"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)

This verse is very relevant to the WARM programme of our Church as it contains one of the many ‘one another’ commandments in the Scriptures that are to be obeyed by all believers in the body of Christ. Without having close fellowship with fellow Christians, and especially with those within the same church, we will not be able to keep such commandments.

According to what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16, we are to let the Word of Christ dwell richly in us. This means that the church is to make itself a treasury of God’s Word. The same idea is found in 1 Timothy 3:15 where the church is called "the pillar and ground of the truth." We are to enrich the biblical knowledge of every member in our church so that we will collectively build up a rich common treasury of God’s Word. This is a task that every Lifer can and should play a part to accomplish – by regularly interacting one with another to teach and gently admonish one another.

Be part of this united effort to edify others with the Word, sharing what you have learnt from it and encouraging them by your experiences in applying it. If you have benefited spiritually much from some insights that you have gained through your study of the Word, don’t keep them all to yourself. Let them bless the lives of others.

The verse however does not stop at our duty to teach and admonish one another from God’s Word. It also goes on to describe one effective way that this can be done – through singing! And the more that the songs are based on the Word of God, the better they would be to enrich the whole body of Christ.

Singing the Word of God is a useful way to let that Word dwell richly among us. We should learn how to sing biblical passages that can be useful for teaching and admonishing ourselves and others. There are at least two useful benefits from this: Firstly, singing can make Scripture memorization a lot easier. When Moses had given his final words to the Israelites at the plain of Moab, he taught them all to sing a song which God gave to him and which would enable them to remember what they had learnt so that it would stand as a witness against them in the event that they turn away from the Lord (Deuteronomy 31:19-22).

Secondly, as we sing the words that are taken directly from the Bible, we provide the Holy Spirit with the means to build Christian virtues into our lives. In moments of crisis or temptation, He may bring those words we have sung before into our minds to remind us about the right response to such moments or to instruct us in the way we ought to go. Psalm 32:7-8 shows a connection between songs of deliverance and God’s guidance – "Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

This year the Bible verses in our Scripture Memory Programme have been set to familiar hymn tunes, and the first two installments have been distributed with the church weekly over the past few weeks. Extra sets of the memory verses in song for the first quarter are available at the table at the entrance to the church. You can go to http://www.lifebpc.com/memoryverse.htm to listen to some of them being sung during our worship services. May you be encouraged by reading the testimonies below to learn well to sing these verses so that you will be better equipped to teach and admonish one another. – Pastor

Learning God’s Word through songs may be very new to many of us, but during my Youth Fellowship days and at Sunday School, we had committed to memory many verses through songs, such as Psalm 1:1,2, Psalm 100:1-5 and Acts 3:6. I always enjoy singing God’s Word in song.

Now, in Life BP Church, we’re all so privileged to have a sister using her talent arranging this year’s memory verses in song, word for word according to the Scripture though some words are repeated to make the whole song complete. Also thank God for Dr Clement Tan for teaching us to sing. I notice that the songs for each of the memory verses have been very carefully and appropriately chosen and befitting the title of the original hymns. Though the hymns are familiar, they do require much effort to learn initially as we have to know not only the words but also the respective musical scores. However, once learnt through some practice, they stay with us easily with musical linkage. May we all be encouraged to sing or hum God’s Word joyfully that His words may abide with us deeply. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11 – Lee Way Chor

Praise God that all of us who are involved could present the first four scripture memory verses in song during the Sunday Worship Service in January. We were able to do so by staying committed, adopting a positive attitude and practising continually.

Man cannot live by bread alone, but by the Word of God. I realise that what we did is actually another way of learning and placing God’s Word in our hearts. You will experience joy, too, once you are able to memorise the verses, one after another. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16 – Karen Leong

I was first taken aback by the fact that we are singing memory verses using existing hymns, as I was afraid that I will get confused. Not long after that we were told we were not allowed to look at the words when we sing i.e. sing the verses by memory. By then, I was not so sure if I was able to do it as it did seem quite a feat to accomplish.

However, as the ladies gathered together for the practices, I was very much encouraged by their perseverance and diligence to make an effort to memorise the verses together with the accompanying tune/rhythm. Having the senior ladies pacesetting for us, further encouraged me to set aside some time every day to memorise these verses. More importantly, in the midst of memorising them, God’s words of encouragement and instructions blessed me greatly.

May I encourage everyone young or old, to make an effort to memorise the verses and if given an opportunity, do join in the singing of scripture memory verses. – Lorene Yeo

At first I was a bit worried as I did not know I had to learn the Scripture memory verses and sing them by heart. However, encouraged by the other ladies, I decided that I would make it a point to do it.

I set aside time everyday. Every afternoon, usually after lunch, I will sit down, pray first and ask God to help me to learn the memory verses. I know the tunes of the familiar hymns. So I would read the verses and practise singing them to the tunes. I spent more time on this at first, but after the first two days, I found that I did not need to devote that much time as I was able to memorise the words, with God’s help. I found that by singing the scripture verses, it is much easier to remember them. Previously I had difficulty in memorising the verses, so I am glad that we have this means of learning God’s word by heart. – Una Tan

Actually, at first I thought that my voice was not good enough, and I was shivering. However, while sitting in the pew, someone told me that I had a lovely voice, and that encouraged me to sing. I did not really face any difficulties because my father sent me for lessons in music and singing when I was young.

As I am familiar with the tunes, I learnt the words of the Scripture verses by singing them over and over again, even singing in the bathroom! I am very happy to learn the memory verses and to sing for the Lord. – Lily Poon

Although I have been successfully taking part in the Scripture Memory Verses Programme for the past two years, I am afraid to say I do not know how many I can still recite accurately. For Year 2008 Scripture Memory Verses, I am so glad that I am able to sing them through songs and I have this confidence that I would remember the words and also the Scripture text correctly for a long long time! All Praise to the Lord! – Goh Mong Eng

A Kaleidoscope

Many, many people attending worship service at church…

Many people milling together, catching up with friends they have not seen for a week…

A good number of church members attending the vigil services of the loved one of other church members…

Some church members praying together for the church and for one another…

Several church members testifying of the Lord’s goodness and sharing prayer requests…

Various church members meeting each other for lunch or dinner…

A few people visiting sick church members…

Many, many church members who do not know each other…

Many people who leave after worship service without exchanging a single word with any one…

A good number of church members who do not belong to any group…

Some church members who keep to their circle of friends…

Several church members who are burdened, hurting, stressed but do not talk about it…

Various church members who have blessings to share but hesitate…

A few church members who have not attended church for some time…

You decide…..

Is this a kaleidoscope of Life Church?

It all depends on your focus…

More importantly, it depends on you…

Do you care?

What are you willing to do for the Lord?

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:24-25

1. Overheard: "I try my best, but I feel discouraged. People seem to want to rush off..."

2. Observed: "Thank God for a brother who went up to two newcomers in church, introducing himself with a WARM card, a lovely smile and a warm handshake. This brother is not a Session member. He is not a Fellowship Group leader. Yet, he has the passion. That day this brother, a couple and "an old friend" welcomed the newcomers."

3. Experienced: "In a church we visited whilst overseas, many came to talk to us. We were not just greeted with a ‘hello’ and ‘welcome’. We had conversations. One person even invited us to have lunch in his home with his family."

4. Read in the Singapore papers: "Singaporeans do not know the art of small talk". (This is but the starting point for us in our WARM ministry)

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1) Nominations for General Elections 2008. Nomination forms are available from the Reception Counter and the Church Office on weekdays. The closing date for nomination is 16 Mar 08.

2) VBS 2008 (28-30 May). Teachers and helpers needed. Please register now. Drop the form at front entrance or register online www.lifebpc.com/vbs. Contact: Keng Khwang @ 98293292 or vbs at lifebpc dot com.

3) "Enriching Our Marriages" Seminar organised by MF/LF on 29 Mar 08 (Sat) from 2 to 10 pm. Open to couples who are married for 10 years and above. Submit registration form to Bro Beng Hong (9623-0800) or Mong Eng (9745-2448).

4) Life BPC Bible Camp: 9-13 Jun 08 at Awana Genting Highlands, Malaysia. Theme: "Living Like Citizens of Heaven on Earth" by Prof William Harding. To register, please submit one camp registration form and one photocopy of passport details per person to the Camp Registration Office.

Preaching appointment: Rev Seet at Life Chinese Service, 10.45 am.

* * *

Date: 30 March 2008

Time: 10.45 am

Topic: Why was the Resurrection Necessary?

Dr Steve Reynolds (English Service)

Rev Teo Kiak Hock (Mandarin Service)