This is a reminder that our God is a living Saviour. He has won wars over the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world; the mighty powers of the dark world.

The devil has been against you since the day you were born, he is always out to kill, steal and destroy. He studies you, knows what angers you, your weaknesses and he knows when to attack when you are at your most vulnerable state. He does all these to deviate you from one simple truth; he fears that you will know how truly powerful being a child of God is. This is why he plans custom-made strategies to crush even a shred of faith or hope within you.

The Lord however, has promised victory over these. Ask the Holy Spirit to protect you against all the devil’s strategies, admit your vulnerability and weaknesses to the Lord and proclaim victory over all. The Lord is above your enemy, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. These are the heritage of the servant of the Lord (Isaiah 54: 17). Yes, this the truth the devil doesn’t want you to know and profess.
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Isaiah 54: 17
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

- Irene Soon

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

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.

We often ask the question, "Why didn't God help me sooner?"

It is not His order. He must first adjust us to the situation and cause us to learn the intended lesson from it. His promise to us is, "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."

God must first be with us in the trouble until we step into our own persevering quietness. Then He will take us out of it. This will not come until we have stopped being restless and fretful about it. He desires for us to be in calm disposition and trustful. Then we may find Him say, "It is enough."

God uses trouble to teach His children precious lessons. They are intended to better us. When the good work is done, a glorious recompense will come to us through them. The Lord does not regard trials as difficulties but as opportunities. Without difficulties we cannot have a mercy worth praising God and the glory to see His sovereign power. 

Psalm 91: 15
He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

- Writing of  A. Simpson 

 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

Through the chapters of Exodus and I was drawn to God’s covenant: If you will obey me fully and keep my covenant. (Ex.19:5). The covenant is not only for the Israelites, but it is for us too, the children of God who declared Christ as their Saviour.

The covenant’s promise is the same: we will be His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and people belonging to God (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9). The promise which was for the Israelites alone now is for everyone. But the promise comes with responsibility: to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. What a high calling and a difficult one if I may say but it is doable.

As we are celebrating Christmas, we are celebrating the impossible conception turning into a miracle. How can God become human? But Christ has done it in obedience to the Father so that those who walk in the darkness no longer will walk in the darkness. Because without the light, nothing can be seen but even in the darkness, a dim light will attract attention. So those walk in light can show to the world the Sovereignty of God.

The God we serve is the God who does not give us only promises and list of do and don’t but He has given us Himself. Nothing is impossible for a God who could uphold you in the callings He has for you. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5: 14). Shine your light and declare praises for the remembrance that a Saviour has been born in the world for us.

- Jenni Wang

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

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