Lord’s Day, Vol. 6 No. 33
(1) CONTINUAL RELATIONSHIP
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Phil. 4:6-7 KJV)
The call to cast our burdens upon the Lord requires continual reminder, prompting and perseverance on the part of the believer. To build a holy habit of complete dependence upon God is His desire for all His children. It is apt to remind ourselves to move from anxious fear to actual faith through prayer that Jesus may carry our burdens.
Andrew Murray commented the following:
“Seeing and knowing our selfish condition calls us to prayer. The desire of our heart becomes the spirit of prayer. What characteristics of prayer should distinguish the Christian?
At times, an honest person may show honesty by actions. At other times there is no special situation to confirm this honesty.
But honesty is, all the same, the inward living principle of that person’s heart. Just so the spirit of prayer may quietly possess the heart that has its own life and spirit is vastly superior to any ritual form. It is independent and has no particular hours or forms of work.
It would be worthwhile to study the place that the word “continual” ought to have in our life: continual joy of the infinite love of God toward us; continual unalterable dependence upon God every hour of our life; the continual receiving of goodness and happiness from God alone; the continual denial of our evil nature; the continual and immediate inspiration of the Holy Spirit maintaining the life of Christ in us; the continual breathing of the heart after God in prayer; and then the continual loving Him with our whole heart.”
[Edited and extracted from Andrew Murray 365 Day Devotional Bible]
(2) Noah’s Ark Library and Book Room
For the last one year, we operated a mobile library where members borrow books for their spiritual edification and advancement.
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:16-4:1 KJV)
13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Tim. 4:13 KJV)
We thank the Lord for the provision of a room in basement one as BHBPC library and book room. Three weeks ago, we laid carpet on the floor for a conducive environment for use. Children’s Sunday School Class is also conducted there. We have a library of books that is available for borrowing. The library is open every Lord’s Day from 2.15pm to 2.45pm.
We shall be bringing in good Christian bibles and books for members and friends who are interested to purchase at a subsidised amount.
Currently, “The A.W. Tozer King James Version Bible” is available while stocks last. An excerpt for your reference, “A.W. Tozer’s lifetime spanned the decades during which the United States became established as a military and economic power. Recognizing the spiritual threat that such success and a heightened international stature presented to American Christians, he constantly pointed out the dangers the church faces when “worldly” concerns distract it from pursuing its central mission of following, and giving witness to, the person of Jesus Christ…”.
The question was asked if in the digital age, should we still invest resources in a library? There is a place for e-books. This is available through the digital resources in BHBPC website which is also made available via our mobile app under “Blessed Hope Church”.
But there is also a place for good Christian literature in print format for the spiritual strengthening of God’s people. It is my prayer that you will at least borrow and read one book every month. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee