As God’s people, our lives must be dedicated to His glory. We are chosen and saved, “that we should be to the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12a). We are to yield ourselves to be instruments of His honour, glory and praise.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20). Christians’ bodies are God’s temple, and a temple is for worship. All things done in the temple are unto the glory of God. Our bodies, therefore, are only for the purpose of God’s glory and honour.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). Even in the most mundane routines of life, like ordinary eating and drinking, we must seek to honour and glorify our God. His glory is to be our life’s commitment. It is the purpose of our whole life, which now belongs to the Lord because we have been “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20; cf. 7:23). Not only when we eat or drink, but in whatever we do, we should do all to the glory of God.
The first question and answer in The Shorter Catechism are: “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” The most honourable and commendable thing a Christian can do is to be totally absorbed in doing all things in life for His glory. That is the perspective of the true worshipper, the one who truly glorifies God.
It is to encourage and help us to glorify Him that God gave us His promises - “For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:20). All the great and precious promises are given so that we may be stirred in our hearts to live for His glory. As a church and as individuals, let us remember: “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
Dear friends in the Lord,
By God’s will, I have returned to my family and church in peace on Wednesday morning (14 Jun 2023), after spending time in Singapore and Indonesia for the church camp of Gethsemane BPC, Singapore. May God bless you for the love you have shown me while I was with you.
I was very happy during my time in Indonesia hearing the Word of God being expounded by different preachers, especially the messages under the topic, “Be Spiritually-Minded”. Our pastor’s lessons were touching and alarming to many of us. The fifteen points he shared with us from the Scriptures are so wonderful and helpful for our spiritual growth. I also decided that I would share the blessings I received through those messages with our church members in a series of sermons during our Sunday worship services. Indeed, the recent camp was a wonderful church gathering. May God bless all who shared the Word.
I also want to thank Pastor Koshy and his family, who welcomed and hosted me in their house, and treated me as their brother. May God bless them. Again, I thank all of you who have shown me your love in different ways.
Finally, I thank the Lord for helping me to share His Word with you. All glory be to the Lord!
(A brief report compiled from the letters of Pastor Donald dela Cruz)
I praise the Lord for enabling and sustaining the mission church in Pangasinan for the past 9 years. We celebrated our 9th Anniversary Thanksgiving last Lord’s Day with a simple get-together. We ordered catered lunch and shared the meal in the worship hall. The rain was pouring in the morning, but stopped during lunchtime. Praise the Lord for enabling us to have fellowship!
Please view a video clip of the anniversary occasion in the link below. The video shows God’s faithfulness, as testified by the recent events in the mission station. We showed the video to the congregation last Lord’s Day. The video was prepared by Bro Jumar and his wife, Sis Olive. I praise the Lord for enabling them to produce this video clip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TTsWgaVMsa4GQihgYWM7EwqqXNlRfldp/view?usp=drive_link
I praise the Lord for enabling my nephew to graduate from senior high school. My mom came from Negros to attend his graduation. We also attended his graduation ceremony yesterday to show our support. We have been helping my nephew in his studies here in Pangasinan for the last two years. His parents can hardly support his studies, and I praise the Lord for enabling my family to help them. He will be going to Manila to attend college, and will stay in my younger brother’s home …
Meanwhile, I praise the Lord for helping me and my family prepare for ministering God’s Word in Melbourne. I will preach in the Youth Camp of Bethel BP Church. We will be leaving on June 29, and will return on July 12.
