Sinking stone

As I pondered upon how Peter (pre-apostolic person) cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (MATTHEW 14:31, NIV), I saw how Peter was in real danger of drowning at sea + he cries out, “Lord, save me” echoing the prayer of the Psalmist in his peril, “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me” (PSALM 69:1-2, NIV), yet Jesus drew Peter up with a firm grip and a gentle rebuke, saying “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”And, here, Jesus is committed to bringing out the deep rock within him, even if it means bringing up the sponge first. 

Truly, the prophet says, “If you don’t stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (ISAIAH 7:9, NIV), indeed, faith is not what rescues you. Faith is what guides you (RALPH WINTER) as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text. Truly, walking by faith in a storm-tossed world entails great risk, like skating on thin ice but if it’s for countless others in peril at sea, then it has cost in something.

Indeed, Hudson Taylor knew that God called him and how he raised up new missionaries to penetrate China’s interior. This was uncharted waters in the history of world missions.  And, one Sunday morning in June 1865, on Brighton beach, the Lord conquered his unbelief.

Then and there, Taylor surrendered himself to God for this new mission. This one act of surrender led to the founding of the China Inland Mission (now OMF) which sent thousands of new workers to break new ground in China’s unreached interior, as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Today, I allow my faith cling onto Jesus like a life vest. Indeed, prayer is not a fine art but a desperate cry, as one cries out unto the LORD, as I did my weekend’s reading.

May our faith cling onto Jesus like a life vest today!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 6th July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, help us cling onto you as a life vest today.

Simon sea-walker

As I pondered upon what Jesus said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus (MATTHEW 14:29, NIV), I imagined how the disciples half believed it when they saw a lone figure walking out to them on a stormy sea (MATTHEW 14:26, NIV). But out of the dark, a familiar voice spoke, “Take courage. It is I. Do not fear.” And, Peter was the most daring apostle.  His first impulse was to walk on the water to Jesus. But he would not step out of his boat without first testing the spirits saying, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” And the voice says, “Come.” And, Peter weighs the evidence. That voice gave him his new name – the Rock (JOHN 1:42, NIV), and a voice told him to let down his net for a miraculous catch of fish, (LUKE 5:4, NIV). A voice called him to fish for people and that voice called a dead girl back to life before his very eyes (LUKE 8:54, NIV).

Hence, when Jesus said, “Come”, Peter (pre apostolic person) abandons the boat, his only security, and puts his total trust in Jesus. He walks by faith and not by sight. As such, he becomes a paradigm of faith for all disciples. And, faith is not the absence of fear, but the defiance of fear. Today, this prompts me to surrender my life into the hands of the One who commands the wind and sea, as I step out of troubled circumstances and situations and trust Jesus for security in my life. Indeed, the apostle Paul said, “Whoever comes to God must believe that he is and that he rewards those who diligently seek him” (HEBREWS 11:6, NIV). Truly, storms measure the size of our faith.  It’s said that survival is not to the fittest but to the faithful as the author mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Today, I pray for God to grow my faith through read the Word of God as I did my weekend’s reading.

As Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (JOHN 10:27, NIV) and that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (MATTHEW 4:4, NIV), for “the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes… the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired than’ gold, even much fine gold… in keeping them there is great reward” (PSALM 19:7-11, NIV).

Today, I pray for a revival marked by a strong culture of faith anchored in the Word of God.

May we grow our faith by the Word of God today!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 5th July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, grow our faith as we read the Word of God daily. We pray for ministers of the Word of God to preach and teach in ways that build our faith and whet our appetites, making us hungry for more of your Word.  Help us to represent you as people of faith with words of truth to calm nerves, spark courage, inspire hope, and turn all eyes upon you only.