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

Few years ago, I lost my job and the financial security it provided. For months, applying for jobs proved to be futile and to say I was discouraged was an understatement and I continued to think of how a God could who loves me could allow such misfortune to befall me.

Then, a friend shared a wisdom that I will always remember, “If we would find our security in the confidence that the Lord loves us than focus on how Lord could allow misfortunes on us, we would learn to not rely on things that meets our needs.”

The Apostle Paul also heeds us to be content in whatever state we are in (Phil 4: 11 – 13). It made me realise that whilst my circumstance had change, that did not change who I was and how God sees me (despite all my lamenting), He still loves me and has a good plan for me. My discouragement shouldn’t rob me off the contentment or happiness I had before I lost my job. When we choose to focus on the fact that the Lord loves us, we would have a quiet assurance that the Lord has a good plan for us regardless of with or without things and it is essential for me to remember on what I still have and not what I lack.
​
Whilst speaking of it is easier than walking that daily battle, the wisdom became a reference point that helped me through the season. Let us be reminded that the Lord loves us and our happiness does not come from things and circumstance that can change anytime but our happiness needs to be planted secure on a God who is never changing, always in control and able to work all things for good for those who loves and rely on him.
 
Philippians 4:11 NLT
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.

Romans 8: 28 NLT
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

- John W

There is one morning not so distant in my memory; the warmth and peace it brought is what I would not forget. That one early morning, I opened the front door of the house and was greeted by nature’s silence, no sound of chirping birds nor moving vehicles, just the stillness of nature, the air and the rhythm of my own breathing.

A few snowflakes fell out of the grey overcast sky, adding to the sense of stillness and awe, the world is still sleeping and I stood there feeling grateful of the gift of life .

It was the very first morning of a new year, silent and still. Hope poised and expectations awaits for what the new year may bring yet what matters was the moment of stillness it gave, deafening yet assuring.

I’d like to imagine it was silent and still when God created the world and through those moments, He populated the world and created all the nature wonders. It was in the moment of quietness and stillness, He created and spoke. It was in times such as this, I could hear the stillness of God’s voice speaking, words of assurance for the new year. Peace and warmth followed after each word and I could feel the fullness of joy.

What a wonderful assurance to know that the grace I felt that morning is available, new and fresh to us every morning like the dew of rain on a parched land. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, let the Lord be your very reward; your portion. His love and mercy will be your shield and comfort everyday, put your hope in Him in this new year.

​Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.
​
- Irene Soon 

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

Struggle after struggle and God brought into light how much I tried to depend on my own strength. There are times when it is too difficult to pray, but He gently reminds me of His love that always draws me back to Him in prayers.  As our family continues to go through some crisis, I went through restless sleepless nights, thinking when my family will trust and depend on God completely.

As a prayer coordinator, there are many issues that burdens my heart, the country I constantly pray for, my family, my health, praying to go the mission field and to spread the good news of the Lord. To think about it, I’m a fool if I don’t surrender all these burdens that I can’t control the outcome of, to the Lord. His love is vast as the ocean and overflowing like a river in my life. I am reminded that He is God and when I fall again and again, He will pick me up and reminds me that even if I can’t, He can.

When I am full of concerns, He tells me not to be afraid. Even when the trials and tribulations come to my life and my own foolishness make me forget who He is, He always reminds me to go back to Him and to learn to trust Him more and more. I am a lifelong learner of how trustworthy God is and I am learning to trust Him more and more.

May we continue to strengthen our prayer life and remember that when we can’t see any result, it does not mean the Lord is not working. Have faith, trust in Him and the Lord will carry you in all seasons of trials. 

Isaiah 12: 2 NIV
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

- Jenni Wang

In this modern life, we are often served with choices and like a clueless sheep, we often gravitate towards what appeals to our flesh even if it will lead us away from the Shepherd’s protective care.

You may say that God has given me the ability to make choices and if it is bad, He will lead me away from it but are you listening to His guidance? We often do things due to our own needs and timelines and if we are being truthful, it may have led us astray far too many times as well. How do we make the right choices then? The ones that will lead us to the path of righteousness?

God has sent Holy Spirit to be our guide in this choice-full life. He may impress certain choices that bring peace to your heart and you will find strength in God’s words and promises in the Bible. Take time to seek Him in your quiet time; the one where you intentionally choose to listen and not speak out of many requests. The Holy Spirit will instil in you a conscience of right and wrong, a sense of peace and calm amidst the storm.

You may ask, “would God want to speak to me despite all the mistakes or wrong choices I have made?” Yes… He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice (John 10: 3 – 4).

- Irene Soon 

​In everyday life, the Lord lovingly leaves His fingerprints on His creations. I believe, these are reminders for us to believe in His provision and plans.

Take a look at a palm tree – 1) This tree will bend but it will not break. Despite how strong the storm or wind may come its way, the palm tree will bend its branches even to the ground and when the storm eases, it will straighten its branches and be its strongest in the place where it bent. 2) You can’t kill a palm tree; you may be able to cut it but it will grow again. The nutrients it need to survive are stored through the tree’s rough outer rings and it also remains close to its roots. 3) Palm tree’s roots can grow as deep as hundreds of meters in search of water hence why it could thrive even in a dry place as it stays close to its water source.

If the Lord could equip a palm tree to be enduring and robust, how much more would He equips you? He readily equips us, His beloved children with His enduring grace. You may be overwhelmed and bend but you will not be broken, lay your root deep to the source of the Living Water. Let no wind nor storm be able to uproot and break your faith.

​Yes, you are more than able to endure and rise stronger. The Lord is your source and you have His enduring grace to rise stronger.
​
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

- Irene Soon

​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