Wobbly Idols, Steady God
What is the most dangerous sin that we need to guard ourselves against, which the Bible repeatedly warn us about? Is God’s presence a blessing or trouble for you? What if you sometimes secretly feel in your heart that God seems to have lost – lost to sin, suffering, the world’s culture, people who do not fear Him?
Blessed To Bless
It is simplistic to think that God’s people will be exempted from troubles in life. Christians are also hit by global crisis, such as the current pandemic, but are you able to confirm how God is showing you special care despite the difficult situation you are in? As you taste more of God’s blessings, are you also more willing to be a channel of blessing to others, showing them God’s kindness and glory?
Combating Boredom
Are you someone who is easily bored? Do you feel increasingly listless and isolated especially with the Covid restrictions? Though it may sound petty to be complaining about boredom, can you identify some real dangers of boredom? What if you also find God a bore and prayers unexciting? How then can we combat boredom so that our lives can be joyful and meaningful again?
Worried About Livelihood?
Finances and livelihood are critical to our survival and people are naturally concerned about whether they have enough to live on. Especially when the pandemic lingers for so long, people, including Christians, may increasingly worry about their livelihood. Our Lord Jesus is also concerned about our survival, but He does not want His people to be bound by worries, as He is with us. In fact, man’s utmost concern should not be earthly needs but the relationship with God.
Uncertain Move With God’s Assurance
What does it mean to have a God who is always with us and who is for us? One assurance is that whenever we seek Him with our heart, especially in times of uncertainty, He will be found by us to provide us with timely answer and help. Importantly, since we belong to this one true and faithful God, we should not be influenced by the religions and cultures of the world, but be set apart for Him.
Guard Against “Distancing” From God
COVID social distancing may have taken a toll on some people, as they cannot enjoy the same amount of human touch like before. Thankfully, though human closeness can be insecure due to human or situational factors, nothing can separate us from the love of God. Yet, we see some people drift from God intentionally or unintentionally. The truth is, we are not safe being apart from God. If we are only following God at a distance, we will not enjoy the best of His presence. Especially during a pandemic crisis when we need God more, pray that we guard against distancing ourselves from Him.
Finding Assurance In Uncertainties
Most people view ‘uncertainty’ as a bad thing, because people in general do not like ambiguity, but we like to know what to expect, and be in control. When we cannot have control over our lives, we feel frustrated. But instead of giving us control and clarity, God wants to give us a better gift — God Himself. Are you feeling worried and fearful because of uncertainties? How can you find assurance in the face of uncertainties?
Do Not Let COVID-19 Dominate Our Lives
Recently, we have been hearing the world telling us that we need to learn to live with COVID-19, as it does not seem to be going away anytime soon. So how does learning to live with the virus look like? Importantly, though COVID-19 may remain with humankind, it must not dominate our lives, God must! Instead of revolving our lives around COVID-19, we have to centre our lives on God. The impact of COVID-19 may be real, but the presence and power of God should impact us more than COVID-19. If even the world knows it should not be dominated by COVID-19, so all the more the church should pray that God help us rise above it.
The Secret To Forgiveness
We all have been wounded in big or small ways, sometimes people looked down on us, sometimes they took advantage of us, sometimes they forgot about us, and sometimes words of hate turn into actions of harm against us. How should we deal with these? God calls us to love even our enemies, which includes forgiving others. But what if we still struggle to forgive? In fact, forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity. To forgive may be a hard thing to do, but it brings greatest freedom.
Honoring Our Parents
Our relationship with our parents is one which cannot be severed, and God values this relationship enough to include it in the Ten Commandments, telling us to honor our father and our mother. The dynamics between us and our parents also change as we grow from young children to adult children. While it is easier to obey our parents when we were young, when we grow older, more independent and capable, there is this possibility of despising our aged parents. What about those parents who hurt us, or parents who are not believers? Why and how should we honor our parents?
