Be a Contributor to Bless, Influence and Transform Lives

People need hope in this hopeless world. They try to find it in many things but the real and lasting hope is in God. It's a priviledge to be His representative of hope. Most people have a distorted perception of God either as a controlling taskmaster or an impersonal being who does not bother to intervene. Yet we know who He really  is - He's our God who gives real joy and hope! Today, share with your friends the beautiful message of the God of hope so that they can experience His peace and salvation. You will find them utterly overwhelming when they finally meet and embrace the God of Hope. Meditate on Isaiah 52:7

Often times, when we see a need, we may not rise up to meet the said needs as doubts will arise in our mind that the needs may not be genuine or someone else will do it. In Genesis 24:18-20, we read of how Rebekah was QUICK to let her pitcher down to serve Abraham's servant and proactively offered to draw water for his camels too. Again, she QUICKLY emptied her pitcher and RAN to draw water. Her prompt service is for the well being of others. And we know the ending of this story that she was blessed to be the grandmother of the 12 tribes of Israel. So? The next time you see a need, do you want to sit and wait OR rise up and take initiative to enquire, investigate, verify and do something for the well being of others?

A Christian must intentionally fix his or her gaze on God and His Word and remain faithful in devotion to Jesus. When we do not abide in His presence, we will be tempted by the enemy to resort to human wisdom rather than Godly guidance and principles. For example: a demanding relationship may drains us of the energy God gave us to serve Him. Or we may be accused of weaknesses that urge us to deny our usefulness to God. Nevertheless, do not get off track. Do not allow him to steal your joy and degrade your relationship with Him as the enemy  "comes to steal, kill and destroy......." (John 10:10). Fix your eyes only on Jesus!

Rarely do we view the difficult circumstances of life as statements of Jesus' love for us. In our best moments, we interpret them as tools God uses to stretch our faith. In our worst moments, we may see them as His disfavour. Nevertheless, God's hand is in even the most difficult circumstances, letting affliction has its deepest results. He is always the Lord of our situation and He is specific in His purposes. If we are in pain, He knows it and He allows it to happen. Revelations 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline." However, too often, God tries our faith so that we may try His faithfulness! We fool ourselves if we think our love for God + our  obedience to Him are separate issues. They are 2 sides of the same coin. Jn 14:15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command."  We have become so paranoid of having a theology of "righteousness = works" that  we have ignored obedience altogether, as though it did not matter to God. Obedie

In the parable on persistence in Luke 11, a man seeks help from his neighbor on behalf of his friends, knocking repeatedly on his neighbor's door at midnight with an unusual request for bread. But because of his perseverance, the neighbour answers. How persistent then are we in seeking God's help for the needs of others? When we are told to 'bear one another's burdens'(Colossians 3:13), do we interpret that as a brief mention in a prayer meeting? Or are we bold in our approach to God? Far from offending God, this boldness pleases Him. Let us consider our zeal on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Does it equal the boldness of the persistent neighbour?

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise to spare us from temptation. Our faith will be assaulted in numerous ways and God allows it. The evil one may insist to God that our faith is not genuine because it is not tested. If he can prove that it is not, he can slander the Almighty with his skeptism. God takes him up on the challenge. Are you feeling that your faith is tested? Hang on. You are in a process God has allowed. Your sifting will not last. Your faith will be tested but there will be no chaff to it. That's God's sovereignty over the enemy. Read Luke 22.

If you need a breakthrough in your life, learn from David in 1 Chronicles 14:10 "And David inquired of God ....".  Yes - have you first talked it over with the Lord? God does not respond to your need, He responds to your OBEDIENCE. When you have obeyed, you will see the victory. Sometimes God will do it for you, other times  He will do it  through you. That is why you must HEAR from Him before you make a move. You cannot do God's part and He will not do yours. It is not just a matter of 'doing something,' it is a matter of doing what God tells you! When you do, you will get a breakthrough! Ponder on 1Chronicles 14:10-17 and get a glimpse of David's secret of getting a breakthrough.

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise to spare us from temptation. Our faith will be assaulted in numerous ways and God allows it. The evil one may insist to God that our faith is not genuine because it is not tested. If he can prove that it is not, he can slander the Almighty with his skeptism. God takes him up on the challenge. Are you feeling that your faith is tested? Hang on. You are in a process God has allowed. Your sifting will not last. Your faith will be tested but there will be no chaff to it. That's God's sovereignty over the enemy. Read Luke 22.

Jesus has an encouraging word for us: "I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it." (Revelaton 2:17). If your name is given by Him, it will be unique  and special. It will signify your adoption into the family of Jesus andd it will be appropriate to the person you really are. It will indicate what God knows to be true of you, from your strengths and gifts to the problems you have overcome. The earthly names our parents gave us may or may not reflect our character but there will be no inaccuracies in the name He gives us. Be comforted to know there will be no similar names in the Kingdom's phone book. Your white stone will be one of its kind - for His glory.

What is our hope? It is found in the second coming of our Lord Jesus. Paul spells it out: "...For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God  and the dead in Christ will rise first.... we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air... (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). Jesus has not changed His mind; He is coming again. Coming for a prepared people to take them to a prepared place where they will dwell with Him forever. Are you planning to be there and have you prepared yourself?

Have you done all you know but the situation has not improved? Then, "... trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon ... God." (Isaiah 50:10). Note the word 'name.' God values His good name because it represents His power, His character and His faithfulness. When you pray for anything in His name, you are trusting His power, His character and His faithfulness. Do not spend so much of your life worrying about yesterday and tomorrow - one is buried and the other is unborn. There is nothing you can do about it. But know this: 'God is ... a very present help...' (Psalm 46:1) So, hand your worries to Him and let Him take care of them for you!

The children of Israel were able to glance into the past and remember their great escape from the Egyptians. Knowing God 's past mercies allowed them to praise God and to look forward to His continuing presence. What about you? Knowing that God has been with you in the past will give you the assurance that He will walk with you in the present and accompany you in the future. Believe that He will continue to act on your behalf. This morning thank Him for what He has done and look forward for what He will do. So, "sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider .... has He thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:1)

If you have a hugh sum of money, you may choose to put into 1 investment or diversify in more than 1 investments. The latter is considered far superior to all others - diversification takes a backseat to opportunism.  In the economy of God, 1 investment is clearly superior to all others. Jesus calls us to place all our resources, time and talents there -exclusively. Because of the return it will yield and we will not be disappointed.  But there is often a part of us that wants to diversify. We want to invest some in God's kingdom and also some in this world. But Jesus says it is a bad deal. The world will end in bankruptcy and the kingdom of God will inherit all wealth. And this wealth will be everlasting. Ponder what Mark 8:36 says.

God does not need your thanks, praise or adoration. He does not need an ego boost or validation. Rather, God asks you to express your gratefulness because of what it means to your own soul. It is in those moments of thanksgiving when you realize that He is the source of all your blessings and they are not given because of your worthiness but because of His love for you. As your words echo back into your ears that God is the great Provider, His power fills you and your heart is tranformed. So, sing out your gratefulness to God. There is so much to thank Him for - your life, your family, your provisions and blessings! Read Psalm 50.

The wedding feast at Cana is a lot like life. Unexpected crises may creep in but when you allow Jesus to step into the situation, everything changes. His word is enough to take our stone jars and fill them with satisfying substance. At His word, these clay jars become vessels of abundant life. Jesus can change futility into fulfilment, blandness into flavour, obligation into celebration and law into life. We do not need to know how He does it. We see the challenges and we invite Him to be the solution. We fill the jars with water of our faith and obedience eventhough we do not understand the miracle that is taking place inside. Again, just OBEY when He tells you to "Fill up the jars with water." (John 2:7)

We are living in End Times! Be Prepared By Esther Ong Matthew 24:3 says “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? ”           As all of us know, in recent times, there were many incidences that have happened that are unbelievably disturbing and distraughting, such as the MH17 that was shot down,the mysterious disappearance of MH370, the airplane crash of the Algerian plane and the disastrous landing of a Taiwanese aircraft. A strange disease called Ebola has also emerged. Today, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.8 has jolted southwest Mexico.           As Christians, what should be our response? Should we be very shock and be alarmed about it!? In fact, we are the ones who should remain very calm as we KNOW all these things shall happen before our dear Lord Jesus will come again. It is all in the Bible! And it is foretold b

God waits for the perfect time to work. You may fear He has forgotten the situations that weigh so heavily on your heart. Be assured He knows exactly what He is doing. However, right now be steadfast and hang on to Him. Even though you do not see the evidence of His hand at work, He is wholeheartedly committed to honoring His promises to you. God has a plan and at the right moment, you will see it unfold. He will work all things together for your good in due time. He will accomplish His will in your life. In time, you will see how He has been working in the unseen. Read Psalm 75.

Matthew 5:22 "I tell you that anyone is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." These are hard words. None of us can claim they have avoided anger. Deep down inside, we know it is wrong to harbor our own sense of vengeance, as well. Jesus seems to be so harsh about it. Why? Because it dishonors Him as the judge of creation - it usurps His standards and places our own above them. If you are harboring anger in your heart, ask God for forgiveness and leave your anger to Him. God's judgement is thorough, accurate and it can be trusted. He will give you the strength to overcome them in Jesus name!

We all want '...the crown of life ...' the Lord promised (James 1:12) but we do not want the 'problems and trials' that develop 'strength of character in us' (Romans 5:4). Our greatest progress comes from our greatest pain - hence  God does not save us from it but strengthens us in it. '...see how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You cannot shorten the seasons or hurry the harvest, so 'be patient and stand firm... (James 5:7-8). And pay attention. While you are waiting, God is working. Remember '...problems and trials ... are good for us ...(Romans 5:3)

God has not failed you. Though every human indicator may suggest God is absent from your situation, the reality is far from it. The full panorama has yet to be seen - your complete situation still has not been unveiled. Why God has allowed these trials to come into your life? Because He is teaching you that  He wants to make your circumstances work out for good - even the waiting. So do not fret. Hang on to Him tightly as you can and trust He is working out something important! When you see what He sees, you are going to love the big picture. He will not let you down! Read Psalm 90.

The best way to appreciate the grandeur and glory of God is to shed your weariness and worldly wisdom and begin to see things through childlike eyes. Doing so returns to you your sense of wonder and awe. Jesus said as much when He encouraged you to become as a child, awed by life but trusting nothing but God. God's majesty is evidenced everywhere - birds fly from branch to branch, fishes swim in the sea, stars shoot across the night sky. A child has no difficulty believing these things. So may God help you never to become so grown up that you no longer revel in the glory of His creation! Read Psalm 104

Matthew 5:22 "I tell you that anyone is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." These are hard words. None of us can claim they have avoided anger. Deep down inside, we know it is wrong to harbor our own sense of vengeance, as well. Jesus seems to be so harsh about it. Why? Because it dishonors Him as the judge of creation - it usurps His standards and places our own above them. If you are harboring anger in your heart, ask God for forgiveness and leave your anger to Him. God's judgement is thorough, accurate and it can be trusted. He will give you the strength to overcome them in Jesus name!

Matthew 5:22 "I tell you that anyone is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement." These are hard words. None of us can claim they have avoided anger. Deep down inside, we know it is wrong to harbor our own sense of vengeance, as well. Jesus seems to be so harsh about it. Why? Because it dishonors Him as the judge of creation - it usurps His standards and places our own above them. If you are harboring anger in your heart, ask God for forgiveness and leave your anger to Him. God's judgement is thorough, accurate and it can be trusted. He will give you the strength to overcome them in Jesus name!

Do you remember what it was like when you were little and someone picked you up and carried you around? What a comfortable and secured feeling when your parents reached down to you, lifted you into strong and capable arms. It was good to be held and you knew everthing would be alright. Likewise, let God carry you each day. You will feel safe and secure in the arms of God's compassion and concern. You will be comfortable everywhere you go because the eternal arms of God's power and might are underneath you. You are God's child and He delights to take care of you - always! Read Isaiah 40.

If our identity is in Jesus, and His Spirit is living in us, we will be drawn to others as He was. We will be broken hearted about those who suffer in sinful, diseased conditions. The zeal of our search to bring His redemption into a captive world will in some way reflect His zeal. It will be a diagnostic measure of the reality of our union with Him. Be aware of the need and respond by cultivating your union with Jesus. Fellowship with His Spirit will make His agenda contagious to you and those around you. Let His mission become yours. What's His mission? He "came  to seek and save what was lost." (Luke 19:10)

What are we to make of a Savior who does not answer? The request of the woman whose daughter was demon-possessed was legitimate. Her acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord was accurate; her understanding of His will was appropriate. And yet, as with many of our seemingly appropriate prayer requests, He does not answer 'a word.' (Matthew 15:23). God often does not answer us immediately but He encourages our persistence. He invites us in the silence to explore His character, learn of His will and gain a proper perspective of how we fit into His plan. He tells us to seek and we will find. George Muller advises "The great point is never to give up until the answer comes."

When you acknowledge God's power and might, He pours His encouragement into your heart. A simple prayer, "Lord, I need your help," speaks volumes to Him. He hears your confession and moves into action. Yet there will be times when you are unable to pray about what you are facing. There's an emergency and you need His comfort and direction. Can God help you in such urgent situations? Yes. He is able to provide all you need the moment you cry out to Him. So take heart, my friend, in your faithful God. He is as faithful to you today as He has been from time immemorial. And He will surely come to your aid as soon as you call. Yes, call 333, Jeremiah 33:3

When you put yourself in God's hands, you are in a place where great things can be accomplished in your life.  Stuart Hamblen was in Los Angeles at the time of Billy Graham's crusade. Liquor had come to dominate his life but after several visits to the crusade meetings, he was converted and lost his appetite for alcohol. A friend asked: "Have you not wanted one drink?" Hamblen replied, "No, John, it's no secret what God can do." His friend knowing Hamblen's interest in music, said, "Stuart, you ought to write a song about that." So, Stuart wrote this song: "It is no secret what God can do. What He's done for others, He'll do for you, With arms wide open, He'll pardon you, It is no secret what God can do." So, go and tell what God has done for you! Don't keep it a secret. Read Acts 20.