Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 ESV
With the spread of COVID cases in Singapore over the last few days, the government here has decided to reintroduce some restrictions to social gatherings and international travel.
Many of our church leaders are having emergency meetings today to decide whether or not to continue with physical services or move online once again. We pray that our leaders will trust the Lord to make straight their paths and grant them the wisdom to choose the best course of action for their respective churches.
As a school, EAST will be affected by these new restrictions also. Heavily restricted travel into Singapore will affect our overseas admissions and Extension Centre Staff. We pray for the Lord to help us in overcoming these hurdles placed suddenly before us.
Individually, these new restrictions will affect us in varying magnitudes. Be it having to face the possibility of delaying a marriage ceremony, or something smaller, we need to look to the Lord to guide our decisions and choices over these next three weeks. If there is any way that EAST can pray for you, we welcome you to let us know here.
Pray for wisdom
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV.
Last week, we read that the fear of the Lord is the path to knowledge and wisdom. This week, James reminded us with his advice on obtaining God’s wisdom in life. Wisdom that makes God-serving and God-pleasing decisions can only come from our loving God himself. Believers are to pray for this wise discernment in their lives as an act of faith and dependence. This is especially so when dealing with trials and suffering, for instance. On the other hand, as we ask for His wisdom, we must already be willing to obey His revealed Word. When faced with difficult choices in life, our first response should be to turn toward God who delights to give generously of His wisdom.
Have you been struggling with tough decisions recently? Do not be hesitant to pray to God today for His wisdom to guide you.
How can EAST pray for you? Let us know here.
Pray in accordance to His will
1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”
To “pray according to his will” simply means to pray following the plans that God has laid out for us in his word. Ephesians 5:15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
As long as we do so, God will hear our prayer. Think back to your prayers this last week, have you prayed in accordance to His will? If not, what changes will you make to the way you pray?
A personal relationship with God
In Hebrews, “draw near” is frequently used to mean approaching God. Such an act requires one’s sins are forgiven through the sacrificial and an intermediary, such as a high priest.
Fortunately, as Christians, we have the privilege of a personal relationship with God. We are free to approach and be personal with Him through the death of his Son Christ Jesus. We should not doubt our relationship with Him. With confidence and without shame, we will receive mercy and grace in our times of need.
Have there been things you haven’t spoken to God about recently? Be it due to shame or guilt? Or even because you feel it is too insignificant to pray about? This verse tells us to bring all these to God in our prayers, to treat is as a most personal relationship in our lives,
Work for the Lord
Do you find it easy to work wholeheartedly 100% of the time? Work can often be stressful, tiring and frustrating since we work for and with other imperfect, sinful humans.
It was not always this way, however. Genesis 17-19:
And to Adam he said,
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten of the tree
of which I commanded you,
‘You shall not eat of it,’
cursed is the ground because of you;
in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
and you shall eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust, you shall return.”
Work is cursed by God to be a form of suffering for us due to sin.
Paul tells us not to work for ourselves and other men, but work instead for God. Knowing that in the end our eternal inheritance will be granted by Him and no one else.
Earlier in Colossians 3:17, Paul instructs us to “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
As we work, we should remember that we don’t just work for ourselves or for our companies, but as Christians our work and our attitude toward it are opportunities for us to Glorify God, as we should in everything we do.
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