Our church is a giving church.  It reminds me of when Moses started to build the tabernacle, and the people during Moses’ time gave so generously that Moses had to turn back the giving. 

Ex 25:1-9: The LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.

Ex 36:3-7: They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.” Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

May we emulate the love of the Israelites during Moses’ time in building our church at Mega@Woodlands. As the new premises is about 30% bigger than our current church, it will cost more in renovation costs. At the same time, we are building the church from ground zero.  The renovation costs will be higher than renovating our current church.

Once we move in to the new church, we will need to start repaying the loans we took in the purchase and renovation of the church.  May I encourage all to continue to be faithful in giving.  We cannot out-give God and our God is certainly no debtor.  What we give, God will multiply for His glory and use.

We heard from preacher Edmund when he preached on the book of Nehemiah.  As we do the gospel work, there will be much opposition and many obstacles.  When we work, Satan will work harder to impede our work.

May we be prayerful as we embark on this journey.  Let us not be complacent.  For those who can give, give generously as God loves a cheerful giver.  For those who can help in renovation, let us serve with joy. I am sure there is one thing we can do.  We can pray for the building of the new church.  Pray for the Renovation Committee, that God may grant them wisdom in the design of the church and when we oversee the works.  Pray for the contractors that God will provide skillful labour and a heart to build the church. Most importantly, pray that God will soften the ground at Mega@Woodlands.  Bear in mind and pray for someone who you can bring or invite to our new church.

As we settle down in the new environment, especially the first few weeks, some things may not work to our expectation.  Let us have a mind of gratitude and thanksgiving.  Let us be kind and gracious to one another. Let us be united in mind and spirit as we enlarge the gospel tent.

Our LORD will soon return. When Jesus Christ returns, our work on earth will be done.  Let us seize this opportunity while God tarries in His return to win souls for our Lord in our new gospel outreach at Mega@Woodlands!