Lent2026: The Dashboard of Discipleship

The Spiritual Audit: Measure What Matters

In the professional world, we live by a singular truth: We cannot improve what we do not measure. We use KPIs to track our businesses, audits to check our finances, and analytics to monitor our health. But when it came to our spiritual walk, many of us have been flying blind.

How do we measure a life lived for Christ? How do we know if we are progressing in the Great Commission—our personal responsibility to draw the world toward God?

The reality is that not all of us are called to be preachers, writers, or silver-tongued communicators. But every single one of us has been given two powerful tools: Our Life and The Word.

Evangelism by Example

We attract others to God by mirroring Jesus. We mirror Jesus by abiding in Him. When we remain in the Vine, the Holy Spirit produces an outward manifestation of Christ’s character within us.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Bible provides us with the ultimate "Dashboard of Discipleship": The 9 Fruits of the Spirit. These are not just virtues; they are metrics. They allow us to review our day, not through the lens of human effort, but through the evidence of the Spirit’s work in us.

The Fruitfulness Scale: Your Daily Review

Use these nine factors to audit your walk today. Ask yourself the "Metric Question" for each:

1. Love (Agape): Selfless, unconditional care.

   • The Metric: Did I lead with a heart of service today? Did I offer a genuine smile or a kind word to a stranger?

2. Joy: A deep-seated gladness independent of circumstances.

   • The Metric: Was my joy visible today, even amidst the "busyness" and demands of life?

3. Peace: Tranquility and confidence in the face of conflict.

   • The Metric: When stress hit, did I respond with a quiet heart, or did I allow the chaos to dictate my mood?

4. Patience: The capacity to endure difficult people without anger.

   • The Metric: Did I extend grace to those who tested my limits, or did I lose my composure?

5. Kindness: Intentional friendliness and consideration.

   • The Metric: How many people experienced the warmth of my kindness today?

6. Goodness: Integrity and moral excellence in private and public.

   • The Metric: Did I choose honesty at work and home, even when it would have been easier to "cover up" a mistake?

7. Faithfulness: Reliability and steadfastness in commitments.

   • The Metric: Was I trustworthy in my duties and my devotion, even when no one was watching?

8. Gentleness: Approaching others with humility and grace.

   • The Metric: Was my "touch" soft with my children, my colleagues, and those junior to me?

9. Self-Control: Mastery over impulses and desires.

   • The Metric: Did I honor my resolves today, or did I let my emotions take the wheel?

The Tool for the Journey

Measurement isn't about judgment; it’s about awareness. By reviewing this "Scale of the Fruits" daily, we move from "slacking" to "progressing." We stop trying to produce fruit by our own strength and start abiding more deeply so the Spirit can do the work.

Today’s Challenge: Pick one of the nine metrics above. Focus on "abiding" in that specific area today, and see how the Light breaks forth in your life.

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Your Daily Audit Tracker

Monday Reset: Take One Day at a Time

Starting a new week can often feel like staring at a mountain of tasks, deadlines, and uncertainties. When the "big picture" feels overwhelming, the most profound spiritual strategy is to narrow our focus.

This week, our reset is inspired by a song that has become a global anthem for those seeking peace amidst the pressure.

The song "One Day at a Time" was written in 1973 by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson. Its origin wasn't in a studio, but in a moment of deep personal crisis.

Marijohn Wilkin, a successful Nashville songwriter, found herself at a rock-bottom point in her life, struggling with personal challenges and a sense of lost direction. Overwhelmed, she walked into a church and simply asked for help. She began writing the lyrics as a prayer—not for a lifetime of success, but for the strength to survive just the next twenty-four hours.

The songs enduring power lies in its raw honesty: it acknowledges that while we are "only human," we are not meant to carry the weight of tomorrow today.

When we try to solve Wednesday’s problems on Monday morning, we drain the energy we need for today’s assignments.

We often lose our peace in two directions:

1. Regret (The Past): Replaying "Yesterday's gone" scenarios that we cannot change.

2. Anxiety (The Future): Worrying about "Tomorrow" which hasn't happened yet.

By focusing on "One Day at a Time," we align ourselves with the present moment—the only place where we can actually take action, show empathy, and exercise strategic intent.

Reflection Question: What "tomorrow problem" am I trying to solve today?

How can I break down my biggest goal for this week into just one manageable step for today?

sarah@cancercompanions.org

IWD2026 Special: The Power of Ruth’s Choice

Resilience and Radical Loyalty: The Power of Ruth’s Choice

For International Women's Day (IWD) 2026, the global campaign theme is "Give To Gain," and the United Nations theme is "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." 

In both these themes, we can draw tremendous inspiration from Ruth. 

In the landscape of modern life, we often equate "power" with loud voices, high-ranking titles, or grand public gestures. Yet, as we celebrate the influence of women this month, the story of Ruth offers a different, more enduring definition of power: the quiet, steady strength of character and resilience.

Ruth’s journey begins not in a palace, but in a place of profound loss. Having lost her husband, her security, and her status, she stood at a crossroads that would define her legacy.

1. The Courage to Stay

When faced with the option to return to the comfort of her own culture, Ruth made a radical choice. Her declaration to Naomi—“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay”—wasn't just a sentimental promise. It was a courageous act of solidarity. Not only with Naomi - but to God Himself. She voluntarily chose God, in an uncertain, unknown future. 

In a world that often encourages us to look out for ourselves first, Ruth reminds us that there is immense power in loyalty. She chose to support another woman in her time of grief, proving that our greatest strength often emerges when we decide to walk alongside someone else.

2. The Dignity of Diligence

Ruth didn’t wait for a miracle to fall from the sky. She pivoted from her circumstances. As an immigrant and a widow, she took the initiative to go into the fields and glean. She possessed what we might call a "Day One" professional spirit—showing up early, working hard, and earning respect through her consistent effort.

"She has been on her feet from morning until now, except for a short rest in the shelter." — Ruth 2:7

Ruth teaches us that no task is beneath our dignity when it serves a greater purpose. Her integrity in the "small things" eventually opened doors to a destiny she could never have imagined.

3. A Legacy Beyond Borders

Ruth was an outsider—a Moabite in Israel. Yet, her character was so compelling that it dissolved the barriers of her background. She didn't just survive; she thrived and became a vital link in a royal lineage.

Her story is a testament that our current circumstances are not our final destination. Whether you are starting over, navigating a career change, or supporting a loved one through a trial, your resilience is building a legacy that will outlast the struggle.

As we honor the women in our lives, let’s reflect on the "Ruths" among us: 

* Who is the woman in your life who displays quiet resilience every day?

* How can you practice "radical loyalty" toward someone in your community this week?

Heavenly Father, give us the heart of Ruth—a heart that is loyal, a spirit that is resilient, and hands that are ready to work. May we find the courage to stay when things get difficult and the faith to trust that You are weaving our small acts of faithfulness into a much larger story. Amen.

Lent2026: Prayer for Resoration

                                            

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."

A Sabbath Prayer of Restoration

Heavenly Father,
We enter this sacred rhythm of Sabbath, asking You to recalibrate our hearts. Strip away the impulse to hurry and the heavy armor of striving. We lay down the accumulated exhaustion of this week at Your feet, trading our burdens for the simple, profound joy of being found in Your presence. Remind us today that Your rest is not a luxury, but a form of worship—a holy restoration for all that life has depleted.
Lord, we lift up Jen to You. She is Your daughter, held securely in Your palm. You are intimately acquainted with every cell in her body and every quiet thought in her mind. Where pain is loud, let Your healing be louder. Where fear tries to take root, let Your peace overshadow it. Let Your love be the very air she breathes today, carrying her when her own strength feels thin.
We extend this mantle of prayer to all those navigating the valley of illness: We pray for Samira’s ongoing recovery. For her continued healing & strength. We also pray for the strength of Lindsey’s mother and Alison’s daughter, as well as Lisa's daughter. We also pray for their peace and their healing. We pray for Alison, Lisa, and Lindsey as well as they take care of their loved one. We lift up Laurik and Haleen, and every soul currently fighting the battle against cancer.
For those sitting in waiting rooms, those braced for results, and those worn smooth by treatment—be their Shepherd and their Sanctuary. In the midst of the battle, we pause to give You thanks.
Our hearts overflow with praise for Joan’s negative test results—thank You for the gift of clear news. We thank You for sustaining our seniors through a harsh, clouded winter; thank You for being their warmth and their breath.
We look toward India and lift up Your servants. Be with Pastor Ben and his family, covering them with Your protection. We especially cry out for the family facing a father’s serious illness. Guard his heart against despair; let him feel the tangible weight of Your grace. Empower his daughter as she cares for him—give her supernatural stamina and a peace that surpasses the gravity of the situation.
Lord, we very specially pray today for peace. The world is in the grip of hatred and war; killing of innocent people. we pray that you empower the leaders with sanity and the intelligence to carve our a peaceful solution as well as look to you for their guidance.
Jana prays - I am in a serious crisis of faith. I have lost hope of anything ever getting better and I just want everything to be over, but it's probably going to take many years and I am exhausted now. I have just been diagnosed with autism at 36. Let us support Jana in our prayers as well.
May this Sabbath be defined by: Rest that mends the weary.
Peace that silences the storm. Gratitude that births new joy.
Light that makes the next step clear.


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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Lent2026: Do You Want to Get Well? By Jen Tan

Today we are back with Jen Tans message - on her cancer journey and its challenges. It is easy to read through the Gospels and see the miracles as quick "flicks of a wrist," but referring to John 5:5–6, Jen slows the camera down to show us something much more personal.

Firstly that number of 38 years is staggering. That is not just a duration; it’s a lifetime of disappointment.

When we carry a burden for a long time—be it a physical ailment, a broken relationship, or a secret struggle—we often stop expecting anything good. Yet, Jen sees through the haze. When Jesus asked the man if he wants to get well He wasn't stating the obvious. He was also pointing to the fact if he was "ready" to get well - meaning was he ready for a whole life after 38 years and what he would do with that new life.

Here is Jens reflection on this question -

"I have reflected that if God were to perform an instant physical miracle of healing, I might simply return to my old self—enjoying life on earth, living comfortably, ignoring God once again, and seeing death as nothing more than a final rest. But my journey of healing now involves something much deeper: sharing my testimony and living out my faith. Most importantly, it is about seeking God".

"Reading the book of John has revealed my purpose in life and shown me how I can use my own journey to encourage others. It has truly been eye-opening. I now see that God has had a plan for me since the day I was born. His faithfulness is something I feel unworthy of, yet I receive it with a grateful and open heart. His grace is sufficient in my life".

Today, Jesus asks us that question for our various infirmities and weaknesses: Do you want to get well? Do you want to change? What will you do after that? This Lent, think about what you want healing from and what will you do thereafter. Go back to your previous life or live a whole new life with Jesus. 

Lent2026: Wiser than God

The Story of Jonah or Our Story?

Wiser than God? It’s a bold claim, isn’t it? To think we could actually be wiser than the Creator. Most of us would never say those words out loud, yet our actions—much like Jonah’s—often say it loud and clear. 

The story of Jonah is frequently relegated to a "whale tale" for children, but it’s actually a sophisticated, slightly biting satire about a man who thought his moral compass was more accurate than God’s.

In Jonah 1, God gives a clear command: "Go to Nineveh." Jonah’s response isn't a lack of understanding; it's a disagreement.

Jonah knew Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire—a nation known for its staggering cruelty. To Jonah, God was being "too nice." He wasn't running because he was scared; he was running because he was offended by God’s mercy.

The Logic of Our Own "Better" Plans

We often play the "Wiser than God" game when:

- We withhold forgiveness: We decide someone is beyond grace, effectively telling God His "mercy for all" policy is flawed.

- We ignore promptings: We tell ourselves that certain steps (like giving, serving, or apologizing) aren't "practical" right now.

- We prioritize our comfort: Jonah chose a ship to Tarshish because it was easier than facing his enemies.

The irony of Jonah is that while he was busy being "wise" and "principled" in his hatred, the pagan sailors on the boat and the "wicked" people of Nineveh showed more spiritual sensitivity than he did.

"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, 'O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? ... for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love...'" — Jonah 4:1-2

Imagine that: Jonah uses God’s own beautiful attributes as an accusation. He is essentially saying, "I knew You’d be too kind, and I don't approve."

Reflection: The "Gourd" in Our Lives in this Lent

At the end of the story, Jonah sits under a plant (a gourd) for shade. When it dies, he’s furious. God gently points out that Jonah cared more about a plant that provided him temporary comfort than he did about 120,000 human souls.

Think about this: 

• Is there a "Nineveh" in your life—a person or group you've decided doesn't deserve God’s kindness?
• Where are you currently "sailing for Tarshish" because you think your plan for your life is more logical than the one God suggested?
• Are you more upset about your personal "gourds" (comforts/conveniences) being taken away than you are about the spiritual state of those around you?

Lent2026: Open Hands - Pastor Rajiv

 

Our prayer today should be that god will show us ways to look beyond ourselves and look to each other within the church, look to others in our communities,  so that we can be ‘living sacrifices’ for whomever we can reach out to - Pastor Rajiv