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

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

You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. Psalms 65:11 NKJV I’m sure 2020 would’ve been a very challenging year, for most of us would have lost our loved ones, lost jobs, lost homes, lost peace, happiness, financial crisis, anxiety, depression, and other issues hovered around us last year. But on the other hand, many families were reunited, spent time together to understand and share love, something even more exciting is that many accepted Chr

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV It's a bittersweet day, isn't it? A time for us to reminisce our memories and also a time to look forward to the next year to be better than this one. While all of us look forward to the fresh start of our lives, let us also take this time today to think about what we should leave behind. For my thought

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NIV Isn’t it wonderful? That the Mighty God who created us, calls us His chosen one! We live in a world where all things around us constantly change and we are blessed to be set apart to know about the truth of His words which remain eternal. That is why it is necessary for us to

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV It has become a norm for us to constantly search for something new that will get us distracted in our lives. Especially during these times, where we constantly search for something which would often divert our attention. I’ve had a first-hand experience on how my direction in life depended on how I allow my thoughts

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:8-10 NIV One of the most beautiful gifts that we have received from God is His grace for us. Through all the different phases of our lives and in every difficult path, His Love never has once left us. His Gi

In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. This light produces every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. Ephesians 5:8-9 ERV One of my favorite quotes in recent times is that “Positive Thinking leads to a Positive Life!” This phrase is something extremely easy to say with our words but incredibly difficult to practice with our actions. But one of the amazing gifts that we have receive

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 ESV Sometimes in life, all of us yearn for validation or for approval from the people around us. All of us have tried hard to impress others at one point, with our words or actions that don’t really reflect who we are. I have learned something from my life that the person who tries to l

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:  “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:22‭-‬26 NIV To be gracious means to show kindness, favor, and compassion. God is gracious because He is love and He is longing to be gracious to us. Just like how parents take care of their children and try t