Antonio Stradivari, the Italian violin maker was a poor man. He was unable to afford most materials s and got the woods to craft his violins from the harbors where he lived.

The wood materials were dirty waterlogged pieces, discarded and unwanted lumbers. Stradivari would take those wet fibrous woods, cleaned it and dried in his shop. Despite this humble beginning, Stradivari violins are the most prized violins; recognised for its rich and resonant sound that can’t be duplicated. Stradivari sees the unwanted lumbers on its potentials and not on how it was unwanted, dirty and discarded materials.

This made me reflect on how God could also transform any of us from a humble beginning to the potential and purpose He has planned for our lives. We may view ourselves as those dirty, unwanted and discarded lumber with no hope of redemption, perhaps from past shame, adversities or mistakes, but God can transform each one of us into what we are meant to be; He could save us no matter how hopeless we feel.

He is Sovereign and we are His beloved children, give the Lord a little faith, try Him. Receive His redemptive grace, “…He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” – Hebrew 7: 25
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- Irene Soon 

When we look back in our walk with Christ, it is easier to see and understand why He has placed us in the places He did, why He has brought certain people and situations, why he permitted trials and challenges and also why He uprooted us to new places, jobs, friendships and/or relationships.

There is always a lesson in every season and though we may not always get the clarity we want at the time we want; I count it as a blessing and protection from the Lord as His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55: 8).When we encounter challenges and trials, our solutions are always grounded in men’s wisdom which is foolishness to the Lord (1 Corinthians 3: 19 – 20).

As we reflect at this end of year, I could testify and see how God has assisted and directed good outcomes of my trials faithfully and pruning what is not required. If the thought of the upcoming new year still bears uncertainty for you, let Psalm 111 be your faithful reminder of the Lord’s heart for us.
The Lord also promises to never leave and forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).

With the promise of God’s presence and help, we can move to 2025 with confidence and faith for the Lord goes before us. Let us rejoice for the Lord is faithful and good.
 
Isaiah 55: 8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, said the Lord”

1 Corinthians 3: 19 - 20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[ and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
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Psalm 111: 3 - 5
Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

- Irene Soon

​Don't look back to the past, it is a burden you need not carry, the past can be a lesson but don't let it be your hindrances to moving forward; to trying new experience or give today a new chance instead of it being burdened by yesterday's worries.

Paul says, "I focus on one thing; forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead (Phil 3:13). When we have sinned in the past, we need to renounce it, forget and let the Lord begin His healing within us. The Devil however, likes to remind us of our sins, shame and regrets so we will live in continuous guilt or fear. The scriptures says that the Lord looks to establish a new covenant with us and He will remember our sins no more (Hebrew 8: 12) - For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and the lawless deeds I will remember no more.

Paul would have had a list of shame he carried, he prosecuted many Christians before his life in Christ  but the Lord graced Him to look ahead and endured suffering for his new faith boldly. Paul chose to forget the past and look ahead & rely on the Lord's promise that his sins are remembered no more.

Do not look back to your past and let it stop your growth in Christ. Jesus has bore all of your sins, shame, fear, regrets and guilts on the cross. He has risen victoriously over all; don't take back the defeat that the Lord has conquered and won for you. The Lord has made us victors through Him. Let us receive His forgiveness, forgive ourselves and look forward to what lies ahead.

Isaiah 43:18-19 
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

- John W.

Vision is a God given gift to enable us to have faith on the invisible. When God promised Abraham that his descendant would be as numerous as the stars, He brought him outside and told him to look up into the sky and count the stars. God knew Abraham needed to have the vision of the promise and picture it in his mind; that he would be constantly reminded as he look to the sky every night through the years of unfulfilled promise that he waits for.
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When you could see the Lord’s promise through your eyes of faith, you could have a stronger resolute when doubt visits. Your vision will light up your body with hope and surely you will experience joy as you wait for the fulfillment of the promise.  Ask the Lord to strengthen your vision of His promises for your life and picture it through your eyes of faith.

Matthew 6: 22 – 23 writes, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light but if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness.” What you can see will change your life and if all you could see is darkness, the Lord could give you a new vision. Trust the Lord to provide you a vision and trust his process. 

- John W.

Receiving blessings and be blessings for others are. what we as Christian are called to. What we have received and seen from God, that is what we can share to the world so that the world will know Him.

​In saying so, I still struggle with family issues and uncertainties about how to continue serving the Lord even after many encouraging moments in my life. It is so easy to be discouraged when you have not received the breakthrough you pray for your trials or salvations of loved ones.
 
In a moment of discouragement, I would like to remind us Roman 8: 24 – 25 NIV For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  When the darkest day comes, it is His timing to show His glory among the people (Psalm 102: 12 - 13) and everything is in His timing, not mine. Trusting God even when it is difficult, is when I seek His strength to continue on. I believe My God is a Saviour who never fails to fulfil His promises.

Though I do not know when Salvation will come to my household nor when He will answer my prayers and opens doors in my own mission fields, I remind my soul that He has been working all things for my good and His timing is perfect. Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double (Zechariah 9:12 ASV). Return to your place of hope, the Lord is your loving Saviour. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! - Psalm 27:14 ESV

Psalm 102: 13
You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

- Jenni Wang 

Recently, a dear colleague of mine passed away.

A woman in her late 60’s passed quietly on her bed without struggle and pain as we were told. The funeral director began her commemoration by asking guests what is the first word that comes to mind when we think of Pam, my mind quietly whispered, “kindness” and like an echo, the funeral director voiced it audibly, “kindness.”

Pam’s kindness will leave a lasting mark of a gentle soul that touches each one of us who came to know her and it will certainly be a legacy we aim to replicate when life feels unkind. Kindness is often misconstrued as a weakness, softness, a vulnerability that may be misused by people around us when in truth, anyone who shows kindness are the ones with profound strength; a strength to forgive, a strength to accept and a strength to heal from hurt with courage.

Christ’s very essence is goodness. He emanates mercies and kindness and He offers us fresh new grace every morning to begin again. “Let us be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4: 32 ESV)”. Even if you struggle to offer a solace of kindness, the Lord will not condemn. The Bible speaks of kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), ask for the Lord’s strength and dear friends, I believe He will enable you to bear the fruit of kindness. Let us trust His process, amen.
 
Galatians 5: 22 – 23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Ephesians 4: 32 ESV
Let us be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.
 
Irene Soon

On Good Friday, we celebrate and remember the day Jesus has atone for our sins willingly at the cross. His crucifixion is the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

A Prayer of Gratitude

Dear Lord, thank you for Your selfless sacrifice on the cross for me, It is through Your sacrifice, I have been set free and You paid the price to offer me the gift of eternal life.

Help me to not take this gift of salvation for granted and grant me the wisdom to remember the cost of it all. Forgive me for all of my sins, for being too busy with things and please empower me daily to do good works.

Thank you, Lord, that by your wounds I’m healed of all pains and inequities; I’m completely set free. Jesus, I give You the glory and honour. Grant everyone peace and the joy of Easter for Your sacrificial gift has given hope to the hopeless and power to the powerless.

Amen

- Hopeful Heart Team

Perfect peace cannot be found outside of the Wonderful Counsellor, the Prince of Peace. Try as we may to get peace from many of our world’s sources but when trouble times come, do we have the peace that surpasses all understanding?
 
If not, we are not alone. Jesus gives us direction on how to get there. Pray about everything. Tell Him what you need and thank Him for all He has done and the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds thought Christ Jesus. Keep our mind stayed on Him and trust Him. He will keep us in perfect peace. He is our wonderful Counsellor. If we stayed on Him and continually connected to Him, perfect peace is ours as He promised.
 
In this Christmas season, seek Jesus for your guarantee of perfect peace. When the busyness of this season will try to overwhelm you, put down everything else and seek the Lord with your prayers for strength and his perfect everlasting peace. Let Jesus allow you to experience the peace of this season is all about – the Birth of the Prince of Peace unto the world.
 
Philippians 4:6 -7 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
 
Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
 
 
 Isaiah 26:3 AMP
You will keep in [a]perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both [b]inclination and character],
Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

- Annie Pisca

Unlike the generations before, our existence is continually exposed to myriad of information, apps and programs with images, games, music, videos and movies. Entertainment is only a click away and we have reached a state of overdrive not knowingly in our heart and mind.
 
If we take time to slow down, seek our heart and be truthful, there is no everlasting peace in our heart and mind yet we often convince ourselves that what we do, watch or listen to are making us happy, productive and reflective.

​When our source of peace is coming from the world, it will never be everlasting.
 
When we feel happy, we often think we feel peace. That feeling of temporal happiness or false peace is what the world offers but do you crave the peace that Jesus comes to give us? The peace of God that surpasses all understanding - Philippians 4:7. This is the kind of peace that cannot be found anywhere else other than from the source Himself. The peace I give is a gift that the world cannot give – John 14:27.
 
Jesus is peace personified. In this season leading to the birth of our Saviour, lay all your burdens, distractions, needs and chores aside and let Jesus know that you seek the peace He has come to the world to give you.
 
 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
  And the government will rest on His shoulders;
  And His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
  Eternal Father, Prince of Peace ” Isaiah 9: 6

- Annie Pisca