Recently I have been reading through the book of Jeremiah. There are lots of judgement - not only for God’s people, but also for other nations. Surprisingly though, it is not the focus of the book as God also promises restoration to other nation as well. This reminds me of the Sovereignty of the Lord, He is the Judge as well as the Restorer.
 
God’s grace and mercy is not reserved only for His people, neither is His judgement only for unbelievers. His fairness reminds me that we pray not only for believers to keep rooted in faith and be fruitful in Christ but we also need to extend His mercy and compassion to unbelievers because it is within His heart to restore, to see all be blessed abundantly and that everyone including those who are yet to believe in Him, can have a fulfilled lives through Christ Jesus.

Personally, it is hard for me to pray this, seeing corruptions, greed and suffering in my country, seeing people in power to be self-serving and harming the weaker innocents; marginalizing them to poverty rather than fostering peace and caring for the ones in need. It is however, not for me to judge as God is the judge of all and I’m called to extend His compassion and grace to unbelievers too, to pray for them to have the heart of Christ and bring the likeness of His Kingdom to the world, to instil in believers’ hearts the courage and faith to be a true ambassador of Christ, bringing hope and restoration in this uncertain, challenging and corrupt times. God want's to restore.
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May God strengthen us to bring changes and restorations in our own world through prayers and courage to do what is needed. God bless you.
 
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
 
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

- Jenni Wang

In Matthew 13: 54 - 56, Jesus was rejected by the Nazarene; people of His hometown. They scoffed at the idea of how He was able to do miracles and possessed great wisdom. After all, they knew His family and Jesus was only the carpenter’s son. How did He learn all these things?
 
“And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him” – Matthew 13: 57

Jesus knows that His calling would face opposition yet he take no heart of the offence and stayed true to righteous living and teaching that offended even His disciples (John 6: 61). We tend to see things through the lens of worldly wisdom; we reject anything foolish or anything that does not make sense to us and we may even take to offence to some sayings or teachings that offend us.

Jesus has every right to feel offended from the judgement of the Nazarenes or even His own disciples yet offense is not something He teaches us to take. He forgives our offences and encourages us to do the same. “Make allowances for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13

If you are hurting because you get offended in the past. Do not let the hurt dwell within you any longer. Do not let the hurt define and make who you are. Your identity has always been the beloved child of
the Almighty God. Jesus extends His loving hands toward you, let Him heal your grievances. Forgive those who offended you and forgive yourself, then fully surrender to Him.

The Lord is willing and He wants to take away the offense and the hurt. He promises love and rest, like a good Shepherd in Psalm 23. The question is now, are you willing?

- Annie Pisca

Merry Christmas dear blessed families and friend, ​

We wish you and your families a Christmas season filled with the peace and love of Jesus Christ as the centre of your festivities and gatherings. May the lost be found, may the lonely be placed in families, may the broken be restored and may the weeping be comforted. May the Lord continue to reveal His glory through our lives and testimonies as how Mary has declared in one of her prayers: 

And Mary said:
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is His name. (Luke 1: 46 - 55)

- Hopeful Heart Team

When we are faced with an unfavourable situation, the thought that is often the loudest in our mind tends to be why.

Life is like being in a boat and when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, we can and should be assured that we have Him in the boat with us.
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At times we think that having Jesus, the sail would be easy. Then the waves hit, the storm rages, we think this should not be happening. Jesus is in us, with us and for us but why is this happening? Everything is against me, I am overwhelmed, why Lord, why?
 
Remember what Jesus says in John 16: 33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
 
Yes, we have trials and sorrows but His promise is that He has overcome the world for us. This is where our faith in Him and His promises matters. Our faith in Him navigates through the waves and storm of our life. We are never alone and we have Him in the boat with us. It means that even though the storm hit, it will not sink our boat.
 
Practice to say His promises rather than the usual whine and why. A good skipper will defend his/her boat when the storm hits. We must also have the same stance and deny the influence of problems in our lives.

- Anonymous

“Today was a difficult day,” said Pooh. There was a pause.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.

​“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”

“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.

“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what difficult days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my difficult days either.”

“But, goodness,” continued Piglet, “difficult days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And ill always be here for you, Pooh.”

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his difficult day, while the solid reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs… he thought that his best friend had never been more right. (A.A Milne)

Sometimes, our quiet presence with a friend in need is more precious than offering a handful of instructions which may overwhelm them on their difficult days. Sometimes, there won’t even be any words or actions that may help at that moment but your presence can comfort and it is an earnest counsel that you could offer. Just like little Piglet with his quiet and understanding comfort.

Proverbs 27: 9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.

- Irene Soon

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

During my recent house-moving, I came to realization that I have become a collector of things. You know those people who seems to buy and store things in their closets or wardrobes and suddenly feel their house is in such clutter.

I believe most of this problem originates from the popular culture of materialism in our society. Whenever we watch TV, browse social media or listen to the radio, we are presented by many advertisements selling us the newest and greatest things we should own. The rapid technological advancement even contributed to a shorter life span of us owning that new piece of thing.

Jesus puts this in perspective when He said, “Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." If your possessions seems to clutter all your spaces including your mental space, you could decide to give what you no longer need to charity or those who are in need. Remember the golden wisdom that Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” As we give away our extra or earthly possessions in the spirit of generosity, we accumulate spiritual blessings and joy that no possessions could ever bring to us.​

Acts 20: 35 ESV
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

- John W.

 Think about this, you are never alone. Those quiet, lonely times when you think no one gets you or even appreciate you, those are false thinking. No, you are never alone.

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24. That precious friend is Jesus, He promises He is with you always and He will never leave nor forsake you. Before your day even started, Jesus guarded you through your slumber, He was with you when you woke in the morning, when you begin your day and thought about your plans ahead, Jesus is there. He is waiting with the direction you need. When you encounter a problem in your day, Jesus is still beside you, waiting for you to speak to Him and ask of help, He is ready to comfort you and even has provided a solution. As you are reading this, Jesus is beside you.

“My presence will go with you,” (Exodus 33:14) Jesus promises. Become aware of His presence in your day, think of Jesus as your constant companion. It will change your perspective, try it. Find the comfort and relieve from the false loneliness you feel. Jesus could fill that void better than anyone or anything ever can.

Psalm 139: 7 - 10
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.

- John W.

As each day comes to you,
My thoughts speed out your way,
For all the things you do,
"God bless you, Love," I pray;
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May life show you its charm,
May God renew your strength, 
​And keep you from all harm, 
You mean so much to me, 
I can't describe my care,
Love holds you close to me,
"God bless you," is my prayer.

Tho you are far away,
I send my love and care,
To keep you every day from trouble and despair,
So do not have a fear,
Keep faith and trust above,
Our living God is near,
"God bless you,"is my prayer

Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

- Writing Excerpt by Ruth Hamilton (1962)