I praise the Lord for His loving kindness and mercy in my life. Though I have failed Him many times, He continues to draw me back to Himself.

The Advent season reminds me of waiting with hope and expectation. Though in my personal life, there are many uncertainties, there is a sure certainty in Advent season. The promised Saviour was born in a humble manger to redeem us and gives us hope to not be alone in our struggles and trials, that the Lord is Emmanuel – God is with us.

Recently, because of the cyclone-triggered flood and landslide, more than 900 people died in Sumatra, Indonesia. Many people are still left with no food, no resources. Many houses are destroyed, families separated with their houses and stores destroyed. In times like these, they are without hope, please help pray for them to find hope or that it will lead them to Christ this season.

When God is not involved in our lives, we are walking in the path of destruction without hope. We need Him to intervene, strengthen and guide us so that when it's all dark and hopeless around us, He will be our Light who will make a way out and turn all for good. Emmanuel, the Lord is with us, let Jesus be your hope and anchor this season.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

May we continue to walk with Him as we finish this year and march to the new one with bold and renewed hope and faith!

Matthew 1: 23
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

- Jenni Wang

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.
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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.
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- Irene Soon

When I was younger, I strive to excel in studies and sports with a goal to get that coveted trophy prizes. Now, no matter how the trophies display my accolades over the years, they do not bring lasting happiness nor it determine my worth.
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As an adult, we too could unknowingly chase things instead of intentionally and mindfully making time for the Lord; time to pray, time to worship and time to listen to Him, to heed His wisdom and finding His strength in the quietness and stillness.

In Revelation 4, it tells of 24 elders who fell down before God, casting their crowns before Him who sits on the throne. The act of casting crowns down is symbolic in those days; it is essentially an act of casting down their honor whilst also pledging loyalty and faithfulness.

A crown often symbolizes our status, achievements, and the “trophies” we have worked so hard for. Yet in this passage, the elders willingly lay their crowns at the foot of the throne; giving all glory to the Lord. Being elders also suggests they hold a place of wisdom, authority and leadership, the kind of people whom others turn to for guidance and still, these elders humbly acknowledge that the Lord alone is worthy of all praise.

Let us learn to cast our crowns down before Jesus with an intentional reverence and adoration to our King of Kings and Saviour who alone is worthy of all praise and worship.

Revelation 4: 10 - 11
the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
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- John W.

“I’m human, I make mistakes …,” would be the most likely excuse I will use if I were to do something I shouldn’t.

It is pretty much the excuse that is acceptable without you having to explain further why you have faltered and did what you shouldn’t have. Others may dismiss and laughed it off with you, after all who are they to judge, some may judge, reading you as a generalized example of how Christians are but what matters is, are you truly repentant of the mistakes you have made?

We may just be the only doorway and example that some people see in their life as what a Christian is like. Do we aspire to inspire them to seek Christ and live a repentant life instead of one that is happy to make excuses every time we fall to sin and caught doing it?

Everyone is susceptible to sins. The Bible reminded us that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak hence we need to put on the full armor of God; taking on spiritual protection and relying on God’s guidance and wisdoms through prayers, praise worship and studying the Word; these will help us withstand spiritual warfare against evil, relying on God's tools and grace for defense.

Yes, I’m human and I make mistakes but God is there to help me every step of the way so I could try again and aspire to inspire others to seek Him more.

Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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.

Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

- 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 

Happy New Year dear blessed ones, 

It is such a sweet fragrance to have a timely word from the Lord in time of need and a new beginning. In this first day of the new year of 2024, we pray the Lord presence will always be something you tangibly notice and believe. May His presence brings timely words in all your needs, directions and guidance with strong convictions and courage. The Lord is always near to us and as His children who proclaims that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour, let us also say that we are choosing to trust the Lord everyday.

Deuteronomy 33: 29
Happy are you, O Israel!
Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord
The shield of your help
And the sword of your majesty!
Your enemies shall submit to you
And you shall tread down their high places.

- Hopeful Heart Team

What would it be like to be the wisest person who has it all? King Solomon had the privilege to be recognised as one in his time. He had the access to all the worldly possessions, knowledge and Godly bestowed wisdom.

King Solomon has tried whatsoever he desired during his lifetime. He chased all pleasures known to mankind, recognitions, promotions, wealth, and everything else under the sun, to these he said, all are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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With the applause, accolades and achievements he gained, it too was meaningless. Something is still amiss and he finally concluded that the greatest pursuits of one’s life is to fear God and keep his commandment. If the wisest man has learned his life lesson and offered us his wisdom that the Lord is centre of our whole existence, would we give weight to his words?

Ecclesiastes 12: 13 - 14
Let us hear the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

True joy and true enjoyment: What are you spending your talent, your time, your treasures on; what are you chasing? May we ponder on Solomon's wisdom and turn wholeheartedly willing to Jesus. 

- Irene Soon 

Bearing our sins, Jesus carried the heavy wooden cross 2000 years ago, today. The cross was believed to weigh about 70 – 80kg for its solid pine-wood plank whilst the crossbar was estimated to be around 30-40kg, totalling at least 100kg.

​A man weakened by brutal torture, forced upon a crown of thorns on his head, persevered silently and carried the cross under the hot sun until his physical strength failed him.
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Jesus carried two heaviness that day; the weight of the sin of all mankind and the weight of the cross that His weakened body had to endure. Jesus knew His torture and crucifixion will come if He leaves His Heavenly throne to save us, He did it anyway. The Lord who could silent the waves and part the sea, raised the dead to life, cast out Demons, chose to surrender Himself to a human death as the symbol of an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He cancelled the record of sin charges against us… and took it away by nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2: 14). This way, the darkness will no longer have a hold on us and we have His power to overcome all things.

Dear friends, accept the Lord as your Redeeming Saviour for a life a victory and if you have, proclaim His sovereign victory over all of your trials, praise Him and await your supernatural resurrection from “death.”  

Jesus loves you and on this Good Friday, we celebrate His sacrifice as the beginning of victorious miracles to come. 

- Hopeful Heart Team

Thank you for Lord for Your sacrifice on the Cross.

Whilst I was a sinner, You died for me ; knowing that I would deny and reject you with ignorance. Thank you for loving me faithfully and granting me the free gift of salvation that You have purchased with such a high price. 

Hosanna to the Lord. Hosanna to the Lord who saves me. I bless Your holy name and declare You are my Living Saviour. I receive Your love and Your forgiveness and I lay down all cares of the world at the foot of the Cross. Thank you for my life and may You use it to bless others who needs your love in this Easter weekend.

Amen.
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John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

- Hopeful Heart Team