Day: March 16, 2020

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Praising God In Rom 1 (Mar 16)

Christ for the World We Live

Samuel Wolcott wanted to be
missionary in Syria, but after 2 years
there he had to return to America.
While attending a YMCA convention
in Cleveland, he was captivated
by a huge banner with the words:
“Christ for the World and the
World for Christ”. As Wolcott left
the meeting, the words for this
hymn took shape in his mind.
Wolcott learned that the “world”
for whom Christ died included
not only distant lands like Syria
where he had tried to serve,
but also the poor, the burdened,
the lost, sorrow-worn in needy
places where he ministered.

Lord, help us live out the Gospel:
I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ, for it is the power of God to
salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the
(Gentiles). For in it the righteousness
of God is revealed from faith to
faith; as it is written: The just
shall life by faith (Rom 1:16-17).

Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus
into this world so that through Him
we have been declared righteous
and that we can be freed from sin.
Enlarge our appreciation & affection
for Christ Jesus and Your gospel.
Let the good news of righteousness
provided to us in Christ transform
our interactions and expectations.
And work in us Lord thro the good
news of Your grace toward sinners.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, You reach out to the
spiritually poor and comfort the
broken hearted. And we purpose
to do for others what U did for us.
Help us look at others through
Christ’s eyes instead of our own.
Help us not to be overwhelmed
by problems and simply give up.
Help us to live right and pray with
fervent prayer so that it avails much.
Help us sow deeds of kindness
and share the gospel to the lost.
Help us live out the message:
Christ for the world we live! Amen.

Christ for the world we sing;
The world to Christ we bring
With loving zeal —
The poor and them that mourns,
The faint and over-borne,
Sin-sick and sorrow-worn,
For Christ to heal…
Christ for the world we sing;
The world to Christ we bring
With fervent prayer —
The wayward and the lost,
Reclaimed from error’s lot,
Redeemed at countless cost
From dark despair. Amen.

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Preview On Ecclesiastes (Mar 14)

 

Whilst Bible is arranged by genre,
we are meditating chronologically:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
JOB on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on Disobedience & Judgment
Ruth on Faithfulness & Redemption;
1-2Sam on Rule of God & Sin Effects
1 Chronicles on Genuine Worship;
Psalms on Hymns of Worship,
1Kgs on United & Divided Kingdom,
Proverbs on Advice for Godly Living;
Song of Sol on Joy of Marital Love.

Continuing to Ecclesiastes, a king
of worldwide acclaim and legendary
wealth, Solomon had all opportunity
to examine life in all its complexities.
Ecclesiastes is the inspired record
of his intense search to find meaning
and satisfaction on earth. His search
yields the conclusion that apart from
God, all of life is hopeless futility.
Power, prestige, pleasure – nothing
can fill the void in the human heart.
Ultimate satisfaction comes only
when we fear, honour & obey God.

We will meditate Ecclesiastes
over this weekend in two divisions:
Ecc 1-6: Meaning of Life Explored
Ecc 7-16: Meaning of Life Explained
Lord, Help us to honour and obey
You so that we find true meaning
in life, live the abundant life and
experience ultimate satisfaction.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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Preview On Song of Songs (Mar 7)

 

Whilst Bible is arranged by genre,
we are meditating chronologically:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
JOB on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart;
2 Sam on Consequences of sin;
1 Chronicles on Genuine Worship;
Psalms on Hymns of Worship,
1Kgs on United & Divided Kingdom
and Proverbs on practical wisdom.

Continuing, King Solomon is credited
with writing over a thousand songs
in his lifetime. However this is the
one that he calls the ‘Song of Songs’
or the best of all possible songs.
The king’s words weave a tapestry
of love and devotion toward his
young bride, touching both the
joys and heartaches of marriage.
Though interpreters disagree
whether the book is simply a love
poem or the depiction of an actual
event in Solomon’s life, most see
it as an allegory for the Saviour’s
eternal love for His bride the church.

We will meditate on Song of Songs
over one weekend in two divisions:
Song 1-4: Fostering of Love
Song 5-8: Faithfulness of Love
Lord, Help us apply Your truths on
this peculiar book that tells of the
love of a couple and God’s love for
His people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Preview On Proverbs (Feb 8)

 

Whilst Bible is arranged by genre,
we are meditating chronologically:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
JOB on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart;
2 Sam on Consequences of sin;
1 Chronicles on Genuine Worship;
Psalms on Hymns of Worship, and
1Kgs on United & Divided Kingdom.

Continuing, the book of Proverbs
– the Bible’s primer of practical
wisdom, teaches the application
of truth to everyday life. Contained
in this collection of poetry, parables,
and wise maxims are instructions
regarding how to relate to parents
and children, God and government,
sin and self. Solomon the principal
author gives his readers a “divine
handle” on living to please God.

We will meditate on Proverbs over
4 weekends in following 8 divisions:
Pr 1-4: Wise Words to Fear God
Pr 5-9: Wise Words to Avert Pitfalls
Pr 10-13: Wise Words on Learning
Pr 14-17: Wise Words on Attitudes
Pr 18-21: Wise Words for Decisions
Pr22-24: Wise Words for Leaders
Pr25-28:Wise Words on Perspective
Pr29-31: Wise Words on Gratitude
Lord, You are the key to wisdom.
Help us apply Your truths to our life.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

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Preview On 1 Kings (Jan 18)

 

Whilst the English Bible is arranged
by types of writings, we meditate
OT chronologically to get better flow:
Genesis on God’s Plan for creation;
JOB on Sovereignty of God; and
Exodus, Leviticus, Num-Deut on
Deliverance, Holiness & Obedience.
Then Joshua on Obedient Faith,
Judges on God Restoring Repentant;
Ruth on Faithfulness/Redemption;
1 Sam on Rule of God in our heart;
2 Sam on Consequences of sin;
1 Chronicles on Genuine Worship;
add PSALMS on Hymns of Worship,
covering Israel’s history up to David.

Continuing, King Solomon’s life is
set forth in the first half of 1 Kings.
Under his leadership, Israel rises
to its peak of power and glory.
The crowning touch comes with
the construction of the temple
in Jerusalem. But Solomon’s zeal
for God cools as pagan wives
turn his heart from godly worship.
Solomon dies a man divided
religiously, leaving behind a nation
divided physically. The next century
sees the decline of two nations,
each growing indifferent to
God’s prophets and precepts.

We will meditate on 1 Kings on the
United and Divided Kingdom over
3 weekends in following 6 divisions:
1Kgs 1-4: Solomon’s Rise
1Kgs 5-8: Solomon’s Temple
IKgs 9-11: Solomon’s Fame
1Kgs 12-16: A Nation Torn
1Kgs 17-19: Ministry of Elijah
1Kgs 20-22: Reign of Ahab

Solomon was the wisest king in
the history of Israel, but his wives
led to the introduction of false gods
and false worship in Israel. It’s good
for us to have wisdom, but that is
not enough; for the highest goal
in life is to obey God. So, help us
Lord such that patience obedience
will characterise our lives. Amen.

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Praising God thro Hymns (Jan 6)

Launch of New Series

We have been utilising Scripture
to form prayers so that we learn
to think as God thinks; and pray
within His will thus pleasing Him.
For 2019, we mediated thro the Word
on Thanking God & Hearing God. 
And we begin the first full week of
the new decade with our new series
on Praising God thro Classic Hymns.

From the earliest days of the church,
the singing of hymns has been an
integral part of Christian worship.
In the book of Acts we find Paul
and Silas praying and singing
hymns to God (Acts 16:25) while
chained in the Philippians jail.
And it was the Apostle Paul who
urged believers to “sing psalms
and hymns… to the Lord” (Eph 5:18)
But the tradition of singing in worship
is older than Paul & the early church.
Many centuries earlier, Moses and
His sister Miriam led the nation of
Israel in song after their miraculous
escape through the Red Sea. And
it was King David who composed
numerous psalms expressing both
personal and corporate praise.
And centuries later translations
of the psalms inspire English hymns,
and from there to the rest of world.

Hymn singing is a means for all
believers to express praise to their
Creator and Saviour. It is a way for
all of us to communicate with God
using more than just words. For
it allows us to pour out the grateful
feelings of the heart. So friends,
let’s join the chorus of believers
throughout history as you express
praise and commitment to God.
We’ll be covering 100 classic hymns,
sharing the story behind the hymns,
the scripture that inspires lyrics,
besides prayer response. Look for it!