How did God perform the miracle of the Red Sea? By shutting His people in on every opportune side so that there was no way out but by the supernatural  way. The Egyptians were behind them, the sea was in front of them, the mountains were on both sides of them.

There was no escape but from above.The devil can wall us in, but he cannot roof us over as we can always get out at the top. Our difficulties are but God's challenges, and many times He makes them so hard that we must get above them or go under.

During such trial, it presents us with highest possibilities to build the muscles of our faith. We are pushed by the very emergency into God's best inteference. Friends, this is God's hour. If you will rise to meet it you will get such a hold upon Him that you will not be in extremities again; or if you are, you will learn to call them not extremities, but opportunities.

Like Jacob, you will go forth from that night at Peniel, no longer called Jacob, but as victorious Israel. 

2 Corinthians 4:9
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

- Writing of A Simpson

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 

Over the weekend, we decided to go for a picnic to enjoy the beautiful spring day. During the picnic however, we encountered flies buzzing around our food and we constantly find ourselves shooing them multiple times. Flies pose threat in contaminating food with bacteria. Once they touched our food with their little antennae feet, the bacteria will multiply and compromise the hygiene of the food, making it no longer safe to be consumed.
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Isn’t this the same as negative thoughts? When we choose to see the way God wants us to see, we will be able to embrace a godly peace and clarity. The thing that usually limits this result is our way of thinking, the old negative mindset that constantly voices itself inside our head and compromises our positive thinking.

It is a fact that we do not become negative overnight, it is a culmination of negative thoughts over a course of time. The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23: 7). Simply put, what you think will affect how you’re feeling. Think negative thoughts and you will feel all sorts of discouraging emotions flooding in.

This is why recalling the goodness of the Lord in the past will shift our victim mentality to a victor mentality.  It is also a wise to replace our negative thoughts with thoughts that are praiseworthy (Phil 4: 8), deal with negativity like the way you deal with flies at a picnic; by shooing them away before they stay on, contaminate and compromise our positive thinking.

To experience a feeling, we must first entertain the thought that produces it. What thoughts you have been entertaining lately? Have you allowed it to compromise your mind?

Philippians 4: 8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

- Irene Soon 

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

O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? …and You have not rescued Your people at all (Ex.5:22-23).

In the Book of Exodus, I found it interesting that at the end of chapter two, God shows concern to His people by calling Moses to deliver them.

But at the end of chapter five, the situation of the Israelites worsen than before God came to their rescue. Only after ten agonizing plagues fell on the Egyptians, the Israelites were allowed to leave Egypt. As they continued on their journey, we know the Bible has recorded many troubles they had to go through but through all those times God has shown Himself as a faithful God who holds on to His promises.

During this time of uncertainties from Covid-19, I'd imagine that we are like the Israelites at chapter five. We pray and we believe God is listening, but things seem to remain the same or appear to worsen.
 
We may be tempted to ask God on why He has allowed such calamity to fall upon our world but the Bible has shown us records after records that He has been faithful with all His promises. Trials always reveal God’s glory at the end. He showed His greatest love at the cross and we can trust the Lord knows how this trial will reveal His victorious glory at the end.

- Jenni Wang

With news, social medias and radios discussing COVID-19 on a daily basis, it is hard not to let fear take hold of our imagination.

When we are in need to leave our homes for basic supplies and food, there is always a sense of fear if what is lurking out there.
“Is wearing a mask enough?”
“Should I wear gloves too?”
“That person just coughed!”
"Is today the day I catch the virus?"
The list goes on…

Fear often shows up when we are at higher risk of losing something – health, job, families and much more; it reveals our deep desire to protect things and relationships that are important in our lives. It also shows that having faith and fully trusting all of our cares to God is not something automatic nor natural. Fear cripples our spirituality and drains us emotionally. Fear tempts us to take matters into our hands and compromise the foundation of our faith.
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In this uncertain time, find hope in God’s promises and trust in the reality of His power, protection and provision. Only then, His presence will radiate and expel any fear from your life. The psalmist knows this testimony well, “ I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34: 4
 
- John W.

With heightened awareness globally, the corona virus (COVID-19) has sown much fear, panic and uncertainties. The death toll continues to increase and some questions such as “should I stop attending church”, “how long will this pandemic last”, “will the financial recession hits hard” and/or “is this one of the Biblical plagues of the end times” drift in most conversations.

As much as I’d love to have some questions answered, I think there is no better time to show practical kindness than now. Firstly, pray for wisdom to do the right thing; “..the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3: 17). If we heed and ask for such wisdom, it will stir us to intentionally act with compassion that considers the needs of others and not just our own.

​When buying supplies at the stores, we will then remember the needs of other elderly seniors and disabled citizens and buy in a sensible ration instead of a panicked frenzy. We will follow the strict guidelines provided by the healthcare system if we are feeling un-well and we will regularly offer prayers for people who are affected by the virus either through telephone or many social channels this digital era has gifted us.

Together in prayers, we could supernaturally fight this pandemic fear that is affecting many people with worries and hopelessness. These simple and practical kindnesses though unseen, elate the human spirit wherever you go; it births seeds of hope and the human will to pay the kindness forward. You could make a change in your sphere of influence and remember that the Lord is your very rewarder in trying times like this.

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

- Irene Soon

In my recent travel, I have learned that autumn has the most rainfall in all parts of Scandinavia or at least that was what we experienced. We spent countless days walking in the rain, holding to dear hope that our waterproof gears could withstand the harsh weathers.

The gloomy days were enough to dampen any travelling spirits. I tried to pray the rain away and held on believing that the Lord’s favours surround us like a shield (Psalm 5: 12).

​Slowly but surely, the rains gave way to the sunny skies and we were able to hike the two most scenic mountains in Norway during the days rains were predicted to fall the heaviest.  At one of the mountains, we were the only group at the top and I saw how the clouds shifted dramatically as I uttered prayers under my breath. Many may say that what happened to us was pure luck as weathers could change instantaneously in that region but we continued to enjoy days where the weathers were bearable and we got to enjoy most of what our destinations have to offer.

We praised the Lord for His mercy and protections. No hails, snows nor storms could against the power of God, even the wind and waves listen to Him (Matthew 8: 27). Know that no matter how small your prayer may seem, the Lord cares enough to come down from His Heavenly throne and listen to our fearful whisper or bold cry. He has the power to change any outcome so cast your cares in prayers, take that step of faith and look forward to see the Lord intervene on your behalf.
 
Psalm 5: 12
Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.
 
Matthew 8: 27
The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

- Irene Soon

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