A Devotional Life

Matthew 2:1-12. Once, I was with some friends, and we saw a famous person; they all got very excited, but I did not. When they began chatting about the celebrity, they realised why I missed the excitement. Matthew presents Jesus in a famous manner that demands a response that those who know Him can not miss out on. The gospel begins by showing that the nature of Jesus' birth proves He is the one all history and prophecies point to. He is The Promised King. He is of David's lineage (Matthew 1:17, 2 Samuel 7:13). The Promised Saviour. He is the seed of a woman, i.e. not of man but of God, like the first Adam (Matthew 1:18, Genesis 3:15). The Promised Lord. He is Immanuel - God with us - Israel's God is here (Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14). So the news is out that Israel's God - The Messiah King, The Saviour, The Lord - whom all generations hoped for is now here....

Colossians 1:15-20. It was in the middle of an artificial intelligence (AI) class when one of our professors presented that although the human brain may be slower than the slowest computer in computation, it remains the single most complex object in the universe. The way it adapts, learns, predicts, and makes decisions can never be replaceable by an AI. In similar and much greater grandeur, Paul writes on the supremacy of Christ: His supremacy in creation He is the firstborn of all creation (15). For by him all thing were created (16). His supremacy in the new creation - the Church He is the firstborn from the dead (18). For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (19). He encircles all things He is befor...

Matthew 1:21. John 1:29-34. Can you recall your recent response at the sight of a baby or even a little kid? It's always one of delight and love, isn't it! We suddenly notice their cuteness, smile and even refreshing presence (literally, as one CNN article presents the outcome of research on how kids help the elderly live longer.) But we all know that kids outgrow this unsolicited cuteness, haha. In the passage, Matthew introduces another baby, Jesus, whom from infancy through eternity would still be worth beholding, "behold the Lamb of God" (John's gospel) because: He saves the world from sin (v29) - redeems us from the power of sin and death, giving us a new life in God. Romans 6:1-11. He baptises us with the Holy Spirit (v33) - who refreshes and empowers us to live for God. Although John the Baptist begins by beholding and testifying about Jesus, later in v35-37, He led his two disciples to Jesus, pointing them to Behold the Lamb of God. What wo...

Note: If you have been following any of the teaching series, we will be continuing in the new year. Praise God for a new month. I would like to share a personal experience, then we look at the word. I recently was recalling my first experience of using a Bible reading plan. It was the Classic Bible reading plan (i.e. straight through Gen to Rev), which my mum gave to me and my elder sister during my first year at uni. Oh, and there was a cash prize for whoever finishes first. I can’t tell what my sister’s motivation was, but I knew what mine was - the money, well initially. The only problem was my sister was a faster reader or better put, I am a slow reader. Nonetheless, eyes on the prize and I kept going for it. Genesis chapter 1, chapter 2 … chapter 6, and I got stuck. I read that passage (Genesis 6) so many times - and what really touched me was verses 5-6. Imagine someone reading 39 books of the Old Testament (OT) with Genesis 6:5-6 in mind (which is actually reflected ...

Thank God for the privilege to celebrate in remembrance the birth of His Son, Jesus, this season. It’s 25th already, and final merry routine checks going on; tree lights on - check, oven's hot - check, presents wrapped - check, cards sent - check, … - check, check. So, Merry Christmas. Matthew 1:21, Luke 1:31-33. ...and you shall call his name JESUS; - for he shall save his people from their sins. (True sacrifice) - And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (New Reign) And that is the good tidings of great joy we have in celebrating Christmas - the birth of the Saviour: a sacrifice and a new reign. (Luke 2:10-11) Today as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we keep in our hearts these words that reveal the purpose of His birth. He was born to save from sin as many as believe, and establish his reign in our hearts for a living relationship with God. If you have never made a prayer of faith to accept Jesus into your hear...

It's Christmas again, Merry Christmas. I'll just quickly reference last Easter's post on Sharing His Hope - which was an encouragement to share. So what is Christmas? The best definition of Christmas so far, for me, is from a kid. Here it is: Christmas is a time when we celebrate when baby Jesus was born on earth. Can you beat that? John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Isaiah 9:6 prophecy can finally be celebrated - cause it was fulfilled by the birth/coming of Jesus. Christmas is a perfect reminder of the loving Father heart of God - that lavishing love - which chose to be born in a manger, in form of human flesh, living in our world and giving it all up for us - a people undeserving of His love. Really, God what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you've visited him. If you often get into this question of Psalm 8:...