O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

WHAT ARE YOU LIVING FOR?

Eight months have slipped by in 2023, and how are you doing? We are humans, and humans tend to forget. As a nation, we just celebrated Singapore’s 58^th Birthday and we were reminded of our roots and the sacrifices made by our forefathers in nation building. Two days ago, we elected our President and again we were reminded of the efforts in building up and safeguarding our reserves for rainy days.

Spiritually, we also need constant reminders to steer us on course to live for God who gave us His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, to die for our sins. What are we living for? When I was a young Christian in the Youth Fellowship, we learned this song with the lyrics, “You may be living but what are you living for? You need a purpose under the sun”. It is a sacred reminder to our sojourn on earth and we do well if we seriously consider it and take decisive actions to act upon it. “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 6:12).

What are we living for? There are three possible purposes: 1) Self, 2) Others and 3) Christ. What we live for determines our final destiny.

Living for Self

It is not uncommon that when you ask the man on the street what he/she is living for, many would reply, “It is for I, me and myself.” They would think that it is fair that what they strive for in this life is meant to satisfy themselves. Hence, they work hard, very hard to save, save and save, but for what? So that they can enjoy themselves, live comfortably, travel freely, especially now that the borders are opened. The world calls it “revenge travel” and they are prepared to splurge since they were deprived of many good things and enjoyment during the circuit breaker and lockdown. One recent report in China highlighted that millions of dollars were spent on concerts and showbiz. When asked for the reason why, one young Chinese person replied that Covid had taught him to live for the present as we do not know when the next lockdown will be!

This is the natural man’s perspective of life. On the surface, this appears to be a fair deal. But it is a spiritual deception - for Satan, the god of this world, has “blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart (of the truth and what life really constitutes), and be converted, and I (Jesus) should heal them” (John 12:40; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

If life is without purpose and goal, then indeed, we should take it easy, eat, drink and be merry (Luke 12:19). However, if we are honest with ourselves, deep in our hearts we know that this is not true. The old Christian song, “Destiny” speaks clearly of our purpose on earth and our relationship with the Creator who made us:

“Before the world was made, the stars above displayed a loving God had made a great design. Before the planets flew, and earth came into view, their forms were fashioned in the Master’s mind. Now we can see that from eternity, His perfect wisdom carried out a plan, and we are all a part of what was in His heart, the moment when He first created man.

The mountains and the lees, the deserts and the seas, were laid with utmost care from pole to pole. And in my heart I know, it surely must be so, He has a plan and pattern for my soul. Why am I here, the reason is so clear, He made me and He claimed this life of mine. We’re more than just a slave, who’s heading for the grave, My destiny is in His will divine (2x).”

Living for Others

Some have the nobler purpose of living for others. These “others” might include their loved ones (parents, spouse or children), society, country and even mankind - like those who champion for “saving the earth”, or the “green movement”, or “LGBTQ movement” and so on. They are prepared to die for their ideology and conviction regardless of right or wrong. Of course, in their eyes and mind, what they embraced is right and worth their sacrifice.

At the time of writing this article, the three presidential hopefuls were campaigning and reaching out to the voters with their respective election symbols and slogans to elect them as President of Singapore, promising a better life and future such as taking care of the lower income group, better housing, fighting inflation etc … They are individuals with noble aspirations, willing to make personal sacrifices for the good of others and stepping forward to try to unify the nation, safeguard the reserves and be the people’s voice to influence the policy makers.

Yes, “for scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man (cause) some would even dare to die” for the sake of living for others (Romans 5:7). We too have loved ones who sacrifice much for their own parents as well as for their children. We thank God for them and the sacrifices they make, but these only address our lives on earth which are temporal and do not address the needs of the soul which is eternal.

Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him (Jesus), what shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he (the Father) hath sent” (John 6:27-29).

Living for Christ

God’s counsel to man is to believe in Him, our Creator and Maker. From the dust of the earth God created man, and man became a living soul. Our soul is His choice treasure - if it is well, all is safe. Dear readers, is your soul well? It is well only when it has been washed by the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb of God (Jesus) and sanctified by His Word (John 1:29, 17:17). God will preserve and sustain us all the way to heaven.

Christians are the most blessed people in the world. Why? We are saved and redeemed by Christ, the Son of God. By the grace of God, we know where we are going. We have God as our Help and Guide while journeying through this life. God is watching over us every minute and every second. Why then are we not living for Christ? We must live for God and fulfill His purpose for us! Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. God is pleased when we glorify and enjoy Him here on earth and there in heaven. What we do now is going to determine how we will spend eternity. Why do I want to live comfortably here for a short time and suffer for eternity? Where would you go when you have crossed the finishing line? Invest for eternity, finish the race well. Time is short, Eternity is Not! Only one life twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Our time on earth is short compared to eternity and our days are numbered; not one day more or one day less. God is sovereign and has set the boundary, and no one can decide otherwise. There are many demands in life, and we must prioritize and focus on those that yield us the best outcomes in value and in eternity.

The Lord would not stop short of all He had undertaken to suffer for His people. He solemnly determined that to offer a sufficient atoning sacrifice, He must go the whole way, from the highest to the lowest, from the throne of highest glory to the cross of deepest woe. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). The Lord sets us the example in order of priority and urgency. Let us therefore follow in His footsteps, re-order our lives and constantly remind ourselves who we are living for, so that we may not be distracted and lured into the broad way to pursue a life of vanities that lead to destruction.

Living for Jesus is a command, not a choice. It is an expression of our gratitude for all that He has done for us. Redemption is a solid basis for confidence since the ransom price is paid, and on His love our hope shall rest. Therefore, God deserves our highest adoration and worship. Let us live a life that is true, striving to please Him in all that we do, yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free for this is the pathway of blessing for us. Amen.

– Eld Chia Ah Lak

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SALVATION TESTIMONY & THE CALL TO FULL-TIME MINISTRY

By Mok Chee Cheong

My coming to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ was in many ways ordinary in that the Lord in His grace and mercy need not employ the instrument of trial or affliction. The gospel was shared to me by brother Chua Kim Huat when I was invited to Life BPC Youth Fellowship in 1976.  It was a Saturday afternoon that I heard the gospel and received Christ as my personal Saviour. About a year later, this brother passed into the presence of the Lord at the age of 19 due to an unexplainable medical condition. Thus I became a first generation Christian in my family.

Thank the Lord that I was able to come under the faithful and sound preaching and teaching of God’s Word at both the Saturday Youth Fellowship meetings and the regular Sunday worship. I became a communicant member of Life BPC on Oct 21, 1979, and was actively involved in the ministries of the Youth Fellowship, Children ministry, and later the Adult Fellowship.

The call into full-time ministry came to me in the year between 2000 and 2001, not through a passage or a verse from the Bible, but through the late Rev. Patrick Tan, the two missionaries in Kenya, sisters Pui Meng and Lilian and a couple of brethren in the Adult Fellowship. I did not respond immediately as I had no sense of the Lord’s call. However, they persisted and requested me to prayerfully reconsider. After a few months of tussle in prayer, the Lord affirmed the call by way of an answered prayer made in a severe crisis I encountered. Initially I was still hesitant and tried to convince myself otherwise. But I could not ignore the fact that God answered my prayer specifically and in perfect timing. Therefore I yielded, and in 2002, I was commissioned by Life BPC as a missionary to Kenya.

After a year in the field, I felt a need to receive further theological training and I presented this request to the Board of Elders. They consented that I be sent to London Theological Seminary, UK, in 2004, and to undergo my pastoral internship in New Life BPC, London, with the late Rev. Patrick Tan. Four years later, in 2008, I was recalled to Life BPC to undertake the work of Mission Field Representative.

Then came an opening for pastoral ministry in Vancouver BPC, Canada, and also the opportunity to do another course of study via distance-learning with Western Reformed Seminary, Tacoma, US, which is a North American BPC seminary. My wife, Carol and I left for Vancouver in Jul 2010 to begin the ministry there.

In early 2019, New Life BPC, London, extended a call to me to fill the position of Resident Minister as this position was vacant for a couple of years. I accepted the call and commenced the pastoral work in Sep 2019. However, the Lord in His perfect wisdom decided that we should not continue the ministry till 2026 as our work visas allowed. As the Lord permits, but for reasons unknown to us, Carol was diagnosed with a severe medical condition that is best to be cared for back in Singapore. So unexpectedly, we left London on April 18, 2023.

During these 21 years in the Lord's vineyard, though the Lord led us through many trials and afflictions, and though I made many mistakes and stumbled many times over, yet He is ever gracious and patient with us, and faithful to His promise that He will never leave nor forsake us, nor abandon us because of our mistakes. Now that we are back in Singapore, the Board of Elders very kindly received Carol and me into membership again, and extended to me a role in the pastoral team. We look forward to worshipping and ministering with you as the Spirit enables us.

(Announcement: We welcome brother Mok CC and sister C back into our church membership. He is now employed in Life B-P Church as a Pastoral Associate with effect from 1 September 2023. His main focus will be the adult ministry. May the Lord bless his service in our church pastoral team. – Pastor)

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Sep 4

        7.30 pm     No ERBL Lecture

Tuesday, Sep 5

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Woon Sin Wei)

Thursday, Sep 7

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     No ERBL Lecture

Saturday, Sep 9

        3.00 pm     LTF / YLM

        4.00 pm     LF 45th Thanksgiving Anniversary

Sunday, Sep 10

  8.00 am     Behind a Frowning Providence, He Hides a Smiling Face  Acts 16:16-34 (Rev Mark Chen)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am Behind a Frowning Providence, He Hides a Smiling Face Acts 16:16-34 (Rev Mark Chen)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6) 

Announcements

Social Media Seminar by YLM

30 Sep 2023 (Sat), 3pm to 6pm, Onsite @ Beulah MPH

Registration at https://tinyurl.com/ylmsocialmediasem2023

Infant Baptism on Church Anniversary, 15 Oct 2023.

Parents, please email the church office, with your full names, contact numbers, and your child's name and date of birth by 24 Sep 2023.

Door to Door Evangelism 3 Sep 2023

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30 pm Contact: Desmond or Amos 

Traffic Wardens

Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday. Kindly contact Bro Yeo HS if you are available.

Appointment

Session is pleased to announce the appointment of Brother Mok CC as the Pastoral Associate (Adult Ministry) with effect from 1 Sep 2023.

Ladies’ Fellowship 45th Thanksgiving Anniversary

9 Sep 2023 (Sat), 4.00pm to 6.00pm, Beulah MPH

“How to Keep Shining For Christ” by Rev Charles Seet

Contact Sally for more information.

Strengthening Marital Relationships in the Church 

Speaker: Rev Gabriel Gan

Date: 4 & 18 Nov 2023

Time: 2.00pm to 6.00pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Registration deadline: 20 Oct 

A nursery programme will run concurrently with the seminar for children 3-8 years old.

https://forms.gle/RrXU9nGYJ2VPjnmz6 

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