Lord’s Day, Vol. 3 No. 25
(1) Thanksgiving for 2nd Family Camp
Praise the Lord for enabling 46 campers to assemble for 4 days and 3 nights of spiritual retreat. Our camp theme was “Looking for that Blessed Hope” (Titus 2:13). There were 8 messages outlined by 8 “R” on the Second Coming of Christ:
(1) Redemption – A People of Hope (Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 10:23-25)
(2) Recurrence – Signs of the Times (Matt. 24:4-14; 2 Pet. 3:1-12)
(3) Rapture – We Shall Be Changed (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-58; Phil. 3:20-21)
(4) Reward – The True Riches (Lu. 16:1-13; Rev. 2-3; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:10-15)
(5) Return – History’s Final War (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 9:13-16; 16:13-16; 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-8)
(6) Rule – Millennium (Rev. 20:1-6; Isa. 2:2-4; 11:6-9; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:22, 27; Zech. 14:9-21)
(7) Reign – Eternity (Rev. 21-22:7; 2 Pet. 3:13)
(8) Resolve – Call to Action (Heb. 11:7)
Thank God for granting His divine protection upon all campers throughout the camp. There was smooth passage for all campers to the campsite and back to Singapore.
God has also blessed us with good care and service from the hotel that we were accommodated in. The meals were sumptuous and full of variety.
Most of all, during testimony time, campers came forward readily to share testimonies of God’s goodness that warmed our hearts. Mrs. Jessie Tow thanked God for enabling Elder Tow Siang Yeow to gain strength in the legs to walk during the last day of camp. The children also presented a medley of songs to praise the Lord.
Our camp theme song is “Looking for that Blessèd Hope”, with words written and music composed by Thoro Harris (1909):
O shout aloud the tiding,
Repeat the joyful strain;
Let all the waiting nations
This message hear again;
The spotless Lamb of glory,
Who once for man was slain,
Soon o’ver all the earth shall reign.
Chorus
Looking for that blessed hope,
(that joyful hope)
Looking for that blessed hope
(that glorious hope)
We know the hour is nearing,
The hour of His appearing,
We’re looking for that blessed hope.
Signs in the heav’n above us,
In sun and moon and sky,
Proclaim to all the faithful
Redemption draweth nigh;
The hearts of men are quaking,
And failing them for fear;
Jesus’ coming draweth near.
We’ll watch for His returning
With lamps well trimmed and bright;
He cometh to the careless
As thieves break thro’ at night;
“Well done, thou good and faithful”
O may we hear the word,
“Share the joy of Christ thy Lord.”
Why is the Second Coming of Christ such a powerful motive for Christian living and service? The imminence of Christ’s coming! May God make ready a people prepared for His coming! Amen.
(2) Father’s Day
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Today is Father’s Day. We remember the Lord’s instruction in the fifth commandment to honour our father and our mother. This is the only commandment that comes with a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment (Deut. 5:16, Eph. 6:2-3). [Shorter Catechism]
John Calvin commented well the fifth commandment, “It makes no difference, whether those whom God has appointed over us are worthy of the honour or not. He has particularly enjoined reverence to our parents, who have brought us into this life; which by nature itself ought to teach us. Those who violate parental authority by contempt or rebellion, are not men, but monsters worthy to be put to death (Ex. 21:17). This commandment requires, not only reverence and obedience to our parents, but also gratitude (Ex. 21:17; Deut. 21:18-21; Matt. 15:4-6), and whenever Paul mentions this commandment, he explains it as a requisition of obedience (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20).”
To all the fathers in our congregation, blessed father’s day.
Yours lovingly,
Pr. Lek Aik Wee