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In Acts 3:1, we see Peter and John going up together into the temple, “at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour”. God would use these two apostles to bring about healing in a man who was lame. “And he (the lame man) leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them (Peter and John) into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God” (Acts 3:8).

This miracle was wrought at the hour of prayer. A certain man, who was lame from his mother’s womb, was carried and laid at the gate of the temple on a daily basis (v. 2). He was there to ask alms. Asking of alms was a common thing among the poor people of the Jewish community. If they were blind, or lame (like this man was), they would normally sit outside the temple, where people often came to pray. Showing mercy to the poor and needy is something God has commanded both in the Old and New Testaments, so many worshippers would give alms to help these poor people to survive, including this lame man in question. But something else better happened to this man. For Peter said, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (v. 6). And then Peter “took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (v. 7). Amazingly, this man didn’t immediately run back home to tell the people, but he went into the temple together with Peter and John, to pray and praise God (cf. v. 8). The most important thing to him, upon restoration of his mobility, was to get into the temple to pray – not to go away to engage in self-centred pursuits, Brethren, why does God heal us? Why does He save us and give us all spiritual and physical blessings? That we should pray.

Prayer in the Leadership and Laity

Significantly, we can observe two categories of people mentioned here. Firstly, the apostles Peter and John (representing the leaders), who were observed to be going to pray. Peter was a man who would have a big role to play in the early leadership of the church. Before Paul appeared on the scene, Peter was the most celebrated among the early church leaders. John, another “pillar” of the church leadership (cf. Galatians 2:9), was seen on several occasions together with Peter in the Acts episodes. It seemed that both were the chief representatives of the apostles. This is corroborated in 8:14-15, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them (the Samaritan converts) Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost”.

These were two mighty leaders of the early church, who were able to stay together and serve God because they were prayerful people. Truly, the leadership of our church must be a prayerful leadership. There is something really special about the leadership that pray. God will use them mightily. But the converse is true – the leadership that cannot pray together is in great danger! Peter and John, though endued with so much power of the Holy Spirit, performing stupendous miracles, went regularly to seek God in the temple. It goes without saying why they went to the temple at the ninth hour. Was it to perform some miracle? No, but to pray! For it was the hour of prayer in the temple. They went there like any other worshipper – to pray! That, we believe, is the secret of their mighty ministry together as church leaders.

Secondly, the prayerful inclination of the healed lame man (representing the lay people) is also worthy of more than a passing mention. Because of Peter and John, he was also led to enter the temple to pray. A praying leadership will give rise to praying congregations. This is alluded to in Acts 1:14, where we see not only the eleven disciples, but also others (including “the women”) being mentioned as praying with them. This is significant in the ministry of the church. While it is a pastor’s duty to pray as an expression of his faith (in obedience to God who commands that we should pray), at the same time, it is also his duty to call people to pray for him. Take a leaf from the apostle Paul’s desire for the lay people to join him in prayer.

When Paul wrote to the Romans, he said in Romans 15:30, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me”. Paul asked the people in the church to exert themselves in the spiritual exercise of prayer on behalf of him. He was unashamed about this matter of asking others to pray with him and for him. In Ephesians 6:19, we read that he had asked the Ephesian church to pray “for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel”. Without question, for the church ministry to flourish, both the leadership and laity must strive together in prayer, so that, among other things, “the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). 

Prayer for Strengthening of Ministry

Belief in Christ and prayer are two sides of the same coin. Every believing heart is supernaturally, spiritually endued with the desire for prayer. There is not a believing heart that doesn’t pray. The greater the faith of a man, the greater his prayer habits. Dear church, we must not fail to pray if our ministries (both local and overseas) are to flourish. It is good to remember that Peter and John, who were going up to the temple to pray together, were working together for the spreading of the Gospel. When you pray together, you work well. Whether you are serving in a committee, or going for evangelism, or engaging in visitation of the elderly / needy brethren in church, it is vital to pray first. Otherwise, you may quarrel along the way, or your visitation may end up in disarray. Likewise, if you are singing together in a choir, or if you are working together in the PA team, or the internet media ministry, or the ushers’ ministry, or the refreshments team (which also oversee the Holy Communion preparations), etc., always pray first – and pray together frequently.

The attitude of prayer ought to be one of humility, and acknowledgment of weakness prevailing in us. It is not a time to show off our powers. Each time we come together as a church (even if it’s a small group of brethren), it is most necessary and fitting to pray to the Lord. It is not without reason that the Old Testament temple (and, as a corollary, the church) is called “an house of prayer” (cf. Isaiah 56:7). 

Prayer Requires Regular Appointed Times

If the church is to be a house of prayer, then there must be appointed seasons of prayer in the church. Notice that Peter and John went up to the temple regularly for prayer. There was a set time for prayer, which, according to Acts 3:1, was the ninth hour (i.e. 3 o’clock in the afternoon). The ninth hour was one of the set times for Jewish prayers. According to the Old Testament, there were morning sacrifices, and evening sacrifices in the temple (cf. Exodus 29:38-42), so the believing Jews all went to the temple to pray at those set times, as it was customary.

There is thus biblical precedent for the church to set aside a regular appointed time for corporate prayer – hence the weekly church prayer meeting, which is, in many ways, the “power-house” of the church. Sadly, there are people who don’t believe in the importance of prayer meeting. Worse still, there are people in churches today who don’t see the need for daily prayer, as individuals and as a family. They say there’s no evidence in the Bible for such daily devotion. Do they not know from Scripture how Job prayed for his children every day, even with sacrifices, in case they had sinned and thereby needed sanctification (cf. Job 1:5)? Have they conveniently forgotten the biblical instruction in Deuteronomy 6:7, where God says that a father should speak about God’s Word with his children while he sits, walks, lies down, and moves about with them? Have they not read the Book of Proverbs (especially chapters 1 to 8), wherein is impressed upon us how a father and mother should instruct the children in the Word of God? The biblical teaching is that such times for devotion / prayer are not just on a regular basis, but as often as possible! The same applies to the larger family of God, the church.

Truly, when a church makes full use of those provisions under God’s providence to pray (at set times and set places), there’ll be provisions of God’s blessings. While none of us today is an apostle and so won’t be able to heal people miraculously, we will be used by God to restore many to the joy of salvation, and to spiritual health. That, spiritually speaking, is the biggest miracle! Just like that healed lame man, who “entered … into the temple, … praising God”! That being the case, may we, as a church, pray always (Luke 18:1) and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Amen.

Before Christ’s ascension, He commanded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit’s promised empowerment, that they may be His witnesses all around the world. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). For “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

In obedience to the Lord’s command, the apostles returned to Jerusalem (Acts 1:12a), and “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren” (Acts 1:14). That first prayer gathering after Christ’s ascension, which began with just the eleven apostles, eventually grew to a total of about 120 (Acts 1:15). From that group of praying men and women who waited for the power of the Holy Spirit, sprang up the first New Testament church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1–47)!

Be Given to Prayer

The Lord’s instruction to the apostles to tarry in Jerusalem led them to a season of prayer, together with other believers. They prayed with hearts submissive to the Lord’s command, and with the joyous expectation of the Spirit’s might  that would empower them as witnesses to the Gospel in a hostile world. Though they hardly knew the details of what would happen, they knew for sure that life and the ministry ahead of them would be full of trials and sorrows. But their persistence in prayer would be instrumental in preparing them for all the challenges which they would face. Through constant collective prayers, the church overcame persecution, apostasy, temptation, and made significant progress in preaching the Gospel and advancing the church’s work.

The early church relied on God through prayer for all their spiritual and physical needs. They relentlessly pursued divine help in prayer. They prayed individually as believers (cf. Acts 9:10–12, 40; 10:9), and corporately as a church (cf. Acts 1:14, 24; 4:24–31; 12:5, 12). What a far cry from the contemporary church! Sadly, prayer is much neglected in the church at large today. In churches of our day and age, we hear of large crowds turning up for concerts, for entertainment, and even for listening to the testimonies of the rich and famous. Prayer meetings, on the other hand, attract only the faithful few. Lack of interest in prayer is the primary reason for the weakness of the contemporary church.

We must take care not to be drawn away from prayer by laziness, pleasure, business, etc. The dire consequences of neglect of prayer cannot be ignored. The present circumstances in which we live and serve are perilous to holy living that is acceptable to God. There are many powerful temptations and demonic doctrines that lurk around us. Only through much prayer can we keep ourselves holy for our Master’s use. Unless we are diligent in prayer, we will be overtaken by the adversary’s ploys to destroy us (cf. Luke 21:36). Truly, only when we are given continually to prayer will the church members’ personal life and the church ministries flourish spiritually.

Be Earnest in Prayer

That is why we read of Paul’s apostolic exhortation to the church in Colossae, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). We too must take heed of this injunction to pray with earnest perseverance and give ourselves unto prayer as God’s Word requires. Now, the Greek word (proskarteréō) translated as “continue” has the idea of “to continue to do something with intense effort, even with the possibility of difficulties along the way, until one has brought it to the wished-for end”.

So, firstly, our prayers must be earnest before God. Prayer should never be perfunctory. A casual or superficial attitude in prayer is akin to being irreverent before God. An indifferent heart in prayer is tantamount to mocking God’s holy and solemn presence. Wandering hearts and sleepy prayers are not befitting the majestic presence of our gracious God. Then, secondly, there must be devoutness and commitment to prayer. Jesus had said that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). This is not to say that we are to be always on our knees, but rather that the spirit of prayer should never be laid aside. We must have a prayerful spirit all the time. We must also delight in frequent prayers, whether they be short or protracted prayers. God must be frequently sought, for He alone is our help.

Scripture records many examples of men and women who prayed earnestly and without ceasing. We need not look too far. Even in Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, the apostle mentions his co-labourer, Epaphras, as “always labouring fervently for you in prayers” (Colossians 4:12). Such constancy in prayer has been the secret of God’s servants who are God-honouring. Such is also the secret of a God-honouring, vibrant, fruitful church. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, a praying church will be empowered and guided to fulfil God’s glorious purposes concerning its work on earth. Believers will be built up in knowledge and godliness to serve the Lord in love, unity and peace, that the Gospel may spread far and near. The Spirit of God will invigorate a praying church to magnify the Lord, that more members may be added to the church as the blessings of the Gospel of Christ spread throughout the community.

Be Watchful in Prayer

In Paul’s apostolic counsel on prayer, we are also called unto watchfulness in prayer—“watch in the same” (v. 2b). The word rendered “watch” has the idea of “refrain from sleep”, “stay awake”, “be alert”, “be vigilant”. When physical tiredness and sleepiness prevented Peter, James and John from being awakened unto prayer, Jesus rebuked them: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:40–41). Even physical fatigue is not a satisfactory excuse for failing in prayer. Christians must be awake unto the pressing matters of life and ministry, so as to bring them to God in prayer.

Besides, being watchful also entails looking out for what God has already blessed us with, which should evoke a thankful spirit in us. Whenever we pray, we must be full of thankfulness towards God. Admittedly, we are more prone to ask or complain than to give thanks. When we pray, we must be grateful for the blessings already granted, and for the promises He has given unto us. Beware: ungrateful men are not fit to pray! On the other hand, grateful men who depend upon God for spiritual wisdom and power to lead those under their care will pray without ceasing. Those who desire to be faithful in their God-given roles will be utterly dependent on God through prayer. Gratefulness and watchfulness would hasten them to the presence of God. They will be serious in their commitment to pray for their families and those under their charge, as well as to pray with them. They will also count it their special joy and duty to be with people who gather together to pray. Indeed, men of faith are not only given to prayer, but also earnest and watchful in prayer.

Conclusion

Most of us are not called to be preachers of the Word or to be leaders of the church. But all of us are called to be mighty in intercession. Like Epaphras, who was constantly mindful of his home church and toiled in prayer for the brethren (cf. Colossians 4:12), we too must pray. With burden, faith and thanksgiving we must pray. Let there be godly expectation of divine blessings as we pray for ourselves and our church. All of us can pray for one another—and that we must do.

It is not uncommon that Christians feel troubled about their struggle to fulfil their Christian calling to live a holy and God-pleasing life. Are you also feeling inadequate and helpless to be a faithful and fruitful Christian? Do you think Christian life and ministry surpass your human abilities and powers? Do the challenges and goals of Christian life and ministry appear daunting before you?

Feelings of inadequacy, resulting in doubt and anxiety, are typical of everyone who cherishes a genuine desire to do the will of God and please Him. Such was the apostle Paul’s concern. That great hero of faith made repeated assertions about his insufficiency. He asked in 2 Corinthians 2:16b, “And who is sufficient for these things?” He also wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God”.

Paul’s sense of his personal insufficiency was an all-pervasive view of his life. When he said, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves” (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7), he was attesting to his total inability in the matters of Christian life and ministry. Brethren, there is no greater folly than to think that we possess the power to attain supreme spiritual heights within ourselves. Wise is the man who readily acknowledges – “O, how little is my sufficiency!” 

“But our sufficiency,” says Paul, “is of God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5b). So, the answer to the question, “Who is sufficient for these things?”, is all who trust in God, who is our sufficiency. In God, we have all sufficiency. In Him is all the wisdom, all the thoughts, all the love, all the power, and all the conquering energy which every devoted and serving Christian needs. His own inadequacy and lack of human resources turned Paul into an empty vessel that is to be filled with divine power and goodness for the blessed ministry of the Gospel. Paul did not rely on his natural abilities to accomplish his ministry. Instead, he ministered, trusting in divine empowerment. So, he wrote, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4).

That our sufficiency should be of God is infinitely better than if it were of ourselves, for then our sufficiency cannot be questioned, doubted, interrupted, or depleted. If we had to bear all the burdens and challenges, we would soon be undone. But now, we are like a child who travels with his father, and his father pays for everything. Like a child who draws all his needs from his father’s constant provision, we must draw upon the inexhaustible resources of God so that we may be well-furnished to fulfil all our Christian responsibilities and duties. 

We can now expect to live a peaceful and princely life; our heavenly Father will provide for us from His all-sufficiency. Our sufficiency is of God; let us practically enjoy this truth. Like Paul, let us also learn to live by drawing on the Lord’s ever-sufficient grace. Consider Paul’s testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

“We are poor, leaking vessels,” Charles Spurgeon wrote, “and the only way for us to keep full is to put our pitcher under the perpetual flow of His boundless grace. Then, despite its leakage, the cup will always be full to the brim.” Our sufficiency is of God! When it comes to God’s work, such as evangelism, we know we have no power to reach souls and save them. One might cry, “I feel it is a work too hard for me. I do not feel I’m able to win a soul.” Let him also continue to remember the truth that “our sufficiency is of God.”

Brethren, if God sends us, He will go with us to help us accomplish His work. When God calls a man to preach and gives him a message to deliver, He will also prepare the ears and hearts to hear and believe the message. He, who has called us, is able to fulfil the work He has begun in us (Phil 1:6). O, how blessed are those words for every servant of Christ working for His dear name: “Our sufficiency is of God!”

Thanksgiving Testimony of Salvation

(William Lee’s testimony of God’s gracious work in the salvation of his mother, Mdm Kong Mok Kum, before calling her home on 19 Jan 2024.)

When my mother was hospitalised in July 2020, she told me she wanted to have a Christian funeral service when she died. I explained to her that before a minister can conduct a Christian funeral for her, she must first accept Jesus as her Saviour. I also told her it would be a burial and not a cremation. She understood, agreed and accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She reaffirmed her faith when Pastor Koshy and Pr Daniel Lim visited her in the hospital, and she was baptised on 1 Aug 2020.

Over the next three years, she grew spiritually from faith to faith. When told she had cancer in September 2023, it did not devastate her because her faith was strong, and she knew that this was the beginning of a journey towards her eternal home in Heaven. She knew she must persevere through the suffering of pain as her body grew weaker physically. But God has been merciful to grant her grace to endure and hope to look towards the day when she closes her eyes for the last time on this earth and enters Heaven with joy unspeakable, beholding Jesus Christ, who loved and saved her. Revelation 21:4 says, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

She has gone to a place that the Lord Jesus has prepared for her (John 14:3), where there will be no more darkness, suffering, pain and death. Up in Heaven, she shall join my father, and all who like them have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour and Lord, and have gone ahead much earlier to glorify Him in ceaseless praise.

This article is necessitated by the pervasive influence of Charismatism in the church scene. The main purpose is to expose error and warn against the flood of erroneous doctrines now sweeping over the modern church in the name of Charismatism. In this article, the following pernicious notion of the Holy Spirit perpetuated by the Charismatics will be refuted, with overwhelming Scriptural support.

Charismatics Erroneously Teach: Not Every Christian has the Holy Spirit.”

The Charismatics teach that not every Christian has the Holy Spirit and would often ask other Christians, “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” The Bible clearly refutes that claim. On the contrary, Scripture unequivocally teaches that every Christian has the Holy Spirit, and that without the Holy Spirit no one would even be a Christian. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). Indeed, as this verse repeatedly declares – “ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit” (v. 9a); “the Spirit of God dwell in you” (v. 9b); and “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (v. 9c) – genuine Christians are never without the Holy Spirit.

The fact of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence in every genuine Christian is proven by the following biblical teachings about His work in every individual Christian.

Holy Spirit Regenerates Every Christian

No one ever becomes a Christian except that the Holy Spirit works within his heart to convict and convert him. The Lord Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5; cf. Ezekiel 36:25-27). It is the Spirit who gives a sinner the power to repent and believe on the Gospel of Christ so that he may have eternal life. The Spirit regenerates and renews us – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5).

Make no mistake about it, it is the Holy Spirit who enables a person to know God’s love for him. As Romans 5:5 tells us, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” In other words, it is the gift of the Holy Spirit in a Christian that helps him to know and rejoice in the love of God.

Holy Spirit Seals Every Christian

Moreover, the moment a person puts his faith in Christ, he is “sealed” by the Holy Spirit for eternity. This is affirmed by Ephesians 1:13, 14 – “In whom (Christ) ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Paul also reiterates this truth in 2 Corinthians 1:22, by saying that God “hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” By giving the Holy Spirit to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God “seals” or stamps them as His own possession. Hence, Scripture admonishes Christians to “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Without a doubt, the presence of the Holy Spirit in Christians right from the inception of their faith is an undeniable truth of the Bible!

The above few verses also tell us that Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit, which is given as an “earnest” of their ultimate redemption in heaven. The Greek word for “earnest” literally means “down payment” or “deposit of pledge”. That is to say, the Holy Spirit who seals Christians is the divine deposit in them, guaranteeing their eternal inheritance. The Holy Spirit is a “down payment” of the eternal joy and blessings that await Christians. This spiritual reality exists in Christians the moment they believe on Christ.

Holy Spirit Resides in Every Christian

The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in all Christians is further established when the Bible speaks of the Spirit indwelling them. In Galatians 4:6, Christians are assured that “because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Christians’ sonship is evidenced by the presence of the Spirit whom God has sent to them. Clearly, the presence of the Spirit confirms the bestowal of sonship. Hence, Scripture affirms that “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:14-16).

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Christians (cf. Romans 8:11b; 2 Timothy 1:14b) is such a solemn reality that Christians are given the biblical designation of “the temple of God”. 1 Corinthians 3:16 rhetorically asks, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” That question was repeated in 1 Corinthians 6:19, emphasising the truth of the Spirit’s indwelling in Christians – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

Holy Spirit Gives Spiritual Gifts to Every Christian

The Holy Spirit indwells and empowers every believer in the New Testament with spiritual gifts to serve in the church. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; cf. Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10). So, all Christians are gifted without exception. No believer is without at least one spiritual gift!

Having said that, individual giftedness is determined by God’s will, and not by human will. It is God who assigns spiritual gifts to believers as He deems fit. This truth is repeatedly taught in the Scriptures. “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:11). Again, 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him” (cf. v. 24). This tells us that the kind of gifts received is not determined by the believer, but by the Holy Spirit. Besides, a Christian may have more than one gift, as equipped by the Holy Spirit according to His pleasure. Be that as it may, the primary purpose of spiritual gifts is for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:4-5, 12, 17, 26; cf. Ephesians 4:12-13), and for God’s glory (1 Peter 4:10-11). It goes without saying that this is the Spirit-endowed privilege and Spirit-enabled responsibility of every born-again Christian.

Conclusion

From the above biblical facts, we see the falsehood of the claim that not all Christians possess the Holy Spirit upon salvation. The truth of the matter is that everyone who belongs to Christ has the Holy Spirit. A Christian without the Holy Spirit is a contradiction in terms; in fact, it is an impossibility!

Psalm 73:28 - “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” 

The psalmist testifies that “it is good for me to draw near to God”. Drawing near to God is a pleasant and profitable experience for all God’s children. Psalm 65:4 says, “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.”

If it is good to draw near to God, we should hate all things that distract or prevent us from drawing near to Him. Let us not put any value on those things that hinder our coming to the LORD. They must be refused, no matter how attractive they may appear.

Let us always observe what is so plainly commended to us by the psalmist — “to draw near to God”. Since the LORD has forgiven our sins and reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, we can now come nigh unto Him. Hebrews 10:19 says we can have “boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus”. Whoever would come to the holy presence of God through Jesus the Saviour will never be rejected.

Let us put our trust in the LORD God, having the assurance that He will not reject us but will receive us to Himself and hear us when we call on Him. We can have absolute confidence that God will accept us. Hebrews 11:6 affirms that “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

As he drew near to God, the psalmist further desired to declare all of God’s works. He said, “that I may declare all thy works”. In other places of the Book of Psalms, we see similar sentiments of God’s servants. For instance, Psalm 66:16, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Again, Psalm 71:17 says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

As we worship today, may our souls draw nigh unto God with faith and consecration to His glory. Let nothing steal away our hearts from our utmost worship to the Lord. Let us also speak with one another concerning all that the Lord has done for us, so that we may mutually strengthen our faith and aid one another in our walk with the Lord.

A Report from Pr Kelvin Lim

Dear Pastor,

Greetings in our Lord Jesus’ blessed and holy name.

Time flies! Thanks to the LORD for seeing me through my third semester (Jul-Nov 2023) in FEBC. The LORD is good! He has helped me to improve my Grade Point Average (GPA) last semester. I registered for 8 courses with a total of 13 credits as required for a full-time student. Colossians 3:14 – “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness” – was my theme verse for the semester. 

I am thankful to the LORD for many spiritual lessons learned within and without the walls of FEBC. One memorable lesson would be the provision of the LORD! He had provided the necessary funds for me to join Rev Clement in a Holy Land study pilgrimage in July 2023, just before the college reopened. Not only this, but other needs as well. For example, Pr Cornelius graciously agreed to cover my preaching duties in The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM) on Tuesday mornings during the semester. Furthermore, concerning my family, the LORD has provided our every need! He alone is my Provider. “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone” (Psalm 86:10).

FEBC organised a Gospel rally on 1st September 2023, with Rev Clement as the speaker and Rev Zhu as the interpreter. This event was live-streamed, and I thank God for two newcomers for the event, one of whom has been attending True Life BP Church. The LORD has taught me precious lessons from the preparation to the execution of the event. I thank God for the charity shown among the committee brethren, which helped to bring the event to pass!

My difficulties faced during the semester were the Hebrew and Greek languages courses. There were some occasions in the Hebrew class when the quiz was either a fail or pass. Thank the Lord for His grace is ever sufficient to sustain me in the class. As for the Greek class, the LORD gave me strength to read aloud His inspired words. The translations of the texts and discussions thereof in class has helped me to see the richness of God’s Word. The LORD has subsequently given two opportunities for me to preach with this knowledge of Greek. I expounded on the word “life” from John 5:24 in the Chinese service, and on the word “thank” from Philippians 1:3 in the evening service.

The LORD has blessed my prison ministry. There are some Muslims in my Bible study class. God willing, in the coming year, there might be Muslim converts coming to worship the LORD with us in church. Two of them have professed Christ publicly. They have been approved by the Prison authority to attend the weekly Bible study and Chapel service. One of them has indicated to me his desire to go through water baptism. Praise the LORD! This is the work of God alone. 

May the LORD continue to guide me in serving Him both in the college and the church for His glory!

“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (James 3:18).

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). By those words, the psalmist testified that worship time in God’s house is the best time of his life, and that the house of God where the worship was held was the best place he would love to be in. To a child of God, no activity or place in this world is as wonderful as the time and place of worship of God. 

Firstly, about the psalmist’s presence in the house of God, he says that there is no time like the time spent in God’s house! “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.” One day in the house of God (“thy courts”) was more beneficial than living a thousand days elsewhere in this wicked world! So, the psalmist said, “I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God”. Even serving the Lord at the door of God’s house is a very great and delightful experience. 

Our minds are drawn to His greatness and goodness when we are in His courts. In such times, our minds are filled with reverence and awe for His greatness, and gratitude and joy for His goodness. We also delight in remembering His wonderful and mighty works in His house. Thinking of His works grants us confidence and courage. 

Today, when we come to the Lord’s house, which we call “church”, we are blessed by hymns, prayers, and reading of the Scriptures. The opportunity to meditate on His glorious truths revealed in His Word helps us to increase our knowledge of His will, which will guide us to live in accordance with His purposes and for His glory. Then, through the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion, we rejoice in the blessed communion with our Saviour! How wonderful it is to draw near to God in His house!

So, David said that even serving at the door of God’s house is better than enjoying luxurious pleasures offered in houses of wickedness. “God’s (so-called) worst is better than the devil’s best!” God’s doorstep affords a happier rest than the majestic pavilions of sinners living the high life and pursuing a lifetime of luxury!

It has been said, “Time spent in worship is time best spent.” Indeed, “a day in thy courts is better than a thousand”, that is, than any number of days elsewhere. The blessedness of dwelling in God’s house is incomparable to any other place of people’s gathering.

Let every child of God esteem the worship of God very highly, and prepare daily to be in the place of worship. Let us look forward to delighting in God’s glory, grace, and truth proclaimed on the Lord’s Day and other solemn gatherings of His people before His presence.  

Additional Testimonies of Participants of 23rd BW-GYF Retreat

Samuel Teo (Kuching)

I thank God for the opportunity to join the 23rd BW-GYF Retreat in the Philippines. The retreat brought me great spiritual encouragement through the faithful preaching of God’s Word, as well as the sweet fellowship with the Filipino and Singaporean brethren. The five sermons on the theme “Prepare to Meet Thy God” – in Salvation, in Sanctification, in Chastisement, in Rapture, and in Judgment, drive home the importance of living our lives sanctified, holy and separated unto God. This is so that we may be prepared to meet Him here in this present life as we serve and live for Christ, and also when we meet Him when He comes again. 

Visiting the mission churches in Cebu, Bogo, San Antonio and Bohol, and witnessing the various great works and missions in places across the Philippines made me rethink about how I can serve God more here in my hometown – Kuching. Truly, there is more to be done for the Lord’s kingdom here on earth, as “…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). 

I pray therefore that the Lord will help and guide me in my spiritual growth to be prepared for His service, according to His divine calling until the day He returns!

Noel Resuma

I praise and thank God for the rare opportunity He has given me to join the recent BW-GYF retreat in Cebu, the Philippines (18-22 December 2023), together with my eldest son Norefel, his wife and children. Since this was my first time attending a retreat, I was very excited about it. To me, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience because of the following: 

1) It was a “heart-pricking” experience and a wake-up call after hearing the five messages from our pastors and preachers about preparing oneself to meet God in salvation, sanctification, chastisement, rapture and judgment. 2) It allowed me to visit and see different places like Bogo and Bohol in a short time. 3) I was quite amazed at how well the activities went, and also at the discipline, active participation and cooperation of all the participants in moving about to the different meeting venues (with everyone, young to old, sticking to the timetable). 4) I had tears of joy hearing the wonderful voices of the choir singing beautiful hymns of praise and worship, which made me feel God’s presence during that time. 5) Lastly, I was touched by the sincere fellowship among the Filipino and Singaporean brothers and sisters, as if we have already known one another for a long time. 

Thank God for the 5 days of fellowship but as the saying goes, “there is always an end to every good beginning”, and I was saddened to see our brethren departing to return to their homes in Singapore and other parts of the Philippines (Cebu, Pangasinan). Moreover, I’m saddened that my son and his family have to leave me without knowing when we will see one other again. But I find comfort in the Lord Jesus Christ by reading 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” May the Lord bless us all.

Elder Eliezer Ortega

The Lord be praised for the recent BW-YF Retreat. It was a time of spiritual nourishment and showers of blessings. The messages during the retreat were great blessings and have better prepared me to meet God. I thank God for enabling the preachers to preach the Word of God for our learning and edification.

Blessed be the Lord for the apt and fitting messages of the hymns and carols sung by the Gethsemane B-P Church Choir, Youth Choir and Children’s Choir of Singapore. The Cantata was a time of great contemplation on the condescension of the Lord Jesus Christ. And how my heart greatly rejoices of the blessings of “Good Tidings of Great Joy”! Equally rousing is the message from John 1:1-14, preached by Pastor Koshy. All glory be unto God! Praise the Lord for how He has enabled the members of the choir to sing the hymns and carols despite their coughs, colds and sore throats. The Lord is good and He is to be praised in using every member of the choir for His glory. Thank God for the strength, patience and wisdom upon Pr Cornelius in leading the choir. It was indeed a great blessing to have attended and heard the Christmas Cantata, as what one septuagenarian Christian visitor exclaimed after the Cantata in Bogo, “Never had I heard such a moving and wonderful Cantata!”

All glory be to God for the wonderful and blessed time of fellowship with all the brethren, both “new and old faces”. I praise the Lord for the presence and fellowship of the brethren which have given us great joy and encouragement. Praise the Lord for all the words of encouragement and blessings!

Truly, how great Thou art, LORD!

God’s promise of the spiritual progress of His people is unambiguous. Consider the words of Psalm 92:12-14, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing”.

O, how refreshing and reviving are those assuring words in the Scriptures! Our progress in our pilgrim journey is not an unrealistic expectation, but a reality that God has promised. Like the palm trees and cedars of Lebanon, which steadily grow in their differing climatic and soil conditions, God’s redeemed people will grow where God’s providence would plant them. Even if their circumstances are hostile, like the arid and barren wilderness, they will flourish like the fruitful palm trees in the desert. 

Each day of our life in Christ is meant to be a pilgrim’s progress!  So let us not give ourselves to despondence or doubt, fatigue or fear. The great thing we must strive for is growing perpetually in the Lord, even amid hostile circumstances. Learn increasingly how good and great the Lord is, by increasingly trusting the Lord and casting your cares on Him. As Scripture says enthusiastically to all believers, “But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18).

In the new year, may we desire to grow in the Lord. Let us desire more grace and knowledge of the LORD. Let us seek the LORD always. Then, in the new year, we shall flourish and yield more spiritual fruit for the Lord’s glory. Blessed New Year!

A Report of God’s Blessings on the 23rd BW-GYF Retreat

Report by Pr Cornelius Koshy

We thank God for a wonderful gathering of about 160 brethren who gathered in three cities in the Philippines, from the 18th to 22nd December 2023, to hear God’s Word being preached (on the theme: “Prepare to Meet Thy God”), to visit brethren in Cebu City, Bogo City and Tagbilaran City, as well as to sing at the Christmas Cantatas held in these three cities. 

As dawn broke on the morning of Monday (18 December), about 120 participants arrived in Cebu City from Singapore, as well as from different cities in Bohol, Negros and Luzon (Pangasinan and La Union). It was a joyful reunion of many brethren whom we had not seen in a long time! After a much-needed rest from a night of travel, we moved to a larger hotel where the five meetings of the Bible Witness Retreat would be held. Rev. Reggor Galarpe, Rev. Donald dela Cruz, Pr Edsel Locot, Pr Eliezer Ortega and myself preached a sermon each on the theme: “Prepare to Meet Thy God”. We thank God for many local brethren from Cebu City who joined us for the retreat.

On Tuesday (19 December) night, many more came to attend the first of three Christmas Cantatas entitled, “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”. These are family members and friends of brethren from Gethsemane BPC (Cebu). We thank God for preparing 42 singers from the Gethsemane Church Choir, Youth Choir and Children’s Choir with good health and the voice to sing. These singers diligently practised in the weeks preceding the retreat and, together with the Bible Witness Media Ministry, we thank God we could present six medleys under the themes, “How Great Thou Art!”; “How Great Our Joy!”; and “How Great Thy Coming!”. Pastor Koshy, who was with us in the retreat, exhorted us on “10 Wonders of Christ”, taken from John 1:1-14.

Wednesday (20 December) was a day of much travelling by land. After a sumptuous lunch prepared by brethren from Cebu church, followed by a quick visit of their worship premises at 13 First Street, Happy Valley, a convoy of three 45-seater coaches travelled about 100km northward, to Bogo City. Because of heavy traffic during the Christmas season, our journey by coach took about four hours, and we reached the meeting place in Bogo just in time for the start of our second Christmas programme. We were delighted to meet some brethren and many of their relatives and friends who patiently waited for our arrival. That night, though the choir members were tired from the day’s travelling, God strengthened the singers and musicians who sang and played in the second Christmas Cantata! In his sermon, Pastor Koshy challenged all to consecrate themselves to Jesus who condescended for us. After some fellowship with the brethren, we had to quickly travel back to Cebu City, and we thank God for a much faster journey back.

We started Thursday (21 December) bright and early! By 6am, we were all up, preparing for our ferry ride to Bohol Island. We thank God for clear skies and for an uneventful 2-hr sailing to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Upon arrival, we travelled another 1½ hrs by coach, for lunch and some sightseeing of God’s beautiful creation at The Chocolate Hills – a geological formation of over 1,000 small green hills. Many climbed up a long flight of stairs to enjoy the panoramic views from a high vantage point. We then returned back to the city to rest at the hotel, in preparation for the third and final Christmas Cantata. We thank God for the Bohol brethren, and some others from Trinidad BP Mission Church (a church supported by True Life BP Church), who joined us. We thank God for Pastor and the choir who once again ministered to all of us. 

On the final day, Friday (22 December), the team returned to Cebu City. After lunch and some rest in SM Seaside City Cebu, the team bade their farewells to the brethren from Cebu – some greeted us at the mall, while others came all the way to Mactan-Cebu Airport. 

Truly, “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3) All glory be to God for this golden opportunity we have enjoyed to fellowship with and minister to our brethren in the Philippines. We thank God for the Bible Witness Team, the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship Committee and Auxiliary Committee, in organising and executing the plans; as well as for all who gave cheerfully to expenses of this retreat, for all who joined us, and for all who prayed for us!

Testimonies of Participants of 23rd Bible Witness-GYF Retreat

Elder Alan Choy

This year GYF-cum-BW retreat in Cebu (from 18 to 22 December 2023) was a blessed time of feasting on God’s Word and celebrating Christmas with the brethren in the Philippines mission churches. It was a great joy hearing all the preachers ministering God’s Word to us, and testifying of God’s wonderful works in their lives. “Prepare to Meet Thy God” is a most timely topic in these last of the last days before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot continue to carelessly live our lives without preparing to meet our God.

Praise God for a good number of about 100 brethren from Singapore visiting the mission churches in Cebu, Bogo and Bohol (via plane, coach, ferry) to see God’s hand upon the work in that part of the mission field. It was a testimony of the Lord’s goodness. The brethren in all these mission churches had invited their friends to come to hear our choir sing Christmas carols and the Gospel message by Pastor Koshy (taken from of John 1). May the uplifting singing by the choir and the Gospel messages preached, turn many to Christ in time to come. It was good to see our youths having good time of fellowship with the youths in Cebu, playing games and communing with one another. The Lord’s name is to be praised.

I had a good time of fellowship with the TGCM brethren in Cebu. What a great testimony of God’s working in transforming some of them from their broken past to a joyous life in Christ! Thank God for our missionaries and TGCM brethren, who worked hard to ensure our smooth transit from point to point and see to all our basic needs being met. Thank God for good weather and journey-mercies for the entire delegation during the trip, including the ferry ride to Bohol. Blessed be His name. 

Eng Huat and Beng Yan

Praise and thank God for safety and good weather in our travelling to various places during the trip.  We are blessed by the faithful preaching of the five messages which are a timely reminder to us to be prepared for the Lord’s return. We are encouraged by the diligence and hard work of the choir that sang beautifully and joyfully to glorify the birth of Christ. Pastor’s Gospel messages that were preached – in a quite different yet refreshing manner – remind us of God’s precious gift of Christ and His salvation grace, which make Christmas very meaningful for us. 

The long trips between the different venues in Cebu city, Bogo and Bohol showed us the difficulties and hardship that our brethren in the Philippines face each week as they serve the Lord in worship. Thanks to all who planned the trip so well, and to all who took care of the logistical arrangements. Everything was carried out very smoothly. Praise and thank God for the sweet fellowship that we had with brethren from Singapore and the Philippines. All praise and glory to God in the Highest!

Judy Chan

I want to praise God for a very memorable retreat, this being my first time joining the youths! It’s an honour to be able to sing with the youths and the children! I also praise God for helping the choir to sing assuredly, trusting in God’s help for His glory! Upon watching the recording shown during the Christmas service on 24 December 2023, and hearing Pastor’s preaching, I can only give praise to God for sustaining the choir to sing effectively for Him amidst ‘challenging’ circumstances (long travels, lack of rest, etc.). We can sing because God helps us to sing for His glory. All glory be to our great God! 

We praise God for His enabling grace upon Pr Cornelius to effectively lead the choir, our wonderful pianists, and the brethren who did the set-up / recording, as well as Bro Yeh Wen who prepared countless ‘MIDI’ so we could learn and prepare to sing! The youths were so helpful in helping me to understand the scores, especially Sis Mehetabel and Sis Jesimiel who recorded some parts to help me learn. Moreover, by God’s providence, I only became sick after the third presentation. That resulted in me having to be ‘transported’ with another sister-in-Christ who was also unwell, which granted me an opportunity to fellowship with her! Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all brethren a blessed Christmas and a joyful New Year, one which is filled with peace and joy from the Lord!

Brethren, celebrate Christmas only in the worship of Christ!

Any celebration in the name of Christmas that distorts and distracts us from the purpose of Christ’s birth or displeases and dishonours Him is but a desecration of the true Christmas, which is meant to glorify God for the gift of His Son as our Saviour.

“He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks” (Romans 14:6).

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

More Testimonies of Candidates for Membership

Jessa Pantanoza
I became aware of the presence of God from a young age. Among all my parents’ six children, I was the one who was constantly asking my mother about God and His creation. My mother often wondered why I asked such profound questions and why I was so different from my siblings. She did not have answers to my questions. Growing up, I disobeyed my parents and did not listen to their counsels. Thus, I was so burdened with guilt. Yet, I was so helpless that I could not change and give up my habits. Sometime during my secondary school, I met a Christian teacher. She was very kind to me and it was through her that I first heard the Gospel.

In 2018, I got married in Pangasinan. It was through my wedding solemnisation that I was once again drawn to God. The officiating solemniser of my wedding was a Christian. I realised it was God’s way of drawing me back to Him. I accepted Jesus Christ with all my heart and soul, and without a doubt. Because He died and rose to take away my sins, I confessed Him to be my Saviour and Lord. My married life was not easy. There were many trials along the way. But little by little, I grew in the knowledge of God’s Word. The heavy burden I’d been carrying for a long time was gone. Jesus Christ changed my life, and now, no matter what trials I face in life, I will always put the Lord first.

By God’s provision, an opportunity to work in Singapore was presented to me this year. Initially, I had no plans to go abroad to work. But when this opportunity came, I accepted it and left everything to God’s will. I prayed and hoped that God would give me a Christian employer so that I could continue to attend church and worship the Lord. Praise the Lord for answering my prayers. Through my employer, I was led to Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church. When I was invited to join the Catechism class, I readily and happily joined the class. I am thankful to the elders who explained God’s Word to me. I am convinced that the Lord has a plan and purpose for my life, and how important Jesus Christ is in my life. I remember tears running down my face during one of Elder Choy’s lessons, when God’s Word penetrated my heart. How much Jesus endured on the cross for us. His love for us is so great. Jesus is the only way to heaven, and He gives us eternal life. He alone is worthy to be worshipped. May I worship Him till my last breath.
I like to end with this verse in Matthew 4:4, which has stayed with me since I first heard the Gospel in my younger days – “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Lim Peng Kwang
I was raised in a Buddhist family in Batu Pahat, Malaysia. Following my secondary education, I moved to Singapore to further my studies. After completing my studies, my life became primarily focused on work. On weekends, like many non-believers, I would often feel excited and anxious to buy the newspaper, with great interest to look at the 4-digit lottery numbers printed inside.

In 1995, I met Maria (who would later become my wife) through a colleague’s introduction. Back then, we were just friends, and she made it clear that we couldn’t pursue a relationship because of my non-believer status. One day, Maria invited me to join her for a Wednesday prayer meeting at Maranatha Baptist Church. Intrigued by her faith, I decided to accompany her to church. As a non-believer, the Bible verses were entirely new to me. I needed time to read and comprehend them better. The pastor diligently guided me through Bible studies, where I understood that we are all sinners who fall short of God’s glory. We cannot attain salvation through our own righteousness or good deeds. I am grateful that God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and atone for our sins.

The pastor talked to me about accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Initially hesitant due to my concerns about my mother’s objections, I eventually realised that our faith in Christ is most important, and my mother’s objections ceased to be a concern. During another meeting with the pastor at Yishun McDonald’s, he shared and presented me with teachings from the Book of Romans. I understood the need to repent and surrender to Jesus Christ, trusting Him as my personal Saviour to cleanse me of all my sins. I recognised that only through Jesus Christ could I be saved from eternal punishment in hell. I confessed my sins, acknowledged God’s gift of Jesus, and committed to living for God. That night, alongside the pastor, I prayed the sinner’s prayer, acknowledging Jesus Christ as my Saviour who died on the cross to wash away my sins.

On February 16th, 1997, my wife and I were baptised at Maranatha Baptist Church. My journey with Jesus hasn’t always been smooth; I’ve to face trials, deny certain desires, and learn to act against my natural inclinations. He has taught me that progress in my Christian life is not through my ability, but through His gracious work in me.

In 2022, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, my wife received an invitation from her friend, Sis Annie Ho (who is a member of Gethsemane BPC), to join their monthly church ladies’ fellowship via Zoom. It was the first occasion that we had the opportunity to listen to a sermon delivered by Pastor Koshy. On July 31st, 2022, our family made the decision to attend the Sunday worship service at Gethsemane BPC. We were deeply impressed by the preaching which was firmly grounded in sound biblical doctrines, and by the stand of the church in displaying an unwavering commitment to the honour and glorification of God.

We earnestly pray for the Lord to continually sanctify us for His glory, strengthen our faith, equip us to be effective witnesses for His name, and empower us to serve faithfully with Gethsemane BP Church.

Tay Maria
When we lived in the kampung during my childhood years, my sisters and I used to accompany our mother to a charismatic church in Jalan Kayu. After we moved to Yishun, I began attending Chinese services at a Lutheran church near my home. During those early years, I had only a superficial understanding of who God is, what the Lord Jesus has done for the world, and the importance of doing good deeds to receive blessings.

In 1995, my sister invited me to join her for a Bible study at Maranatha Baptist Church, located at Lagos Circle. Out of curiosity, I decided to accompany her to the Wednesday prayer meeting. Following the prayer meeting, a sister-in-Christ sat beside me and shared Bible verses from the Book of Romans. Although I had heard of them before, it was during this sharing that I felt a deep conviction in my heart. I realised that there was nothing I could do to save myself from this dreadful life. I understood that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23); and there is none righteous, no not one (Rom 3:10). From Rom 6:23, I learned that the consequence of our sin leads to spiritual death and separation from the holy God. As sinners, we are doomed to eternal damnation in the lake of fire prepared for Satan and his followers. However, the gift of salvation is freely given to us through our faith in Jesus Christ. He gives us eternal life through believing in Him alone. I acknowledge that I am a born sinner on the way to hell, and that there is nothing I can do to save myself or earn forgiveness for my sins.

It is because of God’s unconditional love for us that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for sinners like me. Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man. He came to earth, lived 33 years on earth, and ultimately died on the cross to redeem us from the penalty of eternal punishment. By confessing my sins and believing that Jesus Christ is my Lord and the Saviour, I affirm my allegiance to Christ, and submit to His Lordship. By God’s grace, I was baptised in Maranatha Baptist Church on 16 Feb 1997.

My transformation was not an instant occurrence. It was the result of many years of listening to sermons, studying God’s Word, and attending Bible studies that deepened my understanding of God and His matchless love for us. We are called to have a close relationship with God, to reverence and honour Him, and to live a life that obeys His Word.

2 Corinthians 5:17 reminds us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” I no longer want to seek to please myself but aim to live as a clean vessel for the Master’s use. Knowing that God is still working in my life, I need to be continually sanctified and grow in my relationship with Christ. This involves daily self-denial, remaining unspotted from the world, running the race set before me, and ultimately finishing my life course according to His will.

Brian Tong Kok Jun
I came from a non-Christian family. When I was a young student, I experienced much academic stress typical among most Singaporeans. For me, exams were a constant cause of stress and anxiety. During this time, I met a new friend, who brought me to Calvary Pandan BPC. At first, I did not attend services regularly as I had no time for anything new. My thinking was that church or religion was no big deal to me; I could not see how prayer and worship would even help me.

However, over a year later, when I was overawed by my studies and homework, I decided to turn to “prayer” during this time. I remembered praying for clarity and understanding of my subjects, and my “prayers” were answered. Though I found my anxiety being reduced, which allowed me to study better and do quite well in my examinations that semester, I realised I only prayed when I needed something from God, thinking that prayer was some kind of “wishing well”. Yet throughout the subsequent years, I still had not begun attending church services regularly. Meanwhile, I faced even more stress regarding my future. I was worried and clueless about how the future would turn out. That was when a friend prayed with me and shared with me Philippians 4:19. This verse gave me solace and peace in that moment and on various other occasions, especially when I experienced worries about my future. From then on, I decided to attend services more regularly, and found joy in worship services, and my faith in God grew.

A defining moment in my journey with Christ occurred when my friend lost a cherished family member, whom I had come to regard as part of my family too. I felt the pain of losing this family member. During this difficult period, many members from Calvary Pandan BPC came to the wake. I saw how God’s love was shown to me and my family through their attendance, comforting words, and prayers. I felt God’s consoling presence through the grieving process, and I discovered that He is the ultimate Source of hope and strength, even in trying times like this.

My friend and I decided to start attending Gethsemane BPC in May 2022, and have been attending this church ever since. The Lord has been merciful and gracious in guiding and blessing us in Gethsemane, a church with sound teaching of God’s Word.

I affirm that I am a sinner who needs God’s forgiveness. I praise God for giving His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to bear my sins on the cross. Therefore, I believe in Christ and yield myself to follow Him. I acknowledge that God has helped me through stressful times and supported me during my worst hours. As I continue to grow in my faith, I’m determined to live a life that honours His love and grace. In closing, I like to share two Scripture passages that have given me solace in the Lord during tough times:

• 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.”
• Philippians 4:19 – “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Ashleigh Sonia Hazra
I was born into a loving Christian family, and was baptised as an infant at Calvary Pandan B-P Church, which is a sound Christian church.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, acknowledging my sins, during DVBS in 2009. I was in Primary 2 when I learned how Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from our sins. However, as I grew older and entered my first year of junior college, I backslid. That was one of the toughest years I experienced; instead of turning to the Lord, I turned to my unbelieving friends and other worldly ways of finding relief from my problems. For some weeks, I would even find excuses not to attend worship service. During this period, my family relationships had worsened, and I was constantly quarrelling with my parents and lashing out against those closest to me. I thank God that there were some people close to me who brought me back to Christ, by sharing Psalm 91 with me and praying for me. I started finding joy and comfort in the Lord again through Psalm 91 amidst trials of life.

Finding joy and solace in prayer, I started going to church consistently again. I sometimes wondered why I had to go through that year of spiritual turmoil, where God would allow me to experience all that spiritual and emotional “suffering”. In hindsight, I thank God for bringing me back, and allowing me to grow in faith and have a closer walk with Him.

Though I tried to reaffirm my faith while I was back at Calvary Pandan, I realised it wasn’t God’s will for me at the time. I was still experiencing struggles at home, and I realised that I wasn’t bearing a good testimony for the Lord. Upon introspection and prayer, I needed to be forgiving to those who have hurt me. I realised I hadn’t forgiven them as God has forgiven us, and that wasn’t a good testimony. Later on, after much prayer, I made a decision to attend Gethsemane B-P Church, along with a friend who had been with me throughout this ordeal. I thank God for bringing us to Gethsemane BPC, where I can worship God and be excited to attend church services again.

With gratitude, I like to share a couple of verses that have ministered to me and still continue to bring me comfort in times of hardship:

• Psalm 91:9-10 – “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”
• Romans 15:13 – “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Lillian Chan
I was brought by my sister Doreen to the Calvary Jurong BP Church when I was in secondary 3. Two years later, in profession of my faith in Christ, I was baptised by Rev Philip Heng.

In 1979, I joined my parents and siblings in moving to Calvary Pandan BP Church. Since then, I have been attending the Sunday Worship and Sunset Gospel Hour services, as well as the various fellowship meetings in the last four decades.

After my mum went home to be with the Lord on 28 January 2023, I have been greatly blessed by attending Gethsemane BP Church Sunday Worship, Ladies’ Fellowship meeting, and seminars since July 2023. As such, it is my conviction that the Lord has led me to join Gethsemane BP Church.

Jeff Joish
Growing up in a Christian home with Christian parents and relatives, I have regularly attended church since I was young. I also had the privilege of attending Junior Worship and Gethsemane Children’s Ministry. Through these services, I learnt that I must believe in God and was taught many Bible truths. I also learnt that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth to save us from our sins. I believe that Jesus is my Saviour who died on the cross and rose again on the third day, defeating death and giving us everlasting life.

During the start of my first year in secondary school, I had difficulty making friends. I saw that my new classmates constantly did ungodly things that contradict the Scriptures. However, I sought God’s advice by praying, and I eventually discovered other Christians in my school. Through regularly attending worship services, singing hymns, praying every day and listening to God’s Word being preached by Pastor, I realised that God was testing me if I would give in to temptation and follow ungodly ways. However, God guided me and led me not to succumb to temptation, but to follow godly ways.

I thank God that He opened a way for me to attend the Catechism class. I thank Him for my loving and godly parents who brought me to church regularly and taught me about the Gospel. I pray that I can always bear a good testimony for Christ. I pray that God will continue leading me to worship and serve Him to the end.

Joel Tan
The Bible teaches us to worship in a church and to be a regular part of its membership and activities, so that we may progress in our Christian journey: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Likewise, the Bible also teaches us – through the examples of various characters, such as Nathan the prophet, John the Baptist and our Lord Himself – to seek strong and sound preaching, and apply their lessons, as a remedy against sin and falling by the wayside in our walk with God.

I was born in a Christian home; my parents knew the Lord and regularly worshipped in Bethesda Frankel Estate Church. Like many other Christian parents, they brought me to church. I attended Sunday School and the Junior Youth Service. Having had special-needs issues since I was young, it was difficult to focus and sit by myself. One of my parents had to sit with me. As we grew up, the schedules of me and my elder sister changed frequently, and my parents had to find a church that could accommodate our rapidly-changing schedules. Hence, for a time, we attended the Saturday service of Trinity Christian Centre. However, due to my hearing problems, I could not tolerate the loud music and their way of worship.

I was blessed with knowledge of Gethsemane BPC’s doctrines and practices even before I stepped foot in Gethsemane. While my parents were looking for a solution to my problems, Sis Cecile let me listen to Bible Witness Web Radio and read Bible Witness Magazine. When Sis Cecile brought my sister to her tuition classes in Raffles Place, she also brought me to the former Bible Witness Bookroom in Chinatown while waiting for her class to finish. We would read some of the books there and browse through others. Eventually, she asked my parents if she could bring me to the “Scripture in Song” musical in 2013, and they agreed.

Since coming to Gethsemane, I have greatly benefited from the spiritual nourishment through the strong preaching of God’s Word. It is truly the case that I have learnt the “great and mighty things” of God (Jeremiah 33:3), through the sermons and exhortations that I had not known before coming to Gethsemane. While the preaching and exposition of God’s Word in Gethsemane can prick souls, I am grateful for the constant reminders to live by God’s Word and not fall into the trap of sin. In the modern world, it is very easy to lose sight of the ultimate prize that awaits every believer at the end of time, and do things the way we want and not what God would have wanted.

I also thank God for the many blessings I have received during my time in Youth Fellowship. While the preaching is just as strong, it is also quite relatable to me as the preachers seek to show how God’s Word can be applied to address issues faced by youths and young people of today, such as problems that come from academic studies and by ongoing trends in the modern world.

I praise God for the fellowship that I have experienced in both the Main Service, as well as the Youth Fellowship. Despite my condition, the congregants have come to accept me as I am, and not pass judgment or make fun of me. I am blessed by the concern and mutual encouragement shown to me by congregants and committee members alike, both in conversation with them as well as in presenting our prayers and requests to God.

In conclusion, I have truly benefited much from my learning in Gethsemane. May God continue to guide me and help me to walk close to Him even amid the trials I face now, and those that have yet to come. All glory and honour be to the Lord. Amen.

Nehemiah dela Cruz
Born into a Christian family, God had always been the centre of our house. I was granted the privilege of being born into a missionary family that served in the mission stations in Bogo and San Antonio. This allowed me to grow up witnessing the power of God’s saving grace first-hand, and seeing how God was the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent God. However, I was still young and immature in the faith, and never really took the messages and devotions I heard seriously until much later.

When I was three years old, my father passed away, and the incident instilled great grief within my family. I was too young to understand the situation then, but when I grew older, I gradually understood it. This caused my mum and I to move back to Singapore. When we came back to Singapore, we started attending Gethsemane BPC. My mind was soon filled with doubts and questions. Why did this have to happen to me? What did I do wrong?

The question in my head soon caused me to, unfortunately, doubt God’s goodness and grace. I started to lose trust in God and His will for me. However, the messages preached in the church and in the children’s ministry reminded me that God is always in control, and that all are according to His marvellous will and plan. As I grew in age and went to public schools, I began to feel the world’s influence on me. However, I am glad for the strict reminders from my family and the preachers of the church that managed to keep me on the straight and narrow path through all the various temptations.

Although I cannot remember the exact date of my salvation, I am glad that I have been called from darkness into God’s marvellous light. I am thankful for the bountiful grace God has shown to me by sustaining me and my family. I am also glad that I can now confidently declare that I am a sinner saved by grace. My prayer is that I will continue to grow in the Lord, and serve my Saviour fruitfully in the years to come.

Ryan Skariah
By the grace of God, I was born into a Christian family. I thank God for godly parents who taught me God’s Word daily. From a very young age, I started to attend Gethsemane Children’s Ministry and Gethsemane Children’s Choir. I thank God for helping me to learn about Him and to understand that Jesus died for us to save us from our sins.

I thank God for my Junior Worship teachers and my GCM teachers, who taught me God’s Word faithfully. After listening to the Sunday sermons preached by Pastor and the regular GYF messages preached by Pr Cornelius and Pastor Koshy, I was convicted that I was a sinner and that all have come short of the glory of God. I realised that I had not been walking close with God, and that I did not pray to him with a true spirit. I have been attending church worship services and fellowship meetings regularly, but still did not obey God’s Word, and I was constantly sinning. I thank the Lord for Pastor Koshy’s messages that rebuked me, which made me ask the Lord for forgiveness for all my sins. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). I prayed to the Lord for grace and strength to be able to walk closer with Him. I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour and decided to go through the Catechism class.

Through the Catechism class, I was able to further understand the doctrines of the church, the Bible and God. I thank God for Elder Choy and Elder Francis, who taught us on these important topics. I pray that the Lord will help me grow spiritually and love Him even more. I pray for strength to serve Him and worship Him wholeheartedly. All glory be to God!

Titus Lim Rui Heng
I was raised in a Christian family from the day I was born. My parents brought my sister and I to church from a very young age. Throughout my childhood, I had the privilege of hearing numerous sermons and attending Vacation Bible School camps where I learned about the concept of salvation, such as the ABC acronym - Accept, Believe, Confess. I also learned many Bible verses, e.g. Romans 6:23 - “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”; and 1 John 1:9 - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In 2019, during one of the youth camps, a question was posed during one of the invitations - “Raise up your hand if you know that you will be in heaven if you were to die right now.” This question left me deeply conflicted about the certainty of my salvation, and I approached my pastor for guidance after the service. He shared with me that if I was saved, the Holy Spirit would be the One who confirms and grants me inner peace about my salvation. We prayed together, but I left that evening still wrestling with doubt. It was during my devotion that night that I realised I was still a sinner in need of salvation. The many years of following my parents to church and the many sermons preached to me did not mean I was saved. That night, I confessed my sins and accepted Christ as my personal Saviour.

From 2019 to 2022, my family continued to attend church regularly, but it eventually became a routine for me—going to church on Sunday mornings and then heading home. Youth meetings were scarce, and my spiritual growth stagnated.

In mid-2022, my mum talked to me about our spiritual growth in the church, and asked if we wanted to visit another church where we could grow and serve God effectively. By God’s grace and providence, my family came to Gethsemane BPC through Aunty Annie’s invitation. Listening to the sermons and attending the many weekly activities, such as the YF, rejuvenated me and aided me in my spiritual walk with the Lord. I also thank the Lord for allowing me to attend this year’s Church Camp, where I learned about cultivating spiritual mindedness and living for Christ in these last days.

Earlier this year, my family and I attended the Catechism classes, where we delved into various topics, from God’s creation to Christ’s second coming. Coming from a Baptist background, I notice differences in practices between the Baptists and Presbyterians, such as infant baptism, baptism by sprinkling, and open communion. However, through the catechism class, I understood and accepted these differences, and have been assured that my salvation is only by faith in Christ. What is more important is the mutual love and respect we show to one another in the church, and not causing divisions so that we may all grow as one body in Christ. I pray for the Lord’s continual working in my life so that I may serve Him in spirit and in truth.

Phoebe Lim Jun Yu
I was born into a Christian family, and since our respective births, my brother and I have faithfully attended church at Ambassador Baptist Church with our parents. During the children’s Sunday School, I was curious and eager to learn more about God’s Word concerning creation, Ten Commandments, and Jesus’ parables. However, I did not understand much about salvation, and I had many questions pertaining to repentance from sins and being born again as a Christian.

In 2016, during the youth camp at Maranatha Baptist Church, I was deeply moved by the preaching on “Life’s Greatest Choice”, taken from Matthew 6:24 – “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” I realised that we were created by God and our allegiance should be to our Heavenly Father (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). I raised my hand when the preacher asked if any unbeliever was interested in learning more about salvation. It was at this moment that a fellow sister-in-Christ approached me, prayed with me and shared the significance of salvation and the importance of repentance.

• Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
• Romans 10:9 – “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
• John 14:6 – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
• John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As I went home to ponder about it, I realised how sinful I was, and that my current way of life was filled with fleshly desires, which God hates, and would only lead to an eternal separation from God in the lake of fire. I cried out to God during that night, acknowledging that I was a sinner and asking Him to come into my heart to save me. I understand that doing good works doesn’t save and that I am a sinner in need of God’s love, forgiveness and mercy. Salvation is freely given to all those who genuinely believe and trust in Jesus. Only by faith through Him can I be free from the bondage of sins. As Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

From 2016 to 2022, my family had been attending church regularly, but over time it started feeling like a routine for me. Youth meetings were scarce, and I faced a period of spiritual stagnation, where I felt that I wasn’t growing much as a young Christian.

In mid-2022, my family and I were extended a warm invitation by Auntie Annie to Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, where we have been attending since then. Through my time in Gethsemane BPC, I felt that the church was of biblically sound doctrine, and was a God-fearing and God-honouring church. I was deeply encouraged by the warm fellowship, unity and encouragement of the brothers and sisters in Gethsemane BPC, and their yearning to learn and seek the Lord and serve Him in the different areas of service! I was immensely thankful that my brother and I were able to attend this year’s Church Camp, where we learned how we ought to be spiritually minded – to put off our fleshly desires and to put on the new man, which is to live by God’s desire and purpose for our lives. It reminded me of the importance of daily prayer and having a close walk and relationship with Him.

My prayer is that God will guide me, help me grow in my faith, and deepen my trust in Him as I continue to serve Him and be a beacon of light to the people around me in my words and actions. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD” (Psalm 34:11). It is a divine mandate to teach our children the Word of God with all dedication. As a church, we prayerfully commit ourselves to making every effort to teach our children to fear the Lord and walk in His ways. May God be pleased to bless our efforts at home and in the church to nurture our children in the Lord. 

Daily Vacation Bible School, held a week ago (29 Nov - 01 Dec 2023), has been a joyful and blessed event for about 45 children who gathered. They were nourished in the Gospel truths through the Bible lessons, spiritual songs and other activities prepared for them. Many brothers and sisters co-laboured with the GCM committee. The GCM Committee’s meticulous efforts in organising this event are praiseworthy. Our preachers, together with other GCM teachers, laboured to bring the Word of God to the children. We also rejoice in the labour of many in various areas – transportation, refreshments and meals, art and craft, singing, media presentations, etc. – for the smooth and efficient running of the DVBS. We also thank God that through this event, we could reach children from outside our church with the Gospel. May the Spirit of God work in the children’s hearts to grant them regeneration and sanctification through His Word which they heard in the DVBS. 

Annabelle’s Testimony

Psalm 100:1, 3 – “Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands... Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

I thank God for another opportunity to attend DVBS, with the theme for 2023 as: “Be Strong in the Lord”. I wish to testify of God’s goodness towards me through the lessons I learnt from our preachers. 

On Day 1, in the morning session (taught by Pr Kelvin Lim), the main focus was on the words, “Finally, my brethren” in Ephesians 6:10. They remind us that God has saved us and called us out of sin. Therefore, we can call one another brothers and sisters in Christ. We also have a unique relationship with God, whereby we can be strengthened in Him. 

In the afternoon session, Pr Ho taught us from Matthew 13:1-8 on the Parable of the Sower. Jesus taught by the seashore, and told the people a parable of a sower who sowed seeds on a farm. Some seeds fell on the wayside, and the birds came and ate them up. Some fell onto the stony places where there was not much water and minerals. When the sun rose, the plants’ roots died because it was too hot for them. Other seeds fell among the thorns, and when the plants grew, the thorns choked them until they died. But the seeds which fell on the good ground bore fruit. The seed represents God’s Word, and the grounds represent the hearers’ hearts. The wayside refers to people whose heart is hardened, while the birds represent the devil. The stony places refer to people who have a shallow response to God’s Word. They are very excited to hear the Word of God, but they have no interest in God controlling their hearts wholly. When they are under pressure, they give up. The thorny places represent those who are over-worried and too concerned about things in this world that their interest in God’s Word dies off. The good ground denotes those who hear God’s Word with a receptive heart and, hence, are enlightened by it. From this parable, I learnt that we must fight sin and not let sin control us. We must not be overly worried about the world, but we must be concerned about the things of God (because He will provide for all our needs). We must ask ourselves 2 questions: 1) Do we have time for God? 2) How do we accept God’s Word? Let us put aside time for God and accept His Word wholeheartedly. 

On Day 2 (morning), I learnt from Pr Kelvin that the phrase, “Be Strong in the Lord”, is a command to be strong in the Lord, resist temptation, read the Bible and pray. “Be Strong in the Lord” also involves a combat. We must put on the whole armour of God so that we can withstand in the evil day and prepare for the spiritual battle. God gave His children a command to combat the evilness of their day. In the afternoon session, Pr Jeremiah taught us the Parable of the Wheat and Tares (from Matthew 13:24-30, 34-43). In this parable, a sower sowed good seeds in the field. While people were sleeping, his enemy sowed tares among the wheat. In due time, both wheat and tares sprung up. The servants of the sower were very curious about where the tares came from. The sower explained that an enemy had secretly sown the tares. The servants then asked whether to pluck out the tares. The sower said no because they might accidentally pluck out the wheat. Instead, they should only gather the tares at harvest time to burn them up. The sower is Jesus, while the good seeds are Christians. The field is the world, the enemy is the devil, and the tares are ungodly people. From this parable, I learnt that when Jesus Christ returns, He will separate the godly from the ungodly. He will judge the ungodly, and will no more show them grace and mercy. There will be punishment, judgment and hellfire for eternity. God gives us chances to repent. When we do something wrong, we must repent quickly. 

In the morning of Day 3, Pr Kelvin gave us 3 points to remember the DVBS theme. First, I learnt that “Be Strong in the Lord” is to make Christ known (Ephesians 6:19), and to make known the truth about the Gospel. The truth of the Gospel is the greatest knowledge that anyone can have. Second, it is for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 6:20; Romans 1:16). We must not be ashamed to stand up for Jesus, as it is the divine duty of Christians to speak a word for Christ. Third, it is for the praying for the saints regarding the work of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:18), so that more souls can be added to heaven. In the last session, Pr Samson taught us from Matthew 13:47-52 on the Parable of the Dragnet. This parable is about a fishing net that was used in the olden days (still in use today). The dragnet is a gigantic net that is pulled by the boats and is used to catch fish. The fishermen would bring the net to the shore when the net was full. Not every fish they caught was good, as there were also other sea creatures like squid, prawns, and even much dirt! The good would be separated from the bad. If you repent of your sins and believe in the Lord, you are the good fish. Those who believe in Christ will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 25:34). Those who reject God will be thrown into the fire (Matthew 25:41). We have to repent now (Matthew 4:17)! Jesus is coming soon! 

I look forward to DVBS 2024, and pray for more children to join us for a blessed time of spiritual nourishment, God willing!