Making God Smile

 "The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people..." — 1 Samuel 13:14

There is something uniquely captivating about the life of David. Long before he wore a crown, he was a simple shepherd, yet God saw something in those lonely fields that the world overlooked. David was far from perfect—he carried the weight of human weakness and made mistakes that echoed through history—yet he remains the only person in Scripture described as "a man after God’s own heart."

He did something we often forget is possible: He put a smile on God’s face.

Think for a moment about the "deluge" of prayers that reach the throne of grace every day. God hears a constant stream of sorrow, requests, and thanksgiving. He is the Great Burden-Bearer, constantly working to sort out our lives and restore the joy to our faces. But have we ever stopped to ask: Do we return the favor? Are we living in a way that brings joy to our Creator?

The Anatomy of a Godly Life

What was it about David that moved the heart of God? Pastor Chuck Swindoll points to three defining markers: True spirituality. Genuine humility. Bone-deep integrity.

To live with these qualities is to live in harmony with the Father. It means making His priorities our own. It is the willingness to "roll up your sleeves and do grunt work in the shadows" without ever needing a mention of the glory.

Ultimately, it is the pursuit of being a "whole" person. It means the private-you and the public-you are one and the same. In the Kingdom of God, being good matters infinitely more than looking good.

We might look at David’s example and feel overwhelmed. How can we, in our own strength, achieve all this? The answer lies not in our willpower, but in our source.

As Pastor Swindoll reminds us, anyone empowered by Christ can live this way. Jesus Christ provides the supernatural strength required to live for an eternal purpose. We are not left to guess what God wants; He has made it plain in His Word and made it possible through His Spirit.

Today, let us look beyond our own needs and ask how we might delight the Father. Let us draw inspiration from a shepherd-king and strive to live a life that puts a smile on God’s face.

Lent2026: Your Juniper Tree Moment

Scripture Focus: 1 Kings 19:4-8

It’s easy to look at figures like Elijah and see a superhero of the faith, but the "Juniper Tree" moment is where he feels most human—and most like us. It’s the moment where the adrenaline of the mountain-top victory wears off and the weight of reality settles in.

1. The Reality of "Enough"

In 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah sitting under a broom (juniper) tree, praying that he might die. He says, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life." This wasn’t a lack of faith; it was a total depletion of resources. Elijah had just won a massive spiritual battle, but he was physically exhausted, emotionally isolated, and under threat.

God does not scold Elijah for being tired. He doesn’t demand a sermon or a miracle. He meets Elijah in his "enough" moment with quiet presence rather than a lecture.

2. A Nap and a Snack

Notice how God "fixes" Elijah’s despair. He doesn’t start with a spiritual revelation; He starts with a meal and a nap. An angel touches him and says, "Arise and eat."

Often, our "spiritual" crises are compounded by physical neglect. We try to pray our way out of problems that actually require us to sleep, hydrate, and nourish our bodies. God created us as integrated beings—soul and body.

3. When the Journey is Too Much for You

The angel returns a second time and says, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you." This is a beautiful admission from the Creator: The journey of life is, in fact, too much for us to handle on our own. We aren't failing because we find life hard; we are simply acknowledging the design. After God speaks to Elijah in the "still small voice," He gives him a very practical set of instructions, and the climax of those instructions is to go and anoint Elisha as his successor.

God rarely intends for us to carry a "mountain-top" calling or a "valley" burden by ourselves. Just as the angel provided physical bread, Elisha provided emotional and spiritual "bread" through companionship.

Today, are you sitting "under the juniper tree"? What specific area of your life feels like "it is enough"? Is there an Elisha in your life? 

Here are some life lessons we can learn from Elijah's story. 

1. High Victories Often Lead to Deep Valleys

Elijah had just experienced the greatest victory of his life on Mount Carmel, calling down fire from heaven.

The Lesson: Success is exhausting. We are often most vulnerable to despair right after a major achievement because our "spiritual adrenaline" has depleted, leaving us emotionally exposed. Expect the "crash" and prepare for it.

2. Physical Health is Spiritual Health

Elijah’s prayer was "Take my life," but God’s answer was "Eat and sleep." 

The Lesson: You cannot live a supernatural life if you neglect your natural needs. Many of our "dark nights of the soul" are actually just "tired nights of the body." Before you diagnose yourself with a spiritual crisis, check your sleep, your hydration, and your nutrition. God treats the body before He speaks to the soul.

3. Depression Distorts Reality

Elijah repeatedly claimed, "I, even I only, am left." He felt completely alone, but God revealed there were 7,000 others who remained faithful.

The Lesson: Exhaustion and depression act like a fog—they make you feel more isolated than you actually are. When you are under your "juniper tree," don't trust your feelings as facts. You are never as alone as your exhaustion tells you that you are.

4. God Speaks in the Stillness, Not Just the Storm

Elijah looked for God in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire (the spectacular), but God was in the "still small voice" (the whisper).

The Lesson: We often expect God to solve our problems with "fire"—big miracles or sudden changes. However, healing usually happens in the quiet, consistent whispers of daily prayer, reflection, and small, steady steps forward.

5. The Cure for Isolation is a Mission and a Partner

God didn't just tell Elijah to feel better; He gave him a new assignment and a successor (Elisha).

The Lesson: Purpose is a powerful antidote to despair. God redirected Elijah’s focus from his own pain to the needs of others. By sending him to anoint Elisha, God provided Elijah with a "burden-bearer"—someone to walk the road with him.

6. It’s Okay to say "It is Enough"

Elijah was honest with God. He didn't hide his desire to quit or his feelings of failure.

The Lesson: God can handle your honesty. He didn't fire Elijah or rebuke him for wanting to give up. He met him in his weakness. Acknowledging your limits is the first step toward receiving Divine strength.

7. The Journey is "Too Great" for You

The angel’s words, "The journey is too great for you," are an invitation to dependency.

The Lesson: We were never designed to be self-sufficient. Admitting that life is "too much" isn't a sign of failure; it’s an admission of our human design. It is the point where we stop trying to be the "source" and start becoming the "recipient" of God's grace.

Monday Reset: Expectation to Anticipation

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  — Lamentations 3:22-23

Time isn't just a repeating circle of chores, but a series of opportunities for renewal. Most of us start Monday with expectations. We expect the traffic to be heavy, the inbox to be full, and our energy to be low. We project a formula onto the day: Hard Work + Stress = Survival.

But the Theology of New Beginnings invites us into anticipation.

Anticipation is different. While expectation demands a specific outcome, anticipation looks forward with excitement, resting in the assurance that God’s grace will be present regardless of the circumstances. As we "reset" today, we aren't just clearing our desks; we are clearing our hearts of the "debts" of last week—the failures, the missed targets, and the fatigue.

Today, you woke up into a fresh batch of grace. God’s compassion didn't expire at midnight. It wasn't depleted by your struggles last week. It is a "First Fruits" gift waiting for you in that difficult 2:00 PM meeting, in the unexpected interruption, and even in the quiet moments of your commute.

Three Breaths of Grace

Take a moment right now, before the week fully pulls you in, to practice this physical and spiritual reset:

Inhale: I receive the New. (Acknowledge that today is a clean slate. Yesterday is gone; its mercies were for then, today's mercies are for now.

Exhale: I release the Weight. (Let go of the pressure to "crush the week" in your own strength. Hand over that one heavy task on your calendar.)

Inhale: I anticipate Grace. (Ask the Holy Spirit for "eyes to see" where God is already at work in your office, your home, or your community today.)

The gift of Monday is not a burden, but a beginning.

Sabbath Prayers

                                            

If you call the Sabbath a delight… then you will find your joy in the Lord."

Gracious Father, we pause in Your presence this Sabbath, grateful for the gift of rest and renewal. We lift up those among us who are weary, burdened, or facing illness — may Your healing hand bring comfort and strength. We intercede for families, communities, and nations, asking for Your peace to reign where there is conflict, and Your wisdom to guide leaders in truth and justice. Lord, renew our hearts with hope, deepen our faith, and let Your Spirit empower us to be light-bearers in a world that longs for Your love. 

We lift Jen before You today—Your daughter, Your beloved, the one You hold in the palm of Your hand. You see every cell in her body, every moment of pain, every quiet fear, every brave step she takes. Surround her with Your healing presence. Let Your strength rise where her strength feels small. Let Your peace settle where anxiety tries to speak. Let Your love be the atmosphere she breathes.

And Lord, we widen this prayer to every person fighting cancer right now. 

We pray for Samira for her continued healing. For Lisa's daughter, for Alison's daughter, Lindsey's mother, Laurik and Haleen. We thank you for the healing you have brought to Samira and Joan and the fantastic progress in Jen and Lisa's daughter. 

For those in various treatment, those awaiting results, those exhausted from the journey— be their refuge. Be their comfort. Be their healer.

We pray for Grace, for blessings in her endeavors. For Mistress to get her medical treatment. For Jason for healing, for Bryan's sister in ICU. We pray for Tiffany to be led to you and for Leslie for healing. 

We pray for the seniors, specially the senior gentleman in India who has been your humble servant. We pray for his healing and strength as he undergoes dialysis and for his daughter and caretaker. 

We pray for Pastor Ben and his family in India. 

May this Sabbath bring:

Rest that restores. Peace that settles the soul. Joy that rises from gratitude. Faith that grows deeper. Light that guides every step.

Amen

Please join us every week in our Sabbath Prayer for the week. We request your support in adopting prayer points for people mentioned, in your own prayers this week and become vessels of His healing. 

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Jen Tan: What Defines You?

                  

Read Scripture: Romans 6:1–4

"We can consciously choose to treat the desires and temptations of the old nature as if they are dead. Then we can continue to enjoy our wonderful new life with Jesus." - Jen Tan

Have you ever faced a problem that left you feeling hopeless and helpless? Illness, loss, or overwhelming challenges can make faith feel distant. Yet it is precisely in these moments that God calls us to trust His love. The question before us is: What defines us? Is it our old nature, our illness, or our circumstances—or is it faith in God’s power to bring change?

Jen’s testimony reminds us of this truth. She says - 

"As my trip to Japan with my sister came to an end and I returned to Singapore with a reluctant heart, I found myself having to face reality again. Being in a foreign place, away from my normal daily life, allowed me to forget for a while that I am still a cancer patient undergoing treatment.

However, in the days after returning home, as I continued reading the Bible, a thought kept echoing in my mind: why should I let cancer control my life? Instead, I should take ownership of the body that God has given me and learn to manage this illness. Most importantly, I must have faith in God and walk in partnership with Him.

The Bible emphasizes God’s love in giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, so that we have a reservoir of power and love to draw on each day—helping us face every challenge and trial. His promises are real, and I am reminded to remain joyful—because faith brings joy".

She says, as she continued reading Romans, she realized: God has given her a body to steward, a Spirit to empower, and a Savior to walk alongside. Faith means choosing to live in partnership with Him, not under the shadow of illness.

What can we learn from this? Here are some active thoughts - 

Choose faith over fear: Treat the old nature and despair as dead, and embrace the new life in Christ.

Steward your body and mind: Illness or hardship does not define you; God’s Spirit empowers you to manage and overcome.

Walk in partnership with God: Invite Him daily into your challenges, knowing He is faithful.

Remain joyful: Joy is not the absence of struggle but the presence of faith.

Please do pray for Jen as she walks with Jesus on this path. 

Lent2026: Metanoia

The Lenten season is a time traditionally set aside for "Metanoia,"  a transformative change of heart. While we often focus on what we lack, Lent calls us to account for what we have been given and how we have handled it.

The writer of one of the KJV Devotionals wrote a prayer which had a unique line - " I have been guilty of squandering and wasting your blessings...".

This is something we don't hear or pray about: we are normally asking for His blessings, for various things, or thanking Him for deliverance and so on.

But this aspect really makes one think: how many blessings, asked and unasked have we wasted or squandered? For example - each day is a blessing. How much of that day do we really use productively for His work or for our employer or our family? How many hours do we waste on gossip, small talk, trivial arguments etc?

Are we truly worthy of receiving His blessings, asked or unasked?

Most of our prayers are petitions ("Give us this day") or gratitude ("Thank you for this day"). Rarely do we offer a prayer of Stewardship Accountability. We treat blessings like wages we have earned or gifts to be consumed, rather than seed to be sown.

If we reflect on the wasted or squandered blessings the answers will indeed be heartbreaking for God. Let us see how:

1. The Squandered Moment

The Scripture says: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15-16

Each sunrise is a miraculous deposit into our spiritual account. Yet, we often "bankrupt" our days through the friction of triviality. We spend the currency of God’s time on the "small talk" of gossip or the "trivial arguments" of the ego.

Reflect: If your day was a talent (Matthew 25), would the Master find it buried in the dirt of distraction, or multiplied in the service of others?

2. The Wasted Grace

The Scripture says: “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” — 2 Corinthians 6:1

We often pray for deliverance from a trial, but once delivered, do we squander our newfound peace? We ask for health, then use our energy for selfish ambition. We ask for provision, then withhold it from the needy. To receive grace "in vain" is to accept the blessing but refuse the transformation that should follow it.

Reflect: What "answered prayer" in your life is currently sitting idle or being misused?

3. The Question of Worthiness

The Scripture says: “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” — Luke 15:21

The KJV writer’s prayer brings us to the feet of the Prodigal Son. The tragedy of the Prodigal wasn’t just that he left home; it was that he "squandered his property in reckless living." He wasted the Father's substance.

In that sense, we are all "the prodigal son", are we not? Have we not wasted His  blessings? 

Lent reminds us that we are not worthy of the blessings we receive—that is the very definition of Grace. But our unworthiness should lead to deeper reverence, not reckless waste.

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart: Pastor Rajiv

 

In His message today, Pastor Rajiv talks about our own vision of God. Seeing God clearly is to be able to understand Him correctly, and therefore live and practise our life appropriately. How can see God? What are the impurities which block our vision or distort our vision? While we have been "called", will we be "chosen"? what is the difference? Hear about this important aspect and more about the core of the Christian Faith in this message. 

Lent2026: The Spiritual Marketplace

 

Many of us, when we are plagued with fear, often pray for a solution to our problem, be it health, finances, work etc., and even consult astrologers, mediums and so called spiritual "gurus", for an answer. We think God may need some help.

But there is a story in the Book of Acts 19:13–16 which serves as a dramatic, almost dark-comedy warning about trying to use spiritual power as if it were a magic trick or a business formula. It is known as the seven sons of Sceva. The text identifies Sceva as a "Jewish chief priest." While historical records of a high priest by that name are thin, he was likely part of a high-priestly family or claimed the title to give his sons "professional" credibility in the busy spiritual marketplace of Ephesus.

The seven brothers were itinerant exorcists—essentially "ghost hunters" for hire. Seeing the "extraordinary miracles" Paul was performing (like the ones in verse 12 we just discussed), they decided to upgrade their "incantation" by using Jesus' name as a new magical keyword.

The "Formula" They Used (v. 13): "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."

When they tried this formula on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit's response was chilling:

"Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?"

The possessed man then attacked all seven brothers with such supernatural strength that they fled the house naked and wounded. So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.

Jesus did warn us of false prophets, false beliefs and trusting mediums, talismans etc. The questions is: Why not simply trust God? Is that so difficult? 

Monday Reset: The Manual of Life

 

Today, our Monday Weekly Reset, is focused on the sufficiency of Scripture, in a world moving at the speed of AI, where "answers" are generated in seconds. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the complexity of modern life, business, and relationships. We often look to the latest trends, experts, Social media or algorithms to tell us how to navigate our challenges.

However, the greatest "Answer Engine" ever created isn't digital—it’s the Word of God. Whatever your challenges this week, the Bible doesn’t just offer suggestions; it offers the Truth. It is the only source of wisdom that remains unchanged while everything else shifts. When we say "the Bible has the answers," we aren't saying life becomes easy; we are saying life becomes clear. It is THE Manual of Life. 

Here are a few examples 

1. When you feel overwhelmed by your workload:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3

The Reset: Stop carrying the weight of the "how." Hand the "what" over to Him this morning.

2. When you are facing a difficult decision or uncertainty:

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." — Psalm 119:105

The Reset: You don’t need to see the whole staircase to take the first step. Trust the light you have for today.

3. When you feel inadequate or "behind" in life:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." — 2 Peter 1:3

The Reset: You are already equipped. The "answers" aren't missing; they are waiting to be uncovered in your relationship with Him.

4. When the noise of the world causes anxiety:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." — Romans 12:2

The Reset: If the world's answers are leaving you drained, change your source. Let the Word reset your perspective.

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The 3-Step Reset

• Consult the Manual First: Before you check your email or news feeds this week, check the Word. Let God have the first word of your day.

• Speak the Answer: When a challenge arises on Wednesday or Thursday, don't just complain about the problem. Find a verse that addresses it and speak it out loud. You will find in it the science of data analytics, of complex problem solving, of leadership and so on. 

• Operate in Authority: Walk into your meetings and your home knowing that you aren't guessing. You are operating on a foundation that has stood for thousands of years.

The Bible is not just a historical text, but a living, breathing manual for every modern challenge. The Bible Has THE Answer, No Matter the Challenge