Wait On Others While Waiting For God
Often, people find it reasonable to be immersed in self-pity when life turned against them. Yet, self-pity only paralyses a person and makes one more upset. One effective way of diverting away from self-pity is to attend to others’ needs rather than focus on our own suffering. Even if we are forgotten for the kindness we have shown, God will surely remember us and fulfill His glorious will on us.
Seduced But Not Snared
In a fallen sinful world, temptations keep coming at us through relentless invitation, persuasion and aggression. Although we cannot control if temptations will strike us unwarned, we can choose to resist them when they come. Particularly, how can we guard ourselves from sexual temptation and not be seduced by it nor stumble others?
Greatest Blessing: “God Is With Us”
Are you able to see that God is with you, even in hard times? What impact does God’s presence have on you? The Bible tells us that, “the Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man”. Does God define success and prosperity in the same way as the world? If it is different, how different? How should Christians measure success? What happens if you make the source of all blessings – Jesus the Overseer of your life?
Grace In Holiness, Holiness In Grace
Do you feel divine grace is out of reach to you? The gospel tells us God extends His grace even to undeserving sinners, and where sin increased, grace increased all the more. But does such grace mean we can feel free to sin more? Certainly not! For God is also holy, and He judges and disciplines sinners.
Blessed But Betrayed
We often imagine that to be blessed by God means a comfortable life without suffering. Yet, a promise of blessing does not exempt believers from troubles. God sometimes has a way of keeping His blessings under cover and His providence hidden. However, whatever our circumstances may be, God is always in control, planning for our good and His glory.
Go Back To The Lord!
In our Christian walk, we may come to a point where we are not as excited or interested about God like before. Perhaps the word of God starts to sound boring, or we feel very tired of serving, or the world seems more attractive to us than ever. We need to purify our lives from any idols, beliefs, pursuits, selfish desires, etc, that are ‘foreign’ to the Christian faith. Like Jacob, we all have our “Bethel moment” with God, where we encountered Him in a very real and intimate sense. May God help us find back our first love for Him and enjoy walking sweetly with Him again.
Crisis Arising From Not Obeying God Fully
Some people may think that partial obedience is good enough, at least it is better than not obeying at all. Compared to the accusations that arise from outright disobedience, partial obedience can make us battle less with whatever is displeasing to God, because we won’t feel as guilty after obeying a little and we think it is enough to satisfy God. Yet, partial obedience is still disobedience. We give the devil a foothold when our obedience is incomplete. God will also discipline His people who do not obey Him fully, so as to bring them back to His wonderful plan and love.
Reconciliation Of Brothers
Relationship is a huge part of human life and a broken relationship always pains us. How do you usually deal with tensions in relationships? Whether we are the offending or offended party, what does God tell us about seeking reconciliation and extending forgiveness?
Wrestle With God and Prevail
What do you usually do in your moments of fears and doubts? Do you rely more on your own strength, or sink into helpless lament, or do your problems drive you to draw closer to God, who has all the answers and power? Is prayer your last resort after all other options were exhausted and failed? Or is prayer your first response in handling life situations and problems? In your prayers, do you struggle in order to ask God to accede to your requests, or do you wrestle so that you can eventually submit to His will?
Go Back To The Promised Land
Even if we know God is good, many hurdles stand between us and God as we seek to follow Him. The world is always offering attractive deals, or conversely, threats, to keep us far from God. Thus, God is constantly beckoning those whom He loves to go back to Him, to return to His promises and plan for them. Sometimes, both faith and fear dwell within a believer. On the one hand, we trust that God is good, yet on the other hand, we fear that if we do not do things our way or the world’s way, we may lose out. The more we confirm God’s faithful protection over us, the more our faith can outweigh our fears.
