Lord’s Day, Vol. 2 No. 21
(1) BHBPC’s First Church Camp
As the days of our church camp (12 to 14 June) at Traders Hotel in Johor Bahru draw near, we are thankful for our organising committee, led by Bro. William Oh (Camp Master) and Bro. Richard Yeo (Assistant Camp Master), who are making all necessary arrangements. Please pray for the team as they make preparations. We have 47 registered campers as to-date.
The camp theme “Jesus is the Joy of Living”, is based on 1 Peter 1:8, Jesus Christ, “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” May we know our Lord Jesus Christ in a deeper and more meaningful way as our Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, Intercessor and Rewarder. Elder Paul Tsao and Elder Siow Chai Sheng would be sharing God’s Word with us in the morning devotions. Please pray for our camp committee and the speakers.
Thank God for the provision of a camp doctor, Dr. Lynn Yeo, together with her mother, Mrs. Lillian Yeo have also signed up for the church camp.
May all compers pray and prepare their hearts for a spiritually and physically refreshing time at the camp.
(2) Charity Beareth All Things (1 Corinthians 13:7a)
The word “to bear” literally means “to cover” with reference to a roof that provides good shelter. It keeps the elements out. It has the idea to protect or keep by covering.
It also has the idea to “cover” with silence, to keep secret, to hide and conceal. It hides and forgives the errors and faults of others. By extension, it means to endure, to forbear, to put up with. In the context of the redeemed man, charity is the grace that enables one to endure, to forbear, to suffer. It is a humbling disposition. It bears the pressures of life so that one does not crumple under it. There is also that meaning of patience to endure.
“All things” seemed an impossible feat but it is not. It is the testimony of a Spirit-filled Christian who is constantly abounding in the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. You may ask, “How is it at all possible?” My answer, “With God, all things are possible.” This is the life of faith that we are called to live.
In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian arrived at a fireplace in a house where he saw a man pouring water onto the fire but the fire did not extinguish. Christian was brought to the back of the fireplace in another room. There he saw a man pouring oil to keep the flickering fire aflame. The Interpreter explained to Christian that the man pouring oil was Jesus Christ. He had to pour the oil of grace to keep the heart of faith aflame as Satan, the man in front of the fireplace, kept pouring water to try to put the fire out. Jesus is at the back of the fireplace. He may not be visible to us in our times of afflictions, but He is certainly there sustaining us by His grace!
The Christian life is a supernatural life that transcends the carnality of this sinful world. It enables the Christian to bear with ingratitude, hardships and reproaches. The Apostle Peter encouraged the Jews who were scattered over the known world at that time as a result of persecution when he wrote in 1 Peter 2:19-25, “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
Dear readers, the power of Christian love has to be cultivated. We may fail betimes to bear a good testimony but be not discouraged. Persevere in bringing forth the fruit of righteousness in our lives to the glory of God who calls us and also enables us. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pr Lek Aik Wee