Author: Steve Singh

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Devotional

Citizens of Heaven

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Let’s face it. It’s easy to get discouraged when you look at our culture. Sexual brokenness, loneliness, anger, rampant immorality, political corruption, refugee crisis, apathetic attitudes, Islamic terrorism, and the list goes on.

As Christians, we should be messengers of hope and warriors for justice, as we carry the gospel to every place we go. We have the answer that people are looking for. How hopeful it is to hear about a life that has been rescued from sin!

This broken world also reminds us that, as Philippians 3:20-21 says, we are citizens of heaven. One day Jesus will come back for us and at that moment our bodies will be transformed to be like his glorious body. Yes, a big chance is coming — the likes of which you have never seen. You, Christian, will be changed! Your body is going to change! It will be a body that is ruled by the spirit, not by the flesh. It will be a new, glorious, perfect existence.

The next time you look into brokenness here in our fallen world, the next time you serve someone with the compassion of Jesus, the next time your heart cries, “How long, oh Lord?” remember that your home is not here. And one day, when you see Him, you will be made to be like Him.

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Article

Forgetting the Past

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13–14, NLT)

Do you have a hard time letting go of the past? As Christians, we are gloriously able to live in the now. We are forgiven. We have a goal, a prize. It is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Whether it is evil things that have been done to you, failures that hang over your head, or even past spiritual, emotional, or vocational success, our past does not define who we are in Christ.

The only way to run the race, is to run to win. The only way to do that is to keep your eyes on the finish line. Don’t look back, dear brother. Don’t look back, dear sister. You have a future and you have a prize awaiting you. Reach for it! God loves you!

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Article

What is Your Greatest Achievement?

A single cross with the empty tomb in the background

What’s your greatest achievement? How impressive is your résumé? What sets you apart? What is your passion? What do you do better than others?

One of the greatest and most intelligent leaders in history was a man named Saul of Tarsus. He lived in the first century and was a very promising up and coming Jewish rabbi. His list of achievements is impressive: “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:5-6).

Saul, later known as Paul, was the cream of the crop in the Jewish religion. After he met Jesus, he successfully reasoned with many, many people, convincing them that Jesus was the Christ. He was responsible for planting churches, spreading the gospel, and writing a good portion of the New Testament.

He considered all of his accomplishments “rubbish,” in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. Both his past (Philippians 3:7) and present (Philippians 3:8) he counts as loss. The King James Version of the bible uses the word “dung.” Paul considered everything in his life a pile of manure, compared to knowing Jesus. What a powerful sentiment!

Paul was a man who was apprehended by an insatiable desire to know Jesus. He was a man who had seen Jesus in a vision, who had been used by Jesus, and who was encouraged by Jesus, and yet he wanted to know Jesus more.

Likewise, all of our achievements, passions, and skills are manure compared to knowing Jesus. Knowing Jesus is the greatest knowledge we could ever have. I want to pursue Him more fervently and love Him more deeply. I pray that is your desire as well.

 

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Devotional

Here’s What’s On My List

What are you thankful for? Please share in the comments section.
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Devotional

What are people saying about you?

What are people saying about you? from Pat Sieler on Vimeo.

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Devotional

How to Stop Complaining

“Do all things without complaining.” That’s from the Bible. It’s recorded in a letter that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:14)

But is that really possible? I mean, have you ever gone through even one day without complaining…at least a little bit….maybe just in your heart Could you imagine what a different world it would be if no one, anyone ever complained….about anything…..ever!?

So how do you stop complaining? I guess you could stick a lemon in your mouth and squint like a maniac, but that would look pretty ridiculous and wouldn’t last too long.

The real answer is in Philippians 2:13: “It is God who works in you…” Without God working in you, you cannot stop complaining. It is through the miracle of Jesus living in us that we have the power to live for Him.

Complaining is like a spiritual gauge. It can be a warning sign. If there is a lot of complaining on the outside, there’s something wrong on the inside. The solution is to go to God and ask Him to work in you. Get alone with Him today. Repent. He can take your complaining away! He can do that for me, too!

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Article

What’s Your Story?

God is on the move. He is in the business of changing lives. The way He does it in each life is a little bit different. It always has to do with Jesus, forgiveness, and the cross. But the circumstances that bring each person to a place of surrender varies considerably.

We all have a God-story to tell. Telling someone what God has done in your life can be an encouragement to them, and a faith building experience for you.

If you have never written out your testimony, take some time and give it a try. Then, you will be more prepared to share it when God gives you the opportunity.

Here’s a short article about how to do that.

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Devotional

She was always at Jesus’ feet…

This past Sunday we looked at Matthew 26, which documents several events in Jesus’ life shortly before He went to the cross.

In particular, we looked at Mary, Judas, and Peter. They all followed Jesus, but their relationship with him was quite different. And they responded to His pending death in drastically different ways.

Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him, but Mary worshipped Him.

You and I should emulate Mary. Every time in Scripture we see her at the feet of Jesus.

First, she’s listening to His Word. (See the end of Luke 10.)

Then, she’s pouring out her heart. (John 11)

Finally, she’s giving her best in worship. (Matthew 26).

Brothers and sisters, these are three events that we need to have with Jesus every day: listen to His Word, pour out our heart to Him in prayer, and giving our best to Him as we surrender in worship. The Bible, prayer, and worship: That’s devotion.

Be devoted to Jesus!

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Devotional

Are you being tested?

Proverbs 17:3 says, “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.”

Tests are a part of life. God will lead you into circumstances for the purpose of testing you.

You may be in a challenging situation right now. It may be a relationship gone sour. It may be a stupid situation at your job. Perhaps you are dealing with unmet expectations or some emotional “funk” that you can’t define and can’t shake. You’ve lost your joy and you can’t get it back.

Welcome to the test.

Do you see your same sour reaction surfacing time and time again? God is testing you.

Do you fail to get the recognition that you deserve, or think you deserve? God is testing you.

Are you working a job for which you are WAY over qualified? God is testing you.

Is there an “hard to love” person in your life that you just know God wants you to love? God is testing you.

Remember this. God doesn’t bring tests into our lives so that He can see what’s happening in your heart. He brings them into our lives so that we can see our own heart.

Trials don’t make you angry; they reveal the anger that is already there.

Trials don’t make you sour; they reveal the bitterness that is already there.

God reveals it to you so that you know it’s there and so that you can deal with it.

Lately, I’ve seen some ugliness surface in my own life. I was not pleased with how I was reacting in certain situations. After struggling with the Holy Spirit, I finally prayed. I like to pray with an open Bible. I know the Psalms can be very helpful for our emotions, so I opened to the Psalms and looked for a verse to apply to my life. I found it. Here it is: “My eyes are ever on the Lord, For only He can release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:15.

Our tests can be a snare to us. The way to get out is to look continually to the Lord. Keep your eyes EVER on the Lord! And you will pass the test.

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Devotional

The Best Show

The Best Show

Have you ever been to a concert? Moments before it starts, the lights dim. Everything is dark. But when the star of the show begins performing the lights come on and everyone cheers.

Matthew 24:29 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light….” The next verse tells us what happens after this divine black out. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven….and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds…”

Revelation 19:11 fills in some details. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True…His eyes were like a flame of fire…”

This is the Second Coming of Christ. Everything blacks out – and then all the worlds attention is focused on the Light!

What a sight it will be – Jesus on a white horse with the armies of heaven behind Him. How spectacular, how triumphant! He is coming to judge. He is coming in great glory. He is coming as King of all!

This future event is certain to happen! It will be the final culmination of human history.

What should your response be?

Watch. Be ready. Be filled with hope. Live pure. Your Redeemer is coming. If you don’t know Him, you still have time. Give your life to Jesus right now!

And keep looking up – today might be the day!

Calvary Chapel Oakville