This is my desire to honour You
Lord, with all my heart, I worship You
All I have within me, I give You praise
All that I adore is in You
Lord, I give You my heart
I give You my soul, I live for You alone
Every breath that I take
Every moment I’m awake
Lord, have Your way in me
© 1995 Reuben Morgan | Hillsong
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky & You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
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2019 marks the fourth time this 20th century that the Jewish Passover (20 Apr) and Easter (21 Apr) coincide on the same weekend, according to Western Christianity following the Gregorian calendar. Even as we explore the events of the Exodus, we see that it foreshadows the culmination of God’s sovereign plans, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In Jn. 1:29 (and later repeated the next day in v.36), John the Baptist proclaims, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
The Hebrew word pesach (from pasah, to pass over) corresponds with the Greek pascha (29 occurrences in the Greek NT, mostly in the Gospels referring to the Passover feast or lamb). Paul uses it to describe Jesus in 1 Cor. 5:7b, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” The connections are clear – John quotes Ex. 12:46 when he observes, “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (Jn. 19:36). In the Mosaic Law, the paschal lamb was not a sin offering; instead, it was a special sacrifice tied to Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery. The blood of the lamb marked the doorposts of the Israelite houses, so that the angel of the Lord would spare those houses from the dreadful tenth plague which was visited on Egypt on the night of Passover. In Isaiah, the motif of the Suffering Servant further reinforces this link, when he declares, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth (Isa. 53:7).” Peter in his epistle writes, “For you know … that you were redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Pet. 1:18-19).”
As we wrap up the season of Lent and Easter, and look towards Ascension and Pentecost in the liturgical calendar, let us remember that all God recorded in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, finds its fulfilment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, some 2000+ years ago, but also one day in the final judgment and second coming of our Lord and Saviour. May it be our heart’s desire to exalt Jesus in our lives and ministry, our sacrifice, our Redeemer and Lord, our worthy Lamb of God.
Every year, our church has a special Sunday service in December called “Lessons and Carols.” Ever wondered why we have this in our church calendar or what is the meaning behind the service?
In 1880, Edward Benson, at that time Bishop of Truro in Cornwall but later Archbishop of Canterbury, created, formalised and performed the service of carols with Nine Lessons. The service took place at 10pm on Christmas Eve in a large wooden structure being used as a temporary cathedral as the main Truro Cathedral was being rebuilt. Over 400 people attended this first service. Since then, the service has subsequently been in continuous use (with modifications) in Truro since 1880. The original liturgy has since been adapted and used by other churches all over the world, occurring most often in Anglican churches. However, numerous Christian denominations have adopted this service, or a variation of this service, as part of their Christmas celebrations.
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We had our youth camp from 7-10 Dec at GB centre (Upp Serangoon), on the theme of “More than a song” from John 4.23 (worshipping in spirit and truth). About 40+ campers attended, and our camp speaker was Rev Jabez Chia from Mount Carmel BPC. Big thanks to Shannon, Naomi, camp committee and group leaders for their commitment, leadership and service.
#morethanasong
Our Spiritual Act of Worship (Rom. 12.1-5, 9-13)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom. 12:1)
There is a higher throne
Than all this world has known
Where faithful ones from every tongue
Will one day come
Before the Son we’ll stand
Made faultless through the Lamb
Believing hearts find promised grace
Salvation comes
Chorus: Hear heaven’s voices sing
Their thunderous anthem rings
Through emerald courts and sapphire skies
Their praises rise
All glory, wisdom, power
Strength, thanks and honour are to God
Our King who reigns on high
Forevermore
And there we’ll find our home
Our life before the throne
We’ll honour Him in perfect song
Where we belong
He’ll wipe each tearstained eye
As thirst and hunger die
The Lamb becomes our Shepherd King
We’ll reign with Him
Your glorious cause, O God
Engages our hearts
May Jesus Christ be known
Wherever we are
We ask not for ourselves, but for Your renown
The cross has saved us so we pray
Your kingdom come
Chorus:
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name
Let Your song be heard everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come
Give us Your strength, O God
And courage to speak
Perform Your wondrous deeds
Through those who are weak
Lord use us as You want, whatever the test
By grace we’ll preach Your gospel
Till our dying breath
© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:1-3, 7-8
I preached from 2 Cor. 4.4-9, 16-18 today at our youth service, on the topic “How can I be empowered?” At the end of the sermon, I shared this response song, only to realise that none of the youths (and probably the older youth leaders as well!) knew this song. After a quick search, I realized this came out in 1983. Wow, has it been that long? Not the best version I’ve heard, but at least this one has the lyrics.
Empower me | Claire Cloninger & David T. Clydesdale
Nobody knows how weak I am, better than You
Nobody sees all of my needs, better than You
And nobody has the power to change me, from what I was born to be
Jesus be strong in my weakness
Empower me
Chorus:
Empower me, like a rushing river flowing to the sea
Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing now through me
Till I’m living as Your child, victorious and free
Send the power of Your love
Empower me
Nobody’s eyes see through my soul, better than Yours
Nobody’s love can make me whole, no one but Yours
And nobody has the power to lift me, to reach for eternity
Jesus break through all my defences
Empower me
1983, 1984 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission. CCLI #101874
Skillful Shepherds 