The LORD is Still on the Throne – Psalm 93

(1) Know Who He is (v1-2)

a) The LORD Who Reigns Supreme (v1a)

i.His Glory (v1b)

ii. His Omnipotence (v1c)

iii.His Readiness to Defend (v1d)

iv. His Creative Works (v1e)

v. His Throne Unmoved (v2)

(2) What He Can Do for You! (v3-4)

a) In Every Assault to His own (v3)

i. He quells (v4a)

ii. He triumphs (v4b)

(3) What Is Your Response? (v5)

a) Declare His Faithfulness (v5a)

i. Live by His Word

b) Dwell in the Beauty of Holiness (v5b)

ii. Live a Holy Life

Baptism of Mr Tang Kok Kwan

Thank God for the baptism of Mr Tang Kok Kwan (husband of Mdm Peh Choo Pun and father of Jonathan Tang Meng Wei) on 26 September 2019. He suffered a haemorrhage stroke on Friday – 13 September and was sent to the Sengkang General Hospital for treatment. Under normal circumstances he would require three operations to treat his condition. Due to his health condition and age, there was no operation.

Our brother Jonathan himself suffered a haemorrhage stroke five years ago and underwent these operations. I recalled a portion of his skull was removed for the operation and later he had to bear the pain of putting a metal cap to replace that portion of skull removed, in a painful process of stapling. Thank God he has recovered well enough to continue normal work and driving. As a result of his stroke, by the providence of God, Jonathan’s family consisting of his wife, Jacqueline, and two children Jovan and Janelle and mother Mdm. Peh came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Tang family were baptised by our late Pastoral Advisor Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa in 2014.

Jonathan’s father, Mr Tang Kok Kwan, however, did not follow the family to come to church although he had been to church in his younger days. I recall there was a visitation made to Jonathan’s home where my wife and I had the opportunity to witness to Mr Tang, before he had to stay in a nursing home due to his medical condition about 3 years ago.

The World that Chokes the Word

– Mark 4:19, cf. Matthew 13:22

Jesus gave insight into how a man’s heart responds to the Word of God through the parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-9; 14-20). Jesus likened God’s Word to seeds that a farmer scatters on the ground. Seeds that fell on good ground brought forth fruit in its season—“some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred” (Mark 4:20). The seeds of God’s Word sown either thrive and bear fruit or wither and die without fruit.

Jesus explained that the world, ruled by Satan—the prince of this world, competes to nullify God’s Word in the hearts of the hearers. Some seeds fell by the wayside and were devoured by the birds—there was no opportunity for them to germinate (Mark 4:15). Some fell on stony ground. The seeds grew into young plants but having no depth of root and not being able to withstand the scorching sun, they died. These hearers may have a semblance of spiritual life but when affliction or persecution arises, they choose to reject the Word, having no true faith. The Bible says, “they are offended” (Mark 4:17).

Fear Not

Luke 12:4-9.4And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Our Lord Jesus taught His disciples to fear God and to trust God to take care of them as they entrust their lives to His care.

God is to be feared because He has the power to cast a soul to hell after death. He brought before them the prospect of eternal judgment in hellfire. That is most fearsome for mankind, Jesus truthfully explains, for our understanding and eternal benefit. He tells us that a man escapes this eternal judgment when he confess that Jesus is his Saviour and Lord.

Read The Bible in One Year

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

There is yet 4 months in the year of grace 2019. We began the year with the re-launching the Read the Bible in One Year with “The One Year Bible”, with the entire King James Bible arranged in 365 daily readings. There were 15 copies of the “The One Year Bible” distributed amongst members and friends at the beginning of the year.

Recall the 17 February 2019 Weekly Newsletter:

“Begin your unforgettable journey today! Take the first step by reading The One Year Bible from cover to cover and see how God’s Word comes alive in your life. You’ll never be the same.”

Convenience: The One Year Bible is unique. No other “through the Bible” plan presents the entire Bible in a user-friendly format.

Unique Design: Each 15 minutes daily reading includes a portion from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. This arrangement of Scripture brings variety and fresh approach to each day’s reading while providing a clear understanding of the Bible’s larger message.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee

Psalm 42:1-2 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

This hymn comes from the height of the Middle Ages, a period of history often scornfully called “The Dark Ages.” The spiritual and moral darkness of the Church reached a new blackness. The institution founded by Christ some 1,000 years prior was for the most part degenerate and corrupt. The moral standards of many of its prominent leaders were characterized utter disgrace and shame.

The author of this hymn is attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153). Bernard was born to a noble family at Fontaine in Burgundy, France; his father was a knight and his mother a person of radiant goodness. At an early age young Bernard showed a bent for piety and scholarship. With his natural charms and talents Bernard had many opportunities open to him for a successful secular life. However, while still in his early twenties, he chose the life of a monk at the monastery of Citeaux.

Appropriating the Fullness of Christ

34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; 36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14:34-36 (KJV)

When the truth of who Jesus is, that He is the only living and true God, was evident in the hearts of the people, they sought Jesus’ help and were completely healed. The word “knowledge” (v35) means “to know fully, as an inceptive verb, to come to know, to gain or receive full knowledge of, become fully acquainted with”. Are you fully acquainted with the truth that in Jesus Christ is fullness of comfort?

As Paul would say to the Colossians, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3)

Let us meditate on a few thoughts given in this account of our Lord’s ministry.

(1) Gospel Rally 2019

On 15 September 2019, God willing, we shall have a Gospel Rally during our Lord’s Day 3 pm Service.

The theme of our Gospel Rally is “Finding True Peace” (Romans 5:1). In a world plagued with uncertainties and instability, many cries for that elusive peace in the heart and their lives. True peace comes only through faith in Jesus Christ – Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Let us pray for God’s blessing as we seek to invite our unsaved friends, colleagues and loved ones to listen to the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

May the Lord strengthen us to do His bidding as He commanded His disciples in Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Walk the Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There is only one entrance that leads to life and it is through the strait gate. This narrow and restrictive gate is the gate of salvation, of conversion and of regeneration. All who would enter must be Born Again! The change must come from within, old things are passed away and all things become new. The old man is put off and the new man put on. There is a new heart and a new spirit. The gate is strait because it also expresses the difficulty in finding it. Why is it difficult to find? Because only Jesus saves! There is no other gate to salvation except in Jesus.

The Bible tells us in Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Jesus Himself says in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Dearly beloved, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is God’s call to you. Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. We must lay aside our excessive baggage to enter the strait gate.

May the Lord help us to humble ourselves before Him. Listen to what Jesus says, “… Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:34-35). This is the paradox of the strait gate and the narrow way — it is full of difficulty and yet full of satisfaction thereafter.

Abide with Me

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It has been stated that only the person who can face the prospect of death realistically is able to live his life with purpose and confidence. Such was the conviction of a rather obscure English pastor, Henry F. Lyte, when he wrote the text for this hymn in 1847, shortly before his own home-going. It has since become one of the favourite hymns for Christians everywhere during times of sorrow and deep distress.

Henry F. Lyte was born in Scotland on June 1, 1793. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and was a member of the Church of England all of his life. Through his lifetime he was known as a man frail in body but strong in faith and spirit. His health was continually threatened by asthma and tuberculosis. Despite his physical frailties, he was a tireless worker with an established reputation as a poet, musician and minister.

It was he who coined the phrase, “It is better to wear out than to rust out.” Wherever he ministered, he was greatly loved and admired by his people.

For the last twenty-three years of his life, Lyte pastored a poor parish church among fishing people at Lower Brixham, Devonshire, England. During these later years, his health became progressively worse so that he was forced to seek a warmer climate in Italy. For the last sermon with his poor parishioners on September 4, 1847, it is recorded that Lyte nearly had to crawl to the pulpit and his message came as from a dying man.

His final words made a deep impact upon his people when he said that it was his desire to “induce you to prepare for the solemn hour which must come to all by a timely appreciation and dependence on the death of Christ.” On his way to Rome, Italy, he was overtaken by death at Nice, France, and was buried there in the English cemetery on November 20, 1847.