Marriage Series

This Sunday (Jan 29) we will begin a series of messages on Christian marriage. The Bible tells us that marriage is God's design from the very beginning. So if we want to have a successful marriage, we must take heed of the instructions and warnings given by the Creator in His manual - the Bible. In a world filled with so many pressures, breakups and confusion over marital roles and responsibilities, a good marriage is going to be like a breath of fresh air. There will be a price to be paid for success. I believe by God's grace all our marriages can be like that from strength to strength.

I hope that during this time we would be able to examine the Bible and what it teaches us about the importance of marriage. Whether you are married or not, there will be something we can all learn, change and model. There will even be an opportunity for married couples to renew their marriage vows (on Feb 12)

Let us support and pray for each other, especially those who are married and those who will get married one day. Their success can encourage and strengthen others and bring glory to God. Don't forget to pray for the speakers. I know it will a personal challenge for me just to speak on this topic!

Pr. Ben

Seeing Clearly

You don't know what you have missed until you see things clearer. I learned this lesson yesterday when the TV men came to realign the TV aerial (yes, I am still in the pre-cable age) Wow! all the channels became a whole lot clearer! Things became so bad that (I suspect) if you had used 3-D glasses the duplicate images would have been just right! The good part is that my TV time became less.

There is a lesson here (every preacher's angle!). If our 'aerials' are not aligned rightly with God, we just cannot see things clearly. All we see are just blur and distorted images! We can easily allow neglect and apathy to come and destroy our aerials. Soon we don't even know what is real. But the Word of God can give us a clear picture of who God is and what His purposes are. Jesus is the one who can open up our eyes to see through the Holy Spirit.

So choose to get in touch with God. Set your aerials aright and see things as you should or have never seen before! Be Thou my vision!

Pr. Ben

Divine Appointment?

This week I visited an old family friend who has been afflicted with early stages of dementia. There I met a TV repairman/electrician who happened to also come from my hometown as well as a Christian brother! My brother and I have been looking for such a person to fix our aerial problem for a while now without any success and now there was one waiting! After hearing his faith journey, I discovered that this brother’s pastor was also a dear friend of mine who had once served with us in the past!

I was left wondering how the Lord had arranged this meeting to not only meet an ordinary need of mine but also refreshed me with testimonies of His love for us. I was encouraged. I had come to bless but was blessed as well! It all started with just a sudden decision to visit that has longed been overdue. Are there more of such appointments? I am sure there are. It's just that we did not notice it or perhaps we would prefer that others come to us rather than we take a first step!

May the year ahead be one that you are greatly encouraged as you seek to pray continually to want to know and do God’s will. Just let Him rearrange your appointments and make it His appointment!

Blessed New Year 2012!

Pr. Ben