Dear Brethren,
Blessed New Year 2014!
Thank the Lord for leading us into the new year 2014. Today is the first Lord’s Day of the year 2014. By God’s grace and mercy, let us commit to be found in the House of God for worship every Lord’s Day. Let nothing stop us in our duty to God to worship Him and to keep the Sabbath Day holy.
Let us be able to say like the Psalmist: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)
What will we face in this new year 2014? None of us knows what trials and struggles will come our path in this year. But one thing is certain – that we will have to face these trials and struggles. Our faith will be tested. The temptations of the world will lure us away from God. How can we stand firm? The only certainty and assurance we have is the promise of God that He will never leave us nor forsake us. His grace is always sufficient for our needs. Let us commit our lives into God’s hand – draw near to Him every moment in prayer and meditation of His Word.
Just like the year 2013, the new year 2014 will also come and go very quickly. If the Lord Jesus tarries in His coming in 2014, will He find us watching and praying and serving Him faithfully? Let us not waste the new year 2014 away in slothfulness, complacency and enjoyment of this world. Be a faithful and good steward of the time and resources that God has given to us.
Church Theme 2014
The Church Session has decided to continue the same theme in 2014 as in 2013: Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men (Matthew 4:19)
Thank God that there was more fervency in outreach and soul-winning in our Church in the past year 2013. The Great Commission to go into the world and preach the Gospel must be obeyed by our Church. We must then continue to faithfully teach the believers all the truth in the Word of God to obey them. Believers ought to obey the Lord in baptism. Our Church must not fail to discharge our duty and responsibility to God as commanded to us in Matthew 28:18-20.
In order for our Church to continue and maintain the zeal in evangelism and outreach, the theme to be Fishers of Men will continue for another year. For some who miss the opportunity and did not do much to share the Gospel and invite unbelieving friends to our Church and the Fellowship group Gospel meetings, this is another opportunity to do something for the Lord Jesus Christ. I hope none will waste another year without a love for the dying souls of men. Surely we can give a tract, invite someone, share our personal testimony of salvation. God can use us when we are willing. May everyone of us be willing instruments for the Lord’s use in soul-winning.
With the focus of our Church this year again in evangelism and outreach, we would want to encourage all members to:
a) Pray constantly for a burden for souls to reach out to.
b) Invite loved ones and friends to Church worship service especially the 4 Gospel worship services on the 5th Sunday in this year.
c) Invite friends to attend the Fellowship groups Gospel outreach activities.
d) Participate in Church evangelism, Simei Care outreach, Mission trips and Church Gospel outreach activities e.g. VBS, Chinese Gospel meeting.
e) Personally share Gospel to loved ones and friends.
May the Lord stir our hearts that we will indeed heed the calling of Jesus Christ to follow Him and be the Fishers of Men that He wants us to be. If the Lord uses us with one soul that is saved this year or one friend that can hear the Gospel through our invitation, then you know for sure that 2014 is a year well-spent for the Lord.
Do not live in regret of a wasted year. Time and tide wait for no man. Perhaps this year 2014 may be our last year on earth to do something for Jesus.
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” (John 4:35)
Elder John Leong