Apr 27, 2020 | Wens Pen
Hello Everyone,
Where does our help come from? In a time when the familiar things in life feel fragmented and the flames of fear are being fanned in our minds as we face unprecedented times, where does our help come from? In asking this question, it will lead us somewhere.
Psalm 121:1-2 suggests that we can scan a multiplicity of horizons, all promising to materialise as a source of help, but there is only one true source of help and that is God. The Psalm is extraordinary because, not only does it tell us that God is our help, it gives an all-encompassing context that underpins our confidence. God is the maker of heaven and earth. That is a monumental declaration. In other words, if God is the creator of all things, He is beyond capable of being our help. As vessels who sail on seas that are sometimes tumultuous (as they have been in recent days), there is no safer harbour to secure help than in God, who stretched out His arm and created all things. Where does our help come from? God. Unparalleled and unquestionably, God!
So, friends, get your help on today.
Best days to come
Wen
Apr 24, 2020 | Wens Pen
Hello Everyone,
Let us begin. Mother Teresa had a profound little saying “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” Whilst this little quote sounds simple, it is layered with meaning.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Creation was a purposeful act of God and all of life has immense value. God created ‘today’ as a gift which is crowning with all sorts of opportunities and possibilities. God has graciously made us the custodians of our time every day and gives us the responsibility to engage with this gift in a way that honours the value of the gift. Today when you contemplate your day, how will you begin? ‘Let us begin’ means we give consideration to what God places in our hand as we scan the horizons of a fresh day. ‘Let us begin’ means we will not waste today, even if we feel constrained by circumstances. Today we can be intentional in how we love Jesus and serve others. We all start with the same gift. So, what is the music you will play on the strings of today? Will you play? How will you play and leave the unique hallmark of what God has placed in your hand today? Will you begin? What will your life-song be today? Let us begin.
So, friends, get your ‘today’ on.
Best days to come
Wen
Apr 23, 2020 | Wens Pen
Hello Everyone,
God is always God in the midst of every season. This one central truth is the basis for how we navigate the seasons of our lives. We read in Ecclesiastes 3 of the many and varying seasons of life such as living, dying, sowing, reaping, flourishing, stripping, sickness, health, darkness, light, weeping, laughing and so on. They are descriptors of the seasonal transitions we encounter.
There are two important points to be made about seasons. Firstly, seasons are transitional and temporal, but they do shape our faith. Secondly, God is eternal and is always God in the midst of every season. Knowing the transitional and temporal exist in the context of the eternal gives us a hopeful perspective for every season of life. God’s faithful, eternal nature is the one constant that moves us through the temporal seasons and establishes the things of eternal value. And so, seasons help to ground our belief in God, as well as our experience of Him. We become more acquainted with Him, placing less emphasis on the season itself and greater emphasis on the eternal as we adopt a posture of trusting God in every season.
As we navigate this current season where we feel hemmed in by the boarders of a viral threat, we take up the posture of faith and trust, understanding God is the one who controls all things. The seasons aren’t in control, God is. This COVID-19 season will end and God will still be on the throne. God is always God in the midst of every season.
So, friends, get your “eternal” on today and affirm this truth.
Best days to come
Wen
Apr 22, 2020 | Wens Pen
Hello Everyone,
Faithful! The word faithful has a ring of comfort to it. It means loyal, committed, constant, unwavering, reliable, steadfast. Those descriptive words are beautiful, broad brushstrokes that paint a colourful picture of one aspect of God’s character; His faithfulness. The portrait of God we see in the Biblical narrative is one of perfect faithfulness running through the story like a thick thread. That thread is eternal and is weaved into our lives as an unbreakable cord. God is faithful!
When pressure or difficulty squeezes us from every angle, it is normal to experience discomfort. We long for God’s faithfulness and intervention. No matter what our circumstances dictate, when we shift our gaze to God, we find comfort. God is and will always be, everything He says He will be. Faithful. It is a proven, eternal truth that it is impossible for God to be unfaithful,. Faithfulness defines who God is. Deuteronomy 7:9 reminds us that God is God! That statement alone is a declaration of His faithfulness. It describes God as the faithful God who keeps His commitment to a thousand generations. There is never a time God is not faithfully working behind the scenes and acting on our behalf in perfect faithfulness. On our best days He is faithful! On our worst days He is faithful! He is faithful, past, present and future. What a relief and what a comfort.
So, friends, get your faith on, and take comfort that God is faithful.
Best days to come
Wen
Apr 21, 2020 | Wens Pen
Hi Everyone,
Treasure those you love and love with open arms.
One thing this global pandemic has put the spotlight on is the value of life. Everyone is doing whatever it takes to avoid contracting this deadly virus. Why is that? I believe God created us with an intrinsic sense of how precious life is. If life was worthless, then who would care. Not only has this pandemic reminded us of the fragility of life, it has struck another chord, reminding us of the value of life. The value of our humanity is front and centre as we realise what matters most; to treasure those we love and love with open arms.
This season has created the unique space for selfless love. It has opened a new portal for spending time creatively, doing things that count, leaving an impression of love on the hearts of others and appreciating the simple things that count for much. To treasure those you love and love with open arms is to step into selflessness; a place of vulnerability for the sake of others. It is loving without expectation. It is to love past the failures and be quick to forgive. It is the freedom to speak out words of affirmation that are often silenced by the fear of rejection. It is to embrace the gift of time. It is to serve and to sacrifice. It is to take the moments and create the memories. It is to show kindness and compassion and to walk the road of life in such a way that those we treasure and love will be better off because of us. It is to love like Jesus, who loves us with open arms (John 15:13). It may not be easy but when we understand how Jesus loves us, it gives us the platform to start. Step in and treasure those you love and love with open arms.
So, friends, get your love on today.
Best days to come
Wen
