O Worship the LORD in the Beauty of Holiness

GOD’S UNCHANGING GOODNESS

          As Chinese New Year will be celebrated in six days’ time, it is appropriate for us to meditate on the theme of goodness. Goodness is the prized object in every CNY celebration. We see it in the usual greetings exchanged during this season. Wishes are expressed that the new year will be a good one and that there will be overflowing happiness, health and wealth for everyone. 

          This can also be seen in the CNY customs that have developed over the years. Many people observe them in the hope that they will bring an increase in one’s good fortune, or that they will prevent anything from hindering that increase. For instance, houses are adorned with a profusion of red decorations to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. The word “Fu” is hung upside down because the Chinese word for ‘upside down’ sounds like the word for ‘arrive.’ People give out hong baos liberally to bring greater returns of prosperity. When visiting they bring a pair of mandarin oranges to give wealth to each household because the words for ‘gold’ and ‘orange’ sound alike in Cantonese. Raw fish (yu sheng) is eaten because the Chinese word for fish sounds like the word ‘surplus’ and the word for raw may also mean ‘life’ or ‘grow.’ 

          We who know Christ should not hold to any of these superstitious beliefs during this festive season. Nothing that you do or avoid doing can add more to your happiness, prosperity or lifespan. Goodness does not come from uttering certain phrases of good wishes, or from eating food with auspicious names, or from wearing certain colours. 

          Goodness comes from only one source: God. He is the fountain of all goodness for us. This truth is taught most clearly in James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” There are two precious truths in this verse about God’s goodness. 

1. God is the Giver of All that is Good

          The beginning of verse 17 says that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.”  This teaches us that God gives only good gifts and everything that is good comes from Him. Some of God’s gifts are even mentioned within the same chapter: Wisdom, the eternal Crown of life, and the Word of Truth which is the Gospel (James 1:5,12 and 18). These gifts are more precious than all the material blessings that are commonly sought after. 

          Besides these, there are other gifts from God that may not seem good at first, but are just as good and perfect as these gifts. God gave the apostle Paul a thorn in the flesh which caused him so much discomfort that he besought the Lord thrice to remove it from him. But it became a blessing to him in the end, for he discovered how he can be strong even in his weakest moments through God’s sufficient grace. 

          Whatever God gives is always good. God may sometimes give difficult trials to endure, but these trials will eventually work to develop the priceless virtue of patience in us (James 1:3, cf. Hebrews 12:11). 

          However while God is the Giver of all good things and everything that He gives is good, He is not the giver of all that is NOT good, such as evil, sin and death. In our passage, God’s perfect gifts are contrasted against the imperfect gifts we receive when we yield to our own sinful lusts and passions. Yielding to tempting offers, no matter how good and desirable they may be, will only bring sin and death to us (James 1:14,15).

          This should be remembered especially during this festive season when people tend to overindulge and throw all caution to the wind. While we should be thankful for all legitimate goodies that we can enjoy in CNY festivities, let us keep within acceptable limits and not yield to temptation. 

          Another lesson we can learn from verse 17 is that the way that God gives is always good. This is highlighted in the two instances of the word ‘gift’ in the verse which are different words in the original Greek. The first one which is in the phrase, ‘every good gift’ refers to the act or manner of giving. The second one which is in the phrase, ‘every perfect gift’ refers to whatever is given. By combining them together, James tells us that God’s goodness is seen both in what He gives, and in the way that He gives them. God’s giving is always out of pure unconditional love. Such gifts are the best ones to receive. 

          In contrast to that, there are some gifts which are better for us not to receive at all, such as gifts that are given grudgingly or gifts that are given with an ulterior motive. If someone offers you a big hong bao, expecting you to give him an unfair advantage over others, you should not accept it. Proverbs 17:23 says, “A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.” 

          God’s giving is never like that. Goodness is behind every act of giving by Him. For instance, in verse 5 we are told about how God gives wisdom: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” There is only one condition that we need to fulfill, and that is to ask Him in faith (verses 6,7). 

         The words, ‘cometh down’ in verse 17 teach us that God gives constantly. The verb tense used here indicates that the good and perfect gifts of God keep coming down to us. God does not give the way that we give out hong baos – we do it only once a year. God’s giving is all the year round. We receive a constant flow of gifts from Him. You are receiving gifts from God even now, because Acts 17:28 says, “in Him we live and move and have our being.” 

          King David was so amazed when he thought of this that he wrote in Psalm 139:17-18 – “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them. If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” David testifies of God’s constant care over him, providing for his every need. 

          Thus we have learned that everything God gives is good, that the way He gives is good, and that He gives constantly. What should all this mean to us? Since God is the Giver of all that is good, we should give Him all the credit for every good thing that befalls us. We should never attribute any happiness, health and wealth we receive to our good fortune. Neither should we say in their heart, “My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.” 

          God warned the Israelites against doing this when they were about to enter the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:7-17). He said that when they enjoy its abundance, and had eaten until they were full and had become rich they must not forget that God is the source of their blessings. They must not think that they had earned them through their own diligent efforts and ingenuity. 

          If your business has been doing well, or if you have received a large bonus recently, please do not make the mistake of taking any credit for it. Likewise, if you are a student who has done well in your exams you should not rob God of the honour He deserves by taking credit for those good grades. We must never cease to acknowledge that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” 

2. God’s Goodness Never Changes

          The description of God as the Father of lights with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning is an interesting way of saying that God never changes. It compares Him with the changes that can be observed in the sun and the moon. God is called ‘the Father of lights’ because He created them on the fourth day of creation. According to Genesis 1:16,“God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.” 

          The date for each Chinese New Year is defined as the day when the new moon of the first lunar month appears. But this day changes every year. This year it happens to fall on 10 February. Next year it will fall on 29 January, and in 2026 it will fall on 17 February. Every few years an extra intercalary month has to be added to the calendar to compensate for all the changes and to shift the date of the New Year back to the correct position. 

          Chinese New Year is therefore just like the sun and the moon in this aspect – it is subject to change. In fact, every CNY reminds us about change. It heralds the change from the old year to a new year. Change can also be seen when we sit together at our reunion dinner and when we visit relatives whom we meet only once a year: We become aware that we have all grown a little older. Some relatives may have been taken away in death while others may have been added through marriage or birth. 

          Change is welcome when it brings progress and development. But change is not welcome when it brings uncertainty and insecurity. Don’t you sometimes wish that your circumstances can remain unchanged especially when things are going very well for you? But this is impossible. Any goodness you can derive from this world will not last long because of change. 

          How thankful we ought to be then that we have a God who never changes. God is always the same, at all seasons of the year, and throughout all ages. There isn’t the slightest change in His character, in His being, or in His purposes and plans. What God was millions of ages ago, He is now; and what He is now, He will continue to be millions of ages from now. 

          We can be very sure that whatever changes there may be in human affairs or government policies; whatever reverses we may undergo; whatever oceans we may cross or mountains we may climb, God remains the same. He will always demonstrate the same consistent goodness, love and grace to those who seek after Him and abide in Him. 

          What should this truth mean to us now? Firstly, it becomes our firm ground for having strong hope in God (Hebrews 6:17-19). Secondly, it makes our study of God from the Scriptures worthwhile. Whatever we learn about God will never become outdated and irrelevant since God does not change. And this will give us all the comfort we need to cope with life in a world of change. 

          As we visit our relatives and friends today, let us make a good effort to tell them about goodness – not about the changing goodness that is sought by others through the various superstitious CNY customs and beliefs, but about the unchanging goodness of God that comes through Jesus Christ. May the Lord help us to be a blessing to others during CNY. – Pastor

A New Year Meditation

What better time and what better season,

What greater occasion or more wonderful reason

To kneel down in prayer and lift our hands high

To the God of creation who made earth and sky,

Who sent us His Son to live here among men

And the message He brought is as true now as then.

So at this glad season when there’s joy everywhere

Let us meet our Redeemer at the altar of prayer

Asking Him humbly to bless all of our days

And grant us forgiveness for our erring ways.

And though we’re unworthy, dear Father above,

Accept us today and let us dwell in Thy love

So we may grow stronger, upheld by Thy grace,

And with Thy assistance be able to face

All the temptations that fill every day,

And hold onto our hands when we stumble and stray.

And thank you, dear God, for the year that now ends

And for the great blessing of loved ones and friends.

- Helen Steiner Rice -  

Appointments for the Week

Monday, Feb 5

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

Tuesday, Feb 6

        8.00 pm     Prayer Meeting (Eld Terence Tan)

Thursday, Feb 8

      10.00 am     Ladies’ Prayer Group

        7.30 pm     ERBL: Bible Geography (Ms Lilian Lee)

Sunday, Feb 11

  9.00 am What’s New With You? Titus 3:4-8; Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:8-17; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (Eld Clement Tan)

  9.00 am Chinese Service (MPH)

  2.30 pm Thai Service (LMH)

  4.00 pm Indonesian Service (Rm 1-6)

Announcements

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.

Life BPC Job Vacancies

1. Estate Management Officer (EMO)

Responsibilities:

EMO plans, oversees and coordinates all property management and preventive maintenance activities associated for the church premises. Coordinates facilities usage for a range of Church activities and Church’s authorized users using the premises. The EMO reports to the Church Operation Manager.

Qualifications:

• Diploma or equivalent
• 5 years’ experience in real estate management and maintenance
• Certification in real estate management and maintenance is an added advantage
• Lifers are preferred

2. Administrative Executive (AE)

Responsibilities:

The Administrative Executive reports directly to the Administration Manager (AM) to provide administrative support for the Church office and ministries.

Qualifications:

• GCE ‘A’ level or higher
• 3 years’ experience in administrative support
• Skill in Microsoft Office, database and general computing is mandatory
• Lifers are preferred

Candidates with relevant qualifications and experience may submit your application and CV to the Church Operations Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Coffee Corner

Welcome to Coffee Corner. Our mission is to provide an occasion for fellowship among worshippers from 9.30am-10.45am. Please join us over a cuppa to get to know each other and welcome new friends.  

We greatly appreciate food contribution. Do come by and fill up the chart at the Coffee Corner or contact Amy Leow if you wish to contribute any food item. 

The Coffee Corner also needs helpers to prepare food and drinks on Sundays. If you are available to serve in this ministry, please contact any of the helpers on duty and we will include you in our duty roster. 

We also wish to inform worshipers that Coffee Corner will be closed on 11-Feb, being the Second Day of the Lunar New Year.

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 .

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.

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.

Far Eastern Kindergarten Online Registration 2025 Intake

• Pre-Nursery: Children born in 2022
• Nursery (Vacancies in PM only): Children born in 2021
• K1 (Vacancies in PM only): Children born in 2020

Priority registration for church members: 1 February to 14 February 2024.

Register online at http://www.lifebpc.com/fekedu/registration.html

It will be on a first-come-first-serve basis after 14 February 2024. 

Please visit our website http://www.lifebpc.com/fekedu/ or call 6251 3676 for more information.

Parking Arrangements at Kai Suites

Kindly note the following on parking:

1. We thank God for our members' cooperation with Traffic Wardens on Parking operations.
2. We thank God that Kai Suites (next to Life Church) has kindly opened up 16 car park lots to us. These lots will be prioritised for those attending the 8am service and Sunday School on a first come first served basis. This will help reduce the traffic congestion when Sunday School cars are leaving via the side road where cars enter to the Sanctuary premises, and 11.00 am worship service cars are coming in.

From 10.45am onwards, Kai suites parking will be opened to all members on a first come first served basis. Please collect your car (after the Worship Service ends) by 12.30pm.

3. Sanctuary parking area Lane 5 (nearest to the sanctuary entrance) will only be used for drop off till 11am. This will help children and elderly worshippers especially when it rains. Parking on lane 5 will start from 11am.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. A copy of the parking layout at Kai Suites is found below.

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

Speaker: Pastor Tan Soon Yong

Theme: Truth Matters 

Registration for Church Camp 2024 is now open. You may go to the church's website at www.lifebpc.com/church-camp-2024 to register online. Availability will be on a first come first served basis. Please do register early! If you require assistance, please contact Josiah Seah at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

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. 

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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