Coping With Tensions In The Family
Because family is so important to us, few things are more painful than tensions in the family. So how are believers to cope with such tensions? Can we still find hope in the Lord when there are tensions in our families?
Guided By The Glorious Presence Of God
Is God really with us? This is one question often on our minds, especially when things are not rosy or when we knew we are acting against God’s will. Can you confirm that God has been faithfully present with you? And if God is really with us, how are we to live in His presence? How can we boldly come into the presence of God?
The Church of Sardis: Reviving the “Dead” Church
What does it mean to be truly alive? To the church in Sardis, Jesus said that they have the reputation of being alive but they are dead.
It is likely that the church was not living up to its reputation. It has not centred itself on Christ, who rightfully should be the head, bridegroom and cornerstone of the church.
Despite the harsh words, this letter also shows us the church was not doomed. Jesus still remembered them and gave them the way to return to Him.
The Assurance Which Christians Need
Many Christians live without assurance, yet there are churchgoers who live with false assurance. The scriptures does instruct the genuine believer to pursue assurance, which is an attribute vital to his Christian growth. Yet, it also warns against false assurance. Hear this important message by Pastor Vincent on how he encourages the believer to pursue assurance and denounce teachings, which gives false assurance.
A Command To Give Willingly
Does a command to give willingly sound strange to you? If it is an “order”, how can it be voluntary; if it is an obligation, how can it be cheerful? Yet, can we see that serving and giving to God is both an obligation as well as a privilege? God does not demand from us more than what is necessary, but how much we have been touched by God can be reflected by how much we are willing to offer Him.
“If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable” <2 Co 8:12>.
Easter Sunday 2024: The King of Another Kingdom
As Jesus stand trial, he refused to mobilize his servants to prevent His arrest. He was consistent to the end as he spoke of Himself as the King of another Kingdom. His death bought the Kingdom and His people. Today, the modern man focuses on the kingdom of this world, and thus miss Jesus’ glorious and invisible kingdom. Behold, the day will come when this Kingdom will descend and all eyes will see it, and all those who belong to it will rejoice.
The Church in Thyatira: Toxic Tolerance
The church in Thyatira may be the least prominent among the 7 churches but it received the longest letter from Jesus. Though their works motivated by love and faith were growing, they have become tolerant of a false teacher who is seducing other believers to sin. Our God who sees all things and searches mind and heart will throw the false teacher and her followers into tribulation unless they repent. In face of increasing calls for tolerance in our culture, the church needs to be guided by the Scriptures to take a firm stand about what should be tolerated and what shouldn’t be tolerated. However, ultimately, the Christian community should not be defined by what it tolerates but by the sacrificial love of Jesus and our commitment to follow and imitate Him.
The Compassionate, Just and Jealous God
We all love the idea that God is compassionate and gracious. However, this same merciful God would also not leave the guilty unpunished, because He is just. Despite His mercy, sin always has consequences, so that people would not take sin lightly. Yet because of His mercy, there is still hope for restoration when we repent after falling into sin. God says He is a jealous God, how can that be our warning and comfort?
God’s Presence, Mercy and Glory
How important is God’s presence to you? Would you settle for a life full of material blessings but without the presence of God? What if sin causes God to withdraw His presence from you? God has revealed time and again that even when He is angry with sin, He is still merciful, so those who seek Him will find Him. Have you ever sought to see the glory of God? In what ways does God reveal His glory?
Israel’s Deadly Sin and Moses’ Mediation
The Israelites had barely confirmed the covenant with God but in less than 40 days’ time, they broke the covenant. How quickly humans can fall into sin. But how can we repent and pray for reconciliation to God? What kind of prayer will be pleasing to God? Can our prayers change God’s mind?
