We usually think that old people are preoccupied with death. How about young people? Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to talk with a young adult named X on the issue of death. I asked, “Why are you afraid of death?” Apparently looking a little depressed he replied, “Ever since I had sleep paralysis (this is a feeling of being conscious but unable to move during sleep), I have been haunted by death”. He added, “If death is being in this helpless state of consciousness unable to speak or move for even a second, this is really scary and unimaginable. I will never be prepared for this.” This fearful incident indeed triggered him to re-examine his belief system and personal relationship with God. He then prayed and dedicated his life to Jesus again.
The greatest human fear has always been death. Question like what will happen to me after death is worth exploring with non believers. The fear of unknown is real. Death can come to anyone at anytime and often very sudden and without any pre warning.
For the Bible, the Word of God, death means separation- separation of his soul from God if one is without Christ. This happens after he breathes his last. There will be an eternal judgment and every unbeliever will have to account for all he has done and eventually he will be punished and condemned to hell, a lake of fire. He shall forever be separated from God.
However for everyone who has Christ in his heart as Savior and Lord, death is only a transition from a physical body into a spiritual or resurrected one. His soul shall live with God throughout eternity.
God’s Word says:
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 ESV
May we affirm our faith in God and echo the same conviction as Paul who penned down these words to his protege Timothy while he was still in prison.
“...But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. - 2 Timothy 1:12 ESV
Saturday 26 January 2019
Friday 25 January 2019
Walk By The Spirit
Today’s devotional thought: “Walk By The Spirit” every moment because the Holy Spirit in us keeps us blessed, joyful, peaceful and strong as we live, walk and be led by the Spirit of love, comfort and strength.
*Reflection Pointers*
1. The Holy Spirit gives us the godly desire to read, meditate and apply the WORD of God daily.
2. As the WORD dwells richly in our heart, we walk in love 🥰 and power to bless ourselves and others.
3. Then gradually we bear the wonderful FRUIT 🍇 of the Spirit and exercise the GIFTS 🎁 of the Spirit to fulfill the PLAN of God for us 😀 and declaring the Kingdom of God in our lives😇.
SPIRIT👉WORD 👉FRUIT 👉GIFTS👉 PLAN👉KINGDOM
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25
😇😀💕🙏
*Reflection Pointers*
1. The Holy Spirit gives us the godly desire to read, meditate and apply the WORD of God daily.
2. As the WORD dwells richly in our heart, we walk in love 🥰 and power to bless ourselves and others.
3. Then gradually we bear the wonderful FRUIT 🍇 of the Spirit and exercise the GIFTS 🎁 of the Spirit to fulfill the PLAN of God for us 😀 and declaring the Kingdom of God in our lives😇.
SPIRIT👉WORD 👉FRUIT 👉GIFTS👉 PLAN👉KINGDOM
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus!
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25
😇😀💕🙏
Thursday 24 January 2019
Living A Peaceful Life With A Divine Purpose
When is the last time this thought comes into our mind “How can I live a peaceful and quiet life?” How can our heart keep enjoying peace and quietness with God, with ourselves and with others everyday?
It requires us to first take a conscious and deliberate effort to slow down our fast-paced lifestyle to reflect more on what has been going on in our lives lately, and more importantly, on what God is trying to say about our daily activities.😇🙏💕
*The Bible says.....*
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that *we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.* This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Perhaps it is time for us to learn to be still and know that He is truly our God. Through Jesus, our peace with Heavenly Father has become a precious spiritual commodity every day.
As we contemplate on His bountiful goodness and abundant grace granted to us daily, may we start to take regular quiet moments to pray and intercede for the unsaved especially family members, friends and colleagues.
May we be more like Christ and abide in Him as we enjoy divine peace and a peaceful life constantly.
Dear Heavenly Father, we love you and may our heart be pure and faith simple as we seek first your kingdom and righteousness all the days of our lives. Thank you for protecting and providing us practically, emotionally and spiritually. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Have a blessed day with Jesus😇🙏💕RP
It requires us to first take a conscious and deliberate effort to slow down our fast-paced lifestyle to reflect more on what has been going on in our lives lately, and more importantly, on what God is trying to say about our daily activities.😇🙏💕
*The Bible says.....*
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that *we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.* This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. - 1 Timothy 2:1-4
Perhaps it is time for us to learn to be still and know that He is truly our God. Through Jesus, our peace with Heavenly Father has become a precious spiritual commodity every day.
As we contemplate on His bountiful goodness and abundant grace granted to us daily, may we start to take regular quiet moments to pray and intercede for the unsaved especially family members, friends and colleagues.
May we be more like Christ and abide in Him as we enjoy divine peace and a peaceful life constantly.
Dear Heavenly Father, we love you and may our heart be pure and faith simple as we seek first your kingdom and righteousness all the days of our lives. Thank you for protecting and providing us practically, emotionally and spiritually. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray.
Have a blessed day with Jesus😇🙏💕RP
Friday 11 January 2019
Waiting Is Trusting God
“You don’t need to know the key man in life if you know the man who holds the key” - Rick Warren
This statement captured my attention and I started to ponder on these words after watching his clip. Here it goes...
*Biblical Truth:* Trust the Lord for every single thing in life
Example: Career, Ministry, Family, Relationships, Children, Finances, Friends, Health, Church, Hopes, Passions, Protection, Future and the list goes on to include any new concern and need.
*Time For Everything*
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1
*Time For The Birth Of Christ*
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5
*Time For Harvest*
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9
*Life Application*
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
This statement captured my attention and I started to ponder on these words after watching his clip. Here it goes...
*Biblical Truth:* Trust the Lord for every single thing in life
Example: Career, Ministry, Family, Relationships, Children, Finances, Friends, Health, Church, Hopes, Passions, Protection, Future and the list goes on to include any new concern and need.
*Time For Everything*
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: - Ecclesiastes 3:1
*Time For The Birth Of Christ*
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5
*Time For Harvest*
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. - Galatians 6:9
*Life Application*
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
Friday 4 January 2019
Hearing The Voice Of God
*1. How does God speak to you?*
A. A word, verse or passage pops up while reading God’s Word and you know it is God speaking to you.
B. A still small gentle voice or inner witness which can come as your heart feel a sense of comfort, assurance or impression that you know God is speaking to you.
C. You experience divine, supernatural peace in your heart, a strong and confident calmness felt within you knowing it is God speaking to you.
D. On occasions you can expect God speaks to you through dream and vision. In this form of divine communication, we are responsive and are free from distractions. Through these channels, God speaks to in a visual and pictorial way.
E. When you realise that what you are observing or experiencing externally or circumstantially, you know that God speaks to you through a specific situation at that point in time. It is confirmed with peace in your heart.
F. On some day when a friend, colleague, family member or someone you respect says something that resonates with your heart, you realise that God is speaking to you through them. You can also feel the peace of God upon reflection.
*2. Three common obstacles to hearing God speaks to you*
A. Unbelief
When you simply don’t think God can speak to you, this is called unbelief and you already switch off the communication channel between you and God.
B. Disobedience
The purpose for hearing God is about building a personal relationship with Him. And in any relationship, it can either grow or stagnant. The key to grow in our spiritual life and walk with God is to live a life of obedience to Him. He knows us intimately and wants the best for us. Disobedience simply hinders the growth of a healthy growing relationship by creating a spiritual distance between us and God.
C. Distractions
Everyone is prone to distraction which can have a far damaging effect on hearing the voice God than we think. We seldom reflect or meditate on our daily life, let alone the Word of God. As long as our mind isn’t still or relax, we will keep missing the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit, even in very crucial and critical moments. Distractions are one of the worst enemies of these important spiritual disciplines to hear God - silence and solitude.
*3. Conclusion*
The more we obey God, the more we hear from Him and the more we grow in our relationship with Him. This is the joy of knowing God for through hearing Him shall we walk in His perfect will for our lives.
*Summary from a sermon by Jimmy Evans*
A. A word, verse or passage pops up while reading God’s Word and you know it is God speaking to you.
B. A still small gentle voice or inner witness which can come as your heart feel a sense of comfort, assurance or impression that you know God is speaking to you.
C. You experience divine, supernatural peace in your heart, a strong and confident calmness felt within you knowing it is God speaking to you.
D. On occasions you can expect God speaks to you through dream and vision. In this form of divine communication, we are responsive and are free from distractions. Through these channels, God speaks to in a visual and pictorial way.
E. When you realise that what you are observing or experiencing externally or circumstantially, you know that God speaks to you through a specific situation at that point in time. It is confirmed with peace in your heart.
F. On some day when a friend, colleague, family member or someone you respect says something that resonates with your heart, you realise that God is speaking to you through them. You can also feel the peace of God upon reflection.
*2. Three common obstacles to hearing God speaks to you*
A. Unbelief
When you simply don’t think God can speak to you, this is called unbelief and you already switch off the communication channel between you and God.
B. Disobedience
The purpose for hearing God is about building a personal relationship with Him. And in any relationship, it can either grow or stagnant. The key to grow in our spiritual life and walk with God is to live a life of obedience to Him. He knows us intimately and wants the best for us. Disobedience simply hinders the growth of a healthy growing relationship by creating a spiritual distance between us and God.
C. Distractions
Everyone is prone to distraction which can have a far damaging effect on hearing the voice God than we think. We seldom reflect or meditate on our daily life, let alone the Word of God. As long as our mind isn’t still or relax, we will keep missing the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit, even in very crucial and critical moments. Distractions are one of the worst enemies of these important spiritual disciplines to hear God - silence and solitude.
*3. Conclusion*
The more we obey God, the more we hear from Him and the more we grow in our relationship with Him. This is the joy of knowing God for through hearing Him shall we walk in His perfect will for our lives.
*Summary from a sermon by Jimmy Evans*
Wednesday 2 January 2019
Living In Evil Times
Reading this real life story of how a 14-yr old girl was kept as sex slave by father and son for six years and is now parent of three little children really makes one sick! How evil the are the hearts of men in our generation.
We need to consciously and zealously protect vulnerable groups like children and young teens while the days are getting more and more evil.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, *HEARTLESS*, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, *BRUTAL*, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. - 2 Timothy 3:1-4
https://sg.yahoo.com/news/chinese-teen-kept-sex-slave-020050794.html
We need to consciously and zealously protect vulnerable groups like children and young teens while the days are getting more and more evil.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, *HEARTLESS*, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, *BRUTAL*, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. - 2 Timothy 3:1-4
https://sg.yahoo.com/news/chinese-teen-kept-sex-slave-020050794.html
Divine Guidance
I was at Starbucks having coffee at 10am this morning with a friend, and I didn’t know I have dropped my friend’s Ang Pow on the floor. It is a gift for me.
I realised it about half hour later but I was already at Farrer road visiting a cancer friend. I knew it was too late to turn back. Actually I thought I must have dropped it while waving a cab or inside the cab.
However i just had this repeated thought that I should go back to the place where I took the cab. While passing through the Starbucks, I felt the urge to drop by and ask the staff if they happened to pick up my Ang Pow.
Guess what! One staff told me that the red packet is still lying on the floor under the same chair I sat! She picked it up and return it to me.
Out of curiosity I asked her, “Why didn’t you pick up earlier?” Her prompt reply was, “I saw it but thought the person sitting the chair would pick it up later.”
What do I make out of this? Luck or it is my day? Honestly my only conclusion is the divine guidance that led me to get my Ang Pow back. Once I realised it was lost this morning, I prayed for this item to return to me somehow. God listens and answers my prayer. Thank you for reading my personal testimony. God is gracious and caring. I would like to trust Jesus for bigger and greater things for His glory and purpose. Hallelujah!😇🙏💞RP
I realised it about half hour later but I was already at Farrer road visiting a cancer friend. I knew it was too late to turn back. Actually I thought I must have dropped it while waving a cab or inside the cab.
However i just had this repeated thought that I should go back to the place where I took the cab. While passing through the Starbucks, I felt the urge to drop by and ask the staff if they happened to pick up my Ang Pow.
Guess what! One staff told me that the red packet is still lying on the floor under the same chair I sat! She picked it up and return it to me.
Out of curiosity I asked her, “Why didn’t you pick up earlier?” Her prompt reply was, “I saw it but thought the person sitting the chair would pick it up later.”
What do I make out of this? Luck or it is my day? Honestly my only conclusion is the divine guidance that led me to get my Ang Pow back. Once I realised it was lost this morning, I prayed for this item to return to me somehow. God listens and answers my prayer. Thank you for reading my personal testimony. God is gracious and caring. I would like to trust Jesus for bigger and greater things for His glory and purpose. Hallelujah!😇🙏💞RP
Wisdom From Oswald Chamber
The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”;…
from The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 537 L
What God’s Word says....
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. - Psalm 128:1-4
The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. - Proverbs 19:23
from The Highest Good—The Pilgrim’s Song Book, 537 L
What God’s Word says....
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. - Psalm 128:1-4
The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. - Proverbs 19:23
Start Our Day With A Thankful Heart!
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17
Yes, it is the so called “small and insignificant” things we often overlook that are worthy of giving thanks to God. Enjoying the smile of a baby, saying thank you to the elderly lady who clears your table or even gazing at the crescent moon before you jump to bed would simply connect our soul to our Creator God.
When we start from this, we are nurturing our heart to be tender, sensitive and discerning about the things of God. Our spiritual life will be coloured with the manifold goodness of God’s blessings, as we see our earthly life from His Kingdom’s perspective.
Abundant life, as Jesus wanted us to have, begins to make sense to us. We would then embrace the wonderful desires in our heart graciously poured onto us by our Heavenly Father. Having a kingdom mentality and lifestyle shall keep us abreast to the work of the Holy Spirit as the Day draws closer.
Yes, it is the so called “small and insignificant” things we often overlook that are worthy of giving thanks to God. Enjoying the smile of a baby, saying thank you to the elderly lady who clears your table or even gazing at the crescent moon before you jump to bed would simply connect our soul to our Creator God.
When we start from this, we are nurturing our heart to be tender, sensitive and discerning about the things of God. Our spiritual life will be coloured with the manifold goodness of God’s blessings, as we see our earthly life from His Kingdom’s perspective.
Abundant life, as Jesus wanted us to have, begins to make sense to us. We would then embrace the wonderful desires in our heart graciously poured onto us by our Heavenly Father. Having a kingdom mentality and lifestyle shall keep us abreast to the work of the Holy Spirit as the Day draws closer.
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