This is the opening line of a hymn by Charles Wesley which Methodists traditionally sing every year at the start of their annual meetings. We will sing the same at the opening of our General Conference meeting on 2 September.
Bishop’s Message
Disciples, the Bible and politics
We don’t have kings in Singapore, but we do elect leaders to receive authority to govern our nation. The Bible here urges us to pray with thanksgiving for our nation’s leaders. May God grant them the wisdom and discernment so “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”.
Faithfulness at the workplace
She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 2 Kings 5:3-4
We don’t even know her name, but I’m sure God does.
Social concerns as a way of truth and life
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)
Children as God’s gift
Psalm 127 concludes in verse 5 by saying, “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of (children)”. It is clear that Psalm 127:3-5 encourages us to regard children as a gift and blessing from God. But we should not ignore the way the Psalm begins: “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain” (Psalm 127:1, NIV).
Looking at foreigners with God’s heart
We humans tend to form cliques, and we click with those who are like us and who like us. We avoid those who are different from ourselves—who talk differently, see differently, hear differently, move differently or even think differently—and especially those who believe differently. In our minds, perhaps they are like “foreigners”.
Slaves and masters, then and now
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
Work, work, work
“I have some jokes about unemployed people. None of them work.” That joke works because the word “work” works in different ways. “Work” on earth, and in the Bible, also works in different ways.
New every morning, and every new year
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
O Little Town of Bethlehem
One of my favourite Christmas carols is “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (words by
Phillips Brooks, ca. 1868). My guess is that the composer was inspired by the Bible promise in Micah 5:2 (NKJV):
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