Lord’s Day, Vol. 5 No. 23
(1) Meeting Our Needs Through Prayer
“Ask, and it shall be given you.” (Matt. 7:7a)
There is the needful supply of mercy and grace at God’s mercy seat, at the throne of grace, with Jesus. It’s there that our weak and often wounded souls are healed, strengthened, supplied, sped along in the paths of righteousness. Have we been too discouraged to even ask, too weak to knock, too faint to seek? Do not be, for there is an inexhaustible supply to meet our every need with Jesus. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 22:28). Perhaps it has been the exacting demand in the workplace, or is it in school, or at home that has taken a toll on you? Will you lift up your eyes to Jesus, from whence comes your true help!
Prayer is the believer’s power with God. There is always recourse with God. To man it may be helpless, but not with our God. The burdens of life can often be so overwhelming at times that they threaten to rob the believer of his confidence in God’s ability to help him through yet another impasse. But when we ask, our text tells us, our request shall be met. This is the promise. This is the joy of asking.
Is this your daily habit to ask at the throne of grace? Do you spread your needs before the Lord and with an expectancy of faith to behold the manifestation of His glory in answer to your every need? If so, life for you is full and fulfilling. You have heeded our Lord’s command to “ask” and have been given your cup’s overflowing. It does invoke a sense of filial gratitude as we examine carefully the second portion of our text, “it shall be given you.” We are the passive party and our Father in heaven is the active party bestowing every blessing. If He withholds, we have nothing. If we abide not in Him, we have no life. Indeed, it is time to seek the Lord!
Will there be instances when we ask and our prayers go unanswered? There will be when we ask amiss. When we ask to fulfil and gratify the desires of the flesh, seeking not the will and glory of God, we pray amiss. James says in James 4:3, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
In our reading and meditating on God’s Word, let us ask that He open our eyes to behold the wisdom of His Word and the conviction of heart to walk in obedience. Jesus told us in the last days before His return, “iniquity shall abound and the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:12) There is a real tendency to be seduced by the attractions of this world. May we ask the Lord to fill His people with the Holy zeal to serve Him, constrained by His love, for there is reward awaiting His faithful servants! May we ask for a hunger and thirst after righteousness, that our souls are satisfied, joyous and rejoicing. Amen.
(2) Webcast and Audio Ministry Update
There were 935 webcast listeners in April 2017 covering 29 countries and 41 states of the USA from Sermon Audio. 493 listeners were from USA, 179 listeners from UK, 67 from Canada, 89 from Singapore, and others. The total MP3 audio and video downloads in April 2017 were 918 and 75 respectively.
Since July and August 2016, BHBPC video sermons have been uploaded on You-tube and Facebook respectively under the name “Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church”. This gives greater access and options to viewers and listeners.
Viewers can tune into the live stream via the “Live” tab of BHBPC website www.blessedhope.sg, BHBPC Facebook page and the Church Mobile App. at www.sermonaudio/blessedhope.
“Live” webcast schedule:
Worship Service (every Lord’s Day, 3pm). Adult Sunday School (every Lord’s Day, 5pm) (no class on 5th week).
Bible Study (every Wednesday, 11am except June and December). Prayer Meeting (every Wednesday, 8pm).
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee