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.

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.

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

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers
 
How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding us from unseen dangers.

Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter -"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”  Jesus didn’t conclude by saying "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing but no, Jesus said "But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not."

We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God have led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth? How shall we thank Him because he never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice.

O Jesus, what a comfort it is that You have pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. 

- Writing of Charles Spurgeon (@Heartlight)

​Nature has always been a source of tranquil peace and quietness. When life drags you down, you find yourself refreshed after a walk in the park, the sight of a waterfall, hearing the sound of the ocean waves, seeing the starry night skies or you name it, it is usually in the nature, free for all to see and feel.  

It dawned to me then, that God has always been the author of peace, He fashioned the nature to carry His peace and calmness amidst the busy strenuous lifestyle we so often find ourselves in. When we find ourselves enveloped in the solitude of nature, that is also when we could hear God with clarity and receive His comforting peace. God spoke to Moses from the burning bush at Horeb- the mountain of God (Exodus 3), God brought Abraham out to see the stars to count his descendants to be (Genesis 15: 5)and Jesus went to the mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God (Luke 6:12-13).

Are you in need of peace to refresh your soul? God has provided it ever so abundantly outside of our door steps and are you struggling to hear from Him? Learn from Jesus and withdrew from the crowd. For us, it could simply mean to withdraw from the crowd our modern life, modern technologies and embrace the peacefulness of nature that He has provided. Quiet your soul then and that very still small voice, you will eventually hear. Don’t let the clutters of life’s demands silence the voice of God within you and robs you of your inner peace.
 
Psalm 29: 11 NLT
The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.

- Irene Soon

Have you ever had a day when you were busy all day long but couldn’t tell what you accomplished at the end of it. We don’t have to live that way. God wants to encourage us through His Word to live as people of purpose, making the most of the time we’re given.

John 15: 8 says when you bear much fruit, My Father is honoured and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.

Following God can sometimes sound like a huge, impossible task. But really, you can be a witness for God just by being productive, and resting in His presence as you go about your daily life. One reason people feel pressured and under so much stress is that they are listening to every voice around them except the voice of God.

When you feel like you’ve lost your balance again and things are getting busy, don’t just drag yourself through the day. Make time with God your priority. He will give you the strength you need to live each day with peace and purpose as you accomplish everything He’s calling you to do.
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John 15: 5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

- Irene Soon