Devotionals – Kallos

The Gift of Presence

Alina Teo — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:11:00 +0000

Mask on.
Expressionless faces.
Mask off.
Eat.
Mask on.

If you were in Singapore during the Circuit Breaker, do you still remember how it was when you were not allowed to go out? Only essential services were permitted. Restaurants, cafes and kopitiams were vacant, their entrances barred with red and white tape. Do you remember how that felt?

Everything “normal” became abnormal and we had to adapt, change our usual ways, and look forward to the day when going out to eat with friends would be considered acceptable again.

THE GIFT OF PRESENCE

Having formed several coping strategies for life under social distancing, some have now normalised this way of life even now that we are in the endemic rather than pandemic days.

In the aftermath of Covid-19, it has become something of a norm for some to attend church online. Words like “it’s just easier” or “there’s no difference” play on our lips as excuses to suit our own convenience. We think to ourselves that no one will notice when we aren’t around.

The truth is, you matter. So when you don’t turn up at church, it matters.

Each of our lives is a gift that God has blessed the church with. You being there, sitting with the rest of the body of Christ, listening, talking and simply being present is such a precious gift.

No one else can be you.
You bring to the table something that no one else has.
You, being you, are a gift.

So when we choose to turn up at church to be together with the rest of the body of Christ, we are giving the gift of our presence to others. You may not think it is much, but it is. On the flip side, when you choose not to turn up, you are depriving others of your presence.

The truth is, you matter.
So when you don’t turn up at church, it matters.

EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH

The early church described in Acts did more than just turn up once a week though. They were in the habit of meeting up daily to pray, eat, share all that they had, and simply be together as the body of Christ (2:44–47). There was a good purpose for meeting together physically, being able to look one another in the eye, perhaps join hands in prayer, and sit and eat together around the table. These rhythms of life, these habits that were cultivated with God’s provision, caused the church to grow. It enabled people to share their lives — the good and the bad — and let others help them.

Perhaps today, with our ease of travel, we have taken the blessing of being able to gather together for granted.

So, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves, “How do we give the gift of our unique presence?”
Can we extend our hand of friendship and love to others and be present with them?

These rhythms of life,
these habits that were cultivated with God’s provision,
caused the church to grow.

OFFERING OUR PRESENCE

Children’s books often offer a depth of wisdom for life that are sometimes overlooked as childish or naive. On the contrary, I have gleaned much from these reads. I like this depiction by A. A. Milne of the friendship between Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet in this quote of Pooh’s difficult day:

“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.

There was a pause.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.

“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”

“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.

“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.”

“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someone there for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs … he thought that his best friend had never been more right.

May we be like Piglet, offering our presence and being that “someone there” who says, “Come, let me sit with you.” Let us be in the habit of ‘holding space’ for one another by offering a listening ear, a comforting hug, and a place for another to be vulnerable.

As God’s hands and feet and His bodily expression of love and hope in this broken world, let’s give the gift of our presence to those around us and so see God’s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Finding Hope

Alina Teo — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 21:46:00 +0000

THE BENCH

Recently, I came across the phrase, ‘HOPE IS EVERYTHING’. It was engraved on a park bench, which seemed as if it was proclaiming this truth to those walking by. But even the people coming to sit on it might not have noticed these faint words.

As I watched people walk by the bench, I wondered …

What does hope look like for them?
What does hope look like to me?
What does hope look like in the Bible?

In our broken world, we might feel there isn’t much hope. For the person who is dying of a terminal illness, or one who has just lost someone dear, or a patient finding out that one has a life-crippling disease to be endured for the rest of one’s life, or a refugee in a country where they can’t even understand the language, or a soldier caught in the crossfire of a raging war, what hope can be seen in their situations?

When I look at Vincent van Gogh’s famous paintings of sunflowers, I see hope. The sunflowers are dying, with their petals drooping slightly with brown discolouration. Yet, the many seeds that are in the middle of the flowers contain so much hope for the future. New beginnings await. Are we looking at the dying petals or the spring of hope that is to come?

WHAT DOES HOPE MEAN TO YOU?

Is hope some sort of wishful thinking? Perhaps it’s something as consequential as, “I hope to get good grades in school without working hard,” or something as simple as, “I hope tomorrow will be a sunny day even though the weather forecast says it’ll rain.” This is one sense of hoping, but thankfully, God’s hope isn’t as uncertain and unreasonable as that.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HOPE?

When Paul and Silas were in jail, chained up to the wall, what was their song of hope then (Acts 16)? They were singing praises to God while in their chains before any quiver of the earthquake that broke their chains had begun. Yet, their hearts were hopeful in the One who could save them.

Paul declared, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Hope of eternity with the One he loved was the hope that kept Paul going and pursuing after Christ. In all he did and had to endure, Paul professed this hope of glory that awaited him (Col 1:27). In the same way, we have that same hope of glory in Christ.

I like the way John Piper puts it in his sermon series on hope to his church in Bethlehem. He preached that “biblical hope is not just a desire for something good in the future, but rather, biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.”

Even if at this moment, things are not going well, there is still something good in the future we can look forward to. There is a hope we can cling on to. And cling on tight we must.

Jesus Christ came to earth, died on the cross and rose again so that we now have the assured hope of being reconciled with God when we believe in Him (1 Pet 1:3). Jesus, having walked this earth as a human, understands our pain, our hurt, our insecurity. On this side of eternity, life does get tough, but we are not alone. God knows each of our journeys and He is with us through it all.

Christ is the steadfast, never-changing hope that we can cling onto and trust, because He is faithful and He loves us so deeply. Only because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8), and what He promises He will do, we can then stand upon His assured hope.

Biblical hope is not just a desire for something good in the future,
but rather, biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire
for something good in the future.

WHY HOPE?

Although hope is there for our taking, we often forget. When life gets hard and we look around us, we despair. When our school grades don’t match up to our expectations, or when our friends talk behind our backs, making us feel excluded and alone, or when we are not good enough in our own eyes compared to others, or when we have no solution for our family which is breaking apart, we despair. The psalmist knew the tendency for humans to despair, especially when the going gets tough, thus the intentional proclamation in Psalm 42:5,

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Saviour and my God.

God is our help. He is our unshakeable rock (2 Sam 22:32, Ps 18:31, Is 26:4) in whom we can trust. Listen to how the psalmist puts it. “Hope in God!” he says, almost like a command, asking you to choose hope. It isn’t just a passive sit-back-and-let-me-be-filled-with-hope. It is an active, intentional action. Choose to hope. Tell yourself to hope. Because in our fallenness, with the brokenness of our world and the pain we experience in life, hoping does not come naturally. If we don’t preach hope to ourselves, despair may give way to discouragement and a disturbed spirit.

When the Israelites were stuck in between the Red Sea and the Egyptian Army that was in hot pursuit of them, terror met them face to face. Hope was not a close friend. But Moses stood firm and declared, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today … The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exod 14:13‭–14). In essence, what Moses was saying to them was, in the missionary William Carey’s words, “Expect great things from God!”

Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Saviour and my God.

HOPE AMID DESPAIR

Don’t despair! Hope in God and see Him work for your good as He did for Israel in and out of Egypt. God delivered His people from the hands of their oppressors and He is more than able to deliver you from oppression.

When we look at hope, we can see it as a “reservoir of emotional strength”, as preached by John Piper. People will fail us and we will encounter situations that look bleak and we will at times feel helpless. But in those moments, let the emotional reservoir of hope in God lift you up. When things do not go the way you imagined, let your hope in God push you on to keep trying. When you encounter temptations to step away from the right path, let the emotional reservoir of hope in God give you strength to stick to the path of righteousness and deny yourself temporary, short-lived pleasures.

Remember that biblical hope is ours to hold onto and be assured that we can expect good in the future because of Christ in our story. And as we walk this journey, our hearts can be lifted to know that God does not leave us to ourselves. He holds our hand and walks alongside us.

God delivered the Israelites from the hands of their oppressors
and He is more than able to deliver you from oppression.

AN ONGOING STORY OF HOPE

Katherine and Jay Wolf from Hope Heals share their stories of hope amid the deep suffering they have been through and are still working through. Hope Heals was set up to share Katherine and Jay’s story through books, podcasts and camps to challenge the myth that joy is only found in a pain-free life. Rather, they are stating that joy can be found in a good/hard story that God is writing in each of our lives.

Katherine was only 26 years old when she was struck with a near-fatal brain-stem stroke caused by a congenital brain defect that she was entirely unaware of. She had given birth to her baby boy just six months earlier. Their world came crashing down and their lives were flooded with too many questions they had no answers to. But God planted in them hope that did not disappoint. The emotional reservoir of hope they had been building kept them going.

One 16-hour brain surgery, 40 days in the Intensive Care Unit, 11 surgeries, and one year in a neuro-rehabilitation centre later, Katherine and Jay’s faith in God has only deepened. Katherine shared, “You have a stunning capacity to endure incredibly hard things because of Jesus in your story …. May you see your life as a good/hard story that God Himself is writing.”

What does hope look like to you?
Who do you get your hope from?

Let that hope be Jesus.
He gives us hope in this life that nothing and no one else ever can.
JESUS IS EVERYTHING.

Remember & Return

Alina Teo — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:32:00 +0000

Would you look and see
Open your eyes once again and behold
In your daily wanderings
Pause
Listen to My voice once again
And return to Me
I am here
I have been with you

THE PROPHET JEREMIAH

Neither did they say,
“Where is the LORD,
Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
Who led us through the wilderness,
Through a land of deserts and pits,
Through a land of drought and the shadow of death,
Through a land that no one crossed,
And where no one dwelt?”
I brought you into a bountiful country,
To eat its fruit and its goodness.

Jeremiah 2:6–7a (NKJV)

At this point in Israel’s history when the prophet Jeremiah shared these words of God, the people had forsaken Him and were chasing after other gods. Instead of the devotion they had vowed unto God (Jer 2:2–3a; cf. Exod 19:7–8), the Israelites went far away from God and forsook Him and His ways. They gave themselves over to other gods and no longer feared the true God.

In His mercy, God spoke through Jeremiah time and time again over 40 years to warn the Israelites of impending judgement if they did not repent and turn back to Him. Through Jeremiah, God continually called the Israelites to “Return, you backsliding children” (Jer 3:22). If they returned to Him, God promised to heal and provide for them, restoring their brokenness (3:12–17).

DRINK FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATERS

In Jeremiah 2:4–3:5, when the prophet Jeremiah sounded the call to the people of Israel to remember God, he shared that God referred to himself as “the fountain of living waters” (2:13). However, instead of drinking from living waters, the people have “hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water” (v. 13).

To hew means to cut or chop into the shape of something and a cistern is a vessel for storing water. Why are we drinking from damaged tanks of stagnant water when we have access to the very source of flowing freshwater?

For some of us, our studies and grades have become the broken cisterns that we drink from, in that we derive pride and find our sense of worth from them. For others, the image others have of us — that we are responsible, capable, or clever at certain tasks — has shaped our identity. We strive to keep up that image over resting in who God says we are — already and always his beloved ones (Jer 31:3; Gal 2:20). Perhaps it is the enticement of earthly things that has taken your attention off God and you no longer desire a closer walk with God like before.

Why are we drinking from damaged tanks of stagnant water
when we have access to the very source of flowing freshwater?

Hear again the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not remain angry forever’” (Jer 3:12).

What are these broken cisterns in your life today? What have you been trying to draw life from that has replaced the true source of life?

Would you give these stagnant sources over to God and drink instead from the ever-flowing and refreshing fountain of living waters?

REMEMBER AND RETURN

Just as God remembers Israel in their early days in order to stir their hearts for Him (Jer 2:1–3), we too can remember what God has done in our lives in order to turn our hearts back to Him.

This is the same God who brought the Israelites out of slavery into freedom (Exod 14:27-31), led them through the wastelands (Exod 16:35), delivered them through many trials (Deut 2:24-25, Josh 4:22-24), and caused them to establish themselves in a new land which had not been theirs (Josh 6:20). Throughout their journey, He was with them and He kept His promise to them.

God promised to bless Abraham and his descendants and make them a blessing (Gen 12:2-3). He promised to be with the Israelites if they would obey and walk before Him (Exod 13:21-22, Jer 3:12-18). He promised rest for their souls if they returned to Him (Jer 6:16). This is our God who calls out to us to return, beloved children, and stop running our own way.

When we recognise and remember God working in our lives — in however small or big a way — our hearts will go back to that place of praise and fear of God, knowing that God’s hand has been in it all — being present with us, providing and caring for us even when we failed to notice, guiding and protecting us.

So how do we remember?

Journal. One simple way to remember the small and big things God has done in your life is to journal. Write the numbers 1 to 30/31 on a page — one number for every day of the month. Write one line (or more!) of thanksgiving at the end of each day and let this growing list be a way to remember God and His goodness in your life.
Read the Bible. The stories in the Bible are such good places to begin remembering the amazing deeds God has done in history. From the beginning of time to the resurrection of Jesus and beyond, God has not stopped His good work. Let your faith arise as you read these stories and let them inspire you in your personal walk with God.
Share. Inviting others to come alongside our journey gives us the opportunity to retell the stories that we experience with God in our lives. Sometimes, it may be a story about something you have been praying for. Whether you’re still waiting or God has answered, sharing your story gives you space to reflect and remember.

Heed the call to remember once again. Will you take time and take care to remember who God is and what He has done for you, and to hear His promises for you?

How we so often and so easily forget
We have not remembered
Let’s start again
And choose
To remember

In Acceptance Lieth Peace

Alina Teo — Tue, 30 May 2023 12:10:00 +0000

IN ACCEPTANCE LIETH PEACE: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Elisabeth Elliot (1926–2015) was the widow of a martyred missionary, Jim Elliot. With her very young daughter, Valerie, she eventually returned to the Waodani in Ecuador, the very people group who killed her husband, and continued the work of bringing the gospel that he had begun. Hers is a story of forgiveness, hope, and acceptance of the will of God, knowing He is a good and trustworthy God.

She writes in Be Still My Soul: Reflections on Living the Christian Life about six choices that lead to acceptance of the will of God, bringing peace. Elisabeth tells us, “[God] didn’t give me a bridge over troubled waters, but [God] kept the promise that when I passed through the waters, He would be with me …. The one thing that [God] requires of us in response to deep waters is acceptance.”

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

Christ’s work on the cross made way for a continual exchange of the new for the old. You may not like this current season or circumstance you are facing, but you can choose your heart posture. God exchanges our weakness for His strength. He takes our sins and covers us with His righteousness. He gives us joy in place of sorrow. If you make that choice to trust God’s faithfulness in the joys and pains that happen through life, God can bring you delight even in the darkest moments.

CHOOSE TO OFFER YOUR PAIN TO GOD

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” God wants to share in our pain if we do choose to offer it to Him.

Whether it is pain from a broken relationship, death of someone dear, a disaster that seems totally unfair, or any other pains that you can think of: our God is one who, in Elisabeth’s words, “knows how to bring good out of evil”. We can trust Him with our pain.

If you make that choice to trust God’s faithfulness
in the joys and pains that happen through life,
God can bring you delight even in the darkest moments.

This offering of our pain may have to be done over and over again till we sense that lifting of pain. It is not easy and it may be a slow process. Yet, you are not alone. God can take our rants, frustrations, and laments along the way, and He is in the midst of continually refining us. That is how loving and patient God is with us. Choose to offer your pain to God, that you would find peace.

CHOOSE TO RECEIVE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN WITH OPEN HANDS

There are things that we cannot change. We can sulk about it, live in regret, and beat ourselves up, or perhaps even do nothing about it. But perhaps, another alternative we can consider is to receive what God has given us with a surrendered heart. As Elisabeth puts it, “It is a willed choice”. With this surrender, we are letting God work in our lives for our good.

CHOOSE TO RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT TO HIM

For one who knew pain, bereavement, and loneliness, Elisabeth encourages us to choose Christ once again, in spite of the emotional state we may be in. Just like the psalmist declares in Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” The negative emotions may be present, but we can choose to renew our commitment to Christ and trust in Him.

This offering of our pain may have to be done over and over again
till we sense that lifting of pain.
It is not easy and it may be a slow process. Yet, you are not alone.

CHOOSE TO PRAISE HIM

One of the hardest things to do is to praise when there seems nothing to give thanks for. But we can look at the example of the prophet Habakkuk and how he praised God and rejoiced in Him even when he saw no fruit, no crop and no cattle. Habakkuk declared, “Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour” (Hab 3:18).

Habakkuk declares God’s awesomeness and glory, reminding himself that God is the sovereign God who is his strength (Hab 3:19). It is not a pretense that we put up, but a quiet confidence and trust, when we know and rejoice that God is who He says He is — our faithful promise keeper.

CHOOSE TO DO THE NEXT THING

In her book, Elisabeth shares a poem by an unknown author that became one of the “mottoes of [her] life”. It goes like this:

From an old English parsonage, down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, as it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the hours the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration — “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, guidance, are given.
Fear not tomorrows, Child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus.
“DO THE NEXT THING.”

Do it immediately; do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing,
Leave all resultings, “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
(Working or suffering) be thy demeanour,
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing,
Then, as He beckons thee
“DO THE NEXT THING.”

When we accept God’s will for our lives and continue to take the next step, do the next thing we know to do, we can be assured that He is with us. The next thing may be to send a text message to a friend where reconciliation needs to take place, or it may be to turn up for church service this Sunday. For others, it may mean choosing not to lie to your parents the next time they ask you something. Whatever the next thing might mean to you, do it as a worship unto God and know that God sees you.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TODAY?

“In Acceptance Lieth Peace.” This was the title of a poem by the missionary Amy Carmichael, and a phrase that Elisabeth relied on as well.

Perhaps just as Elisabeth did so many years ago, we too, can make these six choices in our daily life to walk with God, trusting in His faithfulness to be with us in the darkest of times.

Come, My Beloved – God’s gentle call to us in times of uncertainty

Alina Teo — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:50:00 +0000

WHAT'S GOING ON?

I’ve found myself finding it a little harder to hope. With uncertainty looming from so many fronts — from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria, to the almost monthly shootings in the USA. Sure, these events are not happening to me, but somehow, I feel their effects. Not too long ago, with the decrease in supply of chickens to Singapore, even the seemingly simple task of buying a plate of chicken rice proved to be a feat in itself. What is happening in our world?

Sometimes, I don’t know how to feel or process these happenings. It is hard. At times, I feel hard-pressed to hope for some semblance of good news next month. Because to be honest, I’m not even sure what next month holds.

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD HAVE TO SAY?

But as I sat in church the other day, with the preacher declaring God’s Word from Psalm 17, I realised that these feelings of being surrounded and pressed in from all sides may not be unfamiliar to the people of faith in the ancient past. David, the shepherd boy who became king of Israel, was in that place of distress and anguish. He described his enemies “as a lion [being] eager to tear his prey” and “a young lion lurking in secret places” (v. 12 NKJV).

Although his life was in danger from his enemies and fear must have been mounting, David refused to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he cried out to God to “attend to my cry” and “give ear to my prayer” (Ps 17:1)! David’s response was not to go against his enemies with his own might or cleverness. In contrast, David laid himself bare before God and asked God to test his heart; David “purposed that my mouth shall not transgress” (v. 3).

David refused to take matters into his own hands.
Instead, he cried out to God to “attend to my cry” and “give ear to my prayer”!

David was not going to fight his battle his way (v. 5). He determined in his heart and had the humble faith to allow God’s vindication to come in God’s own way and God’s own time. Trust is what David resolved to do. In the midst of trouble, he turned to God and relied on God’s help and vindication. He actively sought God and remembered who God is — a God who saves those whom He loves and who trusts in Him (v. 6–9).

AN ENCOURAGEMENT

Maybe today, your battles aren’t because of global wars or local unrests, but your battles take the form of war and unrest inside of you — the despair you carry around that no one sees; the crippling thoughts about yourself that you keep under wraps. Perhaps your battles are hardships in school or among friends or colleagues, or the difficulty of fitting in or having someone close enough to confide in. Perhaps it is the heavy burden of work placed upon you that is crushing you. The same encouragement holds true for you too:

“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God …
O You who save those who trust in You” (vv. 6–7)

Today, God is calling to you to come to Him, you who are His beloved. He is asking you to give Him your despair, your heartache, and your pain. Turn to Him, and He will save you.

He actively sought God and remembered who God is —
a God who saves those whom He loves and who trusts in Him (Ps. 17: 6–9).

This brings to mind the hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. The lyrics sing of us beholding Christ again in our everyday lives. Despite our circumstances, good or bad, there is a call to be present and to “turn your eyes”! Not tomorrow, not later, but turn now. Sovereign Grace Music composed a modern version of this song, adding a chorus:

Jesus, to you we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Saviour ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You

When we turn our eyes to His beauty, goodness, and faithfulness, when we behold Christ, we turn our eyes away from the craziness, the messiness, and the despair that we may be experiencing. It doesn’t take away these circumstances, but it changes our focus to the One who is in control.

Today, God is calling to you to come to Him, you who are His beloved.
He is asking you to give Him your despair, your heartache, and your pain.
Turn to Him, and He will save you.

To behold means to observe or to see, usually something remarkable to us. When we behold Christ, we are intently looking upon, we are gazing, taking time to appreciate Him. We let Christ be our centre. We can keep our eyes fixed on Christ and say, I trust in You, God, my hope and my light.

Would you come and behold Christ today?

Navigating Through the Storms of Life

Aarksara Foo — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:03:00 +0000

Over the years, I have learned that just because we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour doesn’t mean that we are exempt from the fires and storms of this life. As John 16:33 shows us, Jesus has already given us a heads-up — in this world we will experience trouble, but take heart for He has overcome it all. What good news!

How do I keep breathing when everything around me seems chaotic and unresolvable? How can there be any good that comes out of horrible situations?

I have had these questions circulate in my mind when the gap between my expectations of how things should be and my current reality seemed far too wide for God to rescue me out of my disappointments.

But God has always rescued me. Failed relationships, broken promises, unpredictable circumstances in business, problems that arise within the ministry … when the gap between my expectations and my reality is large, Jesus has always come to fill that gap with His grace, love, and peace.

We all have experienced disappointment. I fell very ill in my final year of university. I had hopes and dreams to get a graduate job and start earning a stable income. But I became too unwell to even go for any job interviews. I started questioning why God would allow me to go through this. All the years of hard work to finally graduate came to a halt. I was deeply disappointed that my life felt like it had come to a dead end.

Little did I know, God was actually birthing something far greater than I could have ever imagined. I started writing songs and gaining more skills and knowledge in the area of vocals and songwriting. From there, doors to opportunities flung open and I was catapulted into God’s purposes for my life.

So how do we respond when the expectation and reality gap is far too big for us to comprehend? How do we make it through these storms of life? I have learned that the first thing to do is to run to Jesus. How? Pray. Talk to Him. Cry out to Him, plainly and simply, just as you are. He listens. Prayer is like a phone call to God; the line is always open. Tell Him how you’re feeling, and let out the confusion, the hurt, and the pain that seems unbearable.

Secondly, worship. Wherever you are, whatever worship looks like to you, worship! I found that switching on worship music in the background helped me. I felt like I was having a church service right in my bedroom. The presence of God calmed my spirit and helped me see the situation through His eyes instead of through the lens of bitterness.

The third step is to talk to people you trust. I talked to people I love and I know love me back. I spoke as honestly as I could about the struggles going on in my life, my mind, and my heart. Such clarity and revelation were brought forth when I was honest with my inner circle.

My friend, whatever you’re going through right now, whether it be good or bad, I encourage you to cling on to Jesus with everything you have. Allow Him to be your anchor as you weather the storms in your life. His plans are far better than we could ever imagine, pray or hope for. His heart for us is to be whole and healthy — physically, emotionally and spiritually.

PRAYER
Father God, please help me to walk through every season of life with You. Help me to trust that You know far better than I do. Lord, may You hold my hand every step of the way. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME
1. What storms are you currently walking through? How have you been responding to them?
2. Who can you call today to be completely honest with your feelings?

DELVE DEEPER
Read these passages to dive deeper into ‘Navigating Through the Storms of Life’:
o Romans 8:28
o Isaiah 55:8–9

SONGSPO:
‘Battle Belongs’ by Phil Wickham

Worshipping When No One’s Looking

Aarksara Foo — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 10:18:00 +0000

When we were about to bid farewell to 2019 and excitedly welcome 2020, little did we know that we’d be faced with Covid-19 restrictions, and that in a moment, all of our lives would change drastically. It has been daunting for the whole world to navigate through these unknown waters. I remember having a sense of peace; knowing that God had already promised in Isaiah 43:2 that “when you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT).

Church services had to be moved online, and worship teams and church teams all around the globe had to figure out the best way to stay connected with their congregations during these unprecedented times. This season, it has been interesting to see worship leaders adjust to leading worship online, either through pre-recorded sets or live-streamed worship sets via Facebook or YouTube. Some have said that they have struggled with leading without anyone there; they feel like they don’t have anyone to lead without seeing the congregation in front of them. This has challenged me to see the core of being a worshipper of Jesus. What happens when there’s no one in the congregation? What happens when the lights are turned off? What happens when you don’t hear the applause of others? Will you still worship? Will you still praise and lift up the name of Jesus?

Sometimes when we are worshipping together in a live community, we ‘rely’ on others to help us get to that sweet place of worship between us and the Father. Has it been challenging or easy as you click on your church’s service link to worship along to a pre-recorded set list?

I love that Matthew 6:5–6 encourages all of us to go into that secret, quiet place — to worship and pray to God simply and authentically, just as we are, with no roleplaying. The sweetest place of worship where I have encountered Jesus is in my bedroom, singing unto Him with the doors closed, no microphones, no cameras, no makeup, my hair put up in a messy topknot and in my comfy pyjamas.

Even before Covid-19, I’ve always loved going into that secret place, sitting and soaking in His presence. Daily quiet time and worship with the Lord has always been a non-negotiable. I encourage worship leaders and vocalists to see that if we’re not cultivating that lifestyle of worship in that secret place, we’d be leading out of an empty place. If we’re not drawing from the well daily, where will we be pouring out from?

My dear sister, I want to encourage you to keep worshipping Jesus even when it may feel like no one is there worshipping with you. Yes, the lights might be turned off. Yes, there are no microphones and stages. Yes, there’s no one next to you worshipping alongside you. Yes, we miss in-person community. But Jesus is still here — worthy of all our praise and worship. Will you keep worshipping Him even when no one’s looking? Take heart, do not fear. Worshipping Jesus in every season will be the anchor for your soul.

PRAYER

Father God, please help me to worship You in every season. Help me to worship You simply and authentically in my private moments with You. I know You hear me, see me, and love me. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. What time of the day will you set aside to have your quiet time and worship time with the Lord?
2. Are there some friends you can connect with online during this time so you can encourage one another to keep worshipping?

DELVE DEEPER

Read these passages to dive deeper into this thought of ‘Worshipping When No One’s Looking’:
o Psalm 95:1–7
o Psalm 100

SONGSPO

‘No Fear’ – Tree

Beautiful Feet

Jiamin Choo — Sat, 01 May 2021 03:35:00 +0000

“Is there really a God? What is love? And why would God love me?” Kazuma, a fourth-year engineering student, asked me, with a look of curiosity and a tinge of sadness in his voice. I wasn’t expecting these questions to come at one go, but something in my heart broke and I understood why God had brought me from Singapore to this university in Japan to meet Kazuma.

It was my first mission trip to Japan as a freshman, in partnership with a local Christian student ministry. I had gone there as part of a Singapore team during my university holidays, because of what Sophie, my discipleship group leader, had shared about her mission trip to Japan previously.

Many know Japan for its amazing nature, technology, culture, and cuisine. It’s also one of the world’s most populous nations with 127 million people, and is one of the world’s richest and safest countries. Yet many may not know that Japan’s suicide rate is alarmingly one of the world’s highest, with over 20,000 Japanese ending their lives every year, with all hope lost. Most Japanese wouldn’t know Jesus, as they haven’t even heard of His name. With less than one percent Jesus-followers in Japan, and with the majority of worshippers and pastors being in their old age and passing on, many churches are struggling to survive, especially in rural areas where many churches have less than ten worshippers.

Impacted by what Sophie had shared, I signed up for the next trip to Japan, desiring to support the Japanese Christian students in their campus ministry. And that was how I ended up meeting Kazuma at a university’s English club gathering.

That day, together with my Singapore teammates, we sat down with Kazuma. We opened the Bible and searched for the answers he was looking for together. It was the first time Kazuma heard the good news of God’s kingdom and Jesus, and I was thankful to be part of the team that brought it to him. I realised this all happened because of Sophie, who encouraged me to go to Japan, and I could only have gone because my home church gave their blessings and supported me prayerfully and financially. And I could only share the gospel with Kazuma because others had shared that same good news with me in the past, such that I too had become a Jesus-follower.

It was like Paul’s words in Romans 10:11–15 coming alive:

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

In writing this letter to the church in Rome almost 2,000 years ago, Paul was reminding them that the good news of Jesus is for all, not only for a privileged few. God has made a way for every tribe, tongue, and people group to be reconciled to Him when they respond in faith through Jesus. But for this message to be made known, someone needs to bring it. Someone with beautiful feet because they are willing to go. Today, according to the Joshua Project, an organisation that highlights the ethnic groups of the world with the fewest followers of Christ, the Japanese remain the second-largest unreached people group in the world. There are various ways we can be a part of bringing this good news to the nations. We can pray for these countries. We can give financially to support mission workers and send them out. We can also go, and be part of the next generation of workers with beautiful feet who will bring this good news to all people. What will be your response?

PRAYER

God, Your name is great and worthy to be praised. I long to see the good news of Your kingdom and Jesus made known in every place, so that all people will worship You. Give me a heart for the nations, that I may bring Your good news to others in this generation. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. Who first shared the good news of God’s kingdom and Jesus with you?
2. To what extent are you willing to pray, give, send, or go, for the purpose of bringing the good news to the nations?

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “Bringers of Good News”:
o Isaiah 6:1–13
o Luke 4:14–30
o Acts 8:26–40

HANDLES

To help process what you learn through your Bible reading, try journalling your thoughts, feelings and questions. It can also provide clarity when you re-read your journal entries and trace the growth in your faith journey.

Living Hope

Jiamin Choo — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:50:00 +0000

Come with me to the place where it all happened. Imagine the dark before the dawn, the heavy footsteps and tear-filled eyes. Two days before, the Jesus whom Mary Magdalene loved had died. Betrayed by a disciple and put on an illegal and unjust trial, Jesus was sentenced to die on a cross at Calvary outside the walls of Jerusalem. He was abandoned by His followers and scorned by the soldiers. Jesus was no more, buried in a tomb. All of Mary’s hope was gone.

Mary had been saved by Jesus. He had cast out seven demons from her and restored her life (Luke 8:2). But that’s not all. This was Jesus, the promised Saviour of the world. The Son of God, whose birth was sung over by angels and witnessed by shepherds. The Miracle Healer who touched the leper and made the blind see. The Teacher who preached God’s kingdom with such authority that many repented of their sins and believed. The Son of Man, who said He is the only way to come to the Heavenly Father. Many rejected Him. Yet many loved and followed Him, including Mary.

Walking toward the tomb where Jesus lay, Mary was in for a surprise. A violent earthquake hit as an angel came down from heaven. He rolled back the stone of the tomb and sat on it saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee’” (Matt 28:2, 5–7).

Entrusted with this good news, her grief turning into great joy, Mary started running off to tell the other disciples when suddenly, Jesus appeared before her and called her by name. Little did Mary know that she would be the first person to see Jesus alive. Little did she know that she would be the first witness to testify that Jesus had risen from the dead. “I have seen the Lord!” Mary told the disciples, but they did not believe her (Mark 16:11). They only believed after seeing Jesus themselves (e.g., John 20:24–29), and then they gave their lives to share this news because Jesus had become their Living Hope.

These historical accounts have been recorded in Scripture so that we too may believe that Jesus is the Saviour, the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in His name (John 20:31). Although I have not witnessed these events with my own eyes and they may seem like foolish made-up stories in the eyes of the world, I do believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. He is my Living Hope, having triumphed over sin and death. And because I believe, I desire to share this good news with others who have yet to know it, especially those who live in communities where there are few Jesus-followers.

This Good Friday and Easter, may you be encouraged to reflect on Jesus’ life and death, know the power of His resurrection, and like Mary, who was filled with joy, share this good news of our Saviour with those around you: “Jesus has risen, just as He said!”

PRAYER
God, how great is Your mercy and love, that through faith in the risen Christ, our sins are forgiven and we can enter Your kingdom and be called Your children. Empower us by Your Spirit to share this good news about Jesus with others. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!
1. To what extent is Jesus your Living Hope?
2. Who is one person you can share with about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “The Risen Christ”:
o John 11:21–27
o Acts 13:26–48
o 1 Corinthians 15:1–22

HANDLES
To discover what the Bible says about life’s big questions, consider asking yourself, “What does this Bible passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan? What does this say about humans? What am I doing well, and what do I need to change?”

*Check out the Discovery Bible Study method at www.dbsguide.org to find out more.

Renew

Jiamin Choo — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 03:34:00 +0000

“With one word, how was 2020 for you?” a friend asked me. I replied, “Unprecedented.” My friend nodded. That was the buzzword from global news to conversations in our own circles throughout 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That word reminded me of how 2020 had been a shocking, sad, and difficult year with many Covid-19-related losses — the loss of many lives, jobs, overseas travel, and social gatherings, and the loss of safety and freedom to go to places without a mask. Yet with the painful losses also came gains — gaining of clarity to realise what really matters and to be thankful for people and things that we used to take for granted, such as our family and friends, having a stable job, good health, and a caring government to go through the hard times together.

With the pandemic raging on, entering this new year may not be as light-hearted and celebratory as in past years, but there is one word that God is putting on my heart for 2021, and that is “Renew.” Even though the future may seem uncertain and we may feel tired from keeping up with the volatile changes (and countless Zoom meetings) in a COVID-19 world, as God’s children, we can enter 2021 with hope and strength because of the renewing work God does in us.

In the Bible passage of Isaiah 40, God gave these comforting words through the prophet Isaiah to God’s people long ago who would be in years of captivity for their sins: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.” What a beautiful picture of renewal, from falling to flying.

Although the people of Israel at the time had sinned against God and would receive judgement through captivity, God remained faithful and loving to give them this encouraging promise — He would renew, restore, and redeem His people from the captors. The reason why this promise could be trusted then and can be trusted now is because of who God is and what He says He does.

In the chapter’s earlier verses 10 to 29, God reveals Himself as a caring shepherd who marks off the heavens with His hands, brings rulers of this world to nothing, and knows each star by name. And because He is the everlasting God who will not grow tired or weary, He will give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. This inner renewal does not come from our own efforts, power or wisdom, but from God, the Source of life and strength, the loving Creator who never forgets His people.

As we cross over into 2021, no matter what ups or downs await us, we can find comfort and assurance in knowing that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” We don’t need to be afraid of an uncertain future, because we have an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God who is with us. May we be encouraged to commit our lives, plans, and dreams for this new year to God, trusting Him to do a renewing work in us, and to lead us ahead with His strength, wisdom, and grace.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for being my strength when I am weak. Renew my heart, mind and spirit, as I commit all of my hopes and plans for this year into Your loving hands, trusting You to lead in Your perfect ways. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!
1. When you feel tired, how do you usually renew your strength?

2. Crossing over into 2021, what is one area of your life that you desire to be “renewed” by God?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “renewal”:
o Psalm 23
o John 7:37-39
o 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

HANDLES
The Bible is God’s living Word through which He reveals Himself, His thoughts and His ways to us, His children. So as you read the Bible, read it with a desire to know God better and strengthen your relationship with Him!