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devotion

Understanding God’s Forgiveness: East vs. West

Devotion: as far as the east is from the west

 Scripture

 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12.

 Reflection

 Have you ever tried to get a really tough stain out of your carpet, and no matter how hard you scrub, there’s still a faint mark left behind??

 Going through this thought can make you feel like God’s forgiveness is kind of like holding onto that old stain from your mistakes. You may think He has forgiven you, but that He still notices that mess you made in the past.

 Just so you know, God’s grace does more than tidy things up. It totally gets rid of your sins.

 So, how far is the East from the West?

 When you head all the way up North at the equator until you hit the North Pole, you’ll have no choice but to start heading South again until you reach the South pole. But if you travel East at the equator, you’ll never actually reach the West. The East and the West just don’t meet. God wipes your sins clean, stretching them out as far as the East is from the West.

 God, with all His love and wisdom, doesn’t just stash your sins away for later. He wipes them out completely, giving you the amazing chance to start fresh today.

 You can move ahead, feeling light and free, letting go of the burdens from the past, and getting ready to embrace a life filled with hope and fresh beginnings.

 Your missteps shouldn’t dictate your self-worth. Each morning is a new opportunity to reinvent yourself and find what you’re really here for.

 Every day is like a beautiful gift, giving you the chance to start fresh and dive into new experiences and opportunities that can really change your lives for the better.

 There’s something special about knowing that every sunrise gives you a fresh start. It’s like a chance to try new things and tackle whatever life throws at you with more energy and hope.

 When you accept this gift, you find out how refreshing it feels to dive into the unknown, excited to learn and grow from whatever happens next.

 In this never-ending cycle of change, you discover not just a chance to grow personally but also the happiness of enjoying life right now.

 Prayer

 Father, thank You for the distance You have placed between me and the mistakes I’ve made in my past.

 Thanks for all the help you’ve given me to move on, and I’d love your gentle guidance to keep me from going back to the things you’ve already taken away.

 Please give me the strength to focus on right now and what’s coming up next, instead of letting old memories drag me down since I can’t switch them up.

 I trust that you’ll guide me and help me avoid going back to those old, harmful patterns that only make things harder for me.

 Help me look forward to the future with a clear head and a positive attitude. I believe that Your support will help me stay focused and find my way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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devotion

Anchored in the promise

Devotion

Scripture

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil. Hebrews 6:19.

Reflection

When the water is super calm and the ships are tied up well at the dock, they don’t really need to rely on anchors.

It’s really only when strong waves start pulling or when the wind kicks up that anchors become super important.

Jesus Christ is the strong anchor for your soul, always there for you when things get tough. When life’s storms hit hard, He is the one who keeps your boat from sinking and helps you stay safe. Having Him around brings you peace and steadiness, so you can face anything that comes your way with confidence. In the end, it is His amazing support that keeps you steady, no matter how chaotic things get.

The Bible has some good stuff about finding peace when life gets heavy, like in Matthew 11:28. It says, “Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” This is a nice reminder that you are not alone when things get tough. Jesus gives you a warm hug, telling you that peace is waiting for you when life gets heavy. Leaning into Him will really help you feel refreshed again.

Your faith in Christ is like a strong anchor for your soul when life gets wild, hitting you with surprise bills, health issues, or tough relationship stuff, trying to pull you away from that calm feeling you had on Day 1.

But it’s important to understand that an anchor’s real effectiveness isn’t just about how strong the boat is. It only holds firm when it’s connected to something really solid and dependable.

This solid foundation is really grounded in God’s promises that never change, which brings you a lot of comfort and a feeling of security. Trust in Christ, the solid foundation for your life.

Even when life feels like a rough sea tossing your boat around, God is there as an anchor that keeps holding your boat firm and steady.

In a world filled with uncertainty and turmoil, it’s this divine assurance that keeps you grounded and stable. God’s unwavering support acts as a reminder of the strength you can find if you have faith during life’s unpredictable storms.

Meditation

Take a moment to breathe deeply, close your eyes, and let your mind drift off into a lovely place all alone with Jesus sitting by your side. This is where you feel all warm and cozy.

Take a breather in this chill spot and soak in all the peace and quiet around you. Let all your stress fade away. As you do this, pay attention to the wise words that remind you to be still and know that He is God, like it says in Psalm 46:10. Let this call for calm lead you into some deep spiritual thinking and relaxation. Just let the quiet surround you and recognize His presence in your life.

Take a moment to really feel this: “No matter how wild the storm gets and how loud the winds are, I discover my calm right in the eye of this craziness.”

Think of life’s ups and downs as just a background noise, showing off the steady peace that’s deep inside you. It’s a good time to appreciate that God is your anchor to stabilise you.

The bible says that Christ’s grace is sufficient for you. His strength really shines through when you are feeling weak. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11. He is your anchor.

With Christ giving you strength, you can handle anything that comes your way. Philippians 4:13.

Categories
devotion

Leaning on the bridge

Devotion

Scripture

Trust in Yahweh with all thine heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Reflection

Picture a stunning bridge that gracefully spans across a huge, deep canyon, representing the path you have to walk in life.

To really get across this amazing structure, you’ve got to let go of that solid ground you are used to on the “cliffs.” Those cliffs are like the little boxes you put yourself in, thinking you know everything that’s possible.

Instead, you should lean fully on the strong bridge of God’s unwavering faithfulness. His view is way bigger and deeper than what you can see.

Sometimes, you hit a wall with challenges that feel way too tough to handle, and it can make you feel all alone and stressed out. During these times, you face an important decision that really makes you think.

You can really tire yourself out trying to sort everything out all alone, leaving you feeling pretty frustrated and bummed. Or you could just trust Him completely. Remember, His bridge has carried so many people like you, helping them through tough times.

Story

Jacob’s ladder

In Genesis 28:12, Jacob had this amazing dream where he saw a huge stairway that reached from the ground all the way up to heaven, with God at the top, and the angels walking going up and down on it. This impressive image of the ladder is a picture of Jesus Christ, who connects you to God. He’s the bridge between you and God, which is made clear in 1 Timothy 2:5. So, through Jesus, you can really connect with God.

Thought-Provoking Question

So, are you feeling super anxious about something in your life right now?

Like, are you just caught up in worry and having trouble stepping back to see things clearly?

Are you finding it hard to just let things happen and trust in God’s bigger plan for your life?

Are you having trouble believing that God has a special design for your journey instead of just going with the flow?

Is it tough for you to sit back and trust that God knows what’s best for your journey rather than controlling everything?

Do you feel like you’re trying to take charge instead of believing in God’s plan for your life?

Are you struggling to just relax and have faith in God’s plan for how things will unfold on your journey?

Is there something that’s been really bothering you lately, making it hard for you to relax and find some peace of mind?

Is there a specific thing that’s been weighing heavily on your mind, keeping you from feeling at ease and calm?

Do you have any concerns that have been taking up a lot of your thoughts and making it tough for you to chill out?

Is there an issue that’s been on your mind a lot, making it hard for you to feel peaceful and relaxed?

Has something been stuck in your head lately, making it tricky for you to find some quiet time and enjoy life?

It is a good idea to just drop that all these worries and lean on God. Do not handle them on your own. God is all-powerful, always around, and knows everything. He can fix any issue you have, bring peace when things get rough, and can even move mountains if needed.

This will help alleviate stress and bring about a sense of relief. Take a moment to really reflect on this and imagine how it will transform your experience.

You can claim the promise of Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Yahweh with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways , acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Categories
devotion

The Power of the Seed

Devotion

The Power of the Seed

Scripture

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever.1 Peter 1:23

Reflection

When you throw a seed in the garden, it can be pretty frustrating when nothing appears to happen the next day. You could feel the urge to take a peek just to find out if it’s actually growing, wondering if your hard work is paying off.

But if you just take a second to breathe and look around, you’ll see that there’s a whole amazing process of life happening right under your nose.

Think of reading the Bible like putting “eternal seeds” into your heart’s little garden. You may not walk away feeling super “transformed” as soon as you put the book down, but trust me, the Word is definitely alive and doing its thing.

It is doing amazing things in your subconscious mind, changing how you react, opening up your heart, and building a strong sense of truth inside you. Trust the process of growth. It is occurring even in the unseen moments that may test your patience.

In Hebrews 4:12, the author highlights how sharp the word of God is, saying it’s like a two-edged sword that really gets to the heart of things. This sword cuts both ways. It really helps when you’re facing spiritual challenges and also connects with our deeper feelings. Ephesians 6:17 tells us that in the armor of God, the word of God is the sword of the spirit.

The Word of God is truly something special. It can get deep down into your core, touching your soul and spirit, and even reaching into your bones and marrows with its powerful truth.

This is an imagery of how God’s words have real power and understanding. They can dig deep and find out what you’re honestly thinking. This imagery makes you realize just how much scripture can change you and the valuable insights it provides.

Meditation

Picture this lovely garden growing inside you, where every verse you read is like a little seed being tucked into the warm earth of your spirit.

Picture this. Every verses you read is like planting little seeds. Over time, these seeds can grow into big, beautiful trees that represent things like peace, joy, happiness, or the calmness that comes with patience.

As the seasons change, it’s a good time to pause and appreciate all the amazing growth and changes you’ve seen. These tiny seeds will eventually grow into something great, as they feed your soul and help you build a life full of happiness and good vibes.

Invest in the cultivation of the garden that lies deep within your heart, granting it the freedom to blossom radiantly. Remember how much joy and wisdom these messages from God can bring to your life. They really can make a difference.

Categories
devotion

The Light That Overcomes: Embracing Faith

🌅 Hope in the Midst of Darkness“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5

There are seasons when life feels heavy, when headlines unsettle us, prayers seem unanswered, and the world feels dimmer than we remember. Yet the Gospel reminds us that darkness does not have the final word.

John’s words in his opening chapter of his gospel are not poetic optimism; they are a bold declaration of truth. The Light,  Christ Himself, entered a world shadowed by sin, pain, and fear. And that Light was not diminished. No force, no failure, no night is able to put it out. In every generation, believers have faced dark times. Yet hope endures because Christ remains.

He is not a distant glow, but the very Presence that walks with us, strengthens us, and leads us through.When you feel the weight of uncertainty or sorrow, turn again toward the Light. Read His Word. Whisper a prayer. Recall His promises. The darkness may press close, but it can never win , because the Light still shines, and it shines for you.

Reflection:


Where have you seen God’s light break through recently,  even in small ways? Pause today to thank Him for that glimpse of hope.

Prayer:


Lord Jesus, Light of the world, thank You for shining into our darkness. When we are weary or afraid, remind us that Your presence is stronger than any shadow. Help us walk in Your light today, bringing hope to those around us. Amen.

Verse of the Week:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1

Until next time, keep your eyes on the Light,  and let His hope shine through you.


Grace and peace,
Dr. Andrew C. S. Koh
From pen to heart, one page at a time.

Categories
devotion

Worship in spirit and truth: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

mock up image

John 4: 19-29

Setting

Jesus ministered to a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He offered her living water and told her to bring her husband. When she said she had no husband, Jesus exposed her life of sin. She had previous 5 husbands  and was now living with a man out of wedlock. She was shocked by this revelation. Here was a man who knew everything about her. 

19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father. 22 You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah comes, he who is called Christ. When he has come, he will declare to us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.” 27 At this, his disciples came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?” 28 So the woman left her water pot, went away into the city, and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything that I did. Can this be the Christ?”

John 4:19-29

Reflection

The woman called Jesus a prophet. The Samaritans worshiped God on Mount Gerizim while the Jews worship God on Mount Zion. She wanted to know where was the right place to worship God. Jesus replied, it was not the where but the who. God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. The Samaritans got it wrong. Their theology was wrong. Their Samaritans Bible was incomplete, inaccurate, and adulterated. They only accept the first 5 books of the Bible and they changed the words extensively. Salvation was for the Jews first and then only to the Gentiles, Romans 1:16.

God is spirit and truth. A true worshiper worship God in spirit and truth, with correct doctrine and theology. Jesus revealed His Messianic identity to her i.e. I AM. When the disciples came back, they were shocked to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman.

She left the bucket at the well with the joy of living water (Holy Spirit) bubbling within her.  She went to town with her testimony.  She invited them to come and see Jesus who knew everything about her. Could this be the Messiah?, she asked. The town people followed her back to the well.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek

Romans 1:16,

 

I AM who I AM

Exodus 3:4

Application

Jesus knows everything about you and me. You cannot hide anything from His omnicient power. If you sinned, you must confess, repent, and come clean, 1 John 1:9.  

Have you ever told anyone what the Lord has done for you in your life? Share out your testimony. Your testimony is very powerful and life saving. No one can dispute your testimony. 

God is spirit and truth. You must worship God in spirit and truth. Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life. Speaking of Himself as truth, Jesus said that you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Jesus is I AM, YHWH, the pre-existing, self-existing, eternal, and only true God. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

1 John 1:9

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we pray that You will open our hearts to hear, feel, touch, and understand what You are saying to us. We asked for the presence of the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, comfort, convict, rebuke, and train us in righteousness. You came to seek and save the lost, the weak, the poor, the rejected, and the marginalized. May we never walk away from You unchanged after every encounter with You, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Categories
bible study devotion

Word became flesh: devotion

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

a mock-up image of a book shelf
book shlef

John 1:14

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with reverence and awe. We pray for quiet, soft, receptive, and teachable hearts. Speak to us as we listen to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

The Word became flesh

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth

John 1:14

Commentary

I will dissect this verse into 5 parts.

The Word became flesh

The Word is Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh means incarnation. Incarnate means embodied in flesh. Jesus is the embodiment of God in human flesh. Jesus of Nazareth stepped out from eternity into our time-space continuum and became a man 2000 years ago. This explains why the calendar is divided into BC and AD.

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God

John 1:1

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched, this we proclaim concerning the Word of life

1 John 1:1

made His dwelling among us

The Greek word for “dwelling” is “tabernacle”. God dwelled among the Israelites in the tabernacle and later, the temple.  The tabernacle or temple was a foreshadow of Jesus Christ. Today, Jesus tabernacled among us. The body of a Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When someone is born again, the Holy Spirit tabernacled in his/her body. During the inauguration of the first temple, Solomon asked whether God would really dwell in the temple that he built, 1 Kings 8:27. God answered this question 1000 years later when Jesus came to earth and dwelled among us!

But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!

1 Kings 8:27

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

1 Corinthians 6:10

If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our dwelling place with him

John 14:23, amplified Bible

we have seen His glory

The Greek word for glory is “doxa” which means splendour. “We” is a plural pronoun. John and the apostles had seen, heard, and touched Jesus. They saw the glory, grace, and truth of the Son of God. John was not only an eyewitness of Jesus but also a reliable one. John was a cousin of Jesus because his mother Salome and Jesus’ mother Mary were cousins. As children, they would have played together as a family. This was how close they were. 

the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father

The Greek word for one and only is “monogenes’’ which means the only unique or the only begotten. Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God, came from the Father as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

He was in the beginning with God

John 1:2

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known

John 1:18

full of Grace and Truth

Grace is to get something that we do not deserve. Truth is something that is authentic. The Hebrew words for grace and truth are “hesed” and “emet”, which means unfailing love and faithfulness. Hesed and emet in the Old Testament correspond to Grace and Truth in the New Testament. Salvation is by the Grace of God through faith in Christ, who is Truth. 

So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness

John 1:14 (a), NLT

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Ephesians 2:8

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me

John 14:6

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

John 8:32

Application

Jesus Christ stepped out from eternity into our time-space domain to become a human being. Jesus Christ is God in a human body. He is not just a good man, wise teacher, or prophet. He is fully God and fully man. He is God whom you can know, see, hear, love, and relate to. He is the message, the Word of God. 

Do you know Jesus? Do you want to know  Him? You can know Him right now, right where you are.

If you want to know Jesus say this prayer with me:

Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner. Please forgive me. I believe You died on the cross to pay the punishment of my sin for me. I surrender my life to You, in Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

If you prayed this prayer you are born again as a child of God. This is the first step. Find a Bible-believing church near you, inform the church pastor about your decision, and join in the fellowship of believers to grow and mature in the faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to step out of eternity into our time-space domain to live among us. Thank You for showing us Your Glory, Unfailing Love, Faithfulness, Grace, and Truth. Thank You for the gift of salvation and eternal life by grace through faith in Christ, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Categories
bible study devotion

The armor of God: devotion

Ephesians 6: 11-17

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

a picture showing books on a coffee table
books on a coffee table

The Armor of God

Paul described the armor of God in Ephesians 6. This armor is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul used a Roman soldier’s uniform to illustrate the armor of God because he was chained ta a Roman soldier 24 hours a day under house arrest. The armor of God is a six-piece comprehensive uniform comprising a belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. 

Paul exhorts his audience and us to put on the whole armor of God not only to protect but also to attack the enemy of our souls. We are not fighting against human beings with flesh and blood. We are fighting against evil spirits in the spiritual realm of the unseen world. Our enemies are the hierarchy of evil spirits called principalities and powers, rulers and authorities, and spiritual wickedness in the high places, We must win the war through prayer in the spiritual realm first, before we can see a breakthrough in the physical realm. In this war, we do not use physical weapons but spiritual ones to demolish strongholds, 2 Corinthians 10:4.

for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds

2 Corinthians 10:4

Ephesians 6:11-17

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Ephesians 6:11-17

Jesus is the belt of Truth

Jesus sets you free from bondage. He is Grace and Truth.

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free

John 8:32

I am the way, the truth, and the life 

John 14:7

Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is the truth

John 17:7

Jesus is the breastplate of righteousness

Jesus is the righteousness of God.

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”

Romans 1:17

2 Cor 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Jesus is the gospel of peace

Jesus is the prince of peace.  We must wear the shoes of Jesus to share the gospel of peace with others.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15

preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching.

1 Timothy 4:2

Jesus is the shield of faith

Faith protects us from the fiery darts of doubt.

Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.

Psalm 35:1-2

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen

Hebrews 11:1

Jesus is the helmet of salvation

The helmet protects the mind from anxious thoughts. Salvation gives us the hope of eternal life. 

But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation

1 Thess 5:8

Jesus is the sword of the Spirit

Jesus is the Word of God, a double-edged sword that cuts in both ways. Jesus quoted the Word of God when He was tempted by satan in the wilderness. The sword of the Spirit is prayer, fasting, intercession, and the Word of God. 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth

John 1:14

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart

Hebrews 4:12

Application

Put on the full six-piece armor of Jesus before you even go to work. Then, you will be able to stand firm against the demonic spirits. If you kneel down before God in prayer, you will stand firm before men at work. Jesus covers you from head to toe with a helmet, breastplate, belt, shoes, shield, and sword. The helmet protects your mind. The breastplate keeps you righteous before God. The truth sets you free from deception. The shoes enable you to preach the gospel of peace The shield protects you from the flaming doubts of satan. The sword enables you to defend yourself and attack for deliverance, and demolishing of strongholds. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, the armor of God for spiritual protection and spiritual warfare. Teach us how to pray with perseverance, watchfulness, and supplication. Teach us how to cultivate the discipline of intercession. We claim the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14,

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land

2 Chronicle 7:14

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, in Jesus’ name, Amen.