Life is not always a bed of roses. No one has experienced constant joy and success in their lives. For many, life is even seen as one which is filled with hardships. Because life is unpredictable. Our plans may fail, our efforts can become futile and sometimes we end up in the worst places we could have only imagined for ourselves. These moments bring so much pain, that some often end up blaming God for their misery instead of reflecting on themselves. There have been times w

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23‭-‬24 NRSV Many people have known God for all their lives but only very few do truly know Him. The Bible speaks about the miracles of Jesus, we read of his love, forgiveness and salvation, and we praise and worship God every week but still don't truly know the heart of God. Often, we focus on the great miracles of Jesus but

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NRSV This year has been one of the hardest for many people around the world. The pandemic has taken lives and has forced many challenges into our lives. Some people have lost everything while some can barely make their ends meet. However, it is solely by God's grace, we are blessed to be able

Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. Isaiah 43:4 NRSV We often wish for the simple things in life to feel loved. Sometimes a kind word can give someone the courage to face the hardest battles. And a simple assurance from a person can lift heavy burdens off one's shoulders. We all search to simply have someone who understands our heart and who chooses to stay beside us even in mom

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NRSV There once lived a farmer near a beautiful and dense forest, he always admired the forest's vibrant green life. Though there were many seasonal changes and even natural calamities, the trees in the forest remained strong and its plants and bushes were always fresh and green. When the farm

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. John 15:7‭-‬8 NRSV A relationship can only blossom when a person properly communicates with the other. Hence, a relationship with God requires us to hear and respond to His voice. We focused on remaining connected to God and staying rooted in His word. But for a closer relationship with Him, a

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:4-6 NRSV In our journey of growth, we seek to have a closer

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-3‬ ‭NRSV‬‬ We thrive every single day to grow closer to God. Just as it takes consistent time and effort for a seed to bloom into a beautiful flower, we need to invest consistent effort into our relationship with God. As b

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11 Most of us are too focused on being attacked physically that we forget that we also need to fight some battles spiritually in our lives. Even though we have the Almighty by our side, the Lord still reminds us to be well prepared for the upcoming battles as those are the battles that can strengthen us. In Ephe

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 Hearing God’s voice is very essential for us as the children of God. Having a relationship with God requires us to have two-way communication with Him. We should not only take the time to pray and ask God what we want, but we should also take the time to wait in His presence to hear what He has to say t

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. In this verse, Paul instructs us to love, walk and act according to the will of the Lord. And the will of the Lord is for us to praise, pray and give thanks to the Almighty. Paul also reminds us to rejoice in every situation and to pray without fail. Some of us would always pray but when we don’t get what we pray for, we get mad

1 Corinthians 13: 1-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Love is explained as an intense feeling of deep affection towards someone. For someone who loves should also be read

“For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NRSV‬‬ More often, the enemy has got us wrapped in fear and so we tend to move away from the purpose that God has destined for us. We need to understand that the enemy is tricky and tries to draw our attention in order to fail us. The enemy speaks to us with words of fear, discouragement, rejection, disappointment, but we need to

Many of us wish to be set free from all the chains but we don’t really know how to do so. We as the children of Christ are set free from all kinds of sins as our Lord has died for all our sins on the cross. As the Lord has granted us freedom, now all we have to do is to live according to His will and use the freedom that He has given us to exalt His name. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of

Pride is a feeling that someone has when they are delighted by their own achievements. And I am here to tell you that pride is not something that is good to have. Often, we are delighted by our achievements a little too much that we take all the credit for ourselves that we forget to give thanks to the Lord who has helped us to achieve those things. The bible clearly says that there will surely be destruction to those who delights in their pride. When times of trouble, some o

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Luke 6:35 NRSV There are some choices that we make in our lives which define the kind of person we become. Our choices include the way we respond to a situation, our morals, our character and even our purpose in life. But we need to remember as believers that we share a common burden to live a life of servitude. We are the people who are saved from a life of sin and slavery to the world by the grace of God

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12.18-19 We, as children of God, have a lot of power in our tongue. But some might not know the power of it, while some would misuse it. As we take a look at Proverbs 12:18-19, it says that ‘the words of the reckless pierce like swords’. This explains the situation where someone would say many things to others

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NRSV We come across many moments in our lives, where we stand at cross-roads when making an important decision. As believers, we prioritize God's approval and blessings in all our works, therefore we often ponder whether our decisions align to His direction. Before we tr

“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭NRSV‬‬ Many of us have gone through a very rough past which would have brought a huge impact in our lives. But we as the children of God should always learn to lose our grip from our past. For Christ has given us His whole life and He died for our sins

When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them. Proverbs 16:7 NRSV We must be delighted to experience the beauty of God in every minuscule part of our lives. Whether we go for a walk in nature, see a cloud pass by or even stargazing at night, we must have some special place to be alone and enjoy the peace that comes with spending time with our creator and His creation. Hence, I have always loved the semblance between believers o