Devotions (Page 9)

Although there were so many gems in Karyne’s sermon on Sunday, one specific part really caught my attention. John 15 and the entire passage about needing to abide in the vine in order to bear fruit has been huge for me over the last couple years and I’m sure that this partnership of Karyne’s message with that passage will continue to challenge me moving forward. “We put a lot of effort into ensuring that the atmosphere around us is good.…

It is always fun for me to sit on the pew side whenever my wife speaks. I get to hear the same scenarios and situations that we both face, and I get to hear the perspective and what God is doing through those moments to my wife as He also works in me. What an amazing privilege to know and see that God works on both of us – love you Karyne. Life can be hard. And life is fast.…

Our current memory verse is James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. I read this in the King James version and noticed a change in the wording: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the…

Dear LifeSpring Family, As a teenager in Singapore, my Sunday School teacher got us to memorise Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,”  This was of course an effort by the Sunday School teacher to get young teenage boys to behave in class and to think of others beside themselves. Two things that do not come naturally to teenage boys.  In the last couple of years, I have taken up the spiritual discipline of memorising God’s work. So naturally, I looked up old favorite verses…

We had the amazing privilege of having one of our newest elders, Rodney Lau, speak and lead the church family in a time of seeking, hearing, and praying to the Lord. It was such a unique Sunday where there was nothing traditional about it! God works in so many ways and the presence of the Lord was in our midst. As Rodney was leading, I was greatly encouraged. I looked out into the sanctuary and saw the people praying, weeping,…

At intercession, Pastor Alvin and Pat led us in prayer for an upcoming event called “Toronto Police Service Prayer Walk.” Below are some of the details: Pastor Alvin & Pat also shared a video from CityNews on the Toronto Police Service Prayer Walk.  Check it out: https://toronto.citynews.ca/video/2024/04/11/faith-leaders-and-police-hold-prayer-walk/ I’d like to highlight some things that stuck out to me: The Scriptures say: It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue…

Yesterday, April 23rd, was the sixth anniversary of the Yonge Street Tragedy. It has been so interesting to see how, with every year that passes, as I pause with neighbours to remember and to honour and to pray, God will do something new every time. Maybe it’s a new story from that day or another testimony of how someone’s life was miraculously spared; consistently though, there is a new layer of healing that takes place. I had the privilege of…

We were blessed to have Leona speak on Sunday! She had a chance to share about her family’s trip to Thailand in June, as well as speak on the topic of joy. If you missed it, you can view her sharing below, and if you’re able please listen in prayer about supporting the Lee family in prayer and through financial support for their mission trip. Leona’s message I think the topic of joy is one that we don’t often think…

I was reading Joshua 5 – 6 the other day. Basically, it’s how the Israelites prepared and conquered Jericho under Joshua’s command. The thing that stood out to me about this passage was that one of the first things Israel did in preparation for this was to circumsise the men (Joshua 5:2-8). It was a time consuming step, as everyone had to heal up before they could conquer Jericho, but it was a direct command from God, so they did…

Dear LifeSpring Family, When I was reading Laura’s devotion on Monday, the Lord reminded me of a verse that I am currently meditating on.  Laura quoted the verse in Romans 5:5: “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” There are too many instances in my life where shame has been too close a “friend” of mine on my journey of life.  Not being smart enough. Not…

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  through whom we have gained access  by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,  because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts…

When Jerry & Dorothy spoke, they shared a verse with the Church that has changed and continues to change their perspective in life as they walk in God’s purposes. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 (ESV) This verse has the ability to change your perspective from what we think we know to what God knows. It moves us from relying on what we see to what God sees. It propels us to place our faith and hope…