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All this took place to fulfill what the Lord has said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God with us." - Matthew 1:22

God endured it all, just to be with us.

He didn't have to do it, He wanted to.

God loves us so much, He would do anything so He could be with us.

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Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do not know you will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor. - Isaiah 55:5

The Story of His Amazing Grace

"The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be for ever mine"

These are the words from the last verse of John Newton's poem that became the famous hymn Amazing Grace. The one that we know more familiarly - "When we've been there ten thousand years..." is actually a change to the song made in 1909. Edwin Excell, a composer of hymns replaced it with a verse from the hymn "Jerusalem, My Happy Home."

How this last stanza is once again featured back in the song is another interesting story to be told. Chirs Tomlin was approached by a friend who was working on the film "Amazing Grace" to do something for the show. The film itself is based on the real-life story of William Wilberforce who as a Member of Parliament, navigated the world of 18th Century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. As Chris thought about what to do with a precious song that was already a classic in itself, the Lord led him to write the extra refrain - "My chains are gone, I've been set free..." Hear it for yourself below.

More on the life on John Newton. Though he started out as a captain of a slave trading ship, the Lord came to him one day and he gave his life to Christ, finally, becoming a clergyman (a minister of Christ). It was during this time that he constantly encouraged William Wilberforce in his push to put an end to the slave trade. Watch this to find out more.

What really touched me about this entire story was how the Lord's redemptive purpose for John Newton's life shown through as God used the former slave trader to be an encourager to the person who would subsequently be instrumental in bringing an end to the British slave trade in 1807. As I read more about the history of John Newton and William Wilberforce, I could not but stand amazed before our God who orchestrated the freedom of his people. Indeed, we are greatly blessed to be found within His Amazing Grace. Be blessed by the song.

Find out more about the story of the Amazing Grace here.
Find out more about the movie here.


Joshua Teo

A LACK OF COLOUR

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(10 days to exams.)

Isaiah 48:1
stubbornness. am i?
invoking the God of Israel, but not in truth or righteousness. am i?
what is truth? what is righteousness?
am i truthful? am i righteous? maybe i ought to do some introspection.
have i become stubborn in the name of psuedo-righteousness? worse still - self-righteousness?
hmm. it is time to apply some correction fluid. to make some changes. to die to myself again.

Full Assurance

Want to share a devotion book i was reading. Its a very old moody press book. Compiling readings from Christian Giants such as D.L Moody, Charles Spurgeon, George Mueller, F.B Meyer and the list goes on. This was written by Henry Ironside.

The Unhappy Backslider

Peter speaks of some who through waywardness have gotten so far out of fellowship with God that they have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins. This is a sad state to be in. It is what is commonly called in the old testament "backsliding". "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" (Proverbs 14:14). An old preacher I knew as a boy used to say, "Backsliding always begins in the knee." And this is very true indeed. Neglect of prayer will soon dull the keen edge of one's spiritual sensibilities and make is easy for a believer to drift into worldliness and carnalities, as a result of which his soul's eyesight will become dimmed and he will lose the heavenly vision.

Lord i pray that you will draw me close to you each and everyday so that i will not fall into the traps of the world and sour our relationship. Help me always to remember you in everything i do and may my actions and speech be pleasing in your sight.
Amen!