Acts 11:19-30 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

On Friendship

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Are you sometimes sad and lonely because you think you have no friends? Do you often wish you could enjoy yourself as do others in the company of dear friends, without that wall which seems to keep people away? Anyone with a heart full of friendship has a hard time finding enemies.

Consider this statement: “Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity. (George Washington 1732-1799).

If you are lonely for the joys of true friendship, then here is glad news. God wants you to know the joys of true friendship! His Book shows you the road to friendship if you will only walk in it.

King Solomon made this observation in his old age, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Do you not remember the wonderful passage described by the disciple John? In that passage, Jesus placed the friendship as the highest gift He could give to His disciples. They had undergone trial and tribulation with Jesus. And He turned to them and gave to them the highest earthly honour He could bestow:

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

The way of the Golden Rule had made them the friends of Jesus. And that way, faithfully followed by you, can take you, a sometimes lonely, unhappy, friendless man or woman, and transform you into a happy, joyous child of God with faithful friends on every side.

Hymns: 424 Where He Leads Me, 320 ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus, 333 Yesterday, Today, Forever

Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes

(Remember Now Thy Creator)

Understanding Authority

Ecclesiastes 8:1-8

1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 4 Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment. 6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

Acts 11:1-18 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

(1) Recounting with Thanksgiving

As we begin this new year of grace 2017, it is fitting to make a recollection of the Lord’s goodness in 2016:

(a) 1 January 2016

Thank God for the launch of 365-Day Devotional Bible Reading Programme using the Andrew Murray Devotional Bible.

(b) 2 January 2016

Commemorated Youth Fellowship’s First Anniversary with the message “Keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). A new series of messages from the Book of Revelation was scheduled for the year.

(c) 31 January 2016

BHBPC’s Second Anniversary Thanksgiving Service with the message “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-27). Thank God for bringing Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa to rejoice with us.