"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18)
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour" (Luke1:46-47). Jesus said, "He [Holy Spirit] shall glorify me" (John 16:14), teaching us that the Holy Spirit loves to glorify our Lord. Therefore, anyone who seeks the Holy Spirit to dwell in their hearts naturally loves to glorify Jesus too. The life of a believer is one that seeks to place Jesus above all in everything. The Apostle Paul said, "but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death" (Phil 1:20). How, then, can we magnify the Lord?
1. Fear the Lord
During worship service, we must have a solemn attitude. "Keep thy foot when thou goes to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few" (Eccl 5:1-2). "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him" (Hab 2:20). Therefore, be early in Church to prepare our hearts; prepare what we will say to God, sing, pray and listen to the message. Christians nowadays seem to have lost the fear of God and adopt a lackadaisical attitude during worship service!
2. Serve the Lord
Although the modern Christian is surrounded by many social duties, serving the Lord is always the first priority. This seems paradoxical: if we love the Lord more than anything else, then we can become a good husband, wife, son, daughter, brother or sister. Indeed, if we place the Lord above all things, then the Holy Spirit certainly guides us to become a better person, and enables us to build a good relationship with people. Of course, there may be times where duties clash but trust the Lord to help us and guide us with His wisdom. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:40). Serve the Lord with gladness and enjoy the blessings He bestows.
3. Obey the Lord
In 1924, Paris, Olympic sprinter Eric Liddell had a very good chance of winning the 100m gold. The Englishman, however, decided to miss the finals because it fell on a Sunday and he wanted to keep it holy for the Lord. His decision shocked the world and England was utterly disappointed. Many regarded Eric Liddell to have lost his mind, while some decided that he was totally foolish and irrational. Eric Liddell prayed and still held on to his decision to miss the 100m finals. Instead, he decided to take part in the 400m race that was held the following Tuesday. Unexpectedly, he won. Such a testimony of putting the Lord above anything else! We may encounter similar temptations which can cause us to deviate but we pray that the Lord grant us the strength to overcome them.
Let us remember, our Lord wants us to follow Him with one heart, soul and mind. "For them that honour me I will honour" (1 Sam 2:30).
Adapted from Calvary Jurong B-P Church Weekly 'Encouragement Page',
Yang De Gang,
15 October 2006.
Introducing Our Speaker
We are glad to have Rev M. Mani to minister the Word and the Lord's Supper this morning. Rev Mani is the Pastor of Bethlehem B-P Church, Singapore and oversees the Tamil ministry in Malaysia.
Fellowship Lunch (26/11/06)
You're cordially invited to stay back for our Fellowship Lunch after Service today. The lunch is kindly provided by the Lew family. We also like to thank members and friends who have brought extra food and beverages to share. Team E is on duty.
Church Choir
We would like to call members and friends to join the Church Choir in presenting a Christmas item at our Christmas Service (24/12/06). Please liase with Mrs. Wong & Dn. Patrick for practice.
Group Prayer Meeting (29/11/06)
The English Prayer Group will meet this Wednesday (29/11/06) at the home of Mr & Mrs Michael Chung. Chairman: Brother Alan Chiou. Elder Peter Lew will be leading to study "False Teacher" (II Cor 11:1-33).
J.B. Bible Study (30/11/06)
The JB Bible Study group will meet on Thursday (30/11/06) in the home of Mr & Mrs Tan Ching Peu. Chairman: Mr Fam Kam Ming. Elder Peter Lew will lead to study "God's Order Concerning Spiritual Gifts (I)" (I Cor 12:1-11).
J.B. Sunset Gospel Hour (03/12/06)
Those who are on duty for the J.B. SGH this coming Sunday (3/12/06) are: Chairman: Dn Tony Fraude, Speaker: Rev Charles Seet, Interpreter: Sis. Leong Lai San, Ushers: Mr & Mrs Tan Ching Peu, Pianist: --.
Section Meeting (17/12/06)
The Church Session will meet on 17/12/06 at 1.30pm in the Church Library. Session members may get the agenda and minutes next Sunday from the Secretary.
Christmas Baptism (24/12/06)
Those who are seeking baptism at our Christmas Service (24/12/06) please fill up the Membership Application Form (available from the office) and submit it together with your testimony of salvation and two passport size photos.
Heartist Congratulations (03/12/06)
Our heartiest congratulations to the Pastor & Congregation of Kuching B-P Church for their 16th Church Anniversary (3/12/06).
Praise God for the Worship Service last Sunday and the messages delivered by Pr. Paul Cheng (9am,11am & JB).
Thank God for journey mercies to Dn. Tony Fraude for he has been travelling a lot during his work.
Praise God for James Fraude's UPSR result.
Thank God for mercies granted to Jonathan Wong & Jane See for their School Camp.
Lord's Day Service (03/12/2006)
Chinese Worship Service (9AM)
Chairman: Bro. Jimmy Lim, Speaker: Pr. Paul Cheng
English Worship Service (11AM)
Chairman: Dn. Lawrance Lim, Speaker: Pr. Paul Cheng
Sunset Gospel Service (6PM)
Chairman: Dn. Tony Fraude, Speaker: Pr. Charles Seet
Continue to pray for the sick & unwell :
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Liew Wan Mui (recovery and salvation)
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Sis. Winnie (baby due 25/11/2006)
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Mr. Lee Boon Khuan (pray for his health)
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Mrs. Joshep Liu (lung cancer)
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Sis. Lu Li Yun (feeling not well)
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Sis. Chew Yen (experiencing pain in her lower back)
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Lim Jia Xi (fever)
Pray for God's mercy to provide all of us with good health.
Pray for God's protection over the safety of our homes.
Pray for Pastor David Wong's safety, health and journey mercies.
Pray for Sis Anna Wong and David Foo taking their SPM and STPM exams.
Pray that Elder Peter Lew's company will be able to recruit more workers to cope with more orders recently.
Pray for Bro. Alan Chiou that he will be able to meet his sales target.
Let us continue to pray earnestly for the salvation of our unsaved family members.
Pray for the coming Session Meeting (17/12).
Pray that God will grant wisdom and patience to our Sunday School teachers as they impart God's truth to our children.
Pray for those who are considering to get baptised.
Pray that God will help us to find a pastoral assistant for Kulai & JB ministries.
May the Lord help those who are facing work tension and anxiety.
Pray for the Sunset Gospel Hour that more members will be consistent.
Pray for the publication of 'Heavenly Companion' (Chinese RPG) in China (application of printing permit).
Please remember all the B-P ministers in your prayers.
Pray for China Mission Trip (15/11~7/12/2006).
Pray that God will send forth full-time workers to: Kemaman BPC, Evangel BPC & JB BPF.
Pray that God will grant wisdom & vision to our missionaries in Thailand: Mrs. Yang, Ev. Lee Tian Shou & family, Ev. He De Ern & family, Ev. Yan Xiang You & family.
Pray for Mr. Yang Sheng Yong who is studying in the Bangkok Theological Institute.
Pray for the kindergarten & church ministry in Kuantan (Pr. & Mrs. Joshua Khoo).
Churches in China - that God will keep them in the truth and protect them from the cults, and send more labourers into the vast harvest field.
Pray for the mission work in Saipan, Jordan, China, Japan & Guam.
