Calvary Tengah Bible Presbyterian Church, Singapore (MyTengah.com)

Grace Bible Study Group 2007 Mrs Lee Siew Bee

We often struggle to make right decision and judgement. And often our decisions are based on our feeling, emotion and situation at those moments. As I grow in maturity as a Christian, I am learning to wait upon God in His Word in making decision. Indeed, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

Micah Chapter 3 was not an easy chapter for us to understand. At first, it seemed like it was not relevant to us in this present age. But at the end of the session, we had a different view. It is not merely the prophesising of the judgement against the kingdom of Israel, the false prophets and the leaders of that time but God also holds us accountable for the judgments and decisions that we have made! “And I said. Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; It is not for you to know judgement?” Micah 3:1. Elder Lan stressed to us that this verse is not only applicable to the leaders in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah but is also applicable to us as leaders, regardless of whether it be the position we are holding in Church or being the head of our own household. God wants us to make right judgements and decisions. Elder Lan urged us to study the Bible diligently because it is a light unto our feet in our decision-making.

Micah spoke clearly against the sins of the leaders and the prophets of his days. Instead of caring for their peoples, the leaders abused their authority and oppressed the people for their own lusts. The false prophets misled the peoples to do things against God. They cared only their own benefits and declared war against those who benefit them. We were cautioned that some churches today run like businesses whereby the pastors only preach half-truth in order to gain popularity of themselves among their congregation. We thank God that Calvary Tengah stands on the right doctrines and the Elders do not preach what the congregation would like to hear but what God wants them to speak. May God give everyone in Tengah a receptive ear and a teachable heart to the faithful preaching of His Word even if it means being rebuked.

We also learnt that every servant of God must follow the Godly examples of the prophet Micah. Despite having to live in a difficult situation and corrupted society, the prophet lived righteously and continued to rebuke the people of their sins and transgressions. He was indeed full of the Holy Spirit, judgement, power and might. He was preoccupied with what God wanted him to do. The humble prophet said, “But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgement, and of might.” Micah 3:8. We learned that Micah’s strength rest in the Lord. This characterises a servant of God who depends not on self but on God at all times. He longs to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

As usual, after the bible study, we had a time of sharing and prayer together. We enjoyed our dinner prepared by our host, sister Christine, as well as the warm fellowship around the table.

It was truly a blessed and wonderful time in the bible study session. The mutual encouragement was something that could not be found elsewhere. Our faith has been strengthened with God’s words. It is our prayer that we would continue to grow together in faith and in the strength in the Lord. May the Lord continue to grant us wisdom and desire to study his Words till we see Him face to face. Amen.

Faith Bible Study Group 2007 Mrs Dorcas Wong

It was a long awaited BS for our Faith group since we have cancelled our April’s meeting and postponed the 1st week of May to the 3rd week. It was so good to meet each other again, this time, at Rudy and Mary’s home. Well said the psalmist in Psalm 133:1 "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

With our 6 families, we had a blessed time of singing praises to the Lord led by Kelvin as it was his turn to lead in the study of Micah chapter 3. It was a time of discussion of questions prepared by our BS leader, Elder Lan. We shared our understanding in a relaxed and spontaneous way, sometimes jokingly especially when we always liked to turn to Elder to have a final say. We have learnt many precious lessons.

One of the lessons we have learnt in this chapter is that God held the covenant Heads of Israel responsible to uphold His word and to show love and mercy to those who were weak and needy. Yet, they did the opposite and God would surely judge them. Similarly, God holds the covenant heads of every household responsible to take love and care for his spouse and children, especially to uphold God’s Word in the family, to provide them the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial needs. If we have failed, may we repent, confess our sins and do right before God lest we be judged too. May God revive each and every head of the family in Tengah and as a church so that we may be full of His spirit in doing the Lord’s business with zeal and might.

As for myself, it’s my prayer that like Micah who is full of power of the spirit of God, may God by His empowering, help me to live a spirit–filled life. As I abide in His love, lean upon Him and walk with Him, may I experience His presence in my life through the reading and meditation of His Word and through prayers that I may live a life that glorifies His name. May I be a good helpmate to support my head of family that he may do the will of our Father who loves us and has blessed us with so many blessings. Blessed be His name!

After the discussion we had a time of sharing. Our family thanked God for His protection and preservation of our lives as we encountered a near accident in a taxi on our way to the BS. We prayed over the prayer items corporately.

Our finale was a quick and surprised birthday celebration for Mary with Cindy’s delicious apricot cake and Simon’s “babaozou”. Usually, we would go for dinner thereafter but that night we attended instead the vigil service of a 12 year old boy, the late Lew Wei Qiang whom we had been praying for during our Tuesday night prayer meeting to support and comfort the bereaved family.

Well, to sum it all,

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”