul, she had learned to be content. She even counted her blindness as a blessing instead of a hindrance. She loved the Lord and memorized the Bible diligently. Her heart overflowed with praise and by singing her hymns, we're reminded of the Lord's grace. Philippians 4:12-13 - I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - Diven Esau's birthright as the firstborn son of Isaac was the double portion of the land, the priesthood and the kingship. Esau lost it because of his lust in eating. He was not the only one who lost his birthright, Reuben was another who lost the blessing of his birthright because of the defilement of his lust. Both cases should be warnings to us. We should not loose sight on what's truly important and pay more attention to the things that are temporary. Many times, we belittle spiritual matters; such as taking the time to have a personal time with God in fellowship and prayer, spending time in God's word, preaching the gospel and caring for others. We tend to pay more attention to what's right in front of our eyes; our desires, things that makes us happy apart from God, pride, worldly enjoyment and material things. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, we are reminded to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. In the book of Philippians, apostle Paul exhorts the saints to work out their own salvation. We have received God's eternal salvation; now we must carry it out by obedience which is to live a life that is in constant fellowship with God, under His guidance. We must redeem our time and not let a day go by without praying to the Lord. By living such a life, we will receive when a reward when our Lord returns and He shall say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. - Diven Most of us have heard the legend of Johnny Appleseed. John Chapman (1774 to 1845) or affectionately known as Johnny Appleseed was a man from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was an American pioneer as well as a missionary who introduced apple trees to most parts of Pennsylvania as well as to West Virginia. He collected the discarded apple seeds from the apple cider mills and started an apple nurseries with the seeds and nurtured them until they were saplings, big enough to sell or barter for clothes and other items. This barefoot tree-planting preacher was a welcome visitor to the settlers. They invited him into their homes, glad to hear news from the places Johnny had just been to and the stories he had to tell. Johnny also had his Bible divided up into sections and would leave one book with a settler home and then exchange it for another book when he passed through that same way again. Though the apples from trees that are grown from seeds are seldom sweet, Johnny did not despair. He processed them into apple cider (used as a food preservative), and the trees were used to mark land boundaries. Like Johnny, we can grab hold of the opportunities that come our way. When the doors or windows of possibilities open to us, we can enter in and partake of the blessings that God has for us and for others that we touch. Realizing an opportunity when it presents itself is just the first step, and then come all the steps that follow to bring that possibility to fruition. James 2: 17 So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. - John W. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Despite the advancing technology, war and terror and suffering are ever present everywhere. Even recently we read about the suffering in Syria and France. Some Christians ask if praying is enough and non-believers could emphasis on the point that God does not exist because there is so much suffering in the world. By faith, we know that our God is a Sovereign God: the Creator of Heaven and Earth and everything belongs to Him. There is nothing that happened in this world that He does not know. Then we ask how come God allows this suffering. Unfortunately, I can still tell you that I do not have answer to that question but I believe that prayer is the most powerful weapon we can use in our spiritual warfare. Prayer is not just our words, it has the power to align our heart to God’s heart, to allow Him to mold our hearts and to transform it into His likeness; to have a heart for the nations and suffering people around us, be it through personal or of external circumstances. Prayer makes us see things from God’s perspective. Prayer could reach people further than our own physical and geographical limitations, our prayers will enveloped the people who needs protection, provision, health and much more. In saying that, let us also remember that faith without doing is dead (James 2: 17). In our place of privilege, let us be still enough to hear the voice of God calling us to be an intercessor and proceed to be His hands and feet to reach the world. His love will enable us to be the light, this dimming world needs. - Jenni Wang In our Christian walk, God promises His strength in trials and tribulation. The strength promised is the kind of strength Jesus showed, as He let Himself be nailed to the cross in submission to His Father’s plan. It is a supernatural strength no human strength could fathom. Consider this truth when fear comes creeping in. God’s strength is available 24/7,He goes before us and always is with us. Though our fear, spiritual warfare or simply facing the unknown may still be very real, the truth is God’s supernatural strength is available to us. Overwhelming situations are no match to God’s present power in our life. Have faith He shall deliver us. The helpless Babe born in Betlehem was our Omnipotent, Almighty Saviour in human flesh. Born in human flesh, having our physical limitation yet Jesus knew He was able to access His father’s supernatural power in times of need. We have this hope because of Jesus Christ who was born on Christmas day; He is our Shield and Refuge, our everlasting Saviour and Deliverer. Psalm 28: 7 – 9 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. - Irene Soon During our days, sometimes we are so overwhelmed by our work and feel overwhelmed or exhausted by it. If we have joy and peace in your heart, we have received our reward from God but if we feel otherwise, we need to assess our heart and mind to discern if what we are doing aligns with God’s will for us; whether it keeps us in an ongoing relationship with God or pushes us away from it. God is faithful. He knows each of our needs and His will for us is that we will experience His goodness and loving kindness all the days of our lives. In our good and bad days, Jesus is still God, a good God. Our circumstances will never change His identity: as our God and our fortress in days of trouble. Let us take time every day to approach His throne of grace to examine our hearts. Have our lives be occupied with things we should take care of or have we been preoccupied with things that God never intends for us to be preoccupied with? My prayer for us is that may God give us strength and wisdom to get them done well, the things we should be occupied, for His name’s sake. May God touch our heart and grant us wisdom to enable us to cast all our preoccupation to Him, to experience Him as our good God and protector in day of our trouble. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good. He is a fortress in the day of trouble. He knows those who seek shelter in Him - Jenni Wang |
Through this site, we hope to encourage you in your faith journey as well as our own.
Be hopeful. Be blessed. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|