SET PRAYER

Steadfast God,

you have enriched and enlightened us

by the revelation of your eternal Christ.

Comfort us in our mortality

and strengthen us

to walk the path of your desire,

so that by word and deed we may manifest

the gracious news of your faithfulness and love. Amen.

SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 10 JANUARY

JOHN 1:29-42

Jesus the worthy lamb of god

• READ

  Is Jesus Someone whom you think is worthy of following? Much like how we follow a person on Instagram to check out their posts and stories, how does following Jesus translate into your daily life?

  In many ways these few verses is an account of a follower of Jesus, John the Baptiser. And how he sees Jesus as the Lamb of God who is worth following (v. 29, 36).

  The first statement that Jesus is the Lamb of God puts forth his status before anyone. That He is firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1: 15-20):

  - That He is greater than John for He came before him (v. 30)

  - That John baptising others was only to facilitate the revealing of Jesus to Israel (v. 31)

  - That the Spirit descending on Jesus is a sign that He is the Son of God (v. 34)

  The second statement that Jesus is the Lamb of God (v. 36), then turns into invitations to us to follow this worthy one:

  - That He is worth following (v. 37)

  - That He is worth coming to see (v. 39)

  - That He is the worthy King (v. 41)

• REFLECT

  Many of us are baptised Christians, people and children of God who have professed to have given our lives to follow Jesus. As Ps Terence reminded us on 8th January 2023, the baptised life of following Jesus consists of 3 parts:

  1. Dying to ourselves

  2. Being raised to new life for obedience

  3. Sustaining our new life through people

  With Paul the follower of Jesus as example (Philippians 3:7-21), lets prayerfully consider what the Lord is speaking to us to do in 2023 to follow Him:

  What is 1 or 2 habits you’ll like to cultivate/strengthen to help you listen and hear Jesus? (You may think of it at different levels, for yourself as an individual, for your family and for your LG)

  Who are the people that you’ll want to further commit to meeting up more regularly who can help you follow Jesus even more in 2023?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 11 JANUARY

Isaiah 49:1-7

jesus the chosen light of the world

• READ

Called, appointed and chosen by the will of God. Do you believe that Jesus has been called, appointed and chosen by the Creator God to bring forth light into our world? And if you do, what does that look like in your life as you learn to follow Him?

Firstly, this servant is clear himself that he has been called by God (v. 1)

He has made into a weapon of war, sharp like a sword and a polished arrow (v.2)

And ultimately, it is to be a servant, to 遵命 , God Himself (v. 3)

Interestingly, just because Jesus has been called, appointed and chosen, it didn't mean He was exempt from hardship, challenges and even fruitlessness (v. 4)

For it was used by God to strengthen Jesus and bring honour to God. (V. 5)

That Jesus might become not just a light to Israel but a light to the nations (v. 6)

• REFLECT

  A key part of following Jesus who has been called, appointed and chosen to be the light of the world, is to be lights ourselves (Matthew 5:13-16). Yet we need to understand that our light can only shine if we are close to and following Jesus who is Light Himself.

  As we continue to reflect on what 2023 looks like for us:

  Who are 2 or 3 people that the Lord is stirring and calling you to be with and bring God’s light to?

  What is 1 or 2 things/burdens that He has placed on your heart for them?

  1. How will you set time aside this year to purposefully engage them? 

reading for: Thursday Night, 12 JANUARY

corinthians 1:1-9

jesus the enricher

• READ

  Did you know that in and through Jesus, you have become enriched in so many ways? That God’s grace has been poured out in Jesus so that we lack nothing? Do you live everyday with such a wonderful assurance?

  First of all, Paul is speaking to those who are sanctified in Jesus and for anyone who calls on the name Jesus (v. 2)

  In Jesus, God’s grace has been given so abundantly (v. 3-4)

  And each of us have been enriched in every, possible way (v. 5)

  That God’s testimony has been strengthened in you (v. 6)

  Resulting in us never lacking any spiritual gift (v. 7)

  Not only that, you will be strengthened so that you will be blameless when Jesus appears again (v. 8)

  For He is the faithful God and we have been called and chosen to enter into fellowship with Him (v. 9)

  It is odd to see how Paul speaks to the Corinthian church, especially because he will go about later to address some crazy issues they were facing. Social division, incest, suing one another, sexual immorality, food offered to idols were just some. Yet despite these things, Paul sees Jesus enriching them, giving them all that they need and sustaining them.

• REFLECT

  Very often we think and focus more on our issues and problems rather than on Jesus.

  The invitation at watch night service by Ps Calvin was to grow deeper, stronger and have greater reliance on God for 2023. Having now see Jesus as the one who has enriched us in every possible way, resulting us in not lacking any spiritual gift, how are you intending to create that space in your life for that to happen?

  Focusing on the habit of reading, meditating and studying God’s word:

  How will you grow stronger and spend more time reading, meditating and studying God’s word in 2023? (You may think of it at different levels, for yourself as an individual, for your family and for your LG)

  (Hint: The main focus for this year’s gospel lectionary reading is Matthew)

reading for: Friday Night, 13 JANUARY

PSALM 40:1-11

the steadfast love of god

• READ

  Do you know the steadfast love of God in your life?

  His steadfast love comes to us as:

  - He turns to us and hears your cry (v. 1)

  - He lift us up from the desolate pit, and sets your feet on a rock. (v. 2)

  - He puts a new song in you mouth (v. 3)

  - He multiplies his wondrous deeds and thoughts toward you (v. 5)

  - He gives you an open ear (v. 6)

  Out of God’s action and steadfast love to us, the Psalmist then responds:

  - Here I am, (v. 7)

  - I delight to do your will, I will hide your law in my heart. (v. 8)

  - I will not restrain my lips but speak for God. (v. 9)

  - I will speak of your faithfulness and salvation (v. 10)

• REFLECT

  For many of us, the Christmas and new year has been a busy season filled with many gatherings and activities. Not to mention the upcoming Chinese New Year!

  But its worth taking a moment to pause and reflect on the first 2 weeks of 2023 so far.

  How have you seen and experienced God’s steadfast love in your life? And as you have recounted of God’s actions and love towards you, how does that prepare you to live out 2023 purposefully for Him?