Bearing Fruit for Jesus: Jen Tan

Lent invites us into a quieter place — a season where Jesus gently calls us to examine the soil of our hearts. It’s a time of pruning, surrender, and returning. And in that sacred process, He reminds us of His words:

John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself: it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing".

It begins with abiding.

During Lent, Jesus often puts His finger on the places in us that have grown wild, distracted, or overgrown. Not to condemn us — but to prune us. And pruning is always a sign of love. A gardener only prunes what he intends to see flourish.

Jen Tan relates her own experience in this when she says -  

"Abide first, fruit will be the result. Fruit can’t grow out of our own willpower and human efforts. Its from the union with God. We need to stay connected to Jesus and the only way is to remain in God as we are the branches and we need to be connected to the vine.

No wonder I have tried so many times to love difficult people and still failed. In Matthew 22:39, we are told to ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’ This is a character trait I deeply long to grow in—to love those I naturally find hard to love. Now I understand why I struggled for so long, I was relying on my own strength and willpower. That kind of effort cannot sustain itself. Even when I seem to succeed for a while, the moment something they do triggers my anger, I find myself right back where I started.

Through these verses, I learnt to actively remain in God, to spend time to be in relationship with God. Being still, being quiet, and let his presence fill me. Because it is in his presence that His life flows in you. And it is his life that produces the fruit. To prioritise time with God, to spend time with God in daily basis. Not rushing through prayer, or reading a verse or go to church once a week".

Lent whispers this truth: You are meant to bear fruit — real, lasting, Christ-shaped fruit.

Lent: Servant Leadership

 

Servant Leadership is the perfect "bridge" between the humility of Ash Wednesday and the active Christian life. It moves the focus from pious feelings to practical feet.

In a Lenten context, Servant Leadership is about choosing to "descend" into greatness, just as Christ did. 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45

Lent invites us into a slower rhythm—a season of reflection, repentance, and realignment. It is a journey toward the cross, but also a journey into the heart of Jesus. And at the center of His heart is a posture that turns every worldly idea of power upside down: servant leadership.
The Way of Jesus Is the Way Down
In a world that celebrates visibility, influence, and recognition, Jesus kneels.
He washes feet.
He touches the untouchable.
He listens to the overlooked.
He chooses the towel over the throne.
Lent reminds us that the path to resurrection always passes through humility. The kingdom is not advanced by those who demand position, but by those who quietly pour themselves out in love.
Servant Leadership Is Not Weakness
It is courage wrapped in compassion.
It is strength expressed through sacrifice.
It is authority anchored in obedience.
When Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He wasn’t abandoning His identity—He was revealing it. True leadership is not diminished by service; it is defined by it.
Where Might God Be Calling You to Kneel This Lent?
To forgive someone who has wounded you
To serve without being seen
To listen more than you speak
To give without expecting return
To lead with gentleness instead of pressure
To choose obedience over convenience
Servant leadership is not a strategy—it is a surrender. It is saying, “Lord, make me more like You,” and meaning it.

The Lenten Challenge

This week, identify your "Basin." What is the one task in your home, church, or workplace that "no one wants to do"?

Do it. Not for the credit, but to train your heart to recognize the dignity in the mundane.

The Power of Prayer: Pastor Rajiv

Lent is often associated with giving things up, but, as we wrote yesterday, the true heart of this season is about taking things in. Specifically, it is about the power of prayer.

Prayer is not a religious chore or a last resort for the desperate; it is the "oxygen of the soul." It is the bridge between our earthly struggles and Heavenly strength. During these forty days, prayer becomes our primary tool for transformation. It is how we align our wandering hearts with the steady heartbeat of God.

Today, Pastor Rajiv explores how a simple "Amen" can unlock a power that changes not just your circumstances, but your very character.

Lent: Fresh Oil for a New Season

“But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.” Psalm 92:10 (KJV)

As we step into Lent, many of us carry the quiet weight of expectations — spiritual goals, personal commitments, responsibilities that don’t pause just because the season has begun. Lent often invites reflection, but it can also reveal how tired we truly are.

Yet Psalm 92:10 gives us a promise that meets us right where we are:

God never asks you to walk into a new season with yesterday’s strength. He offers fresh oil — a fresh anointing, fresh wisdom, fresh empowerment for today.

In Scripture, oil represents the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not something we strive for or earn. It’s something God pours out.

And that changes everything.

Because Lent is not a season of spiritual performance.

It’s a season of spiritual renewal.

It’s not about proving your devotion.

It’s about receiving His grace.

It's not about sacrificing something in our life. 

It's about adding Jesus to our life. 

Whatever is your objective this lent - remember this: 

God has fresh oil for you.

So as this season begins, pause and ask Him:

“Lord, anoint me with fresh oil.

Not just to get through the day,

but to walk in my calling with joy and excellence.”

His anointing renews what feels worn, restores what feels broken, and equips you for what He has prepared.

This Lent, may you experience not the pressure to do more —

but the invitation to receive more.

More grace.

More strength.

More presence.

More of Him.

Monday Reset: The Sacred Pause

 

Reflect and Reset.

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Psalm 26:2 (KJV)

Before you step into a new week, take time to reflect. What did God teach you last week? What do you want to carry forward—and what must you leave behind?
Today, let this be a sacred pause, a time of evaluation and renewal. Invite God to examine your heart and align you afresh with His will. This week brings a new chapter. Reset your soul in His presence.
Father, examine me and renew me. Thank You for all You’ve done last week. Prepare my heart for the future. Let me walk closer with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sabbath Prayers

                                          

Come near to God and he will come near to you.... James 4:8

As we enter this sacred rest, may the peace of God settle over every weary place in our hearts.

“Lord, as this Sabbath begins, we pause to breathe in Your presence. Still our minds, renew our spirits, and remind us that our identity is rooted not in our striving, but in Your unfailing love. Let this day be a sanctuary—filled with quiet joy, deep gratitude, and the gentle whisper of Your voice.

Refresh us, restore us, and realign us with Your purpose.

Amen.”

“Father, we lift Jan into Your hands today. Surround her with Your healing, Your strength, and Your comfort as she goes for her tests on Monday the 16th. May the tests be productive and qualify her for the clinical trials he doctors reccomend. You know her needs so we leave the healing method in our hands. Let Your peace guard her heart, Your presence steady her steps, and Your grace meet her in every need. May this Sabbath be a covering over her—bringing rest to her body, hope to her spirit, and assurance that she is held by You.

We also want to give you thanks and praise for the continued healing of Joan as she has tested negative. We also give you thanks for Samira who has started the follow up treatment and has been able to overcome the side effects with your help and grace. 

We pray for the restoration of Brandons health and family. For Ben to get a job. We pray for Lisa's daughter, Lindsey's mother, Haleen and Laurika.
We thank you for the seniors with us who have got through a harsh winter and polluted conditions. 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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The Empathy Pillar: Jen Tan

One of the pillars of Christianity - an important one, is Empathy. Without empathy we continue to judge and as we judge we cannot love as we are commanded to do . Empathy and the command “Thou shalt not judge” are deeply connected—almost two sides of the same Christian posture. When you look closely, empathy is actually what makes obedience to that command possible. In fact, Empathy mirrors the way Jesus approached people. Jesus never excused sin, but He always understood the person. He saw the woman at the well, the tax collector in the tree, the thief on the cross—not as problems to condemn, but as people to redeem.

Empathy doesn’t deny truth; it delivers truth with compassion.

Today, Jen Tan talks about discovery of "empathy" and forgiveness in her own life.

Reading John Chapter 8 - 21/1/2026

John 8:3-11 … “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “ Go now and leave your life of sins”

Application study Bible: Jesus knows your worst sins, yet he offers you compassion and mercy. Let his mercy give you courage to face your guilt. His love will overcome your shame. Don’t deny it or despair. Be sorry for your sins, seek the Lord, and receive his forgiveness. Jesus stands ready to forgive any sin in your life, but confession and repentance mean a change of heart. With God’s help we can accept Jesus forgiveness and stop our wrongdoing.

"As human being, I have my fair share of sins and guilts. Yet, throughout my life, I also have my fair share of pinpointing others’ faults and complaining about things they have done that do not please me.

As I read this chapter, I asked myself, “Who am I to judge others when Jesus is so merciful and forgiving to everyone?” Ultimately, it is God’s role to judge, not mine. My first response should be to show forgiveness and compassion.

This chapter has challenged me to extend mercy to those who are struggling with sin, just as I am. Instead of criticising or condemning, I want to learn to walk alongside them—to help, encourage, and restore rather than to hurt them.

After being diagnosed, God has continually reassured me that my sins have already been forgiven at the cross. I am called to leave my old life of sin behind and walk in the new life He has given me".