Read: Hosea 3:1-5

Unconditional love—how refreshing to see it in action! A doctor recounted how moved he was by a young husband’s response to his wife after her facial surgery. To remove a tumor, the surgeon had to sever a nerve that controlled the muscles of her mouth.

After the operation, as he and the husband stood by the woman’s bedside, she asked, “Will my mouth always be like this?” The doctor said yes. The husband looked at his wife, smiled, and said that he found her mouth “kind of cute.” Then he bent over and kissed her, twisting his own lips to meet hers.

Unconditional love—that’s what the prophet Hosea showed toward his wife, who had left him and lived as a prostitute. He searched for her, paid a price to obtain her freedom, and brought her home. God said that’s how He loved His wayward people Israel, in spite of their unfaithfulness to Him (Hosea 3:1). He said He would continue to love them so that one day they would return to Him and receive all the blessings reserved for them.

Unconditional love—that’s how God loves His children. What a comfort! Unconditional love—that’s how He expects us to love others. What a challenge!

 
Do you care about how others view you? I do. Sometimes I see Christians proclaiming on the street about God’s greatness, but nobody pays attention. And even if they do, the attention given is more negative than positive. They are mocking the person, thinking that he is a Jesus freak.

I wouldn’t want to be seen as a freak. In fact, in a post-911 world, it might even be unwise to be seen as a “radical.” However, the problem with this kind of mindset is that it prevents us from taking bold steps for Jesus.

Jesus is not concerned about being in people’s good books. In fact, He acted rather radically on several occasions. For example, he drove out the sellers and moneychangers from the temple area—an action that would undoubtedly offend many people. Why did He do that? Jesus was more concerned about His Father’s concerns. He was zealous for the Father’s business.

Learning from Jesus, it is good to been seen as a freak sometimes—especially when it concerns God’s interest, God’s truth, and God’s ways.

What do you think?

As a single woman, for years my view of marriage 
 was based more on what it takes from a life than 
 what it can add to it. But over time, I’ve been able to better understand marriage by studying God’s Word. 


In 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, Paul’s general advice is that it’s better to stay unmarried because of the opportunities it provides to serve Christ without distraction. The reasons given are: (1) Single people will not have to deal with the unique problems that married people face (vv.25-28). 
(2) Because the end is near, Christians shouldn’t let marriage and the things of the world become their dominant concerns. Their primary focus should be Jesus and eternity (vv.29-31). (3) Since marriage brings earthly responsibilities, singles will be able to devote their lives more fully to serving God (vv.32-35).


But if marriage comes with so many disadvantages, why did God institute this covenant relationship? Here’s where the whole counsel of God’s Word is vital!
While singles may have fewer everyday concerns than married couples, it’s also true that two is better than one (Ecclesiastes 4:9). We can see God’s blueprint for marriage in Genesis 2:18-25. This passage reveals that, in marriage, the man and wife complement each other in His service. 


There’s also a selflessness in marriage that one can never attain alone. It’s a relationship in which living for another’s best interest is put to the test, and yet—at the same time—can be extremely rewarding. A God-honoring marriage is also a strong witness of Christ’s love for the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). 


Our primary concern should always be our relationship with Jesus—regardless of marital status (Luke 14:26). So whether you’re single or married, keep seeking Him and rest in what He deems best for you.
- Chia Poh Fang, Singapore.

This article was previously seen here.

More resources:
In Singleness: The Misunderstood World Of Single Adults, author Dave Egner sets aside the myths of singleness and encourages the church to take on a new attitude toward singles. The unique pressures and challenges faced by singles within the Christian community are often unrecognized by those who are married. Read on as he offers biblical principles to help you see singleness through the eyes of the One who made all of us for Himself.

Read it here!

I cannot recall how many times I have responded to an altar call in church or a crusade. With tears in my eyes, and my heart convicted and broken, I would cry and ask God to forgive me at the altar. I would ask Him to work in me to help me change—only to forget all that as soon as I left the altar. It seemed like I was “born again” countless times; only to go back to my former ways that did not reflect the power that I had felt at the altar.

Just the other day, I started asking myself why the messages that are tirelessly ministered at the altars in our churches (even while increasing our faith) rarely translate into real changes in our lifestyle. Most of us, in this generation, struggle with our faith because it does not seem have any effect on our lives. We talk about loving everyone but still harbor hate toward someone in our congregation. We sing about hope and yet everything about us speaks of how hopeless we feel. The truth is: Most Christians genuinely have no clue as to how they can translate their knowledge of God into something to live by.

It is possible for one to know about God, and yet, not really know Him. I was a good example. For years, I went back and forth in my Christian life and I hated myself for it. It took knowing God personally for any real change to happen. My life dramatically changed when my perspective about Christianity changed. What perspective? you may ask. It is the perspective that “Christianity is NOT a religion.” It is not about a set of rules that we follow without a revelation. Rather, it is about having a relationship with God Himself. Knowing this, my visits to the altar and the messages at the altar took a new turn. It is this that led me to the quest of knowing God.

I know what I am saying is not something new. But something can be said so many times that we stop thinking about the real meaning of what is being said. So, hear me out.

What does it really mean to have a relationship with God? I believe most people who claim to “have a relationship with God” are just simply playing religion.

The first is to understand that “God is a Person.” He is not an object. He is not a force or power lingering somewhere in the air—He is a Person! Most of us, unknowingly, treat and deal with God as an object rather than a Person. The knowledge that God is a Person makes having a relationship with Him easier because it is human nature to have relationships with people.

Knowing God as a Person also changed my perspective about prayer, worship, and reading the Bible. These stopped being just activities that I do. These become the means I communicate with God as a Person, whom I am just getting to know. The Word of God becomes more alive. I, now know, that I am not just reading words but God is speaking to me through the Bible—His Word.

How would you feel if you realized that the only reason why your friends spend time with you is because they had to? I am sure it would break your heart. Yet often, most of us spend time with God, not because it’s our heart’s desire, but because we are obligated to do it. How do you think He feels? Since He is a Person, He is capable of feeling. It is only knowing Him—truly knowing Him—that can make us desire to be with Him, and to trust what He asks of us.

We are certain that we know God when we keep His commands (1 John 2:3). 1 John 5:3 adds that loving God is keeping His commandments and finding those commands not burdensome. The only way the commands will not be burdensome is when we know the Person giving them, and that His intentions toward us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). God is a Person and He is Love.

So, my question today is: Do you really know God? Get to know Him as a Person and everything will fall into place.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40: 31, esv

Last November, I was at the Indianapolis race. Dressed warmly in the breezy weather, I was leaning over the barricade tape along with several spectators. We were trying to catch a view of those crossing the finish line.
Volunteers would run forward whenever a runner crossed the line, passing out water, wrapping silver blanket and putting medal around the sweating, shivering marathoner’s drooped head.

A familiar head popped into view. I clicked my camera, calling out to my friend for a finish-line smile. At first, she couldn’t hear me over the crowd’s uproarious cheers. But once she received her finish-line gifts, she posed with a smile before gulping down several cups of water. I walked to her and congratulated her. After asking about how the race went, I went back to wait for my sister.

This marathon was my sister’s ninth. After crossing the finish line of this marathon, my 25-year-old sister would have ran a total of over 235.8 miles (379.48 kilometers), not counting her cross-country days in high-school, or numerous 5K, 10K, or 25K races in between marathons.

“Run and not be weary, run and not be weary…” These bible words play in my head whenever I stand at the finish line in a marathon.

And there was my sister, with her tired grimace as I snapped a few photos. She too was wrapped in a silvery warm blanket and given a medal.

My sister breathed “It’s soooo good to finish” as she walked stiffly beside me toward the car. But we were soon talking about Boston as I crank up the heat in our car. She had just finished a grueling race and already she was talking about her tenth marathon a few months away.

Though not all of us sign up for 26.2-mile endeavors willingly, it needs no brilliant revelation for us to realize that we are each sign up or are given marathons to run in life—at work, within our family, school, church, etc.

We sweat, we hunger, we thirst, we tire—and of course we get weary, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But:
“The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” —Isaiah 40: 28-31.

Sitting in a corner of her room with nothing but moonlight illuminating the space and shadows dancing across its rays, she takes hold of a knife and cuts herself. The familiar sensation of open wound and blood trickling down her hand comforts her. She gives herself a few more stripes, trying to drown out the numbness that has lodged itself deep within her. Numbness that has been accumulated through her sixteen years of life.

I tried, she tells herself as tears intermingle with the blood on the floor. I tried.

Life has dealt her one devastating blow after another. Her mother died while giving birth to her and her father has never stopped blaming her for it. Her older brother was murdered when she was six. She thinks of this and the numbness intensifies.

She feels her life dripping away and welcomes it, longing for death’s fatal embrace.

As she begins to feel lighter and lighter, almost as if she’s floating on air, a bright light fills the room and she stares in silent amazement as a man appears before her. Where fear should grip her—peace befalls her instead. He places His hands on her open wounds and instantly they are healed, not only the ones on her wrists but also the deep invisible scars in her soul. In shock and awe she whispers, “Who are You?”

He smiles and says, “Look at My wounds.” She sees punctured wounds on His hands and side where large nails and a spear were driven through. “I am Jesus, the Lamb that was slain. I was crucified and as I suffered, I saw you and your pain and took it upon myself. Through all of life’s tribulations, I am with you.”

“Do not spill your blood my child—I shed mine so that you wouldn’t have to.”

“He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”—Isaiah 53:5 NLT

A multitude of excited teenagers gather before a stage in eager anticipation, each clasping a light stick in hand. The music starts on a slow rumble, and almost as if on cue, a cheer erupts from the crowd as the singer makes her appearance on stage. Lifting their light sticks in unison, the crowd taps to the beat of the music.

Sounds perfectly normal for a concert setting—if not for the fact that the performer on stage is not real, but a mere 3D projection.

Otherwise known as Vocaloids, these singing anime characters have been making waves in Japan and other Asian countries since their introduction in 2004. With their vocals created by a singing synthesizer software, it’s no wonder they sound strange. But their unnatural vocals have little effect on their popularity. Fan clubs and fan websites are set up in dedication to them, and adoring fans splurge on expensive concert tickets to catch them “live.”

This fascination with created things is nothing new. Apostle Paul describes the state of men in . . .

Romans 1:21-25 “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

Mankind in his sinful state has chosen not to acknowledge the Creator, but instead give glory and worship to what is created.

How about us who profess to worship the Creator God? A simple question that might reveal the condition of our heart is: what do we spend our affections and efforts on? Is pleasing God the driving motivation of all that we think, say and do?

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

“…hey look! My EC…” Our bible study was interrupted. I was puzzled.

“What’s ‘EC’?” I asked.

“It’s an abbreviation for ‘eye candy’. ‘Eye candy’ is someone whom you think looks gorgeous. One look at that person and your day is ‘brightened’. It’s not like a crush… it’s totally innocent. All you want is to look at that person.”

For those of us who have the gift of sight, using our eyes to see is almost like the act of breathing. We use our sight all the time. It does not require much effort or conscious thought. The key difference between the use of our respiratory system and our visual abilities is that we consciously “rest” our optical muscles when we sleep, but we do not ask our lungs to “take a break”!

The use of our sight, however, is not just a body reflex. What we see affects how we think. And how we think affects what we love. Take horror movies as an example. We all know movies are fictitious. But the more we watch them; the more we will start thinking that ghosts are real and lurking everywhere. It may come to a point whereby we stop trusting God’s word on this matter.

Jesus teaches those who belong to His kingdom that sexual purity is not merely “saying no” to the act of sex outside of God-given boundaries, but to be pure in our thoughts and desires. What feeds our thoughts and desires is our sight. Hence, purity starts with being careful of what we see. According to Matthew 5:29, how should we deal with the “eye candy” that is sowing sexually impure thoughts and desires in us?

(This article is first published in Power Up With The King,
a Bible-study material printed and produced by Singapore Youth For Christ)

I read Ray C. Stedman’s book Is This All There Is To Life? recently. In it, the author walks us through Ecclesiastes to draw out principles about finding wisdom for life. Needless to say, it was an inspiring read.

To be honest, the book caught my eye because I was dealing with certain issues in life. I was disappointed with people—people whom I know and also love. I was clueless as to how to deal with the situations, and it sapped my energy both mentally and emotionally. I questioned God a lot and I asked for wisdom. While searching for biblical truths to dispel the darkness, it got to a point where I was utterly exhausted with everything around me, and wondered: Is life just a whole tangled mess of unhappiness and pain?

Stedman explains that Ecclesiastes is a “summation of what man is able to discern under the sun—that is, in the visible world.” In the oft-quoted Ecclesiastes 1:3, Solomon laments, “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” If we place our hope and emotions on the things of this world, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. For once we have soaked up all that we could from a certain person or activity, we are left feeling empty again. The things of the world do not satisfy. Chapter 1 speaks about this futility.

What then should we spend our energy on? Solomon is clear in Ecclesiastes 2: 24 – 26 when he explains that our Lord is the giver of “wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (v. 26). He is the One we should seek to please. How then do we please Him? In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” It is our complete belief and trust in Him that pleases Him.

I could not help but nod my head in silent agreement with Stedman when he writes:

As I finished the book, I looked back at the past few weeks, which have been exhausting to say the least. Although pain and hurt featured prominently, one other constant was God. In fact, He was there in both the good times as well as the bad. People whom I love might disappoint but God will never do that. He is whom I should place my hope in, not in circumstances or people. For He has assured us that a life with Him is fullness of joy.

Even in life’s pain, Solomon calls us to fear God, to keep the faith, and to obey Him. That is why there is so much more to life. I’ve found my answer. Have you found yours?

This book is available at www.dhp.org.

Have you ever contemplated what Heaven is like? I did a brief Internet search and discovered many confused souls trying to describe Heaven. Some describe it as “sitting on clouds all day long, playing a harp”; others say it is a place of one “eternal [and boring] church service.” A few believe that it is a lustful state of “no marriages, just multiple girlfriends”, while others say: “Heaven is what you believe it to be.” There are also those who deny the existence of Heaven altogether, equating it to a mere fantasy or fairytale.

(Image from www.paulabecker.com/blog)

As Christians, we know Heaven is more than just a fantasy. It is a genuine, tangible, and physical place—our everlasting residence. Revelations 21 and 22 describe, with colorful details, the incommunicable beauty that abounds in Heaven.

Unfortunately, many Christians, while believing wholeheartedly in Heaven, lack a true biblical understanding of what Heaven is like. Many are, sadly, not even excited about making it to their final destination, which Jesus Himself referred to as Paradise (Luke 23:43).

Let’s consider: if you were moving to another city or town for some reason (maybe a job promotion or to be nearer to your extended family), wouldn’t you do research about that city or town and seek to find as much information about that place as possible? Maybe you would do an Internet search to find out how clean the town is, what the recreational facilities nearby are, and what activities or social gatherings typically take place there. You may also try to search for any information that will address any concerns you may have about moving.

As Christians, the most important move we will be making is from our provisional dwelling (Earth) to our permanent dwelling (Heaven or “the New Earth”). So in the same regard, we should be studying what Heaven is like. Just as it would be silly moving to a city you know nothing about; it would be ridiculous to show up in Heaven, knowing nothing about it.

Now let me ask, are you prepared for your big move? Thankfully, this move doesn’t include the frenzies and stress of packed boxes and moving trucks; but one does need a prepared heart. Romans 10:9 says, “Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Amplified Bible).

The Bible is full of marvelous and fascinating promises from God about our future in Heaven, where we will literally and physically be with Him. So, let’s read it to unlock the mystery and discover more about our eternal Home!

In a society that promotes shallow thought, materialism, and hedonism, how can one follow Christ? How can the church rise up to be light and salt in a depraved culture? The answer? It is impossible—as it has been in any other era—apart from abiding in Christ. Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit” (John 15: 5 esv)

However, that is not a reality that I am always mindful of. Somewhere in the Christian journey, I have become a self-made Christian—however ironic that might sound. I depended on my own strength to live out the Christian life. The consequential results are feelings of inadequacy and weakness, instead of the overcoming life that is ours as we live by grace through faith.

The reason many of us do not tap into the grace of God to live is because we have forgotten who we are in Christ. In Christ, we are righteous—that means, completely complete and perfectly perfect. The Christian does not die daily, he has already died, and it is Christ who lives in Him and through Him that results in personal transformation. Roman 5:17 says, “(How much more) will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”

There is a song written by Israel Houghton, Jesus be the centre of it all. As believers, when we sing, “Jesus be the centre of it all”, we are not inviting Jesus to be the centre, we are proclaiming He is the centre! He has already died for us and risen for our justification and sanctification. We simply need to recognize His centrality in our lives, and see His finished work on our behalf. Abide in Christ, as He abides in you.

May this be the prayer of our hearts today:
Oh God, help me to rest in the finished work of Christ, and by Your grace, remove all self-righteousness in me and keep me near the Cross. Amen.

It’s amazing what you could actually end up doing as you allow the Lord to equip and train you. For sure, His plan is perfect and His dream for us is big. God uses ordinary people and equips them for His extraordinary tasks.

Just think about it:
An orphan was adopted by a missionary couple. And from the cold region of Grand Rapids, he spent his growing up years in a hot country, Ghana. When he grew up, he couldn’t afford university education, so he signed on with the Navy and the Navy paid for his college education. Now, he is the director of publications in RBC Ministries and contributing writer of Our Daily Journey. His global perspective gleaned from growing up in foreign soils and in the army made him a significant contributor toward developing biblical materials that speak to the international audience. (Can you guess which ODJ writer is he?)

A first-year college girl flunked her chemistry exams and decided to switch to American Sign Language instead. It was an extremely discouraging time but on hindsight, God has His hand in it. He changed her course, so that today, she could be used by Him to make His life-changing Word understandable and accessible to the hearing impaired.

The above are but a few examples of people whose life testifies of the amazing God who redeems us and prepares a good work for each one of us to do. Each of them were faithful in their given responsibilities—no matter how lowly or humdrum—and continue to seek the Lord’s pleasure in the trenches and crests of life.

Through their life, the verse in Hebrews 11:14 took on greater depth and meaning as I meditate on its words: “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Sometimes it is hard being a girl. Actually it can be perilous in a deceptive world like ours. It seems as if the world demands a certain lifestyle from us that leaves us either conforming to its foolishness or falling behind as social outcasts. However, allow me to share the hope and encouragement that I have found in God’s timeless Word.

I am blessed to have parents who support, encourage, and of course, discipline me. However, there have been times when my parent’s rules did not make sense to my young and naive mind. For years we disagreed on what I should be allowed to wear outside my home. I couldn’t understand why it was such a big deal! All I wanted to wear was what everyone else was wearing, because they wore “cute” stuff. How many of you have heard this before? My parent’s requests were reasonable. I was just an obstinate teenager. They asked that I do not wear low-cut tops and that my shorts come to a certain length. Not too difficult right? No tying me to a bed or ceremonial brainwashing involved—just a simple request.

It was not until recently that I quit the incessant kicking and screaming and began to truly appreciate my parent’s intentions. Why? Because I’ve come to realize that purity isn’t just a matter of the heart, it’s also an appearance issue. As Christians, we are beacons of purity.

“Purity” is a simple word, but it has a deep and life-changing meaning. Do we really understand the meaning of purity? I don’t believe I truly understand it. The concept of purity addresses two different aspects in our daily lives. It refers to our outer appearance and also our inner substance.

Why do we pay attention to what we wear? What’s the purpose? There are three reasons why we should take care of our external appearance. (1) To respect our creator God. (2) To respect those around us (3) To respect ourselves. Have you ever stopped and wondered about the effects your clothing has on the people around you?

Yet purity isn’t merely external, it goes much deeper. God has called us to be pure and holy. Though our sin nature sometimes causes us to say and do reckless things, we are still a light in this dark world. We are called to exhibit purity in our actions and attitude. What is stopping us from letting our light to shine?

We don’t have to look like we were born to grace the cover of Seventeen magazine to gain God’s approval. To those of you who think gaining the world’s approval is a necessity . . . why? What do you gain by landing in the world’s favor? It is worth nothing and it certainly won’t take you to Heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one goes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus is the only way to Heaven, so shouldn’t we seek His favor? Regardless of what this crazy world says, we are beautifully and wonderfully made. This should satisfy us. It should have satisfied me! In the end, chasing after the world will only end in a fruitless pursuit that will leave us spiritually dead.

Psalm 139:13-18 says, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with You.”

This is a difficult world to live in, but we are called out of this world to be not of this world! And what better way to set yourself apart from this world than to display purity in every aspect of your life? Will you shine as the beacon of purity today?

Trust—a word that brings a smile to some and a frown to others. Some of us seem to get the best out of life when we trust in something or someone; for others, trust led to betrayal and deep hurt.
Well, that’s life. Jesus never said that life will be smooth sailing or that it will be without troubles. But whatever the circumstance, He is the always the One worthy of our trust.

Yet, we would often try to reach our goals by our own methods, only to feel frustrated and exhausted in the end. Why do we persist in our own ways when we know it wouldn’t work? Why do we think we know better than God?

It’s all because we don’t trust Him enough.

We don’t trust that God has our best interests at heart. We don’t believe that God loves us so much that He would readily bestow blessings on us who are co-heirs with Christ, and sons and daughters of the Most High! We doubt the promise in Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Many a time, I have tried to attain things that God has promised for my life on my own. Even though I know He will make those promises come true in His time, but my impatience leads me to say, “God is delaying it for far too long. I shall take things into my own hands.” I’ve tried to control my relationships, career and other decisions in life many times!

We have to trust Him, for only He knows the big picture. We think we know, but in fact we know nothing. Our eyes see the present, but we don’t know the future. Who knows, you might regret the boyfriend you’ve chosen or the job you’ve decided to take!

Let God be God, because He loves you. As our Father, He longs to show His love through blessings in our lives. Trust in the Lord, and wait for Him.

The Bible is a book about people who have a problem with God. They have a hard time seeing eye to eye with a God who says, “ ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your
thoughts’ ” (Isa. 55:8-9).

The Bible is also about a God who has a problem with people. The whole Bible is about a God who will not
always protect those who refuse to trust Him. When God barred Adam and Eve from their garden home,
when He sent a flood to destroy all but Noah and his family, when He allowed the Assyrians to defeat the
Northern Tribes and the Babylonians to defeat Judah, God made it clear that there is a limit to His patience.

God’s promises are not given to all, but to everyone who is willing to seek and trust Him. Isaiah reminds us
that God is willing to be found by those who are willing to seek Him on His terms. Just before saying, “My
thoughts are not your thoughts,” Isaiah quoted God as saying, “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isa. 55:6-7).

The whole Bible makes it clear that God promises to be found only by those who are willing to surrender to
Him. This important condition of surrender is what Jesus taught when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). He said this immediately after saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . . Blessed are those who mourn . . . . Blessed are the meek . . . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness . . . . Blessed are the merciful” (vv.3-7).

Each of these conditions reflects the need for a surrendered heart as a condition to receive the blessing of God.

God cannot be found by just anyone. Because He is Spirit, He is seen only by those to whom He chooses to
reveal Himself. This is also true of the Bible. While the Scriptures have been given to lead us to God, they
remain a closed book to those who are trying to find God on their own terms. God will be found in the pages
of His book by those who desire to obey Him, or He will not be found at all.

Jesus said of God and of Himself, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine,
whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17).

Salvation itself is a gift. Forgiveness and eternal life come to us only by grace and through faith in Christ
(Eph. 2:8-9). But seeing God in the Bible requires a willingness to do the will of God. Only in surrender do we
have assurance that God will let us see the truth about Christ in our present circumstances. Only in submission can we see the Father and His Son on every page of Scripture.

(Adapted from Knowing God Through The Whole Bible © 1993 RBC Ministries.)

“Jesus died so that you won’t be sick. His will for you is to be well.” This was said to me, as I laid helpless in a hospital bed.

How do I even begin to comprehend this statement? All along I thought that God’s will for my life is to praise and serve Him—and Him alone. I am to live my life pleasing in His sight—be it on a hospital bed, in a wheelchair, while playing in a field or working in an office. Regardless of whether I am healthy or unhealthy, my life should reflect Him no matter what.

Does the value of my life in Christ’s eyes diminish because I am sick? Am I a less effective vessel for Christ’s use in the furtherance of His Kingdom because of my illness? Has my life’s light been blown out? I refuse to believe that an earthly illness renders me useless in the Lord’s Kingdom. I refuse to deem my life unworthy of Christ’s continuous blessing.

I have seen Christ’s hand reigning most supremely in my life when I have been at my weakest—not my strongest. He has revealed Himself to me in my darkest hour, assuring me of His ever-powerful presence in my life.

And yes, I believe that God desires what’s best for me even when bad things happen. I am convinced that the best that God desires for me is none other than to be obedient to His Word—no matter what my circumstances are. However in my human weakness, often I do not understand what this “best” is. Like most healthy people, I have made many bad decisions, sinned, and fallen short of God’s glory at the peak of my health.

Being sick is not a sin. I am a sinner and that is precisely why God died for me. He died for me because I needed to be saved from a life of eternal separation from Him. I needed to be washed completely from all the muck and corruption in my life. I would be bitterly disappointed if God died merely to give me a healthy and prosperous life here on this earth. I would rather be sick and suffer here on this dying earth than to be separated from God forever. What a small loss in comparison to eternal salvation!

However we have often failed to see what’s truly important in life. We are inward looking, and could only see our own pain and suffering. Let’s remember that even in our pain, what is required of us is simply to praise God, believe in Him wholeheartedly, and serve Him with all our strength.

So while I am lying in this hospital bed, I will not lose heart, I will fight the pain for the rest of my life, and do all I can with the little strength I have to tell of God’s wonderful goodness in my life.

God desires the best for me and in that promise my faith lies.

“But I trust in Your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because You have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord
because He is good to me.”
Psalm 13: 5 – 6

I was half a kilometer down the street from my house when I did a quick search into my jean pockets. I realized I had forgotten something important. My mobile phone! Without any hesitation, I walked back to my hostel to pick it up.

I have often wondered what life without a mobile phone would be like. Someone said: “Life without a mobile phone is like life without oxygen.” Another boldly declared: “My mobile is my life.” As for me, it is an important appendage and my day gets boring without it. My mobile phone is my music player, camera, Internet modem and a means of communication.

Our dependence on mobile phones should not exceed our dependence on God. God desires to be involved in every part of our lives. He is God the Father (our Creator), God the Son (our Redeemer), God the Holy Spirit (our Comforter), the good Shepherd, the Lamb of God, the Friend of sinners, the good King, the humble Servant, and many more.

In all that we do, we should recognize God’s presence. During the exodus from Egypt, God led the Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13: 21). The cloud shielded them from the heat of the scorching sun and the fire provided them light so they could travel by night. God always has a good purpose and we should always appreciate His presence.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
—Psalm 73:25-26

Lately, when I am not driving, I would look out the bus windows rather than fall asleep. I have come to
realize that one could learn many life lessons by simply observing what goes on outside the window. Here
is one unforgettable scene that I’ve seen:

While on my way to a retreat, the bus I was riding on was traveling on a one-way lane and it stalled for
about 30 minutes. Rather than feeling bored, I started to observe the people on the lane. There were
street-merchants, beggars, as well as people who got out of the car to stretch their legs. Then a middle-
aged couple caught my eye. The wife was hobbling beside her husband as they made their way across
the road. It seemed that the woman’s legs were hurting. Soon, she sat down on the tarmac because she
couldn’t walk any further. The concerned husband surprised me when he crouched down beside his wife
and began to massage her leg. This went on for about five minutes. Once he was done, they both got up
and continued their journey, side-by-side.

As I watched them, I thought: what a fortunate woman! Her husband was patient and loyal to her even
when she was in trouble. It’s wonderful to have someone who cares for us in life.

As believers, we have a Protector who is never tired of protecting and guiding us—the Lord Jesus. He is
faithful to sustain us when we fall, and hold us up when we are unable to walk. Like what the husband did,
and much more, He is willing to help us move on when life problems weigh us down. We thank God that He
is our heavenly Father who cares for us.