Học viện Thần học Trực tuyến Tyrannus

DAILY REFLECTION
18 May 2026

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." 
Proverbs 3:5-6

After the funeral of my ministry partner, Prof. Dr. Paul, in January 2023, I entered one of the darkest and most overwhelming seasons of my life. Overnight, the entire responsibility of leading Tyrannus Online Seminary (TOS) fell upon my shoulders—a burden far heavier than I had ever imagined carrying alone. The sudden loss left not only an emotional void, but also a ministry crisis that seemed impossible to overcome.

Without access to his computer passwords, many critical documents, records, and essential information became unreachable. At the same time, financial pressures intensified as outstanding debts mounted and creditors repeatedly demanded payment. Yet I could see no clear solution and no visible path forward.

The challenges did not end there. There was no administrative team to assist, no faculty support to rely on, and very limited resources to sustain the daily operations of the seminary. Humanly speaking, everything pointed toward failure. Fear, uncertainty, and helplessness surrounded me, and I often felt emotionally exhausted and completely lost.

In that painful season, I learned what it truly means to cry out to God. When every human option seemed to disappear, I desperately sought His wisdom, strength, and direction to guide me through the darkness. What once seemed like an impossible situation became a deeper journey of dependence upon Him.

During those difficult days, Proverbs 3:5–6 became a living anchor for my soul.
These verses reminded me that life is not sustained by human ability, personal wisdom, or favorable circumstances, but by the sovereign hand of God. There are seasons when our own understanding fails, when logic cannot provide answers, and when human strength reaches its limit. Yet it is often in those very moments that God teaches us to trust Him more deeply.

Many people desire God’s guidance while still holding tightly to their own control. But true faith begins when we surrender our fears, uncertainties, and limited understanding into His hands. God sometimes allows difficult seasons not to destroy us, but to draw us into deeper dependence, stronger faith, and greater spiritual maturity.

Proverbs 3:5–6 teaches us that God’s guidance is not merely about leading us out of adversity; it is also about shaping our character, refining our trust, and fulfilling His greater purpose through our lives. When we choose to trust Him wholeheartedly, even in seasons of pain and uncertainty, we will eventually discover that His ways are always higher, wiser, and far more faithful than our own.

"Worry is blind and cannot discern the future, but Jesus sees the end from the beginning."

DAILY REFLECTION
15 May 2026

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails"
Proverbs 19:21

In early January 2023, my ministry partner Dr. Paul shared with Prof Mark our plans to visit NZ in April to sign an important contract for his official appointment as Chair of TOS at the seminary after his heart valve replacement surgery at CVSKL. Hope filled our hearts as new opportunities began unfolding for the future growth of TOS. It seemed that a new chapter of expansion and breakthrough was just ahead.

On the evening before his planned discharge from the hospital, everything changed in a single moment. Dr. Paul suddenly collapsed and never regained consciousness. His passing on 22 January 2023 brought unimaginable shock and grief, leaving a profound void not only in my life, but also in the ministry we had faithfully built together.

For years, he had carried much of the operational and academic responsibilities alone. No one else had access to the seminary’s passwords, systems, or critical information. Overnight, I found myself standing in the middle of uncertainty and confusion. Without theological training, sufficient resources, or strong support, I felt completely overwhelmed and helpless, unsure how to continue leading TOS. What once appeared to be a season filled with promise suddenly became a journey marked by grief, fear, and unanswered questions.

We often make plans with confidence, believing we know the direction ahead. Yet life can change without warning, reminding us that human control is fragile and temporary. Even the most carefully arranged plans can collapse in a moment, but God’s sovereign purpose remains steadfast and unshaken.

Though our understanding is limited, God continues to work beyond what we can see. In seasons of loss, uncertainty, and broken dreams, He gently teaches us to surrender our plans, trust His higher wisdom, and rest in the assurance that His purpose will always prevail.

Proverbs 19:21 teaches us to surrender our desire for control and trust fully in God’s wisdom. Though human plans may fail or change, God’s purpose remains firm forever. At times, He allows unexpected disruptions not to destroy us, but to redirect us according to His greater will. When we place our lives and ministries in His hands, we can move forward in faith and peace, confident that His plans are always wiser, higher, and ultimately for His glory and our good.

"When God cancels your plans, it's always for a greater purpose"

DAILY REFLECTION
14 May 2026

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."
Proverbs 16:9

In 2022, my ministry partner, Prof. Dr. Paul discovered that the process of obtaining ATA full accreditation was far more stringent and complex than we had initially expected. He decided not to continue pursuing that route. Instead, he explored another strategy by signing an MOU with a seminary professor from New Zealand, appointing him as the chair of TOS with an attractive remuneration package, and commissioning him to recruit 42 theologians to develop a complete theological curriculum—from certificate to degree levels.

The proposed project was ambitious, valued at millions of ringgit. The vision was to produce a comprehensive collection of theological books for churches, similar to encyclopedias for their libraries. Humanly speaking, it appeared impressive, strategic, and full of potential. Yet, despite the grand vision, it eventually became clear that this was not God’s direction for TOS.

As believers, we often make plans based on what seems wise, logical, and promising. There is nothing wrong with planning, because God gives us wisdom, vision, and creativity. However, today’s verse reminds us that only God sees the complete picture. His ways are higher than our understanding, and His direction always aligns with His eternal purpose.

Sometimes God blesses and confirms the plans we make. At other times, He lovingly redirects us away from opportunities that may appear good but are not part of His divine assignment. These moments teach us humility, dependence, and spiritual sensitivity to His leading.

Proverbs 16:9 teaches us to plan diligently, yet hold every ambition with open hands before the Lord. Human understanding is limited, but God sees the past, present, and future perfectly. Therefore, we are called not only to make plans, but also to surrender them prayerfully to Him, trusting that His guidance will always lead us into His best purpose for our lives and ministry.

“Don't limit God by trying to get it done your way.”

DAILY REFLECTION
13 May 2026

“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬ ‭

During one of the most difficult seasons of our ministry, uncertainty and anxiety weighed heavily upon us during the MCO period. In the midst of that challenging time, we received a timely call from a pastor friend in Kuching. He asked whether TOS could develop a one-year course titled Journey Through the Bible to equip their cell leaders and members throughout the lockdown.

Although our resources were limited, my ministry partner, Prof. Dr. Paul, responded with remarkable dedication and quickly designed a comprehensive program. Shortly afterward, an MOU was signed to launch the online studies, marking a significant milestone for TOS. By God’s grace, SBC enrolled more than 400 paid participants, and the support from the program sustained our operations for the next six months.

What seemed like a season of uncertainty became a testimony of God’s faithfulness. This breakthrough reminded us that perseverance and obedience in difficult times often become the pathway to God’s provision and blessing.

In Revelation 3:8, Jesus declares, “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” This verse carries a powerful assurance that God holds the keys to every opportunity in our lives. During seasons of hardship, waiting, or discouragement, it is easy to feel weak and powerless. Yet God sees our faithfulness, our struggles, and our perseverance.

The church in Philadelphia had “little strength,” yet they remained steadfast in obeying God’s Word. In the same way, God is not searching for people who rely on human strength or ability, but for hearts that remain faithful, obedient, and fully dependent on Him. When God opens a door, no opposition, limitation, or obstacle can close it. His divine timing creates opportunities for growth, provision, ministry, and fresh beginnings.

Revelation 3:8 teaches us to trust God even when resources are scarce and challenges appear overwhelming. Our responsibility is not to depend on our own abilities, but to remain watchful, faithful, and ready to walk through every door that God opens according to His perfect purpose.

"When your back is up against the wall and you pray and seek his help, God will make a way through the trial." —John Townsend‬‬

DAILY REFLECTION
12 May 2026

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭

Amid relentless financial pressures and the ongoing challenge of sustaining Tyrannus Online Seminary (TOS), we have continued to reach out tirelessly to churches and Christian organizations, seeking opportunities to share and promote our courses. Yet the reality has often been discouraging. The unaccredited status of TOS and the absence of structured academic programs have made it difficult to attract students and gain wider recognition. At times, the road has felt lonely and uncertain. Even so, we refuse to lose heart. By faith, we continue pressing forward, trusting that in His perfect timing, the Lord will open doors no man can shut and establish the work He has entrusted to us.

Building a seminary is far more than managing finances or administration—it is about shaping lives, nurturing hearts, and raising a spiritual community grounded in faith, wisdom, and God’s purpose. The apostle Paul reminds us that though outward circumstances may seem painful and discouraging, God is continually renewing the inner person day by day through His grace, strength, and sustaining presence.

The burdens we carry and the challenges we face do not define the worth of this ministry nor diminish the calling God has placed upon us. Instead, these difficult seasons have become sacred moments where the Lord deepens our dependence on Him, renews our vision, and strengthens our resolve to persevere. In the hidden places of hardship, His Spirit is producing endurance, resilience, humility, and spiritual maturity within us.

Though immediate results may not yet be visible, God is quietly working behind the scenes, preparing the way for greater fruitfulness and a wider impact for His kingdom. Every sacrifice, every prayer, every step of obedience is seen by Him and will bear fruit in due season.

2 Corinthians 4:16 calls us to lift our eyes beyond temporary struggles and focus on God’s ongoing work of transformation within us. It assures us that our labor in the Lord is never wasted. Even when we feel weary outwardly, He is faithfully renewing, strengthening, and sustaining us inwardly day by day.

“God’s faithfulness sustains us through every season, filling our hearts with comfort, strength, and joy as we remember His mighty works and unfailing goodness in our lives.”‬‬

DAILY REFLECTION
11 May 2026

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!”  
Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭11‬ ‭

During the Movement Control Order (MCO) in 2020, we devoted six months of relentless daily effort to providing free online Bible studies. TOS’s mission to serve and equip marketplace believers with theological education remained unwavering. However, as time passed, the demands became physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. With no income to sustain the ministry, we eventually faced the difficult decision of introducing fees. Yet, the number of registered students was disappointing, and the limited contributions were still insufficient to cover the costs of Zoom subscriptions and lecture honorariums.

In the midst of uncertainty and mounting pressure, I experienced the sustaining comfort of God’s unfailing love. His faithfulness became my anchor, restoring my soul and strengthening me to persevere through that difficult season.

Today’s verse teaches us to shift our focus from the weight of our struggles to the certainty of God’s faithfulness. Even in seasons of disappointment, waiting, or lack, His presence remains constant. Trusting in His unfailing love is an intentional act of faith that renews our spirit and steadies our hearts. Faith does not deny hardship; rather, it chooses to trust God in the midst of it.

Psalms 42:11 reminds us that in every season of discouragement or uncertainty, we can speak hope to our souls, place our trust firmly in God, and continue praising Him. He remains our faithful Savior, the lifter of our countenance, and our unshakable source of strength.

“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.” —C.S. Lewis

DAILY REFLECTION
8 May 2026

"You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him." 

Deuteronomy 13:4

By the end of 2019, I experienced a remarkable breakthrough—freedom from every financial bondage—which marked the beginning of a new season in my life. With renewed faith and purpose, I stepped out to rebuild Tyrannus Online Seminary (TOS). The journey, however, was far from easy. There were many moments when discouragement nearly caused me to give up.

Then, in March 2020, during the government’s Movement Control Order (MCO), an unexpected door opened. As physical gatherings were restricted, TOS was given the opportunity to engage Bible teachers to conduct classes online, allowing theological education to continue reaching people in their homes.

Because the courses were offered free of charge, interest grew rapidly. Soon, more than 800 Chinese-speaking students and 500 English-speaking students enrolled, bringing total registrations to over 1,500. Nearly every day except Sundays, the late Prof. Dr. Paul and I labored tirelessly on the phone and computer, helping students gain access to lessons and ensuring the ministry continued smoothly.

After six months, exhaustion began to take its toll. Financial limitations made it increasingly difficult to sustain free theological education. Humanly speaking, the situation seemed impossible.

Looking back, this journey reflects the truth found in Deuteronomy 13:4, where God calls His people to walk after Him, obey His voice, serve Him, and hold fast to Him. Loving God is more than an emotional experience; it is a steadfast commitment that shapes every decision and direction in life. Obedience requires trusting that God’s ways are higher and better, even when circumstances appear uncertain.

To “hold fast” to God means remaining faithful during seasons of pressure, fatigue, and testing. It is choosing perseverance over surrender and truth over distraction.

Deuteronomy 13:4 reminds us that Faith is not merely intellectual belief; it is daily walking under God’s guidance. A true disciple seeks to follow God’s character, values, and purposes in every area of life, trusting that He remains faithful even when the journey becomes difficult.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”—Corrie ten Boom

DAILY REFLECTION  

7 May 2026

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬ ‭

In 2018, my wife sensed the leading of the Holy Spirit and urged me to sell the business I had spent years building. I was reluctant at first, but after seeking the Lord for confirmation, I chose to obey. At that time, I owned 16 properties, all heavily financed with bank loans. The burden of high interest payments often brought anxiety, especially during seasons of tight cash flow.

By the end of 2019, through this step of faith, I was released from significant financial pressure. More importantly, I was freed to focus fully on serving the Lord. Then, in March 2020, when the government imposed the Movement Control Order (MCO) during the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw God’s wisdom more clearly. What seemed like a difficult and uncertain decision earlier became a profound blessing. God had gone before me.

This experience brings to life the truth of Isaiah 55:8: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. God sees what we cannot see. His perspective is eternal, while ours is limited and often shaped by immediate circumstances.

At times, God’s instructions may not align with our logic or comfort. They may even feel risky or confusing. Yet, this verse teaches us that His ways are always higher, wiser, and ultimately good. What we perceive as loss may actually be His way of protecting, preparing, or positioning us for something greater.

Isaiah 55:8 calls us to release our need for full understanding and to trust God’s leadership. It invites us to walk by faith rather than by sight, to choose obedience even when the outcome is unclear. As we do, we discover that God’s plans are not only perfect, but also filled with peace, purpose, and hope.

"When we fully obey God, blessings will chase us down and overtake us."

DAILY REFLECTION  
6 May 2026

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭

Recently, I visited a chiropractor for my shoulder pain. Using a model of the spine, she explained with clarity how the vertebral column is aligned and functions, helping me understand the root of my discomfort. That simple explanation opened the door to a deeper conversation. I shared my admiration for the Creator’s intricate design and the divine purpose woven into every human life. I also recounted the miraculous birth of my son—a testimony of hope and faith after we nearly lost him at five months in my wife’s womb. Through this, I explained that Christianity is not merely a passive belief, but an active participation in God’s redemptive mission. Moved by the conversation, she made the decision to give her life to Jesus.

This encounter beautifully reflects the truth of Ephesians 2:10. Just as mountains stand in grandeur, flowers bloom with delicate beauty, and the human body reveals remarkable complexity, we too are God’s intentional workmanship. Our lives are not the result of random chance, but of divine design—crafted with purpose and meaning. Creation itself points to a living God whose work is harmonious and purposeful, and our lives flourish when we walk in the good works He has already prepared for us.

Ephesians 2:10 invites us to see ourselves through the lens of God’s artistry. It calls us to respond with awe, gratitude, and obedience. As His workmanship, we are to honor both creation and our own lives as sacred expressions of His design. Every act of kindness, every creative effort, and every step of faithful stewardship becomes a reflection of the Creator’s glory revealed through us.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”- Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬ ‭

DAILY REFLECTION  
5 May 2026

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;”    
Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬ ‭

One day, a CCTV contractor I had led to the Lord brought me to his nephew’s factory to pray for a woman who was under spiritual oppression. I went with a shofar and anointing oil—simple expressions of faith through which I trusted God to work.

When I stood before her and heard her demand blood, fear rose within me. For a brief moment, I hesitated and stepped back, unable to act.

But in that critical moment, I made a deliberate choice: not to be led by fear, but to stand on the authority of Jesus. I called out boldly in His name and blew the shofar with all my strength. Instantly, she recoiled and collapsed to the floor. As I gently anointed her forehead with oil, her countenance changed—her agitation subsided, and a deep, visible peace came over her.

The lady boss who witnessed this was deeply moved and even asked to buy the oil. Yet this opened a greater opportunity—to point her beyond the object to the true source of authority: the name of Jesus. As the gospel was shared, both she and her clerk responded, opening their hearts and surrendering their lives to Christ.

That moment became a defining milestone in my faith journey. It deepened my confidence—not in methods or objects—but in the authority Jesus gives His followers over the powers of darkness.

Reflecting on Mark 16:17, we are reminded that faith in Jesus is not passive. It is a living, active relationship that calls us to step forward in obedience. Signs may accompany believers, but they flow from Christ’s authority, not our own ability.

This authority, given through the Holy Spirit, calls us to act with courage. As we depend on Jesus, fear gives way to faith, weakness is exchanged for strength, and hesitation turns into bold witness.

Mark 16:17 teaches that believers are empowered by Jesus’ authority and the Holy Spirit. While supernatural signs may accompany them as confirmation of the gospel, they are not the focus. The priority of every believer is to faithfully follow Christ and bear a clear, consistent witness to Him.

“The name of Jesus nourishes the soul, inspires virtue, and reveals the fullness of God’s saving power.”