PERSONAL JOY COMES BY LIVING IN THE LOVE OF GOD
30 November 2020
“Show HOSPITALITY to one another without GRUMBLING
— 1 Peter 4:9
Hospitality is the quality of treating someone in a friendly and generous manner – without any expectation.
We grumble (complain) when giving because we feel like we deserve something back and not get any. This breeds internal "Bitterness" and "Resentment" and ends up being damaging for us on a personal basis, making us judgemental towards others.
This happens when we build our worth on the acknowledgement of others instead of understanding how much we are loved by God who makes us worthy.
Filled with the love of God, giving can become joyful as we are already full of internal joy.
Friends, that is a very powerful and peaceful position to be in!
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear God our loving father, we thank You for being our indispensable source of provision and joy.
Indeed, the world influences us to derive satisfaction and joy from worldly things, views or habits.
Lord, please grant us wisdom and discernment so that we learn to be filled with Your joy instead.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Eddie Lee
HEAR, BELIEVE AND LIVE
28 November 2020
“They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.
— John 4:42
In this verse, the woman (could be a pastor or spirit-led brother/sister) is sharing what she hears from Jesus (Word of God) to others (evangelism).
We may first learn about God through other people such as a pastor, a brother, a sister or even a stranger you had an encounter with.
True Spiritual Maturity happens when you go past what people are saying to encountering Jesus yourself by opening your heart and humbly reading the Bible.
Brothers and sisters, let's dwell on the Word of God constantly and persevere even when it seems like the sermon or sharing is not relevant to us.
One day when you need it the most, God will reveal his revelation to you.
Hallelujah!!
Prayer
Dear Lord our God, we thank You for equipping Your chosen people with Your Word to spread Your name.
Lord, we ask that You prune our lives and cast out distractions that may be hindering our learning of You and may we come to seek You ourselves through Your living Word so that it is no longer solely depends on a pastor or church.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Eddie Lee
THE KEY TO PROSPERING IN EVERYDAY LIFE
27 November 2020
“Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
— Proverbs 16:20
We have a common goal in life and that is to be happy. We may not agree with each other on what brings happiness, but we desire it.
Just as our dehydrated mouths thirst for more water after having a glass, so do we thirst for more gratification after having achieved one of the many things we think we need to be happy.
First, we need an open mind and willing hearts to seek for happiness in God (creator of all things).
If not, we constantly find substitutes (creations of God) to give us joy, in turn leaving us unsatisfied and incomplete.
Committing our lives to God’s will, we will surely enjoy enduring joy!
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for your life-changing Word that is made available today.
Lord, we ask that You open our hearts to Your word as we learn about Your Word so that our lives may be transformed!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Eddie Lee
ARE WE THE DIFFICULT ONE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP?
26 November 2020
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
— James 3:17
Wisdom comes in 2 forms:
– Earthly (James 3:15)
– Heavenly (above verse)
Context reveals that this verse is talking about the conduct of man and is very applicable in terms of relationships, be it at work or home.
Some may appear wise and knowledgeable because of work titles, achievements or awards or seniority but yet harbour jealousy, selfishness and bitterness in their hearts.
People around them will usually feel edgy, frustrated and defensive.
It's also that feeling when someone walks into the room and everyone either feels uneasy or at ease.
How are we leading at work or at home today?
Let’s always stop, examine ourselves and be sensitive to how others are around us.
All by his GRACE!!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for loving us even before we knew You.
Lord, as we go through our days and meet challenging situations we ask for Your divine wisdom so that we learn how to react in a way that reflects Your goodness.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) When criticism fills our mind, have we tried replacing it with mercy and forgiveness?
2) When tempted to speak harsh words in retaliation, have we tried a gentle word instead?
Eddie Lee
THE KEY TO EXPERIENCING GOD'S GLORY IN OUR LIFE!
25 November 2020
“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promise.
— Romans 4:20-21
Faith and doubt fight to cancel each other out. When faith wins, you will experience the results of faith and vice versa.
As such, doubt and distrust is the greatest inhibitor of faith. Let’s note that It is possible to have both faith and doubt at the same time which does not work in the favour of us.
Glorify God in the midst of our tough or good situation and doubt will have no room to stay.
Let's know that even when we doubt, our loving Lord Jesus is right with us. Believe God's promise to you.
Don't look to the problem like Peter did, look to Jesus!!
Let’s step out in faith (remember it only takes faith as small as a mustard seed), believe God and experience His provision.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for having heard us and for always hearing us.
Lord, we ask that You draw us near to You everyday and increase our faith so that we may not fall into the traps of the devil and be distracted away from You instead.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Eddie Lee
HOW WOULD OUR LIFE CHANGE IF WE ARE COMMITTED TO MEETING WITH GOD EVERY DAY?
24 November 2020
“So that they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.
— Mark 4:12
CS Lewis once said that, "We are what we believe we are."
There will be those who hear God’s word and:
– Take it simply with a pinch of salt, not believing at all or just believing in what they like to hear.
– Truly believe in their hearts and minds that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
How we respond to that truth will determine what further truths God will teach us and how transformed our lives will be.
In a world based on tangibles, believing in the Word of God can only come by FAITH so that we have a hope, remain confident and assured, surviving through not just the highs but also the lows in life.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for loving us and for always being there with us.
Lord, please help us to dig deeper into You and to seek You even more amidst the distractions in our lives!!
In doing so, may we learn about Your beautiful truths and finally living our lives the way You meant for us to live!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Eddie Lee
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
23 November 2020
“Give, and it will be given to you. A Good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you
— Luke 6:38
Jesus' teaching points to the generous love, kindness and joy that we receive from God.
Our response should be to share that abundance with others.
In today's dark world of selfishness and self-centeredness, spreading the love of Jesus to others can have profound effects:
– Provide a glimmer of hope to people who otherwise have given up on the world and life.
– May lead them to learn about God and seek Him.
– These people then pay it forward and Jesus gets magnified.
Challenge yourself today to share God’s love to people.
Maybe it’s an act of generosity, a kind word, or a way to help or serve another person.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank you for first loving us even before we knew You.
Lord, even as the world seeks to repay evil for evil, please increase the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we learn to reflect the love of Jesus even to those who may have been mean to us.
In Jesus’ name we pray!!
Amen!!
Reflection:
1) Have we been rushing through our days too much that we have no time to pause and catchup with friends/family or to spread a kind greeting to someone?
Eddie Lee
OUR WEAPON AGAINST PRIDE
21 November 2020
“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord
— 2 Corinthians 10:17
Trying to impress people by appearing more successful, holy, smarter or stronger, we seek the glory of men instead of God.
That said, having our self-esteem stroked and receiving praise from people is incredibly attractive.
But, it’s crucial to remember that all provision, be it favor in our relationships with people or success, comes from God alone.
Tuned into this mindset of boasting in God, we can stay humble:
- When praised, let’s feel genuinely humbled by God’s grace in our lives.
- Honest about our sins, recognizing that we are in the sanctification process always.
- No need to portray a certain status to feel good about ourselves.
I believe that when we set a role model in these, it will greatly benefit our children too!
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Lord Our God, we thank You for loving us even before we knew you.
Lord, please grant us a spirit of humility so that we give all praises to You in the good times and lean on your grace and mercy in challenging times.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) In what practical ways can we apply this verse to our lives?
Eddie Lee
LOOK TO JESUS FOR THE CLARITY WE NEED IN OUR LIVES!!
20 November 2020
“I have come as a LIGHT to SHINE in this dark world, so that all who PUT their TRUST in ME will NO LONGER REMAIN in the DARK.
— John 12:46
To remain in the dark means to be kept uninformed from full knowledge of something.
With so many things happening in the world and Singapore, there's no denying today's world is dark.
That's where Jesus comes in to save us. He came to earth as fully God and fully human.
Therefore, He understands and knows what we are going through at any point in time from temptation to pride to anger to lust.
Little by little, as we trust Jesus more, He will lead us into the Light which is Himself.
Then we can “SEE” and “SENSE” God’s activity in our life guiding us.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for sending Jesus who is perfect to be sin for us so that we now are made right with You and have a direct link to You our God.
Lord, even as the world gets more confusing and facts get blurry, please pour out Your mercy and grace upon us and draw us close to You so that we learn to lean on You to direct our paths.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Is there an issue in our lives that we need more clarity on and how have we been going about seeking direction?
Eddie Lee
THE LOVE OF HUMAN PRAISE IS OUR OBSTACLE TO FAITH
19 November 2020
“How can you BELIEVE, when you RECEIVE GLORY from ONE ANOTHER and do NOT seek the glory that comes FROM the only GOD?
— John 5:44
Have we been praised by our bosses, other people or even family? Have we not received recognition for a job well done?
Feedback is important as it tells us if we are doing things the right way or need guidance in steps to take.
However, It is crucial to acknowledge and give thanks to the source of our successes (God) so that we do not become puffed up, allowing pride to eat away at our hearts.
The only way to being set free from the love of human approval is by tasting the beauty of God and our approval of God in Christ.
Then, we have no need to feel INFERIOR or SUPERIOR to anyone.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer
Dear Lord our God, we thank You for giving us all that we have.
Lord, please grant us a spirit of humility so that we come to know that You are the creator and planner of all things in our lives. May we know to give You praise for everything in our lives!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Have we been at times secretly fishing for compliments instead of feeling satisfied internally and giving all praise and glory to God?
Eddie Lee
CAN WE REALLY CONTROL OUR FUTURE?
12 November 2020
“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
— James 4:15
Covid taught me something – we can plan all we want but truly we know nothing about what our future holds.
The Bible teaches that God's plans for us are for our good and to give us future and hope.
With that in mind, being ambitious or having an aim is not wrong. It’s what we esteem that makes it a problem. Would it be material items, respect or fame?
Setting goals and committing it to the Lord's will, we can TRUST in FAITH that He will see to it that the best results for our own good are achieved.
Isn't it comforting to place our lives in the hands of divine power rather than our own?
Letting go of that control in our life, we become more peaceful and cheerful people too :)
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear God our heavenly Father, we thank You for having gone ahead of us and planning for us.
Lord, we ask that You teach us to always trust in You to direct our paths in all that we do.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Are we aware of our dependence on God?
2) Does this truth comfort or scare you?
Eddie Lee
EXPERIENCING GOD'S WORD HIS WAY NOT OURS
11 November 2020
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
— John 6:63
Physical things (flesh) can be removed from us easily but our personal faith in Jesus (spirit) is something that we can hold on to no matter what.
Today, some of us may be experiencing setbacks that have been prayed for but change remains to be seen or we may be too bogged down and feel stressed.
Jesus teaches that He is the bread of life and all who feeds on Him will have eternal life and life in abundance whilst on earth.
But, He also reminds us not to be self-exalting and that belief can only be given by God as we are all fallen.
Friends, I like to encourage us to pray to God to draw us closer to Him everyday so that in Him we may experience the fullness of joy!
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
Please increase our shield of faith so that we can be protected from all the distractions and challenges in life that the devil uses to take us further away from You.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Reading God’s word, have we incorporated prior a prayer for God to open our hearts to Jesus?
Eddie Lee
KNOW AND SHOW THAT GOD IS LOVE
11 November 2020
“So now faith, hope, and love abide (stand by), these three; but the greatest of these is love. — 1 Corinthians 13:13
Have we ever felt that some believers are more Pharisee-like then Christ-like?
An alarming rate of Christians are falling from the faith especially in the younger age group.
I believe that this loss of hope stems from experiencing the PRIDE and HYPOCRISY of 'so called Christians'.
Some Christians verbally proclaim:
- Love but love is not manifested in them.
- Humility but they reveal pride in the way they speak, feel or think.
KNOW: God is for everyone regardless of past or present condition.
SHOW: Be imitators of Christ, being an example of humility, gentleness and patience to everyone.
We are not above anyone, nor is anyone above us as we are all the same, needing the love of God.
All by his GRACE.
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for loving us even before we knew You.
Lord, please teach us how to be patient and to show the love of Jesus in our daily interactions with others around us.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) What are some practical ways you can love others well?
2) How can we learn to biblically love ourselves first so that we may love others better?
Eddie Lee
9 November 2020
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
— Philippians 4:8
What we put into our mind matters and ultimately makes the difference between "PEACE" or "PROBLEMS".
It’s true that we have no control over things we see or hear on a daily basis. But, we can choose what we fill our minds with.
It could be the music we listen to, the books we read, the conversations we take part in or the shows we watch.
Our minds shape our character and we either put garbage in and garbage comes out or we put goodness in and goodness comes out.
We can live a life reflective of Jesus and His goodness by using the above verse as a filter for our minds and by asking for God’s help to adhere to it.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for having heard us and for always hearing us.
Lord, we ask that You give us a spirit of self control to only fill our thoughts with good things and love.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Where do your thoughts go when your mind wanders?
2) Are there areas in our lives that are not producing godly thoughts? Have we been praying for God’s help to help us focus on things pleasing to Him?
Eddie Lee
MALLEABILITY LETS GOD SHAPE OUR FUTURE FOR OUR GOOD
7 November 2020
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. — Isaiah 64:8
Clay by itself is without form and dull. Under direction of the potter, it can become a vase, bowl or cup.
I see myself as clay in 2 ways:
1) Clay cannot decide for itself what it wants to become.
At times, I have been humbled by the Lord, thinking that my life will go according to my plan.
Truth is, life is dynamic and we can make plans but the Lord truly establishes our steps as there is no way we can surpass God's power, creativity and intellect.
2) Every Piece Of Clay Is Unique and Different.
Everyone has their strengths and weakness. There is no need to be boastful as there will always be someone better or who can do more.
Instead, we should ask God to work on us physically, spiritually and emotionally so that we can discern what He’s trying to teach us.
Let's be malleable.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Lord Our God, we thank You for being our solid dependable rock.
Lord, as we go about planning our days and schedule, please guide us and lead us so that we may lean not on our understanding but Yours instead!!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Was there a time when we place too much expectation on our own power or other people’s power instead of God’s power?
2) Have our hearts been open to or rejecting the moldability of God?
Eddie Lee
BRINGING KINDNESS AND COMPASSION PAST OUR HOMES INTO COMMUNITY
6 November 2020
“Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.
— Zechariah 7:10
Oppression in the past means to treat people cruelly. Today, social oppression compartmentalises us into different categories of worth from age, gender, sexuality, status to body image.
Truth is, we can either be the "Oppressor" or "Oppressed".
No matter our status, skin color, nationality or life circumstances, God calls us to treat others with compassion and mercy.
Time and again, the Bible makes clear that God’s power and love are so expansive that they stand unmatched anywhere, at any time.
Are we the oppressed today? Let's take heart that God loves us limitlessly and equally so we have no need to compare with others.
Are we the oppressor today? Let’s find humility in Christ knowing that we all are made in the image of God and are sinners anyway.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer
Dear God our heavenly father, we thank You for mercifully loving us so much as to save us.
Lord, please transform our hearts and renew our minds so that we come to realise that none of us is perfect and to not superficially judge people or feel insecure when judged by others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Have we confronted ourselves with our inner battles and brought it to God?
2) How can we keep Bible-reading & prayer important and fresh?
Eddie Lee
HAVE WE BEEN RECEIVING JESUS WITH AN OPEN AND WILLING MIND?
5 November 2020
“Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
— Mark 10:15
A child receives a gift with openness, honesty, and joy. This trait should be a hallmark of our faith as we receive God’s gift in Christ.
A young child is lacking in pride and therefore naturally humble, teachable and moldable.
Importantly, the Bible teaches that humility is a virtue rewarded by God as James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up”.
Sometimes, we think and debate too much, in the end missing out on the true essence of God’s Word.
Taking God as He is, we can experience His glory and sovereignty (power) in our lives.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Lord our God, thank you for Your Word that is made so readily today.
Lord, please open the eyes of our heart so that we learn to receive Your Word and that Your understanding be upon us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) How’s your personal relationship with God? Have we been making time for Him the past week?
2) Have we been adopting a mentality of humility or complacency when it comes to the Word of God?
LIVING A FEARLESS LIFE IN GOD
4 November 2020
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?
— Luke 12:25
WORRYING (a state of mind) is WORTHLESS as it does not solve but creates more problems:
· Makes us stressed
· Affects our relationships
The above verse just reinforces the fact that God is in control, not us.
Worrying traps and weighs us down by placing heavy burdens upon ourselves making us rely on our own limited capabilities.
Instead, we can, in everything go to God through prayer.
Involving prayer as a critical aspect of everything we do, God will give us wisdom, discernment and lead us!
Have you attacked your worries with Scripture today?
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear God our loving Father, we thank You for having heard us and for always hearing us.
Lord, even as the devil seeks to consume us with worry at every corner, please keep us in Your peace and grace so that we trust that Your plans are always better then ours!!!
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) How much do you pray about your worries?
2) Have we tried replacing our fearful thoughts with His words of truth?
Eddie Lee
IS JESUS STEERING OUR BOAT TODAY?
3 November 2020
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
— Matthew 6:33
Have we been seeking God first, second or even third?
This verse makes it such a great deal for us, doesn’t it? By putting Him first, He gives us what we need. With these words, Jesus gave us the secret to a worry-free life by putting God and His will for us first.
Does this mean that we neglect the responsibilities in our lives? No, but as a believer, adopting a difference in attitude is key.
Have we been giving God the first part of our days or do we only come to him when we want change?
Let’s stop trying to carry the world ourselves and let Him run it. After all, it’s God’s world and He knows best how to do it.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, we thank You for being our solid unchanging source amidst all the uncertainties and changes in the world today.
Lord, we ask for Your blessings and will to be done in all that we are and all that we do!
In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) What are your fears or concerns about making God the center of your career?
2) Is our faith tagged to our lives or to the hope we have in God’s power?
Eddie Lee
FREEDOM IS EXPERIENCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
2 November 2020
“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 SLAVERY.
— Galatians 5:1
I love how this verse teaches that Christ has set us free from the bondages of slavery!
Today, our own desires and actions are bonding us to slavery. In order to be free, we have to first be free of ourselves, by asking God for a renewed nature.
Truth is, satan is like a roaring lion at every corner distracting us from receiving true freedom in Christ.
He wants us to think we can obtain our own freedom by doing life our way or the world’s way, preventing us from obtaining God’s rewards.
Like it or not, it’s going to take tearing ourselves from our own thoughts, submitting to Jesus's Lordship, allowing us to look at things from His perspective and be guided by Him.
Then, we will experience His kingdomship in our lives.
Hallelujah!
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Your perfect son to be our ultimate sacrifice that made us right with You and to set us free.
Lord, as the world’s value system aims to distract us more and more away from You, please give us discernment so that we know to seek knowledge and wisdom from You instead.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection:
1) Let's reflect on the one component of our life that's bogging us down and how it is making us feel today?
2) Have you tried seeking Scripture for answers and asking God for help in that area?
Eddie Lee