Tyrannus Online Seminary

DAILY REFLECTION
17 Aug 2026

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.’”Nehemiah 2:17

There are seasons in life when something we have treasured suddenly lies broken before us. A loved one is gone. A dream is shattered. A ministry struggles. The future we once saw clearly becomes uncertain.

I experienced such a season after the sudden passing of my dear friend and ministry partner, Professor Dr Paul Cheng. His death brought deep grief, but it also left Tyrannus Online Seminary (TOS) facing an uncertain future. Important records were inaccessible, much knowledge had been carried personally by Paul, and I found myself wondering whether TOS could continue.

In that season, Nehemiah 2:17 spoke deeply to me.

Nehemiah did not ignore Jerusalem’s broken walls. He acknowledged the painful reality: “You see the trouble we are in.” There is something pastoral and comforting in those words. God does not ask us to pretend that everything is all right. Faith allows us to grieve, to acknowledge our fears and even to admit, “Lord, I do not know what to do.”

But Nehemiah did not stop at the ruins.

He said, “Come, let us rebuild.”

Those words gradually became God’s invitation to me.

In the quiet hours before dawn, I brought my fears and uncertainties to Him. Sometimes there were more tears than words. I did not have all the answers, but I began to understand that I did not need to have them all before taking the next step.

My question slowly changed from “Can I rebuild TOS?” to “Lord, will You help me rebuild?”

And faith began to rise again.

Perhaps today you are standing before your own broken wall. Something precious may have been lost, and you cannot imagine how life can ever be the same again.

Do not be discouraged by the ruins.

God meets us there.

Rebuilding does not mean forgetting what was lost. It means trusting that loss does not have to be the end of the story.

Bring your broken walls to God. Give Him your grief, your fears and your unanswered questions. Then ask Him for grace to pick up the first stone.

“You will rebuild, and what you build this time will be sturdier, because you will have built it knowing exactly what it costs to lose something.” — Georgia Clare

DAILY REFLECTION
14 Aug 2026

“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” 
Luke 8:15

Leon Jala’s journey as a leader reminds us that Christlike character is intentionally cultivated over time. Behind his development stands the influence of his father, Idris Jala, known for his leadership in national and organisational transformation, but whose important legacy is also found in the values and faith he has sought to pass to his son.

For Leon, mentoring did not take place only through formal instruction. It grew through relationship—conversations, shared experiences, meals after church, and honest exchanges about leadership, challenges and faith. Their conversations through The Game of Impossible also provide a window into this father-son relationship, where wisdom is shared and difficult questions can be explored openly.

As Leon assumed greater leadership responsibilities at PEMANDU Group while continuing to serve as a lay pastor and worship leader, the importance of character became increasingly evident. Leadership is not merely about competence, position or achievement. Christlike leadership begins in the heart.

Luke 8:15 describes the good soil as those who hear God’s Word, retain it, persevere, and eventually produce fruit. This gives us a helpful picture of spiritual mentoring. A father cannot manufacture fruit in his children, but he can faithfully cultivate the soil—planting God’s Word, modelling integrity, correcting with love, encouraging perseverance, and demonstrating what it means to serve others.

The harvest often takes years to appear. Seeds planted in childhood may bear fruit much later in adulthood. That is why godly parenting requires patience and perseverance.

Our greatest legacy as fathers is therefore not the wealth, reputation or position we leave behind, but the character we help cultivate in the next generation. When children learn to love Christ, walk in integrity, serve humbly and influence others for God’s Kingdom, the seed has multiplied.

“A father’s greatest legacy is raising a son who walks in the footsteps of Christ.”

DAILY REFLECTION
13 Aug 2026

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬ ‭

Yesterday,  Ho Sze Chieng, a corporate coach came to my office to share about his professional services. What touched me most, however, was not his expertise, but his deeply personal testimony—a story of faith, endurance, and God’s sustaining presence through an unimaginable valley.

Chieng and his wife, both active and dedicated athletes, had enjoyed more than a decade of marriage when their lives took a painful turn. Both of their children were born with rare and complex congenital conditions, including serious heart disease and immune system deficiencies.

Suddenly, their family was thrust into one of life’s darkest valleys.

They faced high-risk surgeries, mounting medical expenses, uncertain outcomes, and repeated moments when their children came dangerously close to death. There were tears, fear, exhaustion, and questions without easy answers. Yet through those difficult years, they discovered a precious truth: God’s presence does not disappear when life becomes dark.

Again and again, when resources seemed insufficient, provision came. When the future appeared hopeless, doors opened. In moments of fear and uncertainty, they experienced God’s comfort, guidance, and sustaining grace.

Ten years of tears. Ten years of prayer. Ten years of choosing, day after day, to trust God.

Their journey brings Psalm 23:4 to life:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

David does not say that God always keeps us from the valley. He says that God is with us through the valley. The word “through” reminds us that the valley is part of the journey, not necessarily our final destination. David’s  confidence was not based on favourable circumstances, but on the presence of the Shepherd. The rod speaks of God’s protection, while the staff points to His guidance and care. Even when the path is dark and we cannot see what lies ahead, our Shepherd sees clearly and continues to lead us.

Perhaps you are passing through your own dark valley today—illness, financial pressure, family struggles, disappointment, or an uncertain future. You may not understand why God has allowed it or know when the journey will end.

Chieng and his wife’s testimony reminds us that sometimes faith means simply choosing to trust God one day at a time.

“We may not know how long the valley will last, but we know who walks with us through it.”‬‬

DAILY REFLECTION
12 Aug 2026

“The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.” 
 Psalm 41:3

Life took a painful and unexpected turn for my dear friend, Brother Lee Wei Min, when he suffered multiple strokes. For more than four months, he has remained bedridden in Tung Shin Hospital, unable to move, eat and speak.

His family has faithfully remained by his side, caring for him with extraordinary love and devotion. Yet behind their courage lies an emotional burden that few can fully understand—the pain of watching someone they love become so vulnerable, together with the growing weight of medical expenses.

In the midst of this long and difficult journey, they continue to pray and hold firmly to God. When words fail and circumstances seem unchanged, faith becomes the quiet anchor of the soul.

Psalm 41:3 speaks directly into such moments: “The LORD sustains them on their sickbed.” Scripture does not say believers will never experience sickness. Instead, it gives us something equally precious: God will not abandon us in our weakness. When we no longer have the strength to carry ourselves, God carries us.

God’s restoration does not always happen instantly or in the way we expect. Sometimes it comes through skilled doctors and compassionate nurses. Sometimes through gradual physical improvement. Sometimes God strengthens the family with courage to face another day. And sometimes, while the body remains weak, He brings a deeper spiritual restoration—peace in the midst of uncertainty and hope in the midst of suffering.

Brother Lee’s journey also reminds us that those who suffer should never walk alone. We can become instruments of God’s sustaining grace through our prayers, presence, encouragement, and practical generosity.

Perhaps you are lying on your own “sickbed” today—physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Healing may seem distant and tomorrow uncertain. Hold firmly to this promise: God is near. He sees you. He sustains you. And even when you cannot see what He is doing, His hands are still holding you.

“When we are too weak to hold on to God, we discover that God is still holding on to us.”

DAILY REFLECTION
11 Aug 2026

“Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.” Lamentations 5:15

In 2014, I had the privilege of co-chairing an International Marriage Renewal Vow celebration in Sanya, Hainan, together with Professor Dr. Zhao. Nearly 100 couples from China, Southeast Asia, and the United States were expected to participate, with about 800 guests confirming their attendance. Many arrived several days early, filled with excitement and anticipation.

Then, just one day before the event, we were suddenly instructed by the authorities to stop all activities. Months of preparation, prayer, and anticipation came to an abrupt halt. Our guests had to return home. Those of us who remained toured Sanya in silence and disappointment. Local and international Christian leaders were closely monitored, and gatherings in restaurants and hotels were prohibited.

What was meant to be a joyful celebration suddenly became a season of sorrow. The words of Lamentations 5:15 came alive: “Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.”

The people of Jerusalem understood what it meant for joy to disappear. Their city had fallen, their lives had been shattered, and celebration had been replaced by grief. Yet Lamentations teaches us an important truth: faith does not require us to deny our disappointment; it teaches us where to take it.

There will be moments when carefully made plans collapse, doors unexpectedly close, prayers seem unanswered, and celebration turns into sorrow. Disappointment does not necessarily mean that our faith is weak or that God has abandoned us.

Biblical lament gives us permission to come honestly before God. We can bring Him our tears, questions, confusion, and broken dreams. God is not threatened by our sorrow; He meets us in it.

When our plans are interrupted, God’s purposes are not. What appears to be an ending may still become part of His greater story.

“When the dancing stops, keep trusting God—the music of His grace has not ended.”

DAILY REFLECTION
10 August 2026

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9

In 2011, I met Prof. Dr. Zhao when I hosted his delegation of 35 Chinese entrepreneurs in Kuala Lumpur for a dialogue with local Christian business leaders. A respected academic, he had served on an economic advisory team connected with the Chinese government.

Prof. Zhao was sent to Harvard University as a research scholar to study how American corporations operated differently from Chinese enterprises. But what began as an academic journey soon became a spiritual journey that changed his life forever.

While in Boston, he began visiting churches on weekends. At first, he simply wanted to understand Christianity and what Christians believed.

Then, during one Sunday service, something unexpected happened. Prof. Zhao experienced a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. His heart was deeply touched, and he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ.

Prof. Zhao later published an article entitled “The Enterprise of the Cross”, which reportedly attracted nearly ten million readers. His testimony also opened doors for him to speak among Christian communities.

Because of his bold witness for Jesus, he was removed from his official responsibilities and faced opposition. He persevered, trusting in the grace of God. 

His story illustrates the truth of Ephesians 2:8–9.

Prof. Zhao had education, influence, status, and achievement. Yet none of these could save him. Salvation came not through what he had accomplished, but through what Christ had accomplished for him.

We cannot earn salvation through education, wealth, good works, religious activities, or social status. Salvation is a gift from God, received by faith in Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we may think we must first become good enough before God will accept us. But the gospel tells us otherwise. We come to Christ just as we are, with empty hands, and receive His grace by faith.

And the grace that saves us is also the grace that transforms us. It gives us courage to follow Christ faithfully, even when doing so becomes costly.

“Grace is not the reward for what we have achieved; it is the gift of what Christ has already accomplished.”

DAILY REFLECTION
7 August 2026

“Because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” — Ephesians 6:8

Late Pastor Paul was a humble and devoted servant of God whose heart was deeply moved by the plight of the poor living in the narrow alleys of Kuala Lumpur’s Chow Kit area. Long before sunrise, he would quietly carry bags of food, clothing, and medicine into the community. His mission was simple yet profound—to demonstrate the love of Christ to people whom society had largely forgotten.

His ministry was neither easy nor glamorous. Each day brought uncertainty, danger, disappointment, and overwhelming needs. Yet Pastor Paul never sought recognition, applause, or earthly reward. His motivation came from the promise of Ephesians 6:8: “The Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do.” He understood that while people may overlook faithful service, God never does.

Pastor Paul’s life was a living testimony to this truth. He fed the hungry, comforted the lonely, prayed for the sick, and restored dignity to those who had been abandoned by society. Many who encountered his ministry later testified that his compassion became a turning point in their lives, leading them to experience the hope and love of Christ. Though Pastor Paul has gone home to be with the Lord, the fruit of his faithful service continues to bear witness to God’s grace.

Ephesians 6:8 reminds us that God sees every act of obedience performed for His glory, no matter how small or unnoticed it may seem. Whether we serve in the pulpit, the marketplace, our homes, or behind the scenes, our true audience is the Lord Himself. He measures our lives not by prominence or popularity, but by faithfulness.

Ephesians 6:8 reminds us that God’s rewards are not always immediate. Sometimes He rewards us through transformed lives, deeper spiritual maturity, greater opportunities to serve, or quiet joy that comes from walking in obedience. Ultimately, every faithful believer will receive the Lord’s perfect commendation when we stand before Christ.

If your service seems unnoticed today, do not lose heart. The God who sees in secret never forgets. No prayer offered, no sacrifice made, no act of kindness shown, and no faithful service rendered in His name is ever wasted. Continue serving with humility and perseverance, knowing that your labour in the Lord is never in vain.

“God never overlooks a faithful heart, even when the world does.”

DAILY REFLECTION
6 August 2026

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people.” — Psalm 113:7–8

Bro Tham’s journey beautifully illustrates the truth of Psalm 113:7–8. Once weighed down by failure and overwhelming debt, he lived under constant fear and uncertainty. Humanly speaking, his future seemed hopeless. Yet it was in those darkest moments that God proved Himself faithful. Through unwavering faith, the support of a caring Christian community, and God’s gracious provision, Bro Tham’s life was transformed. Today, he is not only a successful businessman but also a living testimony of God’s power to restore, elevate, and bless beyond human expectation.

His story reminds us never to despise humble beginnings or difficult seasons. God delights in taking lives buried in the dust and raising them to become testimonies of His grace.

Psalm 113:7–8 reveals the compassionate heart of God. The “dust” and “ash heap” symbolise poverty, shame, failure, and despair. Yet God is not indifferent to those who are broken. He sees the overlooked, lifts the humble, restores their dignity, and gives them a new purpose.

This does not promise that every believer will gain wealth or worldly status. Rather, it assures us that God is able to redeem any life surrendered to Him. Sometimes He entrusts His people with positions of influence, not for personal glory but so they may glorify Him and serve others faithfully.

Never allow your present circumstances to define your future. Your trials may become the very stage upon which God displays His grace and power. What appears to be an ending may simply be the beginning of His greater purpose.

If you find yourself in the dust today, do not lose heart. The God who lifted Joseph from prison, David from the shepherd’s field, and countless others throughout Scripture is still at work today. He is able to exchange shame for honour, despair for hope, and weakness for strength.

“Where the world sees failure, God sees the beginning of a testimony.”

DAILY REFLECTION
5 August 2026

“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”
Psalm 41:9

Twenty-five years ago, I hired Jack as my Sales Manager. Young, energetic, and resourceful, he soon became more than an employee—we became like brothers. We shared meals, dreams, and confidential matters. My trust in him was so complete that I literally handed him the keys to my company.

Then everything changed.

Without my knowledge, Jack persuaded my sales and technical teams to leave and compete against me. In one calculated move, he took away nearly 60% of my company’s customers. The financial loss was immense, but the deeper wound was the betrayal of someone I had trusted and loved like family. Hoping to preserve our relationship, I even offered him company shares, but he rejected my offer without hesitation.

David understood this pain when he wrote, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Sharing bread symbolized loyalty and covenant friendship. When that trust was broken, the wound cut deeply. Jesus later quoted this very verse of Judas, who shared the Passover meal with Him before betraying Him (John 13:18).

Psalm 41:9 reminds us that even godly people are not exempt from betrayal. Those closest to us may fail us, but God never will. Human faithfulness is fragile; God’s faithfulness is eternal.

Betrayal leaves scars, but it does not have to leave us bitter. As we entrust our pain to Christ—the One who was betrayed for our salvation—He heals our wounded hearts, gives us grace to forgive, and restores our hope.

“The deepest wounds often come from those closest to us, but the deepest healing comes from the God who never betrays His children.”

DAILY REFLECTION
4 Aug 2026

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭18‬ ‭

Carl and Brian were once close neighbours who enjoyed a warm friendship. Every morning, they walked together before sharing coffee at their favourite café. Carl, a committed Christian, was known for his gentle spirit, while Brian, though a skeptic, valued their friendship.

During a kitchen renovation, Carl unknowingly extended his roof about two feet over Brian’s property. There was no ill intent, and neither man considered it an issue. They remained close friends until both eventually passed away.

The conflict began only after their deaths. When one of Brian’s relatives visited the property, he noticed the roof extension and suggested that Carl had deliberately encroached on the land. Suspicion quickly took root. Brian’s wife felt her late husband’s rights had been violated and demanded compensation. Carl’s wife, deeply hurt by the accusation against her deceased husband, responded defensively. What could have been settled through a gracious conversation soon deteriorated into a bitter dispute.

In an effort to end the conflict, Carl’s wife removed the roof extension and erected a high wall along the boundary. The property issue was resolved, but the relationship between the two families was broken. The wall became a lasting symbol of bitterness, replacing the friendship that Carl and Brian had once enjoyed.

This story vividly illustrates Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Paul acknowledges that peace is not always possible because it requires the willingness of both parties. Yet every believer is called to do all that depends on them to pursue peace.

The greatest enemies of peace are pride and unforgiveness. Pride insists on being right, while unforgiveness keeps old wounds alive. Together, they can turn a small misunderstanding into a lasting division. But the gospel calls us to a better way. Humility enables us to admit our faults, kindness softens hardened hearts, and forgiveness tears down the walls that bitterness builds.

Although we cannot control how others respond, we can choose to reflect the character of Christ. May God help us become bridge builders rather than wall builders, pursuing peace wherever possible and leaving behind a legacy of reconciliation rather than regret.

 “Pride builds walls; humility builds bridges. Forgiveness is the doorway through which peace returns.”‬‬