Do You Want to Get Well? Jen Tan

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 

John 5: 5-6

Jen Tan, struggling with breast cancer found God in her Cancer journey. She shares her experiences with God every Friday as she continues her battle - now with the grace of God on her side. 

We urge all our readers to pray for Jen as she goes through this very difficult treatment. Pray for the treatment to have minimal side effects and maximum efficacy. 
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Todays' heartfelt, honouring post captures Jen’s voice, her journey, and the theme “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. Her testimony inspires each of us and invites us into reflection:

In today’s devotional, Jen Tan shares from John 5:5–6 — a reminder that even in long seasons of weakness, Jesus sees us, knows us, and meets us at the deepest level of our need.

As Jen continues her cancer treatment, she reflects on how God’s faithfulness has carried her through moments that felt hopeless. Instead of an instant miracle, God is doing a deeper work in her — shaping her testimony, refining her purpose, and drawing her closer to His heart.

Her journey has become a living reminder that healing is not only physical. Sometimes God heals us by awakening our spirit, renewing our purpose, and revealing His grace in ways we never expected.

Jen writes with gratitude, recognising that God has had a plan for her life from the very beginning. Even in suffering, His faithfulness has never failed.

May her story strengthen your faith today.

Spiritual Static: Hearing His Voice in the Chaos

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." 

John 10:27 (KJV)

Imagine being in a crowded, bustling marketplace. Hundreds of people are shouting, music is playing, and the air is thick with noise. Yet, in an instant, you can pick out the voice of your spouse, your child, or a lifelong friend. You don't find them because they are the loudest; you find them because you are intimately familiar with their tone.

In our daily lives, we are bombarded by "spiritual static"—the relentless roar of news feeds, the pressure of social media, and the persistent hum of our own internal anxieties. In this chaos, God’s voice can feel like a faint whisper. We often worry that we aren't "spiritual enough" to hear Him, but hearing God isn't a talent for the elite; it is a natural byproduct of knowing Him.

Hearing God is less about the ears and more about proximity. If you can’t hear someone, your first instinct is to move closer. The same is true in our relationship with the Shepherd.

How? 

Firstly, The Word is the Filter: The more time you spend in Scripture, the more His "tone" becomes unmistakable. The Word trains your spirit to recognize the rhythm of His heart.

Second, Frequency is the key, not Volume: Spiritual maturity is the art of quieting the internal chatter. When we tune our hearts to His frequency, the "follow" stops being a chore and starts being an act of trust.

When you recognize His voice, you no longer have to struggle to decide which thought is yours and which is His. His peace becomes the signal that cuts through the static.

Reflection Questions

What "noise" (a specific worry, habit, or distraction) is currently creating the most static in your life?

What is one practical way you can "move closer" to the Shepherd’s side this week to better hear His whisper?

One of the most effective ways to move closer to the Shepherd’s side is to practice "The First Five"—committing the first five minutes of your day to silence and a single verse of Scripture before you touch your phone.

Why this works:

In our world of "spiritual static," the phone is usually the primary source of noise. When we check emails or social media the moment we wake up, we are essentially letting the world set the "frequency" for our day. We start our morning in a state of reaction rather than reflection.

How to do it:

The Physical Boundary: Place your phone in another room or across the room the night before.

The Single Seed: Choose one verse (like John 10:27) and keep it on your nightstand.

The Listening Silence: Read the verse once, then sit in silence for a few minutes. Don't ask for anything yet; just tell the Shepherd, "I am here, and I am listening."

By giving God the "first fruits" of your attention, you are physically and mentally moving closer to His side. You are training your spirit to recognize His tone before the "noise" of the day has a chance to compete for your attention.

Monday Reset: The Treasure and the Jar

 

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV)

We live in a world obsessed with the "vessel." The outer covering. We are told to polish our exteriors, filter our flaws, and present a "spectacular" version of ourselves to be worthy of notice. We often approach God with the same mindset, believing we must be gold-plated and crack-free before He can use us. Herein lies the Divine Contrast. 

God’s design is intentionally different. He places His infinite, priceless glory inside "earthen vessels"—ordinary, fragile, and often chipped "cardboard boxes." If the container were perfect, people might mistake the vessel for the source. By choosing the ordinary, God ensures that when something extraordinary happens, the world knows it was Him.

The Purpose of the Cracks? For Gods light within you to shine through. A solid, windowless room stays dark; it is only through the openings—the cracks—that light can spill out into the hallway.

When you stop trying to hide your "clay-ness," you give God the space to show off His "treasure-ness." Your limitations aren't disqualifiers; they are the very things that qualify you for His grace.

Reflection Questions

What "cracks" (insecurities or weaknesses) have you been trying to patch up lately?

How would your day change if you viewed your limitations as opportunities for God’s light to shine?

As we start a new week let us remember - 

Maturity is not the absence of struggle; it is the acceptance of your humanity.

Strength is not found in image management; it is found in total reliance on His divinity.

Success is moving from being the "source" of power to becoming a "channel" for it.

We need to be comfortable being "just a vessel" as long as He is the one being glorified. Let His power be made perfect in our weakness, and let His light shine through every crack in our  life. Amen.

Sabbath Prayers

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Heavenly Father,

We come before You today lifting up those who are navigating seasons of uncertainty, exhaustion, and spiritual warfare. We anchor our hearts in Your Word, specifically the promise that whoever dwells in Your shelter will find rest in Your shadow.

Lord, we pray for those seeking refuge: 

We pray for Samira - grant her physical and mental resilience as she recovers from Immunotherapy and may she get over the effects of her treatment quickly. For Lisa, as she supports her daughter Arielle during her treatment. We ask for your wisdom in her family life. For the miracle of complete healing for Arielle. For strength to Lisa in re-building her life and her court case. We pray for Victoria and Alison, for Joan and Lindsey. We pray  very specially for Jan: Lord grant her healing of the body and strengthen her mind. She is your missionary, protect her Lord. Give her relief from the pain and the side effects of chemo. 

For all the people who feel exposed to the storms of life—whether through illness, financial strain, or emotional heaviness—we ask that You draw them into Your secret place. Let them not just visit Your presence, but dwell there, finding a permanent home in Your grace.

We pray for divine rest:

In a world that demands constant movement, we ask for the supernatural "rest of the Almighty" to settle over our families and communities. Quiet the anxious thoughts and the "noise of the fowler." May Your shadow be a cooling canopy that shields them from the heat of their current trials.

We declare Your Sovereignty:

We thank You that You are El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient God. Because You are the Most High, no situation they face is higher than Your authority. We ask that they would feel the tangible comfort of Your wings today, knowing that Your faithfulness is their shield and rampart.

Establish their footsteps, cover their households, and let the peace that surpasses all understanding guard their hearts and minds.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.