O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT IN OUR LIVES

Today, we shall be looking at Biblical wisdom regarding the seasons and times in our lives. We will do this from the perspective of Ecclesiastes.

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In Ecclesiastes, there is that famous teaching often quoted in a truncated manner: “There is a time for everything under the sun”. Indeed, as one grows old, one begins to recognise there is indeed a season and time and for everything.

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The full text for this godly wisdom is found in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes and from it we learn that all human lives are ultimately subject to the sovereign will of GOD. This is further affirmed by Proverbs 20:24: “Man’s goings are of the Lord; How can a man then understand his own way?”

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The author of these words was divinely inspired by GOD to teach us that GOD is involved in everything that happens to us. There is no exception - for everyone and in everything good or bad that happens to us, GOD is there.

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The whole list of those seasons and times of our lives can be found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. And when we see it together with Ecclesiastes 7:13-14, we will understand that GOD our creator is almighty and sovereign.

“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” (Ecclesiastes 7:13–14)

How This Truth Affects Daily Living

This biblical teaching about GOD being almighty, sovereign and personally involved in each of us has practical implications for daily living.

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First, there is no such thing as being lucky or unlucky. We must see ourselves as more than just random beings without a purpose. Our thinking should be: I have a purpose in this life, whoever I am, wherever I am and whatever happens to me.

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So, it is very important to know what GOD’s will for me is. The simplest biblically correct answer to knowing this can be found in the Westminster Shorter Catechism that states, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” Before we find fault with the Shorter Catechism’s answer by saying that this is man’s word, let us remember that this statement is based on the Bible, as found in 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 11:36, Psalms 73:25-28.

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Secondly, since everything about me and everything that happens to me come from an almighty and sovereign GOD, submission and obedience to Him should be our response. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 reminds us that whether good or bad, it is GOD who has set one thing over against the other. This means that He is sovereign over both situations. Thus, whatever the future may bring, GOD already knows it, and this brings much comfort to every child of GOD. Let us not be anxious and troubled by what we do not know about the future, but be comforted by knowing who holds our future.

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The third practical application of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and 7:13-14 is that we are set for life. With the almighty and sovereign GOD in charge of our lives, we do not need to be covetous of things we do not have, but be contented with the things we have. Whatever is given or not given to us is determined by our Heavenly Father. His wisdom concerning what to withhold and what to give is always perfect, since He is the almighty and sovereign GOD!

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These portions of Holy Scripture are meant to help us in our daily living. The words of God are practical for everyone and not just for a select few. We are to remind ourselves that they are given to us so that we will remain true and faithful to the season and time that GOD has for each of us.

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In these passages of Ecclesiastes, it is unmistakeable that divine wisdom and truth covers all aspects of life for everyone. Everything written by GOD here and even in the rest of the Bible, enable us to know how to live purposefully and happily. It is when we do not believe that GOD is involved, almighty and sovereign, that we become disobedient, and that will bring sadness.

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Everything written by GOD is for us to learn how to know Him and how to stay happy in Him in all the seasons of our lives. Notice that in Ecclesiastes 3:2, the list of the seasons and times starts with birth and death. These two events mark the beginning and the end of our lives. They are followed by other events that mark every part of life until death. Our whole life is mapped out here under the sovereignty of God.

Our Response to this Truth

“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13)

Since GOD is almighty and also sovereign no one can undo what GOD has done. To fight against GOD instead of responding with submission and obedience is simply stupidity.

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JC Ryle wrote over a century ago “Of all the doctrines of the Bible, none is so offensive to the human nature as the doctrine of the sovereignty of GOD.” To truly enjoy GOD as almighty and sovereign, and respond to the truth He gave in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and 7:13-14, we need a new heart and not a heart of stone.

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May GOD be merciful and give all of us a heart of flesh in Jesus Christ.

– Joel Seah  

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Jan 22

        7.30 pm     ERBL: OT Prophetic Books (Rev Charles Seet)

Tuesday, Jan 23

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Bro Shawn Lim)

Wednesday, Jan 24

      10.00 am     SF Activity Day

Thursday, Jan 25

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Bible Geography (Ms Lilian Lee)

Friday, Jan 26

        7.30 pm     MM Meeting

Saturday, Jan 27

  2.30 pm     Ladies’ Tea Fellowship (Rm 1-6)

  3.00 pm LTF / YLM / MM

Sunday, Jan 28

  8.00 am The Hope to Come Haggai 2:20-23 (Rev Quek Keng Khwang)

  8.00 am Choir Practice

  9.15 am Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  9.40 am Sunday School / Catechism Class

10.15 am Coffee Corner

11.00 am The Hope to Come Haggai 2:20-23 (Rev Quek Keng Khwang)

11.00 am Children’s Ministry

11.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

11.00 am Filipina Service (Rm 1-6)

12.15 pm Library (Sanctuary Balcony)

  2.00 pm Session Meeting

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

Announcements

Membership Roll Update Exercise 2024 (7 to 28 Jan)

If you are a member of Life B-P Church, please update your particulars or download the physical form at https://www.lifebpc.com/update (even if all the information is the same as during last year's exercise), for the purpose of the Annual Congregational Meeting.

The deadline is 28 January 2024.

The physical forms are also obtainable at the front entrance of the sanctuary. Please drop the forms into the box provided at the front entrance after worship services or mail to: 10 Gilstead Road, #03-00, Singapore 309064.

Holy Communion Elements Preparation

Lifers are invited to serve in the Holy Communion elements preparation, clean-up and washing. Those interested may contact Jenny or Wendy.

Vacation Bible School 2024 for N2-P6 children will be held on 29-31 May (Wed-Fri). Theme: Champions for God.

Registration will open soon.

Seniors Fellowship Activity Day

Calling all seniors! If you are in your 50s and above, join us in our Seniors Fellowship Activity Day on 24 Jan 2024 (Wed), 10am-2pm. Venue: Rooms 4-4/4-5. We will have a time of devotion, simple resistance band exercise and board games. Lunch is provided. This Activity Day is held every 4th Wednesday of the month.

Church Camp 2024 will be held from June 10-14 (Mon-Fri) at Resorts World Awana, Malaysia.

Speaker: Pastor Tan Soon Yong.

Theme: Truth Matters.

Registration opens soon!

Exploring Christianity

25 Feb – 24 Mar 2024

9.30am – 10.45 am @ Beulah Rm 2-1

Register at https://tinyurl.com/ExpChr2024

For enquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CNY Angpows

New angpows are available at the front of the Sanctuary. There are two types – gold and red packs. The red ones are large enough to insert tracts in them. Each person is entitled to 1 gold and 1 red pack. If you require more, you may collect them at a later date when majority has collected theirs.

Door to Door Evangelism 21 Jan 2024 (Today)

Meet in Beulah Room 2-11, 12.30pm Contact: Desmond or Amos

Traffic Wardens

Lifers are invited to serve our Lord as Traffic Wardens on Sunday.

Kindly contact Dn Choong or Bro Kelvin if you are available.

Condolence

Our condolences to sisters Ruth and Hannah on the homegoing of their grandfather, Mr Koh HK (95 years old), on 14 Jan 2024.

Ladies’ Tea Fellowship

New series based on the book of Genesis: “Building our trust in a faithful God ”

Starting on 27 Jan 2024, 3.30pm to 5pm, at Room 1-6.

Seniors Fellowship Seminar: Bones of Contention: Osteoporosis

Date: 27 April 2024

Time: 4-6 pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Register at https://lifebpc.com/sfseminar

Seminar: Pornography & Sexual Lusts

Date: 6 April 2024

Time: 2-6.30 pm (followed by dinner)

Venue: Beulah MPH

Register at https://forms.gle/Kf1aZefXGTvU3ojFA

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