A Devotional Life

Colossians 3:15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. The Peace of Christ: It's a ruling peace. Jesus (the Prince of Peace) lives in us and He has overcome everything that robs us of peace - like fear, anxiety. So we can always ask Him for His peace. [Matthew 7:7] It's the call of the body of Christ. As members of Christ's body (the Church), we are called to live in peace - as instruments of peace. So, not just God's peace in us, but God's peace through us. We need Christ's peace in and through us because a peaceful heart flows thanksgiving (worship to God) and service (admonishing one another) [Col 3:15-16, Philippians 4:6]. And importantly, a heart of peace gives life to the body. [Proverbs 14:30] “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” [2 Thessalonians 3:16] Amen. God bless you excee...

Matthew 20:20-28. Question: Would you want your mum to visit your workplace? And if yes, would you be happy for her to meet your boss? Thoughts that come to mind: Would she mention that weird childhood habit I had?... Or would she tell my boss off for my workloads and demand a salary raise on my behalf? Getting close to the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, a mum visited her sons' workplace and had a word with the boss, as seen in the passage. She unhesitantly requested (in paraphrase, v21): I want my two sons to be next to you in command. (James and John Zebedee must be proud that mum kicked off a favourable conversation.) But Jesus, being the true servant boss, did not say "put in the hours, meet the KPIs, put yourself out there - people gotta see what you're doing, and gradually you climb the ladder and eventually you become everyone's boss." Rather, Jesus also unhesitantly responded (shortened, v25-28): don't lord it over people, the way to ...

Psalm 65. If God had a grocery list, I think Psalm 65 would be it. The only contrast between His list and our typical shopping list is that ours portray our needs, but God's list portrays his abundant supply to ALL needs. All needs: we are cared for – forgiven, restored and blessed (v2-5). The land and streams are cared for (v9), also the crops (v10), the wilderness, the hills (v12), the flocks (v13), all cared for and partaking in His abundant supply; "You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance." (v11) A friend of mine puts it this way: if we can all chill long enough [haha], we will find something to be thankful for. It looks like the Universe chills long enough every day to find something (rather, everything) to be thankful (rather, singing) for. And we're welcome to join in. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. (v8) What are you thankf...

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11. 1 Cor 14:1-5. 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5. Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. ... the one who prophesies edifies the church. God, through Paul, reminds us, that as we journey through life waiting on Christ's return, we should do so soberly, with faith, love and hope. And importantly, encourage one another and build each other up (prophecy). As we grow in love, we ought to grow in prophecy, through the help of the Holy Spirit. Who is God laying in your heart to encourage, to bu...

Joel 2:28-32. HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! We can take a few minutes to reflect and capture those moments in 2020 that we felt some joy or comfort, no matter how little, and thank God for them... Thank you Father God for 2020, and for those moments that Your light was shone in darkness, and those moments when we were encouraged... and that You keep on keeping us. We are so grateful! In the Old Testament journey of the Israelites, we see a constant cycle where the Israelites keep turning away from God's ways. And when they do, God forsakes them (2 Chronicles 15:2). Then they get exiled. They cry to God. God saves them. And then they repeat the cycle. The book of Joel is a similar story of the Israelites' exile cycle. God forsakes them. They cry out to God and He 'took pity' on them (v18), He is merciful. And more than that, he promises a day when He will come, and He paints a picture of what would happen when He comes (v28-32). A picture that reminds them that the Lord ...

Isaiah 9:1-7. Out of the ashes, from a very dark place in the history of Israel (nearly 800BC, Assyrian captivity) came a word of hope. Usually, God would send His rescue government through a priest (Moses) or a judge (Deborah) or a king (David). But this time, He had a bigger, better plan - to send His Son Jesus for us (John 3:16) who fulfils these promises in us. Promise: A hope, spiritual and physical (v2-5): v2 Salvation (darkness to light) v3 The Holy Spirit (increased joy) v4 Freedom v5 Justice Promise: A relationship to demonstrate His sovereignty and love. Where He calls us in fellowship by His Spirit to experience His wonder and might (transcendence), but also His everlasting love and peace (immanence). (v6) Promise: An everlasting government because His office is perfect - He is a Priest, who is a Judge, who is a King and who is God. Which means we have pea...

To every soul who fought for a just cause, And in so doing laid down their lives, You fought like my Saviour! You fought like my Lord! May your selfless act be forever cherished, And may your memories be forever loved. 💕🌹 John 15:13 #RemembranceSunday