As a kid, I hated electricity blackouts. When the lights and power were cut abruptly, it was so inconvenient but as it is a normal occurrence where I grew up, I got used to blackouts; its darkness and silence.

Those who live without Christ is like those who experiences constant electricity blackouts. They don’t know how important the light is as they are used to its darkness. The touch of God’s presence and grace could illuminate any darkness. There is no space in this world where the grace of our Father cannot go through and there is no force in this world who is in equal to the power of the Father’s love for us.

I am thankful for the constant reminder that the Father is everlasting God who is worthy to be worshipped forever even when the situation is very challenging and it seems that I cannot see the glimpse of light in the darkness. God, He is our light. There is no more darkness if you choose to abide in Him.

1 John 1: 5
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

- Jenni Wang

In 1950, professor Curt Richter experimented with rats to analyse their survival instincts. He plunged a dozen of rats into a large jar filled with water. The rats drowned in an average time of 15 minutes. Richter then decided to save the next set of rats before they give up swimming due to exhaustion; he took them out of the jar, dried them and gave each rats a few minutes to rest before putting them back into the water jar.

The “rescued’ rats lasted an astonishing 60 hours afterwards. Richter concluded that by “saving” the rats, it gave the rats the motivation to swim approximately 240 times longer. He believes the rats have been given a glimpse of hope of “being rescued” and they pushed their bodies beyond what they thought possible.

We as Christian would also agree that hope is the essential ingredient in our own faith journey. Christ has come and given us hope that we have a living Saviour. His Word breathes hope to our inner spiritual sanctuary and it fuels us to stand, to push and believe again with an unsurpassable peace.
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Henceforth, as the Lord encourages us daily, let us extend this hope and encourage people around us. Kind words go a long way and it may be the glimpse of hope they need to push further. Be a bringer of hope as the Lord fans the flame of hope within us.
 
Hebrews 6: 19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.
 
Zechariah 9:12
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

- Irene Soon 

Many would have heard the name George Muller as a man who prays and received many miraculous provisions through prayers. Faced with many overwhelming needs to run his orphanages, he turned every need to the Lord in prayer.
 
“I was at peace when worries come because I believed the truth of God’s promises, His Word and His everlasting unchanging character that loves us unconditionally.” Muller goes on saying, “I believe God is able and willing to deliver me.” Such display of faith has surely gone through the darkest nights yet seen through brightest sunshine after the billowing gush and storm that destroys.
 
Muller’s life has displayed his dependence on God’s Word and him meditating on the word to create an inner peace sanctuary within himself; the place that ensures him that God is willing and surely deliver Muller from his troubles.
 
Just as a daily good nutrition strengthens us physically, so is studying, proclaiming and standing on God’s Word will strengthen us spiritually. We will not be able to avoid troubles or worries life may throw our ways but if we seek the Lord daily and put all of our petitions in prayers, we will be able to overcome trials and rest in the peace God has gifted us through His sacrifice on the cross.
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Romans 8: 32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
 
- Irene Soon 

​In one old movie, I watched a story about a shrewd businessman who eagerly helped to restore a nunnery which was damaged during the WWII. When asked why he did it, the unbelieving businessman simply said, “just in case!” It made me ponder aren’t we all like this businessman at some point?

We do things for God because of “just in case” too. If you were asked, “what would you willingly do for God without any ‘repayment’?” Would you have done it whole heartedly?

The businessman wanted to do good just in case there is a God and he believed his good deeds would earn him an eternal place in Heaven. That was his insurance – his good deeds would not go unrewarded.
Let us cultivate a steward heart out of gratitude for the abundant forgiveness, favor, grace and mercy that God has provide us daily. A “just in case” mentality fosters a calculative mindset with God where our bitterness grow and we say things such as, “after all I have done for You, God”, “I tithed every week and now I’m unemployed!”, “Didn’t I serve you well, why I have to endure this?” The list goes on.

Can we trust the One who loves us? Just as Satan needed God’s permission to test Job, he is unable to test you without the Almighty God not being in control. The One who loves you will have the final say and you do not need fear and resort to a “just in case” mentality.   
 
Job 1: 9-12
Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

- John W.

Do you wake up with a heavy feeling; constantly worrying about things? Do you feel alone with your thoughts as if no one is there for you? No one understands you?

​Have you stopped for a second and think that these thoughts would make us susceptible to the devil’s lies? We tend to trust our heart conditions and let it dictate our feelings.
 
Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick, who can understand it. Our loving Father knows of our human trait and when we do not guard our hearts, it magnifies our problem to the point of exhaustion. In Deuteronomy 30:6, God assures us that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He also says that not to worry, He will take good care of you (Matthew 6:26-30). The Word of our Lord uphold the highest credibility as He is a God who doesn’t lie. When He assures us that He will never, He stands by His words to never forsake us.
 
If we human could place our utmost trust to one or few people in our lives to never forsake us and to always be there for us when we are in the lowest valleys, how much more have we belittled our Lord who is capable of an everlasting and consistent care upon us. He loves you so very much, dear friends. Let us reset and trust a little more in our Lord.
 
John 3:16
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

- Annie Pisca

The goodness of God endures continually.”- Psalm 52:1

Good things show up in our lives in many ways: friends and family, health, a roof overhead and food on the table, the enjoyment we receive from music, nature, books and so on. The Bible teaches us that God is the giver of these blessings. “God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do. “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created the heavens.”

These gifts however, as wonderful as they are, are just a small illustration of God’s love. God didn’t have to send His Son; and Jesus didn’t have to lay down His life for our sakes, but He did, and as a result, we are eligible to receive forgiveness of sins and the assurance of an eternity in God’s loving presence.

Without Jesus’ sacrifice, without His sufferings on the cross, without His death, without His resurrection and triumph over the grave, we would not have the promise of everlasting life. Let us take some time to thank God for His gift of salvation. Thank Him for these eternal gifts of forgiveness and redemption.

“Thank You, Lord for sending Your Son, Jesus, to bear the punishment for all my mistakes and shortcomings. Please keep my heart, mind, and life open to You, so that I always remember Your daily goodness in my life.” Amen.

James 1:17 ESV
​Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

- Anonymous 

Some of the loneliest people in the world are those who are constantly surrounded by others, yet they feel that no one truly knows or understands them. They may even have an abundance of material things yet the loneliness they feel still stings. 

We may have a spouse or dear friends who love us, but even they will never know or understand us completely. We may climb the heights of success or accomplishment, yet there is no one who can fully share the emotion of that moment when we finally reach our goal. Even some of our dearest friend could be strangers to our supreme joy and don't always understand our most bitter pain. Some tears are always shed alone. No other human being can ever enter the deepest recesses of our mind or soul.

God Himself is the answer, the fulfillment to these deepest recesses. He who made us is the only One who can fill every part of our life. God’s Word says He is our “satisfying portion.” Not until He fills that inner longing will we ever be truly satisfied or completely free from loneliness.

There’s no need to ever be lonely. Jesus promises in Hebrew 13: 5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” and “I am with you always.” 

So when you feel this loneliness, it is the voice of Jesus saying, “Come to Me.” And every time you feel that no one understands or the load is too heavy to bear alone, it is a call for you to call unto Him again. The truth is, you can never bother or tire God too often, His limit is endless. Come as often, come as you are. His presence satisfies the lonely soul.

Psalm 16:5-11
LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

- Anonymous

We are entering the month of what some called a season of joy. Indeed, it is a season to be joyful about. The birth of a Saviour, who loves us greatly that He dies on the cross so that we do not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Jesus loves you, yes it is true. But, how much do we believe that saying? You and I, are greatly loved by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:38 says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nothing, simply nothing will make Him stop loving you. The devil knows full well and since the fall in the garden, he has been devising schemes to make you stop loving God because it is impossible for God to stop loving you.

Every day, demonic stronghold is being set in motion in our minds when we go through trials of life. When disappointment, fear and discouragement creep into your heart, lies about the Lord not caring for you are poured to your mind consistently.

The devil would make you shut your door to God. Your heart would harden and you say no to the love source (for love is from God - 1 John 4:7) or even to praying. Life starts to feel dry, depressing and hopeless. Joy will be replaced by solitude and depression; you may even find yourself saying or thinking, “no one understands.”

Don’t shut your door. Jesus always stand at the door and knocks. Welcome Him, trust the process and let Him love you. He promised that He will never leave you or forsake you - Deuteronomy 32:6 - no matter what circumstance feels or looks like. Let Jesus’ love for you always be your reason for joy.

- Annie Pisca

​In Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 (ESV) Paul wrote:
 
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
 
What are the strongholds that spiritually imprison people? Arguments and opinions.
What arguments are raging in your mind? What arguments and opinions do you have of God and most importantly what do you know of His arguments and opinions of you? Arguments and opinions are more than just strongholds. They are deadlier than any weapons. Adam and Eve (and us, included) fell to sin because of an argument. They believed the serpent’s argument and stopped believing God.
 
When we stopped believing God, whose argument and opinions do we believe? The argument and opinions of the world? And where do you think they come from? Our enemy, the devil. We do not want to believe his lies, he is a liar and the father of all lies - John 8:44. He is out to kill us with his lies.
 
When we believe wrongly about specific things or issues, emotions such as anger, discouragement, depression, anxiousness, self-pitying, fearfulness or irritation may likely follow.
 
Monitor your emotions as it may indicate what arguments are currently raging in your mind. The devil does not want you think clearly, he wants to keep you confused, unclear, imprisoned and disarmed. Press on and fight, warrior of God. He has overcome the world and in Him, we will find peace. .
 
John 8:31-32
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. 
 
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.

John 8: 43 - 44 
Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

- Annie Pisca