Last year while in a foreign country, I had the opportunity to speak on two different days to students in a public secondary school. There were about sixty students in my classes, all of them between sixteen and eighteen years old. None of them were members of the Lord’s body. In one session, which lasted for one hour, I shared seven life principles/realities. Though these were directed to teenagers, the concepts apply to older folks as well. For the sake of convenience, I wi

As this is towards the end of February now, let’s take stock of our New Year resolutions. How successful have we been so far? Have we already given up on some resolutions, and are waiting again for the next milestone to make a new resolution? Contrast that with Hebrews 12:1, which says: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race tha

David is known as a man after God’s own heart ( 1 Samuel 13:14 ). This criterion for a king was pronounced by God Himself when He told King Saul that his kingdom would not endure. Of course, this standard God looks for does not apply only to kings; it is what God seeks in every person. What an honour it is to be declared by God as someone after His own heart. But what does this mean? A look at David and his character will reveal what God looks for in us. There are many good q

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and I’m sure many of us are caught up in the festivities - be it spring cleaning our homes, preparing to host reunion meals with our loved ones or even queuing up at the ATM for new notes. During Chinese New Year, there are several practices that are deemed to be auspicious, such as wearing red, giving hong baos, wearing new clothes, and avoiding sweeping in the New Year. These practices are done with the belief that it will bring i

The hymn “Higher Ground” comes to mind as the beginning lyrics “I’m pressing on the upward way, new heights I’m gaining every day” ring in my head when I begin writing this article. The Christian life is described by Paul as a race (2 Timothy 4:7) and one in which he continued to press on “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). This journey or race is not easy. Paul talked about fighting “a good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7). Th

When we consider the closest friends we have in our lives, what are the “green flags” that we see in them? What are the qualities or traits that attract us to these people and make us desire their company? Just as we look for positive signs in relationships, there are encouraging indicators that reveal the spiritual health and maturity in a Christian's life. Here are three green flags that demonstrate authentic faith and Christ-like character. 1. A Heart for God's Word The fi

Oftentimes, non-believers challenge the Word of God with questions such as “if God is so merciful, why are so many people still going to hell?” or “will someone who has no access to the Bible for their entire life go to hell?”. I find that questions like these are given little thought beforehand and are an act of desperation to excuse themselves from the responsibilities of being a Christian. However, it is still important to know how to answer these questions so that our own

With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm Smile at the storm, smile at the storm With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm As we go sailing home Sailing, sailing home Sailing, sailing home With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm As we go sailing home! “With Christ in the vessel” is a common children’s chorus that we sing in Sunday School.  I liked the melody and enjoyed the actions as I sang it when growing up. However, I did not really face

There comes a moment in many adult lives when achievement no longer feels as satisfying as it once did. Promotions, bigger houses, and growing bank balances bring joy, but the joy fades faster than expected.  King Solomon, a man who possessed everything most people spend their lives chasing, pursued pleasure, comfort, and luxury without restraint. He described his tireless pursuit of accomplishment - building houses, vineyards, wealth, and influence (Ecclesiastes 2:4-9). Yet

The sermon on the Mount is filled with great truths and applications for a follower of Christ. There are some biblical themes present in how Matthew introduces the sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-2. For example, Jesus was portrayed as the great Master Teacher. There were multitudes who followed Him together with His disciples. Jesus made use of the occasion to teach and preach. Matthew introduced the sermon on the mount by setting the stage for us to read what the great Ma

We ushered in the new year just a few days ago.  Hello 2026 and goodbye 2025. Now, at the start of the new year, it is a very good time to consider our spiritual condition and make some reflection.   Before we were saved by obeying the gospel, Paul says, that we “ were dead in trespasses and sins…that at that time you were without Christ … having no hope and without God in the world .” (Ephesians 2:1, 12). Now, we have the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). But the condition t