Apr 19th 12
Posted by admin in Encouragements
As we are in the midst of exams, nearing the end of the year, I just want to exhort you with one verse:
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.
– 2 Timothy 2:8
These were some of Paul’s final words to Timothy – that he would remember Jesus Christ, the reason why Paul endured his sufferings.
When we are drowned in the stresses of life, we have such a strong tendency to forget everything around us and narrow our focus to our immediate worries, as we talked about last Friday. But right now, as you read this, remind yourselves of the gospel - Jesus Christ, both God and man, lived a perfect life, died for all of your sins and rose again from the dead, so that you can have eternal life. And He did this, all of this, for me and for you. Wow.
This is our hope, our peace, our joy, our strength, our song. This is the reason why we worship. This is the reason why we suffer. This is the reason why we love.
This is the reason why we live.
Brothers and sisters, as we move through exams or into summer, let us pause for a minute to ask God to help us remember the gospel daily, that we may centre our days – our lives – around this truth, the truth of the gospel, the basis of our faith, the foundation of our lives.
Apr 11th 12
Posted by admin in Encouragements
Through all of the stress and weariness, please remember this:
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. – Psalm 18:2a
What does that mean? The LORD is our rock (we owe our safety entirely to God), fortress (He is our place of defense, where the enemy can’t attack us), and deliverer (He saves us). Brothers and sisters, I hope that you are able to take refuge in God this week as you work diligently and prepare for final exams and assignments. May you be able to proclaim that God alone is truly your rock, fortress, and deliverer!
Apr 3rd 12
Posted by admin in Encouragements
The end of the year is undoubtedly a very stressful time. However, I urge you to take a 2.5-minute break from whatever you are doing to listen to this rendition of a classic song by Shane and Shane, called “Your Grace is Sufficient”. The lyrics are simple, and go like this:
Your grace is sufficient for me,
Your strength is made perfect when I am weak,
And all that I cling to, I lay at Your feet,
Your grace is sufficient for me.
I know that in these trying times, it is hard to remember that the things we often hold dearest in our hearts (academic success, “good works”, relationships with friends and family) need to be laid at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ. These things can’t save us, and instead of clinging to them, let us fall on our knees in worship of our God, because His grace is the only thing that is truly sufficient for us.
