As we have just celebrated Thanksgiving recently, let it not only be a practice on that one day. A life of gratitude expands goodness that the Lord has provided to us, a smile breeds another and a thankful speech delights another soul. 
  
The Bible shows the miracle of giving thanks when Jesus faced a lack. Jesus did not fret when He did not have enough to feed the multitudes. He did not heed the requests of the disciples to send the multitudes away instead, He gave thanks to His Father in Heaven for the little He had and we knew the rest of the story about the miraculous multiplication that left twelve basketful of food and the 5000 people fully fed.

In another words, Jesus did not listen to the negativity of the disciples, he did not walk away from the trials, instead He focuses on what He already has and He gave thanks. The Bible did not record any lengthy prayers either. Everything God did, He does it with purpose and faith in His Father’s love for Him.

Let us embrace a thankful and grateful approach to all lacks, stir ourselves to praise the all-knowing Lord and avoid complaining or murmuring. Surely, He will not let His children fade away.
 
Psalms 100: 4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

- John W.

I once read a story that I kept as a good reminder  The story started with a company who sent two shoe salesmen to Africa. The first salesman wrote to headquarter saying, “Nobody wears shoes here,” and turned in his resignation. The second salesman wrote in with excitement and said, “Everybody here needs shoes!”
 
The first salesman’s negative mindset cemented his decision to resign from the company His mindset caused him to give up in despair. In contrary to the first salesman, the second salesman beamed with confidence that there is much work to be done as no one wears shoes in Africa. What a difference a mindset could make.
 
The same scenario happened when Moses sent the twelve spies to the Land of Canaan for 40 days. Only two spies brought back good news whilst the other ten spies came back with negative reports focusing on the giants of the land. Where the ten spies see impossible situation, Joshua and Caled saw endless provision. Joshua and Caleb responded in faith; believing in the unlimited power of the Lord.

Against the negative murmuring majority, Joshua and Caleb proclaimed, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14: 7 – 9)
 
It is essential that we re-evaluate any negative mindsets that may hold us back and refocuses on our Lord Jesus Christ’s Sovereignty. The boldness of Caleb and Joshua rested on their understanding of God’s mighty power to conquer the land, the majority rested their confidence on israel’s capability to conquer the land.  Needless to say, Joshua and Caleb made it to the promised land.
 
Let us respond in a positive, faith filled manner when any challenges come our way. Our breakthrough does not come solely from our own doing, it has everything to do with the power of the Lord God we serve. 

- Irene Soon

It is easy to think that we don’t need instruction in our life. It is certainly easy for me to ignore instructions when it comes to assembling big things such as furniture to small things like model planes.

Despite mostly ignoring instruction papers, I have to admit that those instruction papers would save me so much more time if I were to give it attention. The Bible is a book of instructions written and guided by the Spirit of God to enable us to do life in a Christ-like mind and attitude. It will enable us to face any struggles if we were to give it attention. It is not just a book of messages or collection of poems to read at our own convenience. The Bible is a living testimony of God’s power and promises He has spoken concerning our lives in this land of living.

Have you spent time reading the Bible today? ​

2 Timothy 3: 16 - 17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

- John W.

Every morning say, ‘Today, I will go out with joy.’ That’ll set your attitude straight! Paul writes, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ (Philippians 4:4 NIV) If you’re thinking, ‘That’s easy for Paul to say; he doesn’t have my problems,’ think again.
 
When Paul wrote those words he was in prison with no chance of getting out. For him joy was a decision, not a reaction to circumstances. You ask, ‘How could Paul be joyful in prison?’ Because he understood that true joy comes from devoting yourself to something bigger than your own interests. The Bible says, ‘The joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Nehemiah 8: 10 KJV)

True joy calls for three things:
(a) Making a conscious choice to focus on God’s goodness every single day.
(b) Reaching out to bless others every chance you get.
(c) Understanding that joy produces strength, which explains why your joy is the devil’s primary target. When you lose your joy you lose your strength, and he wins—so be joyful

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say again: Rejoice!

- Word of the Day (Bob Gass)

Ephesians 6:12  
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
​
Despite the advancing technology, war and terror and suffering are ever present everywhere. Even recently we read about the suffering in Syria and France. Some Christians ask if praying is enough and non-believers could emphasis on the point that God does not exist because there is so much suffering in the world.
 
By faith, we know that our God is a Sovereign God: the Creator of Heaven and Earth and everything belongs to Him. There is nothing that happened in this world that He does not know. Then we ask how come God allows this suffering. Unfortunately, I can still tell you that I do not have answer to that question but I believe that prayer is the most powerful weapon we can use in our spiritual warfare.
 
Prayer is not just our words, it has the power to align our heart to God’s heart, to allow Him to mold our hearts and to transform it into His likeness; to have a heart for the nations and suffering people around us, be it through personal or of external circumstances. Prayer makes us see things from God’s perspective. Prayer could reach people further than our own physical and geographical limitations, our prayers will enveloped the people who needs protection, provision, health and much more. In saying that, let us also remember that faith without doing is dead (James 2: 17).

In our place of privilege, let us be still enough to hear the voice of God calling us to be an intercessor and proceed to be His hands and feet to reach the world. His love will enable us to be the light, this dimming world needs.

- Jenni Wang

Are you are faced with a situation or trials that you naturally think you will not be able to overcome? You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4: 4). For everyone born of God overcomes the world (1 John5: 4) so let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess because He who promises is faithful (Hebrew 10:23). 

Yes, God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10: 13).

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, covetousness, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. Not, not, not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (Hebrew 13: 5 AMP). Worship the Lord your God and His blessings will be on your food and water. He will take sickness away from you (Exodus 23: 25). 

These are promises of the Lord. The flesh is weak but the Spirit is willing, when the Lord speaks and gives His promises for victories, breakthroughs, healings and wholeness, claim it and know that the Spirit within you is greater than any enemies at work in your life. "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 16: 33). Thank you Jesus that through our faith in You, we are victorious! Amen.

- Irene Soon 

The most effective way to let other people know about the great things that God can do in their lives is to tell them the story of what God has done in your life. That is what makes a difference.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere” (NLT). What does a witness do? A witness just says, “Here’s what I’ve seen. Here’s what I heard.” A witness just tells other people the story of what God’s done in their life.

Friends don’t keep good news from other friends. You tell them the good news of what God has done in your life so that it can make an eternal difference in their lives.

Are you unsure how to get started? Here’s a simple action step: Write out your story, and share it with your small group. Start sharing with the people that are close to you so you can get some practice. Then, God will give you the opportunity to share your story with someone who needs to hear the Good News.

Acts 1:8b NLT
You will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.

- Rick Warren Devotional

In the Bible you will find a solution for just about every problem you face in life. How often have you gone for help to a pastor or counsellor or friend, only to have them direct you back to the Scriptures? When you get sick enough, you won't argue with the doctor, you'll just take the medicine! Paul writes, 'When you received His message from us, you didn't think of our words as mere human ideas.

God's Word works, it 'continues to work in you who believe.' So don't read it and then go out and say something different; get into agreement with God. The Amplified Bible says, '...The Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].' (1 Thessalonians 2:13 AMP). 


One day an atheist said to a believer that it was quite impossible to believe in any book whose author was unknown. The believer asked him if the compiler of the multiplication table was known. 'No,' he answered. 'Then, of course, you don't accept it?' the believer asked. The skeptic replied, 'Oh, yes, I believe in it because it works well.' The believer replied, 'So does the Bible.'

The greatest investment you can make in yourself is reading your Bible.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NLT
...You received His message... And this word continues to work in you who believe.

- Bob Gass (Word for Today)

In Bible times, a king’s word carried tremendous power. What he decreed would come to pass. It would be done. For example, if he said, “Raise the taxes,” the taxes would be raised.

Do you know that we are kings? The Bible tells us that Jesus has washed us from our sins with His blood and made us kings. (Revelation 1:5–6) And as kings in Christ, our words carry power too.

When we place our hands on a sick person and say, “Be healed,” the person is healed. When we lay hands on our children and say, “Be blessed,” our children are blessed. There is power in our words because they are the words of kings!

When I was a young Christian in my teens, I wanted to practice what I had learnt about the power of my words. There was this particular plant near my home and whenever I passed by it, I would say to it, “Be cursed in Jesus’ name!”

Many days passed. And I will never forget the day when I noticed that the leaves of the plant had turned brown! You may want to try this at home with your potted plants, but bless them instead!

Since our words carry power, can you imagine the harm we do when we say to our loved ones things like, “You are always so careless”, “You are good for nothing” or “You are so stupid”? We are cursing them!

The devil is happy when you use the power of your words against yourself and your loved ones. He wants to see you defeated. So instead of saying, “I am always short of money,” say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) Instead of saying, “I am so useless. I can’t do anything,” start saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Beloved, remember that as a king, what you say will come to pass because where the word of a king is, there is power. So learn to say what God says about you in His Word and see His promises come to pass in your life!

Ecclesiastice 8:4 
where the word of a king is, there is power… 

-Taken from Joseph Prince's Daily Grace Inspirations-

One of the most common phrases often said by all of us starts from these three words – “I’m just a ….”

Phrases such as “I’m just a nobody,” “I’m just a stay home mum,” “I’m just an employee here,” “I’m just a retiree now,” “I’m just a student,” are among the ones I hear often. There is nothing wrong in being humble and I have to say most of us usually have the right motive as we refrain from being boastful.

The motive is commendable but these words do shape our own self-image in a longer run. Take an example, if you were to repeat these words twice a week, that will make you professing these words 104 times a year. It is a very gradual way to instill a low self-esteem image unto yourself.

God clearly sees us more than what we profess of ourselves. He calls you “Mighty valiant warrior (Judges 6:12),” He sees you as a “Princess with clothing woven from gold (Psalm 45:13),” and you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). You are not just a number in the vast population of this world nor you are just a face in a crowd. You are one person whom Jesus loves the most. He is the Almighty God who is able to love each one of us differently and personally. Each of us is God’s workmanships; created in the image of Christ so what would you say next time? I will start mine and say, “I’m just the blessed one.”

Ephesians 2:10 
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

- Irene Soon