Planting seeds of faith

https://odb.org/2026/06/11/be-prepared-3

1 Peter 3:13–17 (NIV): 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

The teenager stood her ground. While her high school group was visiting a home for people in rehab from addictions, Claire engaged in conversation with a twentysomething man who towered over her in size. They talked about faith. Claire clearly presented the gospel of Jesus. He countered with his spiritual views, which were very different. Though he didn’t put his faith in Jesus, a seed had been planted. And while Claire would have loved for the young man to have received Christ, her disappointment was balanced by the reality that she’d done what God had called her to do that day: “Be prepared to give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15). She had lovingly shared God’s plan of salvation. (Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread 11th June 2026)

The key idea in 1 Peter 3:13-17 is that a hope-filled life in Christ can trigger conversations about the gospel. Notice how the apostle puts it: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (v. 15). In a world filled with brokenness and despair, when people see someone living with hope that transcends this world, it gets their attention and can cause them to desire what that person has. (Bill Crowder, Insight, Our Daily Bread 11th June 2026)

If we have received training before, we’ll know that sharing the Gospel can start with questions like, “Do you know what happens after you die?” – talking about death and the afterlife will open us to speak about Jesus dying for our sins and expounding on John 3:16. We can go back to the beginning from the creation story of Genesis 1 and then move on to Genesis 3 on the fall of mankind. Then we may talk about what eternal life means by referring to Revelation 21 and 22. We can then show how God created man and how man fell into sin with John 3:16 being God’s plan to redeem and rescue us, culminating in the new heaven and new earth at the end of time. Not just heaven as a place in another dimension but heaven as the ultimate place on earth as per God’s original plan for mankind in the Garden of Eden.

However, if we are new to the faith, the easiest way to share the Gospel if we are not entirely sure of the points on salvation, is to share our faith and experience with Jesus and God. Actually, the reality of our faith will move hearts and touch the soul of a person.

But, in the end, it is the work of the Holy Spirit, not us that turn hearts to God. Our role is to share and proclaim the goodness of God, the reality of His power in our lives. How we have changed since we came to faith? We are to plant the seed of faith. The Holy Spirit will grow it and it will grow well if the heart of the hearer is good soil in the spiritual sense. That’s because the seed will grow strong roots to stand firm even when storms and strong winds were to come. The seed will overcome thorns of doubts that will try to overcome and overwhelm the seed of faith.

Have a good day ahead, everyone! Share our faith journey and the Gospel when we see the opportunity. Our job is planting seeds of faith and we’re done!

Eden recreated – Revelation 21

https://odb.org/2026/06/10/no-more

Revelation 21:1–5 (NIV): 21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Visiting Switzerland had been my dad’s lifelong dream. After his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, my mom decided to go with him while he was still physically able. “One day, with the snow blowing around us on Mount Titlis,” she said, “I saw the profound joy in your father’s face. It was the joy of a dream come true.” Later, however, my mom’s tears flowed when my dad asked, “Where are we again?” My dad may have forgotten he was in Switzerland, but “the visit was worth it,” my mom said. “At least for one moment, he knew, and he was happy.”

God reassures us of a time when joy will never be taken away from us again. Because of our hope in Jesus, we can look forward to “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), where we’ll be free from sin and death (Romans 5:12). In this perfect world, God will make “everything new” (Revelation 21:5). “ ‘He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (v. 4). (Karen Huang, Our Daily Bread 10th June 2026)

The Word of God starts with the creation story of God creating the heavens and earth and all the things in it. It then moves on to zero in on the creation of man and woman and in chapter 3 speaks about the fall of mankind and their banishment from the Garden of Eden. Sin came into humankind and the world. Eden was where man was supposed to live forever and where things do not fall apart. Ironically, man pursued immorality and the fountain of youth since time immemorial, an implied return to the days of Eden.

But because God so loved the world (that was already in sin and decaying by the day), He sent His only begotten Son to earth so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have life everlasting (John 3:16). Jesus came, walked the earth, preached the Good News of salvation. He was crucified for our sins and in the process defeated sin and death that whosoever believed in Him and confess that He is Lord will not be  banished to the place of gnashing of teeth but will have life eternal. At the island of Patmos, where John was imprisoned, Jesus revealed to John the things that were to come including the new heaven and new earth, the place which for whosoever who believed in Him, shall live for eternity with God amongst us. It is called Eden recreated because the supposed eternity of things and the immortality of mankind will be restored once again on earth. Most importantly, the Tree of Life and the streams of living waters will be there for us to freely partake. It is the place of the fountain of youth pursued by kings and emperors throughout the ages.

Eden Restored
Revelation 22 – Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Eden recreated and the new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21 and 22 is really the reward we are looking forward to at the end of our journey of faith. It is the treasures we store in heaven – it is that mansion with many rooms Jesus promised He had gone ahead to prepare for us! How will life be then? John was given a glimpse of it:

Revelation 21:3-4 “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

I know that this topic is oft-repeated in these pages. In fact, I alluded to it in my post just yesterday! But it will never be a boring subject! This is what we look forward to at the end of our spiritual journey that all that we may suffer here on earth will pale in comparison to the reward and glory that awaits us at the end of time. So long as we remain true to the faith until our last breath, we will one day be dwelling at Eden recreated! That’s our inheritance in the saints as true believers of Christ! Amen!

Demigods and our human mortality

https://odb.org/2026/06/09/glory-and-majesty

Isaiah 14:12–15 (NIV): 12 How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
13 You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.

In the prophet Isaiah’s day, the king of Babylon felt similarly about himself. Here was a king who longed to “ascend to the heavens” and “sit . . . on the mount of assembly,” where the gods were thought to reign (Isaiah 14:13). Instead, Isaiah prophesied that this king would fall (vv. 3-4), being “brought down to the realm of the dead” (v. 15) without even a tomb to be remembered by (vv. 18-19). Charles I met a similar fate. In an ironic twist, he was marched beneath the very ceiling depicting his supposed divinity before being executed outside Banqueting House in 1649.

It’s a sad fact that has repeated through time: Powerful people who claim divine glory for themselves will one day discover how human they are. For there is only one who is worthy of reigning from heaven, and all power, glory, and majesty are His alone (1 Chronicles 29:11). (Sheridan Voysey, Our Daily Bread 9th June 2026)

Throughout centuries, kings and emperors rule nations whether by birth and royal ascension or through fighting wars or political maneuvering. In ancient times, rulers fashion themselves like gods as though they are immortal although they are always aware of their mortality. They age, grow old and die but the Egyptian Pharoahs always believed they will rise again to rule in another era. Thus they bury with them treasures they may use in another time. In fact, the Chinese emperor in Xian had thousands of warriors carved out of stone (likely based on real living persons because of the unique features of each and every one of them Terracotta warriors).

The afterlife truly exists. There is life after death. Unfortunately, it will not be like the ancient kings had envisaged or imagined. The revelation was only given to John after Jesus ascended to heaven following His victory over sin and death. We now know not only the pathway to salvation and eternal life but how eternal life will look like at the end of time.

While rulers, empires and kings are one in millions (in the modern context, imcluding billionaires), we the ordinary and regular people of the world will not look at ourselves as though we are demigods. The reason is obvious – we do not enjoy the trappings of this world that privilege, wealth or power bring. For example, we can’t in our ordinary course of life even enjoy business class travel, what more first class or even private jets or yatchs. Even if we could afford the 4-fold price for that business class ticket, why do that when the 300% savings could pay for better food and lodging during our travels?

However, despite us not being demigods, we sometimes do forget our mortality. Perhaps not always, but sometimes we live as though we will live for many years to come. We know our days are numbered. But as we do not know the number, we tend to live as though the years will be long. Jesus taught this very clearly in the Parable of the Rich Fool (see Luke 12:16-21). The rich farmer thought he would live for many years to come. So he tore down his old barns to build bigger barns to store his grain for years to come, not knowing that God will take his life that very night!

Live life moderately. Save up for the future, yes. For our old age, yes. But don’t forget to also spend some of our money now because the future may well end tomorrow! Besides Jesus coming again in our generation, we may be called home to be with the Lord tomorrow or even tonight. Use our remaining time wisely as we heard in one of our recent sermon from the pulpit in my local church. Serve God. Fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives. Respond to His calling. Live in the centre of His will. Help others with our time and finance as the Holy Spirit prompts. Live every day such that we will have no regrets if Jesus were to call us home today! Amen!

Giving out of our lack

https://odb.org/2026/06/08/reciprocal-generosity

Philippians 4:10–19 (NIV): 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matt’s selfless, loving act illustrates how one person’s abilities and resources can supply the needs of another person or group. Paul highlights the beauty of such reciprocal generosity in his letter to the Philippians. The believers in Philippi had shared in his “troubles” and “sent . . . aid more than once when [he] was in need” (Philippians 4:14, 16). Having received their gifts, Paul recognized that God had provided amply for his needs.

Our willingness to share with one another is often the conduit of God’s provision in our lives. Sometimes we’re in a position to give of our time, talent, or treasure; other times we’re in need ourselves and must rely on the support of another. Through His Spirit working in us, our gifts are “pleasing to God” and a manifestation of our shared life in the body of Christ (v. 18). (Kirsten Holmberg, Our Daily Bread 8th June 2026)

The church in Macedonia received high praise from Paul. Not only were the Macedonians quick to respond to his needs, in this case they were the only church to do so (Philippians 4:15). Additionally he notes, “You sent me aid more than once when I was in need” (v. 16). Indeed, in 2 Corinthians 8, the apostle pointed to the economically poor Macedonian church as an example for the wealthy church in Corinth (vv. 1-2). This is the context in which the apostle writes, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). As God provides for us today, we can in turn give to others. (Tim Gustafson, Insight, Our Daily Bread 8th June 2026)

The well-known example of the church in Macedonia giving out of their lack is a goal that every believer should aspire to. Although it is not something sustainable to be done on a regular basis, we should all be mindful of the spiritual principle that we may still give and bless despite not having much. The logic is that we could deprive ourselves of certain things or indulgences in order to make that blessing.

But we need to be careful of our motivation. Are we doing it to prove that we could still give and bless out of our lack? Or are we testing whether the gates of heaven will open because of our giving? In my view, both motivations are misconceived as we should only respond in this manner if prompted by the Holy Spirit. It is OK if we are doubtful whether we heard correctly as exercising faith is a life-long learning process. Just do it if we are prompted although we may not be 100% sure. We will get better at hearing as we respond in faith more and more.

The gates of heaven may or may not open for us here on earth but what’s certain is that more will be credited in our heavenly account as Paul highlighted in Philippians 4: 17 – “Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.” When we give and bless out of our lack, we are storing riches in heaven as I believe that every good deed contributes towards our heavenly treasures. The things we do for God in response, particularly, to His calling and plans and purposes for our lives will all contribute to our heavenly account. It is worth every effort expanded as unlike treasures on earth that we can’t bring across when we pass or where moth and rust may destroy, our heavenly treasures will last for all eternity.

Have a good week, everyone! It’s back to the grind after the long break. The schools have reopened and the traffic snarl will return with parents and students doing the school run and in Malaysia, the weather is so hot nowadays! Life goes on. But remember, Jesus is there to walk with us in our journey of life with the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whispering words of encouragement to prompt us to do the right thing all the time!

Swallowed by a big fish

https://odb.org/2026/06/05/epic-encounters

Jonah 2:1–10 (NIV): From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. 2 He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD,
and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead called for help, and you listened to my cry. 3 You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas,
 and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers  swept over me. 4 I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ 5 The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me;  seaweed was wrapped around my head.  6 To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. 7 “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” 8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. 9 But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’ ” 10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

One moment Adrián Simancas was kayaking in the Strait of Magellan in Chile with his father. The next, the twenty-four-year-old was engulfed in the mouth of a humpback whale. “I thought I was dead,” Adrián told a news outlet. After a few seconds, the whale released Adrián into the frigid waters. His life vest caused him to float to the water’s surface, and his father helped him to safety.

The Old Testament prophet Jonah also had an encounter with a large sea creature. Jonah refused to follow God’s directive to preach a message of repentance to the Israelites’ enemies, the Ninevites, so he boarded a ship in the opposite direction of Nineveh. When the ship got caught in a storm, Jonah convinced the crew to throw him overboard (Jonah 1:11-12, 15). “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (v. 17). Jonah went from fleeing from God to crying out to Him: “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God” (2:1). (Nancy Gavilanes, Our Daily Bread 5th June 2026)

When the story of Adrian Simancas’s encounter with a humpback whale first broke out, it invariably invited comparisons with Jonah and Pinocchio.

You may catch Adrian’s story and a video of his encounter at the link below: https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/byuxuv3tye

The reason was obvious. Both Jonah and Pinocchio stories involved being swallowed by a gigantic fish of the ocean. Jonah is biblical while Pinocchio is fiction. I am not exactly sure how Jonah survived 3 days 3 nights in the belly of the fish but in the modern context, scientists and marine biologists are of the view that Adrian was never in danger of being swallowed by the humpback whale although he was at the whale’s mouth for a fleeting second. This is because the humpback’s esophagus was not designed to swallow something as large as a human with their food of just super-tiny krill and small schooling fish like anchovies and herring and their “teeth” acting as filters to remove larger prey.

If we were to dwell deeper into Jonah’s encounter with the big fish, the story’s focus was Jonah’s wilful disobedience to God’s calling arising from his own prejudice against the evil people of Nineveh. He travelled in the complete opposite of where Nineveh was. Yet the LORD found a way to reach out to him – from the belly of a big fish! There must have been some poetic licence expanded on this story by its writers but the point is Jonah prayed and the LORD heard his prayer notwithstanding that he was somewhere deep in the ocean in the belly of a humongous fish!

The lesson we could apply for our modern lives from a biblical story like Jonah is that no matter where we are, we could pray and cry out to God and He will hear our prayers. We could be all alone and lost deep in the middle of a forest in danger of being hunted by wild beasts, yet God hears us. Or we could be adrift in the vast ocean and God hears us. In fact, we could be travelling in a train amidst a sea of thousands of commuters and God will still hear us as we pray. The LORD is always only a prayer away. Take the opportunity to pray and talk to Him. Jesus is one prayer away from us. Don’t give up hope. Persevere on with life. Reach out to Him in prayer. There is much ahead for us in God’s plans and purposes for our lives.

In the end, at verse 10 of Jonah 2, the big fish vomited Jonah out of its belly unto dry land (also not quite sure how that was possible without beaching) and Jonah went on to fulfil God’s calling for his life which was to preach to the Ninevites. Ultimately they repented of their sin and God forgave them of their unrighteousness.

Perhaps this morning, we could think about the calling that God had placed in our hearts all this while and whether we are running away or working towards it?

Have a good weekend, everyone! Enjoy the coming break although the long holidays are now over! Welcome back to school to students and those in teaching as well as parents in the daily school run! The long break will officially end this weekend!

Albatross around our neck

https://odb.org/2026/06/04/freedom-in-gods-love

1 John 1:5–9 (NIV): 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

If you’ve ever heard the expression “albatross around my neck”—a phrase referring to a tiresome burden—you’ve heard an allusion to English poet Samuel Coleridge’s famous poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In the poem, a sailor shoots and kills a harmless, friendly albatross. The crew believes the mariner’s cruel deed curses their voyage and forces him to wear the dead bird around his neck as punishment. Are there regrets in your life that feel like a heavy weight around your neck? All of us have moments we’d do anything to take back. It can feel like we’re cursed to carry the weight of our guilt and regret forever. In Coleridge’s poem, the tormented mariner also eventually experiences this grace. When love for God’s creation rushes into his heart and compels him to pray, the albatross falls off his neck, vanishing forever “like lead into the sea.” (Monica La Rose, Our Daily Bread 4th June 2026)

The apostles wrote during a tumultuous time in the history of the church. They had to correct misunderstandings of the gospel, including who were truly part of the church as well as a broad range of misunderstandings of what God’s grace really meant. In his first letter, John addressed early church teachings that openly tolerated worldly sin while still claiming one could be in fellowship with Jesus. The apostle shuts that down by saying that only those who “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) have a true relationship with God. But that doesn’t mean believers in Christ don’t sin (v. 8). Instead, it means that because of their relationship with God, they can confess their sin and enjoy both forgiveness and fellowship no matter how heavy the burden of regret (v. 9). (Jed Ostoich, Insight, Our Daily Bread 4th June 2026)

Do we have an albatross around our neck, a burden so great that it weighs us down even though we have been a believer of Christ for many years. It could be something we had done in the past that we still regret despite the years having gone by.

I have one and it’s those few but harsh words spoken to my late mum before she passed. I still recall that morning more than 17 years ago. She had wet herself outside the bathroom in her room and my dad had to clean up. She hadn’t reached the stage where she needed to wear pampers yet, but that morning could be the start. So I asked her why she had to do that? I didn’t know that those were practically the last words I spoke to her as we sent her to the hospital and she slipped into a coma due to diabetic ketoacidosis.

I try to bury this memory amongst the many other regrets of my life; but every now and then, I remember it and I remind myself to be kinder, in words and deeds, to those closest to me, to those I love the most. Sometimes when we are emotional, it’s better to keep quiet or walk away than to speak out harsh words.

The past is the past. We cannot erase it. It is part of our life as much as it may have tainted us. I think the best way forward is to forget the past and avoid going into similar situations in the future. If we had wronged God, seek His forgiveness. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Ground ourselves in this Word that God will forgive us as He is a faithful and just God. He will purify us from all unrighteousness. Although as humans we still sin, His forgiveness will ensure we are not tainted in His eyes. Jesus’s blood washes away our sins and leaves no blemish that we are righteous before Him as white as fresh snow!

I pray today that whatever may be our albatross around our neck that the grace and forgiveness of God through our Lord Jesus Christ will cause it to fall off and vanish forever “like lead into the sea” (in the words of the English poet Samuel Coleridge). I pray that we will all (myself especially) be set free from this burden or regret. Let the past stay the past as we chart out God’s plans and purposes for our future and remaining days on this earth that we may live out His will perfect will for the glory of His name! Amen!

The healing power of music

https://odb.org/2026/06/03/the-power-of-music-2

1 Samuel 16:14–23 (NIV): 14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” 19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

The Bible presents music as one of God’s immense gifts, a way His healing and comfort enter the human heart. In the tragic story of King Saul, we hear how (due to his disobedience) he was oppressed by an “evil spirit” (1 Samuel 16:14). And what did Saul’s attendants believe the king needed to provide relief? Music. So they found young David with his harp: “David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him” (v. 23). Music offers more than mere entertainment. It can bring joy, renew hope, and comfort weary souls. It’s truly one of God’s powerful gifts. (Winn Collier, Our Daily Bread 3rd June 2026)

Music has always been an integral part of my life. When I was growing up, my late mum loved to sing and we in turn as her children sang along with her. So we used to have song books with the latest songs. In fact, we had a song book of oldies and an encyclopedia of contemporary songs. Both had guitar chords written on them although at that point in time, I didn’t know how to play the guitar. My mum also loved to write out songs in her own personalised song books and sing from them. In fact, I still have these cursive handwritten song books in my old home. They must be more than 50 years old now!

In the home, my dad had a collection of vinyls of mostly country music – the likes of Jim Reeves and Hank Williams. He also liked a musical group called the Shadows. When the Saturday Night fever swept town in 1977, we had the Bee Gees blasting through our car stereo in all our long drives!

It was only in the mid-80s when God entered our lives that our song books at home took the form of church song books. We had a pile of them lying about as our home was also a house fellowship. It was a small outreach from a larger church in the capital Kota Bharu.

Later I learned how to play the guitar and started playing music at my home church. That was around 1985. It was amazing that when I first joined this church, the congregation sang in a cappella with only tambourines as accompanying instruments. It goes to show that the heart and voice are more important than musical instruments when it comes to worship. I always believed that we may worship God with any song, so long as the song is uplifting and praises Him. As much as music and skillful musicians are good to have, our hearts and voices are more essential. As a worship leader, nothing is more encouraging than to hear the congregation singing louder than the band!

Music does soothe the soul as the experience of King Saul and David in the Bible shows. 1 Samuel 16 forms a good illustration. As believers, worshipping God in spirit and truth with music will bring us peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. In this fast moving chaotic world, it is good to be able to lie prostrate before the Lord in worship and song.

We don’t have to be good singers to worship God in song. My late mum who loved to sing and worship God was a little tone-deaf and was bad at following rhythm but she sang and worshipped anyways! I’m a self-taught guitarist and can’t sight read but have served God in music for more than 40 years now! As Winn Collier wrote today, music is one of the powerful gifts of God – use it for His glory and to bring comfort to our souls!

P/S

Google AI – Music is a universal language that fundamentally alters brain chemistry. It triggers the release of dopamine to boost mood, oxytocin for social bonding, and endorphins for natural pain relief. It transcends words, evokes profound memories, and provides proven therapeutic benefits for mental and physical well-being.

Honesty and integrity in God

https://odb.org/2026/05/26/acting-with-integrity

Proverbs 12:13–23 (NIV): 13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
      14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,  and the work of their hands brings them reward.
      15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
      16 Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
      17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.
      18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
      19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
      20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
      21 No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
      22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
      23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

In a moment of distraction, Sarah unknowingly dropped her diamond engagement ring into a homeless man’s cup. Billy Ray, the panhandler who was given the ring, had it appraised and considered selling it. But he chose honesty and returned it to Sarah when she came back a few days later. When we practice integrity, we please God and inspire others. Solomon says God delighted in his integrity: “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22). He uses strong language to describe God’s view of dishonesty—He detests it. When God’s people lie or “deceit is in [their] hearts” (v. 20), it defies Him and goes against His character. In contrast, when His people have “truthful lips” (v. 19) and deal faithfully, it brings Him joy. So treating others well is more than just telling the truth—it reflects God’s own character. And in a world where deception can seem profitable, our integrity is something He “delights in” (v. 22). (Marvin Williams, Our Daily Bread 26th May 2026)

Likewise, Jesus said that a person’s speech will show what’s in one’s heart (Luke 6:45). God desires for us to honor Him with our lives. Believers in Christ want to be able to say, “We have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with [fellow believers], with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace” (2 Corinthians 1:12). The Spirit can help us live with integrity. Even if the world doesn’t notice, God will. (K.T Sim, Insight, Our Daily Bread 26th May 2026)

A key characteristic of integrity is no one may see but God sees. When no one is watching, who are we like? The temptation to be dishonest is overwhelming when we are in the shadows and unseen. Often politicians and public officials get away with corruption. You are clean until you are caught seems to be their modus operandi. In most jurisdictions, once caught, your political life is over. But in some places, people still yield considerable influence from behind bars because of legacy but more likely because of the funding they control. Cash is king, as some have coined.

As a believer, it is sometimes difficult to be honest because of worldly influence. The bright lights of earthly wealth and the trappings it brings. The nice cars, the beautiful abodes, the fancy clothes and material things, the travel, the list goes on. Recently, Telekom Malaysia reported a US$20 million elaborate and complex fraud involving a cluster of senior employees based in the US. It is now a full criminal investigation by the DOJ and it seems that the evidence is overwhelming. Unfortunately, like most fraud cases, the reported amount may well be just the tip of the iceberg!

Integrity comes when we are presented with an opportunity to be dishonest and we decline to cheat. Even the lure of underpaying for something may be difficult to resist, what more if millions are involved. We can only say we are honest if we are tested and walked away. If not, it is just mere words, with no meaning whatsoever.

For us, if we succeed in walking away, or to turn the other way, we know God sees and He is delighted. That should be our sole and only motivation to be honest and to keep our integrity. Not in the hope of getting a reward or blessings from heaven for giving up on the gain had we been dishonest. It is knowing we have pleased God in the process and thus we are spiritually matured and better equipped to serve Him. I think this is a crucial element to look out for when we are honest. Of course if we look at Joseph’s life, it speaks of integrity being rewarded. But that should not be our motivation. Proverbs 12:22 – The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy. Surely as children of God, we don’t want God to detest us! May our words always be truthful with no ill-intention or evil, and may our actions be full of integrity and honesty for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ!

The beauty and blessings of sleep

https://odb.org/2026/05/25/finding-rest-4

2 Samuel 15:23–27 (NIV): 23 The whole countryside wept aloud as all the people passed by. The king also crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the people moved on toward the wilderness. 24 Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city. 25 Then the king said to Zadok, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the LORD’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again. 26 But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” 27 The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons.

“Tactical napping” is a series of guidelines for soldiers for effective, ten to thirty minutes of sleep. While experiencing a rush of adrenaline, loneliness, or anxiety, sleep-deprived soldiers may not be able to relax. Tips include using earplugs and reading before bed.

It’s when we most need rest that it’s often difficult to find. King David experienced this after fleeing into the wilderness to escape his son Absalom’s treason.  It was around this time that David cried out, “Lord, how many are my foes!” (Psalm 3:1). Perhaps thinking about past troubled nights, however, David continued, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear” (vv. 5-6). David realized that God, not Absalom, was in charge of his situation. David even sent the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, acknowledging that the future was fully in God’s hands (2 Samuel 15:25-26). (Karen Pimpo, Our Daily Bread Condensed 25th May 2026)

Being able to sleep is one of the few blessings we have as a human being. This is because sleep gives us rest and rejuvenates our body. However, I believe many have difficulty sleeping and getting proper rest. We are exhausted from the day’s work and yet as we retire to bed, we struggle to sleep and when we wake, we still feel tired and exhausted! Alas, not everyone wakes up refreshed and properly rested. That is why it’s a blessing! Those of us who have trouble sleeping may end up catching just maybe an hour or two of sleep although we may have been lying in our bed for 5 to 6 hours!

It could be a personal characteristic but usually trouble with sleeping comes from either lack of physical activities (like lying on the sofa almost the whole day) or anxiety and worry. For the former, pursuing an active lifestyle will tire us out so that when it’s time for bed, we are ready to just crash and get our well-deserved rest and sleep! I realise that swimming is one of the best sport to pursue as it works out most of our body muscles. I always find that I get hungry and sleep very well after a swim. Leading a sedentary inactive lifestyle may not only result in difficulty in sleeping but may also lead to health issues like insulin resistance and diabetes.

For the latter reason of anxiety and worry, our best remedy is always to trust God to be with and for us. We do our best but let the Lord do the rest. Trust in Romans 8:28 NIV – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” David was in great distress when he fled, with his followers, from his own son, Absalom. He even brought the Ark of the Covenant with him. But in the end, he sent the Ark back to Jerusalem believing that God is in control of the situation and not Absalom. If God wanted him to be King, He will restore him to his rightful place despite what Absalom was doing. There is just so much we can do as a human being, it’s best we leave the rest to the LORD and His wisdom and grace. Let’s pray and commit to God an outcome that is in His will and fulfils His plans and purposes for our lives.

Pursue an active lifestyle and trust in God. I believe that’s the remedy that will work for 99% of us. If the issue still persists, perhaps it’s time to seek professional help. There could be an underlying health issue.

Bringing life to desolate places

https://odb.org/2026/05/22/smiley-face

Isaiah 41:17–20 (NIV): 17 “The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
      18 I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
      19 I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
      20 so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Those who drive along Highway 18 in western Oregon each fall are greeted with a delightful surprise from the tree-covered hillside flanking the road: a giant smiley face. The cheerful face is only visible in the autumn when the Larch tree needles turn yellow, contrasting with the surrounding, dark green Douglas fir trees (which create the eyes and mouth). A lumber company planted the three-hundred-foot-diameter face in 2011 as part of an effort to replenish the timber they’d harvested.

Isaiah invites us to know God as the one who brings life to desolate places. He reminded the Israelites during the barrenness of their captivity that God “[makes] rivers flow,” can “turn the desert into pools of water,” and grow “the cedar and the acacia” in the desert (Isaiah 41:18-19). (Kristen Holmberg, Our Daily Bread 22nd May 2026)

It’s an important spiritual principle to remember and apply that God brings life to desolate places. Sometimes we feel our spiritual life is dry and empty. That we are fruitless. We feel we may have lost that joy in the Lord, that spark in God. Not that we have wavered from the narrow path. We are still serving God faithfully. We are stll actively involved in ministry. It’s just that our spiritual life has become boring and predictable and we feel at times that we are now doing things because of the expectations of others. More duty than love for God or compassion for the body of Christ or for the lost souls.

How do we overcome this dryness in our spiritual life? Not by creating excitement of our own, through our own efforts. But rather looking to Him in prayer as He is the God who brings life to desolate places. He is the God that gives breath to the bones at the valley of dry bones (see Ezekial 37).

Invest time in prayer. Pray for others, pray for the needs we can see within our sphere of influence. People close to us, our loved ones and family, our cell group members, our congregation, our friends. As we pray with compassion and love, I believe Jesus will re-light the fire within us, to burn strong again with joy and vigour.

Also spend time reading His Word. Perhaps in the weekend, spend time researching certain topics that interest us. Dwell deeper into the Word. Maybe we want to focus on Isaiah or Daniel or Hosea. Read the history and the context. Or maybe we want to explore the first exile of the Israelites by the Assyrians that resulted in the lost ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel? Or we want to know more about Haggai and Zechariah and how the Persian King Darius helped the return of those in Judah after the Babylonian exile? As we learn more, we gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of God and in the process we will reignite the spark in our spiritual life. Always remember that it is the LORD who brings life to desolate places!

Have a good break at the weekend, everyone!