29 May 2014

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. [Psalm 55:22]

Many of us read Psalm 55:22 without considering the context that magnifies God's sovereignty and supremacy in the midst of very, very, very tough times. Consider this: the psalmist is experiencing foreign threats, inner fear, deceit in the city that he rules, treachery and the onslaught of good friends killing each other.

And yet, at the end of it all, he says, "Cast your cares to the Lord" and "But I will trust in you". Casting your cares mean letting go and letting God, and it may not be very easy, but when God's in charge, He will not let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 112:6). Trust Him.

28 May 2014

"...I will be found by you," declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” [Jeremiah 29:14]

The best prosperity is being with the Lord. We are brought from captivity of sin into the freedom of righteousness so that we don't go back into sin! It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) Why go back to the life-sucker when I can live with the live-giver?

27 May 2014

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. [Jeremiah 29:12-13]

I want to let you know that God's prosperity will not drive you to addiction or the bondage that worldly prosperity brings. Instead, if the blessings were really from God, they would turn you to Him.

Blessings were designed not to fulfill the flesh. Otherwise, they are curses in disguise! God's blessings stir up your love for Him, and fires up your heart to yearn for Him, to seek Him and to run after Him like never before.

26 May 2014

"...For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future..." [Jeremiah 29:11]

Many preachers focus on the part where it says, "plans to prosper you," forgetting that the context of this verse is about Israel's bondage and the freedom that abounds in it.

Today, I want to bring your attention to "I know the plans I have for you". God has plans to prosper us, but always remember: it's HIS plans, not ours. It's His way of prosperity, not ours. And His prosperity will include and exceed ours far beyond measure, for He knows what satisfies us. And with His plan, we truly feel prospered.

25 May 2014

This is what the Lord says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place..." [Jeremiah 29:10]

Notice that Israel has been in captivity for 70 years due to their disobedience, their turning away from God. Yet, despite such rebellion, God still couldn't bear to see them suffer longer than they should (in punishment for their sin).

God wants to fulfill His good promise even after you have turned away from Him. He has plans to prosper you, and by following His ways and His method of prosperity will you walk right out of bondage, no turning back.

Justified

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [James 5:15]

(This devotional was written on 19 May 2014)

As promised, I would talk about-hands down-the most guilty day of my life. It happened a short while back, after serving in church!

We were celebrating the birthday of our friends at a nice chalet with a large swimming pool. All was well until about, say, 9pm, when we decided to have some Western fun of pushing everyone into the pool. Most of them were fine, until we pushed in one of them.

Well, she got a shock and later on was half-unconscious. My leader rebuked me for setting a terrible example for my younger churchmates, considering that I was one of the oldest teens there. I nearly killed someone. I was rebuked. I was, hands down, condemned.

Condemned.

Every step I took as I went to find a place to seek solace was filled with the ominous cloud of condemnation, fear and guilt. I felt faint. I felt bad, cos I nearly took the life of a friend; all because of one reckless move!

And later on, the adults called me to sit by our friend, still semi-conscious on the picnic bench. My heart wrenched as I saw her just...lying there. I was fearful. I was afraid. I felt as though I'm the world' biggest sinner.

And I prayed.

"Father, I do not deserve anything good. I nearly killed someone and I'm the world's biggest sinner. However, I live not by my actions but by Your grace. And I can do the impossible not because I am good but because You are good."

I looked to our friend and said, "In the name of Jesus, I command you to rise," and the next moment, she rose from the bench. Over the next few days she rested well and recuperated, giving me one of the biggest sighs of relief ever.

The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Amen and Amen.

24 May 2014

...the testing of your faith produces patience. [James 1:3]

When we don't realize who we are in Christ, our faith will be crippled. If you don't feel worthy to exercise your authority in Christ, then you won't be doing it in the fullness of faith and will lack assurance. Satan works diligently to program people's minds to feel unworthy and unable to walk in power of God here on earth. This is one of the most popular strongholds in existence today in the body of Christ! The truth is that we, by our own power and effort, are unworthy, but it is the Blood of Christ that makes us worthy. And if we say we are unworthy even though the blood says we are, then we are denying the work that Christ did for us on the cross! -Marc Tay

23 May 2014

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. [Romans 11:6]

Whether it is partaking of the Holy Communion or confessing God’s Word, do these things out of rest. Don’t feel as if you need to put the demand on yourself to be healed. My friend, you can’t earn your healing. It is something that God gives you by His grace.

Beloved, God wants you to see that Jesus has already paid for your healing. Today, He is so pleased with Jesus’ finished work that He is more than happy to bountifully supply all the healing and provision that you desire.

When you truly have a revelation of this, nothing will stop you from declaring His Word over yourself and running to the Lord’s table with thanksgiving and expectation. And when you act in faith out of rest, it won’t be long before you see your miracle manifest! -Joseph Prince

Vindicated

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. [James 5:16]

(This devotional was written on 19 May 2014)

This verse does not refer to justification before God. That is done completely by the blood of Jesus. This verse talks about justification before man.

Yesterday was undoubtedly one of the most guilty days in a long time. (I'll talk about the worst tomorrow) in the morning, in order to maintain my religious holiness, I rebuked my classmate for his inappropriate actions, and in essence shut the door of the gospel in his face, as he spiked at me, "You going to be a douchebag for Jesus?"

Later on in the day, as I played with my toy later on (Nintendo DSi Camera), I also hurt the feelings one of my most treasured friends. I'm telling you how much immense guilt I feel as I type this mini devotional/sharing.

The only thing I could do is confess. Confess to the hurt parties that I'm wrong and my actions were not correct. They did not reflect the love of Christ, and by God's grace, God loves through me. By His grace, may I die to my flesh and live in the Spirit, that I may no longer hurt people, and may my actions reflect His love. Only then do I sense peace in my soul, after I have received their forgiveness. Pray that they may forgive me for my foolish, impulsive actions!

And by the grace of God, I'm vindicated. Completely vindicated.

Confess your faults to each other that you may be healed, physically and emotionally. Lift the burden of carrying the guilt by seeking the forgiveness of the ones you have hurt. That's my wisdom for you this morning.

22 May 2014

So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” [Genesis 41:37-38]

When the Lord is with you, you prosper. And this result is you see the blessings come to manifest. And these are not solely for your pleasure, but that the world may see it and give glory to God.

Do not detest the blessings of God, be it in excellence or possessions or health. Just thank God and ask Him to empower you that you use these blessings, and not let the blessings use you. You are blessed to be a blessing.

21 May 2014

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3:16]

The verse talks about the world, because of the point that Jesus was trying to make to Nicodemus (based on context). However, it is completely acceptable to replace "the world" with your name!

Eg. My name is Joel. I can do this: For God so loved Joel that He gave His only begotten Son, that Joel should not perish but have everlasting life.

Personalize it! Own the verse! And proclaim the promise of that verse over your life this morning!

My Testimony of St Andrew's Junior College (20 May 2014)

Hi guys! It's been quite some time since the last time I'm in AHS. I'm here to share you my experience with SAJC and why you should go there.

On a light note, SAJC has the best-looking T-shirts in the market. Seriously, no other JC can compete with the Saints. Oh and one more thing, you're not a 'student' in SAJC. You're a 'Saint'. 

But my experience as a Saint goes deeper than that. The thing that stands out the most in SAJC is the family culture. Aside from our main motto Up and On, we also have this side-motto: one family unbroken. And I am telling you: SAJC lives up to that motto. Though it's a Christian school (and I'm a Christian myself...if it weren't obvious by my preaching a the past few years), people from all religions accept each other for being a Saint. It is identity in the school value of one family unbroken that causes us to be bonded.

Now, there are some people who decide to be anomalies to the motto... But on a whole, the Saints are one family unbroken. When you feel down, another Saint is there to pick you up. I'm telling you, God has so blessed SAJC that He loves the students even through people who don't believe in Him. That's because SAJC is a blessed school.

Now, some of you think that SA is a "party/clubbing-school". To some extent, it's true in the sense that we Saints know how to have fun. School  events like LiveCon, which is our yearly concert, as well as sports matches and performance arts shows, usually experience a full house. And that probably is an understatement, considering that we Saints love each other like no ones business.

That said, no JC student can escape the content jump. You may breeze through O's with no effort at all and purely relying on politically correct material in your essays, but the A's are a whole new playing field. You actually need to put in the slightest effort to get your facts right. Yes, we can have fun, but when it gets down to business, we get serious on work. Saints are one competitive bunch! Well, at least I am one of them. So there is rigor and there is work to be done, but we Saints get the best of both worlds of work and play. Truest fame lies in high endeavor!

Distance-wise, most students experience a long journey to school. I take 1 hour to and fro if not for my dad who sends me there every morning. That said, distance really is is the largest price to pay for entering SA, and even that isn't much. Long distance is, honestly, the worst excuse to pass on going to SA.

All in all, have I regretted putting SAJC as my first choice despite having a raw score of 7 and so many more opportunities out there for me? Not a chance. SA rocks to the max. In fact, I heard many of my ex-classmates from another prestigious east-side school groaning and moaning that they weren't in SA. SA has an awesome family culture, really interesting work-play balance, and also has the favor of God upon her. Don't hesitate; this is the place for you.

20 May 2014

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Hebrews 4:12]

In Project Logos, we highly esteem the importance of scriptural validity. We believe that for our revelations to be valid, it must have clear scripture to back it up. Hence, we know for certain that what we have received is indeed from God.

This is how to determine if your thoughts are from God or from yourself: the word of God. It divides your soul and spirit. If you have received a word, check the scriptures in context to ensure it's from God. He speaks to you through His word!

19 May 2014

...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. [Hebrews 9:28]

While the context here elaborates on the efficacy of Jesus' sacrifice, it includes here His appearance a second time for salvation, apart from sin. We've already been saved from sin, but we still get another salvation!

This salvation is that of our physical bodies! That's right, keep the faith that in our age we will receive physical redemption! We are who Christ died for!

18 May 2014

For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? [Hebrews 9:13-14]

In the olden days, the Israelites had to sacrifice animals, and God covers their sins for one year (Yom Kippur). This verse says this: the blood of Jesus is greater than that of bulls and goats, and if the blood of bulls of goats cover the sins of the people, the blood of Jesus takes away our sins! And hence, we can be declared righteous before Almighty God and enter His house, calling Him, 'Daddy God!'

17 May 2014

"...For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” [Hebrews 8:12]

This verse is in the context of a new covenant that God will make with His people, and this verse is the clause that makes all of the above possible!

Beloved, you can grow closer to God not because of your works, but because God has completely remitted you of all your sins, and you stand righteous before him judicially. How great is His love!

16 May 2014

“.... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14]

 

We always hear “uphill climb” being used as something that requires additional effort; going uphill is never easy. Do you know that going downhill is also not easy, and in fact more dangerous? Going downhill is a much bigger challenge than going up – it is not just the effort but also the trial of not going down too quickly, deflating air pressure, slipping and falling, and sometimes not being able to control our pace of descent. Socially, it takes a lot more from us to come down too, especially when we’ve just been praised or placed upon a pedestal.

 

That a requirement of discipleship. We spend much of our time trying to teach others to climb up, but the more important, and more difficult, thing to learn is how to “go down.” Throughout Scripture we read that God desires humility of us. Because the people of Judah humbled themselves, the Lord said, “Therefore I will not destroy them” (2 Chronicles 12:7). On numerous occasions, God demonstrated humility by coming down (Exodus 3:7-8; 19:10-12; Micah 1:3). Then God sent Jesus, who spent His life teaching the technique we are to follow (Philippians 2:5-11). -Mellissa Seow

15 May 2014

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. [Psalm 42:5]

This passage repeats itself 3 times in Psalm 42/43 (in ancient manuscripts, they are one psalm). Clearly, there is emphasis added that when you feel down, turmoiled, praise the Lord.

When you feel good, praise the Lord. When you don't feel good, praise the Lord anyway! :)

14 May 2014

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.” [Psalm 91]

Just got a powerful reminder, that nothing can stand against us. Not studies, not angry teachers, not angry parents, no one, even if it's our fault and our mistake! Because our Lord is rich in mercy, love, kindness, patience and favor! And it's completely UNMERITED. And He will deliver us out of the jaws of lions! And because of Him, we will trample on serpents and young lions! 

Read this psalm out to yourself everyday, before you go to school/bed. Proclaim it! Believe it! -Jing Rong Ho

13 May 2014

The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. [Genesis 39:2]

Other versions wrote, Joseph prosperity. In other words, God's definition of prosperity and success is not in money or in entertainment or in worldly things, but it is when the Lord is with us.

My friend, God Himself is your prosperity, your success! And He will make all things work together for your good! (Romans 8:28)

12 May 2014

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." [1 Timothy 4:12]

Hope your blessed by this verse! No matter how young don't let anyone look down on you! God can use you! -Marc Tay

11 May 2014

...they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done, the wonders he had shown them. [Psalm 78:10-11]

The reason why the men of Ephraim (Psalm 78:9) turned away, and the reason why we become disobedient, is because we forget what he has done, the wonders He has shown us. Think about the last sin (or any sin for that matter) and notice a pattern: every sin stemmed from a forgotten identity in Christ.

As such, how do we overcome sin? Well, when we fail, that's the time we're most undeserving of God's goodness, and that's the time we should declare, "I thank You Daddy God, for You know all my bad and still love me. Thank You that You value me greater than Jesus, heaven's best. And I am righteous in Your eyes. Sin has no dominion over me, for I am not under law but under grace"

For you remember God's wonders in sacrificing Jesus for you. You see His finished work in making you purely righteous. And it's by His grace and His obedience, not by your obedience, that you're righteous. What security this brings in knowing that you are eternally righteous because of His finished work!

10 May 2014

God is renowned in Judah; in Israel his name is great. His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. [Psalm 76:1-2]

Geographically, they are locations in Israel. (Judea is referred to as Judah while Salem, Jerusalem) but let look at the Hebrew meanings of these words:

Judah: worship

Israel: He will rule

Salem: Peace (wholeness)

Zion: guiding pillar

So rewriting the verse we get: God is renowned in worship; in rule his name is great. His tent is in peace and wholeness, his dwelling place in guiding pillar. 

May we worship our God, the God who reigns forever, now and forevermore. Amen.

9 May 2014

No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. [Psalm 75:6-7]

Perhaps in your class or in your community, there seem to people who the teacher or someone else favorites and hence 'exalts'. Well, here's good news: no man can exalt themselves. Only God exalts.

In fact, this is what the apostle Peter says:

For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. [1 Peter 1:24-25]

God's word stands. And when God declares Jesus exalted, so are you in this world! So stand tall and proud in Jesus, because as He is, so are you in this world! (1 John 4:17)

8 May 2014

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. [Psalm 67:3-5]

God's rule rules. And may you praise Him for He is a good God! He is holy and just, and His justice is on our side.

7 May 2014

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us — so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations...God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. [Psalm 67:1-2, 7]

The reason why pre-believers fear God is because they see us blessed by God. We are blessed to be a blessing, and the world fears God because of that.

5 May 2014

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. [Proverbs 3:24]

I pray that you will wake up with a happy heart and a restored mind. Have faith in Him and may He speak to you in your dreams; show you His love. Have a lovely week! :) -Tamara Tan

4 May 2014

My son, let (wisdom and understanding) not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. [Proverbs 3:21-22]

3 May 2014

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. [Proverbs 3:19-20]

By understanding. By knowledge. These should not be independent of wisdom, but rather, they are complementary.

Recently my friends and I have started this project called "Project Logos", where we study the Bible every night via Whatsapp. You can check out the summaries of our discussions at our blog (http://projectlogos.wix.com/logos) and do follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/projectlogossg) and Instagram (instagram.com/projectlogos) as well. I do hope that you will be blessed by understanding and knowledge there.

And do give me a heads up if you would like to be part of our Whatsapp group. We're more than happy to have you. Even if you may not be able to commit to be active in discussions, I'm sure by reading through you will be blessed by it too.

May you walk in greater wisdom and understanding and knowledge henceforth. Have a blessed day!

2 May 2014

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. [Proverbs 3:18]

1 May 2014

(Wisdom's) ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. [Proverbs 3:17]

30 April 2014

Length of days is in (wisdom's) right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. [Proverbs 3:16]

29 April 2014

(Wisdom) is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. [Proverbs 3:15]

28 April 2014

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. [Proverbs 3:13-14]