O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

NOW IS THE TIME

​¹ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

¹⁰I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

As the year comes to a close in this last month of the year, it is a good time to reflect on the past year, especially when for most of us, the busiest part(s) of the year are now behind us.   

As in the passage from Ecc 3:1-11, there is a time for everything that comes our way. None of these are left to “chance” or “luck”, as the world may allude to, as both of these are inanimate objects used to explain things that are beyond their control.

As believers, it is important to realise that all things happen for a purpose that is in accordance to God’s will. Yes, God looks down upon His own children with special interest, and nothing is too small to be worthy of His attention as even our hair on our heads are numbered (Lk 12:7).

Here are some thoughts to help us get started on our spiritual reflections.

1. What did we set out to achieve?
2. What have we achieved or experienced?
3. What lessons have these taught us?

1. What did we set out to achieve?

Many of us would pen New Year’s resolutions at the start of each year, so that we can set out to achieve something in our lives, both spiritual and in our respective vocational callings. Some of us remain zealous in penning the resolutions as they enter into our minds, while others limit the number of resolutions to ensure better adherence in the year. Yet, some of us have given up penning resolutions as we see these resolutions fall by the wayside as the days passed.

While New Year’s resolutions do not govern the way we live our lives, it is nevertheless a good annual exercise to instil direction and discipline in us, so that we believers may strive to live Coram Deo (“before the face of God”) and whatsoever we do, “should be done to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

2. What have we achieved or experienced?

As the year draws to an end, reflect on the resolutions we penned at the beginning of this year and consider if we have met, partially met or not met them.

Reflect on the moments that made you feel that you had a sense of achievement. It could be something like passing a major exam, achieving success for a business project, or something like overcoming a fear, reading the Bible regularly or reaching out to someone. For some of us, recollections of the past year bring joy and celebration, as we welcomed new births to our families, landed on new jobs, completed major examinations and charted new ground in our areas of ministry and service. Remember to give thanks to God for His grace and strength that enabled you to achieve these things.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

For some of us, we may have not achieved the goals at work or studies, or failed to keep to a regular devotional and prayer life. Some of us may have even strayed or backslided in our walk with the Lord during the course of the year. May we return to seek the Lord Jesus, laying aside every hindrance that would stifle our spiritual walk.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Some of us may have experienced failed relationships, death in the family or faced disappointments in our areas of service. Let us not be discouraged, but hope in God for all these are foreordained so that we may rely on His grace to see us through life’s experiences.

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalms 42:11

3. What lessons have these taught us?

Reflect on the blessings, people, opportunities, and experiences that brought us joy, fulfilment and happiness this year. Give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Think about the challenges we faced this year and how God helped us overcome them. What did you learn from those experiences? How can you apply those lessons to your life moving forward?

Regardless of what life’s experiences we have in the past year, let us not forget the sovereign Hand of the Lord behind each joy and frowning providence. May we not be faithless, but realise that whether in prosperity or adversity, we can “know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28). Let us continue to press on and live a life that would evidence the Lord’s loving grace in us.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Remember to take time to pray and meditate on the above reflections. Regardless of whether you have the habit of setting resolutions or not, we would do well to read the resolutions from Jonathan Edwards¹. Peradventure, we would adapt some as our own and learn from him to commit our ways to the Lord through the setting of resolutions throughout the year and see what the Lord will do in and through us.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart; Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:4-5

May God bless you with peace, joy, and love as you reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year ahead.

¹http://www.jonathan-edwards.org/Resolutions.html

– Elder Michael Ong

Appointments for the Week

Monday to Friday, Dec 4 to 8

                             LTF Camp

Tuesday, Dec 5

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Michael Ong)

Thursday, Dec 7

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

Friday, Dec 8

        5.30 pm     CBPYC 2023 (MPH)

Saturday, Dec 9

        9.30 am     CBPYC 2023 (MPH)

        3.00 pm     YLM (Young Adults)

Sunday, Dec 10

  8.00 am     Obedient to the Heavenly Vision Acts 26:14-20 (Rev Quek Keng Khwang)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am Obedient to the Heavenly Vision Acts 26:14-20 (Rev Quek Keng Khwang)

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

24 Dec (9am)
Combined Bilingual Christmas Svc: The Birth of Christ Foretold (Isaiah 9:6,7) by Rev Charles Seet

24 Dec (8pm)
Christmas Eve Svc: A Gracious Promise Fulfilled (Genesis 3:15) by Mok Chee Cheong

31 Dec (10.45pm)
Watchnight Svc: Behold, I Make All Things New! (Revelation 21:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17) by Rev Charles Seet

* * * 

Infant Baptism on Christmas Eve Sunday, 24 December 2023, 9.00am

Parents, please email the church office, with your full names, contact numbers, and your child's name and date of birth by 3 December 2023 (Today).

Registration for 2024 Pre-Nursery Sunday School Class

is now open for children aged 18 months to 3 years old. Parents who wish to enrol their children, please contact Ling Ling 

Life B-P Church Calendar 2024

Please obtain a copy at the front counter. Members who wish to have an additional calendar may request for 1 more copy from the deacons.

ERBL Evening Lectures

Two evening lectures offered from January-May 2024:

1) Old Testament Prophetic Books by Rev Charles Seet (Monday @ 7.30pm)

2) Bible Geography by Ms Lilian Lee (Thursday @ 7.30pm)

It will be conducted on-site at No. 10 Gilstead Road. It is compulsory for all Credit Students to attend lectures on-site and Audit Students can either attend lectures via Zoom platform or on-site. Interested parties can register for the courses online at https://www.lifebpc.com/erbl/

Deadline for registration: 1st January 2024.

Catechism Class for Easter Baptism on 31 March 2024

will commence on 17 December 2023 at 9.30am. Please pre-register by emailing to Church Office. Those seeking baptism, reaffirmation of faith and transfer of membership must attend the catechism class. Closing date: 10 December 2023.

Mailbox Club Bible Correspondence Course (MBCC)

Another Church Outreach Ministry invites Lifers to register their young children, teens, or grandchildren with our MBCC. Those whose loved ones, friends or colleagues who are either young in their faith or being non-believers, are interested to know and explore more of Christianity, are also invited to register with us by filling in the registration forms which are now available at the Church front counter and post them to:

Life B-P Church

No.10, Gilstead Road

Singapore 309064

Attention: Mrs Ong CY

Traffic Wardens - Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday. Kindly contact Dn Choong  or Bro Kelvin if you are available.

Condolence

Our condolences to bro Mok CC on the homegoing of his wife, sis C Lam YF (63 years old), on 25 Nov 2023.

Seminar: fAIth in AI?

Date: Saturday, 30 Dec 2023

Time: 10.00am to 12.30pm

Venue: Calvary B-P Church

Speakers: Rev Ho Chee Lai, Rev Isaac Ong

Registration closes on 25 Dec 2023.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcr06nknRhFDhdRHJ8EnmPR8-EFULD0p1V34FTkW-ZBqQnWw/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Young Lifers Ministry 2nd Anniversary

Date: 31 Dec 2023

Time: 7pm

Venue: Beulah MPH

Speaker: Eld Michael Ong

Sign up at: tinyurl.com/ylm2ndanni 

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