Month: March 2020

The Meaning of Life Explained

Up to this point the preacher has
concentrated mainly on problems
of life without seeking explanation.
 But the deeper he probes life’s
perplexities, the more conclusive
the evidence points him to the
solution: Fear God. When wisdom
turns to vanity, fear God (7:18). 
    When God’s ways seem uncertain, 
fear God (8:12-13). When all is
said and done, fear God (12:13)
for this is the whole duty of man.

Dear Lord, You are all knowing
and the source of all wisdom
for us to lead a meaningful life.
Help us to Do the Right Thing;
Help us to Be Diligent and
Help us to Fear You, Follow You
and Keep Your instructions;
for this is the whole duty of man.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Lord, we will Do the Right Thing:
A wise man’s heart discerns
both time and judgment…
Because for every matter there
is a time and judgment (Ecc 8:5-6).
Consider the work of God; for
who can make straight what He
has made crooked? In the day of
prosperity be joyful, but in the day
of adversity consider (Ecc 8:12-13).
Lord, teach me to step out of my
    own auto responses to situations.
Thanks Lord for Your promise
that You not only have that
wisdom but also impart it to me.
For Your Word said in James 1:5:
If you need wisdom, ask God
and He will give it to you liberally.
Lord You also say in every situation,
there’s a right way and right time.
And in accordance to Your Word
of promise, Reveal to me what
to do and when to do it. Amen.

Lord, we purpose to Be Diligent:
If you wait for perfect conditions,
you will never get anything done.
God’s ways are as hard to discern
as the pathways of the wind.
Be sure to stay busy and plant
a variety of crops, for you never
know which will grow – perhaps
they all will (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6).
Lord, help us take a step of faith,
seizing life’s opportunities
and not merely playing it safe.
We pray that we will be faithful
in the small things You give us
to do so that one day we will
be faithful with an abundance
of time, or finances or gifts.
Thank You for blessing that
faithfulness and producing
results far greater than anything
we could do by ourselves. Amen.

Lord, we will Fear & Follow You:
Don’t let the excitement of youth
cause you to forget your Creator.
Honor Him in your youth before
you grow old and no longer enjoy
living… Here is my final conclusion:
Fear God and obey his commands,
for this is the duty of every person.
God will judge us for everything
we do, including every secret thing,
whether good or bad (E12:1,13-14)
Lord, we purpose to make our
strength available to You God
when we still have much vitality.
For a life centred around God
and His kingdom is fulfilling.
Help us to fear You, keep Your
commandments and download
to us Your direction in our life
so that we will do it. Amen.

The Meaning of Life Explored

Making sense out of life is not easy.
This is the problem facing the
preacher of the book of Ecclesiastes
as he thinks his way through what
     he has seen and experienced in life.
 Every enterprise he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
            In a burst of emotion the preacher
realises that God indeed appoint
the times and purposes of life.
But his insight fades as he focuses
on the futility of life under the sun &
overlooks the One who alone put life
together into a meaningful whole.

Dear Lord, You are the source
 of all wisdom and empowerment
for us        to lead a Meaningful life.
Help us to redirect our life to
Pursue You which bring You glory
and bring us real satisfaction.
Help us to lead a life that Pleases
 U by constantly giving thanks,
praising You & fully trusting in You.
Help us to Be Patient and to
              Wait upon You, knowing You are
     sovereign & Your timing is perfect.
                      Help us to Seek You, Please You,
Respect You and Fully Trust You for
You’re Good, Able & Faithful. Amen.

Lord, we’ll purpose to Pursue You:
Everything is meaningless, says
 the Teacher, utter meaningless!
 What       do people get for all their
hard work? Generations come
and go but nothing really changes.
The sun rises and sets and hurries around to rise again… Everything is so weary & tiresome!
No matter how much we see,
we are never satisfied. No matter
how much we hear, we are not
content… there is nothing new
under the sun (Eccl 1:1-11).
                 Lord, we realise if we try to find
 meaning in our accomplishments,
rather than You God, we will never
be satisfied & everything we pursue
will be wearisome. For only the   pursuit of God brings satisfaction.
Help us to rethink our direction in life and purpose to honour You. Amen

Lord, we purpose to Please You:
          So I decided there is nothing’s 
better than to enjoy food & drink
and to find satisfaction in work.
Then I realised that this pleasure
is from the Hand of God. For who
can eat or enjoy anything apart
from Him? God gives wisdom,
knowledge and joy to those
who pleases Him (Ecc 2:24-26).
                Lord, thank You for the promise
       that You give wisdom and joy
 to    those who pleases You.
I want              my life to be pleasing to You
as well as to honour & glorify You.
 Help me to draw near to You and
       live a life of faith that pleases You.
 Grant me grace to walk in Your ways
and turn my mind, will and heart 
      over to You – the one who loves
 me with an everlasting love. Amen

Lord, we will Flow with Your Timing:
  To everything there is a season, a
time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
   A time to keep & a time to throw away
A time to keep silence, and a time
to speak… He has made everything
beautiful in its time. He has planted
eternity in the human heart, but
even so people cannot see the
whole scope of God’s work from
beginning to end (Ecc 3:1-11).
           Lord, we know Your timing is not
 the same as ours. we want all the
 answers to our prayers right now.
But You want us to be patient
and wait upon You.     So we lay our
 concerns before You   and leave
 the outcome in Your hands.
    Help us to rest in the knowledge
     that Your timing is perfect, just as
everything U do is perfect. Amen.

Preview On Ecclesiastes

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.

In the Garden With Jesus

Austin Miles (1868 –1946) was a
prolific American writer of gospel
songs, who is best known for
his 1912 hymn “In the Garden”.
I was seated in the darkroom where
I kept my photographic equipment I drew my Bible toward me; it opened
at my favorite chapter, John 20…
As I read it, I seemed to be part of
the scene. I became a silent witness
to that dramatic moment in Mary’s
life, when she knelt before her Lord,
and cried, “Rabboni!” Under the
inspiration of this vision I wrote as
quickly as the words were formed.
That evening I wrote the music.

Lord, we want to Be With You:
Mary saw two angels in white sitting
where the body of Jesus was lain.
Then they said: Woman Why are you
Weeping? She said to them: Because
they have taken away my Lord…
Now when she turned around and
saw Jesus standing there… Jesus
said to her: Woman, Why are you
Weeping? She supposing him to be
the gardener said: Tell me where
you have laid Him. Jesus said to her:
Mary! She turned and said to him:
Rabonni! Jesus said to her: Go
to my brethren and say to them:
I am ascending to My Father
and your Father (Jn 20:12-17).

Father, thanks for the wonderful
fact that Christ is indeed risen!
Help us Lord to put every aspect
of our lives in that perspective.
Even as You brought us healing
through the wonders of Easter;
continue to pour out Your grace
and Your mercy on Your people.
Lead us to perfect freedom in Christ.
And let the joy to be fulfilled in heaven will also gladden our way
on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my
Good Shepherd! I am so thankful
You speak & lead me through life.
I am sorry for the times I haven’t
listened to You when You have
tried to warn, help and guide me.
And I have lost so much because
I didn’t listen when You spoke.
But rather than focus on the past
losses, I purpose to do everything
within my ability to hear You now
and to obey what You say. Amen.

Lord, I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear,falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And Joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the nite around me be falling
He bids me go; thro the time of woe,
His voice to me is calling… Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9aIhta9exts

Love, Grace & Mercy At Calvary

William Newell (1868-1956) was
best known as a Bible teacher,
pastor and professor. While on
his way to teach a class at Moody
Bible Institute, the words of this
hymn began to form in his mind.
So he went to an unoccupied class
-room and there scribbled the
words on the back of an envelope.
A few minutes later he gave the
words to Daniel Towner, the director
of music at the school. Within an
hour Towner composed the music.
The first three stanzas tell the
testimony of the Christian and the
final stanza praises God for the
greatness of divine love, the depth
of grace and the breadth of mercy.

Lord, thank You for Your Grace:
It was the Preparation Day of the
Passover and about the 6th hour.
And Pilate said to the Jews: Behold
your King! But they cried out:
Crucify Him! Pilate said to them:
Shall I crucify your King? The chief
priests answered: We have no king
but Caesar! Then he delivered Him
to them to be crucified…And He
bearing His cross, went to a place
of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew
Golgotha or in Latin Calvary; where
they crucified Him and two others…
Now Pilate wrote a title and put it
on the cross. And the writing was:
JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING
OF THE JEWS… written in Hebrew,
Greek and Latin (John 19:14-20).

Father God, in Your mercy, You
sent Jesus to die for our sins on
Calvary’s tree and that He rose
again on the third day so that
our sins are completely forgiven,
and that we have been set free.
Lord Jesus, we praise and thank
You for Your sacrifice for our sins.
You paid our debt at Calvary to give
us eternal life with You my Saviour!
Holy Spirit, help us to live for Christ
even as Jesus died for us. Amen.

Lord Jesus, this hymn encourages
us to hold on to faith regardless of
the struggles we may face in life.
The chorus reminds us that God’s
grace will see His children through.
So, we will stop trying to carry these
burdens and give them to Jesus.
And we’ll not let our heart grow cold
with doubt for Jesus is all we need.
For “Mercy there was great & grace
was free;Pardon there was given
to me. And There my burdened soul
found liberty at Calvary!” Amen.

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me
He died On Calvary.
Mercy was great & grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul
found liberty At Calvary.
Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul
can only sing Of Calvary! Amen.

I’ve Found A Friend

Backgrounder: James Small was
a minister in the Scottish Free
Church who loved to write hymns.
This hymn published in 1863
in the Revival Hymnbook, is full
of great theological truths. From
our standpoint we sing: I’ve Found
a Friend but the truth is “He loved
me ere I knew Him” and “He
drew me with the cords of love”.
Obviously it is Jesus who initiated
this friendship. Such a Friend
is truly worth singing about.

Lord, we’ll Obey Your Command:
This is My commandment, that
u love one another as I’ve loved u.
There is no greater love than to lay
down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are My friends if you do
what I command… Now you are
My friends, since I have told you
everything the Father told me…
I appointed you that you should go
and bear fruit, and that your fruit
remain, that whatever you ask the
Father in My name He may give you.
These things I command you that
you love one another (Jn 15:12-17).

Lord Jesus, thanks for Your
sacrificial love and for being
our friend. Help us to love one
another, as You have loved us,
even as we purpose to obey
Your challenging commandment.
We note that Your command
for us to love one another is for
the purpose that we bear fruit.
As people see the love between
Christians, let them be drawn to
You, the source of our love. Amen.

Lord, You call us to love one another
though You know our propensity towards selfishness. So, help us
to always remember love is not
optional for those who follow You.
Help us also to abide in Your love;
for it is the key to loving our
brothers and sisters in Christ;
for apart from You, we can
do absolutely nothing. Amen.

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love
And thus He bound me to Him.
And round my heart still closely twine
Those ties which naught can sever
For I am His, and He is mine,
Forever and forever.
I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend
He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life,
But His own self He gave me.
From Him who loves me now so well,
What pow’r my soul shall sever?
My heart,my strength, my life,my all
Are His, and His forever. Amen.

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Louisa Stead and her husband
were relaxing with their four-year
old daughter on Long Island beach
when they heard a desperate child’s
cry. A boy was drowning & Louisa’s
husband tried to rescue him.
In desperation the boy pulled Mr
Stead under water & both drowned.
Louisa was left with no means of
support & experienced dire poverty.
One morning when she had no food
for the day she opened the front
door and found that someone had
left food & money in her doorstep.
That day she wrote this hymn,
inspired partly by John 14.

Lord, we will wholly Trust In You:
Jesus said: Don’t let your hearts
be troubled. Trust in God, and
trust also also in me (John 14:1-3).
Whatever you ask in My name,
that I will do that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. If you ask
anything in My name, I will do it.
(John 14:13-14). Peace I leave with
you, My peace I give to you; not
as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

Lord, in life challenges that come,
I will not let my heart be troubled
but will choose to keep trusting
You to deliver on Your promises.
For I trust in You with all my heart.
For I have purposed to live by faith.
For my God knows the plans He
has for me, plans to prosper me
and not to harm me, to give me
a future and a hope. Amen.

Lord, we may have afflictions but
the Lord Will Deliver us; and we are
more than conqueror thro him who
loved us. And we choose to keep
faith, trusting You will protect and
provide for in due time we’ll reap.
And thank You for the comfort
and reminder from the hymn.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved him o’er & o’er!
O for grace to trust Him more. Amen

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know: Thus saith the Lord.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er & o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend,
And I know that He is with me,
Will be with me to the end.

In the Sweet By and By

Fillmore Bennett (1836-98) in his
autobiography described how the
hymn was written. Joseph Webster,
like many musicians was of sensitive
nature and subject to mood swing.
He came to my place in Wisconsin
walked down to the stove & turned
his back on me without speaking.
I was at my desk. Turning to him,
I said, “Webster, what’s the matter
now?” “It’s no matter,” he replied,
“it will be all right by and by.” The
idea of the hymn came to me like
a flash and I replied, “The Sweet
By and By! Turning to my desk
I penned the words of the hymn as
fast as I could write. I handed the
words to Webster. Taking his violin,
he played the melody & jotted down
the notes. Then we sang the hymn.

Lord, thanks for Secured Future:
Let not your heart be troubled;
you believe in God, believe also
in Me. In My Father’s house are
many mansions…I go to prepare
a place for you. And if I go and
prepare for you, I will come
again and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may
be also (John 14:1-3). Amen.

Lord, thank You for the magnificent
mansion You are building for me
in heaven. Thanks that I’ll live with
You in a perfect place for all eternity.
Thank You for the promise that You
will escort me to my heavenly home.
Thank You for giving me eternal life.
Though this life is filled with trouble,
I know that I’m only passing through.
Grant me an eternal mindset so that
I can endure temporal difficulties
that may come my way. Amen.

Lord Jesus, thank You for taking the
fear of death away from each of us.
The end of our life here You have
made the beginning of the true life
to be with You enjoying life forever.
You free us from sin and from the
curse laid upon us, for U took both
sin and the curse upon Yourself. And
when You rose from the dead, You
cleared the way for our resurrection.
Thank You Lord for Your completed
work of redemption and forgiveness,
paving way for our beautiful future.
In gratitude, we purpose to live for
You with Your Spirit enabling. Amen.

There’s a land that is fairer than day
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
To our bountiful Father above,
We will offer our tribute of praise
For the glorious gift of His love
And blessings that hallow our days.