Our 5th Missionary Conference is drawing very near. In just about three weeks, about 255 participants will gather together in Kuching (E. Malaysia) for the event. May all glory be unto our gracious God, who has called us and guided us thus far.
We had many concerns about the funds needed to support all our preachers and invited guests to gather together. However, His bountiful provision through the generous, and even sacrificial, giving of many has helped the fund to reach S$46,565/-. This amount is very close to our targeted sum of S$50,000/- and will help us to meet much of our needs.
It is yet another marvellous proof of the truthfulness and goodness of Christ’s words in Matthew 6:8 that "your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." Oh, how precious indeed is this assertion of Christ regarding the sweet omniscience of God's loving care of His people!
The expression "your Father" depicts the privileged relationship that we now have through Christ’s saving work on the cross, and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Our Saviour tells all His redeemed to look up to God and address Him as their Father in heaven. God is not the Father of all. His Fatherhood is based upon our acceptance of His Son. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
Christ asserted that the Father “knoweth” all our needs. He points us to His Father’s foreknowledge and omniscience, which are the oft-mentioned attributes of God throughout Scripture. No personal details of your life – past, present, or future – is beyond His knowledge. Nothing escapes the eye of Him whose mercy covers our lives from start to finish.
Now, "what things ye have need of" is a phrase that refers to the Father's knowledge of what we need, and not our own estimation of our needs. Whether the needs are material or spiritual, He has a thorough knowledge of them all. And because of His omnipotence, He can meet any need according to His riches in glory. How comforting and assuring it is to believe that before our lips can recite our need, our loving Father is on His way to meet it!
Jesus said that our Father knows our needs "before ye ask him". Before we enter God’s presence with our plea for help, He knows the burden upon our heart. Our needs are real, and His knowledge about them is perfect. When the two meet, relief is ours. Let us, therefore, rest in the joy that our Father in heaven is the One from whom nothing is hidden, and through whom all good things flow.
What an antidote to all our anxieties did our Saviour give us! So, as we serve Him, let us leave all our cares with our loving Father in heaven. Let us not worry about tomorrow, but continue to serve our God faithfully, believing more and more (even in the midst of trials) that He will take care of us.
Like as a father who cares for all his children, one by one, according to their individual needs, God will take care of His every child individually. He is aware of each one’s needs, and He knows them as no one else knows them. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). Truly, He will grant us appropriate care according to our needs. Let us all be assured always of the appropriateness of His paternal care.
Dear Session of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore,
Heartfelt greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
It is with a heart full of gratitude that I write to you praising God for what He has done through your sacrificial service for the furtherance of God’s work in Gethsemane B-P Church of Ethiopia. The Lord has sustained our church and provided for it for the past 11 years through many and different trials. Now, we are preparing to hold a combined service of the church’s 11th anniversary thanksgiving service on 20th May 2017 at Alemgena.
Moreover, we will have the commencement programme of the 2nd graduating class of Gethsemane Bible Institute. Nine of our trainees in the full-time programme will be graduating with Diploma of Theology. We will also have two adult baptisms and four transfers of membership on this occasion. Therefore, we praise God for your constant prayers and support of God’s work in Ethiopia.
The Gethsemane Children Ministry is also going on well. The children are taught spiritual truths besides normal academic curriculum. We are reaching out to the parents of the children also. Please pray that God may use the dedicated service of His people to bring these precious souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The work in the Addis congregation is also going on well, primarily through the labour of Preacher Engida. The members are more committed now to worship and serve the Lord. We thank God for His enabling grace upon the work in GBI, Ethiopia, where we conduct full-time, evening class and distance programmes. May our gracious God richly bless you all. Please pray that the different ministries will be effective in edifying and equipping God’s people for the work in the Lord’s service.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to Rev Koshy, all the leaders and members of Gethsemane for sacrificially supporting and constantly praying for God’s work in Ethiopia.
Yours in Christ,
Rev Ephrem Chiracho
(on behalf of Gethsemane BPCE and GBI, Ethiopia)