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Lest we forget - One of our founding fathers

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Every morning, half a million schoolchildren in Singapore stand with their right fists over their hearts and recite 38 words. "We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation." Those words were written by a man who was born in Ceylon, raised in Malaya, spent 12 years in London, married a Hungarian woman, and didn't call Singapore home until he was in his thirties. He wasn't born Singaporean. T here was no Singapore to be born into. He had to help build the country first... and then write the words that would teach its children who they were. His name was S. Rajaratnam. He was born on February 25, 1915, in Jaffna, Ceylon.  But only because his father wanted him born there for auspicious reasons... his elder brother had died prematurely, and the family believed a birth in the ance...
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Why God spoke to Samuel – Part 2

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Why God spoke to Samuel – Part 2 Text: 1 Samuel 2–3   It always amazes me that God would choose a 12-year-old boy to reveal deep “state secrets” rather than speaking to the clergy. These were not small matters—these were issues at the very heart of the temple, concerning the highest levels of spiritual leadership.   You would expect God to speak to the experienced. You would expect Him to speak to the trained. You would expect Him to speak to those in position and authority.   But He didn’t.   Instead, God bypassed the priesthood…He passed over the established leadership… And He spoke to a child.   Why?   What was it about Samuel that caught the attention of God? What kind of heart causes heaven to speak? And what does this reveal about the kind of people God chooses to entrust with His voice?   In the earlier devotion we considered the following   ·        He positioned himself in God’s presence ·    ...
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Report from Rayagada Odisha

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Early Easter program in Odisha Th e early Easter Cantata program in Odisha was conducted successfully, achieving its primary objective of sharing the Good News with non-Christian communities. The event witnessed a meaningful response, with many attendees hearing the message of the Gospel in a clear and impactful way. The program was made possible through the prayer, support, and encouragement of Rev Ramachandran, whose partnership played a significant role in its success. The organizing team expressed deep gratitude for his continued involvement and commitment to the work of the ministry. Leaders involved in the outreach shared their confidence that this program marks the beginning of new opportunities. They believe that God is opening doors for further ministry, with plans underway to reach additional villages in the near future. The Easter Cantata stands as a testimony to what can be accomplished through unity, dedication, and a shared burden for the Kingdom of God. To God be the glo...
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Why God Spoke to Samuel – Part 1

Why God Spoke to Samuel – Part 1 Text: 1 Samuel 2–3   In a time when the word of the Lord was rare, God chose to speak, not to a seasoned priest, but to a young boy. Samuel was likely only a child, perhaps around 10–12 years old. This reminds us that age or experience is not a barrier for God to speak.   Even though there were experienced priests like Eli and his sons, their hearts were not right before God. God does not look for age, position, or experience.    Why Samuel? Why did God speak to him and not to Eli or his sons?   The answer is found in the life Samuel was already living. Let me suggest a few reasons: He positioned himself in God’s presence -  Samuel was lying down “in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was” (1 Sam 3:1). He intentionally remained close to the presence of God. Scripture also tells us that “the lamp of God had not yet gone out,”. This is an important observation. In the tabernacle , the lamp (menorah) was kept burning t...
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