Volume. XVIII, No. 29
Sunday, 18 January 2004
Pressing on for Christ in the New Year
“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” James 4:13-15.
As I write you today and think of this New Year, I cannot help but think of an anonymous little article I read recently about the subject of “today”. May it be an encouragement, challenge, and blessing to you. You might even consider making it a New Year’s Resolution!
Today is here. I will begin with a smile and resolve to be agreeable. I will not criticize. I refuse to waste the valuable time God has given me.
Today has one thing in which I know I am equal with others—time. All of us draw the same salary in seconds, minutes, and hours.
Today I will not waste time because the minutes I wasted yesterday are lost as a vanished thought.
Today I refuse to spend time worrying about what might happen. I am going to spend my time making things happen.
Today I am determined to study to improve myself, for tomorrow I may be needed, and I must not be found lacking.
Today I begin by doing, and not wasting my time. In one week I will be miles beyond the person I am today.
Today I will not imagine what I would do if things were different. I will make a success with what material I have.
Today I will stop saying, “If I find time,” or “If I had time,” for I never will “find time” for anything. If I want time I must make it.
Today I will act toward other people as though this will be my last day on earth. I will not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes.
How true it is that tomorrow never comes. I remember Rev. Antonio Ormeo from the Philippines telling the story of a restaurant that had a sign outside: “Today Pay; Tomorrow Eat Free.” If you would come back tomorrow and expect a free meal you would be in for a surprise because tomorrow had become today—and “Today Pay; Tomorrow Eat Free”. Tomorrow never comes!
Do not wait till tomorrow to pray for missionaries. Do not wait till tomorrow to serve the Lord. Do not wait till tomorrow to confess your sins to God and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2). What better way to begin the New Year than to determine not to procrastinate, but to do today what should be done today.
With love in Christ and prayers,
Rev. Edward Paauwe
To Know Him Better
I want to know Him better than I did just yesterday
I want to learn more of Him as I walk along life’s way,
To understand the depths of His amazing love,
And come to glimpse a little of that grace from heaven above.
I would come apart with Him from this world’s turmoil and strife,
I’d rest in His tender care, and learn His will for my life,
To be with my Saviour and know the joy He brings,
To be filled with His Spirit and be guided by His Word.
Each day I would draw closer to the Christ of Calvary
I can surely do no less, after all He’s done for me.
Perhaps He then through me, might to others reflect
The glory of Salvation that from sin will set men free.
I’d learn more of His compassion for the lost He came to win,
His tenderness and mercy I would long to comprehend
To weep over lost sinners, as He, Jerusalem,
And travel this world’s by-ways to bring wand’ring souls to Him.
— Dan Ebert III More Lively Hope
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Announcements
Shorter Catechism Question No. 31: What is effectual calling? Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
Please continue to pray for Sis. Myung Ki, Rev. Peter Clements, Bro. Brutus Balan, Rev. E. Stone, Rev. George van Burren, Mrs Irene Turner, Sis. Aranka Rejtoe, and Sis. Susan Varadi. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 3:8a).
Thank God for granting journey mercies to Sis. Jasmin Chua (Adelaide), Bro. Raphael Ng (Singapore), Bro. Edwin Oei and family.
Please pray for journey mercies for Bro. Leonard Teo and Mary Ting (Malaysia).
Please continue to pray for the Mission Team in Cambodia - Rev. and Mrs Ki, Daniel and Samuel.
Praise and Thank God for His wonderful provisions. The debt to Sharon B-P Church is now reduced to S$29,500.
Attention to church choir members: Choir practice will resume next Lord’s Day. Those who are interested in joining this music ministry, please see Sis. Wendy Gong or Sis. Purdee Yeo for an information sheet.
Those who will be able to have Rev. Ed and Sis. Lehia Paauwe for meals please fill in your names on the sheet of paper kept on the table in the foyer.
Roster for next quarter is on the literature table. Please collect your copy.
Flower roster: Those willing to provide flowers for Worship Services in the sanctuary in 2004, please fill in the roster found on the literature table.
Membership/Baptism Service will be held in February. Those wishing to be baptised or become members, please write and send your testimonies to Pastor Ki. |
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