Lord’s Day, Vol. 10 No. 26

• (1) Church Camp 2022

Thank God for leading the church to our 9^th Annual Bible Camp from 22 – 25 June 2022. There were 70 participants. The theme of the camp is “Be Strong In the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10).

• Go Forward, Serve the Lord (Eph. 6:10; Ex. 14:12-16; Josh. 4:23-24; Eph. 1:1-6:9; Eph.  3:16; Romans 4:20)
• Know Our Adversary, the Devil (Ephesians 6:11-12, 1 Peter 5:8)
• Equipped for the Battle – Hold the Fort (Eph. 6:11, 13; Jude 3)
• To Stand in the Evil Day (Eph. 6:13; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Cor. 10:20; Gal. 1:4)
• Belt and Breastplate – Truth and Righteousness (Eph. 6:14; Isa. 11:5; John 14:6; John 8:32, 36; 2 Cor. 6:7; 1 Pet. 1:13; Isa. 59:17)
• Shoes and Shield – Gospel of Peace and Faith (Eph. 6:15-16; Isa. 52:7; Heb. 13:20-21; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; Psa. 35:2; Heb. 11:1; 1 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; 1 John 5:4)
• Helmet and Sword – Salvation and Word of God (Eph. 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Isa. 59:17; Isa. 49:2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:25)
• Prayer and Watchfulness (Eph. 6:18-20; Col. 4:2-3)

We are most thankful to the Lord for His provision of our camp-site this year and a Glass House for our meeting venue, most unique and memorable, as we contemplate and meditate upon the truth of God’s Word for our spiritual strengthening and encouragement.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are living in momentous days leading to Christ’s return. How can the church be victorious during such dark days leading to the ushering in of the world system of the Antichrist?

The darkness that envelopes the earth is deep and disturbing but in the Lord is the power of His penetrating light to dispel all darkness. We are in spiritual warfare. And the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4). We are to put on the whole armour of God so that we can be victorious for the Lord’s sake to His glory in the day of battle.

Ephesians 6:13-18 (KJV) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

“To stand” is a keyword in v11, 13, and 14. Here is the word “withstand”. It means “to resist, to oppose” (Eph. 6:13). It comes from the root, “to stand,” meaning literally to stand against.

It is a military term for holding on to a position that is under attack. It implies the courage to hold our ground because of our allegiance to our Lord Jesus, the One true, King and Ruler, even when others may flee from the battle because the enemy seems too strong.

The verb requires that the believers themselves do so individually and thus collectively. It means “to stand” for the Word of God, and the doctrines of the Bible. The Word that gives life and direction to life.

Stand we must!

We thank the Lord for granting us a blessed time of spiritual refreshing as we took time to wait upon Him and dig deeper into His Word so that our faith may be strengthened and that we may not fear but be courageous in the day of battle! 

There were two shared morning devotions by Lucas Lek – The Christian Marathon (Heb. 12:1) and Looking Unto Jesus (Heb. 12:2) and a third “I Shall Fear No Evil” (Psalm 23:4).

(2) Amazing Grace Family Devotional Series

The Amazing Grace Family Devotional on the Gospel of Mark has been printed in 2 volumes with 36 and 40 individual devotions respectively extracted and edited from JC Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark with a selected hymn from the Revival Hymns and Choruses for each devotion.

This family devotion series is prepared so that parents can lead their children in the ways of God through family worship. We can learn a good lesson from the piety of John Newton’s mother. Although she did not live to see the fruit of her labour, her labour was not in vain in the Lord for God honoured it. It was effectual. John Newton testified of God’s amazing grace in saving him in his later years when he cried out for mercy to his mother’s God in a death-threatening storm while at sea. God used him to be an instrument of blessing to countless multitudes, especially through his hymn “Amazing Grace” which described his life story. 

8 Steps for Family Worship – 1. Gather the Family 2. Begin with Prayer 3. Sing a Hymn 4. Read the Scripture Passage 5. Read the Exhortation 6. Briefly Explain Difficult Portions (if any) 7. Share Your Prayer Requests 8. Close with Prayer

May the Lord bless us with showers of blessings each time we gather for worship at home. Amen.

Yours lovingly

Pastor Lek Aik Wee