Monday Morning Reset: Hope

                                         

"Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short
That it cannot save;
Nor is His ear so dull
That it cannot hear".

A Morning Breath of Hope

​Happy Monday. If you’re feeling that familiar "Monday weight"—the pressure of a new week, the pile of emails, or the lingering shadows of global news—take a deep breath. You are not entering this week as someone merely trying to survive; you are entering it as a person of hope.

​In the Christian context, hope isn't just "wishful thinking" or a sunny disposition. It’s a grounded, stubborn confidence. And for that hope we need to practise "thanksgiving". Try it this week. 

Before you open your calendar or check your phone, open your heart in thanksgiving. Gratitude shifts your perspective and reminds your soul that God is already working behind the scenes.

Gratitude is not reserved for perfect circumstances; it’s most powerful in the ordinary, even the difficult. As you start this day, name three things you’re thankful for. Let thankfulness be your posture before you step into your plans. It will change how you speak, think, and act.

So, begin this week with Thanksgiving.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)

Prayer Point: Lord, I thank You for life, breath, and purpose. Thank You for being faithful, even when I didn’t notice. Let thanksgiving fill my heart and shape my attitude today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

You don’t need to have everything figured out today.

You just need to take the first step with Him.

(Based on a KJV Devotional)

Sabbath Prayers

But I, by your great love,

can come into your house;

in reverence I bow down

toward your holy temple. Psalm 5:7

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for your faithfulness to us. We often forget and take your gifts for granted. Give us the grace to turn to you for your mercy in our time of need, for help and for your forgiveness for our ongoing unfaithfulness to you.

We pray very specially for Lisa, a cancer survivor herself, and whose daughter now has been detected with Cancer at a young age. We pray for her strength and healing.

We thank you for your grace on Jen and Joan, and we pray for Joans upcoming treatment session on the 5th of February - that you may grant her the strength and your grace to be able to bear it. We pray for Jen and thank you for her Testimony she has shared of your great faithfulness. We pray that she gets to start her special treatment as soon as possible and for the current treatment to continue to be effective. We also pray for Laurika and Haleen - that they may experience your strength and grace.

Today we specially join Lyne in her prayer for her husband Don who has completed chemo and 35 radiation treatments for throat cancer. He is now trying to recover but things are going wrong.

Today we also pray for Paladin, who is in the nursing home, for financial provision. We pray for Joclyn. She had a stroke and is in a coma-that she comes out of it.

We pray for the people in India. specially Senior citizens suffering in the extreme cold and air pollution.

Today let us all pray earnestly for repentance and revival in our nations, that our leaders be granted wisdom and ethics, for calm in our cities, for your Church and your people to be instruments of peace in this time of great uncertainty.

In Jesus’ mighty name,

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. 

To download our mobile app Click here 

Jen Tan: Great is thy Faithfulness

In today’s devotional, Jen Tan, a cancer patient in Singapore, 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.

This devotional post is written from the heart, blending Jen Tan’s personal cancer journey.

______________________________________________

John 5:5-6 "One who was there had been invalid for 38 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?”

“In the quietest moments of my cancer journey, these verses have become my anchor. They remind me that no matter how hopeless a situation may seem, or how trapped I feel by my physical limitations, God ministers to our deepest needs. I have come to sense clearly that God has a special work for me to do—not just in spite of my condition, but perhaps even because of it.

The Depth of True Healing

I’ve often reflected on what would happen if God performed an instant physical miracle. I might simply return to my old self—enjoying life on earth, living comfortably, and ignoring God once again. But my journey of healing now involves something much deeper: Continuity. It is about sharing my testimony and living out a faith that creates lasting impact beyond short-term physical gains.

Finding Purpose in the Journey

Reading the book of John has been eye-opening. It has revealed my purpose and shown me how to use my journey to encourage others in uncertain times.

Sufficient Grace

His faithfulness is something I feel unworthy of, yet I receive it with a grateful and open heart.

Reflection Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness. Help me to co-create a life of purpose with You, using my limitations as a platform for Your glory. May my story uplift not just myself, but my entire community. Amen.

Prayer & Revival: Pastor Rajiv

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land "

Have you seen empty Churches? Empty pews? Where are Gods people? Missing youngsters and children? 

with so much pain and heart break in the world, we definitely need a revival - a return to God, His churches and to Jesus. And God knows it too. 

God has designed revival to begin with his own people who are called by his name a people like you and me who have called on the name of Jesus.

What does God want? Here is where God lays down four demands.

His first call for his people is to humble ourselves. That's a much bandied word and few if any really know or do. So, how?

By recognizing and confessing our need to seek God in all things.

We need humility because we need to constantly guard against spiritual pride because spiritual pride results in self-centredness according to Hawkins.

In order to be truly humble à we need to bring a broken spirit before God. Secondly, we are to pray call out to God earnestly.

You know people prayer is warfare and that is why God is constantly looking for prayer warriors.

If we are to see true revival we need earnest and fervent prayer. Every true revival has been the result of fervent and  earnest prayer.

I remember a time in India, a new Church had been founded and there were but 10 people coming. Every Sunday morning, much before the worship service, the Pastor used to go to the church and pray over the empty seats - asking God to fill them. In a few months the membership grew to over a 100 and today is about 900!

In last Sunday’s message we saw what happened when the early church prayed  and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the holy spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

For any revival to take place we must be filled with the Holy Spirit who will give us the courage to speak the word of God with boldness.

Thirdly God demands that we seek his face. 

Hawkins holds that if we spent as much time in our prayers seeking god’s face as we do his hand to help us we would be much nearer to our own personal revival.

And finally we must turn from our wicked ways. 

Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin and this is the greatest obstacle to revival. Just confessing our sins and feeling sorry for them is not enough. We need to forsake them altogether because that is true repentance.

The final step in God’s recipe for revival is God’s delight.

God’s delight is forgiving the sins of his people if they are truly repentant and turn from their wicked ways.

His promise is he will hear from heaven and He will forgive our sin and He will heal our land.

God delights in healing our hearts and healing our homes and lives because it appropriates his sacrifice on the cross and does not render his death in vain.

He is willing He is waiting He is longing for us to call on his name in prayer and seek his face through his word and turn from our wicked ways so that he can fulfill his promise.

You know people prayer and revival go hand in hand.

There can be no revival without fervent and earnest prayer.

The Fingerprints of God

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still". Psalm 4:4 (KJV)

Evenings are a divine invitation to slow down and reflect. To look back not with regret, but with gratitude. Reflection lets you see the fingerprints of God in the ordinary moments of your day.

Friends, don’t rush to sleep without pausing in stillness. Commune with your heart. What did God teach you today? Where did He show up? Even in trials, His presence has been near. Stillness helps you hear the lessons, celebrate the grace, and surrender the weight. Tonight, reflect with thankfulness. Rest with purpose. And go to sleep knowing that the same God who carried you through today will carry you again tomorrow.

Prayer 

Lord, as I quiet my heart tonight, I thank You for every moment You walked with me. Help me learn from today and rest in Your love. May tomorrow begin from a place of peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Monday Morning Reset:

What does Monday Feel like? A deep breath at the start of the week? A moment to realign your heart before everything begins moving again?

Mondays can feel like a rush — a fresh start wrapped in pressure, expectations, and long to‑do lists. But before the week begins to pull you in every direction, God invites you to pause… to reset… to remember who goes before you.

“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”

— Exodus 33:14 (KJV)

A reset doesn’t mean starting over. It means starting with Him.

Lay down the weight you carried from last week.

Receive the strength God has already prepared for you.

Step into the week with peace instead of pressure.

Trust that nothing ahead of you is bigger than the God within you. 

You don’t need to have everything figured out today.

You just need to take the first step with Him.

Sabbath Prayers

                                        

Good and Gracious God. You gave the people of Jerusalem the privilege of knowing Jesus and hearing His message, but they did not listen. You have given us the Gospels, so that we too can hear His message. Please give us the ears to listen. 

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with reverence and trust, lifting up every person who is sick, weary, or broken in spirit. You are the God who heals, the God who restores, and the God who binds up the wounds of Your children. Under the shadow of Your wings, there is refuge, strength, and peace.
Lord, we intercede for those battling illness — especially cancer. Stretch out Your healing hand. Bring comfort where there is fear, strength where there is weakness, and hope where there is despair. Let Your presence fill hospital rooms, treatment centers, and quiet homes where Your children cry out to You. Please strengthen Jen who has decided to witness your love for her as she battles her sickness. We pray she start her specific treatment she is hoping for as early as you deem fit.  Also for Samira, and Joan, to strengthen them with your strength and  grace as they too undergo their treatment. 

We pray very specially for Lisa, a cancer survivor herself, and whose daughter now has been detected with Cancer at a young age. We pray for her strength and healing. 

We pray for the people in India. specially Senior citizens suffering in the extreme cold and air pollution. 

We pray for the brokenhearted — those carrying grief, loss, or exhaustion. Wrap them in Your unfailing love. Whisper Your promises into their spirits. 
And Father, we lift up the nations of the world that are hurting today.
We pray for countries facing war, disaster, hunger, or deep uncertainty.
We pray for Regions affected by conflict, where families long for safety and peace
Nations struck by natural disasters, rebuilding homes and hope. Countries facing economic hardship, where daily life is a struggle. Places where sickness and lack of healthcare bring suffering. Communities torn by division, fear, or instability
We also pray for caregivers, families, and friends who stand beside the suffering. Give them endurance, compassion, and rest. Let them feel Your nearness as they pour out their strength for others.
Father, we trust in Your Word. You are the One who said, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee.” Uphold Your children — in every nation, in every hospital, in every home — with Your righteous right hand.
We believe You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. So we place every life, every need, and every nation into Your hands.

In Jesus’ mighty name, 

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 your healing. 

To download our mobile app Click here 

Under The Shadow

In Matthew 9:8, the crowds watched in awe as Jesus healed the paralyzed man. They “marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Their wonder was not just at the miracle, but at the God who moves with compassion, authority, and limitless power.
That same God is present with every person who faces sickness today. His power has not diminished. His heart has not changed. He is still the One who heals the sick, comforts the brokenhearted, and carries His children when their strength fails.
When illness enters our lives, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by our human limits. Treatments are hard. Waiting is long. Fear whispers loudly. But Scripture reminds us again and again that our limitations are not God’s limitations. With God all things are possible. His power reaches beyond what we can see, imagine, or understand.

🌸 A Testimony of His Faithfulness (By a reader)

I have witnessed this truth in my own life. When my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, our hearts broke. The road ahead felt impossible. Yet we prayed — and not just us, but friends, well‑wishers, and churches who stood with us in faith. Our simple prayer was this: “Lord, heal our child, and let the side effects be minimal so she can endure the treatment.”
God heard.
God sustained.
God carried.
By His grace, the waiting periods disappeared, doctors became available and finally she entered remission within six months of treatment. She continues her follow‑up therapy, and through it all, His strength has helped her bear the side effects. Truly, His grace was sufficient. Those six months deepened our faith and reminded us that God is still a God of wonders.''
''Every morning and night, our family returns to the shelter of Psalm 91, finding peace under the shadow of the Almighty''.
We should never underestimate the power of God, nor take His presence for granted. In every season — fear, uncertainty, pain, or waiting — we can call upon His name. He invites us to lean on Him, to trust Him, and to believe that He is working for our good even when the path is hard.
He is a God of miracles.
He is near to the brokenhearted.
He holds every tear, every fear, every moment.
And to every patient, caregiver, and loved one, He speaks this promise:
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” — Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
May this truth settle deeply into your heart today.
You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
You are held by the One who still works wonders.
We can choose to live under the shadow of fear, doubt and hopelessness or under the shadow of the Almighty one who will protect us and heal us. Now and forever. 

Our Worst Enemy

Today, Let's us start with a question: It’s a question most of us try to avoid because it feels "unspiritual" to say yes: The question is - Do you have enemies?

There is a profound truth we often overlook. Even if we lived in a world of perfect external peace, we would still face a formidable foe. The fact is, we are often our own worst enemy.

We are the ones who whisper "you aren't good enough" when a door of opportunity opens. We are the ones who succumb to the same habits and sins we promised to break. We are the ones who allow pride to keep us from apologizing, or fear to keep us from growing. And when we do get it under control, along comes a new temptation or a new situation to light that fire once again.

The Apostle Paul captured this internal civil war perfectly in Romans 7:15: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

Let us Reflect: What is one way you have been your own enemy this week? How can we overcome it?

Overcoming the enemy within is rarely a one-time event; it is a daily rhythm of realignment. When we realize that our own "flesh"—our habits, pride, and fears—can be our greatest obstacle, we can stop fighting ourselves and start partnering with the Spirit. The fact is we don't have to "defeat" ourself; we have to surrender ourself. The more we hand the reins over to God, the less power the "inner enemy" has to steer the car.

The Bible gives us a very clear "biological" map of how the enemy within moves from a thought to a tragedy. It isn’t usually a sudden leap; it’s a birth process.

1. The Lure (Temptation)

James 1:14 says, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." Notice the source: the lure isn't always thrown by the devil. Often, the "bait" is our own internal desire. Temptation itself is not sin—even Jesus was tempted—but it is the "hook" that the enemy within tries to grab.

2. The Conception (The "Yes")

The battle is won or lost in the moment of conception. James 1:15 continues: "Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin." Sin happens when our will shakes hands with the temptation. The "enemy within" is the part of us that wants to say "yes" to the shortcut, the lie, or the selfish impulse because it promises immediate relief or pleasure.

3. The Result - death

When we allow that inner enemy to win, the result is sin, and the end-stage of sin is always some form of "death"—the death of a relationship, the death of peace, or the death of a reputation.

How can we Short-Circuit the Cycle?

If the enemy within uses temptation as a trap, we need a "disruption" strategy:

* Starve the Desire: We often "feed" our inner enemy by what we look at, listen to, or dwell on. If you know a certain environment makes your "inner enemy" stronger, you have the power to walk away before the lure is even dropped. Avoid the triggers. 

* The "Exit" Sign: 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises that God always provides a "way of escape." The problem is that when we are in the heat of temptation, we often stop looking for the exit. Overcoming means training your eyes to look for the "Way Out" the moment you feel the "Lure."

* Confession / Acceptance as Surgery: Sin grows in the dark. The "enemy within" loves secrets. When we succumb to sin, the best way to defeat the inner enemy is to bring it into the light immediately through confession. This "kills" the infection before it can grow into something larger.

A Hard Truth: We often blame the "Devil" for things that are actually just our own un-surrendered desires. 

Realizing this is painful, but it is also liberating—because while we cannot control the Devil, we can, through the Spirit, learn to discipline our own hearts.

The Peace of Christ: Pastor Rajiv

Over the years what do you think has been the one thing that humanity has craved the most? 

It is "Peace". Right from the various movements till date. It is Peace. 

Peace remains humanity’s deepest need but the peace that humanity pursues is not the peace that is everlasting. As far as peace is concerned what each of us needs is Christ’s peace.

Today, Pastor Rajiv talks about Christ's Peace, what it means and what it looks like for each of us. 

So what exactly is Christ’s peace? how is it different to the peace that our world is pursuing?

The Other Side of the Door

"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isiaah 41:10

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was leaving the examination room and said ," Doctor I am afraid of my sickness. Suppose I die? Tell me, what lies on the other side of the door? Very quietly the doctor said, " I don't know". "You don't know? You're a Christian man, and you don't know what's on the other side?

The doctor was holding the handle of his door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and, as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leapt on him in an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, " Did you notice my dog? He has never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and , when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I don't know what's on the other side my friend. All I know is my Master is there".

We all face mountains and dark shadows, some more than others. Like the patient in the story, it maybe some sickness. Or it maybe a financial mountain, or a child in danger or the prospect of a job loss. In every case we face a door - opening into the unknown. And it is scary. 

Whatever you’re facing — decisions, responsibilities, transitions, or the quiet weight of the unknown — this quoted verse invites you to breathe again. God’s presence is not a concept; it’s a steadying reality. His strength is not symbolic; it’s available. His help is not occasional; it’s committed. In fact, many, including the writer and other folks, stand guarantee of this promise. 

It doesn’t pretend life is easy. It doesn’t deny that fear is real. Instead, it speaks directly into the places where fear tries to take root.

This verse is God’s gentle interruption.

It reminds you that fear loses its power when you remember who stands beside you. God doesn’t offer distant encouragement; He offers presence. He doesn’t say, “Be strong on your own.” He says, “I will strengthen you.” He doesn’t say, “Figure it out.” He says, “I will help you.”

Every phrase is a promise: You are not alone.

You are not unsupported.

You are not expected to carry everything by yourself.

Today, let this verse become your anchor.

When fear whispers, answer with truth:

God is with me. God strengthens me. God helps me.

Monday Morning Reset: New Mercies for a New Week

​“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22-23

​

The Weekly Word is: "Steadfast"

​

Mondays often feel like a mountain we have to climb. We look at the week ahead—the meetings, the chores, the "to-do" lists—and we feel like we have to provide all the energy ourselves.

​But look at the verse above. The word isn't "Your energy is new every morning" or "Your productivity is great." It says His mercies are new.

​You don't have to carry the weight of last week’s mistakes into this week. You don't even have to carry the weight of this week's expectations yet. Today is a fresh slate provided by a God who isn't tired, even if you are.

​Take a deep breath. Read this slowly:

​"Father, thank You for a new Monday. I surrender my 'to-do' list to You. Before I try to be productive, help me to simply be present with You. When the week gets loud, remind me of Your steadfast love. Give me the strength for just today, and the grace to handle whatever comes my way. Amen."

​This week, whenever you feel overwhelmed stop and whisper the word: "Steadfast." Remind yourself that while your circumstances change, His presence remains the same.

​

Sabbath Prayers

 

Please join us in our Sunday 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 your healing. 

For Sabbath Prayers 

Click Here 

To download our mobile app Click here 

Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 

Quotable Quotes

We have often said a single quote can teach us more than a sermon. Today's quotes are on the theme of faith -

"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters." - Mother Teresa

"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." - Helen Keller

"It is this belief in a power larger than myself and other than myself which allows me to venture into the unknown and even the unknowable." - Maya Angelou

"What is to give light must endure the burning."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

"In God's eyes our words have only the value of our actions." - St. Ignatius Loyola

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"What does the Lord require?

Only to act justly

and to love mercy,

and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark." - Rabindranath Tagore

"Each activity of daily life in which we stretch ourselves on behalf of others is a prayer in action." - Richard J. Foster

God has not called me to be successful; God has called me to be faithful." - Mother Teresa

"Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God." - St. Teresa of Avila

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe." - Voltaire

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation." - D. Elton Trueblood

As you practice counting your blessings, you will find that your faith is being suddenly revitalized." - Robert Schuller

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” - Corrie ten Boom

"Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right." - Max Lucado

Revival in 4 Steps

In continuation of his post on Revival, Pastor Rajiv today outlines the steps we could take to experience our own revival.

Remember, God has designed revival to begin with his own people who are called by his name, people like you and me who have called on the name of Jesus. 

As a revival process, God’s first call for his people is to humble themselves. 

How? Firstly, by recognizing and confessing our need to seek God in all things – spiritual and material. Our independence to be overcome by Dependence. We need humility to constantly guard against spiritual pride because spiritual pride results in self-centeredness, according to Hawkins. (Note: In Colossians 3:12, the word humility in Greek means “humbleness of mind or lowliness of mind”, and it’s the same word used in Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:3, and 1 Peter 5:5. It is in this attitude of the heart that we came before the Lord, admitting that we were wrong; we are sinners, repenting, and asking Him to be our Savior because being so crushed by the turmoil of sin and darkness of the world, we recognize there is no place to turn but to God, in other words with a broken spirit). Therefore, in order to be truly humble we need to bring a broken spirit before God.

Secondly, we are to pray and call out to God earnestly. If we are to see true revival, we need earnest and fervent prayer. In fact, every true revival has been the result of fervent and earnest prayer. We have seen what happened when the early church prayed and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Prayer invokes the Holy Spirit and for any revival to take place we must be filled with the Holy Spirit who will give us the courage to speak the word of God with boldness.

Thirdly God demands that we seek his face. Hawkins holds that if we spend as much time in our prayers seeking God’s face as we do to seek His hand to help us, we would be much nearer to our own personal revival. (Note: To seek God's face is to turn from any wicked ways, to look to his presence, strength, and precepts and NOT LOOK BACK.)

And finally, we must turn from our wicked ways. Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin, and this is the greatest obstacle to revival. Just confessing our sins and feeling sorry for them is not enough. We need to forsake them altogether, (In thought, word and deed) because that is true repentance.

The final step in God’s recipe for revival is God’s delight. God’s delight is forgiving the sins of his people if they are truly repentant and turn from their wicked ways. His promise is that He will hear from Heaven he will forgive our sin and He will heal our land.

God delights in healing our hearts, healing our homes and everything around us because it appropriates his sacrifice on the cross and does not render His death in vain. He is willing; He is waiting, and He is longing for us to call on His name in prayer and seek his face (get to know Him) through his word and turn from our wicked ways so that he can fulfil his promise.

The big point for us to remember here is that that prayer and revival go hand in hand. 

There can be no revival without fervent and earnest prayer.

Revival- A Fire in the Belly: By Pastor Rajiv

Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It need not necessarily mean a movement but can be personal as well. Most, if not all, of us need a revival from time to time. Pastor Rajiv shares his thoughts today on revival.

The first question is "why revival"? What is the need? 

First let’s refer to this verse from ‎2 Chronicles 7:14

“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land”.

This verse answers the "who", the "why" and the "how". It is extremely crucial especially at this point in time for the world we are living in because we all need healing. We need forgiveness. These are words said by God on the dedication of the temple by Solomon, and yet, it is so distant from our world today when churches are empty, church attendance is on a steady decline and church buildings have been converted into pubs and B&Bs. 

So today, is when revival is needed most, and this verse is a key as it describes the steps.

Now let's discuss the "who". Who needs revival? God’s subject here is people. His people – "if my people". God desires revival in His created world and He desires it in his people who are called by his name.

It clearly means that revival starts with us; you and me who are God’s family; you and me who are called by his name. It is an individual responsibility and not that of a movement. If we look at the great revivals that have taken place in history, we will find that it was always one-man, or one woman who came under deep conviction and shook the world.

O.S. Hawkins, in his book “The Prayer code” holds that the problem is not with the current world culture but with God’s own people who are called by his name. Again, you and me. Today, if you are looking for revival, are convinced you need it, then the question is how? How do we create revivals in ourselves and subsequently the world? The answer lies in the quoted verse which we will discuss in the next post. 

Counterfeit Blessings

Did u know that Satan also blesses. He is not deaf. He too hears when we ask God for some blessing which may or may not be His will for us.

The devil works with counterfeit information and what we have asked for, he will send us as a counterfeit blessing. Terms and conditions attached. 

The exact meaning of the word "counterfeit" is something made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud.

And without knowledge and wisdom to discern, a fake, seems to be genuine. 

This is why it is wise to pray for discernment so that nothing passed us by surprise, and we miss what God really wanted for us. 

How to become an Asset!

2 Timothy 2 14-26

People must see us as different—and different in ways they want to emulate.

Our world revolves around two things - assets and liabilities. We define and classify people around us with these two scales. That is of course in the material world.

In the Christian world, a similar question arises: are we an asset to Christ?

Firstly, let us understand that we are NOT a liability. We, each one, each one of us are valuable to God. Not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of what we have cost.

Second, just because we are not a liability does not mean we are an asset. An asset is something or someone who is useful to God and to the world, people around us and to society at large. As assets we become agents of change for the better.

Last, and following from the above, as assets we become agents of change for God. His word tells us what we need to do, how we must behave and act. How we need to build a relationship with Him as well as the people around us.

That we, become a lighthouse for Him, guiding others to Him. If our light starts to dim, we help each other to brighten it again. That we live a life of praise and thanksgiving, so others want to emulate and experience what we are experiencing.

How can we live as an asset? The quoted verses from Paul can be used as guideline. His Word helps us develop ourselves first and the very nature of our spiritual character will show the world around us, the truth which we know and have experienced.

Prayer

Lord, we ask that you draw us closer to you. Open our hearts and minds, that we may receive your revelations and guidance. May we continually seek you early in our days., prioritizing you above all else. . 

The Boat with a hole

"It's not enough to avoid doing wrong; we need to be doing good". 

Ms. Francis Taylor

This is such a powerful observation from Ms. Taylor and puts a double responsibility on us. Our Father sees what we do in secret but He rewards openly. 

 

Here is a wonderful act of doing good, related by Lilly Phillips, in Quora

"A man was asked to paint a boat. He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him.

While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and quietly repaired it.

When he finished painting, he received his money and left.

The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.

The painter was surprised and said “You've already paid me for painting the boat Sir!”

“But this is not for the paint job. It's for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was such a small service... certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened:

“When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.

“When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.

“They did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time.

“When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.

“Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.

“Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole!

“You see, now, what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your 'small' good deed.”

So no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the 'leaks' you find. 

You never know when someone is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.

Along the way, you may have repaired numerous 'boat holes' for several people without realizing how many lives you've save. 

Make a difference....be the best you...

Have a blessed day