We are taught the great lesson from the Bible, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves  happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually healthy, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered.

How? Our efforts to be useful brings out our power for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant and dormant skills which were brought to light by usage. Our strength for labour is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord’s battles or to climb the mountain of difficulty.

We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow's tears and soothe the orphan's grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it.

Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. He that watered shall be watered also himself. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over.
 
Proverbs 11:25 ESV
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Excerpt from Charles Spurgeon @Heartlight inc 1996 - 2024

One afternoon, a little girl lingered in front of a thrift shop, studying the items displayed in the window. After taking her time, she stepped inside and shyly asked to see a necklace with a small pearl pendant.

The shopkeeper, Dan, brought it to the counter. The moment she saw it, her eyes sparkled. “It’s perfect,” she said softly. “Could you wrap it for me, please? My sister would love it. She’s been taking care of us since our mom passed away, and I want to give her something special for our first Christmas without her.” Dan looked at her gently and asked, “How much do you have to pay for it?”

The little girl untied a cloth bundle and poured its contents onto the counter. There were stacks of coins, a few folded dollar bills, and a well worn Snoopy watch. “I emptied all my savings,” she said earnestly. “That watch is the only one I have. Will it be enough?”

Dan picked up the necklace and asked her name. “Lily Grace,” she replied.

With a warm smile, Dan disappeared into the back room. He returned moments later with a beautifully wrapped gift box, a Christmas card attached, Lily Grace’s name written neatly inside.
​
Days later, on Christmas Eve, a young woman walked into Dan’s shop holding the same package Lily Grace had purchased. “Do you remember who bought this?” she asked.

“A little girl named Lily Grace,” Dan replied. “She bought it for her sister for their first Christmas.”
“It must have cost much more than she could afford,” she said. “How much is it really worth? I would like to pay the difference.”

Dan gently handed the package back to her and said, “She paid with everything she had. That is exactly how much it is worth.”

This Christmas, may we rejoice in the truth that we are no longer a slave but through Jesus Christ, we receive the gift of adoption of Sonship; we have been gifted Heaven’s Best to redeem us from the condemnation and curse of the law to receive free flowing loving mercy, grace and daily favours. Jesus paid with everything that He had to redeem us, that is how much you and I are worth to Him. Rejoice for we are redeemed by a Good Saviour who loves us unconditionally.

Jesus Christ, He is the greatest gift of all. 
 
Galatians 4: 4 – 7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
​
- Irene Soon

During my trip to China, I saw barbed wire fence along the border between China and the nation next to it - DPRK, it came to mind a picture of physical oppression. We as follower of Christ are no exempt as we may be under spiritual oppression – oppression of sins making us prisoners of sins.

God reminded me about freedom in Him, that we are no more slave to sin but slave to righteousness (Romans 6: 18). In the Bible, being slave o righteousness means we are fully repentant and committed to the cause of Christ, we strive to be obedient to His calling and seek to do what is pleasing to the Lord in contrast to us serving the sins that engulf and entrap us in cycles of defeat.

When I pray for clarity and guidance in trials, there are times I was met with no answers but am reminded of His promise in the Bible that when I obey, the Lord with strengthen me to continue and when I stray, He will lead me back to the path of righteousness.

This freedom is given by the Lord so we could have a life of living testimony and that we could proclaim the Good News to the poor in the spirit, freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free (Luke 4: 18). Proclaim the Good News of the Lord and set the prisoners free.
 
Romans 6: 18 NIV
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness
 
Isaiah 42:16 NKJV
I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them and not forsake them.

- Jenni Wang

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.
​
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

We pray for a bountiful and joyful start for you and your families. May you have the rest that you need and continue to place your faith and hope in the Lord for this year. 

The Lord promises in Philippians 4: 7 that we will experience His peace which will exceeds anything that we could comprehend or understand and this peace will keep our hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

God loves you and blesses you. Amen.

- Hopeful Heart Team

​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.

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

​Over the past few months, our family has gone through many transitions and through it all, we now must go through season of grieving. Friends and families have helped with prayers and practical helps yet this is another season that I’m still learning to accept and comprehend. I am learning to trust God who knows the best and though it is difficult, I will learn to trust.​ 

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. even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

The verse above has always been a reminder for me that besides Him, I have no one else who fully understand our situation and despite our failure and brokenness, He embraces us in all our brokenness. God accepts us as who we are even when we reject Him in our sadness, anger or confusion. The Lord understands, He knows you better than anyone else including yourself and He will strengthen you in all seasons.

- Jenni Wang

“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

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” This is an infamous quote written by Corrie Ten Boom, a holocaust survivor and it is still a practical reminder to these days.

​When you look around, you become aware that everyone is fighting their own battles and it may magnify your “aloneness” in your own battles, when you look within, you are reminded of your own shortcomings but when you look at God, His peace would be your strength and you are reminded that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all. God may use people or things to bless you but He alone is your source, your provider. Yes, sometimes God may let you reach end of your rope but it will only assure you that He is all you need.

In this new year, look unto the Lord as our first source, it may even be in a form of a small short prayer or an utter of dependence on the Lord’s help and you will find His rest, His peace and His strength to move forward. Don’t look elsewhere.

Lamentation 3: 22 - 25
The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases, his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him. 

- John W.