Light

December 13, 2025

I enjoy running in the winter, with the chilly air on my face and the white snow painted all over the trail. It's simply beautiful. However, there are downsides as well, with one of them being short daylight time. In the summer, I can get up very early, like 5 a.m., and it’s already bright enough for me to go out and feel safe, but that is not the case in the winter. I am limited to when I can be out and do my thing due to the lack of daylight time. In fact, in about a week, we will have the shortest amount of day time, and daylight time will start to increase again as Christmas approaches. 

I have been studying the seven churches in the book of Revelation this week, and in the message to the church in Thyratira, Jesus promises the church that when they overcome the challenges, “and I will give him the morning star.” Revelation 2:28. The Morning Star is unique because it appears in the coldest, darkest part of the night, just before dawn. It is the herald that the sun is about to rise. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus identifies Himself as the Morning Star. “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” Jesus also says in John 8:12 that He’s the Light of the world.

In the darkness of this world that we live in, I am glad that Jesus is our Light and our Morning Star, who promises us that we can live in His light. Just as Moses’ face was shining from his encounter with God, I pray that we will also be the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) and shine His love and glory in the new year of 2026.

Preparation

December 6, 2025

This week was cold. It’s that kind of weather where you want to stay home and be cozy in a blanket, and you don’t want to be outside. That did not stop me from going out to run. I have run in this type of weather and I know how to prepare myself for it. The key is in layering up properly. I also know that my body tends to exert heat when my heart rate goes up during the run. I don’t want to layer up too much, otherwise I will overheat myself.

After the prep, I set out for my run. With the wind, it was colder and I had to cover my face. I questioned myself for even being out on a day like this. But slowly, I felt my body heat rising, and I started to get in a rhythm and I felt comfortable. Soon, the cold air didn’t feel cold anymore, and everything just felt right. Halfway into the run, I found myself unzipping the top of my jacket to let some cool air regulate my temperature. By the end of the run, I was running hot. I know that it was a good run and I am glad I chose to leave the house for this beautiful run. Preparation was key.

I was reading 2 Timothy 3 the other evening, and Paul talks about the persecutions he had endured in verse 11. Then in verse 12, he says, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Just like I can’t always run in ideal weather all the time as there are times of adverse circumstances, I know I need to be out there to fulfill my daily goal. In the same way, living for Christ is never easy. There is great joy in walking with Him, but in this world, it comes with a price: suffering. The Devil does not make it easy. But preparation is key. And Paul tells us about it: “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” verses 14 and 15. The Word of God preps us in this world full of sin, and leads us to salvation in Jesus. May we be prepared as we await the second coming of Jesus and welcome the new year.

Annoyance

November 29, 2025

“Alexa, how do you annoy your little brother?” My brother’s family was over during Thanksgiving and the kids were asking silly questions to Alexa. This was its response. “Repeat your brother with a high pitched voice. This has worked since the dawn of time.” 

I think this method works, but I would advise not to do it.

In the Bible, at the dawn of time, the older brother was annoyed by the little brother (it was the other way around). We find the story in Genesis 4, where Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. The Lord respected the younger brother’s offering, but did not respect the older brother’s offering. And, we know the story’s results, with Cain killing his younger brother Abel. 

While Genesis 4 does not give a clear rationale for why God only accepted Abel’s offering, Paul writes about this in Hebrews 11:4 that Abel’s offering was an act of faith. “By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” This whole chapter talks about the different characters of the Bible that testified of their faith, followed by this particular verse: “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1,2. 

In the season of Thanksgiving, may we learn to express faith like Abel did. I know that will annoy the Master Deceiver for sure. Moreover, may we look unto Jesus as we are running with endurance. Happy Thanksgiving!