What is the truest hallmark of a Christian?

There are many essential and commendable virtues of being a Christian. The one that stands out above all is: Love.

"Listen" by Jan Jee, SUN division, City Harvest Church

In his writing, the apostle Paul asserted, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that:-

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; NKJV)

When a Pharisee tested Jesus on which is the great commandment in the law, "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40;NKJV)

In the night of the Last Supper after Jesus had washed His disciples' feet and Judas had gone out to betray Him, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment about loving one another. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35; NKJV).

The apostle John, who described himself by revelation as one of the disciples whom Jesus loved (John 13:23b), had this to say concerning love:-

"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." (1 John 4:20-21; NKJV) 

In John 14, Jesus continued His discourse on love:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15; NKJV)

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21; NKJV)

When we love God and His Words, we host His Presence in us and the Triune God manifest Himself to us. 

"Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me." (John 14:22-23; NKJV)

Yes, while we want to do the good works which God prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10) for us to do, let us not forget to allow Him to complete the good work of making us a person who keeps His Words to love God and one another.

May the LORD grant us fresh eyes and enlarge our hearts to love one another as an integral part of loving Him and His words. 

Let us listen and follow the voice of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to love Him just as He has first loved us. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27; NKJV)

Be In Agreement with God's Word

Words are not just meant for communication, but for creation. What you agree to or think about, matters as it would come forth in what you say.

When you speak out of your own experience, learning, hearsay and what-nots that do not line up with the truth of God's Word, then you would unwittingly be sabotaging your own well being.

Sometimes when facing challenges, problems, insurmountable difficulties and accusations from the adversary of our faith, you may unconsciously agree with the circumstances and evil thoughts rather than rise up in faith by upholding the Word of God and proclaiming "It is written,...".

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

"For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory." 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

The Word of God is life and spirit. Abide in the LORD and let His Word abide in you so that what you think and speak will be the oracles of God which shall go forth and not come back void.

The following sermon will bless you indeed as you hearken unto the Word of God.

Click here for Chains or Change: The Spiritual Impact of Agreement.

 

Do You Acknowledge God As Your Heavenly Father?

By and large, Christians would have no issue with worshipping God as the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and Lord of all.

When it comes to loving God and relating to Him as our Heavenly Father, this is where many Christians struggle because of some disappointing experiences with their own father, stepdad and/or spiritual father.

What if you could have a personal revelation by the Holy Spirit and relate to God as your Heavenly Father today? That would be life-changing as you know firsthand that God see you, know you, carry you, provide for you, protect you, teach you, and love you unconditionally.

Our Lord Jesus Christ addresses God as "Father" and Paul the apostle refers to God as "Abba Father" or Daddy God.

With childlike faith, start today by trusting in God as your Heavenly Father and source for provision, protection and affection.

Click here (fast forward to 46:00) for The Father Heart of God and learn that God the Father is Faithful, Generous, Affectionate, Attentive and Accepting. 

Click here for Echoes of Fatherhood and learn God’s Father heart in desiring a godly genealogy that we’ll leave behind – one marked by faith, love, and obedience to God.

                         

Do You Charge Yourself Up?

In this day and age, it is unthinkable not to charge up the battery of your mobile devices so that they could function with optimal power and help you run your life well.

Image credits: Cornerstone Community Church

As a Christian you would be well minded to put on the whole armor of God and be battle-ready as you set out each day. But what about powering yourself up with prayer, especially by speaking in tongues? 

Paul of Tarsus is well regarded as one of the greatest apostle who advanced Christianity and made Christ Jesus known to both Jews and the rest of us. Do you remember that he said that he spoke in tongues more than others? 

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you." (1 Corinthians 14:18; NIV) Did we miss this or just dismissed it? This could well be the underlying power behind Paul's revelation from Christ Himself in his writings and his other great exploits for Christ. 

Start practicing speaking in tongues during your Quiet Time with God and see for yourself first hand what a difference this could impact your walk of faith in Him. Start with 1 minute, 5 minutes and then extend to an hour. 

"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:40-41; NIV)

"But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit," (Jude 20; AMP)

"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!" (Jude 20-21; MSG)

"But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit." (Jude 20; TLB)

Click here for Recharged by Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong, Cornerstone Community Church, Singapore. 

Fresh Perspectives On Quiet Time and Feet Washing

If you have been a Christian for some time, you would be familiar with spending Quiet Time in the LORD's Presence. 

But, if you are finding it more like a chore or duty instead of delight and anticipation, then the following clip would be a useful reminder.

In this clip, you will also learn the spiritual impact of getting your feet washed off dust which the serpent mentioned in Genesis feeds on. We need to let Jesus wash our feet as we spent time with him, and we could also spend time with others and help wash their feet of spiritual defilement so that the Devil has no hold on us.

Click here for This Changes How You Spend Time With God | Joseph Prince Ministries.

Father's Love

 

"Father's Love" in acrylic
By
Charmaine Chin

The above painting was completed "Live" by Charmaine Chin during the 10 a.m. Sunday Service at City Harvest Church on 2 March 2025.

The caption to her painting is as follows:-

"Father's Love

Deuteronomy 1:30

The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will  fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.

God's care and support are like a father carrying his child, offering strength during difficult times. Are you facing difficult times in your life right now? Stick close to the Father and He will give you the strength to go through whatever problem you are facing now.

Charmaine Chin
Sun Division"

The artist was present after the service and the few of us who were there got to capture this poignant moment with her:-

Charmaine Chin, dressed in matching colours of her painting.

I like how the cub is depicted as pressing into the chin of the Father. Great choice of a lion as Jesus Himself, the Son of God, is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

"Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5 (AMP)

Thank you, Charmaine, for showing us the Father's love.

"The Spirit of Love" by Pastor Kong Hee

God is love. The greatest is love. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism into divine love.

You are in for a spiritual feast as Pastor Kong Hee expounds the Spirit Baptism of Love in this five parts sermon series.

Click here for The Spirit of Love (Part 1) and fast forward to 1:08:34 for the sermon.

Click here for The Spirit of Love (Part 2) and fast forward to 1:06:59 for the sermon.

Click here for The Spirit of Love (Part 3) and fast forward to 59:25 for the sermon.

Click here for The Spirit of Love (Part 4) and fast forward to 50:44 for the sermon.

Click here for The Spirit of Love (Part 5) and fast forward to 39:23 for the sermon.