"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2 Peter 1:3-4).

The Prospect of Godly Life
Christians struggle daily with temptations and sins that easily beset them. Is it then possible for us to live a godly life? Can we live a life that is holy and pleasing to God? Regardless of our doubts about the possibility of living a godly life, Peter firmly asserts that it is possible to live a godly life because "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness."

One day, in the tiny village of Bethlehem, a young woman named Mary gave birth to her firstborn son. Mary knew that her son was different from all other children born into this world. How did she know it? It was told to her by an angel from heaven, namely, Gabriel. He told Mary about her child that “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33). The angel also told her that “the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

26 Nov – 1 Dec 2009
(We publish the report of Elder Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah BPC) who visited
Gethsemane Mission Churches in the Philippines.)

Thank God for a fruitful mission trip to the Philippines – visiting the mission stations of Gethsemane B-P Church in Cebu, Bogo and Bohol from 26 November–1 December 2009. The team comprised Dn Peter Phoa and myself (26 November–1 December) and brother Ricky Chng (November 27-29).

2 Corinthians 3:5 “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”

It is not uncommon that Christians feel troubled that they struggle to fulfil their Christian calling to live a holy and Godpleasing life. Are you feeling inadequate and helpless to overcome the struggles in life and ministry? Do you feel that your Christian life and ministry are beyond your human abilities and powers? Do the challenges and goals before you appear very daunting?

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19) were the words of Jesus to Andrew and Simon. These words of Jesus are full of promise and motivation. None who reads them should fail to observe the prospects they offer. These words of Jesus are gracious, potent and transforming! They are for our joyful contemplation and obedience.

Who are those to be avoided?
The following list of people with bad behaviour and sinful practices are mentioned in the Bible as disorderly Christians. If anyone who professes to be a Christian is found behaving as such in the following biblical list, he warrants our withdrawal from him.

Probably your response to the title of this article would be “What an audacious and outrageous statement! How in the world would one dare to tell a Christian not to seek the company of another Christian just because he is disorderly? Even if there is a verse in the Bible that appears to say such a thing, is it not unrealistic and unkind to teach that we Christians should not keep company with Christians who are disobedient or noncompliant?”

“…Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25b-27).

(Edited excerpts of Pastor’s preaching during Tuesday night prayer meeting)

Religion is primarily a matter of the heart. It is loving and serving God with all our heart and with all our soul (Deuteronomy 11:13; Joshua 22:5; 1 Samuel 7:3; 12:24; Jeremiah 29:13; Joel 2:12; Ephesians 3:17; 1 Peter 3:15a). But it cannot be kept as a secret from others’ notice. The inner experience of religion will result in outward practice of it. One’s devotion of heart will manifest itself externally. Religion affects our whole conduct.

Today, I would like to share with you some precious lessons that I have learned from Psalm 80. I pray that, dear reader, you will also be blessed.

Every year, we recall the Reformation on the last Sunday of October. We also take time to praise God for the great work that God has done through the persons of the Reformers.

Today, I would like to particularly mention John Calvin (1509-1564), the great reformer of France, because this year marks the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth. In July, the month of his birth, quincentenary celebrations were held in many parts of the world.

Adapted from Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy’s devotional message during the last Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting.

Sunday after Sunday, for many years, most of you have been hearing the preaching of the Word of God. Some of you listen to sermons as a matter of religious formality that you would like to customarily practise. Some others are curious to hear the preaching because they are interested in theology. Yet there are some who listen to the preaching because of their liking for motivating speeches. I also know of those who would like to learn one or two points of Christian doctrines so that they can enter into a discussion with others on those points of doctrine. But I would like all of you to take heed to what James 1:22 has to say, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

Follow your pastors
The last part of Hebrews 13:7 exhorts us further - “whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation”. The word “follow” is the translation of mimnisko, which literally means “to mimic” or “to imitate”. The word “considering” is anatheoreo, which means “to observe attentively”. The phrase “end of their conversation” is more clearly “the outcome or issue of their manner of life”. The exhortation, then, is to observe their leaders who spoke the Word of God to them, with the intention of imitating their lifestyle. They are also urged to imitate their faith while they observe attentively the kind of lives they lived in obedience to the Word of God and the outcome of their lives. Paul urged in 2 Thessalonians 3:7 that “for yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you”. Therefore, no believer is to despise the lifestyle of a godly pastor, but rather imitate it.

Clear instructions are given in the Scripture concerning how believers should relate to their pastors. The unity and effectiveness of a local church are greatly dependant on the good relationship between the congregation and the pastor. Therefore, the Lord provided specific guidelines in His Word concerning the attitude and response of believers to their faithful pastors. It is important that believers understand and yield themselves to fulfil the biblical instructions on this matter.

An Exposition of Phil 1:1-2

“Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1-2).

The work of evangelism and discipleship is no doubt the noblest yet most difficult work on earth. To succeed in this divine charge, God has designed a fourfold structure of Christ’s body, and equipped us with different spiritual gifts that we might be able to serve Him effectively.

Today, we are going to learn this fourfold structure of the church as mentioned in Philippians 1:1-2: (1) The Servants of Christ, (2) The Session of the Church, (3) The Saints of Christ, and (4) The Support of the Church.

It is very miserable to live in fear. Many a misery arise from fear! How many a pounding heart, how many a trembling nerve, how many a sleepless night have come upon the fearful. Fear weakens our minds and bodies. It can be hard to bear. Hence, to be fearless in life is a great blessing.

In chapter 8 of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a lady who gives wise counsel to those who seek her. In verse 13, she lists those things which she hates, and one of them is pride. The Hebrew word for “hate” expresses a strong feeling of revulsion that is determined to exterminate. Why does wisdom chase away pride? To understand the reason for wisdom’s hatred for pride, we will pursue wisdom’s perspective and handling of pride.

Appointment of leaders in the church is no small matter. The Word of God has provided the church with divine instructions on this matter. So, only men of God’s choice should be appointed in the leadership of the church.

Only godly men can appropriately and effectively manage the ministries of the church. The church, being a spiritual body, can only be managed by men of high spiritual credentials. Let us take note that the qualifications for church leaders are not to be determined by any human entity or individual because God has already stipulated them. Those who do not meet all of the qualifications required by God’s Word for Elders and Deacons should not come to these positions.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). It is the will of God that the lips of many would give praise unto Him because of the testimony of His body, the Church. Is Gethsemane B-P Church an inspiration for others to give thanks to God? If our church were to become the cause for others to praise God, each of us must be such as those who bring praise to God.

From Pastor Koshy’s devotion during last Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting