Power to Serve

 

On this Pentecost Sunday, I recalled what Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV), reminding me that you & I need to embrace Jesus calling us to His mission – carrying good news given by God through the Holy Spirit and how this authority comes from God. Indeed, authority and ability are entrusted to us as God’s ambassadors on earth to serve the purpose of God on earth, for mission means “sending” like Jesus sent out by the Father God then, and this prompts you & me to learn how to live and serve God in an unfamiliar and fast-changing– culture – being as a witness of a martyr sharing the gospel with the others.

Today, I pray for the Holy Spirit to empower me to share the gospel of Christ with others while being a living witness to pre–believers around me as a martyr. Indeed, Origen said, “The Saviour gives the name of martyr to everyone who bears witness to the truth” (Origen’s Commentary on John, Book II. In The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume IX. chap. 280)

Indeed, a martyr is simply a witness of sharing the gospel of Christ with others today.

What does your life give witness to? Is this a representation of God’s love today?

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 & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022) | Former Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant |A Connecter in ServeHope Pte Ltd & GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd | A KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) | an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); A Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) |A PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:
Holy Spirit, help us to live by your guidance in all we think, say and do to others.

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 19th May 2024 – Pentecost Sunday)

Naomi and Ruth – Unintentional Mentor

 

In Scriptures, Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16, NIV)

Naomi was in foreign territory, physically and emotionally. She lived in a foreign land not by choice but because of famine in her home country. She also suffered the overwhelming loss of her husband and sons there. Naomi described herself as bitter and empty. She probably did not see herself as a worthy mentor to her daughters-in-law. Naomi explained that there was virtually no hope of a family future for them in her homeland. Orpah then said goodbye, but Ruth was not persuaded to leave Naomi. She made a passionate commitment, saying, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Through a loving relationship, Ruth expressed faith both to Naomi and to her God.

We don’t know how the relationship began with Naomi and her daughters–in–law, but a strong bond had formed between them. When Naomi encouraged them to leave her as she returned to her homeland, these young women declared their loyalty to her, saying, “We will go back with you to your people.”

We never know what influence our words and actions might have on the lives of others, even when we feel empty. Our life is an example to others of what Christianity looks like, whether we choose to be a mentor or not.

What will others see as they engage with you today?

Profile Background:
Steven and Deb Koster have a passion for marriages, families, and spiritual growth in the home. Both are ordained ministers in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Steven formerly served as editor of Today and director of ReFrame's English-language outreach. Deb leads Family Fire, ReFrame’s family ministry at FamilyFire.com and on Facebook. The Kosters have three children.

Prayer Response to this featured article:
Father, give us the courage to set a Godly example for others to follow Christ today.

(Written by Steven + Deb Koster, 22nd July 2015 for 12th May 2024 – Mother’s Day)