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2024
Day 01 / 01.07.24 / Pastor Jeff Chong, Chairman of Lovesingapore, Senior Pastor of Hope Singapore

Day 1: What is God’s direction for the Church in Singapore?

Ephesians 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Welcome to Day 1 of 40.Days • 40.Voices • 40.Prayers.

CT Studd said: “Only one life and soon it will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

The Bible instructs similarly in Ephesians 5:15-17:

“Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

To be careful in how we live is to examine our lives. The Bible instructs us to be mindful of the choices we make.

“Only one life and soon it will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

The Bible also encourages us to be wise, making the most of every opportunity. Let us not be foolish, but understand the Lord’s will and purpose for us.

Let us examine the way we live and let us live for God’s purpose!

In this season, God has given the Singapore Church three focal points.

1. Turn Singapore Godward

The percentage of the Christian population in Singapore is cresting. In 2010, the percentage was 18.3%. Then in 2020, it was 18.9%. If we maintain the status quo, we will likely witness a decline by 2030. By God’s grace, we will pray and work to reverse this downward trend and see the number go beyond 20%.

To do that, we need to witness at least 15,000 new believers annually from the year 2024 to 2030. We pray for 15,000 people to come to faith in Christ and be discipled in the local churches.

Numbers are tools; numbers are not God. They serve as markers for us to channel our prayers and direct our efforts. Even if we do not reach our goals, we will still be taking one step forward towards Turning Singapore Godward.

I want to encourage every believer to bring one family member and friend to Christ by the end of this year. God desires to see more people experience His love and grace in this uncertain and dark world.

2. Win the Youth

This means intentionally reaching out to those who are below 25 years old. We also want to reach out to children, especially the children whose parents are not yet in church.

Haim Ginott, a schoolteacher and child psychologist, said: “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.” In other words, youths are malleable.

Win the youth today, change the world today and tomorrow.

3. Bless the Nations

Since last year, we have channelled our missions work and church planting to Japan. I am not unaware that some of us are doing missions work in other nations. That is great, keep it going!

However, if we are not already working on any specific nations, I invite you to be a part of what God is doing in Japan. Let’s move where God is moving!

Turning Singapore Godward, Winning The Youth, Blessing The Nations. These are the three areas I believe God is asking Singapore churches to focus on.

Win the youth today, change the world today and tomorrow.

Most of us, I know, are not hearing this for the first time. Some of us may even remember these three focal points by heart.

In January, I shared with the leaders of the LoveSingapore churches that God is telling us: “The Time is Now.”

The one message that resonates in our spirit is the message of urgency. We must wake up from our spiritual slumber. We can no longer live in a business-as-usual fashion. We must catch God’s heart and know the Kairos timing we are living in.

For the next 39 days, we will hear from different pastors and leaders on these three focal points. May we have ears that will hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and the Christ-followers in Singapore.

Let us pray:

Dear God, give us ears that will listen, eyes that will see, and hearts that will perceive what You desire to work through Singapore. Unite our hearts in Your love and the purpose that you have given to us.

We love You and we thank You for Your amazing grace and goodness in our lives.

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

/ Reflect
  • What changes will you make in your life that will enable you to “live wisely”? (Ephesians 5:15)
  • Who, or which group of people, comes to mind when you consider that “God desires to see more people experience His love and grace in this uncertain and dark world”? In what way can you reach out to them?
  • How will you respond to the urgency of God’s call: The Time is Now?  
/ Pray
  • Pray for openness to God’s prompting and teaching through the 40.Day devotions. Seek each day to learn something new about the character, will and purpose of God. Surrender afresh your work, your ministry and your relationships to Him.
  • Pray for a heart burdened for the souls of humankind. Consider those around you who have yet to embrace the Gospel or are grappling with obedience and surrender. Think of the youths who, not always by choice, are living in a confusing, assertive world. Pray for those in nations who have yet to hear about Christ’s life-changing grace and mercy. Seek opportunities to share Gospel hope with them.
  • Pray for Singapore in a year of leadership transition. Intercede for our nation to abound in a spirit of peace and unity through a smooth transition. Pray for God to raise up people who govern with grace, wisdom, courage and divine discernment as they navigate national and international challenges for the good of the people. Pray for God’s will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven.