Sermon "A Divine Invitation" preached by Pastor JJ Lim from Isaiah 55:1-3 at PCC Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging sermon "A Divine Invitation" from God's Words, the Bible, from the book of Isaiah 55:1-3 that my Church's pastor, Pastor JJ Lim, preached during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 13 July 2025 at 9:30am. 

Isaiah 55:1-3

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Sermon Outlines:

A Divine Invitation                     

Text: Isaiah 55:1-3 

Introduction

1. What Kind of Invitation Is This?

2. Who Is This Invitation Issued To? 

3. What Are They Invited to Do? 

4. How Do We Respond to the Invitation?

Conclusion

a. It is a divine invitation. We cannot ignore it without consequence.

b. All are called, but especially those who agree they are suffering from spiritual thirst. 

c. We must drink the water and buy without money the milk and wine that Christ has purchased for us. 

d. We must remember and believe all that Christ did for us when He made the purchase.

May you be blessed by God's Words!

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards,

Nancie 

17 July 2025 

Sermon by Pastor Tongkam Pongponsak on "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart" from the Bible text in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11.

Dear Reader,

On 29 June 2025, my Church (Pilgrim Covenant Church) in Singapore, ordained Pastor Tongkam Pongpansak to be our Missionary Pastor to our mission work among the Karen children, youths and community, in MaeSaeRiang, Northern Thailand.

Pastor Tongkam preached the sermon below on "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart" from the Bible text in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (KJV)
1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Sermon Outlines of "Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy the Eternal Heart"
Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
Introduction
1. Everything in This World Is Temporary
2. Nothing in This World Can Completely Satisfy Us
3. Man Is Made for Eternity, and Only the Eternal God Can Satisfy Our Hearts
Conclusion

 

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMlTXFnm9Us

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Church or a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: (https://pilgrim-covenant.com/). Our address is Block 203B (Tower B) #07-07, Henderson Road, Singapore 159546. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, JB, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/. You can also join us online for our Morning and Evening worship services: (https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/). 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Best Regards,
Nancie
29 June 2025

1 Corinthians 6 (King James Version / KJV) exposition of God's Words by Pastor JJ Lim at PCC Singapore

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Thank God for the encouraging expositions and explanations of God's Words from the book of First Corinthians Chapter 6 (1 Corinthians 6) that my Church's pastor, Pastor JJ Lim, shared during the morning worship in my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), Singapore on 13 April 2025 Morning worship service at 9:30am. Below, are the expositions:

1 Corinthians 6 (King James Version / KJV)

1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

 

May you be blessed by God's Words!

If you are in Singapore and looking for a Reformed Church, do come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church (PCC), for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/. We are a Reformed and reforming Church founded on 4 July 1999 in Singapore. We are at the moment a small congregation covenanted to serve and worship the Lord together as a branch of the body of Christ. We have a Gospel work in the state of Johor, Malaysia ie Johor Bahru Christian Fellowship (JBCF): https://pilgrim-covenant.com/about-us/johor-bahru-covenant-fellowship-malaysia/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards,
Nancie 
14 April 2025

Comfort from God: It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me (Galatians 2:20)

Dear Reader, 

Thank you for stopping by. I read the following this morning and am reminded of God's goodness and mercies to me in saving me, and how He graciously and faitnhfully works all things to His glory and my good! The paragraphing and bold face are mine:

From Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 6 March, Morning 

"Ye must be born again." John 3:7

Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again," for there are many who fancy they are, who are not. 

Be assured that the name of a Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it--the being "born again," is a matter so mysterious, that human words cannot describe it. 

"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." 

Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt: known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience. 

This great work is supernatural. 

It is not an operation which a man performs for himself: a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man. 

It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. 

To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: man can do the one, God alone can do the other. 

If you have then, been "born again," your acknowledgment will be, "O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, thou art my spiritual Parent; unless thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day dead in trespasses and sins.' 

My heavenly life is wholly derived from thee, to thee I ascribe it. My life is hid with Christ in God.' 

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who liveth in me." 

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20. May the Lord enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope.

Read online: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/03/06 

If you are going through very difficult and distressing time, may God use the above to speak to you. He has a purpose in everything in our life. As Christians and God's people, we are sinners saved by grace through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and still living in this fallen world. One day the Lord Jesus Christ will bring His people, saved by His precious blood, to eternity where there is no more suffering, illnesses and tears. Meanwhile, in our life here, we will go through various kinds of challenges both good and bad, up and down times, and other experiences non-Christians are going through. The greatest difference is, God is our refuge and strength, when we trust in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. God will never leave us not forsake us. The Lord is working all things for His glory, our good and the good of all His people. If you have not trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, do not delay. Today is the day of salvation！ 

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards,
Nancie 
6 March 2025

Comforts and Encouragements Even amidst the Storms of Life

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Below, is a very encouraging prayer that my friend shared with me. The prayer is quoted from a Devotional "Even amidst the storms of life!" on the website of Grace Gems. 

This prayer is very encouraging and comforting to me. It reminds me of the love of God for His beloved people who are redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His sovereignty in their life no matter what happens to them or whatever they are going through in the various changing scenes of their life. The Lord Jesus loves His people with an everlasting love and is faithfully working all things to His own glory and the good of His beloved people.

May God use this prayer and the devotional to encourage and comfort you, and for your eternal good. If you are facing difficulties and your are hurting, grieving and or in pain, may God comforts you through His Words and this devotional by Grace Gems. 

If you are not a Christian yet, may God use His Words and this Devotional to lead you to seek after the Lord Jesus, to know His saving gra, to love Him and experience His lovingkindness, tender mercies and unfailing sovereignty through the changing scenes in your life. 

"Heavenly Father,

Help me to trust in Thy unerring wisdom in all things. Remind me that Thy ways are higher than my ways, and that every situation I face is under Thy sovereign control. When I feel beaten down and discouraged, help me to meditate on Thy precious promises, and find peace in the knowledge that Thou art indeed working all things for my soul's benefit. May I learn to embrace whatever Thou ordain for me, knowing that all is for Thy glory, and my eternal good. In Jesus' name, Amen." 

The above prayer is quoted from a Devotional "Even amidst the storms of life!" on the website of Grace Gems foe 22 September 2024. It is under the category of  Puritan Devotional. The Scriptures are from Ephesians 1:3-4; Romans 8:28. 

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephesians 1:3-4 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

To read the whole devotional and other devotionals on Grace Gems Website:

https://www.gracegems.org/Grace_Gems.htm

To listen to the audio Reading of this devotional article Online or Download it:

https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/gracegems/sermons/9232435476634/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

2 October 2024

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

The great Promises of God in His Words, the Bible, for comfort and encouragement in Christian life

Dear Reader,

Thank you for stopping by. Below, is a sharing from a very comforting and encouraging excerpts taken from the Devotional by Charles Haddon Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 19 September, Morning.

May God encouraged and comfort you too as He guide you through the various changing scenes in your life. If you are facing difficulties and your are hurting, grieving and or in pain, may God comforts you through His Words and this devotional by CH Spurgeon:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 (KJV Bible, King James Bible)

This "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter--the Bible. 

Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. 

Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. 

You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. 

Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times. 

Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to his heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead his promise that he will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach his throne at all times--in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. 

Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ--wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. 

O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!

To read Online:

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2024/09/19

To listen Online:

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/devotional/morning-and-evening/0919m

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

(19 September 2024)

Word-Filled Wednesday : God is our refuge and strength

This picture is taken by my brother, Arthur, at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand.

Psalm 46
1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

It's been quite sometime since I last participated in Word-Filled Wednesday. I do miss all the encouraging WFW friends and posts.

Today I am thankful to be reminded that God is our refuge and strength. Thank God that He loves us and He is with us always.

May God continue to bless you with His love and mercies today and every day :)

If you are in Singapore, please come and visit my Church, Pilgrim Covenant Church, for worship and fellowship: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/

Details for worship services:  https://pilgrim-covenant.com/#view-2-service

Or you can join us online for Morning and Evening worship services: https://pilgrim-covenant.com/join-us/online-links/

Thank you for stopping by. Have a blessed day! 

Best Regards

Nancie

24 December 2008

Trust in the Lord...He will make a way... And my First Give-away

Dear Friends,

Thank you for stopping by my Word-Filled Wednesday (WFW) and Thankful Thursday (TT) post and my First Give-away! I am combining these 2 in order to share the same picture and verse for WFW with my TT friends.

(I took this picture at a Flower Exhibition in Singapore)

Proverbs 3

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

♥ Thank God that through all the changing scenes in life, I can put my trust in God and He will guide and direct me in the paths He wants me to go.

♥ Thank God for His mercies and faithfulness that are new every morning!

♥ Thank God for always working His ways for me where there seemed to be no way.

Are you going through a tough time now and there seems no way out? Don't give up! Keep trusting in God. He will make a way for you where there seems to be no way. For with Him all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Hope this song "God will make a way" will encourage you to continue to trust in God to work a way for you.

God will make a way

God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

♥ I thank God for my family, church, friends and every one of you my blogging friends and visitors.

♥ I am thankful to God for the prayers and encouragements of so many of you! It is my joy and privilege to meet all of you through blogging! I am greatly blessed and encouraged by many of you. Thank you for your friendships!

♥ I am thankful to God that I can serve Him through this blog. It has been a great blessing for me to share my life and God's goodness to me, as well as some useful resources and articles with you. I have been greatly blessed by your posts and comments too.

It is my joy to announce my First Give-away!

My First Give-away!

As some of you probably know, I love photography and making bookmarks.

The following are 6 bookmarks that I will be giving away.

The photos that I used to make these bookmarks are taken by me, my friends and my brother. The pink (1st) and peach rose (2nd), and the green beach (6th) pictures are taken by me. The eagle (3rd) is taken by my friend CWFong, the sunrise (4th) is taken by my friend HS and the beautiful blue beach (5th) is taken by my brother at Muriwai Beach, New Zealand. Thank God for these friends and my brother who allowed me to use their pictures to make bookmarks.

I am also taking this opportunity to ask for feedback from you regarding my blog so that I can improve on it and make it more useful to you and other readers.

Click at the picture to see a bigger version of the bookmark.






































































If you are interested to own these 6 bookmarks, let me know your opinion on the following by leaving a comment here. You may answer in parts if you need to think about some of the answers :) and then come back and comment further :)

1) What do you like about this blog or how have you been helped by this blog?

2) What improvement would you like to see on this blog or what would you like to read here?

3) Which is your favorite Bible verse?

I will choose 5 best answers (or more) and each person will receive these 6 bookmarks or alternatively any 6 bookmarks from my website Homemade Bookmarks and Gifts.

Give-away begins today and ends next Tuesday. I will announce who are the 5 (or more) persons who will receive these 6 bookmarks next Wednesday.

I hope you will participate! I love to hear from you and to know how best I can improve on this blog.

Remember you may answer in parts if you need to think about some of the answers :) and then come back and comment further :) So you don't have to answer all the questions at one time if you need some time to think about the answers. And have fun :)

May God continue to bless you with His love and mercies, guide and lead you, and make a way for you in whatever you may go through today and every day :)

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you.

For more participants of Thankful Thursday, do visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

My grace is sufficient for you

Dear Friends,

Thank you for stopping by my Word-Filled Wednesday (WFW) and Thankful Thursday (TT) post. I am combining these 2 in order to share the same picture and verse for WFW with my TT friends.





(My brother took this lovely photo at Muriwai Beach, Western Auckland, New Zealand.)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

♥ Thank God that He has promised in His Word that His grace is sufficient for us! As we face many challenges daily, we can take comfort in the assurance that God will give us grace to go through them. Are you overwhelmed today by your circumstances or challenges or difficulties? May God's precious promise encourage and strengthen your heart as you press on in His strength!

♥ I thank God that He has granted me much grace and strength in these recent weeks of many challenges. As I recover from my relapse of my illness, I am facing much challenges of pacing myself moderately while coping with family, church, work, blogging and other commitments. Thank God that day by day I am learning that His grace is sufficient for me. Though I am weak, He is strong and His strength is made perfect in my weaknesses!

♥ I thank God that He has given me much grace to serve Him through blogging. I am in the midst of praying and making some changes to my blog. Due to the terrible stigma that is still associated with mental illness in my country, I have changed my photo to a new picture of a beach. This is to protect my privacy. As I am seeking ways to earn a living to support my mother and myself, I felt compel to make this change.

I have also created this new blog. If you notice, this is actually a new blog (http://morethanconquerors2008.blogspot.com/) with a copy of all my previous posts. I intend to post all my full posts on this blog from now onwards.

I will post short excerpts of my full posts on my original blog at http://www.lifewithbipolardisorder.blogspot.com/ for the benefit of my readers who are not able to read my full post. I realized that sometimes I post very long and my readers may not have the time to read my full post. So my excerpts will hopefully benefit these readers.

♥ I thank God for my family, church, friends and every one of you my blogging friends and visitors.

♥ I am thankful to God for the prayers and encouragements of so many of you! It is my joy and privilege to meet all of you through blogging! I am greatly blessed and encouraged by many of you. Thank you for your friendships!

May you find rest in God's love, mercies and sufficient grace in whatever you may go through today and every day :)

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you.

For more participants of Thankful Thursday, do visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

Recent posts:

Video on "Depression - A Stubborn Darkness" by Edward T Welch (M4M)

The Faithfulness of Divine Love because the Lord is my Shepherd (FFF & TSMSS)

Come unto me.... and I will give you rest (WFW & TT)

Depression and bipolar disorder are illnesses just like any other (M4M)

Amazing Grace (FFF & TSMSS)

Word-Filled Wednesday : Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning

Psalm 143:8, 10

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee... 10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

This is my prayers every morning that God may enable me to know His lovingkindness, lead me in His ways and teach me to do His will.

May you know God's love and guidance in many wonderful ways today and everyday!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

(This photo is taken by my friend and sister-in-Christ, Sau, at Saipan. Thank God for her kindness to share this photo with us.)

Word-Filled Wednesday : What shall it profit a man?

Mark 8

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

God has been bringing these verses to my mind recently. These are solemn reminders to me to take up my cross daily and follow Christ. I am reminded to set my priority right daily. It will not profit me if I shall gain the whole world but lost my soul. But if I have Christ and live for Him daily, even if I have little in this world, I can have the assurance of eternal fellowship and joy in the Lord.

May this be your comfort and encouragement too!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

(I took this photo at Changi Beach, Singapore)

What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

In the daily challenges of life with various ups and downs, it is sometimes very easy to get discouraged.

In my battle with bipolar disorder and especially in coping with clinical depression, sometimes I do feel discouraged.

But I am daily reminded of God's love, goodness and mercies. Though in this life we have various difficulties, God is with us and He will work all things for His glory and our good as we put our trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a great comfort to me.

As I strive to live for the Lord daily, I am reminded that my life is not just for enjoyment of things in this life but rather to do the will of God. During clinical depression, I lost all ability to enjoy everything. But I am reminded that this is a medical condition that can be treated.

While I await God's restoration through medication, exercise, and other means, I realized that God will give me strength to live meaningfully for Him as I seek to do His will.

I read this very encouraging devotional recently which reminded me afresh of what really matters in this life.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"-- Mark 8:36.

SIMON PETER had been urging our Lord to spare Himself the suffering to which He had referred, but He answered that this could not be for Himself, or for any other who would follow in His footsteps. Proceeding from His own deep experience, He went on to show that in the same measure every one must deny his own choice and will and pleasure, in order that he may reach the highest life for himself and others.

It is not necessary for any man to make a cross; it is our part simply to take up that which God has laid down for us. The cross is no exceptional piece of asceticism, but it is the constant refusal to gratify our self-life; the perpetual dying to pride and self-indulgence, in order to follow Christ in His redemptive mission for the salvation of men. And it is in proportion as men live like this that they realize the deepest and truest and highest meaning of life. When we live only to save ourselves, to build warm nests, to avoid every discomfort and annoyance, to make money entirely for our own use and enjoyment, to invent schemes for our own pleasure, we become the most discontented and miserable of mankind. How many there are who have given themselves up to a life of selfishness and pleasure-seeking, only to find their capacity for joy has shrivelled, and their lives plunged into gloom and despair. They have lost their souls!

If a fire is raging, and a millionaire saves his palace from destruction, but in so doing loses his own life, does it pay? And are there not many who are building for themselves palaces of wealth and pleasure, but are losing the power of enjoyment because they are destroying all the finest sensibilities of their nature. Our Lord asks, what does it profit to gain the whole world, and forfeit one's own soul?

But not to adopt the policy of the world is certain to bring upon us dislike and hatred, before which many have been daunted; and yet to refuse Christ's policy of life, and to be ashamed of acknowledging that we are His followers, will mean ultimately our rejection. For how can our Lord use us in any great schemes of the future, if we have failed Him in the limited sphere of our human life?

PRAYER
O God, we have been disappointed because the cisterns that we have hewn out for ourselves have not given the water needed to quench our thirst. Fountain of Living Water, of Thee may we drink! Bread of Life, of Thee may we eat! Light of Life, shine upon our hearts, that we may walk in Thy light. AMEN.

(Taken from Meyer's Devotional, 9 July)

Thank God for His presence and His Words which encourage and strengthen me daily. I pray that God may enable me to live for Him each day as He strengthens me.

Thanks for stopping by, dear friends! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements.

Your friendship, prayers, encouragements and concerns have been used by God to be a great encouragement to me!

The thought of God and you encourages my heart daily. May God bless each of you in His special ways.

Hope you have a blessed weekends! Take care.

Word-Filled Wednesday : Fear not... I will be with thee

"...Fear not:... when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee:... " Isaiah 43:1-2

Thank God for the assurance of His presence with us through all the changing scenes in life, and especially in our difficulties, trials or afflictions. What a comfort!

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you.

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

(I took this photo of the waves at Changi Beach, Singapore)

Word-Filled Wednesday : Waiting upon the Lord Who renews our strength

As I wait upon our Lord to restore my health, I thank God that He renews my strength in Him daily.

May you find encouragements too as you wait upon the Lord in your particular situations that He will renew your strength for He has promised:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you!

Thank you for stopping by. Thanks for your prayers and encouragements. Hope you have a blessed day!

I am with you always

Dear Friends,

Thank you very much for stopping by! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements.

Just a short update on my current condition.

With bipolar disorder, whenever I am well, I am usually kind of hypomanic. Writing and reading is a breeze. My thoughts flow naturally and I can write a lot. I also tend to talk a lot. You can see from my past postings on this blog that I tend to post very long posts and almost every day.

But now I am rather slowed down. My thoughts are dis-jointed. My concentration level is low. Reading and writing takes much effort. Even talking is difficult. When I am a little better, I will tend to want to read, write and talk. But I will be terribly exhausted after that.

So I am coping by cutting down on activities that tire me out.

I learn to lower my expectations of self by not expecting myself to do too much during this period of time.

It is hard as I have perfectionism character trait and begin to feel a sense of uselessness.

But I try to remind myself that I am just taking a break. I can still be useful and contribute when I am better.

I try to exercise more regularly as my body has become so easily tired and lethargic.

I read the Bible and pray daily and am finding much comfort in God's Words.

I re-read this encouraging devotional from CH Spurgeon, that reminds me once again God is with me and will never leave me nor forsake me.

“I am with you alway.”
Matthew 28:20

It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us.

It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life.

O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee.

Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure.

My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them.

Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction.

Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth.

Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone!

The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever.

Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.”

“Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.

(Taken from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 11 May, Morning)

Thanks again for stopping by!

Take care. Hope you have a blessed weekends.

I will post every now and then to let you know of my condition.

Thanks!

Comprehending Loss - coping with tragedies

Dear Friends,

Let us continue to pray for the people in Sichuan China that many may find God's comfort and grace to be upon them as they seek to rebuild their lives. China has the most severe earthquake in Beichuan, Sichuan province on 12 May 2008 in which it is estimated over 70,000 people have already died and many are still buried. The people need lots of prayers and support in this time of overwhelming loss and sufferings. Thank God for many people who are extending their prayers, love and kindness in many wonderful ways.

Let us also continue to pray for the people in Myanmar that many may find God's comfort and grace to be upon them too as they seek to rebuild their lives and homes too. Myanmar was hit by Cyclone Nargis on 2 May 2008 in which it is estimated that up to 134,000 people might have died. They too need lots of prayers and support to rebuild their homes and lives. May God shower His mercies upon them.

Let us also pray for others in other part of the world who are suffering through other natural disasters. And pray for our other families or friends who are suffering in one way or another.

In particular, please pray for the Chapman's family on the loss of their little daughter, Maria. Maria (age 5), the youngest of three daughters adopted from China by Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, was tragically killed in an accident at their home on Wednesday afternoon. It is hard to grasp the immensity of their pain in the loss of this little girl. It is a great consolation to know that God is in control and because of Jesus, through faith in Him the family will see Maria again in glory one day.

My friend, Tracy, wrote a very encouraging post "Comprehending Loss" as she shared of this tragedy of the death of little Maria Chapman and a book she read on dealing with tragedy.

Do read Tracy's encouraging post "Comprehending Loss" and check on Maria's memorial website where there is a very touching video of little Maria with Steven. There were over 16,000 people who had offered words of prayer, love and support to the Chapmans in the condolences. May God continue to comfort this family as they look to Him.

We are persuaded that nothing shall ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Not even death.

Romans 8:35,37-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Word-Filled Wednesday : Never forsaken

I have been young, and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25

I am learning to cling onto God's precious promises and His love and faithfulness in keeping them.

This is one of God's precious promises which especially encourages me in these recent days.

Thank God for the assurance of His love and care upon us through all the changing scenes in life, from our youth to our old age, and for ourselves and our children.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and encouraging experience for you!

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you have a blessed day!

(I took this picture at East Coast Beach, Singapore)

He carry the Lambs in His bosom

I read this encouraging devotional this evening and was reminded once again of God's love and care upon us.

In these recent weeks of poorer health, I am thankful to God that He is keeping me near to Him and strengthening me daily.

In my many years of struggles with bipolar disorder, depression, stress, panic attacks, etc etc, I am very conscious of my own weaknesses.

Some friends have told me over the years too that they think I am very weak.

Some friends think I am very weak physically because I am easily tired and can't endure as much hardness as them.

Some friends think I am very weak mentally because they know I struggled with several prolonged clinical depression over the last few years. To them suffering from depression shows a weakness of mind and character. They have no knowledge or understanding of clinical depression or mood disorders.

Some friends think I am very weak spiritually because they know I have many struggles while they live a relatively carefree life with little struggle or difficulties. To them having struggles in life shows a lack of faith in God. They have little understanding that we are through much tribulation to enter into the kingdom of God and we are in a spiritual warfare daily.

I know I am weak in many ways. And I am thankful that there is One Who will always love me no matter how weak I am. In fact because I am weak, He is especially tender towards me. Because I am weak, His strength is made perfect in my weakness. This person is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thank God for carrying me in His bosom and enabling me to know His love and presence with me.

Today, if you are hurting, depressed, lonely, forsaken or suffering in some ways, know that there is One Who loves us tenderly. Our Lord Jesus Christ laid down His life on the cross for us to save us from our sins and we are precious to Him. Call upon Him and He will answer you. Like a lamb, He will carry you in His bosom. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

“He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.” - Isaiah 40:11

Who is he of whom such gracious words are spoken?

He is THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

Why doth he carry the lambs in his bosom?

Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts his heart.

The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of his flock draw forth his compassion. It is his office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak.

Besides, he purchased them with blood, they are his property: he must and will care for that which cost him so dear. Then he is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of his glory and reward.

But how may we understand the expression, “He will carry them”?

Sometimes he carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them.

Often they are “carried” by being filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in what they do know.

Frequently he “carries” them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.

“He carries the lambs in his bosom.”

Here is boundless affection. Would he put them in his bosom if he did not love them much?

Here is tender nearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer.

Here is hallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between Christ and his weak ones.

Here is perfect safety: in his bosom who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first.

Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!

(Taken from CH Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, 14 May, Evening)

May you know God's love in very many wonderful ways today.

Thanks for stopping by. God bless!

Word-Filled Wednesday : I am with you always

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:18-20

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Thank God that He is with us always and He loves us with an everlasting love.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and spiritually uplifting experience for you!

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you have a blessed day!

(This photo is taken by my friend and brother-in-Christ, CW Fong. Thank God for his kindness to share this photo with us)

Word-Filled Wednesday : the LORD sustained me (Psalm 3:5)

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. Psalm 3:5

Thank God for restful night and each new day that we can walk with our Lord and serve Him.

One of my friends and sister-in-Christ, Joyce L., gave me this lovely gift. She put the pieces of jigsaw puzzles together and frame it up.

I scanned the picture and put in this Bible verse that reminds me the Lord sustains me while I am sleeping or when I am awake.

For more Word-Filled Wednesday participants, do visit Amy at The 160 Acre Woods. It will be a very blessed and spiritually uplifting experience for you!

Thank you for stopping by. Hope you have a blessed day!