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Daniel 1:8—“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Daniel and his friends were young Jewish captives in Babylon who faced difficult circumstances. Removed from their homeland and placed in the service of a mighty foreign king, they were surrounded by a culture that did not honour the Lord. In this setting, Daniel faced a choice that would test the convictions and direction of his life.

The verse declares, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat”. Before the pressure of the situation fully unfolded, Daniel had already settled the matter within his heart. His loyalty to God would not be compromised, even in a foreign land where no one might notice.

The food provided from the king’s table likely violated the dietary instructions given to Israel or had been associated with pagan practices. Accepting it would have meant quietly abandoning the distinct identity God had given His people. Daniel chose another path.

What is striking is the manner of his response. Instead of open rebellion or disrespect, Daniel approached the official with humility and requested permission to follow a different course. His commitment was firm, yet his conduct remained humble and respectful.

For believers today, Daniel’s example highlights the importance of decisions formed deep within the heart. Faithfulness seldom begins in public moments; it begins with a settled decision within the heart. When the heart is firmly directed toward honouring God, even challenging circumstances cannot easily sway one from walking in integrity and devotion.

Ecclesiastes 2:14—“The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. ”

The Book of Ecclesiastes carefully examines life’s pursuits and observes the difference between wisdom and folly. After examining pleasure, work, and achievement, he acknowledges that wisdom still offers an advantage. This thought appears clearly in Ecclesiastes 2:14.

The expression “the wise man’s eyes are in his head” describes someone who sees clearly where he is going. Such a person moves through life with understanding and discernment. Wisdom enables a person to recognise dangers, make thoughtful choices, and walk with direction.

By contrast, the fool walks in darkness. Darkness symbolises confusion and a lack of understanding. Without wisdom, a person stumbles through life, unable to see where decisions may lead. Choices are made without reflection, often bringing regret and harm.

This contrast reminds readers that life cannot be navigated safely by impulse or personal preference alone. Clear vision or understanding is needed. Wisdom provides that vision by directing attention toward what is right and good.

For those seeking to live faithfully, this verse encourages a continual pursuit of wisdom. A life shaped by God’s truth brings clarity in decisions and steadiness in difficult moments. When the heart is guided by the Lord’s instruction, the path becomes illuminated.

Walking with wisdom does not remove every challenge, yet it allows believers to move forward with confidence. The one who walks in the light of God’s Word is not left wandering in darkness but travels a path marked by understanding and purpose.

Ecclesiastes 1:4—“One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”

At the very outset, the Book of Ecclesiastes reflects on the passing nature of human life. Solomon observes the steady rhythm of time and declares, “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.” This statement draws attention to the brief span of human existence compared with the enduring order of the world God has made.

Each generation rises with its hopes, plans, and achievements. People labour, build, and pursue their ambitions. Yet with time, every generation fades, and another takes its place. The earth remains while human lives pass quickly across its stage. This observation invites a sober reflection on the limits of earthly accomplishment.

The verse does not lead to despair but to thoughtful humility. Human life is temporary, yet it unfolds within a world sustained by God’s providence. The unchanging rhythm of creation reminds readers that the LORD governs history, even as generations come and go.

For those who read these words today, the verse encourages a wise perspective on life. Achievements, possessions, and recognition may occupy much attention, but they do not last forever. Life moves in an endless cycle of activity, which, on its own, cannot bring meaning and lasting security to human existence. What truly matters is a life directed toward God and shaped by reverence for Him.

When people remember the brevity of life, they are prompted to live with purpose and gratitude. Each generation receives a brief opportunity to honour God and serve others before passing the baton to the next. In this awareness, life gains clarity, humility, and enduring significance.

Proverbs 2:6—“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

 The early verses of chapter two call for earnest seeking of wisdom. Listening carefully to God’s words, storing His instruction in the heart, and searching for truth with diligence are highly encouraged. In the midst of this encouragement comes a foundational statement: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”

This verse reminds readers that wisdom is not merely the result of human effort or intellectual ability. The source of true insight is the Lord Himself. Human reasoning may discover many things about the world, yet a lasting and right understanding of life, righteousness, and the path to peace comes from God.

The phrase “out of his mouth” points to God’s revealed Word. Through His spoken and written revelation, the Lord provides guidance for those who seek Him. Scripture becomes the means by which knowledge and understanding are granted to His people.

This truth calls for humility. Instead of relying solely on personal judgment, the wise person listens attentively to what God has revealed. True wisdom begins when the heart recognises its need for divine guidance.

The verse also brings comfort. God is not distant or silent toward those who seek Him. He willingly gives wisdom to those who look to Him and receive His Word with trust.

When believers shape their thinking and decisions according to God’s revealed truths in the Bible, their lives grow in clarity, stability, and direction. The path of wisdom is discovered not by human pride, but by listening to the Lord who speaks.

Ezra 2:68—“And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place.”

After 70 years of exile, the people of Israel returned to Jerusalem. The journey had been long and difficult, yet their hearts were set on restoring the place where God had been worshipped. Ezra 2:68 records an important response when they reached the site of the temple: “some of the chief of the fathers… offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place”.

These leaders saw the ruins of the temple, once the centre of Israel’s worship. Though much work lay ahead, their first response was generosity. They did not wait for obligation or pressure. Their giving was voluntary, flowing from gratitude and reverence toward God.

The verse highlights an important truth about God's work among His people. The rebuilding of the temple would require many resources. Now their response was to give willingly what they had. Such generosity reflected hearts that understood the importance of restoring a place dedicated to honouring the LORD.

This moment also shows how spiritual renewal often begins. When people return to the Lord, their priorities change. What once seemed most valuable is gladly placed in service to God’s purposes. Their giving reflected gratitude and commitment to the Lord’s purposes.

The scene also shows how renewal among God’s people often begins with willing participation. The temple had not yet been rebuilt, but the desire to restore the centre of worship stirred generosity among the leaders. Generosity is not merely about material support; it is an expression of devotion to God. When the Lord’s work is valued, His people respond with glad readiness.

Ezra 1:7—“Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods.”

As the opening chapter of the Book of Ezra describes the remarkable return of God’s people from exile, this verse reveals how God stirred the heart of the heathen king of Persia to begin the miraculous restoration of what had been lost and to prepare the way for renewed worship. For many decades, Jerusalem and the temple had lain desolate, and the Sacred objects from the temple taken by Nebuchadnezzar were placed among the treasures of Babylon. 

Ezra 1:7 records a surprising moment in the story. Cyrus, the king of Persia, ordered that the vessels belonging to the house of the Lord be brought out and returned. What had been taken during a time of judgment was now restored as God began renewing the life of His people.

This moment reveals the sovereign hand of God over the affairs of nations. The same treasures that had been placed in pagan temples were now released by a foreign ruler so that they might again serve their original purpose. The Lord showed that no power could permanently claim what belonged to Him.

The verse also reminds readers that the restoration of worship was very important. Before the temple was rebuilt, the instruments of worship were carefully returned. This signalled that God would help them return and rebuild the temple, and that the life of God’s people must once again centre on worshipping and serving Him.

The passage encourages us to trust in God’s ability to restore what has been lost. Seasons of discipline or hardship do not erase His purposes. What has been taken away can be renewed when God calls His people back to Himself. As we pass through seasons of hardship, let us continue to rest in God's faithfulness.

2 Timothy 1:7—“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Paul writes this second epistle to Timothy during a time of increasing hardship for followers of Christ. Paul himself was imprisoned and facing the end of his earthly ministry. Timothy was serving in a difficult setting where opposition and discouragement were real dangers. In this situation, Paul reminds him of the kind of spirit God gives to those who belong to Him.

The verse declares, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear”. Fear can paralyse the heart and silence faithful witness. It causes hesitation when courage is required and discouragement when perseverance is needed. Paul assures Timothy that such a spirit does not come from God.

Instead, God grants a spirit marked by “power”. This strength does not arise from human ability but from the work of God within the believer. Through this strength, followers of Christ are enabled to remain steadfast even in the face of hardship. God provides His power to accomplish His purposes through us. 

Along with power, God gives “love”. The love that comes from God is agape, a deliberate and selfless love that seeks and acts for the good of others. Love guards the heart from bitterness and hostility. Even when facing opposition, believers are called to reflect the compassion and kindness that flow from Christ.

The verse also speaks of a “sound mind”, which refers to a self-controlled, disciplined, and properly prioritised mind. God’s presence brings stability rather than confusion. A sound mind helps us to focus and direct every part of our lives according to His will. 

 Together these qualities shape a life that stands firm in difficult times. When fear threatens to dominate the heart, this verse reminds believers that God equips His people with strength, love, and steady judgment for every challenge they face.

2 Timothy 1:3—“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.”

In his final letter, Paul writes with deep affection to his younger co-worker Timothy. The words of the Second Epistle to Timothy were written as Paul neared the end of his life. Yet instead of bitterness or despair, his opening words are filled with gratitude: “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience.”

Paul speaks of serving God “from my forefathers with pure conscience”. He recognises a long heritage of faith that stretches back through the history of God’s people. Though his understanding of God was transformed when he encountered Christ, he still saw himself standing within that unfolding story of devotion to the Lord, a story traced through a long line of Jewish fathers.

Paul’s gratitude in prayer as he served God was also for Timothy, who was not merely an acquaintance or a mere fellow worker; he was someone Paul continually remembered before God. Day and night, Timothy’s life and ministry were brought before the Lord in prayer.

This verse reveals how deeply the Christian life is shaped by gratitude and intercession. Thankfulness directs the heart toward God, recognising His grace in the lives of others. Prayer expresses care and spiritual concern, lifting others before the Lord.

Today’s verse gently encourages believers to cultivate the same pattern as we observed in Paul. Instead of allowing daily concerns to dominate the mind, the heart can turn regularly to God with gratitude and prayer for others. When believers remember one another before the Lord, bonds of faith grow stronger, and the work of the gospel is sustained through loving and faithful prayer.

Diana Lim

“To Be a Baby with a Moustache No More” … by the Grace of God

I came to know Christ when I was in either kindergarten or Primary One. Through door-to-door evangelism by some Christians from Grace Assembly of God Church, my siblings and I began attending Sunday School.

One day, on my way to church, I was almost knocked down by a car. I was probably in the upper primary then. It was wonderful to experience God’s protection in my life. 

However, my siblings and I sometimes struggled to attend church because we wanted to watch our favourite TV programme, and the timing clashed with the evangelistic hour at 3pm. Eventually, I stopped attending church when I was in Secondary One.

Yet God’s mercy and faithfulness have never failed me through the years.

After my ‘O’ levels, I entered Singapore Polytechnic and attended an orientation programme. At the Navigators’ booth, Wong Siok Wai (my “spiritual mother”) shared Christ with me and encouraged me to join the fellowship. She also invited me to witness her baptism at New Life B-P Church in Marsiling. I started attending New Life the following Sunday and was baptised on 5 November 1989.

Sadly, I later went astray and disobeyed God by marrying a non-Christian. Nevertheless, God’s mercy and faithfulness remained unchanged.

I invited my husband to attend Thomson Road Baptist Church, and we faithfully attended the Chinese Worship Service. However, one day, I told him I wanted to stop attending because of my part-time degree studies—I sowed my own disaster.

Karen Quek encouraged me not to give up on my faith and invited me to the Ladies’ Fellowship and Sunday Worship at Gethsemane B-P Church. I did not attend regularly, but instead listened to Pastor Koshy’s sermons online. Through Karen, I learned about the Bible Witness Retreat “Heaven” in March 2024, and I registered for it. Subsequently, I met Joan Cheah on the bus to Johor Bahru. Like Karen, she encouraged me to worship on site rather than only online.

In early December, I invited my husband to attend the Gethsemane B-P Chinese Worship Service, and I was surprised when he said “Yes”. Truly, God’s mercy and faithfulness endure forever. I continue to pray for my husband’s salvation.

I remember that during one of the Navigators’ meetings, a speaker, Royston Tan, spoke about “a baby with a moustache”. He challenged us not to remain on milk when we should be taking meat (solid food).

I praise and thank God for sending friends to awaken me. Last but not least, I thank God for Pastor Koshy, whose faithful teaching and preaching have greatly helped me grow in my spiritual walk. Indeed, God has given me many opportunities to repent and return to Him. May God help me not to be “a baby with a moustache” anymore.

Ong Li-Suen

I was brought up in a Christian home and have been attending Glory Presbyterian Church for many years. I am thankful for the strong spiritual foundation and guidance I received there, which played an important role in nurturing my faith from an early age, and in leading me to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. 

Recently, my fiancé, Joshua, and I began looking for a church where we could settle down and continue growing together in our Christian walk, and we happened to come across Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. 

On our first visit, we were warmly welcomed by the congregation. The fellowship seemed genuine and encouraging, and it quickly felt like a place where we could belong. I have also been very encouraged by the church’s strong focus on the teaching of God’s Word. Through the sermons, I have already learnt much and have been spiritually edified. 

One of my favourite verses is Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” 

This verse continually reminds me to trust in the Lord’s guidance in every aspect of my life, even during tough times. 

As Joshua and I will be getting married soon, we are thankful to have found a church where we can grow together spiritually as we begin this new chapter of our lives. We look forward to building meaningful fellowship, and to continually grow in our faith together with the church.

Wong Cheng Han

Unworthy and Undeserved, Yet Saved by Grace

As an unworthy and undeserving sinner, I thank God for saving me by His grace. Through both good times and difficult times – when I have failed and fallen – God has never forsaken me. I am truly very thankful for His love and long-suffering towards me.

In 1996, I was baptised at Calvary Pandan B-P Church (CPBPC). I am grateful for the late Rev. Dr Tow Siang Hwa’s faithful preaching of God’s Word, his guidance, and his exemplary life. I was deeply touched by his love for God and for His flock. He had played a crucial and significant role in my spiritual growth.

By God’s grace, I had the privilege of serving in the visitation team and in an outreach ministry to neighbourhood children on Saturdays, undertaking roles such as a bus attendant and assistant teacher, besides leading in singspiration. There was great joy in serving the Lord, and through these ministries, my faith and love for Him increased. Indeed, God has not dealt with me according to my sins, nor rewarded me according to my iniquities (cf. Psalm 103:10). Though He remembers that I am dust (cf. Genesis 3:19), He is still pleased to use me.

Years later, I also had the privilege of serving at Blessed Hope B-P Church as a greeter, Sunday School teacher, and in the visitation team. However, during the COVID pandemic, when participation in congregational worship was not possible, I started listening to online messages from Gethsemane BPC and True Life BPC. Later, God led me back to CPBPC, though it was not something I had prayed for. While supporting the visitation team and helping monthly at the Senior Fellowship, I reconnected with old friends and made new ones. At the same time, I prayed and waited for God’s direction.

It has been two years since I last visited CPBPC. By and by, God providentially leads me to move on to another church. The Lord constantly reminded me that His grace is sufficient for me, and that He is my keeper, so there is nothing to fear. I have learnt to trust and look to the Lord, whenever I experience aching and tingling sensations in my right leg (which has occurred since mid 2025), instead of praying for healing regarding this infirmity.

After much prayer, in January 2026, I shared my decision to become a member of Gethsemane B-P Church with Brother Jordan and Sister Ara. They were very happy, as it was an answered prayer. I thank God for the brotherly love we share.

The Christian fellowship among the elders, preachers, deacons and brethren has also been heartwarming. I am equally blessed by the teaching of God’s Word from the pulpit and in the Chinese Service, as well as in the Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship.

Pastor Koshy’s exemplary life and love for God’s church – shown through his leadership, guidance, care, warnings, and reproof – have encouraged me to become more Christlike. Indeed, Gethsemane B-P Church is blessed to have him as our shepherd.

I look forward to serving together with like-minded brethren in this church. My constant prayer is that I may be a vessel fit for my Master’s use. Amen.

Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Sermon Text: Genesis 37
Speaker: Preacher Cornelius Koshy
Date: 22nd March 2026