Scripture Memory: Answer to Prayer
VERSE : Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

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O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

25 March 2007
8.00 am Worship Service:
Rev Colin Wong (An Ascription of Praise To The Triune God - 6)
10.45 am Worship Service:
Rev Charles Seet (An Identification Parade With A Difference)
6:00 pm Rehoboth Evening Service:
Rev Colin Wong (The Power Of The Gospel)

1 April 2007
8.00 am Worship Service:
Eld Chin Hoong Chor (Prayer For Revival)
10.45 am Worship Service:
Rev Colin Wong (Prayer For Revival), Lord's Supper
6:00 pm Rehoboth Evening Service:
Rev Eric Kwan (Will Your Worship Worship Your Will?)

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"Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep." (2 Chronicles 29:31-33)

The story of God’s king and God’s people in 2 Chronicles 29 is an intriguing one. King Hezekiah became king at 25 years of age. He immediately called for religious restoration in the kingdom. God’s people had been deep in idolatry and profaneness. They had practically denied God of His glory. They stopped worshipping God and were very far away from their Creator and King. Beloved, are we like the Jews in King Hezekiah’s time – rebellious and unrepentant? Are we grieving the Spirit of God in our daily walk? Let us learn this important lesson on consecrated living from 2 Chronicles 29 today.

King Hezekiah addressed the people as soon as he became king and reminded them that they should turn to God. He asked them to cleanse the temple and made preparation for offering of sacrifices again. After the cleansing of the temple, it was time for atonement for their sins. Overall, seventy bullocks, one hundred rams, two hundred lambs, six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep were offered! There were far too many animals to be offered and because of shortage of manpower resources, the Levites volunteered and the whole process of sacrifice was completed in good time.

The most important point in this chapter is King Hezekiah’s call to the nation to consecration. What is consecration? To consecrate is to devote or set apart something to the worship or service of God. In this case, the king alluded to the fact that God’s people had been consecrated to worship Him! "Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord." The worship of the people of God was more important than the animal sacrifices they offered to God.

As far as God is concerned, He expects one hundred percent focus and dedication from His people. Our worship of God must be focused and dedicated totally as well. We should not come to God’s house unprepared because of late nights on Saturday evenings. We should not come to church with the burdens from our workplace and give God second best attention; or the leftover energies. God expects and demands the best from us to worship Him as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Apostle Paul says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)

Today, God does not require us to offer burnt offerings and dead sacrifices anymore. He wants us to present our bodies as living sacrifices – holy, acceptable unto God! Hence, Christians are to live a consecrated Christian life. Consecrated living is not optional! Having consecrated ourselves to the Lord, we must then bring the sacrifices of prayer and praise; and tithes and offerings, to His house.

The end result of the people’s consecration was spiritual revival and blessings to the nation. Two things were pleasing in this case:

(1) That it was soon brought about: "The thing was done suddenly", in a little time, with a great deal of ease, and without any opposition. Those that go about the work of God in faith and with resolution will find that there is not that difficulty in it which they sometimes imagine, but it will be a pleasing surprise to them to see how soon it is done.

(2) That the hand of God was plainly in it: "God had prepared the people" by the secret influences of His grace, so that many of those who had in the last reign doted on the idolatrous altars were now as much in love with God’s altar. This change, which God wrought on their minds, did very much expedite and facilitate the work. Let magistrates and ministers do their part towards the reforming of a land, and ascribe to Him the glory of what is done, especially when it is done suddenly and is a pleasing surprise. "This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous."

Such is the testimony of consecrated living for Christ. King Solomon says, "When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) Sometimes, when things are not going smoothly and when opposition seems to be the norm, does it occur to you that your life may not be right with God? Is God telling you something through the circumstances of life, and sometimes through the inner voice in you that you are not giving God your focus and dedication?

Let us learn this precious lesson from God’s people in 2 Chronicles 29 that consecrated living begins with, first of all - a call to repentance, then cleansing and atonement, and finally consecration. Let us come to God with a "free heart" (v. 31) and offer our sacrifices of prayers and praise sincerely; and let us bless His holy name. Amen. —Elder Sherman Ong

The Three Prayers

I.

"Lord, help me," so we pray,

"Help me my work to do;

I am so ignorant and weak,

Make me more wise and true."

II.

"Lord, help me to do Thy work,"

We pray when wiser grown,

When on the upward way

Our feet have farther gone.

III.

"Lord, do Thy work through me";

So when all self we lose;

His doing and His work, and we

The tools His hand can use.

- A. J. Flint -

It is Christian love and compassion to help one in trouble and struggling with sin. To do so, however, is not easy - particularly when we don’t know how to help or when our help is not welcomed or accepted. Those who desire to help others may have questions - How do we help someone? Is there a biblical way? Are we ourselves ready to help at all? If help is accepted, how do we proceed to help? If we do help, how can we tell if our help is effective? Are there skills needed to counsel? What are they? How do I deal with the sins and problems which more commonly affect us?

1. What Is Biblical Counseling and Who Can Be a Counselor?

2. How Do Christians Change and Grow Spiritually?

3. Steps in Counseling I

4. Steps in Counseling II

5. Counseling Skills - Nonverbal,

Listening, Questioning, Empathy, Confrontation, Biblical Problem Solving

6. Gaining Victory I - Worry, Stress, Depression

7. Gaining Victory II - Unforgiveness, Anger, Relationship Problems

8. Role Play

Speakers:

Rev Frank Low (English Service)

Rev Kew See Seong (Mandarin Service)

Members are encouraged to invite their friends and relatives.

Vacation Bible School 2007

Theme: Son-shine In My Soul!

For kids in K1 - P3 (5 - 9 yrs old)

30 May - 1 Jun 07 (Wed-Fri)

9am - 12.30 pm

Register at front entrance or online: www.lifebpc.com/vbs

Closing date 6 May 2007.

Sign up your child or bring a friend. Teachers and helpers needed.

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1) Combined Easter Sunrise Service: 7 am on 8 Apr. This will be followed by a catered buffet breakfast for all worshippers. Please contact Dn Benny Goh (9151-6801) if you wish to contribute any food. Offerings to defray the cost of the breakfast are welcome.

2)  Infant Baptism on Easter Sunday, 8 Apr 07, 7.00 am. Please register with the Church office (tel: 6254-5433) or email Yin Chan giving child’s name, date of birth and parents’ names and address.

3) Youth Retreat 2007, 11-12 May (Fri-Sat) at New Life BPC. Theme: Bow The Knee. Speaker: Rev Jack Sin. Registration starts today and closes on 29 Apr. Contact lifeyf@gmail.com.

4) Life BPC Bible Camp 2007: 11-14 June 07 at Harris Resort, Batam. We thank God that 302 have registered for the church camp. All the available rooms are already filled since Wednesday and those who are submitting their applications will be put on a waitlist while we try to secure more rooms.

Preaching appointments: Rev Wong at Rehoboth Evening Service, 6.00 pm.