Man in the Mirror

Nope, that’s not the title of an old Michael Jackson song but a phrase related to a verse in the very practical and sensible Book of James.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24

In Romans 12:6-8, Paul tells us about the different practical gifts that we can use to contribute to God’s kingdom and after these many months, it’s such a joy to see so many in Care Group taking up the challenge to serve in ministry. From our infant CG in March this year, we have really grown into a close-knit family with everyone contributing in one way or another.

This week, I’d like to congratulate Tigerming for leading Praise & Worship for the very first time with such energy and passion especially when singing One Way. Someone once said that our act of worship is using the gifts that God has given us to serve his kingdom and this excellence has been demonstrated yet again by all the musically inclined Island-Hopies like Reina, Pris, Yixi, Wee Leong and Zhiyi using their lovely voices to lead us in P&W over these past months. Welcome to the “spiritual karaoke” club Tiger!

Another milestone on Friday was the priviledge of having Jerilee serve Holy Communion to us with a timely reminder that there is a lot out there in the world that we have not been exposed to like the aimless and desperate people hanging around Turf Club late at night just to find some hope, alas in the wrong place. Sometimes, God just allows us to end up at such situations or places to witness first-hand why He feels so grieved at the world today!

Back to the quote from James, I also feel thankful for the timely reminder from Wee Leong and Pris, our discussion leaders this week about how important it is to examine our own lives and tie it back to the Word. When we look at a mirror, the first thing we check is supposedly the most important part of ourselves, i.e. our appearance. But, God doesn’t want outwardly beauty, he wants a beauty that comes from the heart – one that is moulded by His perfect law! To continue from the quote above:

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25

So, keep it up guys! Don’t stop serving and reading His Word, and let’s have a blast of a time doing it!

Our Bible study group led by Pris – serving faithfully despite her upcoming exams! Oh well, gotta give thanks for those 2 project distinctions yeah!