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Tioman Reflections Dn Leong Kwok Whye
There are many magnificent holiday destinations to enjoy the pleasures of the world but there is only one place where we can enjoy God’s Word when on a holiday and that is at the True Life Annual Church Camp. I thank God that He had providentially provided for me and my family to attend this year’s church camp in Tioman from June 14th to 18th. I would like to share some of God’s blessings I had received through Dr Paul Ferguson’s messages on the camp theme, which is, “Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever.” After listening to the theme messages, we gladly praise and thank God for the following things.
(1) Creation
His wonderful glory is displayed in Creation.
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God;
(2) Salvation
Salvation is all of God because He alone took the initiative and executed His salvation plan to perfection for His glory. We are all saved by His grace and mercy alone. There is absolutely nothing good in us. Spurgeon said it well, “If my garment of salvation requires only a stitch from me, I am lost!” Hence, we gladly render all glory and honour to Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith. We saw the glory of God in our salvation, He alone is worthy of the highest praise.
(3) Worship
We were taught how to worship the Lord according to His Word. Worship is ascribing worth, reverence and respect to God according to how He has revealed Himself in Scripture. The glory of God revealed in His Words and His Works are more than sufficient for our total worship and devotion.
Greater appreciation of God’s glory would enhance our understanding of worship, and teach us how to worship God, in praise and song. Godly worship is neither entertainment nor man-centred. The object of worship is always God alone. In this respect, we are reminded that there is no place for carnality in our worship of God. Carnal music that draws our focus away from Christ to man through its unbiblical ideas, emotionalism and sentimentalism, have no place in worship, for God has commanded us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. In addition, contemporary Christian music and lyrics which are often shallow in the Word do not build up the believer’s faith in Christ. The Scripture warns, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Finally, we are reminded that worship will be perfected in heaven (Revelation 5:9-14). Then all the glorified saints will worship God perfectly in the beauty of holiness. Praise be to God.
(4) Providence
We learned about the amazing glory of God in Providence. Divine Providence is God providing and sustaining His Church, His Word, His Creation by ordaining the circumstances and events that happen in this world. Providence rests upon the absolute wisdom and sovereignty of God Almighty who is controlling everything perfectly to fulfil His purpose. He is in absolute control even in the darkest hour, and He knows exactly how to handle the worst of men e.g. King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34-35). By way of application, He knows exactly how to handle those who attack His Word and Work. Thus, we are deeply humbled by the incomprehensibility and the wisdom of God in Providence. At the same time, the doctrine of Providence gives us great hope, joy and confidence that God will take care of all of us every time without fail (Romans 8:28). Only man fails, God never fails. God alone be the glory. Divine Providence is really wonderful. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:36).
(5) History
The glory of God was manifested in Church history as He intervened to chart the course of His-Story. History is a record of God’s intervention in time for His own purpose. Church history is a clear testimony of God’s glory as He does the impossible to establish His testimony in the darkest hours from the time of Acts till today. God alone was responsible for raising up faithful servants, e.g. John Wesley, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, John Sung, Timothy Tow, to lead His people back to His truth and to save His people from sin. God uses weak but faithful men for His purpose. These special ministers were not produced by men but by His Spirit who transformed and equipped them for His work. Like in Acts 2:41-47, God used these men powerfully. However, man will come and go, but God alone abides still. He is our Almighty God and our Sure Foundation in every situation. We thank the Almighty God for our hope and future as He is willing and able to change our course and lift us up to a higher spiritual plane. To God be the glory.
(6) Hope
All our hope in Christ will be fulfilled and all things will be made right when Christ returns. In the end, the focus is Christ. He alone is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. The Man of sorrows now returns as the King of glory to the joy and praise of all true, born again believers. There will be no darkness or night in the heavenly City of Gold. Believers will be like Christ when He returns—pure and perfect in holiness. What a blessed fellowship it will be for all eternity! Everything that is good flows from the grace and goodness of God. The Christian’s great assurance is faith and belief in God’s infallible and inerrant Words, kept perfectly for us. We affirm that God is in control and is faithful. Only those who stand on the solid Rock of Christ will be saved from the Day of Judgment.
It is so good to hear the concluding message on the earnest hope of Christ’s soon return. Oh, how our hearts yearn to behold the glory of God when He returns. What a wonderful and glorious day it will be for all who have trusted in Christ. Revelation 22:20 says, “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Verse for the Week:
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Prov 20:19
*****
“Church wins suit to evict bible college” (The Straits Times, 1 July 2010). The College family take comfort from God’s Word, “Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. ... Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chron 20:11, 12, 15). Let us continue to praise the Lord for He is sovereign and pray for His faithful deliverance to the glory of His Name.
Far Eastern Bible College will reopen with a Day of Prayer and Registration on Mon, July 19, 9 am, Calvary Tengah BPC. Transport leaves College at 8.15 am sharp. FEBC’s Basic Theology for Everyone night courses will resume with Second Kings by Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew on July 19 (Mon) and Second Corinthians by Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo on July 22 (Thu), 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm at FEBC, 9A Gilstead Road.
Adults’ Sunday School Class is now studying Joel under Joshua Yong, 9.15-10.15 am. All are welcome. Lessons are downloadable from www.febc.edu.sg/Sunday School.htm.
Young People’s Fellowship Meeting this Sat, July 17 at 3.30 pm. Program: Bible Study on Galatians by Bro Joshua Yong. Venue: Berean BPC, 48A Foch Road. For transport, please meet at FEBC at 2.50 pm or at Lavender MRT at 3.10 pm. Contact Herbert at 94377715 for details.
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