Intrigued by this sign when I was walking along a housing estate in Beijing: 花儿也在成长，请勿扔垃圾哦 (the flowers are growing too, please do not litter).
We too are work in progress. It is important to have supportive friends who are genuine as they encourage us in our journey of life. Through the ups and downs, they stand by us.
Negative friends, on the other hand, will stump our growth or derail us from the purpose God has called us to be.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” —Proverbs 27:17
As we walk with God daily, may we too, be an encourager and stand by our friends as they step into God’s destiny for them.
At the church’s prayer meeting recently, we were praying for the Sunday School ministry.
For those of us blessed to be in the Sunday School when we were children, even now that we are adults, we can vividly remember the Bible stories we have heard, the children songs we sung and the crafts we did during the lessons.
As a child, I looked forward to the Arts and Craft time. It was fun bringing colours to the Bible characters printed on a white piece of paper. And how delightful it was ro play games together with friends.
Children are in their formative years. The Sunday School teachers play an important task of bringing the Gospel to them. They are also vessels of God’s love to these children and their parents. How impactful are Sunday School teachers!
While the teachers’ roles are important in the faith formation of the children, the most crucial role is played by the parents. May the parents reinforce the lessons at home by talking with the children what they have learned, and help the children to memorise Bible verses and songs they have learned.
It takes a village to raise a child. Let us work together to pass on our faith to the next generation who God has entrusted us with.
How do others know that we are followers of Jesus Christ?
By the way we love. Jesus has set us the example of love and humility. We are to love others as He has loved us. His nature is love.
It is not easy; we can’t give what we don’t have. since God is love, it is His Spirit that flows in and through us to others. We can only love others through God’s love.
According to the hymn, “And Can it Be” by Charles Wesley, we were once imprisoned, chained by sins. But Jesus Christ left His Father’s Throne above, came to die for us, the helpless race because of His loves for us.
Jesus broke the chains, and set us free. Our response? Arise and follow Him 💕
Being a leader isn’t a popularity contest. Oftentimes, the leader has to make tough decisions by basing on the big picture and personal convictions that this decision will best benefit everyone. And a real leader can’t please everyone.
A leader without respect from those under him/her isn’t really a leader at all (by title, yes, but that’s about it).
Respect is not given; respect has to be earned. Respect is earned by living with integrity and caring for others.
At this start of the New Year, many Methodist churches will be renewing their covenant using the covenant John Wesley wrote:
“Beloved in Christ, let us again claim for ourselves this covenant which God has made with his people, and take upon us the yoke of Christ. This means that we are content that he appoint us our place and work, and that he himself be our reward.
Christ has many services to be done: some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honour, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and material interests, others are contrary to both;
At this start of the New Year, many churches will be renewing their covenant. Ponder these words from that service—
Beloved in Christ, let us again claim for ourselves this covenant which God has made with his people, and take upon us the yoke of Christ. This means that we are content that he appoint us our place and work, and that he himself be our reward.
Christ has many services to be done: some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honour, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and material interests, others are contrary to both;
in some we may please Christ and please ourselves; in others we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves.
Yet the power to do all these things is given to us in Christ, who strengthens us.
Therefore let us make this covenant of God our own. Let us give ourselves to him, trusting in his promises and relying on his grace.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was known as a Reformer. What amazes me is the fiery passion he had in making hymns accessible to worshippers during his time. To him, music is a gift of God for refreshment, healing and comforting the worshippers. Music in church is also helps us to learn about God and to celebrate His generosity and goodness.
The next time we sing in church, let us be mindful that singing and music is indeed God’s precious gift to us.
While our world is full of sufferings and tragedies, when we think about the life in Heaven with our Creator someday, we will have hope to live our daily life.
Our time on earth is but a breath (Psalm 39:4-6). There are sufferings in this world, many are deprived of their basic human needs, people living in poverty, victims of wars and natural disasters…
As believers, we know this broken world is just temporal. God offers the beautiful gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. In the new heavens and the new earth, God will restore everything as He has intended from the beginning: sickness, sins, death, mourning, crying and sufferings will be no more (Isaiah 65:17).
The new heavens and new earth will be a glorious place. It brings the promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4).When we reflect on what is to come, we will have the hope and the strength to live for Jesus today.
