I was once out with my family on a sort of Family Jungle Walk one morning; a Sunday morning. We couldn't refuse attending that event as it was organised by my father's colleagues to jointly have a farewell lunch for him as he was going to leave his work soon.

As I wasn't much of a runner, I decided not to run along with them but simply wandered about by myself admiring the handiwork of God. The fauna He created were all unique and beautiful. I couldn't stop taking pictures of everything that captured my interest. After a while, my eyes rested on a tiny, pretty pink flower.

It was the only one among all the dead fallen leaves and grass. All around it was not very beautiful but brown or green. It was really beautiful. It was then that the Lord made alive several scriptures. It is wonderful how God lifts verses off the Bible and make them really real.

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill that cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14.

Could I take my eyes off that pink beauty just after a second? No! It stood out so much it captured my attention fully for more than three full minutes surely.

Do you stand out in your community/circle of friends/neighbourhood/family? According to Matthew 5:14 you are a light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

In a way, you've got to be like a living stone.

"Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." I Peter 2:5.

You can take that verse in a way like we are living stones set up for which people can see us: how we behave and live. From that they may wonder and be interested in knowing Christ simply by observing us.

This reminded me of what happened by the River Jordan thousands of years ago.

"Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man: And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, [that] when your children ask [their fathers] in time to come, saying, What [mean] ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever." Joshua 4:4-7.

We are not merely stones - we are living stones. When people see us living a live expected of God they'll begin asking: How do you manage to do so? And you'll start telling them about God, His love, His help for you and His wonderfulness.

You are a light. Dispel off the darkness! Be a beauty among thorns. Live a life pleasing to God. Nothing is impossible, let God help you!

Now I hope that we all realise how important it is for us all to life a life pleasing to God so that good may be spoken of to Him and that He may be glorified.

Matthew 6:26 "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

These days the people of the world have much to worry about. It is not surprising as now-a-days we have to pay our bills, buy our food, pay rent/taxes and other wants and necessities or we'll have to pay extra interest should we exceed the due date of paying them up. It is therefore natural for us to sometimes worry - especially those who earn just enough to survive. But that is our old-self while we were yet unsaved.

Now, being saved we needn't worry. Jesus said, "which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" I know some of us here wish to be taller, so here's a tip in preventing you from not growing taller!

You have got to know that you are more special to God than the fowls of the air or even the lilies or grass*. We can see this even from the very beginning.

*Matthew 6:28, 30

Genesis 1:28 - And God blessed1 them*, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth2.

*them = Adam & Eve

From this verse we see two main points:

1) God blessed man,

2) We have domion over the fish of the sea, fowl of the air and every living thing

I am going to stress more on the second point. In Genesis 1 we read that God blessed man and also great whales, every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind. (Genesis 1:22, 28) As for the rest, God only saw that they were good (Genesis 1). But since we were given dominion of the mentioned, it just goes to show that God has given us a higher position. This in turn shows how much God loves us. If we are therefore considered of more value to God over them, wouldn't He care for us much more?

But I am not saying that you don't need to do anything then and have the attitude of, "why should I (?)* when God will provide?" We of course have to earn our living. But we have surrender everything into God's hand and let Him guide us. Have faith that God will take care of us well - provided we do our part.

*? = work/study/...

For everything there must be two parties that work together. Otherwise, nothing will happen. For example: if we never accepted Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour and acknowledge ourselves as sinners, we can by no means be saved even when He had already died on the cross for us. Also, to receive from someone we have to first accept and reach out for it or embrace what is given. Otherwise, the giver is not able to give even if he wanted to give and the "receiver" does not receive. Just as the saying goes, "we need two hands to clap" it is true here as well. God is ready to shower us with blessings and take good care of us so that we don't have to worry but, we have our part to do in order to receive it.

Matthew 6:23 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

We see here that we have to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. The word "but" shows us that if we do not seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness that these things shan't be added unto us. It is a conditional word.

How must we seek?

Psalm 5:3 - My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee and will look up."

From here we realise that it is in the morning that we ought to look up or seek Him.

Psalm 63:1 - O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

Here we see a couple of points. By seeking God early it means that we give Him the priority. We seek Him because we want Him. Otherwise, why should we put in effort to seek Him? We ought to seek Him like we desperately need Him. David goes further to describing that his flesh longeth for God in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. It is also like saying we know we have nothing at all but know that if we have God, we will be satisfied.

You see, even if God put corn or bread on the ground and the birds do not take a step toward them, will they get them? No. They will have to make the effort to go toward the food and claim it. Likewise, we must make an effort.

Matthew 6:31 - Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Matthew 6:32 - (For after these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Therefore, if we are to get all these we have to first seek God (which is the effort we must make in leaving our soft pillows early in the morning) or nothing will go right even if we work and earn a lot more than we need.

Proverbs 11:24 - There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

Of course, there are many ways in which we can take this verse. But we can see from here also that even if we try our best to keep/save up with our own effort we may end up poor.

What we must be concerned of, really, is our spiritual life and growth.

Matthew 6:35 - Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what we shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Life itself is a gift. Every baby born alive. Every infant that makes it to adulthood. Every morning that we get up. Every moment that we breathe. It is a gift.

But more than that is the gift of God which is eternal life!

It is only because of God's great love for us that He gave us His Son to die on Calvary that we may have eternal life - provided we believe in Him. If He was willing even to give His son for us because of His love for us, wouldn't He provide for our daily necessities? After all, He is our heavenly Father. So, is there any reason to be worried?

Proverb 12:25 - Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

Proverb 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.

But do not expect anything, should you not put any effort due from your part. We have to realise our responsibility and do our part. If we do not desire to do anything we shall surely be poor. You see, although God provides (Jehovah Jireh) there is/are conditions that must be met.

Proverbs 24:33-34 - Yet a little sleep, a little slumber a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall poverty come as on that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Therefore, we have nothing to worry if we obey God is every way. Through everything I know God has a purpose. There may be times it feels like He isn't providing but He really is.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

I Corinthians 6: 11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Feeling guilty? Feeling sorry for all the wrong that you had done? Finally convicted of all your wrong doings?

Wondering if you still have hope? Wondering if what you had done is too bad, too horrible and too terrible to be forgiven? Will Jesus want you? Will you be accepted?

God is love. His love for us is greater than any love we could get here.

I John 4: 8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

John 3: 16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.

The world very often is referred to as evil because of what is being done in it. But God still loves the world. It isn't His will for all to perish. He wouldn't have bothered letting His only Son be a living sacrifice for us otherwise!

Because the world is evil, God sent His son. Through His son we can be saints if we believe in Him. Because God didn't want us to burn in hell, He sent His son. Through His son we can go to heaven if we believe in Him.

If you believe in someone, you do what he tells you to do because you trust him. So if you believe in God, you do what He tells you to do because you trust Him. By obeying Him - with His help - you are certain to be blessed.

Do you think that your sin is too evil to be forgiven?

I Corinthians 6: 9 - 10
9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

The next verse gives us the answer!

I Corinthians 6: 11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

So, some of the believers there were bad. But not anymore for they have been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. They were forgiven.

You have hope! Yes, you will be forgiven.

How?

I John 1: 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If you are washed, you are clean. If you are cleansed, you are clean. If you are cleansed or washed, you are clean and no longer filthy.

Tell God, just like how you'd talk to anyone, the wrong that you had done and tell Him that you are sorry. I am positive that you wouldn't confess your sins unless if you are sorry that you had done them. And unless if you are convicted that you are wrong, you will never say that you are sorry - let alone confess. Having that done, we are washed and righteous.

John 17: 17
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Read the Bible! As you read the Bible you will be sanctified. The word of God is the Bible. The Bible is the word of God. The word of God is truth. The Bible is God's truth. Lives have been changed by the Bible. It is a way for God to speak to us. The word of God speaks to us and tells us a lot of things and is able to instruct us on how to live. It also tells us what to do or what not to do. By reading the Bible you can be sanctified!

Romans 3: 28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

You are justified by faith! Having faith is important. It is something that you must have and it does show by your actions (James 2: 17 - 18). Faith is believing without seeing. You never saw Jesus when He came to die for us on the cross. You never saw Him alive after 3 days. But you believe that Jesus came to the earth to die for us and that He arose again on the third day. And like I said, unless if you believe in someone you, won't do what he tells you to do, you won't even listen to him! Have faith in God and you'll be justified.

Mark 2: 17
When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus came for you and me and all the other sinners to make us whole! He came to give us hope - He came just for us! Don't you feel special? Don't you feel loved? I do.

Isaiah 43: 2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

The Bible doesn't tell us that we are promised a most comfortable life here on earth. But the Bible does assure us help from above! We might as well know too that we aren't left hopeless and helpless.

Hate is a strong feeling and it can cause an awful lot of destruction. I would think that the hater is prone to hurt the hated. Take for example the crucifixion of Jesus - those who hated Him wanted Him to die.

John 15: 18-19
18If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Have you accepted Christ? If you have, then Jesus is your shepherd and you are His sheep. You are His! So, you are His and no more of the world.

It is also good to know:- Luke 6: 22 - Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you (from their company), and shall reproach (you), and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Be reminded, Jesus is a good shepherd (John 10: 11) and will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13: 5). He'll take good care of His sheep - no doubt about that!

Life always has its ups and downs and I'm sure that all of you have gone through circumstances when you feel that the Lord is not with you. Well, you may feel that way but in actual fact you are wrong.

I'm sure that you and I know that the Word of God is true and that His promises are real. If that is so then that means that our Lord Jesus Christ hasn't left you to suffer and go through your troubles alone.

Do you feel comfortable when in trouble? In John 14:18 Jesus says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Now, in this very comforting verse we see that the Lord Jesus will never leave us comfortless but come to us, well, isn't that just so good?

And yet again we read in Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." Hallelujah! Jesus has asked us who are heavy labour and are heavy laden to come unto Him, and He will give us rest. Let your heaviness leave you, give them all to Jesus! He'll relieve us from that weight off of us.

Some other times we may ask why God lets us suffer so much. It is a usual question. Well, in actual fact, it is usually in difficult times that we feel that the presence of God is much, much more closer and nearer to us and can really feel His love.

God lets us suffer sometimes because He wants to test our faith. Job 23: 10 - But he knoweth the way that I take: (when) he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

At other times it may not be a test of faith but mainly to "promote" us. Let us just imagine that we are basketballs. What happens when a ball is bounced? It will come back up. What if we bounce it with more force? It comes back up higher. So in other words, God "bounces" on us harder so that we are "hit" (ouch!) harder. And the result is that we just get more mature - if you will - in our spiritual life.

Our troubles and downs will come endlessly as waves one after another but we should not be dismayed at them. Ephesians 5: 20 - Giving thanks for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; and the verse before this reads, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (Ephesians 5: 19).

Is it possible to know the other side of our troubles? Or is it possible to still be thankful for anything? II Corinthians 4: 8 - 10 - (We are) troubled on every side, yet not distressed; (we are) perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

It is important to realize that in all that we go through, God is right there with us. He'll take care and protect us. It may not feel like it, but it is so. Isaiah 43: 2 - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.