Meditation
MY GOD SHALL BE MY STRENGTH
Text: Isaiah 49
21 December 2014
THE TASKS ENTRUSTED TO JESUS
Jesus was born to fulfil a great destiny! Isaiah prophesied about the work that the Messiah would be entrusted with.
1. He would be God’s Special Servant Isaiah 49:5
2. He would minister in Israel
a) He would bring Israel back to God
b) He will gather people to return to the Lord Isaiah 49:5
c) He would seek to restore people Isaiah 49:6
3. He would also bring salvation
a) To Israel
b) To Gentiles Isaiah 49:6
CHALLENGES TO THE MESSIAH
The tasks that Jesus would undertake would be formidable.
1. There would be opposition
2. There would be people who would despise Him Isaiah 49:7
3. There would be people who would abhor Him Isaiah 49:7
THE PROMISE OF THE LORD GOD
The Lord God gave a solemn word of promise to His Anointed One.
1. Kings and princes will one day come to faith in Him Isaiah 49:7
2. They will arise and offer Him worship Isaiah 49:7
3. God will be faithful to His Chosen One Isaiah 49:7
4. God will preserve Him Isaiah 49:8
5. He will give Him as a Covenant to His people Isaiah 49:8
JESUS WILL DRAW STRENGTH FROM GOD
Jesus as the Messiah will draw much needed strength from the Lord God.
1. Jesus believed that He will succeed in His mission
2. He will be glorious in the sight of His Father Isaiah 49:5
3. He will draw all the strength He needs from His Father Isaiah 49:5
4. He will succeed in His ministry as Shepherd to His flock Isaiah 49:9-12
a) Israel will turn to Him
b) Gentile nations will also come to faith in Him
OUR CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
Let us celebrate Christmas with special joy in Jesus as the Chosen One, the Messiah of the Lord. Let us rejoice that we have such a great and wonderful Saviour and Shepherd.
WELCOME TO BETHANY
We are glad that you have chosen to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with us today! May your heart be greatly uplifted through worship and fellowship!
WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
Psalm 37:37
Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.
1. The challenge to observe the Lord’s blessings
a) On the blameless man
b) On the righteous man
2. The future of this righteous man
a) God will be pleased with him
b) The Lord will bless him with peace
BIBLE MEMORY WORK
Today: 21 December 2014 Through Him who Loved Us
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37
1. The love of God
a) It is powerful
b) It can make the weak very strong
2. God especially empowers the person whose heart is filled with His love
a) He will make him strong
b) The believer can become a conqueror over life’s many trials and tribulation
Next Sunday: 28 December 2014
28 December 2014 Behold, what manner of love
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Send out Christmas Cards (regular or E-cards) to greet family and friends with God’s everlasting love. Spread the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus our Saviour!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2014
1. Thank God for another successful Christmas Concert
2. Thank God for all who worked so hard to make this Concert a blessing to the heart
a) The Choir conductors
b) The Choir members
c) The make-up artists
d) The Stage crew
e) The lighting crew
f) The AVA team
g) The dance team
It takes all these and more to ensure the success of the Christmas Concert Program.
BAPTISMAL SERVICE TODAY
This is the second baptismal service this Christmas. Thank God for another batch of people who have chosen to be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in baptism.
Baptism
1. Mr Darren Ang Soon Yik
2. Mr Eugene Tan Jin Han
3. Miss Jerrie Jiang Jierui
4. Miss Koo Yan Ni Cheryl
5. Miss Lin Wenyuan
6. Mr Tan You Cai
Transference
Miss Esther Wong Ann Gie
CHRISTMAS AT SHANGRI LA
Date: 25 December 2014
Time: 10.30am for Worship
12.30pm for Fellowship Lunch
This is the last Sunday to sign up. This is the climax of our Christmas celebration!
DOWN MEMORY LANE
Date: 31 December 2014
Time: 8.00pm
Theme: “I will see Your face in righteousness” Psalm 17:15
What a glorious thought to ponder over. Have you seen the Lord’s face this year? Let us take time to reflect on the way the Lord has revealed Himself to those who have walked with Him closely.
BETHANY IV
1. We have received news that our GFA plot ratio has been increased to 1.4
2. We will have an extra 700 square meter of space made available
3. Let us pray for the Session as it looks into this matter carefully
4. What it would yield for us
a) More office space as we anticipate more pastors to be trained
b) More Sunday School space
c) More room for the YC ministry
Let us continue to pray for the Lord’s leading and blessing!
POETRY CORNER
LOVE NEVER FAILS
God in His love has given His children many precious gifts,
Some were apostles whose teachings bring such uplift.
Other were prophets who foretold the Will of God,
They revealed great truths through the Spirit of the Lord.
There is a gift that is extra special which few seem to appreciate,
That gift is love, oh how important it is, in a world so filled with hate!
Love is not evidenced by beautiful words and turns of phrase,
Love is best understood in action, which time cannot erase.
God’s kind of love caused Him to send Jesus for our redemption,
Jesus would have to endure much suffering, to bring about salvation.
God’s love can never fail, such is its strong divine nature,
Our challenge is to understand this love, its essence to culture.
Love will enable us to overcome all problems that threaten our soul,
We will always be able to remain steadfast, strong and whole.
The love of God can fill our hearts in many powerful ways,
So that His Divine Essence of love we can effectively display.
Inspiration: 1 Corinthians 13:8
Charles Tan
POETRY CORNER FOR CHILDREN
LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP
Daily Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God,
And multitudes were drawn to the word of the Lord.
They had never heard such powerful teaching,
Some were prepared to follow, giving up everything.
Jesus had begun to invite people to follow Him,
These became “Disciples” unafraid of suffering.
They listened carefully to what Jesus taught,
Soon they learned to love the Word of God.
Andrew had excitedly told his brother that Jesus was the Lord,
But Peter needed to come to full faith on his own accord.
Jesus one day preached the Gospel by the Sea of Galilee,
The multitudes listened to Jesus most happily.
Jesus wanted to reward Peter for the use of his boat,
Peter obeyed though he thought catching fish was remote.
He listened to Jesus and let down his fishing net,
He was greatly surprised at this unbelievable catch!
He suddenly realised that Jesus was no ordinary man,
Jesus was indeed the Master, he would make his stand.
Peter was now fully prepared to follow Jesus the Lord,
He was truly convinced that Jesus was the Son of God.
Inspiration: Luke 5:4
Charles Tan