Week 27 (30 June - 6 July): "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full"

Happy 8th Anniversary, Talent Beacon!

Our delicious birthday cake

On 5 July, we celebrated eight years since our very first service on 8 July 2017. These simple words on our cake said it all: “Blessed 8th! All glory to God!” Truly, every year has been marked by God’s faithfulness. As we sang “Been So Good” during worship, I was overwhelmed with gratitude: “Lord, I’m so grateful, You were with me every step, And I never will forget.”

Looking back, God has been present in every evangelistic assignment — tuition ministry, door-to-door outreach, home visits, or fun days with our TAVA kids. He poured His love into our ministers and enabled us to be vessels of His powerful, lasting love. During the celebration, Senior Pastor Ben humorously described his own “specialised ministry” — fellowshipping through food! Even so, he reminded us that meals taken together, can break down invisible barriers, becoming a means of communion and healing.

He also challenged us to redefine what it means to live the abundant life. Not by the world’s standards, but by God’s. There are four spiritual phases we walk through in this journey:

1. Encounter with God

The abundant life begins with a personal encounter — asking God to reveal both our identity and purpose.

• Identity (John 1:35–42): When Jesus met Simon, He immediately renamed him Peter — “the Rock”. Our Creator knows us intimately, and when He reveals our identity, will we be still enough to believe?

• Purpose (Luke 5:1–11): Peter obeyed Jesus’ instruction to cast his nets again and witnessed a miraculous catch. In awe, he recognised his own unworthiness, yet Jesus still called him to become a fisher of men. When we begin to align ourselves with Him, our purpose is revealed in true obedience.

  
  

2. Accepting the Invitation

In Phnom Penh, we met the IRIS missionaries who clearly understood their identity in Christ and their kingdom assignments. Tirelessly, they ministered to the homeless, sick, and broken. Their lives are living examples of Matthew 25:35 and Matthew 16:24 — people who have truly “taken up their cross” to follow Jesus.

3. Equipping

When we say “yes” to God, He begins to equip us. This doesn’t mean accumulating Bible knowledge for its own sake or being passive. It means engaging — in church, missions, and prayers — so that His Word comes alive in and through us.

4. Testing (Matthew 14:22–33)

Testing validates and strengthens our faith. Not everyone is called to walk on water or raise the dead. But we are all called to rise with godly boldness. When we fail, God doesn't forsake us. He equips us again. Every test builds deeper obedience, stronger faith, and greater trust in Him.

May we walk closely with our Saviour and Provider, the Truth and light. Embracing His definition of abundance for us in our lives— not as the world gives, but as only He decisively can.

‘He is the treasure, he is the answer, no matter what, I choose the Jesus way’. (Lyrics of The Jesus Way, Phil Wickham)

With love,

Jo-Ann, Edwin and Jenny

(for Diakonia)