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

“Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way; though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.” ‭‭ Psalms‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭NRSV‬‬ We often think that God doesn't hear our cries. We often feel that God is not helping us to get through these difficult times, but little do we know that our Lord is fighting our unforeseen battles for us. As we take a look at Psalms 37: 23-24, it explains to us how our God helps us and saves us dur

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34 NRSV Often, we worry so much about the future, but we have to learn to take it one day at a time. This is because, worrying about tomorrow does nothing, but takes away the peace that we have today. We should always learn to live in the present and trust each step that we are about to take as God is with us. There would be no room for us to worry when w

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.” Exodus 14:14 NRSV We all go through different struggles in life, the events are different but the pattern is quite the same. I always believe that one of the most difficult ones are those situations where we have to wait for the result. In a fast paced world, it is indeed really hard to wait! It could be waiting for a job, promotion, school, college, marriage, baby, or even just sufficient money to pay the bills.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV It is indeed comforting to be assured in the midst of our storms that there is a mighty God who will hold our hand and lead the way for us. In my daily devotion, I always claim this promise for my life! Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 NKJV Howeve

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15: 12-13 NRSV John 15:1-11 talks about how our behavior resembles the relationship that we have with God. In this verse, it also explains that one of the signs that shows that we are the followers of Christ is by obeying to all his commandments. One of the most important commandments of the Lord is for us to love others. S

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in His way. Psalm 37:23 NKJV There is a purpose behind everything that we do! When we go after our passions and dreams, or while doing our everyday work, there is a purpose for it. Certain characters from the Bible, like Rahab, Aaron, Joseph, Hannah, Esther, and many others had some special tasks to achieve. The task assigned for each of us could vary from helping a person, leading a nation, or simply pray and

In accordance with all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and all its furniture, so you shall make it. Exodus 25:9 NRSV The first half of the book of Exodus is all good and more like a storybook, easy to read and grasp. The latter half of the same is a task to complete. One specific thing that struck me as I read through the book of Exodus are 'The Details'. I fell in love with the way, that God insisted on every small detail, the details were very speci

Matthew 8:23-27 explains the scene where Jesus got on the boat to cross to the other shore. Suddenly, they were hit with a storm and all the disciples started panicking. Even after witnessing all the miracles that God has worked, the disciples were still fearful when they were in the midst of the storm. Fear is something that we face in our daily lives. One moment our life goes just as we anticipated it to be, and in the next moment, we find ourselves struggling to hold on. A

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